Styxx

Styxx released her hand. "Absolutely."



Letting out a cry of joy, she quickly grabbed a single apple and cradled it with a smile. "Thank you, Highness."



He cupped her precious, innocent head to his side. She didn't even think to ask for more. He bought a sack of them for her then they continued on their way.



As soon as they neared her small, dilapidated home, her brothers, who'd been playing in the street, came running up.



"Did you get some bread?" the younger brother asked.



The older one eyed Styxx suspiciously. "Why are you here with my sister, my lord?"



"He's the prince," Helen whispered loudly. "Show him respect, Iason."



Styxx went down on one knee so that he was closer to Iason's height. At nine, the boy showed promise of equaling his father's massive size one day. "Don't take your brother to task for seeking to protect you, Helen. It's his job and your father would be proud to see it." He held an apple out to Iason. "Gaius was a friend and I'm here to see how your mother does."



"She's very sick, Highness." Philoctes eyed the bread with a hunger that reminded Styxx of Acheron when they'd been boys.



He handed a loaf to him.



At seven, he was half the size of Iason. "Thank you!" He ran off with it.



Helen opened the door to their meager home. Styxx followed her inside with Iason right behind him. Though sparse, the interior was bright and clean. But there was no food and only a handful of spices strung up on one wall to keep.



Styxx set the basket and apples on the table in the center of the room. Helen took one loaf and led him to the room where her mother lay on a small bed with a toddler by her side.



Pale and sweating, Danae was trying to play with the little girl next to her, but it was obvious she should be resting and not tending children. "Did you get..." Her hoarse voice trailed off as she took in Styxx's ornate festival clothes. She tried to push herself up.



"Please don't," he said gently. "I'm not here to cause you any stress, good Danae. I happened upon Helen in the market and wanted to see how Gaius's family fared."



She coughed for several minutes.



Styxx helped her up and held her until the spell passed. Her fever radiated from her small, frail body. "Have you seen the physician?"



"No, my lord." Her breathing was so labored that it wrung his heart. "We have no coin for such."



"I'm confused. Is Gaius's pension not enough?"



Danae frowned. "His pension was suspended, my lord. Our money comes from what Helen and I earn."



"Suspended? I don't understand. He died at war."



Her eyes filled with tears. "He died in a brothel. Murdered in the arms of a whore. The king's man announced it to everyone when I went to apply for his pension. As such, we don't qualify."



The cruelty of those words and actions burned him with fury. "I was there when it happened, my lady. Your husband was one of my finest soldiers and he was not with a whore." Probably not true, but his widow didn't need to know anything other than the one fact that was undeniable. "Gaius loved you and your children to distraction. It's how I know all your names and ages ... even little Elpis here who is named for your mother. Gaius died at my back and after fighting many battles for me and Didymos. Your husband was a great hero, and I will personally see his pension reinstated and make sure you receive every bonus due him and you."



"Who are you, my lord?"



"He's Prince Styxx, Mama," Helen whispered.



Her eyes widened. "Highness..." She tried to get up, but Styxx held her back against the bed.



"Shh ... don't stress yourself." He glanced to Helen. "Do you have anyone who can help you until your mother is better?"



"I help her, Highness."



"And you've done an admirable job. But you're just a girl and you should be playing, not having so much placed on your young shoulders." He cupped Danae's head and offered her a smile. "I will not see Gaius's family treated this way." Rising, he scooped her up into his arms.



"Highness?" she gasped.



He cradled her against his chest. "Helen, can you carry your sister and fetch your brothers?"



"Yes, Highness."



"Good. Follow me."



He's going to see us punished....



Her fearful thoughts struck him like a blow. "Danae, please believe me. On my honor and crown, I will not harm you, and I will allow no one else to do so either."



She relaxed, but still suspicion haunted her dark eyes. She made no other protest as he carried her through town and to the military barracks.



"Highness?" Galen froze in the hallway as he saw them entering the building.



