Nick looked though the tangled branches of the trees at the scene before him in shock. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, he wouldn't! He couldn't been here. Henry wasn't here. He couldn't be. He was mortal! But...

He was right there, holding Elisabeth in his arms, sitting in the lavenders and soft summer grass with her as they spoke in hushed whispers. She was smiling up at him, bare feet ever so slightly entangling in the grass as she laughed at something he said. This... This wasn't happening!

A slight pang in his heart made him feel like someone had drove a knife through him and was twisting it slowly. How could she do this to him? To 'us'? She loved him with all her heart, she said that!... She must have hit her head...

'Yeah...' He thought, a wild grin forming on his face. 'She must have... Maybe she just needed to-'

His thoughts cut off when he saw Henry slowly turn her head, a blush forming on his cheeks as he leaned in and kissed her lips gently. Nick felt the knife dig in deeper, watching in horror when she didn't move away. She should have rejected him! She should have stopped him! But, she was... She was blushing and kissing back slowly, innocently... Like she used to with him.

He gripped his parcel close to his chest, tears forming in his eyes. No. No, she was being tricked. He-Henry must have done something to her. He was pulling her away... Just like he stole his mother, he was stealing his lover... 'I can't let him-'

"I need to go home, Henry..."

Nick blinked a little, rubbing the tears form his eyes. Elisabeth was standing up, only wearing that ugly, too long scrap cloth she called a shirt over her beast black bikini. In the moonlight, when the moonbeams hit her hair just right, he could see dewdrops glisten like stars, twinkling joyfully for no reason. She looked even more like a goddess than she had in the last few years since she finished developing into a woman. She was... Perfect. But, what had happened to her? Last time he checked, she was sickly pale, had no hair, and stitchings and scars from-

Henry looked up at her, a sad look in his red eyes... Had they gotten redder? And... When he breathed out a sigh, Nick could have sworn he saw ash fall out of his lips and take flight on the winds. "You'll be here tomorrow? Right?" Henry asked, standing up and taking her hand in his, making every muscle in Nick's body tense. She only smiled and nodded, her pink chapped lips curling into a well known playful smile. The smile she kept just for Nick. "Ok..."

As she walked towards the edge of the field of purple and green, Nick watched as his half brother, the brat who was ruining everything, dissipate into the shadows by the stream. And by dissipate, Nick meant full on fell backwards into the shadows and fell right through them.

This was getting too weird. This wasn't happening. Henry wasn't a son of Hades. He couldn't have been! But... 'That is the only answer to why he just disappeared.' Nick thought. That explained a lot thought, now that he thought about it. How the little twit had saved himself so many times from his wrath, how he always beat him down the stairs to the door when Nick chased him, how he was always out so late but was home exactly when he was suppose to be. He probably even snuck out without the means of the front door a lot too... This just sent Nick's blood boiling. This was unforgivable. This was intolerable!

He watched as his girlfriend, the cheating hoe herself, walked into the forest, cursing lowly to herself when her bare feet hit the thorny ground. Serves the bitch right... Nick grinned a little to himself, his mind clicking a little as he emanated a low and demonic chuckle. She was all alone now, all alone in the woods where anything could get her.

Time to teach the cheating whore a lesson.

Elisabeth smiled to herself as she found the small worn path she was so used to walking in the woods to her secret grove. Her feet were cut and scrapped from all the jagged rocks and thorns she had stepped on and brushed past as she tried to find her way there. Now, on a easily recognizable place, she could just let her feet do the walking as her mind drifted back to the field.

They had talked about his little plan, how Tina and Toby had goaded him to do, and how Hades had already given him permission, as well as a few... disturbing things. Like how he wasn't exactly a demigod anymore, since he had been training with Hades in the ways of the dead. He described everything, from the story of how he and the other two had been created to the intricate architecture of the dark palace of opal and lava rock in the underworld, from how to navigate the Elysium field to the secrets of the gods of Olympus themselves. It was all so much to take in at once. And how he had kissed her...

She blushed at the very thought of them, her lips tingling ever so slightly like sparks were still flying. She felt guilty though. Nick was technically still her boyfriend, and if he knew she had kissed his brother and loved it... She stopped dead in her tracks and stiffened, her mind going back to that night a week ago when Nick hand beaten her. She could honestly say that she was scared of a repeat of this incident. Closing her eyes, she took in shaky breaths and imagined what it would be like to break up with Nick. She could just hear him screaming at her, calling her horrible things meant to hit her hard in the heart like cannon fire. She could just feel his fist and his steal toed boots digging into her skin and her bones breaking underneath them. She hadn't realized she was crying, till she felt a soft hand whip away the tears, another holding her cheek gently. It wasn't the warm hands of Henry, she knew that. His touch would set her sink on fire and make it tingle with energy. She froze, keeping her eyes closed in case it was just a figment of her imagination. But as soon as she heard it speak, her blood went ice cold.

