Chapter 1

On our wedding night, Alexander Knight confessed that he was the god of war sent down to the mortal world for a trial, and that he already had a divine fiancée.

He said coldly, "You took care of me for two years. In return, I can grant you two wishes. Anything except asking me to stay."

I clenched my fists and met his indifferent eyes.

"Can you really do anything?" I asked. "Can you bring someone back to life?"

He let out a breath of relief. "You mean your mother? I can do that. You two loved each other deeply. It is the least I should do."

I lowered my head, uneasy.

The truth was that I had lied. My mother was the person I hated most.

The one I wanted to revive was my husband, Evan Brooks.

He had died two years earlier, on the very day I saved Alexander.

*****

I knew better than to pick up men off the street.

But I still saved Alexander's life.

Because I needed him.

I'd known for a long time that he was the god of war from the Celestial Realm.

I even knew his goddess fiancée, Serena Grace.

Two years ago, my husband Evan plunged off a cliff to his death.

Crushed with grief, I laid him to rest myself.

Devastated and half wishing I could follow him into the grave, out of nowhere I heard the goddess's voice. "Why are you so badly hurt? Alexander, wake up."

I froze, ducked into the bushes, and peeked out to see what was going on.

Alexander lay motionless on the ground, blood staining the corner of his mouth.

His face was so stunning, it felt almost blasphemous to even glance at him.

My heart jumped into my throat. I hurriedly looked away, but my peripheral vision caught a streak of golden light.

The goddess unleashed her power, and Alexander was jolted awake.

His voice rang out, clear as spring water. "Serena, what are you doing here? No outside help is allowed during my trial. Go back."

Serena pouted, looking all aggrieved. "I was just worried about you."

Alexander cut her off, his tone laced with mockery and growing colder by the second. "Afraid I'll fall for some mortal girl and mess up my engagement with the Phoenix Clan?

"Relax, Serena. I know exactly what I'm here for. Two years from now, I'll return to the Celestial Realm. Now leave."

Even from far away, the icy aura he gave off sent a chill down my spine.

Serena pressed on, "I just want to see who will come to save you. What if she turns out to be prettier than me?"

Alexander's patience was wearing thin. "If you stay and ruin my trial, the engagement will be called off.

"It's only two years. When the time comes, I'll grant her two wishes.

"Mortals are greedy. As long as I give her what she wants, she won't cling to me."

Serena sniffled, her voice soft and spoiled. "Fine, but you better not fall for her. Just go through with the wedding, no matter who she is, and don't you dare consummate the marriage."

"Alright," Alexander said curtly.

Serena gave him a few lingering looks before dragging her feet and finally leaving.

After she left, Alexander lay back down where he was. He pressed his ring finger against his chest and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

My eyes went wide in shock, and all I could think about was his words: "When the time comes, I'll grant her two wishes."

He was a god, so he might be able to bring Evan back to life.

My heart was racing like crazy. After a moment, I finally worked up the nerve and rushed over to him.

"Hey, are you alright? What happened?" I called out.

*****

"This token will let you enter and leave the Netherworld at will." Alexander's voice snapped me out of my daze.

He opened his palm, and with a flash of white light, a lustrous token appeared.

My eyes lit up, and I ripped off my veil in excitement. The fabric got caught on my fillet, yanking out a strand of my hair.

A flicker of amusement flashed in Alexander's eyes. "So eager? Looks like you really can't wait to see her again."

I took the token, my eyes stinging with tears. "Yeah. I'm dying from longing."

"The token will show you the way to the Netherworld. Just tell the gatekeeper her name, and they'll bring your mother back," Alexander said.

He reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

I jerked my head away before he could touch me.

His hand hovered awkwardly for a moment, then he slowly withdrew it.

"So, have you figured out your second wish yet?" Alexander asked. "Money, power, more years to live... Whatever you want, just say the word and it's yours."

I gripped the token and shook my head. "No, I don't want anything else."

We'd known each other for two years. I had a pretty good read on Alexander by now.

If I so much as asked for one more thing today, he'd snatch the token right back and pretend we were strangers all along.

Sure enough, Alexander gave a satisfied nod at my answer.

"Olivia, you're not greedy, and you've always been so thoughtful. You've never made things hard for me. Sorry that I have to leave," he said.

I smiled bitterly. "I know I'm insignificant next to your fiancée. I wouldn't even dare to hope for more."

The more considerate women were, the more guilty men would be.

Hearing that, Alexander sighed. "If you really can't bear to part with me, I could talk to Serena when I get back. Maybe she'd be okay with letting you be my mistress."

It was getting ridiculous. My lips twitched with disbelief, and I stood up, trying to keep my tone polite. "You've spent two years on this trial, Alexander. I'm sure you're dying to get back. I won't hold you up any longer.

"If you ever feel like it, just drop by and visit."

"Alright." Alexander nodded, giving me a deep look before turning into a flash of white light and disappearing.