Lycannar Hades’ laughter filled the underground prison as he reached for another bottle of alcohol. The guards had delivered a refill again tonight, and I was deep in conversation with my brother when a voice cut through the air. “I can’t believe you two are laughing everything off, especially you, Hades.” We both froze and turned. There stood our uncle Ureh, my mother’s elder brother. I had once introduced him to Zephyrine back in my kingdom. As much as we were free with him, he was a man known never to spare us. Hades and I rose quickly from the stone bed. He unlocked the bars and pushed the iron door wide. “The Demon King will grant you an audience, Hades. Apex, you’ll be present too.” He stared hard at us in silence before leaving. “I’ve got a feeling this won’t end well,” I muttered. “What do you think?” “The worst that can happen is you losing your woman, and I won’t let that happen. Come on.” We left the underground prison and stepped into the open air. The cool night breeze that settled over the courtyard was refreshing. I followed Hades into his chambers, where beautiful women sprawled everywhere. His harem. Hades was a notorious womanizer. While I respected his choices, I never understood why he always kept so many women close. The ladies lit up at the sight of him, rushing forward with kisses and embraces. I looked away and walked ahead. “I’ll clean up, ladies. I’m back,” Hades announced before excusing himself to join me. “Little brother, let’s take a bath before we go to the throne chamber.” I followed him into his bathing hall but paused before undressing. He had maids who washed him, mistresses who touched him like wives. On any normal day, I couldn’t bear anyone touching me carelessly and now that feeling was sharper. “I’ll bathe in the Abyss chamber,” I said, and he shoved my shoulder in response. I left for the private Abyss bath chamber. Wide, serene, dimly lit, it was hidden inside the castle. Only Abyss blood could enter and as half Abyss, I had the right. I began to unfasten my shirt when a ripple stirred the water. A scent hit me, one that made me swallow hard. Xyrrha. She was here. Slowly she surfaced, water glistening on her skin, but before I could glimpse more, I turned toward the exit. Her voice stopped me.“I was just leaving.” I heard her stepping out of the pool, the rustle of cloth as she covered herself. A moment later, she stood before me, her shoulder bare, water dripping from her hair. “Why are you avoiding me, Apex?” she asked softly. “You’ve avoided me for five years, and now still. Haven’t you forgiven me for what I did back then?” I looked at her, then dropped my gaze. I turned toward the water, but her voice came again. “I’m still in love with you. And I’m glad you haven’t moved on. No ring on your finger, no wife. That’s a blessing.” This time I turned, a sigh slipping out. “I moved on,” I told her, and I saw her freeze. “What?” “With a werewolf. Just months ago. She’s… everything to me.” Her face paled, but I pressed on. “I never loved you, Xyrrha. When I tried to make an effort you took my men to war and got them slaughtered.” “I didn’t mean to, Apex!” She rushed forward, jealousy burning in her eyes. “I had orders, I couldn’t ignore them! The Ashmeres were impossible to defeat. Hades wouldn’t give me his army, yours was all I had…” “And you threw them into the first wave. I read the reports. You sent them to the front line. None returned. I arrived too late. For that I can’t forgive you.” My jaw tightened as I turned toward the water again, but her voice followed, cold and sharp. “I’ll kill her.” I paused. “The woman you’re with… I’ll slaughter her.” I turned back, smirking. “You can try,” I said, stripping off my shirt. Fury carried her out of the chamber, leaving me trembling with old memories. The children she’d orphaned, the blood she’d cost me. I bathed, then went to Hades’ rooms to borrow clothes. He joined me there, dressing too, and together we made our way to the throne hall. The Demon King was already waiting with his advisor Salo and Salo’s daughter, Kaira. My uncle Ureh and the Abyss elders stood among them.“Father.” Hades bowed low. The king looked away, still angry. “I apologize for my disobedience. After hearing my little brother’s counsel, I see how foolish I was.” I nearly raised an eyebrow. I hadn’t advised him on anything. “So, what have you decided?” Father asked at last. “I’ve decided to obey you, Father. I’ll take the throne and marry whoever you choose.” “Really? You will…” “I have one condition,” Hades cut in. Murmurs rippled through the chamber. “If I obey, you’ll let my little brother marry the woman he’s chosen. You’ll bless him and accept her as your daughter.” My chest tightened, and I swallowed. “Hades…” I tried to stop him, but he turned to me. “You’re a king, Apex. My brother. You’ve saved me countless times, given me respect and a place among our people. At least let me repay you this once. Besides my bride isn’t so terrible, is she?” I shifted my gaze to Kaira. Our eyes met, and a cold chill ran through me. “Hades…” “I accept your condition,” my stepfather’s voice thundered before I could speak. “It’s final.” Hades bowed. “Thank you, Father.” The chamber emptied at last, leaving just the two of us. I searched his eyes as he pulled something from beneath his cloak, a stack of old letters sealed in a cylindrical glass, which he handed to me. “When you reach Your Black Tower, read them.” I looked from the glass to his face, hesitating before I whispered, unable to stop myself. “Don’t marry Kaira, Hades.” His eyes widened in curiosity. “Well, I can’t avoid it now, can I?” He shrugged. “Maybe I’ll grow to love her.” “You won’t have that chance.”His brow furrowed. “Why?” “Because on your wedding night… she’ll poison you to death.”