And for himself.
Turning from the Greek she'd just killed, Bethany froze at the sight of her chosen Atlantean dead on the ground. Shocked to the core of her being, she gaped as she watched the Greek prince retrieve his shield and move on to his next opponent.
What had just happened? Her champion had never been defeated before. Ever. It was why she'd turned away for a few minutes to fight others.
"Tough break, old girl," Athena said to Bethany as she appeared beside her. "Now you know why I chose a soldier so young. He's fearless and bold. Indefatigable."
Bethany turned to punch the goddess, but Athena was already gone.
Fine, bitch ... I'll show you power.
She wasn't just the goddess of misery and wrath. She was the Atlantean goddess of the hunt.
Bethany manifested her bow and took off after Styxx. Before this battle was done, she was going to bathe in his blood. She aimed at his head and let fly her arrow.
Just as it would have cleaved his skull, he lifted his shield as if he knew it was coming at him and blocked it.
No ...
How was that possible?
She tried again. This time, he dodged the arrow, and the next one he cut in half with his sword.
Someone a lot more powerful than Athena guarded this one. It was an old power ...
Chthonian?
If she didn't know better, she'd say it was primal in source. But there was no way a primal power would waste itself on a young human prince. Not even one so pretty.
Summoning her horse, she joined ranks with her great-grandfather to go after Styxx and end his putrid existence.
Misos's glowing green eyes widened in surprise of her sudden appearance. "What are you doing?"
She pointed to Styxx. "I want that one dead."
"He must be Athena's."
"Get him, Tattas!"
He smiled at her. "Anything for you, my precious."
Prince Zerilus bellowed as he saw his cousin Xan lying dead and Styxx moving away from his body. Intent on vengeance, the giant Atlantean made straight for the Didymosian prince.
Styxx knew something bad was about to happen as the men around him shrank back, including the Atlantean he'd been fighting. He practically ran away from Styxx.
This cannot be good.
He turned to find a mountain of a man charging him like a stampeding house.
Aw shit ...
Suddenly, he felt like he was ten-and-two again and Galen was hammering him with blows while he lay helpless on the ground, unable to counter them.
The giant threw a spear. Styxx turned out of the way, but it passed so close to his body that it scraped his bicep. He'd barely lifted his hoplon before the mountain brought a sword down on him with enough force that he thought he'd broken his arm. No, not broken ...
Shattered.
Hissing, Styxx rolled away then checked to make sure his arm still worked.
It did, but it wasn't happy about it.
The giant lunged. Styxx stepped aside then brought his xiphos down across his opponent's extended arm. His opponent rolled and met the stroke with his own sword.
Turning, Styxx stepped back. The giant was breathing hard, labored. That was his key to surviving this. While the man was insanely huge, he was a lot older, and he was tiring. If Styxx could just stay out of range and wear his opponent out a bit more, he should be able to take him.
But he'd only have one shot. If he missed ...
He'd be testing that immortal claim again.
Lowering his head, Styxx charged in then darted back, making the man overextend and step quickly after him. As he did so, he realized that all the men around the two of them had stopped fighting so that they could watch them.
Great. An audience for my humiliation and probable death. Just what I craved ...
Whatever you do, old man, don't throw me down on the ground in front of everyone and feel me up before you kill me.
His worst fear, other than losing his head, was that someone might have seen Xan groping him.
Styxx arched his back as the giant made a swing that narrowly missed him. Then he brought his xiphos up. The giant stepped back and slammed his smaller round shield into Styxx's bruised side. More pain exploded and his sight dimmed.
His ears buzzed so that he couldn't hear anything other than his heart pounding in his chest.
Laughing, the giant stabbed straight at his chest. Instead of trying to deflect the blow, Styxx lifted his arm and allowed the sword to pass between his elbow and side. He clamped his arm down on the soldier's forearm to hold the giant in place and dropped his own xiphos to the ground. With one swift move, Styxx yanked his kopis from his waist and drove it into the giant's side, between the laces of his bronze cuirass.
With a ferocious hiss, the giant stumbled, bringing his head within Styxx's striking range. Before the beast could shove him back, Styxx drove the kopis into his neck.
