Styxx

Bethany returned to his side as he carefully counted.



As soon as the ninth one hit Acheron's lips, the color slowly returned to the whole of his body. Groaning, Acheron opened his eyes then grimaced. "Next time, add peppermint flavoring, somebody. That is the nastiest tasting crap on the planet."



Styxx scoffed. "You're not seriously complaining that I brought you back. Are you?"



"Yes, and no. Taste it yourself and you'll bitch, too."



Snorting, Styxx held his hand out to his brother. Acheron took it and allowed him to pull him to his feet.



They stared at each other, fully united for the first time since the day Estes had taken Acheron to Atlantis. Brothers forever and always.



Even through mutual idiocy.



Acheron hugged him close then stepped back to leave him to Bethany.



Still expecting all this to be a twisted dream, Styxx turned and wrapped his arms around her. He leaned his head against hers and took a deep breath as her scent and warmth filled him in a way nothing else ever had. While he'd learned to be whole alone, it didn't compare to what he felt as one half of their whole. "I told you I'd come back for you, my goddess. That nothing would stop me."



"Yes, but did you have to drag your feet? Seriously?"



He laughed in spite of the pain her teasing wrung inside him as he tightened his arms around her. "I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to living with me right here. I will never again let you go. Just consider me a large exterior growth on your body."



Her lips trembling, she smiled up at him as her own tears flowed. "I am so glad to have you back. I just wish we had our son with us."



"I know, precious," he breathed.



"Um ... about that."



Styxx glanced up at Apollymi's trepidatious voice that she had suddenly found again. Dread replaced his happiness as he feared that nervous tone. "What?"



"Remember my promise to you, Styxx?"



That she would make everything right if he survived. "Yes?"



"I didn't kill your son. I wanted to. Desperately. But as I looked down at that tiny, beautiful baby, I saw Apostolos and I couldn't bring myself to hurt him."



Bethany gasped. "He lives? Where is he?"



Apollymi's gaze went to Urian who turned around to look behind him.



Styxx's jaw dropped in understanding. "Urian is Galen?" And yet some part of him had known it the first time they met. He'd felt that connection and love. Now it made total sense.



Urian shook his head. "It's not possible. I was born before they died."



"No, you weren't." Apollymi smiled sadly. "Strykerius told you that because he didn't want you to know that you and your brother were the first Apollites born cursed. And that was my fault. I intentionally chose Strykerius's wife because I thought it the perfect revenge that Apollo should look after Styxx's child given what he'd done to him ... in both lifetimes. I had no idea Apollo would curse all of you over the death of a woman he really couldn't stand. Like Apostolos and Styxx, your blood mingled with that of Strykerius's real son, and that made you a part of Strykerius, too. You, child, are the only being alive who is part human, Atlantean, and Apollite ... and you carry in your veins the blood of three pantheons and gods."



Urian was aghast. "Does Stryker know?"



She nodded. "I told him long ago-after you were grown and he wondered about some of your heightened abilities-that you were very special to this world, but not who your real parents were. Your unique bloodline was why the evil souls you once lived on didn't infect you at all. Why you could go longer between feedings than others of your kind, and how your blood sustained Phoebe while she lived. It's also why Strykerius cut your throat instead of stabbing you in the heart. Unlike other Daimons, you wouldn't have died from a heart wound. Only blood loss could have killed you back then."



Urian looked at Acheron. "Did you know this?"



"I knew it was odd that Stryker cut your throat instead of stabbing you, but no. I had no clue you were my nephew. My mother"-he passed a peeved glare at her-"never mentioned it to me."



Urian scowled. "Man, I'm messed up right now. My best friend is my father? The man I idolized as a kid ... whose tattoo is on my arm ... And he's younger than me. Yeah, I don't think I can handle this. Mindwipe me, somebody ... please! Where's that dragon from Sanctuary? Simi, go get Max. I need him."



