Styxx (DH #33) (71 page)

And eventually, she would have to tell him the truth, however today wasn’t the day. Today, she wanted to focus on him and his needs.

In a few weeks, she’d tell him about their baby. Then later, she’d confess the rest. She just hoped he’d welcome the news of their son.

They’d never really spoken about children. And given the brutality of his own childhood, she’d stayed away from the topic out of respect for his pain. But he must have thought about it. As heir to Didymos, it was expected that he’d have children one day. Yet how strange that he never mentioned it to her.

Rising on her toes, Bethany pressed her cheek to his. “I love you, Styxx.”

He cradled her head in his hand. “I love you. I always will.”

She smiled and prayed that once he learned the full truth of her and what her carelessness had done to him that he continued to feel that way.

March 10, 9527 BC

Apollo froze as he caught sight of Artemis in the woods outside her Olympian temple with Acheron. The two of them were laughing as they hunted deer in her sacred field. Fury ignited deep inside him. How dare his twin sister whore herself with a bastard byblow.

A prostitute, no less.

That was bad enough, but the fact that she would dare bring him here added to his indignation. It pained and infuriated him that Artemis had interfered with Eris’s and Poena’s plot to have the king punish her precious whore for treason. Every time he turned around, she was saving that bastard. The fact that both Didymosians continued to elude his wrath and plans was ever a vexation that ate at his gut.

No one defied him.

Ever.

Unable to stand it for another heartbeat, he teleported himself to Didymos where Styxx was leaving the weekly court sessions with his father. The prince walked behind the king with a grim countenance that said he was in need of more fiber in his diet.

“Styxx?”

He paused as his father turned to face him while their retinue continued on to give them privacy. “Sire?”

“Your sister is still angry at you. I was thinking you need to do something to placate her.”

A tic started in Styxx’s jaw. “What would you have me do?”

“Perhaps a gift? Surely, as intelligent as you are, you can think of something that would please her?”

“I shall have my heart cut out and delivered to her forthwith then.”

The king curled his lip in revulsion. “I grow weary of your cheek, boy. You’d do well to curb it.”

“Forgive me, Majesty.” But his tone said he was anything other than contrite. It was the same tone that motivated Apollo to violence anytime the prince used it with him.

The king narrowed his eyes even more. “And speaking of your cheek … How go your reparations with Apollo?”

The tic picked up its rhythm as Styxx glanced away.

Before the prince could speak, Xerxes grabbed Styxx and slammed him back against the wall then growled in his ear. “I meant what I told you, boy. I am weary of your insolence and I will stomach no more of it. If I have to, I will put you down on your knees in front of Apollo myself to make sure you please him. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Majesty.”

The king struck him hard in the middle of his chest then turned on his heel and left him.

Apollo waited until the king and his retinue had vanished before he materialized in front of Styxx who was still rubbing the area where his father had struck him.

Styxx cursed as Apollo trapped him in the dark corner.
Just what my lousy day needed …
“My sister’s in her room.”

Apollo tsked at him. “I think you know she’s not the one I want.”

Of course not. No one, other than Acheron and their drunken mother, could tolerate Ryssa for very long.

Styxx tried to step around the god he hated most. “I’m in no mood to entertain you.” As he started past, Apollo backhanded him so hard, he hit the wall again.

Licking at the blood on his lips, Styxx almost retaliated then caught himself. While he could fight Apollo and even win, the god had already shown him how easy it was to rip him out of his life with no one being the wiser. How easy it was to put an imposter in as Prince Styxx, and, while he couldn’t care less about his family, he did care about Bethany.

The imposter could hurt her or replace him in her bed. Worst of all, the imposter might make her hate him to the point she left him for good and never came back again.

Those were things he’d never take a chance on. No matter what, he had to bend to Apollo.

With no choice, Styxx reverted to what he’d been trained to do in Atlantis.

Survive.

Deadening himself, he lowered his gaze to the floor. “My will is your will,
akri.
”

A smile curled Apollo’s lips. “Better.” He wrapped his hand around Styxx’s neck and jerked him into his arms. Viciously, he sank his fangs into Styxx’s jugular.