The giant fell like an oak, dragging Styxx with him. For several seconds, no one moved. Not until Styxx caught his breath and rolled from the giant's body.
A loud, fierce cheer went up among the Greek troops. Gaping and confused, the Atlanteans remained frozen.
Still shaken by the closeness of that fight, Styxx retrieved his xiphos and hoplon, and waited for his next attacker. But no one seemed eager to take him on now. Rather, the Atlanteans shrank away as if terrified of him.
All of a sudden, voices rang out. "The Atlanteans are retreating!"
Stunned, Styxx looked up as the cry rushed through their ranks, and the Greek charioteers and cavalry rushed past the hoplites and archers to give chase. The Atlantean troops were running for their ships and pulling back. He couldn't believe it. To his knowledge, no Atlantean army had ever withdrawn from battle.
He started to run after them, but he was too tired and sore to try. Really, all he wanted was to sleep for a month or more.
Galen laughed as he joined him and clapped him on the back so hard, Styxx stumbled from the blow. "You survived, boy. And in one piece, no less. Good for you! Good. For. You."
"Um ... thanks. Way to boost my confidence, old man." Styxx snorted at Galen then grimaced at how bad his head hurt. The gods' voices had been merciless during the battle and one in particular had been after him.
"Galen? Have you ever heard of Bet'anya Agriosa?"
"The Atlantean goddess of misery and wrath? Oh yeah, young prince. She's not one you want to invoke for anything. Once she's set on a course, she's relentless. Why?"
"I heard her name mentioned by some of the soldiers and was curious."
"Take the advice of an old war dog, son. Don't even say her name in passing."
Nodding, Styxx headed toward their portion of the encampment and did his best to ignore the horrendous sights, sounds and smells around him. In all directions, men were dead or dying. Their cries and moans were even worse than the voices in his head. The ground was saturated with blood and other things he didn't want to contemplate.
For that matter, there was so much blood on him that it literally dripped from every part of his armor and even his nose. Though that might have been his. He honestly couldn't tell.
As he crossed the field on foot, he realized that not all the loud voices he heard were in his throbbing head. The men around them were chanting his name.
Shocked to the core of his soul, he slowed down in apprehension. Why are they calling me like that?
Had he done something wrong?
From his left, a messenger came running up to him. He bowed low. "Prince Styxx? His Majesty, King Kreon, wants to see you immediately ... without hesitation."
But he was filthy. Covered in blood, sweat, and dirt.
His father would have him or any soldier whipped if he dared appear like this in his presence.
He glanced to Galen, who winked at him then took his shield, swords, and helm. "You've been summoned, my lord. Obviously, the king needs to see you right away."
Unsure of what to expect and extremely apprehensive, Styxx wiped his face and arms as best he could on his chlamys while he followed the messenger to the largest encampment where King Kreon of Halicarnassus waited inside his lush tent that was packed with noblemen and the elite commanders of each unit and city-state.
Wonderful. A full audience for whatever new humiliation awaited him. Shit ... Over and over, he heard their insults from their previous meeting in his head again.
Xerxes sends his brat for us to watch when we have a battle to fight? What's he thinking?
Where's your nurse and tit, boy?
Should we burp him after he drinks his wine?
Wine? You mean milk. Those honeyed cheeks are too smooth for anything stronger.
Poor Galen. Yesterday, he led the strongest army in all of Greece. Now he's stuck changing the pana for Xerxes's infant.
One of the bastards had even flicked at his ear. "Just as I thought ... you can still see the placenta on him!"
Holding his head high in spite of his rising panic, Styxx walked down the center past the bastards who'd belittled him until he reached the king's throne. He fell to one knee and saluted him. "Majesty."
"Rise, Prince Styxx."
He returned to his feet. Assuming a soldier's stance, he folded his hands behind his back and waited for the king's leisure. Please tell me you didn't see Xan grab my cock before I killed the bastard ...
Or was it something even worse than that?
"I have been told by my spotters and generals that we owe this day's victory to your sword arm and to the inspiration your courage provided to all who saw you fighting without flagging."