"Shhh, love. It's all right now."

Nick had fallowed her the whole way, plotting the perfect way to make her pay for what she had done. Even if Henry was there and probably seduce her with his intoxicating ways that made Nick want to vomit, she was still responsible for not resisting. He had even figured out the perfect way too, until she stopped in the path suddenly. Curiously, he slowly crept ahead of her, thinking maybe this was the place to execute his plan.

Till he saw the tears in her gently closed eyes.

In all four years he had been with her, he could honestly say he never seen her cry. Never. Not even when he kicked her, she cried out in pain, but never shed a tear. She was the tough girl, the one to fight with every ounce of energy she could muster, the one to peruse any quest she saw fit. But now, seeing her start to break down alone, she looked like a small child who was forced to grow up. Why hadn't he seen that before? Why did she deceive him like that? He already knew the answer, but he rarely ever noticed it before, even when it was in front of his face.

She didn't want to worry anyone. She cared too much to see them concerned.

He couldn't help but feel pity for her. She was probably going to keep Henry's little stolen kisses a secret from him, because she didn't want to make him upset. Maybe... Maybe she was forced to? Maybe she had no choice in the matter? That had to be it, it had to be. She was loyal, faithful, and true to the end... But never would she do anything to hurt him unless she was forced...

And that made the rage for his half brother burn even brighter in that growing spot in his heart.

Slowly, he snuck in front of her and gently whipped away her tears. They were like clear dewdrops on morning grass, her skin feeling softer than the finest silks. It was strange how new she felt under his touch, how his views of her were always changing. From nobody, to nerd, to somebody, to... Perfect. Even when she flinched under his soft caresses of her face, he still found so many things that had changed over the years. Her little star birthmark under her left ear was more pronounced than it originally was, her hair had natural dewdrops that stuck out in the light now, her sent he used to know of ocean breeze and lavender was now mixed with morning dew and natural roses. She had changed, and so had he.

"Shhh, love. It's all right now." He whispered, frowning a little when she flinched and squeezed her eyes tight shut. He had never seen her like this... Was she... "Are you scared of me?"

Her eyes snapped open, her amber hues more pronounced and glowing in the darkness, flashing a emotion he never seen her show , as she backed away from him. She looked around for someone, backing herself into a tree as she realized there was no one to come and help her. It wounded him to see her like that. It shamed him for changing her love to fear with those three stupid kicks.

This was all his fault.

"Stay back!" Elisabeth shouted, terror clinging to her voice as he stepped forward. Her heart was racing so fast in her chest, she thought it might burst right there and then. Nick had come out of nowhere, carrying a parcel wrapped in his grease stained shirt. For all she knew, it was something to beat her down with. Permanently this time.

She noticed his eyes flash a hurt expression, coupled with a look of pity. He pitied her? Why the hell would he do that? He was the person who was going to probably kill her if she tried to run, why pity the victim? To make it worse for them? Hell, anything was possible at this point.

"Elisabeth," He hummed, his normal cocky smile spreading on her lips. "Babe, it's ok. I won't hurt you. I promise. I swear, I came out here to find you." Her heart stopped dead, mid heartbeat even. Had he seen Henry? Did he see them kiss? Or did he just see a figure disappear? 'For Henry's sake, lets hope he didn't see anything.' She thought.

"I saw you in the grove with him..." He said, making sure our eyes were locked, his intense stares burning into my soul. "My brother has something on you, I know it. But it'll all be ok soon, know that I know how he's doing it." With every word he spoke, he got closer. And with every step, Elisabeth's face paled. "Don't worry, baby." He cooed, cupping his free hand around her cheek. "It will all be fine once I deal with him."

She wanted to laugh at him, a full out humorous laugh that she saved only for something truly idiotic. Nick take on Henry? That was hysterical! Henry was way out of his league now, he didn't have a chance. But it stuck in her throat, the intense eyes of her boyfriend causing her to stay silent. She had seen those eyes before, when they were young and stupid. He had that look on his face when I wore the bikini for a late night swim date, just the two of them. Those raping eyes had looked over every inch of her, but he didn't make a move. But by how close he was now... His eyes might not just rape her to night.