"It's Danae, Gaius's wife, and their children. I'm bringing them to Gaius's quarters to be looked after until she heals."



Galen stepped to and took Elpis from her sister's arms to carry her. "What do you need me to do?"



"Send for my personal physician to tend her. I'll have a retinue of ladies sent to help care for her and the children."



Danae gaped at them as Styxx laid her down on the bed and she noted the size and splendor of Gaius's military quarters. He took the toddler while Galen set about starting a fire for her and fetching water.



Eyes even wider than before, Danae opened and closed her mouth as her emotions overwhelmed her.



The boys ran around, yelling and celebrating while distressing their poor mother. Until they found their father's spear.



Styxx caught it right as they pulled it off the wall. He gently took it from Iason's hands. "Let's wait until you're both older to bring out the weaponry." As he started to put it away, something warm spread across his side. Frowning, he looked down at the toddler he held in one arm. She smiled up at him and slapped a wet hand to his cheek. "Um, Galen ... This one is leaking."



Galen laughed.



Danae cried out in horror. "I am so sorry, Highness! I-"



"Bah," Galen scoffed, interrupting her. "Not the worst thing that boy's had on him, is it, young prince?"



"Definitely not. But..." He passed Elpis back to Galen. "I fear I have no experience with this realm of domesticity. I've never even seen a pana, never mind tried to apply one to such a small person."



The girl squealed as she buried her hands in Galen's beard and kicked her legs happily.



Galen's grin widened. "I, on the other hand, have more than my share of experience with applying them, and will take care of it for you."



Styxx returned the spear to the wall and saw that poor Danae was near dead with horror over her children's actions. "Madam, really. It's fine. I was a boy, too, and while my parents and nurses tried, I fear I failed at home-training and manners with honors."



Tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, Highness, but I doubt you were ever so ill-behaved."



"Believe me, I was. I still have the thrash marks to prove it." Styxx turned to the boys. He needed to get them outside so their mother could rest. "Guess what we have here for you two?"



"What?" they asked in unison.



"A giant arena for you to run around and play in." He took them outside while Helen helped her mother.



The instant they saw the size of it, the boys took off and started a game of chase. Styxx paused as he watched them play and wrestle with wild abandon. But it wasn't two dark-haired brothers he saw. It was him and Acheron.



Even now, he could remember the sound of their matching laughter as they dodged and ran about with careless abandon. See Acheron tackling him to the ground.



I'll pin you first!



Hah! You hit like Ryssa....



Brothers ... Forever and always.



Grief tightened his throat. He'd give anything if Acheron would just look at him with something other than contempt and hatred. But who could blame him?



He hated Acheron, too.



Nothing would ever reunite them. What had been severed by their own harsh words and the actions of others couldn't be mended. It was too late for that. Sighing with regret, he returned to find Danae asleep and Helen on the floor, playing tickles with Elpis. He went to Galen, whose eyes showed he was thinking of his own daughter and grandchildren. "I put the boys in the yard."



"Wise choice, my lord."



"I thought so." He pulled Galen out into the hallway. "Did you know they'd denied pensions to those killed during the ambush?"



Galen's jaw dropped. "What?"



Styxx nodded. "It's why I brought them here. They have no money."



"I had no idea, my lord. You know I didn't."



Styxx ground his teeth. "Neither did I ... I should have checked on it. But I assumed-"



"You can't blame yourself."



Yet, he did. He'd been their commander. It was his job to see to it that his men and their families were cared for. "Will you do the accounting? I want to make sure everyone gets what is owed them."



"Absolutely, Highness. I'll see to it, personally."



"Thank you." Styxx started to head back toward the palace, but Galen pulled him to a stop. The old man's gaze dropped to where Elpis had soiled Styxx's chiton. Before he realized what Galen intended, the old man pulled him into his arms and held him tight.



After a moment, Galen stepped back and kissed each of Styxx's cheeks. He cupped Styxx's face in his rough, calloused palms and gave him a hard stare. Then he patted Styxx's cheek with enough force that it almost felt like a slap.



