Chapter 1

"Are you certain you want to trade your most precious gift for the Underworld's protection?"

A chilling, low voice echoed through the temple.

Hades materialized from the shadows. He was the King of the Dead, radiating a biting cold that felt entirely out of place in the Temple of Light I’d served for two years.

"I'm sure," I said, a little shocked he had answered in person. But I quickly took a deep breath and steadied my voice. "As long as I can leave this place, I'll give up everything."

Hades stared at me, his eyes as deep and dark as the Abyss.

After a moment, a soft chuckle slipped past his lips.

"The Underworld does not prey on souls backed into a corner." He raised a hand, an obsidian ring gleaming on his finger, and with a flick of his wrist, he rejected my sacrifice. "Keep your Sight, Lyra. Go and sever your mortal ties. In seven days, I will come for you myself."

The black mist dissipated, and he vanished into thin air.

Before I could even process the overwhelming aura of the Underworld King, a blinding golden light burst into the room.

It was a message from Apollo.

"Lyra, it's the family dinner tonight. Cassandra misses you so much. Don't be late—how about I come pick you up?"

His gentle voice echoed through the hall, but it only made my stomach turn.

Just a week ago, giddy with excitement for our future, I had looked into our married life. I didn’t find the sweetness I was hoping for. Just a filthy truth.

In the vision, right there on our marital bed, Apollo had Cassandra pinned beneath him. His radiant golden hair tangled with her dark locks as they gasped and writhed together.

That was the moment my two years of absolute devotion turned into a sick joke.

No wonder he was in such a rush to bond with me. He just wanted to strip me of my prophetic powers and transfer them to Cassandra.

No wonder Cassandra always found an excuse to touch him.

"No need. I'll go by myself."

I coldly rejected his offer and walked to the dinner alone.

The moment I pushed open the doors to my family's estate, the laughter inside instantly died.

"Well, if it isn't our High Priestess, finally gracing us with her presence," Cassandra sneered from the dining table, raising a brow. "Making Mother, Father, and me wait for you... your ego is really getting out of hand, Lyra."

I looked at our parents at the head of the table.

Both Cassandra and I were adopted. Years ago, they had lost their biological daughter. When they found the two of us, we both shared striking similarities to their missing child, so they took us both in.

But in the end, they publicly claimed Cassandra as their true blood.

And I was just the foster kid.

Even though deep down I knew I was their real lost daughter, the way they looked at me was always laced with disgust and coldness. Even as the High Priestess, soon to be a god’s wife, it didn't change the fact that they despised me.

"Lyra, get on your knees and apologize for your arrogance, right now!" my mother slammed her hand on the table, barking at me. "Your sister spent all day preparing for this dinner, and you purposely show up late? Do you think marrying a god gives you the right to disrespect us?"

Once upon a time, desperate for their love and validation, I would have lowered my head and apologized.

But now? If I had to sever my mortal ties, I didn't need this worthless excuse for a family anymore.

"No," I said flatly.

My father scowled, about to yell at me, when the hall suddenly bathed in brilliant golden light.

Apollo had arrived.

Dazzling as always, haloed in divine glory. "What's going on?" he frowned slightly.

Before I could even open my mouth, Cassandra’s eyes welled with tears. She lowered her head, looking utterly victimized. "Lord Apollo... it's my fault. I made my sister mad..."

Apollo didn't even glance at me. Out of habit, he pulled a glowing blue gemstone from his pocket and offered it to Cassandra.

"Don't cry, Cassie. Here, the Deep Sea Star. You said you wanted it last time. Smile for me, hm?"

Staring at that gem, my blood ran ice-cold.

I had begged Apollo for a whole year to find that stone to help stabilize my prophetic magic.

And now, he casually handed it over to Cassandra just to coax a smile out of her.

"Thank you, Lord Apollo!" Cassandra beamed through her fake tears, tilting her chin at me in pure provocation.

Seeing this, my parents smiled even brighter.

I used to think Apollo was so approachable with my mortal parents because he loved me. Now I realized all his patience and charm were just to keep Cassandra happy.

Apollo finally turned to me. Noticing something was off, his brow furrowed in faux concern. "Lyra, you look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

I tried to force a smile, but my eyes caught movement under the table. Apollo’s fingers were tightly interlaced with Cassandra’s.

Her fingertips were tracing slow, teasing circles on his skin.

Above the table, he was the high and mighty God of Light, the caring fiancé.

Beneath it, he was raw and intimate with my sister.

I gripped my fork so hard the metal bit into my palm. Blood slid down my fingers, dripping onto the freezing floor.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and told myself: Just hold on. Once you leave this place, it'll all be over.