Present

Melinoe sent Cherise away with the promise that Nick would go to see her soon. She shared the information she collected about the primary gods to Nick. There was information he has to know for his sake. Being the Malachai meant danger awaited him in every corner. They have to ready themselves.

"There are three primary gods. If the three reunite they will conquer all. They were separated and imprisoned long ago. I discovered that two of them are linked with the Malachai." She presented a decorative chest to Nick. Inside the chest was a silver collar that was resting on a velvet pillow. "They have ways they can use to control the Malachai. This is the collar is one of them." She put the chest on a table and picked up the collar to give Nick a better view.

Nick felt an instinctive need to get away from it.

"Just as I thought, the Malachai in you is repulsed by it." said Melinoe.

Nick popped his neck in protest.

"If an enemy got a hold of this collar it will be the end of you. You'll lose control of your body and they will have full command. An idiot managed to put this collar on me. I wanted it off. I did it." She held the collar to him. "You will too."

Nick grabbed the collar. The cold metal instantly wrapped itself around his neck and snapped shut. He felt the air leave his lungs. His body was stiff as a board.

"Raise your hand." ordered Melinoe.

Nick's hand went up before his mind could register her words. He could see and hear everything but was unable to move a muscle.

"Grab my neck."

No. Nick thought but the word was trapped in his throat. His hand gripped her neck.

"Squeeze." She ordered with a voice devoid of emotion.

He watch in horror as his hand closed around her delicate pale neck.

No! Please stop! I won't hurt you! He screamed inside his head, feeling helpless.

"Squeeze." The command came out as a squeal as his hand closed tighter around her throat.

NO! Let her go! His hand sprung opened. He knew what Melinoe wanted him to do next. Sweat beaded his forehead as he ordered his hand to remove the collar. He managed to brush the tips of his fingers against it but nothing more.

"Grab my neck."

Those words pushed him to the edge. He grasped the collar and ripped it off.

"We're doing this until the collar has no effect on you."

Nick was panting. This lesson was physically and mentally exhausting. One might think she was going to the extreme but this was how she always has been. She would push him to his breaking point to prepare him. They have limited time to spend together and she had to make do.

"I'm ready for the next round." he said.

They continued their lesson until Nick was able to remove the collar at will. Melinoe ordering him to slap her was the straw that broke him. The bond they shared and the love they had for one another was strong to the point that he would never harm her. Mintha may have been the one who found him but Melinoe gave him life. Both women have a special place in his heart.

Tired, Nick dropped on her bed to catch his breath. Melinoe put the collar back into its chest and it vanishes, returning to a secure closet where she kept all of her magical items. She conjured a bowl with water with a cloth and bowl of salve. She wet the cloth in the bowl or water and wiped the sweat from Nick's face.

"I am proud of you." Melinoe said. She pulled back the collar of his shirt to massage his neck with some salve to ease the swelling. "I can't wait to see how well you do with what I have planned next."

Nick was looking forward to it. She was exactly what he needed to get out of this rut. He was happy she was back as well as his old memories.

Persephone opened the door and entered the room. She took in their state. A blush formed on her cheeks. She covered her eyes with her hands and turned around. "Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's not what you think." said Melinoe.

Nick's face twisted in disgust. "Gross!"

Melinoe arched her brow at his reaction.

"I mean...gross." he said with less distain. "I mean, you got that cute girl next door thing going for you. I'd ask you out. If you weren't my mo-"

Melinoe's hand covered his mouth as she laughed in amusement. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Her laughter subsided and addressed Persephone. "Please, knock before coming in."

"Sorry, Mintha." Persephone said. She turned back to them and slowly uncovered her eyes.

Melinoe had not spoken to Persephone and Hades about her return. She was going to test them to see if they could tell her apart from Mintha. If Persephone loved Melinoe as she often claimed, she should be able to do it. If not, Melinoe would be disappointed. Due to Persephone being gone nine months in the year, Melinoe only saw her for the remaining months. It caused a rift in their mother and daughter relationship when she was young. This was set up by Hera. She didn't want Melinoe attached to Persephone and urged Demeter to separate Hades and Persephone and Melinoe as well.