But he knew better.



"I love you, too, Galen."



"Love? Bah! You sound like an old woman. Get out of here, boy, before I take offense to you ... and my sword."



Styxx laughed at him. "Yes, sir."



I do love you, son. More than you'll ever know.



Styxx smiled at Galen's thoughts that warmed his heart and then left him to watch over the women until he could send help down from the palace.



As he started past the larder, Styxx backtracked and headed inside to pull together a platter of fruit. He carried it out to the arena where the two boys were still trying to kill each other in the unique way loving brothers did.



"Hey, boys?"



They turned toward him. He held the platter up for them to see then set it down on a small wooden bench. Whooping, they came running.



Laughing at the way they descended like starving locusts, Styxx grabbed an apple for himself and left them to their snack. He bit into it and held it with his teeth before he pulled his cowl up to conceal his identity as he normally did whenever he went about on his own.



He took the apple in his hand and chewed his bite, but his smile faded as he left the barracks and headed "home."



* * *



Bethany scowled as she followed the prince up the hill, toward the Didymosian palace. Archon had sent her here today to oversee Apollo's cooperation with their plans. But from the moment the Greek god had thrown the prince against the temple wall and she'd seen the abject shame and turmoil in those tormented blue eyes, she'd been haunted by them.



Worse was the guilt she felt for having told Apollo he could have a man who obviously wanted nothing to do with him. Guilt that had tripled when she'd heard the king's cold words to his son, and Styxx's stoic acceptance of the fact his father was a selfish asshole who held little regard for him.



She would never forget the sympathetic misery on his face as he watched his sister being offered to the god. Misery so potent that she'd feared he would be ill when he finally snuck out the back so as not to witness any more of it.



That degree of compassion had surprised her.



Yet what had truly thrown her were his actions toward the family of his dead soldier. What prince would deign to carry a sick commoner through town?



And every time she thought about the little girl wetting him, she smiled. Not because it'd been humiliating for the prince, but because of his kindness.



No, not kindness.



His humanity.



Not to mention Galen's informality and laxness toward Styxx that had spoken volumes about the prince's true nature. As did Styxx's concern for the fact that his men, both those living and dead, hadn't been treated justly. And among those men he worried over was the one who held her heart.



I have so misjudged you....



But the most painful of all was the fact that she'd unknowingly wronged Styxx. That she'd offered him up to Apollo with no regard of how it would affect him.



I am such a bitch....



Wanting to make amends, she followed him and noted the way his mood darkened with every step that took him closer to home. By the time he walked through the palace doors, the bitter agony in those pale eyes was so thick it made her breath catch.



Inside the palace walls, he closed his eyes and she watched as his entire demeanor changed. He buried his emotions and held his head high. He lowered the cowl and the raw, masculine beauty of him struck her even more than it had earlier.



Gone was the gentle, sweet man who'd taken a platter of fruit to two boys while they played, and the one who'd said nothing unkind as a toddler soiled his expensive clothes. Now, he was again the arrogant prince with a ramrod-stiff spine and a guarded gaze.



This was the man she'd seen at war.



His features were absolutely perfect. Flawless. Cold and unfeeling. The cowl had tousled his blond waves around his gold crown and face, and given him an adorable boyish appearance to a presence that was overwhelmingly fierce warrior and regal prince.



And that body ...



Even though Hector owned her heart, she had to give the prince credit. He was a fine manly specimen as he went down a back hallway and knocked on a door.



A young maid opened it. Her face lightened expectantly as if she was used to the prince seeking her out. "Yes, Highness? Can I do something for you?" But her expression said she'd rather be doing something to him.



He stepped back as if the woman's interest made him uncomfortable. "I need you to assign three women to the barracks. There's an ill woman there with her children and she needs help until she's recovered."



The girl screwed her face up in distaste. "Princess Ryssa will not approve of us doing such and she's the only one with authority to reassign our duties."