Biting her lip, Bethany approached Urian tentatively. Her heart pounded as she sought physical confirmation for what Apollymi said. While his hair was lighter than Styxx's, it was the same color as Aara's. He wasn't quite as tall as his father, but he had the same expression now that Styxx often wore whenever he was irritated or confused. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek as she stared up at him. "I see your father in you. My baby's beautiful. Just like I knew you'd be." She pulled him into her arms and held him tight as a thousand emotions ripped her apart. But the one thing she couldn't deny was the joy in her heart that they had him with them. That Apollymi had finally learned compassion and kindness. "I hate that I missed seeing you grow, but I do love you ... Urian."



In spite of what Urian had said, he held on to her as if she'd raised him. Styxx wrapped his arms around both of them as he'd ached to do for centuries. He couldn't believe this was real. That they were really with him.



Finally.



A part of him was doubly furious that Apollymi hadn't told him about Urian years ago. But right now, he was so glad and grateful to have them that he didn't want to spend a single moment lamenting a past he couldn't change. Hell had already owned too many centuries of his life. All he wanted now was to forget what had happened and focus on the future, which was finally one of hope and love.



And family.



The only things that had ever really mattered to him.



Yeah, life was hard for everyone, but it was all the more so when you fought it alone. And though Styxx was powerful on his own, he was a lot stronger with his brother at his back and his wife and son by his side.



December 24, 2012



Styxx pulled back from his family to realize that everyone had left the arena.



Except Apollymi. Her crystal tears glistened against her pale cheeks as she watched them. "What I did to all of you was inexcusable. I lashed out in anger and pain, and what I thought was vengeance was nothing more than selfish envy. Because I knew I'd never be able to hold my baby, I took that pleasure from both of you, and for that, I am truly sorry. But your son is why I saved the Apollites that I did. Once my anger cooled, and I realized how wrong I was to take him away from his mother and father, I kept him safe for you both."



Styxx glared at her. "I can't even begin to put into words how infuriated I am that I was alive and imprisoned, and missed seeing my son grow up-"



Apollymi nodded. "I know, Styxx."



And she did. She knew exactly how it felt. Only she had been able to see her son after twenty-one years.



For that matter, Acheron also shared his pain. Artemis and Apollymi had done the same thing to him. Until five years ago, Acheron hadn't known about Katra, and at times over the centuries, Acheron had even been in the same room with her while never knowing she was a part of him and Artenis.



That, too, was cold-blooded.



Styxx met Apollymi's gaze levelly. "Oddly enough, Apollymi, I can't find any hatred for you right now. I'm too grateful to have them with me to waste one minute thinking about anything else."



Bethany nodded. "I will probably hate you in the morning, Pol. But tonight, I'm with Styxx. I just want to be with my boys and forget everything else."



Apollymi inclined her head to them. "The others quietly made their way back to the main temple and left the three of you to your privacy. Know that if you ever need anything ... I will be here for you." She returned to Kalosis.



Styxx smiled at his wife and son. "I would give anything to spend the night talking to both of you. But..."



"Shit to do," Urian said for him.



Bethany made a face at her son. "Who taught you how to speak?"



Urian visibly cringed. "She's going to be in for a rude awakening with all the modern changes and gadgets, isn't she?"



That deepened her frown. "How long have I been gone?"



Styxx checked his watch. "I let go of your hand eleven thousand five hundred and thirty-nine years, one hundred eighty-three days, and roughly ten hours, give or take a few minutes ... ago."



Bethany was floored by the length of time. But more than that ... "You really did count the heartbeats."



Styxx slid the sleeve back on his arm. "Oh Beth, You have no idea."



Tears choked her as she saw the scar where he'd carved their names into his own flesh so that he'd always have them with him. She kissed Galen's name then lifted her lips to his. She wouldn't have thought she could love him more, but right then ... all she wanted was to spend the rest of the night with him inside her, showing him exactly how much she adored her noble prince.



Urian whistled low. "You know, this would be awkward if you weren't my parents. The parental designation ups the ick factor exponentially."



Laughing, Bethany pulled away from the kiss to frown at him. "I am desperate to know you." She looked back at Styxx. "And you and I have a lot to talk about. But..."



"We have gods to attend to," Styxx breathed.



She nodded. "I want to make sure they never threaten us again."



"I couldn't agree more."



