Chapter Twenty-Four
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."