Celeste couldn't believe what she had heard.
The God of Light wanted Rowan dead?
She stood beside her father's chair, blood drying beneath her chin, and searched his face for some sign that he had exaggerated.
"Why?" she asked. "What has Rowan done?"
Edmund scoffed.
"I was informed that the God of Light offered that village rat the chance to become His chosen."
Julian lowered his fork.
"His chosen?"
Isabel stopped smiling. Even Felix looked from their father to Celeste, waiting for someone to explain.
Few people in Aurelia received such an invitation. Royal blood and years of prayer did not guarantee it. If the God of Light had offered one to the boy Celeste brought home, He must have seen something useful in him.
Isabel glanced at the application beside Edmund's cup.
"And what did the ungrateful little shit do?" the king continued. "He refused to accept it."
"He hasn't chosen a Blessing yet," Celeste said.