Her heart swelling with pride and love, Bethany took their hands and teleported them to the main temple. She sucked her breath in sharply at the signs of battle and the amount of blood on the walls and floor. Horrified, she met Styxx's sheepish gaze. "Please tell me that's not yours."



"Some is, but a lot of it was Demonbrean. That bastard bleeds like a slaughtered pig."



When she started forward, Styxx refused to let go of her hand. She turned back with a frown.



The agonized fear in his eyes slashed across her heart. "I let go of your hand once when I didn't want to, and it was the biggest mistake of my life. One I never intend to make again."



She laced her fingers with his and pulled him toward Acheron who sat on Archon's black throne. That was shocking enough, but the presence of Artemis and the Sumerian god Sin really messed with her head.



I have missed a lot....



Most of the gods were gone now. The only ones left were Ma'at, Urian, Sin, Artemis, Seth, two demons, and a man she didn't know.



She paused near the throne. Styxx pressed himself against her back and wrapped his arms around her waist then rested his chin on top of her head. There was a time when she'd have been irritated by the constriction.



Tonight, nothing could have pleased her more.



Acheron looked at them.



"Catch us up?" Styxx asked.



Simi blew out an irritated breath. "Akri won't let me eat any of them nasty gods. What's the world coming to when a demon gots to beg for tidbits ... not even a finger sandwich or a single knuckle. Tragic. Terribly tragic."



Laughing at Bethany's confusion, Styxx whispered in her ear. "I'll explain Simi later."



Acheron let out a "heh" sound over Simi's words then he spoke to Styxx. "Well, after the way you took Archon's head, the rest are more than happy to be returned to stasis. But I was thinking of allowing a couple of them to be siphoned off by Kat and transitioned into the human world."



Styxx hesitated. "Which ones?"



"I wasn't going to make the offer without conferring with you first. I know they were less than kind to you while you were here, and if you want to gut them, I'm going to help you."



Bethany tilted her head back to stare at Styxx with a frown. "When did you two become friends?"



Styxx kissed the tip of her nose. "About five minutes before you woke up."



Her scowl deepened. She definitely had a lot of questions for later.



"Dikastis," Acheron continued, "I was going to leave alone ... as long as you agree. He seems to be decent enough."



Bethany nodded. "He is extremely trustworthy and loyal so long as no rules are broken."



"Will Epithymia get her powers back?" Styxx asked.



Sin laughed uproariously. "Hell to the no. Trust me. When Kat removes your powers, they stay gone. Technically-in theory-Kat could give them back. And I hate speaking for my wife while she's not here, but I'm pretty sure Epi is going to learn to be without."



From the way he said that, Bethany suspected Sin had firsthand experience with losing powers to his wife.



Acheron continued. "Leto is with Set and I'm not about to step in on that. Especially given what Seth and Artemis have told me about her and what she's done to all of you."



Artemis lifted her chin proudly. "Yes, we threw her over the trolley."



Acheron rolled his eyes. "Under ... bus, Artemis. You throw people under a bus."



"Whatever. My mother threatened my baby, and my loyalty is to Katra and Mia and no one else ... until Katra has more children, and they have babies. But that's it!" She pursed her lips. "Oh wait, there is one more, but that really is all and it's not to the heifer who threatened to harm my girl. Either of them. Since I gladly cede my mother to Set, I want Epithymia for my personal collection."



Acheron met Styxx's gaze. "If anyone can make someone's life a living hell, I can personally attest to Artemis's expertise."



Styxx had to bite back a laugh at Acheron's understatement and the look Artemis gave him. His brother was right. Artemis definitely knew how to punish someone. Given some of the extreme things she'd done to Acheron whom she'd claimed to love, he couldn't imagine what she'd do to someone she actually hated. "I'm in accord."



"Me, too," Ma'at agreed.



"Which leaves us with Apollo." Acheron paused to sweep his gaze around the room. "Most of us have an equal grudge against him so I have no idea how to be fair about his fate."



Artemis sighed. "Even though I'd love it, you can't kill him."



All of a sudden, as an old memory and idea struck, Styxx started laughing in an evil tone.