Styxx cried out as pain exploded through him. But Apollo had no mercy. For whatever reason, the Olympian was furious today and Styxx was his chosen scapegoat.

Think of Beth …

At least now, he’d have her arms to comfort him once it was over.

March 12, 9527 BC

Styxx heard the knock on his door, but he was in too much pain to answer. He wasn’t sure at what point Apollo had finished with him and teleported him home. Time on Olympus moved very differently than time here. Honestly, it felt like he’d been with Apollo for more than a month. He had no idea what had angered the Olympian, but whatever it was he’d taken every bit of it out on Styxx.

Someone jerked the drapes back from his windows, spilling harsh sunlight through his room. Hissing, Styxx moved to cover his eyes with his arm then groaned as more pain ravaged him.

“Get up! You worthless, whoreson, bastard!” his father growled before he threw a bucket of water over him.

Styxx gasped at the coldness that made his covers even heavier on his bruised body. He was shaking and hurting so badly, he could barely breathe, never mind move.

When his father stepped to pull him from the bed, he heard Galen’s voice from the doorway.

“Majesty? Is something wrong?”

Now that they had a witness for his cruelty, his father pulled back. “What are you doing here?”

“His Highness was badly injured and I wanted to come by and check on his welfare.”

Only then did his father look at him and see the bruises and cuts that covered his body. “What happened to you?”

“He fell from the stable loft,” Galen said before Styxx could think of his own lie.

Finally, a modicum of compassion filled his father’s eyes. “You should be careful.… I’ll have your morning appointments reset.”

Styxx wiped at the blood and water on his face. “Thank you, Majesty … for your magnanimous kindness.”

This time, his father caught the sarcasm in his tone. His glare promised later retribution. Without another word, he stormed from the room.

Shaking, Styxx tried to find a portion of his bed that wasn’t wet.

Galen wrapped his cloak around his shoulders then stripped the wet linen from the mattress. “Lie still, boy.” He piled the linens in a corner before he left the room.

A few minutes later, he came back with more blankets.

“Thank you, Master Galen … for everything.”

Galen inclined his head to him. “I take it the king found out you reduced the soldiers’ yearly obligations or upped the pay for those who wanted longer ones?”

“That would be my guess for this assault.”

Frowning, Galen inspected the bite marks on Styxx’s neck and the bruises that covered him. “I thought Apollo released you.”

“So did I. Apparently, we were mistaken.”

Galen cursed under his breath. “I knew something was wrong when you missed practice yesterday and no one knew where you were.”

“What day is it?”

“Middle of the week.”

Styxx let out a relieved breath that he’d only been gone a day and a half. This time. Good.

Galen sighed wearily as he continued to inspect Styxx’s injuries. “Have you eaten?”

He shook his head. “I have some apples in my table drawer.”

His mentor went to retrieve two and handed them to him. “Munch on those, Highness, and I’ll be back in a few minutes with something more substantial for you.”

“Again, thank you, Galen.”

Galen patted him gently on the shoulder before he left.

Leaning back with another groan, Styxx bit into his apple and grimaced at the teeth Apollo had knocked loose. He’d give the bastard credit, he could hit.

He tested his teeth with his fingers then winced. At least Apollo beat on him solely and left his sister alone. As far as he could tell, Apollo had never struck Ryssa. But he was getting really tired of being the Olympian’s whipping boy.

There had to be some way to weaken the god and get out from under his thumb.

Whatever it took, he was going to find it and show the bastard what it felt like to be tied down and knocked around. Even if it took him ten thousand years, he was going to get back at Apollo.

One way or another.

March 23, 9527 BC

Bethany kept her grip on Dynatos’s collar as he guided her to the training arena where she knew Styxx would be with Galen. The moment they entered the area, she heard the clashing sounds of sword and shield as well as the men’s good-natured insults for each other’s abilities.

“You hit like an old woman.”

“At least I am old. What’s your reason,
boy
?”

Dynatos barked then jerked free of her grip and ran forward. Her heart stopped. “Dyna!”

She heard the sounds of Dynatos’s attack. Galen cursed and hissed while Styxx barked as loud as the dog.

