Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

He tore the scroll open and read it. And with every word, his jaw dropped more. No ... Not after they'd come so far and gotten so very close.

You stupid sons of whores.

"Did something happen, my lord?" Gaius asked.

Styxx snapped his jaw closed. "We're being recalled to Greece." He enunciated each word with great irritation.

"What?" Galen roared.

Styxx handed him the scroll. "It's unanimous from all the kings. They want us back in Greece. Effective immediately. We are to abandon all future campaigns. Should we continue on, they will charge us with treason."

Galen stayed behind and sputtered indignantly while Styxx went to relay their new orders to his commanders.

He still couldn't believe it, but since all the Greek kings were in on the decision for a cease-fire, he had no choice. If he continued on, they would see his entire army slaughtered.

And his men weren't any happier about the news than either he or Galen.

Their one resounding complaint was as unanimous as the kings' decision to stop ... It's not fair that we're being penalized because the rest of the Greek forces are incompetent losers.

Styxx agreed with his men, but he couldn't say that out loud. "We are soldiers and we obey our orders."

Even when they stank to the highest point of Mount Olympus.

"But at least you'll all go home to your families now," Styxx offered as consolation.

That sent a cheer through their morose ranks. And in truth, Styxx couldn't wait to get back to Bethany. It'd been almost two years since he had last felt her hand on his face. Seen her sweet golden-green eyes as she welcomed him to her side.

Hopefully, she hadn't found another to love during his long absence.

As he returned to his tent, he felt the sun mark on his back heat up until it burned. Styxx froze.

Was Apollo here? Or another demon, perhaps? Why else would the mark do that? Glancing about, he pushed aside his fear. They were going home. Why attack them now?

But then why did the gods do anything they did?

"I hate you bastards," he snarled under his breath to the gods. "All you've ever done is screw up my life. I wish every one of you was gone."

And Styxx hoped that he never had to see another god in the flesh as long as he lived.

August 31, 9530 BC

Galen reined his horse and smiled. "Smell that delicious olive-scented air, my lord ... we're back in Greece."

Styxx snorted at Galen's uncharacteristic enthusiasm. "I think battle might have addled your brains. It smells no different to me."

"Of course it does!"

Styxx scoffed, "I could be wrong, but I really don't think the wind stops at our borders."

Galen tsked at him. "Such patriotism from an esteemed war hero. You should be ashamed."

Shaking his head, Styxx swept his gaze over the soldiers who'd fought well and brought honor to all of them and their various city-states. But even so, there was a darkness inside him that hadn't been there before. Battle had changed him. As bad as Estes had been, and the atrocities his twisted uncle had committed, Styxx had seen a far worse side of humanity that made him wonder why he fought at all. What was there about mankind worth saving?

You don't fight for them. You fight for Beth and her life, alone.

"Highness?"

He glanced over as Gaius rode up on his opposite side. "Yes?"

"There's a hostel not far from here. We were wondering if we could make camp near it tonight?"

"We?" Styxx glanced back at his army.

Gaius gave him a lecherous grin. "There are women there, Highness, and it's been a while for some of us."

Styxx exchanged an amused stare with Galen. "If it's what all of you wish. Who am I to deny you?"

Gaius shouted in happiness before he went to tell the others.

Galen sighed. "To be that young again."

"You're not that old."

"Old enough..." Galen nudged his horse forward. "So, Highness, are we dicing in your tent tonight while the others frolic with their women?"

Styxx lifted his brow at the presumptuous question. "How do you know I won't be joining the men?"

Galen snorted at his challenge. "Because I know the look of a man who wants to go home to a particular woman, and no other will do. Not even when it's been the better part of two years for him."

Styxx suppressed a smile over the fact that Galen knew him better than anyone. A part of him hated being so transparent, but another was glad to know that at least one person saw him for who he was and not for what they assumed him to be. "Dice it is then."

Galen laughed. "I look forward to finally beating you at something again."

* * *

Hours later, Styxx sat in his tent thinking of his beautiful Bethany while his men were divided between camp and the town where the hostel was located. The sounds of revelry were loud and cacophonous. They mixed with the voices in his head until he could barely think straight. There were just too many of them.

Alone, he rolled the dice on his desk, waiting for Galen to join him. He'd taken Bethany's necklace off and left it within hand's reach. Smiling, he picked it up and rubbed his thumb over the bow-and-arrow mark that was stamped into a small silver disk. Many women her age were devotees of the goddess Artemis who was said to be a fierce protector of women and children. And he prayed that the goddess would always protect his beloved from all harm.

Bethany was the sole reason he wanted to go home and she was all he looked forward to. "Soon, my love. And this time, I will hold on to you forever." Closing his eyes, he conjured the sight of her beautiful face. His body hardened instantly as he imagined her dancing for him again.

Of her holding him close while he made love to her with all the need he'd kept under fierce restraint for the last two years.

There was a sudden knock.