Bethany frowned. "Why does that scare me?"



"Because I have the perfect gift for someone. Even Simi will approve."



* * *



Apollo shouted in outrage around his gag as he fought against Artemis's diktyon net that held him tighter than a fly in a spider web. If he had his regular powers, he'd be able to escape. But Urian's necklace kept them drained.



Urian chuckled like a bad cartoon villain. "Remind me to never, ever piss off my father. And I don't mean Stryker. Damn, Dad. This is soooo cold."



Artemis smiled. "Yes, well, payback's a cat."



Acheron sighed and rubbed his head. "I absolutely give up."



Ignoring his brother's exasperation, Styxx hauled Apollo to his feet. "All right. One long overdue special delivery on its way." He kissed Bethany before he glanced to Acheron. "Take care of my girl. I'll be right back." He turned to Urian. "You ready?"



"After you."



Even though he knew it wasn't "done," Styxx teleported them directly into Apollymi's garden where she sat at her fountain.



Gasping in indignation, she rose to her feet. "What is this?"



Styxx forced Apollo to kneel before her. Totally naked and bound up like Styxx had been when the bastard had handed him over to Archon for torture, Apollo had no choice except to obey. Styxx would feel sorry for the Olympian had the bastard ever shown him an ounce of mercy or compassion.



But as Artemis had said, payback's a cat. And this one had ferocious claws.



"I come bearing gifts, my lady. As Aricles, I promised you that I'd deliver Apollo to your custody once I had him defeated ... Sorry it took so long to keep my word." He stepped back so that Urian could remove the necklace from Apollo.



"I'll return this to Davyn and be right back."



Apollymi gaped. "I don't understand."



"Acheron and I decided that Apollo had screwed with all our lives for far too long. And while you can't kill Apollo, we thought you might find him an amusing toy that can help you pass the time here."



A slow sadistic smile curled her lips as she savored the very idea. "Oh, trust me, Styxx, I promise I won't kill him. That would be too kind an end. No, no, no ... I plan to enjoy every minute of this." She closed the distance between them and kissed Styxx on the cheek. "Thank you for my gift, m'gios. And please give your brother my deepest love and adoration."



The French doors opened, but instead of Urian, Stryker's wife Zephyra came in with hungry eyes. "Oh," she laughed greedily at the sight of Apollo. "I knew I felt him." She locked gazes with Apollymi. "Let me know when I can have a turn with your gift."



A chill went down Styxx's spine as Apollo screamed and struggled. For one single heartbeat, Styxx almost felt bad. But the sensation quickly passed.



Apollymi's smile widened as she ignored Apollo and spoke to Zephyra. "Don't worry, child. I'll make sure to return the kind favor Apollo once did for Styxx. Everyone who wants a go at him can have him. After all, we have plenty of time."



"Troo to peridromo" Eat a bellyful, Styxx said, using the exact words Dionysus had when he'd first offered Styxx to Apollo. He turned as Urian rejoined them.



Together, they teleported back to Bethany, who was holding Sebastos while talking to Tory and Ma'at. The sight of her with a blond baby boy hit him like a sledgehammer in the crotch. It was just like the dreams he'd had.... For a full minute, he couldn't breathe.



Until she glanced over and smiled at him. "There he is. Bas, say hi to Uncle Styxx."



"Hi, Unkie Six!" he said, laughing and bouncing in Bethany's arms.



She tickled his belly. Squealing, he kissed her while his little hand tangled in her long hair.



"Are you all right?" Acheron asked as he came up behind Styxx.



Styxx met Urian's gaze and nodded. "I am." And for the first time in centuries, he really was.



Closing the distance between him and his wife, Styxx brushed his hand over Sebastos's curls then helped to untangle the baby's hand from Bethany's hair. "Hi, Bas."



"You want to hold him?" Tory asked.



Terrified at the mere thought, Styxx shook his head. "I might break him and piss off Acheron."



Tory and Bethany laughed.



"You can't break him, sweetie," Bethany said.



"I don't know. The last time I held a child that age, I must have broken it 'cause it leaked all over me."



Bethany laughed so hard, she had to give Bas back to his mother before she dropped him.



