ospective brides and grooms ran to the centr

as. He turned and observed lovers hugging themselves for wha

of royalty had arranged marriages for the purpose of power and friendship with other kingdoms so as to prevent them from warring against o

s also reluctant. But she was shoved to join the

ger. What did the poor

but failed to dress and look like royalty, s

saying something about an age-long custom, something about the great god of love

withdraw his name came up with the long list of names. Beh

could not so he grudgingly

ukh took a long, hard look at the god who was draped in red and white silk. The face of the god was moulded

r looked at the names and b

...

ke friends with

d found him ogling at Iliana, who was at anot

apped

ha

made friends wit

ver could get close to him. I should have known that he would be the m

s his

gods, I have little doubt that he would pair me w

e faith, Gideon. Y

d her eyes and gulped as t

ros has decreed that the rest o

people cheered wildly and the coupl

deo

pen. She turned to Gi

gods,

your life sha

s, she could see Iliana, w

Aber

a fr

n

n who stood rigid,

deo

again in the distant future." He

But she knew he had to. So, she simple stared blankly as Gideon s

her tears flow. Gideon was her only fri

me forward to meet his bride and by the time she raised h

d better not find her friend. Stupi

ected ones who were abandoned by their groom. She would carry that shame for the rest of her life. But shame was a minor pain when co

....

nd his name had not yet been called. He began to wonder if

people left. It was already night and most s

oukh

, they were serious. He really wa

s destined you to spend th

vily, trying to

.Le