Huh?
Nonplused and even more nervous than before, Styxx glanced around at the men who were gathered in the tent. Men who had mocked and insulted him just hours before battle, never mind their harshness the day before when they'd openly spat at and on him.
And not to wish him luck.
Their current thoughts overwhelmed him to the point he couldn't pick out any single one. Several averted their eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze even in passing. "It was a battle won by all, Majesty. I fought no harder than anyone else."
The king stepped down from his throne and approached him. "Yes, but you're the one who single-handedly brought down the two highest commanders and greatest heroes of the Atlantean army. You're the sole reason they retreated."
Even more confused, Styxx lowered his gaze, waiting to hear how he'd screwed something up and embarrassed them all.
Kreon stopped in front of him with a stern frown. "Your father is counted among the most arrogant and bullish men I know. When I first learned that you would be leading your father's army in today's battle, I had a few choice things to say about it and none of them were complimentary to either of you. Honestly, I thought your father was mocking me, as is his wont. But it seems the gods have sought to humble my own arrogance. And I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you and Didymos came to our aid this day, young prince. I will be sending you home with gifts for both you and your father. Now come. I offer you my own private bath and the services of my most favored slave girl."
For a full minute, Styxx was so stunned he couldn't respond. Finally, he found his voice. "Thank you, Majesty. I am truly humbled by your generosity, and while I am more than happy to partake of your bath, I most respectfully decline your slave. While I'm sure she's all you say and more, I have a lady who waits for me in Didymos and I would never do anything to dishonor her faith in me ... I hope you understand."
The king smiled and nodded. "I envy your father the heir he has raised. And it is an honor to know you, Prince Styxx. Now enjoy your victory this evening and the festivities to come."
Bethany hungered for blood as they were forced to withdraw from the Greek island. She still wanted the throat of Prince Styxx, but she couldn't be in another pantheon's territory with her goddess powers. Not unless they were fighting.
Damn it!
"How could we be defeated?" Misos snarled. "We've never been defeated!"
Pali shrugged in disgust. "Did you see the Greek champion? Styxx of Didymos? Has anyone heard of this bastard before?"
"He was young," Bethany said. "I saw him right before the battle began. And I almost had him ... Ugh!" It pained her that she'd missed.
Repeatedly.
Bloody Greek dog!
Misos threw his shield down. "Is he a demigod? Or Chthonian?"
Bethany shook her head. "He was human with standard human equipment. How could he tear down our brethren? They have psychic powers ... they should have cut through the Greeks like vegetables in a garden."
Diafonia raked her hands through her dark hair. "How did he fight like an immortal?"
"Maybe he was trained by one?" Pali suggested.
Bethany ground her teeth. "Athena fought beside him."
Misos scoffed. "That hasn't stopped us in the past."
No, it hadn't. Bethany sighed as she saw their newfound champion in her mind. "It's just one battle. He was lucky."
Misos narrowed his gaze on all of them. "Then let's see to it that the young prince's luck runs out."
As they started to disperse to watch over their troops' withdrawal, Apollo joined them. "What in the name of Hades just happened?"
Pali gave him a droll stare. "We got our asses kicked. What were you doing? Napping through it?"
Apollo glared at them. "How are we going to take Greece if we get driven from their shores like spanked little girls?"
"We?" Misos raked a sneer over Apollo's golden fair form. "We doesn't include you, Greek."
"It does as long as my people are fighting and dying. Especially my grandson! Which of them killed Xan?"
"Prince Styxx," they shouted in unison.
Pali snorted. "Are you deaf, too? How did you miss your people chanting the little bastard's name?"
Apollo's eyes blazed with sudden recognition. "That little prick was the Didymosian prince and heir?"
"Where have you been?" Diafonia asked. "Obviously you weren't here for the battle."
"Of course not. I couldn't let Zeus or Athena see me siding with our enemies. I only came after I heard you were retreating. And I have to say the news shocked me."
Misos folded his arms over his chest. "Well, if you'd like some vengeance, by all means, remove your prince from our future battle plans."
Apollo smiled wickedly. "Don't worry, old man. I will take care of him."
