Part 41

/Ajaxson POV/

"Where is Lukas?" That's the first thing the Greek God asked entering the room, which was quiet and empty, smelling like wet sand. It's an odd scent that made his nose twitch.

Shame coloured their features, head bowing down. He froze. It was enough for him to realised that his guards recklessly lost the Sun Prince in captive. Anger coursed in his belly, fingers curling into fists, a scream ripping his throat. Two buff guards were explicitly asked to stand outside the room where Lukas was rotting. How could he escape?

"You all are useless!" Ajaxson spat, his hand reaching out to grip the neck of the nearest guard. The Greek God watched as his eyes rolled back, colour draining the guard's face. He started flailing around while the others trembled in fear, heads still bent down. No one dared to oppose him because they would have to face the same wrath.

Applying more pressure, Ajaxson crushed the windpipe of the more guy, making him choke on his own saliva before he stopped struggling. The Son of Ajax pulled away, discarding his body in the corner, before walking towards the guards lined up.

"I warned you! Every single one of you to take extra precaution."

One of them stepped forward; head bowed down. "We did, my lord. A few hours ago, we decided to take a break from patrolling when someone helped him escape."

Sighing heavily, Ajaxson paced across the room, bringing his fingertips up to massage his temples. There's a headache blooming right behind his forehead, and from what he remembered, there's only one person who could have helped Lukas. His loyal guard—Dean.

The Greek God let out a long sigh. Now that Lukas managed to escape, it's only a matter of time before he found out about Talia. Even though she's safe in Zeus place, Ajax couldn't stop his worry. Talia was in love with Lukas, and she will quickly go away if he asks.

Ajaxson cancelled the lunch plans with Zeus and Talia with a heavy heart, making it a mission to find the Sun Prince. This time he would do his job and efficiently kill him. Damned the consequences. Ajaxson had enough of his cat and mouse game with Lukas.

***

Days of search and he came up with nothing. Not even a single clue. Wherever Lukas managed to hide must be protected. No amount of dark magic helped him find the location. Ajaxson, for one, knew he wasn't in Hell because he watched every corner of that place with his power.

He was the one who informed other neighbouring Kings about the lack of a King in Hell. If he cannot catch Lukas, he might as well ruin everything around him. Ajaxson had sleepless nights chasing stupid leads only to come up with nothing. Finally, he took a break and went back to his Palace.

While he was resting, a guard came up to him with a brown package in his hand.

"This arrived yesterday afternoon, my lord."

"From Olympus?"

"Yes, my lord."

Ajaxson thought it must be a response letter from Zeus for cancelling that lunch. He would have explained better, but the Greek God was in a hurry and barely had time. Licking his lips, he took the parcel and inspected it for a second or two before ripping it open.

There was a letter addressed to him on top of a stationary paper. Sighing in exasperation, he threw the torn parcel on the ground before bringing the letter in front of his eyes. The cursive fonts stared back at him.

Ajaxson,

It saddens me and equally baffles me that I am writing such a letter to the son of my closest friend. My head was a mess when I agreed to your twisted plan of separating Lukas and Talia. The fog has lifted, and I can clear now. I am aware that there's blood on my hands by sending Ingrid to kidnap my daughter.

However, I have started to repent for my actions and suggest you do the same. As a courtesy to my friend, I am willing to end the plans we had formally. My guards won't be working for you anymore or doing any more of your dirty work. We are done here.

My daughter, Talia, is with child and capable of making her own decisions. I have been foolish all this while and forcing my will on her. But not anymore. I won't make the same mistake twice as should you. Let go of her and find someone else who may settle down with you.

I am imploringly hoping that this letter finds you as soon as possible.

Regards,

Zeus,

God of Lightning.

The Greek God stared at the letter, reading the first few paragraphs over and over until each word had settled permanently in his mind. The grip on the note tightened, his knuckles turning white and his nose flaring at the sharp inhale. How could Zeus abandon their plan just like that? He had so many hopes.