Her refusal caught Bethany off guard.



But apparently the prince was used to it. "Is there not one decent woman among your company who will help a hero's widow?"



Hestia boldly stepped forward and placed her hand on his chest. "Depends on the recompense, Your Highness."



His expression turned ice-cold. Without a word, he spun about and headed down another hallway. Then he paused as if thinking better of his errand.



He pulled his cowl up and left the palace to head back into town.



Even more curious now, Bethany followed him to a small house not far from the market. He knocked on the door and after a few minutes, a large burly man answered.



"Darian," Styxx said in a friendly tone as he extended his hand to the peasant.



Smiling, Darian shook the prince's arm. "Your Highness ... are we being summoned to war again?"



"No. With luck, all that's behind us. But ... I have a favor to ask."



"For you, my lord, anything. You know that." He opened his door wider. "Would you like to come in?"



She expected Styxx to decline, instead he nodded.



"I'd be honored to meet your family."



Keeping herself invisible, she followed the men into the tiny, yet cozy home that was filled with women and children.



"Gia! Meet Prince Styxx, the man who thrice saved me from an enemy sword."



Styxx bristled at his compliment. "I'm not sure about that, but it's a pleasure to meet you, Gia. Darian told me often how beautiful you were, and I can see that he didn't exaggerate in the least."



She was completely speechless and flustered before her prince.



"Children!" Darian called. "Come and meet the man who carried your father and placed me on his regal horse to ride to safety while he held back an entire army to save me."



Styxx held his hands up. "I definitely did not do that."



"He might not have held back an entire army, but he did carry me to safety and put me on his horse while he stayed behind to fight."



"I might have done that." Styxx grinned sheepishly. "But only because I knew how much he wanted to return to all of you."



Darian clapped him on the back. "So Highness, to what do we owe this honor?"



"Gaius's family is in need."



The humor fled Darian's face. "How so?"



"His widow is very ill. I took her and his children to Galen and I remembered that you mentioned you had a number of sisters who were always looking for work as companions and nurses."



"I'll send them over immediately."



"Thank you." Styxx pulled out his purse.



"Nay, no money is necessary. We take care of our own."



Styxx pressed the purse into his hand. "Yes, we do, Darian. Please take it for their services."



Darian hesitated before he nodded. "Thank you, Highness."



"Thank you, brother." Styxx embraced him. "They're at the barracks, in Gaius's quarters. And I would love to stay, but I'd best be getting back for my sister's banquet so as not to insult her or my father with my absence."



"Give our best to the princess and king."



"I will, and if you need anything at all, let me or Galen know immediately."



Darian started to salute then pulled Styxx into a brotherly embrace.



Styxx returned it before he made his way through the door. As he started to leave, Darian's youngest daughter, who appeared around the age of six, came running up to Styxx. "Highness?"



Styxx knelt down by her side. "Yes, Eleni?"



Bethany was as shocked that he knew her name as she'd been when he'd greeted Gaius's children by name.



"Thank you for bringing my daddy home." She fell against him and hugged him tightly.



Styxx returned the hug and kissed her lightly on the head. "My pleasure, akribos."



A chill went down Bethany's spine at the way he said that. She knew that tender tone of voice.



Those words.



No ...



It's not possible.



Her heart pounding in fear, she followed him after he left and went to buy herbs she was more than familiar with. Why would a prince want Nyx Root and Onero? Either was strong ... together they could be lethal.



Styxx didn't speak to anyone else as he returned to the palace, where servants were now rushing about in expectation of guests. None of them paid any attention to the prince as he made his way up the stairs and to his room.



He put the herbs in a small chest by his bed then pulled off his crown and placed it on top of them. He unpinned his chlamys and moved to get a fresh chiton.



Bethany didn't think anything about it until he took off the one he was wearing and confirmed her worst suspicions.



Styxx was Hector.



Stunned, she covered her mouth as her gaze took in the sight of his naked body. A body she knew every contour to. Every single horrifying scar that marred what should have been a flawless royal physique.



