Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

Besides, he was already a whore himself. And as Estes had shown him, he could be attacked even in the safety of his own bed. A bed he hadn't slept in since. He couldn't bear it. Every night, he dragged his blankets into the receiving room to sleep on the floor and every morning, he returned them to his bed so no one knew.

Yet if Estes had his way, everyone would learn what he was.

And how he'd been used.

June 21, 9532 BC

"I do not understand women."

Styxx didn't say anything as his father continued to rail against Ryssa as they journeyed to the summer palace. His father had summoned her home and she'd refused to return.

So here they were, fetching her back.

"What gets into their minds?"

Styxx shrugged. "Mites?"

His father laughed. "Only you could lighten my mood this day." Sighing, his father dismounted at the steps.

Styxx slid to the ground as the guards with them dismounted. The palace looked empty. But then it always did when they weren't in residence.

Normally, they'd have moved in a month ago, but with the war looming, his father had decided to stay closer to the mainland and in the palace that was easier to fortify and more centrally located.

His father waited for the guards to open the door before he entered to find the palace as empty inside as it appeared outside. But as they searched through it, it was obvious that someone was in residence. The furniture was uncovered in several of the smaller rooms, and Ryssa's bedchambers were fresh with flowers.

The king shook his head as he glanced around. "She must be out back."

Styxx followed his father through the doors and into the garden.

"She's always favored the orchard," he reminded his father. Though she'd had a fit any time Styxx had tried to join her there. The last time they'd stayed here, she'd even hit him in the head with an apple when he'd gone down to tell her she had a letter from their aunt. Then she'd had the nerve to tell their father that he'd spied on her.

He'd been given a dozen lashes for that. A woman needs her privacy, boy. You don't ever spy on your sister.

And he'd never told his father about the apple he'd taken to his head. Because that his father would have viewed as being a crybaby on his part, which would have resulted in another beating.

As they entered the orchard, Styxx slowed at the sound of two voices.

Ryssa's and Acheron's.

He wanted to grab his father and pull him away from here, but it was too late. His father had already seen them and he was furious over it.

Ryssa pushed herself up from where she'd been sitting on the ground beside Acheron. "Father. Why are you here?"

"Where have you been?" he demanded as he moved forward. "It's already the middle of the year and no one has seen you."

"I told you, I wanted time-"

"Father?" Acheron's excited voice interrupted Ryssa and it turned their father's attention toward him.

Damn it, Acheron. Why can't you learn when to run?

Then again, Acheron did run. Just not in the right direction. His face alight with joy, he rushed to embrace their father.

Styxx winced as his father shoved Acheron away ruthlessly and raked his twin brother with a repugnant grimace that cut through him like a dagger. How can you be like that with him and claim to love me?

They were absolutely identical.

Except for the whore brand on Styxx's groin ...

Acheron frowned in confusion as he looked to Ryssa for an explanation.

I'm sorry, Acheron. I didn't want you to know. Ryssa's thoughts were loud and clear. She'd been lying to Acheron all this time. Telling him that their father loved him and would welcome him home.

Stupid bitch. Why would she be so cruel?

But that answer he knew ... No woman can ever be trusted. They are all treacherous beasts. His mother had schooled him well on that knowledge.

"What is he doing here?" their father demanded.

Styxx wasn't paying much attention to them as Acheron locked gazes with him. His brother looked so happy to see him.... It definitely wasn't the same reception Acheron had given him in Atlantis when Styxx had tried to set him free.

In many ways, this wasn't the same Acheron at all. The man in front of him was much more akin to the brother he'd once known. The brother Styxx had risked his life for.

And the thought that their father would send Acheron back to Atlantis horrified him.

Why didn't you run farther than this, brother?

Why hadn't his stupid sister taken Acheron someplace really safe?

"Guards!" his father shouted.

Styxx winced, wishing he could grab his brother and run. But they would catch them and there was no telling what their father might do to them.

What Estes would do or say over it.

Ryssa gaped. "What are you doing?" she shrieked at her king and father.

There was no mercy in their father's eyes. "I'm sending him back where he belongs."

Acheron's jaw went slack as he turned toward Ryssa with terrified eyes.

She shook her head. "You can't do that."

Their father turned on her with a glare so hateful it made her take a step back in fear. "Have you lost your mind, woman? Why would you coddle such a monster?"

"Father, please," Acheron begged, falling down on his knees before him. He wrapped his arms around the king's leg. "Please don't send me back. I'll do anything you ask. I swear it. I'll be good. I won't look at anyone. I won't hurt anyone." Acheron kissed the king's feet reverently.