Chapter 1 – The Black Lotus Blooms

  If there was one thing Ganymede loved more than anything, it was watching a man fall to his knees for beauty.

  Worship was addictive. Their trembling hands, glassy eyes, the whispers of devotion like hymns—he thrived on it. Controlled it.

  The latest in his long list of conquests knelt before him now, lips pressed reverently to his foot. A man of noble blood, powerful, foolish, and already a lapdog with just a touch of Ganymede’s attention.

  On any other day, he would have basked in it—perhaps let the man grovel a little more, sing his praises like a broken prayer.

  But not today.

  Because in the throes of pleasure, with another lover at his feet, he saw.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  His breath hitched—just slightly. Not enough for the man to notice, too drunk on his own desperation.

  The sight came rarely, and never gently. It tore into his vision like lightning splitting the sky. He didn’t know why he had it—mortals weren’t supposed to. Not unless they bore divine blood, and though it was whispered that his family was once touched by Zeus himself, that was generations ago. Watered down. Forgotten.

  Still, the visions came.

  A gift. A curse. He had learned early on to hide it well. Apollo didn’t take kindly to prophets he hadn’t appointed, and the god’s jealousy was legendary. Ganymede had no desire to be struck blind or turned into a laurel tree.

  But this vision… this one was clear. Too clear.

  It wasn’t fragmented or veiled in metaphor—it was vivid, visceral. As though he were there.

  He saw fire.

  His kingdom, Troy, reduced to ash and screams.

  The gates shattered, the streets slick with blood.

  A horse. Wooden. Towering. Dragged into the city by fools.

  And Zeus.

  Above it all. Watching. Doing nothing.

  When the vision snapped away, Ganymede’s skin felt cold despite the warmth of the chamber.

  He stared down at the man at his feet, suddenly repulsed.

  A storm began to twist quietly behind his eyes.

  Let the gods play with mortals, like children plucking wings off flies. Let them scheme and seduce and destroy.

  But he was done being worshipped by insects.

  He would aim higher now.

  He would aim for Olympus.

  Let Zeus fall to his knees next.

  ******

  After hitting save on my docs I say down and went well there's the first chapter down. And about twenty to go.

  I want this novel to be true to it's title.

  But let's grab coffee first.