"Succubae? What’s that?" Rhapso asked, appearing next to me with a wooden cup filled with a clear liquid.

I took the cup from her hand and looked away nervously. "Oh, nothing important. Thanks for this." I then practically inhaled the liquid inside the cup. It was so sweet. Definitely needed.

"Ahhh~ That’s the good stuff. Thank you. Do you have another?"

Another cup then appeared in Rhapso’s hand and she passed it over without hassle. I held the new cup in my hand for a moment and turned to Nerissa who was still on my lap.

"So. How do we proceed going forward? What was this to you?" I asked for clarity. I know this was to stop me from turning into a big tree. But the two Nymphs seemed to really enjoy themselves. Especially Nerissa. She was moaning more than I was.

"Actually Apollo." Nerissa then glanced at Rhapso and the Other Nymph gave her a nod. "Before we discuss that... There is something else we need to discuss." Her voice was serious as she got off my lap.

"Oh yeah, you sort of implied... Earlier? Goodness it was two days ago wasn’t it? You vixens... You implied between yourself there was another reason for bringing me here?"

Rhapso stepped forward, having adorned herself in a patchwork attire made of leaves. "Yes, Apollo. We have another reason we have called you here. We wish to be fully transparent with you. We also spent the whole day sucking your cock in order to loosen you up and leave you in a good mood. A win-win for you considering we needed to remove the seed."

I went to cross my legs, but suddenly realised I was still a bit tender so decided against it. "Is that so? Well I have no idea what you could possibly need to talk to me about that would require a day of oral to get me in the right mood. Have at it." I gestured and took a sip of my drink.

The duo looked between one another before Nerissa spoke with fact in her voice.

"Apollo, we know you are reincarnated."

"*Pfffftt!*"

"*Cough* Cough* Ness! Fuck! I thought we went over this, I’m not one of-"

"Apollo, do you know what reincarnation means?" Rhapso asked me.

I nodded my head. "Of course I do? Why do you think I’m having this reaction?"

I felt Sol return to my Mindspace at this moment to make sure I was safe.

"Apollo, can you tell me what it means to you? Please?" Nerissa asked, with the tone of her voice, it was more akin to begging.

I gulped, but the constriction on my being hadn’t occurred yet so I spoke. "Um... Ok. So reincarnation is where You. As in you, me. Ourself. ’Dies’ and then through one way or another, you come back, either in a new body or perhaps your soul changes too... Why do you have those looks on your face? I’m starting to get freaked out here."

"A-Apollo... Um, I don’t want you to freak out. But your knowledge has been your tell once more. The word, ’reincarnation’ In today’s Spartari, the word doesn’t exist. I don’t even think the kings know of the word. So for you to know about it..."

I looked between the duo. I tried to speak, to say certain words, but suddenly I felt my mouth close up by a force greater than myself. Standing up, I looked at the duo for a moment. Maintaining their gazes for what felt like forever before a word finally managed to slip through the crack.

"Shit."

This was bad... These two knew about my secret before my darling hive did? This was a tragedy. ’WHY CAN’T I JUST TELL THEM!’ I yelled internally to myself in frustration. I felt Sol about to begin to explain something I already knew, but I wasn’t in the mood.

I turned away from Nerissa and Rhapso and began to put back on my clothes. I was still mute, unable to say anything until a thought, I wasn’t exactly sure was my own, came to me.

’Would it be the worst idea in the world if I did that? I mean... It is half true? And saying it makes it so I can speak to these two at least?’ The very thought of going down this route caused the force silencing me to dissipate.

’I mean... It’s not that far off. Jewel has said herself what my power will be like in the future... Hmmm~’

I could feel Nerissa and Rhapso gazing at my back, I could hear Nerissa’s breath increasing. She was scared, worried about my reaction. Even if the last day of pleasure meant nothing to her, if it was just business. My friend just did something... Incredible for me. Perhaps I should give her something? Even if it is ’technically’ a lie?

’Fuck it. Imma do it.’ I decided and I felt Sol burn bright at the idea.

’Excellent choice, my kindled. With my guidance, I will make this ruse effortless for you. As it is your nature to lead. I just could not interfere with your decision-making. It goes against my pact with the universe for being in this form. Now, do as I say and you shall be as regal as I, my love.’