Her breathing ragged, she couldn't avert her gaze. Later, she would be angry over the lies he'd told her, but right now, she wanted to cry as she saw exactly how much damage they'd done to him. It was one thing to feel those scars. Another to see them and to know how badly he'd been abused and hurt by others.



And when he took off his gold cuff and exposed her cheap-looking charm that was still wound about his wrist from the last time she'd seen him, tears welled in her eyes. Not just because it was right where she'd put it, but because he lifted it to his lips and placed a tender kiss to her emblem.



His eyes sad and aching, he caressed her necklace with loving fingers. "I miss you, Beth," he whispered. "Please come back to me soon."



She started to materialize in his room then caught herself. What are you doing?



He'd be furious to find out that she'd ...



Lied?



He'd lied to her, too. There was no way he could hold that against her.



She moved to confront him then paused as he turned around and she saw Apollo's mark on his back. Not just on it ... across its entirety.



Her stomach pitched over.



Gods didn't lightly or arbitrarily mark humans. For them to place their symbol on a human body was a sign of fierce ownership. For one god to touch a human who'd been marked by another was an act of war.



And Apollo had quite visibly claimed Styxx.



The Atlantean gods would kill her if she breached this temporary alliance or threatened their pact with Apollo. The Olympian would have every right to call down all of his fellow Greek gods to attack her and Styxx both.



And Styxx would be the one who suffered most for allowing another god to touch him after he'd been claimed by Apollo. The others wouldn't care that he hadn't known her true identity. It was a breach of faith....



What have I done?



But then she knew. She'd callously played with a human life without taking into account what it would mean for the pawn. All the while not knowing, or even considering for one moment, that the pawn she used was her heart.



She winced as memories burned through her. How many times had she taken aim for Styxx's head in battle? No wonder she hadn't been able to kill him. Her own amulet had deflected her blows. Those primal powers she'd felt had been her father's ... the very powers she'd called on to keep Styxx/Hector safe.



He froze and cocked his head. "Bethany?"



The familiar sound of her name on his lips tore through her.



Styxx raked his hand through his hair. "I swear I'm going insane. I feel her even when I know she's not with me."



I'm here, love.



She held her hand out to touch his shoulder, but the sight of Apollo's sun emblem slapped her hard.



War.



Over a meager human ...



How could she do that to her people for a human male who would be dead in a few short years? One life wasn't worth thousands of others.



Not even his.



She'd known when she started this game that it couldn't last. That eventually she'd have to walk away and leave him to his mortal life.



Now was the time to end it. Before either of them went further into a relationship that was doomed and damned.



Besides, their time for finding Apollymi's son was drawing critically short. She had to focus on that and help the others while Apollo prepared to replace the Greek pantheon.



Her eyes teared as she took her last look at him. This time, she would leave and not look back.



"Farewell, Hector," she breathed then she returned to Katateros where she belonged.



December 13, 9529 BC



Styxx sat on the throne beside his father, wanting to beat the man senseless. For the last two days his back had throbbed unmercifully and all because Acheron had dared walk Ryssa to Apollo's temple at her behest for her binding ceremony. She was always so concerned about her precious Acheron, and yet she continually put the fool in harm's way.



And she dared to call him selfish.



Stupid kuna. She was the one who didn't care about anyone except herself.



Grinding his teeth, Styxx grimaced as more pain cut through him and he wiped at the clammy sweat on his forehead. He was just about to piss his father off by asking to be excused when the doors opened, and guards dragged Acheron into the room with them.



Styxx bit back a curse as they forced Acheron to his knees in front of their father's throne.



What have you done now?



Got caught picking your nose?



"As per your instructions, he hasn't left his room, Sire," the guard on the left of Acheron said firmly. "We've made sure of it."



Acheron cast a murderous glare at Styxx as if he was to blame for his sudden appearance here.



Don't cut those silver eyes at me. Brother, I'd set you free in a heartbeat if I could.



