“For your nuptials to Amilios." I grounded out. The very sentence left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm sure I'd have hated saying those words no matter whom Ismene-Eirene married. But something about it being Amilios, the brother of Zeno, served to piss me off more. Zeno only wants to secure control over her family's business, and her parents only want to ensure she marries someone in Poseidon House, all the better that he's related to the current Poseidon. I hate the idea that she was married over to that oatmeal of a man for political gain. Ismene-Eirene giggled. She laughed at me. Why is she giggling at me? Does she find this amusing? Just what I need today. She thinks my jealousy is entertaining. Fuck I am jealous, aren't I? I'm jealous that Amilios married her. I'm jealous that this will mean I get even less time with her. I'm jealous because even if it's a political marriage, she has the chance of being happy, and it's not with me. "Androkles. I'm…. I'm not whom Amilios married.

It had been a whirlwind since the revelations last night about Eugenius, and that Lady Hades is his daughter, a daughter he discarded and is trying to cover up her existence. How dare he treat her that way. She is his daughter, and she is the heir of Hades. There are rules we are to follow, especially in presenting an heir, and Eugenius violated that. He cannot lead this House, and I won't let him. I'm sure my late-night letters to the council members caused an uproar across Olympia and spread outside the city. I don't care. Dio was pounding on my door before the damn sun threw my armor at me from where I slept in my bed. We've been out here ever since. Not that I mind. Of sparring partners, Dio is the best I'll get. He's faster and stronger than Eugenius, so I'll be better prepared. Plus, I wanted to get a few hits on him after his bullshit white lie about Ismene getting married. We've been at this for hours now. I refused to quit, however. I have to win this fight against Eugenius.

Two days. Two days of worry and nightmares. Even though I got to speak with Androkles and learn why he was doing this, I couldn't stop being unsettled. I don't trust Lord Ares. I kept fearing that he would not stop and would kill Andy. That is my biggest fear. I don't think I would survive losing him. Which only leads me to more questions. Andy is supposed to be my friend. That's all. Yet I worry for him and fear losing him as much… maybe even more, than I did for Alkaios. How is that possible if Alkaios was my soulmate? Rea has gone to the Ares training ground to be my eyes and ears. She told me he was still diligently training with Lord Zeus, always drawing a large crowd of soldiers. My parents were livid to find that I'd gone to see Androkles and have since found ways to keep me busy at the house. I'm glad that Lord Zeus is in his corner and helping him. I know I'd be of no help to him in preparing. But today is the day. Today he faces Lord Ares in the arena. "He will be okay. L

She seemed content at least to stand here and let me rub her forehead. She reached up and gently ran the back of her fingers along my arm. "I wish that I could have seen you. I wish that I could see you, Andy," she whispered. I may have cuts and bruises along my arm, but I don’t care because she is touching me. "I'm glad you couldn't. Witnessing such things... I didn't want you to see me like that." I told her. I’d felt a surge of power that I’d only felt at rare moments previously, even if they were fleeting. I was reasonably sure there were moments out there, flickers, of the destroyer I’m prophesied to be. But when Eugenius started to trash talk about Ismene-Eirene. I couldn’t contain it. The rage was too much to control. She continued touching me, fingers gently caressing up and down my forearm. It was oddly calming. No, it’s not odd, not anymore. The more I’ve spent with her, the more I’ve realized something. I would die for this woman, kill for her, and move heaven and earth t

My breathing had gone shallow. I don't know if I want to hear more. I don't want to imagine what Eugenius threatened to do to me. If he was willing to have me followed, who knows how far he'd go. "Please don't make me say it." he pleaded. It must not be good for Andy to plead like that. I don't think I've ever heard him so distraught. And it just solidifies my decision that I don't want to know and that Andy truly is the best man I could have as a husband. "Just... know he threatened you harm… physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially," he said. I nodded and squeezed his hand. He said plenty without details, and I can only consider the worst. And the worst wouldn't be killing me, just making me wish he had. I shuddered at the horrid thought that crossed my mind. Eugenius is genuinely evil, and Olympus should bow at Andy's feet in gratitude for removing him from power. "You don't have to say more. I won't make you repeat such vile words. I'm not sure I want to hea