"Your bedroom is so cold." Persephone commented and rubbed her arms.

Nick knew what Melinoe was doing when she interrupted him from calling her mom and kept quiet. He turned his head and focused on a pattern on the wall but kept finding himself turning back to them to see what was happening. He was ready to jump in to protect his mother from more heartache. If they only hurt her, Melinoe would have forgiven them. They dragged Mintha into it. It was something Melinoe couldn't look past.

Melinoe made the bowls vanish. "Need anything?"

"I came here to ask if you are available." Persephone was holding her breath as if bracing herself for her answer.

"No,"

Persephone's face fell in disappointment.

"But when I am finish with him and I'll go see you."

Persephone beamed. "You mean it?"

"Yes,"

Not wanted to press her luck, Persephone didn't say another word and left the room with a large smile.

"I don't support what they did but I can't stand seeing those I love sad."

Nick remembered Melinoe had said similar words to him. He was the reason she was still single. Being beautiful and known for rejecting suitors made her popular. Everyone was betting to see who would win her heart. She was critical of every man that approached her. She feared that if she got married to the wrong man, her husband might mistreat Nick. He was the most important man in her life. All of her attention and love was focused on him. He wanted to keep it that way.

Before she left to the demon world she met a demi-god and developed a close friendship with him. He was courting her and she appeared to be interested in him. Nick grew jealous of their relationship and got rid of him. She was devastated when she discovered what he had done but she didn't blame him. She blamed herself for his actions and vowed to never choose anyone over him. She proved her devotion to him even though he was not a son she birthed. He was a kid she found and took pity on. He deprived her of the joys of falling in love, getting married, and having children of her own. And she continued to love him unconditionally. Deep inside he knew he didn't deserve it.

Mintha was in the courtyard of Melinoe's palace, admiring a giant tree in the center. Its bark was sliver, the branches swirl in a whimsical fashion and the leaves were dark blue, pink, and white. It was oddly pretty to her. She reached her hand to touch it but the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted her. It was Asanee, one of the generals. He came and stood next to her to admire the tree.

"Lovely isn't she?" he said in a deep voice with an accent she couldn't place.

"How do you know it's a she?"

"The pink."

Mintha looked at the pink leaves. She reached for a pink leaf.

"No!" said Asanee.

Mintha lowered her hand. "What?"

"Once you pluck it the leave will lose its color. Let it remain as it is."

"You have a point. It's best to watch it continue growing."

"The temperature is getting humid. You should go inside."

Humid weather irritated Mintha and Asanee knew it. She took his advice and went inside. Once she was gone, Asanee placed his palm on the tree. He could feel the slow beating of Mintha's heartbeat. After he uprooted the tree and replanted it in the here the tree took a life of its own. When he found Mintha covered in blood he assumed the worst. As it turned out Mintha was not dead but temporary disabled due to the side-effects of the berries she ate. Eating a large amount at once put her body in shock and placed her in a temporary state of death. Once the side-effects subsided her wounded healed and she lived again. Her physical body was still inside the tree and has been growing since. She has returned to her adult form. For thousands of years, he watched over her tree and tended it. Just like before, she thrived on her own. Her Shade has been jumping into one body after another. The vessels she inhabits don't last long and deteriorate because her Shade overwhelms them. Melinoe's body was the only other one compatible with hers since they share a bond and blood. When Melinoe was stabbed her blood spilled into Mintha's body and she absorbed it. He knew all of this because he could see into her mind through her connection with her physical body.

Asanee was going to tell Mintha the truth then and there. What stopped him was fear. A demon such as he could slay massive armies of deadly warriors and endure the most horrifying torture but he feared his own daughter's reaction. He was a coward for keeping this secret from her. He had to tell her soon. She must know the truth. The longer he waited the angrier she would be once she finds out. She might even lost her mind again.