Styxx (Dark-Hunter 22)

It took everything Styxx possessed to not murder his own father. But what good would it do him to spend eternity in prison? Or to be beheaded ...

Sooner or later, the bastard would die on his own. Just not soon enough.

Styxx paused outside the room to eye his father's guards. They were with the king everywhere he went. Even to piss. They stood over his bed at night, even when he screwed. The only place they weren't was in the king's study, but there was no way in or out of that room except the doors where they stood. Should he kill his father, they would know it.

Damn them all.

While he couldn't care less what happened to him, he would never risk Bethany's life or happiness. Not for anything.

"They're being put to death."

His thoughts were so focused on Bethany, it took him several heartbeats to realize Ryssa had spoken to him. "Pardon?"

"The senators who insulted you? Father's putting his friends to death over it to make a point that no one is to defame his precious heir. In case you didn't know, I thought you should."

No one had mentioned it to him. "I should think it would thrill you."

"To have you so regaled? Hardly."

His mood darkened in the wake of her ridicule. "But they screwed your beloved Acheron. I'm surprised you're not the one calling for their deaths."

She glared at him. "They abused him because of you. Had they not hated you so, they would never have touched him."

What have I ever done to you, Ryssa? Really?

"And what do you think I did to warrant such hatred from them?"

"You're a selfish bully. You look at everyone like they're beneath you and you speak to them as if they're nothing."

Was she as insane as their mother? "I rarely speak at all. To anyone. Dear sister."

She shook her head in denial. "I don't understand you, Styxx. You're the only one Father listens to. You could help us and yet you refuse."

"And you know this how?"

"By your own admission. You say nothing. You haven't spoken up about Acheron, ever. Just as you refused to talk to Father about offering me to Apollo."

Offering her to Apollo ... she'd die to learn the truth of that.

Or worse.

She'd gloat and laugh.

Still, he knew she wasn't as selfless as she claimed. "Tell me. What bothers you most, sweet sister? Acheron's status or your own-"

She slapped him.

Styxx narrowed his gaze on her. "I'm getting tired of your blows, Ryssa."

"Then stop being such an ass."

Stop being a bitch and I might.

He wiped the blood from his lips. "Just so you know, your father doesn't listen to me any more than he listens to you."

"You're such a liar. I know better. Anything you want, he gives."

Right ...

"You have the two of us confused, sweet sister. You're the one he dotes on."

"No. I don't. I saw the way you sat complacent when he and the others told me I was to be sacrificed. You could have spoken up and I know for a fact you didn't. Not once!"

"You're right. I didn't."

"Why not?"

Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered. Apollo was the one leading this and if Styxx tried to stop it, Bethany would pay for his interference. Styxx had already killed one man to protect Ryssa. He wasn't about to cause harm to the one and only person who held his heart in her hands for a bitch who begrudged him every breath he took.

But Ryssa wouldn't care about Bethany. At all. So he used the one thing she might actually listen to. One of the main reasons he'd submitted to Apollo even though it sickened him to the core of his being.

"Because of the faces of the men I have watched the Atlanteans hack into pieces. If we can save one soldier's life by tying you to Apollo, I'm all for it."

"So it doesn't bother you at all that I, your sister, am to be used as a whore?"

Yes, it did. But her precious virginity was nothing compared to the horrors he'd seen. The horrors he and Acheron had survived. Sooner or later, she'd be given to someone. And while she wouldn't be a wife to Apollo, they weren't selling her off to a dung dealer.

Besides, her fate with Apollo was much kinder than his. At least she was a woman. Every time the Olympian came near him, he wanted to vomit and curse. To fight with every part of his abilities.

But he couldn't. For the sake of his men, country, family, and Galen and Bethany, he had to submit to Apollo's whims regardless of how he felt about it.

Their collective asses or his alone ...

"Say something, you selfish bastard! Oh wait, I know, you don't speak, do you? Not for anyone." She curled her lip. "You're the one who should be tied down and raped until you beg for mercy."

His temper snapped at a wish he was sick of hearing and experiencing. "Instead of whining like an infant, dear sister, I suggest you do what the rest of us have had to do. Remove your clothes, get on your knees, and take his cock wherever he sees fit to shove it."

She shrieked and headed for their father.

Styxx rolled his eyes as he made his way to the stables.

* * *

Bethany hummed lightly as she felt a slight tug at her pole. Before she could pull in her catch, she heard a horse approaching at a furious run. Hector wasn't supposed to be here. He normally forewarned her of his visits so as not to startle her when he arrived.

Pulling her feet under her in case she had to rise and run, she reached for her knife as Dynatos stood up and growled low.

"Beth, it's me." Hector had come, after all.

She expelled a relieved breath and patted Dynatos's huge head as he lay back down next to her. "You said you wouldn't have any free time today."

"I don't ... but I needed to make sure you were all right."

She frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"I know better. I hear it in your voice. What has you troubled?"

Hector sat down behind her and stretched his long legs out on each side of her body. Wrapping his arms about her waist, he held her close and leaned his head against hers. "I know I promised I'd never ask again, but please, run with me."

"Honey, I can't."

He tightened his arms around her. "I would die if anything ever happened to you."

"Nothing is going to happen. Why do you worry so?"

"Because I have seen the worst of humanity. What men will do when they find a beautiful woman alone. And while I would kill anyone who hurt you, I don't want you hurt. Period. No matter how hard you try, you can never take those moments back or undo the lingering damage you're left with that shreds every part of your soul for all eternity." He kissed her cheek. "In all my life, I've only had one thing that mattered to me, and she sits in my arms. I can't stand the thought of not protecting you ... of you needing me and my not being there for you."

Bethany's heart ached at the pain she heard in his voice. Leaning back, she cradled his head. How she wished she could run with him. But she'd have to give up her godhood to do so.

And her eyesight. Forever.

No, not forever. For an extremely finite human life. One where she'd be as helpless as he feared her. That she couldn't do. Not for a mortal man, even one she loved as much as this one.

"I love you, too, Hector. And I have never said that to a man I wasn't blood-related to. But I can't leave with you."

"Then promise me one thing?"

"What?"

He removed her necklace from his wrist and put it back around her neck. "You won't take this off, and if anyone ever tries to hurt you, you will kill them."

"I would rather you have my necklace."

"And I can't take it while you have nothing to protect you."

"Hector-"

"I won't give on this, Beth. Don't even try to argue."

Styxx tightened his arms around her. There was something evil coming. He could feel it with every instinct he possessed. But he didn't know what it was.

For himself, he couldn't care less about it. Fear for his own safety had abandoned him a long time ago. His fears now consisted of one woman only.

Too many people had made threats against her lately. If she wouldn't leave then he had no choice. He had to protect her.

No matter what it took.