Bound by fate and fire

Chapter 1

Adeline pov

Our eyes met across the crowded party, and in that moment, my downfall began. His gaze locked onto mine, unwavering, as he made his way toward me he was so slow and deliberate, as if he knew I had nowhere to escape.

My name is Adeline. I came to this bar to celebrate my matriculation with my best friend. She's probably somewhere in the crowd, shoving her tongue down a total stranger's throat. His voice-deep, masculine, drifted to my ears.

"What is your name?" he asked. As if compelled by an unseen force, I answered. "Adeline."

He repeated it slowly, like a song-drawn out, hypnotic, a siren's call. His golden eyes held me captive, gleaming under the dim lights.

I swallowed. "What is your name?" A small smirk played on his lips. "Alexis.".

He looked like beauty and power woven into one, and for a moment, I forgot myself . Jesus. Why did he affect me like this?

I turned abruptly, forcing myself to leave. I didn't know what that was, but my common sense screamed that Alexis wasn't a man to play around with. "Mercy, where are you?" I needed her. She would know what to say, what to do. Thankfully, I spotted her descending the stairs, arms linked with a total stranger-so typical of Mercy.

My beautiful friend, with hair as red as a blooming rose and the bluest eyes I had ever seen, looked every bit like a walking goddess of temptation. And I loved her for it. But what I loved even more was how well she understood me.

The moment her gaze found mine, she read the distress on my face. "What happ-" Her voice trailed off, her expression shifting to something between shock and admiration.

I didn't need to turn around to know why. Alexis. Grabbing her hand, I whispered urgently, "We need to get out of here."

Snapping out of her trance, Mercy tightened her grip on my hand, and we hurried out of the club.

But just before stepping into the night, I couldn't resist one last glance at Alexis-the stranger whose presence felt like too much and yet not enough.

He had only told me his name, yet his eyes... They held a promise. A silent vow I couldn't understand.

"Who the fuck was that?" I muttered, dropping my bag onto the bed once we stepped into our room.

Turning to Mercy, I found her still dazed, clearly stuck on the impossibly beautiful man we had just encountered.

"He looked like a god came to life," she breathed, eyes shining with wonder.

I rolled my eyes. Mercy and her dramatics. She had always been so vocal about her feelings, while I... I was the opposite-always trapped in my own head. . "What did you guys talk about? "Was he hitting on you?"

"No," I groaned. "We barely talked. But... I don't know."

Why were we even reacting like this? It wasn't like hot guys were rare in Las Vegas

Shaking off the lingering tension, I sighed. "Anyway, tonight was fun. Let's bathe then get some rest-we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."..

Alexis pov

Adeline her tasted sweet on my tongue, her voice a melody that lingered. She looked like sin and purity entwined, eyes wide with confusion, so soft, so utterly unaware. Sweet.

It had been a long time, in this long life of mine, since I'd seen someone quite like her.

Mine.The word slid into my mind effortlessly. My Adeline. Yes, I liked the sound of that.

I didn't have to wait long before Rufus, my most trusted man, stepped forward.

"Yes, my lord?"

Without turning, I gave the order. "I need you to find someone for me. "Her name is Adeline."

"Check the security cameras. I want to know who she is, everything about her."

"Yes, my lord." Rufus gave a slight nod before quietly leaving the room, disappearing into the shadows.

I was alone with my thoughts now, but they all led back to her.

I didn't know what hold she had on me yet, but I could feel it, pulling, tightening. Would it really be wise to bring her into my world?

No.

But fuck it-her very scent was intoxicating. And those eyes... they had spoken to me in a language I almost understood.

Still, I knew better than anyone what it meant to drag innocence into the darkness. And she was just that, too innocent, too beautiful, too untouched by the things that tainted me.

I closed my eyes and saw her face-the softness of her features, those angelic blue eyes that had unknowingly snared a devil.

With a low groan, I pushed to my feet, adjusting my suit. Then, without another glance back, I stepped out of the building, carrying with me the unmistakable aura of power.

Tonight was going to be a long night.

Stepping into the living room, I found my mother sitting gracefully, looking as young and flawless as ever-a woman who could easily be mistaken for my sister.

Beside her sat Emilia, my younger sister, her beauty marred only by the unmistakable disdain in her eyes. She didn't bother to hide it, not really.

I exhaled slowly, my gaze settling on her. "Emilia, what are you doing here?"

I turned to my mother, Rose, as she rose to her feet with effortless grace.

She walked toward me, slow and deliberate, raising her hand to cup my cheek-just as she had done for as long as I can remember

Her voice, soft yet commanding, carried the weight of an ancient prayer. The prayer of our father. The prayer of the gods.

By the light of the eternal stars, I greet you, child of my essence, bound by fate's thread."

Hearing those words sent a chill through my veins. My blood stirred, rage simmering beneath my skin.

My eyes once a brilliant gold, shimmered and rippled like liquid metal under the light

. "I told you, I don't want to hear that in my house.

Unfazed, she met my gaze with quiet resolve. "My son, you can no longer reject your heritage. Your father is nearing the time of his ascension to Amiskash. You must take your rightful place. It is time to come home."

I let out a sharp breath, my expression turning cold. "Home?" I scoffed. "You threw me out when I was barely a child-because I couldn't control the very powers you gave me."

Her radiance dimmed, as though the weight of the moment had softened her usual brilliance."

"My son..." she whispered, almost pleading. "You were born with power beyond our understanding. I was wrong to treat you that way. But you must return. It is your destiny."

"It is not your place to tell me my destiny." My voice was quiet, yet laced with a command so absolute that my mother lowered her gaze in silent submission.

I had felt it for a long time now-the shift in power, the inevitable truth. My dear old father is retiring to the veil of eternity, the resting place of the gods. And with his departure, the weight of his throne loomed over me.

Even among the gods, I was born an anomaly, a being with power so unnatural that even my own parents feared me. Hated me.

I studied my mother's familiar face-the same sharp features, the same piercing gaze that mirrored my own. And yet, as I looked at her, I felt nothing. No warmth, no longing. Just the cold, hollow absence of emotion. A void I had long since learned to accept."I won't be returning home." A sharp inhale. Then-"Brother!"

I turned my gaze to Emilia, my voice cutting through the space between us. "You stay silent. You do not speak when I do."

My eyes bore into hers, unyielding, heavy with the force of my authority. She knew better than to challenge me. And so, she fell silent.

I exhaled slowly, then with a final glance at them both, I spoke my last command.

"Now, leave."

When I opened my eyes, they were gone.

Only the faint, ethereal scent lingered-the unmistakable trace left behind when a god used their power.

Emilia had smelled of earth and all things fertile, a scent that spoke of life's creation and decay in equal measure.

My mother had smelled of roses, of beauty so delicate it could deceive, yet sharp enough to wound.

Exhaling, I lowered myself into the chair, shutting my eyes once more.

Slowly, I let my mind drift, sinking into a trance-like state, chasing a single thought-Adeline