Chapter 2

My father hated the idea, but seeing the resolve on my face, he gave up pushing.

He just sighed, trying to comfort me. "If life in the Underworld gets too hard... maybe Evadne can help you out."

But when Evadne heard my choice, she couldn't wait to rub it in my face.

"The Hades clan? Gods, Ianthe, are you moving into a tomb?"

She faked a gasp, but her green eyes glittered with vicious glee.

"I hear they can't even afford to act like gods. Do you know what the War clan puts in my bathwater? Golden apples! Golden apples of youth to strengthen the divine blood! Three a day, just so my mortal body can adapt to the god's seed faster."

She smugly stroked her glowing skin. "And Hades? I bet they can't even afford regular apples. Don't worry," she cooed, "if you starve, I'll pack you my scraps."

She covered her mouth and laughed out loud, ignoring the awkward stares of the servants.

In Evadne's mind, the War clan had endless resources, and Deimos's loyalty would guarantee her a quick pregnancy. She was dead set on beating me to the first demigod baby.

But she had no idea how hard it was for a mortal to carry a god's child. Or how obsessed Deimos was with getting an heir.

In my past life, when I wasn't pregnant after six months, Deimos started torturing me day and night under the guise of "combat training."

The War God's violent energy tore through me like knives every time we mated. He branded me over and over with scarlet divine runes, forcing my mortal body to evolve.

I was covered in scars. Walking made me sweat from the sheer pain.

It wasn't until I used a forbidden family spell to get pregnant with Tristan, securing his power, that Deimos finally stopped.

I just smiled calmly at her. "Don't worry about me, dear sister. I chose my husband, and I'll live with my choice."

"What are you so smug about? You're marrying a penniless lord of the dead!" Angered by my lack of reaction, Evadne slammed her hands on the table, spilling nectar everywhere. "I will get pregnant first. My child will rule the High Council!"

I ignored her tantrum and went back to prepping for my wedding in three days.

She was right about one thing, though—the Hades clan was broke. I assumed they were too poor to afford a proper gown, so I'd planned to make my own.

To my surprise, Orion came in person that night to deliver my dress.

It was the first time I saw him up close.

Pale skin, silver eyes, and hair as black as midnight. A faint, ghostly starlight clung to him. He carried the quiet, heavy authority of the Underworld. He was terrifying, yet strangely comforting.

"This is for you," he said, placing an exquisite box on the table.

I opened it and gasped. It was a dark purple gown, the fabric like liquid moonlight. The corset was encrusted with black gems that shimmered mysteriously in the light.

"Soulstone crystals from the depths of the River Styx," he explained. "Each one holds a blessing from my people. They will protect you from the crushing weight of divine auras."

I brushed my fingers over the stones, feeling the raw power humming inside them.

"We have not wed a mortal in a thousand years," his voice was tight. "If the gown is not to your liking..."

"It's beautiful," I cut him off. I touched the skirt. The fabric curled around my fingers like soft water. "It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen."

Surprise flickered in his eyes before he masked it.

Just then, the door swung open.

"Ianthe, I came to see your dowry—" Evadne's voice died in her throat. She walked in arm-in-arm with Deimos and froze when she saw Orion.

Deimos was massive. Dark red war tattoos crawled up his bare arms. He reeked of blood, iron, and barely contained rage.

Evadne looked at the dress, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"Oh, is that an Underworld wedding gown?" she sneered, quickly recovering her arrogance. "It looks... unique."

She stepped closer, reaching for the black gems.

"Don't touch it," Orion's voice dropped to a lethal chill. The room's temperature plummeted. His silver aura froze the air into thin frost.

Evadne jumped back, her face paling.

"No need to be so stingy!" she scoffed, pouting. "I just wanted a look. Though honestly, those black rocks do suit... certain people." She dragged out the words on purpose.

"Deimos ordered me ten gowns," she turned and clung to Deimos's arm. "Forged by the best goldsmiths in Olympus. The main dress alone took a whole mountain of gold."

Annoyance flashed in Deimos's eyes. But he glanced at her stomach and forced a doting smile. "Whatever you want."

"Of course I do!" She went on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Once our baby is born, no one will be more powerful than us." She shot me a smug, challenging look.

Orion gripped his scepter. I noticed the massive soulstone glowing at its tip.

"Ianthe." He looked up, his silver eyes locking onto mine. The room went dead silent.

"I swear on the River Styx," his voice was deep and absolute. "I will not betray you. Not in this life. Not in the next. I am yours until the end of all things."

The vow echoed like thunder. Even Deimos looked shocked.

Swearing on the River Styx was the most binding oath in the divine realm. Break it, and your soul rots in the Abyss forever.

Evadne scoffed. "Sweet words are useless. They won't get you a baby."

Now, a baby was all she could talk about. Her past-life infertility was a thorn in her side. Now, getting pregnant was her only obsession. She had even moved into Deimos's temple before the wedding.

Honestly, they were a perfect match. Both were deranged lunatics obsessed with an heir.

I smiled faintly, walked up to Orion, and took his hand.

"Focus on your own wedding, Evadne," I said softly. "Lest people think you've got your eye on my husband."

Her face flushed crimson. "What did you say? As if I would—"

"Let's go, Orion," I cut her off. "I want to see our new home."

We walked to the door, hand in hand. Evadne's furious voice trailed behind us:

"Deimos and I are going to have a baby soon! I want lots of babies! Powerful ones!"

Oh, my foolish sister. Even with a second life, she still thought a child was her only ticket to power.