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Zeus' temper affected the weather.

He threw thunderbolts when he was unhappy.

He was married to Hera,

But had many other lovers.

His symbols include the oak and the thunderbolt.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

I followed in Zion's footsteps as he stepped over dry shrubs and tree roots. The dry leaves crunched beneath our boots as we walked down the barely-illuminated pathway. The crescent moon was our only source of light. But it was hidden behind the treetops, making it difficult to see six feet ahead. Zion -- on the other hand seemed to have no problem at all.

We reached a dilapidated building that resembled an old windmill with a few of its rotor blades missing. The white paint was slowly peeling away, revealing frail bricks underneath. It looked to be beaten up by a decade worth of rain and heat.

On reaching the building, Zion halted his footsteps and I followed suit. Without any warning, he turned on me so fast that I nearly stumbled away in surprise -- reflexively trying to recreate a wide distance.

Noting my reaction he ran a hand through his short-trimmed hair and sighed. "Do you still fear Zeus?"

I shook my head, trying to deny it. I didn't mean to portray fear; it was more like a reflex. Or maybe my body remains on high alert whenever it comes to Zion. Because no matter how hard I try, I can't forget how Zeus nearly stabbed me with an electrifying sword.

"You wanted to talk. Is everything okay?" I asked.

He dipped his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans and took a step closer till his boots hit a mine. When he was almost inches away, I instinctively stepped back and tripped into the half-destroyed building. The wall hit my back with an 'oomph.'

Damn it! Why does he have to be so intimidating?

With nowhere else to go, Zion calmly placed a hand against the wall beside my head. His white t-shirt strained against his chest, highlighting his bulky frame. "Why is he here? I thought you were trying to forget about him."

He was talking about Liam.

Zion's eyes danced over the red hoody I wore -- Liam's hoody. I fidgeted with its edges, feeling guilt wash over me.

At my silence, Zion continued. "We were supposed to feign a couple. Enough to keep Liam from pursuing you. But from the looks of it, you went to find him."

The muscles in my cheek twitched for a second. "Liam would've made a move regardless of the relationship I'm in. His sin is quite...stubborn."

"His sin?" Seeing the apprehension in his eyes, I cringe away, regretting those words. "Not only have you met Liam, but his sin?"

When I didn't say anything he ran a hand through his hair for the second time tonight. His eyes flashed white when he asked the next question. "Did you kiss him?"

"Zion--"

My breath hitched when he grabbed my wrist and turned it, exposing the greek tattoo. A new letter had burned into my skin confirming that the bond Liam and I shared had progressed. A delta symbol stared back at us -- the greek letter for 'd.'

"He touched you." Zion's iris flared up with anger.

I cursed. "Let me explain--"

"Dammit, Penny!" I jumped when his fist collided with the wall by my shoulder. Zion's inhuman strength caused it to dent with a sickening crunch. His anger surrounded me like a suffocating aura. "Is it that difficult to push him away? or are his lustful abilities that strong?"

"Liam hasn't influenced my emotions. And it's not what you think. He and his sin have an agreement. They aren't trying to help Pandora's ascension. Not like before. Their motives are different now."

"And you believe that bullshit!?"

"Yes, I do. He had plenty of time to enact his plans but didn't. Besides, if we're going to rescue Pedro, we need all the help we can get."

Zion clenched his jaw. "We don't need him. I am enough."

"I'm aware you possess the abilities of the most powerful Greek god." I stepped closer, matching his intimidating aura. "But we all know that the more you use his abilities the quicker Zeus tries to ascend. Not unless you've fostered a relationship with him. Until then we can't always rely on you."

Zion went quiet knowing the truth in my words. I took it as an opportunity to continue. "I spoke with Eros. And he might have an idea about how to stop Zeus from ascending. You both need to talk and reach a common ground -- just like Dimitri and Dionysus. But Zeus won't be willing to listen to anyone except for Hera. The rightful queen of the gods and your wife."

His nose flared in frustration. "I don't want Hera." He gently grabbed my hand, threading his fingers through mine. "I want you."

My breath hitched at the confession as he continued. "All my life, I've protected those close to me, trying to make sure they're safe. Despite my age, I became a substitute parent, making sure my brothers had everything they need. It took me a while to realize I was losing myself under all the pressure.

"For once, I wanted something of my own. For once, I wanted to be protected. To just sit back and take a breather. I never asked for much. But yet the one thing I desire keeps slipping away from me. It makes me want to accept Zeus' ideals."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Ideals?"

Zion nodded as his irises retained a whitish glow. A white fog surrounded us as if it was drawn to him. "Zeus' thoughts are slowly blending with mine and I'm trying so hard to fight it. Being king means you're able to get what you want with a simple command -- A decree. If a king wants something, he takes it. As long as it benefits his ideals."