October 26, 9532 BC
Styxx sighed as he returned to his tent to try and sleep. But honestly, his head hurt so much he wasn't sure if he'd be able to manage a single nod. Outside, his men and the rest of their Greek armies were celebrating fiercely. Styxx considered joining them, but he didn't want to risk being mocked or rejected again. He'd had enough of being judged for things he could neither help nor change.
After Styxx's bath, Kreon had gifted him with the fine silk stola and wool chlamys he wore and enough treasure to please even Styxx's volatile father.
For himself, Styxx had only taken one thing. A small gold ring he wanted to give to Bethany when he saw her again. He wore it on his pinkie so that he wouldn't accidentally lose it.
While she didn't normally wear anything more than the necklace she'd given him and occasional bracelets or armbands, he wasn't sure if it was because she didn't like other pieces of jewelry or couldn't afford them. But he hoped she smiled over the ring.
Just don't stab me for the gift.
He poured himself a kylix of wine. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something flash. He jerked his head to find a beautiful golden man inside his tent. There was a glow to his skin that Styxx had only seen on two others....
His blood ran cold.
"Are you a god?"
The man smirked. "Are you asking me ... or do you remember me?"
Styxx's stomach clenched with dread. No ... it couldn't be.
Surely not after all this time.
The wine cup slipped from his hand as the god's teeth elongated. Styxx tried to run, but somehow the god held him immobile.
"Strange how swiftly time moves forward when you're immortal. I had no idea that my little prince had grown into such a fierce, handsome warrior that he could take down a psychic army and kill two of their strongest heroes ... one of whom was a demigod."
In a completely different form than the one he'd had at the Dionysion, the god closed the distance between them and gave Styxx a cold, evil smile. "And you're so much more beautiful and delectable with hair and ripped muscles."
He grabbed Styxx's head and jerked him against his side. "You have killed a member of my family this day, little prince. That is something I cannot and will not let pass. This time, there will be no bargaining. And I will show you no mercy."
The Olympian dragged Styxx over to the table and threw him against it so that Styxx was facing a mirror where he could see himself and the god who held him down by the scruff of his neck. A tic worked in the Olympian's jaw as he glared at him with potent fury. He ruthlessly pulled the stola up until Styxx was bared to him.
In the reflection of the mirror, he locked gazes with Styxx. "As you ravaged my army today, I'm going to ravish every part of you. And every time you feel me violently take you, prince, I want you to remember which of us is the god and which is nothing but a pathetic piece of human waste."
October 27, 9532 BC
"Highness, the men are wanting-" Galen's voice broke off at the sight of Styxx lying on the floor of his tent.
Styxx couldn't move. He could barely breathe. Every part of him felt as if it'd been pulverized. He could only imagine how he must appear. Completely naked, he stared at his arm, which was covered with bruises and blood. No doubt he looked like that all over.
Except for his face. The god had taken great care to leave his face undamaged....
"Styxx?" Galen breathed as he carefully rolled him to his back.
His breathing labored, he met his old tutor's gaze. "Don't tell ... please."
Tears filled Galen's eyes as the old man pulled him gently into his lap, covered him with his cloak, and held him like no one had done since the night his father had cut open his arm.
I must look like total shit. He hadn't even known Galen possessed any kind of tender emotion.
Galen cradled Styxx's head to his chest and rocked him like a child. "I would never betray you, my prince."
Only then did Styxx relax. As long as no one knew, he could find a way to live with this as he lived with everything else that had been done to him.
"I should never have left you unprotected. I assumed you would stay with the others and celebrate your victory, but I should have known you better." Galen placed a fatherly kiss to his brow. "I heard from the men that you felled the grandson of a god and I've seen their retribution before. I should have warned you, my lord. I am so sorry."
Styxx patted his arm. "It's all right ... I can be taught."
Galen gave him a bitter smile. "You are the best pupil I've ever had." And I love you like a son, boy....
Styxx's lips quivered as he heard Galen's thoughts. "I know we need to leave. I'm sure they're ready to pack the tent."
"You can't ride in your condition, Highness."
"I just need some water to bathe with. I'll manage the ride."