The king curled his lip at Acheron. "You weren't in the square earlier, teritos?"



Styxx's jaw ticced at the insult that meant "slug."



To his brother's credit, Acheron gave his father a fearless, malevolent glare. It was a look he knew well as one he'd been known to give their father whenever he felt particularly suicidal.



No wonder Father backhands me.



It took everything he had not to applaud Acheron.



"Why would I have been in the square, Father?" Acheron asked boldly.



Styxx cringed at what he knew would follow such a comment. It was the same sentence he always received for his own verbal stupidity.



"Thirty-six lashes for his insolence then return him to his room."



Khalash! The king was nothing if not consistent.



Acheron closed his eyes as the guards grabbed him by the hair and hauled him through a set of double doors that opened out into a small courtyard.



Thanks, brother. Styxx almost gasped out loud as the first lash went down Acheron's back. More sweat beaded on his forehead and he forced himself to hold still and not react.



Think of Bethany. Think of ...



Another vicious lash tore through him.



Styxx gripped the arms of his throne until his knuckles protruded. His stomach heaved.



"Are you all right, Highness?"



He glared at the advisor who'd spoken. Damn you, Xoran, for noticing. He inclined his head to him. "It's a war wound acting up."



For once, his father actually looked concerned. "Do you need a moment?"



I need you to stop beating the hell out of my twin, you idiot.



Styxx's breathing came in short gasps as he struggled for composure. Last thing he needed was any more pain added to what he already had. "I would deeply appreciate one. But it's not necessary."



His father lifted his hand to signal for the next case then paused. "Let's continue this after lunch."



Thank the gods.



Wiping at his forehead, Styxx narrowed his gaze on his father. So the bastard could have mercy. That was a first.



"Thank you, Father." Styxx didn't move until the king and his advisors and guards had vacated the room.



Biting back another groan, he could hear them beating his brother from outside. He buried his head in his hands, wishing he knew something he could do to help them both.



Kill your father.



He winced as that unbidden thought cut him. How could he? The guilt of killing Estes, who had truly deserved his death and more, still plagued him. While his father was a complete and utter bastard, he mostly did what he thought was best. Right or wrong. And Styxx knew that for a fact since he could hear the moron's thoughts.



No, as angry as the man made him, he could never kill him.



There had to be some other way to stop this shit and he needed to find it.



Fast.



December 26, 9529 BC



"Beth?" Styxx called out as he searched the cottage property. She should have returned by now. But there was no sign of her.



The welcome back necklace he'd bought for her was still in its case on the table. Untouched. As was her pole and everything else.



Heartbroken, he wheeled Troian around and went to the stream, where they'd first started meeting.



She wasn't there either. There was nothing waiting for him in the tree. It was as if she'd never existed.



Where could she be?



"Bethany!" he shouted even louder as tears choked him. Why hadn't he insisted she name her father?



You wouldn't approve of him, Hector.



Because he'd been so reluctant to tell her more about his family, he had honored her privacy. And now ...



He had no way of finding her.



Where are you? Could something have happened? Was she ill? Did she need him?



Agonized grief overwhelmed him as tears flowed down his cheeks. She'd promised to meet him today and she never broke her word. Not to him. Not ever.



Maybe she was delayed. Maybe he was panicking for no reason. It was only early afternoon ...



She could still show.



Forcing himself to calm down, he went back to the cottage to make a fire and wait. She would be here. She would.



And yet as the hours passed and the sky darkened, more fear filled him. Even though he knew it was useless, he spent the night in their cottage, waiting for her. But by midday when there was still no sign of her, he knew something was wrong.



He just didn't know what.



December 28, 9529 BC



Sick to his stomach and heartbroken, Styxx entered the palace and ignored his father's look of disdain as the king saw his unkempt state. He hadn't eaten or shaved in two days. Not while he'd waited for Bethany to come to their cottage.



"Are you ill?"



Yes, but his father would never understand. "I'm fine, Father."



"You look shameful."