"Is this a joke?" He muttered, brows drawing together as a mixture of shock and indignation churned in his gut.

Anger sizzling in his bones, the Greek God stalked across the room to nearest mirror before slamming his fist in. As the glass broke in pieces and clattered on the ground, he let out a long breath.

***

His pulse was racing once he swiftly slid through the portal, and there was something else thrumming through his body that he cannot exactly place. It's unfamiliar, and it tingled like a million ants crawling right underneath his skin.

The Olympus was unnervingly quiet.

Before he knew it, the guards directed him to Zeus chambers as if they were expecting his arrival. Upon entering, the Son of Ajax noticed the God of Thunder sprawled on a couch surrounded by glitter and stationery.

"My lord?" Ajaxson cleared his throat, failing to keep the contempt out of his voice. "We need to talk."

Zeus hummed, not bothering to lift his hand to give him a look, merely gesturing towards the empty seat in front. With a sigh, Ajaxson dropped on the couch, watching as Zeus continued with his artwork. What was he doing?

"Is it a good time?"

"I am just making a banner for my grandchild." Zeus lifted his head, a smile curving around his lips. "My daughter's first baby."

It didn't take him a second to figure out he's talking about Talia. She's the only daughter of his who's expecting. His blood boiled, knowing that she's carrying Lukas child.

"You promised me!" He raised his voice, accusingly pointing his fingers towards the Greek God. "What kind of King are you? You cannot even fulfil such a simple promise!"

Zeus face turned several shades of red. "I am a bloody father before a King! My daughter comes first to me. And I won't let her settle with a murderer."

His blood turned cold at the last word. How did he find out? Ajaxson opened and closed his mouth as if to explain. Words failed to escape his throat, eyes shamefully averting.

"I found out," Zeus spoke again. "The nymph you killed mercilessly told me everything. I let it go, but you had the audacity to question my authority! That won't be tolerated, Ajax son."

He frowned, holding his ground. "That was a mistake! I have changed. You can trust me."

"No, I cannot." Zeus sucked a sharp breath. "You know why? Because you lied to me again, made me believe that my daughter was captured by King of Hell and tortured. They are in love and expecting a child soon."

Ajaxson angrily kicked at the nearest table, splitting it open. This was not supposed to happen. Zeus cannot turn against him. The God of Lightning was his last hope to get Talia. What was he going to do now?

"You have to help me!" The Son of Ajax said frantically, inching closer to him, a weird look in his eyes. He angrily tugged on his locks. "I will kill you if you don't support me!"

Zeus took a step back; mouth pressed in a straight line as his hand lifted in response. He followed the movement with his gaze, doesn't dare to move, not even when there's a barely-there touch to his shoulder. Fingers dragged along his collarbone, spreading a strange sort of heat that pulsed right beneath his skin, and he's just about to ask what the hell was going on when sharp nails prick and break skin through his shirt.

Ajaxson gasped and flinches, but he couldn't move away, nearly paralysed with the electric current shooting through him. It's like something was being poured into his body, fizzling and yet hot and syrupy, and it made him gasp for air.

Zeus eyes were unwavering and betrayed not a single emotion, and then, as suddenly as it began—it's over.

"What did you do?!" Ajaxson screamed. His shoulder was throbbing, and he almost expected it to be bleeding, but when he bought his hand back from touching the juncture of his neck, there was nothing.

"There," Zeus voice blanketed him. "You just lost your rights to step in Olympus forever. I took away the mark of God."

"According to the arrangement, I promised my daughter to a Greek God." His mocking laughter rang in the air. "And you are not that anymore, so consider it null and void."

Ajaxson face turned red. His entire body burned because he was still in Olympus. Tears formed in his eyes, rage bubbling in the pit of his stomach.

"Ingrid", The God of Lightning clapped, inviting his guard in. "Please take out the trash."

***