Tory kissed Bas's head. "You're right, Bethany. He's hilarious."



"And now that he's back," Ma'at said, "we need to finish something. Will all of you excuse us?"



Unsure of what she needed, they allowed her to flash them to Savitar's home.



Bethany was baffled at the location. "Where are we?"



Ma'at answered by beckoning her into the same bedroom Simi had taken her body originally.



Styxx's breath caught as he saw Bethany's body still on the bed where he'd left her earlier. No wonder her dress was clean now. Still ... "I don't understand ... what's going on?"



"Set told you. He split her heart. She hasn't been whole since the day Apollo tricked her into killing you. When Leto summoned the vengeance part of her, she only had that portion of Bet that had loved Aricles." She gestured to the Bethany standing next to him. "This one."



"Is that why the amulet wouldn't join?"



Ma'at shook her head. "As a link to Bethany and Bathymaas, the amulet was worthless once it was broken by Aricles's death. Bathymaas told you herself, long ago. You are her heart. She gave it to you as Aricles and it was reborn with you and you alone. It's why she couldn't smile or laugh until she found you again. Set bound her heart to your soul to make sure you kept your word to return to her." She moved toward the bed. "Now come, Bet. Let's put you back together, for once and for all."



Bethany hesitated. "Will I be different?"



"No, precious." Ma'at gave her a kind smile. "Except you will be able to be fully happy again."



Biting her lip in trepidation, she looked up at Styxx.



He rubbed her shoulders. "I'm right here, Beth. I'm not going anywhere."



Reluctantly, she left him and went to the bed. "What do I do?"



"Just lie down on top of yourself."



"That's it?"



Ma'at nodded.



Hoping it worked, Bethany laid herself over her other body. At first, she felt nothing. Then a slow burn started. One that spread through her blood until she saw stars. In the next instant, she fell and opened her eyes.



She sat up and looked around. "What happened?"



"You're back." Ma'at kissed her cheek. "And I'm out of here. Savitar is on the beach and won't return until after dawn. There's no one to disturb you two at all and I know you both want some alone time." She flashed out.



Suddenly unsure and cautious, Styxx sat on the edge of the bed.



Bethany watched him staring at her. There was a light in his blue eyes that told her he was terrified that this wasn't real. That he'd wake up alone again.



In truth, she was disoriented by it all. It'd been one bizarre day. But now ...



She reached out to finger the hole in his shirt where her knife had gone through it. Sickened over what Leto had caused her to do, she grimaced. "I'm so sorry, Styxx. Now every member of your family has tried to kill you."



"Except Urian."



She tried to suppress her smile and failed miserably. "The day's still young."



He laughed. "If it means getting you back, Beth, you can carve out my heart and serve it on a platter."



She gave him a suspicious stare. "Have you really not been with a woman in all these centuries?"



"Trust me, you're about to find out. If I even last long enough to make it inside you, it'll be a miracle...." His haunted gaze burned her as he swallowed hard. "That is, if you'll have me."



And that was what she loved most about him. For all his confidence and power, he still had moments of profound shyness and uncertainty. Not many, but enough to be endearing and fallible.



She pulled his shirt off, and placed her hand over the scar in the center of his chest. "I feel so bad for you. To me, it seems like we were together only yesterday. I have no concept of how long I slept. But for you-"



He placed his fingers over her lips. "It doesn't matter."



Yet it did, and she knew it. While he'd been off delivering Apollo to Apollymi, Tory and Acheron had told her about his sketchbooks. About how tortured and miserable he'd been all these centuries without her. She had no idea how he could have kept his faith and troth. How he'd managed to find the strength to carry on and survive. But she was so glad that he had. Then again, her Styxx had never been a coward. He was, and would always be, a steadfast warrior hero. Imperfectly perfect. The keeper of her heart. Wanting to please him, she moved to straddle his hips.



Styxx sucked his breath in sharply at the sensation of her soft body against his. He trembled at the one thing he'd been most desperate for. And still, he couldn't believe she was really here in his arms. She sank her hands into his hair and gave him a kiss that set his entire being on fire. And when she trailed one hand down his chest to the button on his jeans, he thought he was going to die from the need to feel her hands on his bare skin.