"I made you something." He said softly, unfolding the shirt between them, looking down at hit so their foreheads touched. Writhing the clothing, was an iron collar speckled with bronze and silver so it looked gothic and mysterious. Elisabeth saw it as surrender. "I know how much you said you wanted a collar, but I always told you no. Well, I'm sorry, I was a jerk for saying that... And I was horrible when I kicked was a jerk for every other time as well, and I feel horrible about everything. Please..." He leaned in closer and pecked her lips gently. There were no sparks there like there used to, they were duller, colder. She didn't hate it, but she didn't like it either. "Forgive me?"

She sighed, leaning her forehead against his as she looked down at the collar with a sad expression. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find forgiveness for his abuse. She shouldn't. But there was some small part of her, deep down, that really wanted to. "Nick," she said softly, barley heard above the summer breeze. "I don't know if I can..."

He smiled a little, his hands unclasping the collar's latch and placing it around her neck. It was cold and emotionless around her skin, yet it was thin and sort of unnoticeable. "Give it time..." He said softly. "I understand." Something in her clicked, but she didn't like it at all.

He was trying to earn her love back, and it was somewhat sweet... But something told her it wasn't for her at all. He kissed her again, pushing up against her gently as his hands held her waist in place against the tree. Without her consent, her lips moved against his and she kissed him back just as slowly, falling in sync with him. Her body was a a puppet's for some odd reason, and Nick was her puppeteer.

"Close your eyes." he whispered gently in her ear, and they closed without hesitation. "Good girl." She mentally cursed herself for this. What was she doing? This wasn't her! This was-

She felt his kiss deepen a little, forcing her head back against the tree as he licked her lips for permission, his hands holding onto her thighs so that the legs were raised and latched around his body. What was he doing? She felt one of his hand move up under her long shirt and grasp her boob gently, squeezing it a little. No. No no no no!

"Stop." She growled, her hands tangling into his hair without her wanting them to. He was kissing her neck gently, sucking on the delicate flesh between her neck and shoulders, leaving small noticeable bruises behind. "Nick, stop it."

"Sorry." He answered, looking up at her and nipping the collar, thrusting his hip a little to readjust her against him. "I've starved myself for long-"

"Please..." Elisabeth's voice broke a little, she felt a tear fall down her face. She admitted it: she was terrified of this. Whatever magic he put into the collar, she didn't like it. "Please... Stop..." He looked surprised and horrified at the same time, immediately dropping her to her feet and taking the collar off.

"Baby, please, don't cry." He pleaded, holding her face in his hands, his eyes full of dread. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I wasn't going to go far, I swear. Oh shit, please, don't cry." He pulled her into a loving embrace, one sided to say the least. "I don't know what to do when you cry." She cringed a little when he said that, more tears falling down her face.

'Damn. Fucking. Son. Of. A. Bitch. Was. Going. To. Rot. In. Hell.' Was all she thought, her thoughts a broken up mess, where most of the words she wanted were a scrambled up jigsaw puzzle. Oh, gods, when will this nightmare all be over? When will this all just poof out of existence.

'Tomorrow.'

The dead wood nymph watched from her hiding place among the trees as she watched the scene unfurl. From the stopping of her in the road till now. The demigod boy hugging the godling girl, repeatedly saying he was sorry and for her not to cry. She could tell that if the godling had a knife, she would have stabbed the guy through a billion times.

"Poor girl." She whispered to herself. "She's in too deep with this one."

Her eyes flickered to down the lane a little, where something was watching other than her. A monster? No. Another wood nymph, a young oak tree to be exact. And boy, did he looked scared of the guy. Slipping down, she pulled him over a little, scaring him out of his bark.

"Hello." Willow said with a smile. He stared at her, up and down, and stayed silent for a few moments.

"Hi?"

"Tell me," Willow said, pointing to the godling girl. "Who is she?"

The teen oak looked at her quizzically. "Elisabeth Walker. The man next to her is her boyfriend. Nick." He spat out the word like it was a disease. "Hate his guts for what he does to her. The dead willow gasped. Elisabeth was Master Henry's girl! Why was this Nick character getting in the way? "Because he hates his brother."

She looked at the young nymph, who was looking at his feet. "What did you say?"

"Nick hates his brother Henry, who was here tonight in the grove with her. He's sweeter than Nick, just from what I saw." The young tree nymph said, rubbing his hands on his tunic. "But who knows. Can't judge a book by it's cover."

Willow nodded slowly, looking back at the two who were starting to walk back to came, Nick still holding her hand in one and the collar in the other. "What's your name?"

"Oak. But I like Mark better." She smiled and messed up his dark creamy brown hair, her hands rustling up some leaves from the mass.

"All right Mark, I need your help." She said with a smile. He blinked a little, looking the crazy nymph up and down before nodding slowly.

"What do you need?"