"Styxx-"
"Galen ... I won't keep them or you here. Let's go home." But home wasn't what he really craved returning to.
Then again, the only thing he craved right now was one single, unimpeded breath.
November 3, 9532 BC
"Bethany?"
Her heart quickened as she finally heard the deep, husky voice she'd been longing to hear. "Hector?"
He sat down beside her on her blanket and laid his head on her shoulder then he wrapped his arms around her.
By the way he breathed, she knew he was in a great deal of pain. "Were you wounded?"
He placed her hand on his wrist so that she could feel her necklace there. "Not cut, but bruised to the point I can barely draw breath. Of course, it didn't help that I rode ahead of all the others and snuck back here to see you as soon as I could."
She cradled him against her. "Did you really?"
He nodded. "Night and day. I wasn't tired at all, until now."
She kissed his brow and savored the scent of his skin. "Does your head hurt?"
"Like I've been kicked by my horse."
"Then lie down in my lap and let me see if I can help."
"You already have."
She smiled at him as he complied, but her smile died at the sound of his pain and the way his breathing intensified. He hurt so much, he was absolutely shaking. "I heard you won," she said, trying to distract him from it.
"We did."
Brushing her hand through his hair, she felt several large bumps on his head. Careful not to touch them, she massaged his temples and scalp as best she could. "Were you scared?"
His breathing came easier now. "Petrified. But I would only admit that to you."
She paused as she touched a cut on the back of his head where it felt like he must have fallen against something. "I heard Prince Styxx was the battle's hero. Did you see him?"
He was quiet for several seconds. "I did."
"And?"
"Should I be jealous that you're so interested in the prince? I thought money didn't matter to you."
"It doesn't. I just wanted to know about this man who dared to pull my sweet Hector from my arms."
"Mmm ... I was too busy fighting to pay attention to him."
"Is it really true that he took no tribute, but rather had it divided between his men?"
He made a light sound that let her know he was slipping fast into sleep.
Leaning down, she rubbed her nose against his and savored the sensation of his breath on her skin. Even though it galled her that they'd been defeated, she was grateful her Hector was back and whole. It went a long way in soothing her ravaged ego. Still ...
She had a grudge to settle and she wasn't going to forget it. One way or another, Styxx was going to pay for what he'd done to them on the battlefield. And hers would be the hand that dealt the final blow to that arrogant little prick.
November 10, 9532 BC
Bethany laughed as Hector nibbled a scorching trail down her stomach until he took her into his mouth. Lifting her hips, she buried her hand in his soft hair while his tongue danced over her until she was breathless and weak. In just a matter of minutes, her body exploded into pure bliss. She cried out in ecstasy and still his tongue flitted over her until she was drunk from his masterful touch.
No one had a tongue like his....
Body either.
Slowly, methodically, he kissed his way over her, taking time to savor her breasts before he claimed her lips. She felt the tip of his erection pressing against her, begging for entry.
Desperate to have him inside her body again, she wiggled her hips. He deepened his kiss, and laced his fingers with hers then he took mercy on her and slid himself inside. Sighing in delight, she ran her free hand down to where they were joined so that she could feel his cock as he thrust against her hips.
Styxx sucked his breath in at the sensation of her hand on him. His sweet Bethany took him away from all the nightmares he didn't want to remember. From the horror of Apollo's attack. "I love it when you do that."
Smiling, she kissed him.
He should have gone home days ago, but he'd been holed up with Bethany in a small hostel on the outskirts of town where no one knew who he was. In truth, he had no desire to leave here.
To leave her.
She lifted her hips so that he went all the deeper inside her body. "I can't believe how hungry you still are."
"I'm never satiated where you're concerned, akribos." He nipped her fingers as she danced them over his lips.
She moaned deep in her throat.
Styxx buried his face against her neck as he quickened his strokes. He knew from experience that when she made that sound and tightened her arms around him, she was on the brink of orgasm.
A moment later, her dulcet cry filled his ears. He rolled his hips against hers, driving her climax on until she laughed and kissed him passionately.