Pulling back and sliding to his side, Bethany scowled as she tugged at his fly. "What is this thing?"



He laughed. "Zipper."



"What's a zipper?"



He smiled, remembering how confused he'd been when Dionysus had first taken him to New Orleans. "It secures clothes to the body." He untied his boots and dropped them to the floor then showed her how to work the zipper and button on his jeans.



"I miss your chiton. It was easy access." She pushed his jeans down until he was exposed to her questing hand.



His breathing rugged. Styxx did his best to think about anything other than her touching him. But when she brushed her hand down the length of his cock and cupped him, he lost the battle in one heartbeat. Against his wishes, he came in a blinding sweet moment of pure bliss.



His body still shuddering, he buried his head under the pillows and groaned in utter agony and embarrassment. He'd been right. Not only had he not made it inside her, he hadn't even gotten close. "I'm worthless!"



She continued to stroke and tease him as she pulled the pillow off his face. "No, Styxx. You're not. I didn't doubt you, but this shows me how much you love me, and the fact that you have been every bit as faithful as you promised me you would be." Wrinkling her nose playfully, she smiled down at him. "Besides, I know you. You'll spend the next twenty-four hours more than making up for it. You are nothing if not an overachiever."



He reached up to toy with a stray lock of her hair. "I am that, Beth, but only for you." Then he pulled her peplos off and rolled her over so that he could savor the sight of her naked in his bed. His heart pounded as indecision on where to begin paralyzed him. He wanted to devour her.



So he started with her lips then moved south to her breasts.



Bethany cradled his head against her as he meticulously tasted every inch of her while his fingers stroked and delved, and heightened the aching need she had for him. And when his mouth replaced his fingers at the center of her body, she cried out in ecstasy.



He laughed deep in his throat. "That's it, Beth. Come for me. I need to taste you."



Those words sent her over the edge. Throwing her head back, she screamed as pleasure ripped her apart and her body spasmed with pure rhythmic bliss. Still he nibbled and teased until he'd wrung every last bit of orgasm from her.



Then he slowly nibbled his way back to her lips. He lifted himself up on his arms to stare down at her while his long hard body lay between her legs.



Bethany cupped his face in her hands as she felt his cock already hardening against her stomach. "See, I knew you'd be back in business."



Smiling, he kissed her lips then slid himself inside her. They moaned in unison as she wrapped her body around his while he began thrusting against her hips.



"I have missed you so much," he breathed in her ear. "And not just this. I could drown myself in your scent and warmth."



"I am yours forever. Literally."



"And I am eternally yours."



This time, Styxx knew that nothing would ever to separate them again. And if anyone or anything was dumb enough to try, they were going to learn the lesson that he'd given both Archon and Apollo. Styxx of Didymos fought for what he wanted. He didn't back down. He didn't give up. He didn't lose.



Even when it meant coming back from the dead. He wouldn't be stopped and he would never again live without his most vital part. Bethany.



December 28, 2012



Azura entered Noir's study without knocking to find him in the middle of entering one of their servants. "Put it away, love. I have business to discuss."



Noir growled at her intrusion. "What is so important that-"



"Rezar has returned."



He shoved the woman off his lap and quickly tucked himself back into his pants. "What?"



She nodded and watched as the servant made a quick exit. Crossing her arms over her chest, she faced her brother. "And Bathymaas is reunited with Aricles."



"Then the prophecy is true...."



"So it seems." Azura wrinkled her nose at him. "Right at this moment, Darkness is covering the Light."



"How do you know all this?"



"Our slave made a report."



Noir considered that. "Has he found Braith yet?"



"No. He's still looking. But with Bathymaas free..."



The Malachai wouldn't be far behind. The balance must always be maintained.



And they were about to rain hell itself down on the unsuspecting humans....



Noir couldn't wait.



February 9, 2013



Acheron was expecting his brother to meet him so when the door to his bedroom opened, he was surprised to find the former dream god, Arik, there. Since Arik was the husband of Tory's cousin Geary, it wasn't unusual for him to visit.



