PROLOGUE

< Akaia >

The smell of decay is thick in the air as Akaia makes his way deeper into the darkness of the tunnel. The walls are low and narrow, feeling claustrophobic for his six foot four frame. The Fates enchanted the entrance with a spell used to deter any mortals from entering deeper into the cave. Akaia suddenly feels his throat tighten, as if a hand closed around it. The hairs begin to stand up on the back of his neck. Gritting his teeth, suffocating, Akaia drops to a knee and gasps for air.

"Fates!" Akaia chokes out through his teeth.

A low giggle echoes through the tunnel. His throat suddenly opens and he heaves for air as they release the spell. "Tsk. You used to make it much further than that, Akaia." A woman's mocking tone rings in his ears is like a whimsical hum.

"Yeah well, I'm old." He grunts hoarsely, rubbing his throat. He was, but his body remained that of a 28year old. The Fates grant him a low chuckle and direct him to head to the Hall of Destiny. Akaia stands up and brushes the dirt off his knee as The Goddesses of Fate drop the glamour of the cave. She whispers something quietly but it's carried away with the wind of the tunnel. It sounded like 'Goodluck' but he wasn't sure and he doesn't think much of it. The tight walls begin to move back, opening up the walkway and the lanterns alight themselves along the walls.

Head still spinning from the lack of oxygen, he makes his way into the foyer of the white marble palace. Such an unassuming brightness fills the room considering it's situated in the middle of a snow-covered mountain… and the entrance is an uninviting cave. The walls are coated in lush vines and the smell of fragrant flowers permeate the air. Seeing this will never get old, He thought taking in a deep breath.

Akaia, normally quite perceptive, was too caught up in the beauty of the palace to notice someone moving towards him from the side.

"Ax." A familiar silky voice surprises him and steps into his line of sight.

'Fuck' he thought. Knowing her voice immediately, he ignores her and makes his way towards the doors to the Hall of Destiny.

"Akaia, will you not even look at me?" He takes a breath and glances at her. Her long white hair caresses her sharp features and a silk white slip hugged her body perfectly. She looks as breathtaking as the first time he saw her. He could get lost in her crystal eyes that were swimming with hope. An ache spreads across his chest looking at the snow mountain nymph for the first time in decades.

"Kallias." He addresses her blankly hiding his emotions and continues walking, forcing his feet to carry him away from her. Her slender hand sticks out as he passes, to place on his chest. He halters, holding his breath.

"A storm is on the way.." She pauses, tucking her finger underneath the button of his shirt. "I worry you might get caught in it. Stay the night." She looks deeply at him. He could read the unspoken words in her eyes. He gives a dry smirk looking at her finger tucked into his shirt with disgust. Hurt flashes across her face. 'Good, it was meant to hurt'. Taking her hand off his chest and gently let go, not wanting to be rough with her, but not wanting to be touched by her either.

What had happened between them was not her fault completely, but he couldn't shake the memory every time he looked into her eyes.

~ "Oh come now Ax, what's a nymph between brothers, hm?" a smirk spreading across his brother's face. "I can see why you're so taken by her though. She's so-" sucking in a quick breath, "-nimble." He drew the last word with a moan. ~

Tobias' voice rings in his ears and his blood begins to boil.

"Too late to worry for me now, Kallias." He continues walking towards the doors.

"I'll wait for you." She calls out to him, her voice filled with hurt. "Come back to me when you're ready. Eternity is a long time to wait, but I will if that's what you require." Hesitating for a brief moment with his hands on the door handles. It takes everything in him not to turn around.

"I don't require time, I require loyalty." He forces the doors open and is determined to put space between them.

The doors close behind him and he sees the Fates sitting at the podium on her throne giving him a curious look, the corner of her mouth twitching. She knew I'd run into Kallias and she's waiting for my reaction. The thought sparks anger. She notices this and lifts a brow, daring him to lose his cool.

"You could have warned me." He seethes between his teeth.

"I did." She covers her fingers subtly over her mouth to hide a smile, but her crows' feet start to crease at the edges of her eyes. Realisation clicked.

"Good luck? Good luck?! Are you kidding me?" He's fuming now and she snorts watching him throw a tantrum.

"It was woven into your fate Akaia,". Her eyes sparkle with amusement, which only makes his anger worse.

"You literally have the power to change that," He burns a look into her but she shrugs it off.

"You know I can't change the fates of gods, you would've run into her either way. Whether I told you she was waiting for you, or not, every fate led to you talking. If not now, she would've sought you out later, regardless." He stands with his hand on his hip and the other rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Good to know the big bad Son of the Underworld also dreads seeing his ex, though," she smirks.

"You're honestly the worst Aunt anyone could ask for." Another chuckle and she stood with her arms extended, twinkling her fingers. He huffs, frowning deeply but walks into her embrace giving her small frame a tight hug. Even with her standing on the podium, his height towered over her and he had to bend over slightly to hug her back.

"That's a lie, and you know it," The softness in her voice gently unravels his frustrations. "It wasn't that bad," she cooed, "you handled it well darling and you can't avoid her for all eternity." She steps back and reaches up to cup his face in her hands. He leans down for her.

"I certainly could have tried," He pouts and she pinches his cheeks with a toothy grin. He's clearly irritated by the notion, but he lets her. Much like himself, to others she's hard and cold, someone to be feared. Many did not know her soft side, but she was always fond of him, guiding him through challenges and battles, keeping an eye on him and offering advice. Less like the goddesses of Fate and more like a mother. Maybe it's because she felt responsible for the lack of a motherly figure in his life. She might've been able to change his mother death had she not been so angry with his father. He never asked, but never blamed her either.

The Fates are, in essence, three goddesses woven into one being. Each took on their role when required, as the goddesses who assigned individual destinies to mortals at birth.

"You must let it go, it's weighing heavy on you and there is something big in store for you. You must be clear in mind and heart to avoid letting it slip by."

"What's going to happen?" His curiosity sparks and she smiles at him knowingly. He groans like a child. "I can't tell you." He says in a high pitched voice, mimicking what he knows his aunty with say.

She nods, 'Exactly."

"Then why did you tell me that?" His eyebrows knitted together.

"Because! I am THE WORST Aunt anyone could ever ask for!," She gave a mocking evil laugh and spun around throwing her hands in the air dramatically. "Now follow me, I have something for you." He rolls his eyes as she disappears into the next room and smiles after her fondly.

He loved his Aunty, more than anyone and trusted her with his life. Her brother Dracerious, was a good man but a negligent father to Akaia and Tobias after their mother died giving birth. They were so desperately in love, even the blind could see it. He did not want children but their mother wanted a family, and she always got what she wanted. Although she managed to withstand Akaias' birth, her mortal body gave way to Tobias. Dracerious resented the children for taking his wife and therefore couldn't stand the sight of them. One day, one of them will need to ascend to the throne, but that doesn't seem likely at this time due to the requirements. The requirements being; a wife, an heir to the throne and to challenge their father to step down. This doesn't necessarily mean death, but considering gods are immortal, stepping down would mean being a lesser god to your son for the rest of eternity.. and that never sits well with gods.

None of that matters anyway.

Tobias was infertile and Akaia was never going to offer someone's hand in marriage again.

He vowed it.