I bit my cheek, sensing the conflict in his eyes. "Then don't give in to Zeus. You're better than that."

He pursed his lips, gaze now locked above my chin. As if being pulled, he stepped closer, pressing me against the building. Feeling uneasy, I pushed against Zion, trying to get some space between us. But his bulky form was hard to move.

"Zion--" He tilted my chin up, making me face him. His lips were inches away and I tried to step back but I was already against the wall. "What are you doing?"

He remained quiet, leaning close. I tried to turn away but the hand on my jaw grew firm, keeping me in place. "Zion?"

"Relax," he whispered as his lips brushed mine but didn't make any further move. "I won't do anything."

Time seemed to have stopped as we remained like that for seconds. My heart pounded in my chest, knowing I couldn't fight back if I want to. My chaos ability only brings death. But even in a one-to-one fight with Zion, I would fail. Eros's words seared their way into my thoughts.

There was a time when we all tried to usurp his throne and still lost.

"It's so easy to have what I want," Zion murmured under his breath. "Did you know that Zeus could break bonds between beloveds and form new ones?"

My eyes widened at the prospect, finding it hard to believe.

Zion scoffed like it was a bad joke. "That explains why he had so many female cohorts. Yet somehow he couldn't break the connection he had with Hera."

He leaned his forehead against mine and shut his eyes, giving an exhausted sigh. I relaxed against him, seeing he wasn't capable of hurting me in any way. I ran my hand through his hair, trying to comfort him. If Pedro was here, he would have known what to do.

But Zion's statement still taunted me.
He had the power to break whatever bond I had with Liam and form a new one with him. The fact that he could have done it -- but didn't -- had me reeling.

"I can sense Liam. And two other sins."

My lips parted. "You do?"

He nodded. "They are keeping their distance. But I made sure to obscure our location. I just wanted a private talk with you without any interruptions."

It explained why he conjured up the fog.

"You've fallen for him." My lips pressed into a thin line. not giving an answer and yet not denying it. Zion continued. "Just so you know, that's exactly what the sins wanted. It's the main reason why they sent him first, knowing it'll be easier to be swayed by his charm and abilities. It's always been their plan to find a way to make you come with them. And they decided to do that by first capturing your heart."

"Liam isn't with them. not anymore."

Zion remained quiet for a moment. "Do you remember what Gwen said about the prophecy?"

I remembered it all too well. Something about one of them killing his beloved. "The prophecy wasn't specific. for all we know, it could be you and Pedro."

"And you think it's safer to be with Liam than with me?"

No, I didn't.

In fact, I was putting everything on the line by trusting Liam. Zion's confession was something I didn't expect. He was always the type to block out his emotions. Even now, Zion was observing my reactions with a mask of indifference. But I knew there's more to that.

"I used to have a crush on you too."

Zion cocked his head with a smile. "And when was that?"

My cheeks turned red as I blurted the words with eyes downcast. "Ever since we met. It lasted for a while because you didn't seem to show any interest. So I killed it."

Silence settled around us but I knew his gaze was on me. "Maybe we could rekindle it."

He mumbled so low under his breath that I nearly missed it. I shook my head and ducked under his arm, stepping away from his touch. "Even if that happened, it wouldn't be right."

"And why wouldn't it? Are you afraid that the gods won't accept you if you're with me?"

I nodded. "They hate Pandora. And not just that, you also have a beloved. The rightful queen of the Olympians. Someone the gods can look up to and respect whenever she's by your side. I know that sooner or later, you'll have to step up as king. The other greek beings have begun their search for you."

I remembered the gorgon at the club who asked for Zeus. I sensed the desperation in her eyes. They needed him, a leader to explain why gods and monsters were being trapped in the bodies of humans.

Zion's jaw ticked, but thankfully he didn't probe further. He glanced to the side. "Whatever happens, just know that I'll protect you. And if Liam so much as hurt you in any way, I'll grant him a painful death."

It was a promise. One he'll be bound to fulfill.

Hi, so there's a lot to explain regarding my previous absence and late update. And to be honest, I'm getting mixed feelings about having to explain it every time.👉👈🥺

Sometimes it feels like I'm worrying you guys with my excuses.🤧

But you still deserve an explanation at least.

So my classmates and I recently traveled to a remote community to practice our medical stuff and also help the people there.

Knowing remote areas, there isn't much network. But they recently installed a network booster at our camp and that's why I was able to edit and make an update.

Anyway, I hope the chapter was okay. I'll try to update soon but please have patience with me. Thank you🙏🙏🥺

I'll see you guys with an upcoming thrilling chapter💜💜💜