"Tory's not home. She went shopping for baby clothes with Bethany."



"I'm not here to see Tory. I wanted to ask you something."



Ash pulled the blanket up on Bas who was in the middle of his afternoon nap. "Sure. What do you need?"



"How old was Tory when her father died?"



Now that was an odd question. "Ten."



Arik shook his head in denial. "When I first met Tory in 1996, Geary told me that she was six when her father died."



He scowled at that. "I have photos of her with her father on her birthdays all the way up to ten. You must be mistaken."



"No. I'm not. Even Geary now has memories of him being with Tory longer than that ... and we have pictures that never existed until recently."



Ash cursed at the significance of what Arik was telling him. "Who's messing with the time sequence?"



"I don't know. But since it's affecting the one person nearest and dearest your heart..."



It most likely involved Acheron somehow. He winced in apprehension. "So whatever was altered had to have occurred between 1996 when you met her and 2008 when I met her."



Arik nodded. "I'm thinking this time breach more than the cosmic alignment in December is what has unleashed Tiva and Zev." Tiva was the original goddess of untime and her brother Zev of time itself.



Chaos and Order....



Ash wanted to curse. "I saw Tiva in December. She was after the Time Stone."



"Where's it now?"



"Safe. Back in the hands of its keeper." Neither Kateri nor Ren would allow anything happen to it. And Ren knew better than to let Tiva anywhere near the Stone.



"Glad to hear it. But with Order and Chaos unleashed..."



And not just Zev and Tiva. Set and Bethany were also Order and Chaos. And they were now released, too.



Yeah ... this was looking bad.



"Something's coming, Acheron. And I don't know what it is."



"Neither do I. But at least we're forewarned about it. Let's see if we can find other breaches and fluctuations. Maybe we can undo whatever has been done."



Arik nodded. "I'll let you know what I find out."



"And I'll do the same."



As soon as Arik left, Ash turned back to watch his slumbering son as fear permeated every part of his being. Nothing good ever came when someone or something tampered with time. While Artemis had moments of profound lunacy, she wouldn't dare mess with that one.



Maybe one of the Were-Hunters ...



Or something a lot deadlier.



Whatever or whoever it was, Acheron would find them and he would make them pay for it. Most of all, he would stop them before they unleashed the one evil that nothing could ever defeat.



September 21, 2013



"Look at them, Apollymi. Have you ever seen anything more pathetic than two grown, immortal warriors so terrified of something so small? I don't know who's more nervous about the birth ... dad or uncle."



In her shade form on Katateros, Apollymi couldn't agree more with Ma'at as they watched Styxx and Apostolos gather ice chips. "Should we have them boil water?"



Athena laughed. "Perhaps it's my presence they find most unsettling. After all, the last time I attended a birth was theirs and ... Well, thankfully this will turn out much better. I think."



Styxx pinned the three goddesses with a stern frown. "You do know we can hear you, right?"



Athena laughed. "Of course we do, love. Wouldn't be nearly as much fun if you couldn't."



"Styxx!" Acheron barked. "Get over here. Now!"



Ignoring the goddesses, Styxx ran to Bethany with the ice. "I'm right here, Beth."



Lying on their bed in her temple, she took his hand and squeezed it as she screamed out in pain. Styxx was shaking in fear while Simi held a catcher's mitt in expectation of their son's birth.



Artemis rolled her eyes at Simi as she motioned for Ma'at to take over the birthing process. "He's almost here. I'm sure you want to deliver this one."



Tory wiped at Bethany's brow. "Breathe, sweetie. Just a few minutes more."



Acheron tsked. "I'm so jealous, Styxx. This is usually when Tory starts calling out for the wrath of the Furies to geld me."



Tory passed a look to her husband that said he'd be spending the night on the couch.



Bethany laughed then groaned.



"One more push, child," Ma'at said.



Closing her eyes, she obeyed.



Happy and terrified beyond belief, Styxx held his breath as his son entered the world. He didn't breathe again until he heard the boy's healthy cry. Shaking as much as Bethany, he pressed his cheek to hers. They were both laughing through their tears.