“Down, Dyna, down!” Styxx snapped.

Suddenly, Styxx was by her side with Dynatos. “Your dog doesn’t like Galen hitting me.”

“
I
don’t like Galen hitting you.”

Styxx kissed her lightly on the lips as Dynatos walked between them, while Styxx kept his left hand firmly on the dog’s collar so that he wouldn’t attack Galen again.

She sank her hand in Styxx’s dripping-wet hair then grimaced. “Ew! You’re all sweaty.”

“You don’t complain about my sweat when we’re alone and naked.”

“You don’t smell like the back end of your horse when we’re alone and naked.”

Styxx laughed. “At least you didn’t call me an old woman.”

“Good day, Lady Bethany.”

She smiled as she heard Galen approach from the side of them. “Hi, Galen.”

“Would you like me to put your xiphos and hoplon away, my lord?”

She stopped Styxx as he moved to hand them over. “I actually came to listen to you two practice. Don’t let me interrupt. I promise I’ll keep Dyna off the field.”

Galen snorted. “By the lovesick expression on Styxx’s face, I daresay he’ll be an even worse opponent than normal.”

Styxx feigned laughter. “Thanks for making me look heroic to my woman, Galen. You could at least lie to her and tell her how fearless I am.”

“Like a lion … cub. All growl, with little baby teeth for biting.”

She laughed at them and their gentle teasing then kissed Styxx on the cheek. “I know how fierce you are, my love.”

Styxx handed his shield over to Galen and winked at him. “I think I’ll give the old man a rest before he falls over from exhaustion.”

“Don’t listen to him. It’s his own dignity he’s trying to save, my lady. I shall put these away so as not to further embarrass him with his inferior skills. Good day.”

Styxx took her hand and pulled her toward his dressing room. “Is something wrong?”

“Why would you think that?”

“You never come here, and I was supposed to meet you in a couple of hours at the cottage.”

“True … but I couldn’t wait.”

“For?” He released her hand and started disrobing.

She held her arms out and turned side to side. “Notice anything different about me?”

His body hardened at the sight of her playfulness that reminded him of one of her sensual Egyptian dances. “You’re more beautiful than the last time I saw you?”

She smiled at him. “I love you … but no. Try again.”

Styxx frowned as he tried to discern it. Her hair was curled today, but she did that a lot, and it was the same ornate gold diadem she always wore when she gathered it up to the crown of her head. She had on earrings, which she normally didn’t wear, yet he’d seen those before, too. Someone had ringed her eyes with kohl, but again, she often wore Egyptian cosmetics. Her skin was as luminescent as ever. Her eyes every bit as golden tinged by green. Her lips hennaed and shiny with beeswax.

Unlike him, she smelled wonderful … but it was the same scent of lilies and eucalyptus.

For his life, he couldn’t see a difference at all. Except …
maybe
she’d gained a tiny bit of weight, but he knew from Ryssa not to
ever
remark on a woman’s weight fluctuations. He didn’t own enough armor for that particular brand of stupidity.

He set his helm on the mannequin then went to unlace his greaves. “New dress?”

“Since you’re having trouble with this, let’s try a riddle. When do one and one make three?”

Styxx froze as he realized what she was trying to tell him. For a full minute, he couldn’t breathe as her news slammed into him like an iron mallet.

She scowled. “Are you still here?”

“I am.”

Fear creased her brow. “Are you not happy?”

He took her hand and led it to his face so that she could feel his smile then he kissed her palm. “I have never been happier in all my life.” He kissed her other hand then knelt in front of her.

She scowled. “What are you doing?”

He held her hands in his and looked up at her beautiful face. “Marry me, Bethany.”

“Your father…”

“I don’t give a damn what my father or anyone else thinks, says, or does. You’re all that matters to me. You and the baby you carry. And I know how you feel about marriage, I do, but I swear I will never, ever stifle your freedom or your thoughts.… Marry me.”

“Styxx—”

“Marry me.… Please.”

She bit her lip, and every heartbeat that passed without an answer was complete torture for him. Finally, she took mercy on his misery and spoke. “Yes.”