...

Nerissa’s breathing became worried. Was she wrong? Why was Apollo so upset? He could just flat out deny it again, but he got mad? Was she right? He clearly doesn’t want to talk about it... But it was her imperative to know... To know if Apollo was...

Her eyes suddenly went wide. Apollo already had immaculate posture, but all of a sudden, he seemed to grow taller, he began to exude an aura about him. Regal. Powerful. He kept his back turned to them, but he spoke.

"Have you told anyone else?"

Nerissa and Rhapso suddenly looked between each other, their eyes wide.

"Have you told anyone else?!" The question repeated. More powerfully this time. It wasn’t louder, but it felt like it.

Nerissa gulped and replied meekly. "Y-Yes. Forgive me Apollo, I told my order I suspected you of being reincarnated. I also told Skaja, or rather the shard of Artemis that resides in Skaja’s spear."

Nerissa then noticed Apollo’s hands clench into fists. "So you betrayed my trust?"

"N-No, Apollo. I promise you I would never! I have told them nothing about you personally, the things you would want to keep secret. Just that I suspect you might be reincarnated and a few things to support my theory."

A silence suddenly lingered in the glade. The two Nymphs didn’t dare to move. Seconds felt like hours before Apollo spoke once more.

"And? Did anyone believe you?"

Rhapso spoke first, her voice breaking. "Most of the other Nymphs do not believe Nerissa, Apollo. But a few do... Such as myself, Phoebe, and a few others. Though Phoebe is more on the fence. She mentioned how you seemed ’different’ to other humans of this age from her meeting with you."

Nerissa then chimed in. "Artemis also doesn’t believe you to be, she says she cannot feel your ’spark’, but she has also admitted that something is unique about you she cannot identify."

"My spark? Interesting..." Apollo spoke and allowed quiet to return to the glade for a moment before suddenly turning around, his eyes bore a hole into Nerissa, she felt the urge to...

Down on one knee almost instantly, she looked up at Apollo who was raising an eyebrow at her.

He then spoke in an authoritative tone that sent goosebumps across both Nerissa’s and Rhapso’s existence...

"So you found me out? Bah! Yes, fine. You win. However, know this. I do not remember who I was. For now, all you need to know is that I am Apollo Lambdason. This is my life now. You will not spread this rumour to anyone further... You will even go as far as saying you were wrong to any that ask for follow up. Is that clear?"

"Yes Apollo." The Two Nymphs spoke in unison. Nerissa suppressed the urge to jump for joy. She was right. Her friend, the source of her intrigue. He was one of her gods...

"Rhapso." He then called out and the Nymph jumped up. "Yes my... Yes Apollo?"

He then walked over to her and cupped her chin, appraising her. "I know Nerissa. I know her word. Despite her mind... Wandering. I trust her with my life as she trusts me with hers. Despite our dalliance, I do not have that trust for you yet."

Rhapso panicked hearing that and blurted out "I-I will do anything to prove my loyalty to you, Apollo. Say the word and it will be done! Shall I perform the rites of marriage? Bind myself to you? I would be more than honoured for you to deflower me."

Nerissa watched as Apollo blinked in shock, though in her chest she was dreading his answer...

"*Ahem* No, let’s not go that far. But I do want to keep an eye on you going forward. I want you to join your sister in her role. She joined me to sate her intrigue about me... I guess she got more than she bargained for hmm? This is the same position you will relay to your order, but in reality it will be the other way around. I will be observing you, seeing if you are worthy of my trust. Do you understand?"

Rhapso nodded her head before performing a low bow. "Your words, my actions."

Apollo watched for a few more seconds over the two of them before taking a deep breath.

"Ok then, this will be the last time we speak of this until I am ready to speak about it again. Understood?"

The two Nymphs nodded their heads and as soon as they did. The overwhelming presence coming off Apollo vanished. Returning was the same Apollo that Nerissa had been following around the entire year. Her friend. He then proceeded to smile at the two of them in a cheery manner and spoke.

"Ok, now that awkwardness is out of the way. What’s next? Are we heading back? Or do we have more business out here?"