Finally, they'd done it....



Before she even cleaned the baby, Ma'at wragged him in a light blue blanket and handed him to his mother. "I know better than to make you two wait a minute longer to hold your baby son."



He was the most beautiful thing Styxx had ever seen. Perfect and adorable, he had a mop of black hair like his mother and a set of golden eyes. Styxx placed a nervous hand on his son while he kissed Bethany's cheek. "What are we going to call him?"



Because of what had happened with Urian, they'd been too superstitious this time to name the baby before he arrived.



She laid her gentle hand over Styxx's jaw. "Aricles Galen?"



He hesitated as a wave of fear went through him. "Is that bad luck?"



Athena tsked at them. "Not this time, sweetie. He will do his namesakes proud."



A loud knock sounded on the door. "Is that my newest grandson I hear?"



They laughed at Set's impatient voice. He'd become so distraught during Bethany's labor that Ma'at had banned him, Maahes and Urian from the room.



Opening the door, Athena let Set in. He flashed across the room to make sure Bethany and child were healthy.



Set kissed Bethany's cheek then cooed at his grandson. "There's a room full of beings who want to meet this little guy. Including his other aunt and uncle, and cousins, and older brother."



Ma'at laughed. "Let me get little Ari cleaned up and dressed then the extreme spoiling can commence."



Neither of them wanted to let go of their son, but they knew Ma'at was right. Sooner or later, they would have to let someone else hold him. Styxx stepped back so that Ma'at could reclaim Ari.



Styxx covered Bethany with a blanket. "What can I get for you?"



Her smile dazzled him. "Nothing. Just don't let Ari out of your sight."



He laughed. "Don't worry." He inclined his head to Simi who was micromanaging every step of the bathing process and driving Ma'at crazy. "This time he has his own demon mother hen who will eat anyone or anything that comes near him."



Soteria kissed her on the cheek, too. "We'll leave you to rest, but if you need anything, let us know."



Acheron gave a light squeeze to Bethany's hand then hugged Styxx. "Congratulations, brother. I can't wait to watch Theron and Bas play with him."



Neither could Styxx. Acheron's son Theron had been born this past May. Barely four months apart, their boys would be more like twins than cousins.



And their sons would all have the spoiled-rotten childhoods that he and Acheron should have had.



Once Ari was cleaned and dressed in a white cotton jumper, Ma'at returned him to them.



Her heart bursting with emotions she couldn't name, Bethany choked. And her gaze swam at the sight of her perfect, healthy baby as he stared up at his parents. "We finally get to raise our son."



Styxx returned her smile. "Poor thing. We're both going to smother him."



She laughed. "Absolutely. We'll make Acheron and Tory look neglectful." She kissed the top of their son's head then held him out to Styxx. "You better go make the rounds with him."



More petrified than he'd ever been before, Styxx hesitated. "I don't know about this. He's awful tiny."



She tsked at his fear. "You've got to learn to hold him at some point."



"I'd rather face an army of gods with nothing more than a knife and my bare hands." But she was right and he knew it. Taking a deep breath for courage, Styxx allowed her to place their son in his arms.



"See, you didn't break him."



Awed and amazed, Styxx stared down at his tiny, precious son. Never in all his long life had he seen a more incredible sight than his boy in his own arms. "Wish me luck."



Bethany kissed him then allowed Ma'at to pull him out of the room to show off his boy. The instant they opened the door, Skylos barked happily and ran past Styxx to jump on the bed and take his usual place beside Bethany. Laughing, she patted his head. He licked her twice then settled down to sleep.



Athena stayed behind to be with her. "How are you doing?"



"I've never been happier ... or more frightened."



She laughed. "That's called life."



No, Bethany thought as she watched her husband through the open door smiling proudly with both of their sons. It was called love. The hardest thing in the world to find and keep, but the one thing that made the worst imaginable hell tolerable. More than hope, it was truly the light that guided the lost to safety and kept them sane in the midst of utter chaos.



And never again would she choose any obligation over her sons and husband. They were her family, and for them alone, she would kill or die. The things in this world didn't matter. Only the people did. And that was the way life should always be.



Forever.