Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

Bethany laid her hand to Styxx's cheek as she felt his mood. She knew how much he hurt. How very much he'd loved Galen even though he stayed strong and said nothing. But what truly angered her was the fact that none of his family attended this with him.

Not a single member. Not even the king who had ordered Galen into battle to save his own crown.

How could they leave Styxx alone like this? But then why was she surprised? His father had sent him to war when he'd scarce been more than a child. Ryssa had no love for anyone but herself, and Bethany knew nothing of his brother-not even what he looked like. Though at this point, she didn't want to know anything about Acheron. Not if he could leave his brother to suffer alone. It was an act of complete cruelty.

A total lack of regard. Not just for Styxx, but for the man who'd once led an army for the royal house and defended all of them while they'd languished here at home in luxury paid for in Styxx's and Galen's blood and sweat. To this day, Styxx lacked the full use of his right hand from where a Greek assassin had pinned it to the ground with a dagger.

How dare they.

When the service was over, Styxx had Antigone and her family escorted to guest chambers in the palace. Bethany went with him to his room, where he sat in a chair for hours without speaking. Then he began pacing like a caged lion.

"What's on your mind, Styxx?"

"Nothing and everything."

She held her hand out for him. "Does your head ache? Would you like for me to rub it?"

Taking her hand, he sank down at her feet and laid his head in her lap then sighed as she ran her hands through his short blond hair. "I have such a bad feeling about things, Beth."

"You're just upset over Galen, and you have every right to be."

"No, it's more than that. Something bad is coming. I can feel it with every part of me. It's dark and it's dangerous, and it's out for blood."

She ran her hand over his cheek and jaw. "Have faith, my love."

"I don't know if I have any left. I'm not really sure if I ever had any at all." He lifted his head and placed his hand against her stomach. "If something were to happen to you and the baby, I don't know if I could survive it."

"Nothing will happen to us."

Yet Styxx couldn't shake the horrible dreams he'd been having. The feeling that pure evil stalked him.

Someone had killed Galen because of him and he had no idea who. It could have been a stranger or one of his family members or the bastard Apollo....

But it didn't matter who had struck the fatal blow. The assassin had been after him.

What if, in their desire to hurt him, they turned their sights to Bethany? How would he live with himself knowing that he'd caused her harm?

May 9, 9527 BC

Misery itself rained down on Katateros as Archon panicked. He'd fully expected Apostolos to come knocking on their door as soon as the day dawned.

Luckily, he'd been wrong.

At least so far.

"Relax," Epithymia told him as the Atlantean gods all huddled in their main hall, expecting Apollymi to escape at any moment and attack them. "It's not today that he hits his majority. Not until the anniversary of the human birth. We still have a handful of weeks to find him."

Archon cursed. "A slight stay of execution. It is imperative we stop this from happening!"

Bethany had had enough. She had no idea where Apostolos was, and honestly, she no longer cared. The only thing that mattered was the baby inside her, and the betrothed she wanted to marry more than anything else. She hadn't been here for the imprisonment of Apollymi and, no offense, given what they'd done to the goddess, they deserved her wrath.

Let Apollymi have them.

Unable to stand the arguments of the Atlanteans, she flashed herself to her aunt Ma'at's temple in Thebes.

Ma'at joined her immediately with a warm smile on her beautiful face. "To what do I owe this joyous visit?"

Bethany smiled and hugged her. "I have a favor to ask."

"Anything for you, you know that."

She was about to test those words. "Make me human."

Ma'at stepped back with a stern frown. "Excuse me?"

Bethany touched her stomach and thought of the life she carried and nurtured there. "I want to be fully human. I'm done with all the politicking and garbage that goes with godhood. I just want to raise my baby and live my life with Styxx, as a human, just like him."

"Oh, honey, think long and hard. If we do this, there's no way to undo it."

"I know, Mennie. But..." Bethany paused as she felt the lightest fluttering inside. Was that...? Smiling wide, she gaped at her aunt.

"What?"

Laughing, she took Ma'at's hand and led it to her stomach. "I just felt my son move!"

Ma'at smiled as she felt it, too. "Oh ... He's a strong one."

"Like his father."

Ma'at cupped her cheek and gave her a stern scowl. "You think about this, long and hard, and I'll prepare the serum to make you and your baby human. But really, Bet'anya. Consider it well. Without your powers, you won't be able to protect them, and you of all creatures know the dangers that lurk for those who can't fight the gods."

Her aunt was right, but ... "Those powers come with their own curse. As long as I have them, I'm torn between this pantheon and my mother's. I just want to be left alone with my husband and son, and not be pulled into drama I want no part of."

Ma'at nodded. "All right, sweetie. Go share this moment with your Styxx."

Bethany hugged her close then left to find him.

* * *

"Styxx?"

Cursing under his breath, Styxx tensed at the sound of his father's voice calling out to him as he came down the main stairs. What did the old man want?

Though to be honest, his father had been much more pleasant now that he knew Bethany was a wealthy princess and demigod, and the king was safely assured Styxx wasn't Ganymede or sterile.

"Father?" he asked as he entered the study.

The king looked up from his desk. "You've said nothing to me about your wedding plans."

They weren't his to make. Whatever his betrothed desired, he would do. "Bethany wants it in Egypt with her family."

"And you're fine with that?"

Styxx gave him a bland stare. "I would paint my skin blue and set myself on fire, Father, if she asked me to."

His father scoffed. "Now I know you're being ridiculous. I was thinking we should have at least a small ceremony here at home. Let everyone know that your heir is legitimate."

"No one will doubt the paternity of my son." I'm not the cruel bastard you are.

"You think it's a boy?" his father asked hopefully.

"Bethany assures me it is so, and I trust her judgment implicitly." Except for the sanity of loving him and her willingness to marry into this insane family. That he'd never understand.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of you, Styxx."

Then you should have said that to me when it mattered. Now, those words left him numb. Cold. He was long past the age of seeking his father's approval for anything. Honestly, he no longer cared.

Styxx was starting a new life with Beth and their son. Absolutely nothing else mattered to him.

He just wished Galen were here to see it.

But, unlike his family, he wasn't completely heartless and frigid. "Thank you, Father."

His father inclined his head to him. "Just wait for your birthday. I have an amazing feast planned."

Just what he didn't want. He'd never once in his life enjoyed the anniversary of his birth. He'd rather forget all about it.

Sighing, Styxx turned around and almost ran into Ryssa in the hallway. She glared at him.

"What did I do now, lamb-head?"