Once Upon a Story [ INCONSISTENT UPDATES ]

Soul Bound AU

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 — ❝ Character A is character B's bodyguard,
                           but character B doesn't want a
                           bodyguard. ❞

                                                 (sourced from the web )

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 — ❝ Part IV has some violence and more mature scenes.
                                                   It's milder than the original Soul Bound series. ❞

𝐗𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 — ❝ Names taken from a name generator (linked in the intro) ❞

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 718

[ Sybilla and Apollo are back, this time,
with a tale of retribution ]

AUTHOR

Sybilla twirled her pen as she sat at her desk. She had completed her homework for the day and didn't know what else to do to kill time. She thought of bothering her brother, but he had invited Philippos over, and she didn't want to run into him. With a great sigh, she heaved herself from her chair and ran to her father's office.

"Father, please tell me you have something I can do," she begged, barging inside. She noticed he had company and composed herself. "I didn't know you had guests."

"You would've known had you knocked, brute."

"Better to be a brute than a plaster doll," she quipped. Sybilla proudly displayed her smirk as Vassia turned away in offence. The girl's father, Yannis, shook his head, not wanting to be involved in their drama.

"Always so lively, aren't you, Sybilla?"

"Of course." She turned to her father, asking him for work once again. He sent her to her sisters, Cassia and Xene, but she immediately refused. "My nephews are hell spawns, and Xene will give me a stroke talking about her lover. I'd rather preserve my sanity."

"Perhaps your mother can find an activity for you."

"You know. I do need to practice my embroidery. An excellent idea." Her answer dripped with sarcasm as she smiled, resigning herself to leave. Her father wasn't going to help her case.

She politely sent her farewell to Yannis and reminded Vassia that the paste on her face was melting before she left. She learned that Vassia could swear as well as the men at the port.

"Sister!"

"What does my moronic brother want with me?"

Ignoring her insult, her brother, Tryfon, threw his arm around her shoulder. "I'm only here as a messenger. Spare me your foul mood. Philippos thought you'd be interested in visiting the new gymnasium in the downtown area."

He watched her expression fall at the mention of his name. If she was interested at the start, she certainly wasn't anymore. His sister could barely tolerate his friend and wouldn't hesitate to throw him under a bus if he annoyed her.

Literally.

And that would be her mercy, Tryfon thought, reminded of the last boy who thought he could get smart with her. "Look, I know you want nothing to do with him, but give him a chance."

"A chance for his words to fester in my head like maggots? I'd rather drink water from the river Lethe."

"A rather interesting way to say you'd rather die than come with us."

She rolled her eyes, facing the problem in question. Philippos was a dream: luscious hair, body rippling with muscle in all the right places and the most stunning pair of eyes. His lashes gave him a doll-like appearance, which heavily contrasted his toned body.

Even the gorillas are jealous of those biceps, Sybilla mentally sneered.

"There's no 'us' as the issue here, only you. Your arrogance pollutes the air I breathe. Your pride suffocates me, and looking at Kharon is less insulting to my eyes than you. You should do yourself a favour and ask Vassia's surgeon for some help." She looked at her brother, unbothered by the venom she spat. "I think that says it all. I'll be going. Oh, and do send Vassia my best wishes when she leaves. Tell her I love the balloons she hid in her dress."

Tyron sighed, but agreed to her request. Philippos watched her leave in stunned silence. Sybilla had never liked him, and she never bothered hiding this fact. Each time they met, it was like someone had doused an oil fire with water.

A disastrous combination.

He wished to receive her good grace one day, but that day never came. And today had been the first time she'd so vehemently insulted him. All her previous snark, pettiness and general lack of empathy towards anything that concerned him (even with the precautionary intermission of her brother) was nothing compared to what she'd told him today.

"I can't be that bad, can I?" He turned to Tyron for confirmation, who raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't bring me into your pity party. I want no part of it."

With a scowl, Philippos picked himself up and put the whole conversation behind him.

She'll come around eventually.