Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

Chapter Twenty-One

Styxx paused as he heard a familiar voice. Frowning, he turned to see Dorus in the crowd.

The nobleman headed straight for him and gave a curt bow. Dorus glanced around as if seeking Styxx's ever-present guards, but said nothing when he didn't find them at their usual post. Having grown tired of his every belch being reported to his father while their thoughts insulted everything about him, Styxx had slipped out of the palace to be alone for awhile.

"I haven't seen you since your return, Highness. Welcome home."

"Thank you, Dorus."

"I've heard great things of your victories. My father said that you were headed for the Atlantean mainland when you were recalled."

"We were."

"It must have been incredible to fight so many victorious battles. Exciting."

More like bloody and terrifying. Haunting. Grueling. A thousand adjectives came to his mind, none of them good.

But Dorus didn't want to hear the truth any more than Styxx wanted to remember it. "I heard they elected you to the senate. Congratulations."

"They did. At one-and-twenty, I'm one of the youngest members."

Styxx felt so disconnected from Dorus and the other noblemen his age. Unlike the king, their fathers wouldn't send them to war for at least two more years. For that matter, all his experiences were so radically different from theirs and from what they believed his to be that it was hard to converse with any of them.

But at least Dorus tried. Best of all, Styxx never heard his thoughts. And for that, he was eternally grateful.

Dorus, Galen, and Bethany were the only ones who didn't bombard him whenever they were around. Every once in a while, he might overhear something, but overall, their thoughts were blissfully hidden and silent.

"Did you know there's a new brothel that opened near Catera's? They have some of the most exotic beauties they've imported...."

Forcing himself not to grimace at something he found utterly revolting, Styxx held his hand up. "I'm not interested."

Dorus laughed. "I understand. A prince never has to pay for sex. I imagine any woman is yours for the taking."

Yeah ...

If only I lived the life everyone thought I did.... He might actually be happy.

Unable to stomach any more of this conversation, Styxx inclined his head. "Pardon me, Dorus, I have an appointment to keep. I hope you don't mind."

As Styxx started past him, he felt a strange sensation over his skin.

One he'd only felt on the battlefield ... like something powerful was watching him. Slowing down, he glanced around for the source of it. But nothing was there.

Putting it out of his mind, he headed back to the palace.

* * *

"What are you doing with Styxx?"

Apollo glanced up from the lyre he was tuning to see Athena in his temple, heading straight for him with more venom than a cobra nest. "I haven't seen the irritable bitch, why?"

"Not the goddess, you moron. The prince of Didymos."

Apollo strummed a note. "Ever wonder what his father was thinking when he allowed you to name his son for the River of Hatred? For a Titan bitch so cruel that none of us will even consider crossing her?"

"What has this to do with anything?"

He shrugged. "I thought we were talking about things that don't matter."

With her hands on her hips, Athena stopped in front of him. "I'm serious, Apollo. He is my champion. Why are you-"

"Fucking him?"

Athena snatched the lyre from his hands and had to grip it hard to keep from bashing him against the head with it. "Don't push me, brother. I'm not that fond of you, and unlike your twin sister, I don't fear you."

"What I do or don't do with the prince is no concern of yours. Why do you care anyway?"

Because I can't stand what was done to an innocent boy who should have been coddled and loved. Not cast into the harsh existence he has because you and your Atlantean conspirators screwed with his life.

Unfortunately, she couldn't say that. "There are plenty of mortals for you to pick from. Leave mine alone."

"Jealous?"

"He is a loyal follower of mine and you are single-handedly turning him against all of us."

Apollo leaned back against his chaise. "I have him well in hand."

She winced at his cruel double entendre.

"No need in you concerning yourself with our relationship, dear sister."

Athena ground her teeth in anger. "I don't understand why you can't leave him alone when it's obvious he can't stand you."

"Cast off your virgin robes," Apollo said with a sadistic twist to his lips, "and you'll understand it fast. He is a very sweet piece of ass."

She curled her lip. "You sicken me."

He mocked her words. "And you bore me. Now hand me my instrument and begone."

Athena wanted to shove it where the "sun" didn't shine. But it wouldn't do any good. Apollo was a prick. "For a god of prophecy, you're a complete and utter idiot. Can you not see what you're about to do to him if you don't let him be?"

"You wanted him strong."

She growled at her idiot brother. "Not like this, I didn't. And you are to leave him alone, Apollo. I mean it!" Glaring at him one last time, she turned and stormed from his temple.

Apollo shook his head and laughed. "Had you not threatened me, I might have turned my eyes to another. But ... sweet Athena, no one threatens me. And they damn sure don't do it over a piece of human trash."

January 18, 9529 BC

Styxx rubbed at his aching head as he and his father went to meet with the senators and emissaries to discuss the Atlantean truce. That alone would be reason enough to make his brain hurt, but Ryssa trailed them, whining over the fact that her beloved father was offering her up as a sacrificial goat. The selfish shrew had no concept of what real humiliation felt like.

"Father, please..."

Damn, if they could harness the sound of her noxious whine, they'd have one hell of a battle weapon to unleash against their enemies.

"Enough, Ryssa." Finally, the old bastard cut her off. "The decision is made. You are to be offered to Apollo. We need him on our side if we're to ever win this war against the Atlanteans. So long as he continues to favor and aid them, we will never stand a chance. If you are his lover, he will look more kindly toward our people and might be swayed to our cause."

"It's not fair!"

Because life was ever about fairness.

Oh, to be as naive as his sister.

Just as they approached the atrium, their conversation was interrupted by the voices of the senators who were waiting for them on the other side of the wall.

"He looks just like Styxx."