“Urian! I wasn’t expecting you! What are you doing here?”

He barely caught himself before he exposed his fangs over his own thrill that his mother’s adoring smile caused. “It’s your birthday, Mata. You had to know that I wouldn’t miss it.”

No matter the danger.

Rising up on her toes, she hugged him tight. Urian closed his eyes and savored the one thing he’d missed most about not having her in Kalosis anymore.

His mother’s loving embrace. He’d missed it so much that he’d barely been able to wait until nightfall to seek out her cottage and visit. His eagerness had caused Xyn to even tease him.

“I can’t believe you’re here! It’s so wonderful to see you!”

He shrugged as he handed her the small basket in his hands that contained a gift from him and one Xyn had made from her scales as well. His dragon was always thoughtful that way. She took care to save every scale that she shed and put them to use.

“I only wish I could have come earlier or that I could stay longer.”

With warm blue eyes, she brushed his hair back from his face. “My precious Urimou.” She jerked her chin toward her cottage. “Why don’t—”

“Nay, Mata,” he said, quickly, stopping her before she invited him into her home and broke the one cardinal rule he insisted on for her safety. “You mustn’t.”

“You’re being silly about that.”

“I don’t want to chance it.”

“Hellen? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Memnus. It’s my son come to visit.”

Confused by the note in her voice he hadn’t heard before, Urian stepped back as an older man came outside with a lantern.

“Your son?”

Urian cursed silently as the old bearded man, who was dressed in a brown chiton and woolen cap, headed straight for them.

He froze the moment his buttery light struck Urian’s new armor that Xyn had given him, and he realized how tall and muscular Urian was. His jaw dropped. “Why … I didn’t realize your boy was a soldier.”

An amused glint hovered in his mother’s eyes. By necessity, all Apollites were. Either they learned to fight or they died. “He is, indeed. As are all my sons—like their father.”

The old man’s eyes glowed with warmth. “I know you’re proud of them.” He held his hand out in friendship. “Why, you remind me of Prince Styxx, you do. Spitting image of him, you are.”

Shaking his arm, Urian scowled. There was only one person he’d ever heard who held that moniker. “Styxx of Didymos?”

“Aye. Best military commander ever born. I served with him when I was young. Was there for his first battle at Halicarnassus. And I’ll never forget it.” Snorting, he shook his head. “He looked like nothing more than just a scrawny snot-nosed brat—and his helm was so loose upon his head it appeared it would ring like a bell in battle if it got struck. And we were all mocking him when he rode out to rally us on a horse what probably cost more than most armies did in them days. And who would have blamed us, really? A rich little prince bratling with no battle experience whatsoever. We figured we’d all be dead by nightfall by his lack of leadership experience. We thought it an insult that he was there to command us. But he showed us, he did. Never have I seen courage like what he showed them Atlanteans that day. None of us had. He had the strength and cunning of the gods themselves. The sword skill of Ares. The strength of mighty Atlas. He bowed to no one. It’s why I wear the badge of our army to this day.”

Urian arched his brow as the old man pulled the chain from around his neck to show him a medallion that held a red enameled piece. In the center was a black phoenix rising with the words “I defend” over its head.

The old man grinned proudly as he pointed to it. “That there’s the emblem for the Stygian Omada, it is.”

The piece fascinated Urian as he traced it with his finger. “Stygian Omada?”

“Aye. It’s what we were called back in the day. Achilles had his Myrmidons. Jason his Argonauts. Styxx had his Stygiai. And proud I am that I was one of them.” He pulled it from over his head and pressed it into Urian’s fist. “Here. You should take it.”

Urian was stunned by the gift. “Nay, sir. I can’t take something so precious.”

“Go on, I insist. Please. I never had a son or a grandson, and my daughters and granddaughters are tired of my old war stories, they are. Before I die, it needs to go to a warrior who will bring it honor again. His Highness would have approved of this, he would.”

Urian frowned at his words and the heartache they betrayed. “You speak as if the prince is dead.”

The old man’s eyes turned dark and sad. “Unfortunately, he is. Taken by the gods far too soon, he was.”

Urian gripped the medallion. He felt terrible for the older man. That was too sad. “I’m sorry.”

Tears swam in Memnus’s eyes. “Thank you. ’Twas a terrible day, indeed.” With a ragged sigh, he patted Urian’s arm. “But here, I’ve intruded enough. You spend time with your mother. It was nice meeting you, young Urian.”

“And you.” Urian held up the medallion. “Again, thank you. I shall treasure it!”

Smiling, he headed back to the house.

As soon as he was gone, his mother fisted Urian’s hand over the medallion. She turned a set of worried eyes toward him. “Word to the wise, my precious, keep this away from the goddess and especially your father.”

“Why?”

“Styxx of Didymos was no friend to either of them. He was the blood brother to Princess Ryssa.”

Urian’s stomach slid to his feet at the news. “Apollo’s mistress?”

“The same. And he died the day she did. Some claim by the hand of Apollymi. Others say that it was Apollo who killed him. Either way, he was only well loved by his soldiers. The ones he conquered … they didn’t like him at all.”

That went without saying.

Still, he was curious about the legendary prince commander. “Did you ever see him?”

She shook her head. “I only knew him by reputation. But what Memnus said was true. He was beloved by his men and ruthless in battle. No one ever defeated him.”

Wow … Urian could admire that. And it made him very interested. Like his father, he respected anyone who could stand strong in battle. The more anyone could learn about strategy, the better.

But first, he had a birthday to finish celebrating.

Then he’d focus on infuriating his father and the goddess who protected them. He planned to irritate Apollymi until she agreed to free Xyn or she killed him for the effort of it.