Chapter 2

After the dinner, I silently followed Apollo back to his temple.

The air smelled of faint laurel—a scent that used to bring me peace, but now just made me sick.

Apollo pulled me into his arms, using his divine magic to heal the cut on my hand.

"Oh, my Lyra. Don't be sad," he murmured softly. "I know your parents are biased, and it's unfair to you. I swear on my divinity, I will protect you and care for you for all eternity. I'll never abandon you."

His chest was warm, but my heart felt like a block of ice.

Resting against him, I asked quietly, "Apollo, you swear to take care of me. Why won't you swear to love me for all eternity?"

The room went dead silent.

I felt his body go completely rigid. A flash of unease crossed his eyes.

"Lyra, a god's love is vast. It can't be tethered to just one person," he said stiffly, dodging my gaze. "Anyway, stop overthinking. Tomorrow is your dress fitting at the sanctuary. You designed it yourself, remember? Get some rest, I'll go with you tomorrow."

Watching him squirm, I sneered inwardly and dropped the subject.

The next day, we arrived at the sanctuary.

But the moment I pushed open the doors, I saw Cassandra. She was twirling around, striking poses in the custom gown I had poured a month of my life into designing.

Oblivious to my frozen expression, Apollo clapped his hands together, his eyes full of awe. "Gorgeous, Cassandra. It looks like it was tailor-made for you."

"Really, Lord Apollo?" Cassandra smirked, then feigned surprise. "Oh! Sister, you're here. I just thought the dress was so pretty, I couldn't resist trying it on. You don't mind, do you? After all, you're the bride."

A wave of absolute nausea hit me.

Looking at the dress she was wearing, it suddenly looked filthy. I had always despised sharing—once someone else tainted what was mine, I never wanted it back.

I walked up to her, expressionless, my voice like ice. "Are you done playing dress-up? Take it off."

Cassandra shrank back behind Apollo, looking pitiful. "Sister, I really didn't mean to... I just loved it so much..."

Apollo frowned, shooting me a disappointed look. "Lyra, you're being too harsh. She just tried it on. Why are you acting like this? As a god’s consort, you need to learn grace, not throw a fit over a piece of clothing."

Looking at Apollo—who knew damn well about my boundaries yet still defended her—I suddenly laughed.

The anger evaporated. All that was left was a hollow numbness.

"Keep it," I said coldly, and turned to walk out.

Apollo chased after me, grabbing my wrist. "Lyra! What is wrong with you? It's just a dress, is this really necessary?"

I felt utterly exhausted.

He knew exactly how much my parents' favoritism destroyed me, and how fiercely protective I was over the very few things that actually belonged to me.

But now? Whether it was the dress, or the man standing in front of me—I didn't want either of them anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I gave up fighting. "I'm not mad. It's just time for my meditation. Let Cassie keep it, you can pick out a new one for me."

Apollo’s brow smoothed out, and he smiled with relief. "I see. Don't worry, I'll find you an even better one."

With that, he eagerly hurried back inside to Cassandra.

That night, Apollo didn't come to my chambers. As the High Priestess, I sensed a disturbance in the temple’s magic.

I walked to the side hall. Through the cracked door, I saw a scene that made my chest cave in.

Apollo and Cassandra, tangled together in the shadows.

"My Lord..." Cassandra panted against his neck. "Tell me... who gives you more pleasure? Me, or my sister?"

Apollo didn't skip a beat. "You, of course, my little siren. Lyra is far too stiff. How could she compare to you? Besides, you know exactly who drains all my energy."

They crashed their lips together again.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, a tear slipping down my cheek.

I thought I was numb to it all, but why? Why here?

This hall was where I first met Apollo. While I was praying, he had stepped down from his high altar and told me: "I’ve been watching you for a long time, my sweet little believer."

He chose me. And back then, I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.

Now, that memory was permanently stained by the filth in front of me.

The humiliation and the agonizing sting of betrayal nearly brought me to my knees. Still, with shaking hands, I pulled out the memory stone Apollo had once gifted me. I recorded the whole thing, then turned around and melted into the night.