Her lips were all he needed to tip him over into ecstasy. Growling in his throat, he buried himself deep and held her close. Strange how he only found peace with her. The rest of the world could burn and he wouldn't care. Not so long as he could feel her hand on his cheek.
It felt as if he'd always known her. As if he'd been born solely to love her with every part of himself.
She sighed contentedly. "Oh, what you do to me, my sweet prince."
His heart lurched at the endearment. "I wish you wouldn't call me that."
She frowned. "Why?"
Too many people had used the title to mock him. And now ... he heard Apollo's repugnant voice saying it in his ear. It made his skin crawl.
He was so grateful that Bethany couldn't see the "wonderful" souvenir that bastard had left him with. A sun symbol between his shoulder blades so that everyone who saw it would know the sun god had violated him. Every time he thought about it, he wanted to scream and run his sword through that bastard's gut.
"I'm not a prince, Beth. I'm just a man."
"But you are so much more than that to me."
Closing his eyes, he savored those words and reveled in the sensation of her hands gliding over his sweaty back. "Your father is most likely going to kill you for your absence."
"I'm sure yours won't be pleased either."
"No ... he won't." He teased her earlobe with his teeth. "I still wish you'd run away with me, Beth. I would give you anything you ask."
"But you can't run away from your responsibilities or problems. They always follow."
"They don't have to."
"Please, Hector, don't ruin this week by asking for something I can't give you."
He ground his teeth at the pain in his chest whenever he thought about leaving her and returning to a life he hated with every beat of his heart. "All right. I won't trouble you again with it."
Someone pounded on their door. "The prince returns!" They ran down the hall, banging on all the doors to announce it.
Styxx scowled then growled as he realized it meant their army had returned home.
Not him.
Bethany traced the line of his brow. "You should be marching in with them to receive your honors."
Yes, he should. His father would be furious when he learned Styxx wasn't with the others. "I would have to leave you in order to do that. Is that really what you want?"
She bit her lip playfully. "No. I rather like you where you currently are."
"As do I."
But there would be rancid Tartarus to pay whenever he left her....
November 11, 9532 BC
It was just after midnight when Styxx entered the palace through the front door. He thought he was home free until he topped the stairs and met his father there.
The expression on his father's face was anything but welcoming. His father backhanded him so hard, it knocked his teeth loose.
"You are ever determined to publicly embarrass and humiliate me, aren't you?"
His lips already swelling, Styxx wiped the blood on the back of his hand. "How so, Father?"
"You turned down a king's offer, you disseminated royal treasure to commoners without permission, and then you deprived the city of welcoming you home and insulted the noblemen and their wives by not attending the celebratory banquet held in your dubious honor."
That was quite a list of offenses his father had made.
"What have you to say for yourself, boy?"
Styxx licked at his still bleeding lips. "I thought King Kreon had been more than generous with his gifts to you, Father. So much so that you wouldn't miss what little he gave to me personally for my services to his army. I thought those were better served going to the men who'd left their families and risked their lives for us than into the treasury to pay for Mother's drink and Ryssa's gowns. Forgive me for my selfishness. As for the noblemen and their wives, I doubt they missed me once you opened the reserves. And honestly, I didn't want the humiliation of returning home and having my mother and sister snub me on the palace steps or see the anger in your eyes over the fact that I squandered my portion of the tribute I earned. So again, please forgive me for insulting you while I sought to save myself from more public embarrassment."
"I should have you whipped for your insolence."
"Fine. Would you like to wake the scold or should I?" Styxx started past him, but his father caught his arm and pulled him to a stop.
A tic beating furiously in his jaw, he met his father's baffled expression.
"I don't understand you, boy. I have given you everything a prince could have or want, and it's not enough for you. You're petulant. Thoughtless ... Perhaps I should have kept Acheron and let Estes whore you in his stead."
Those words slammed into him like one of Apollo's fists. "You knew?"
"Not ... in so many details. But I had suspicions."
Styxx couldn't breathe as the cold, harsh brutality racked him hard. "How could you suspect and do nothing?"
"I did it to protect you and control him."
Styxx snorted. "Protect me?"
"Your life hinges on his."
So...? "And what about now? You don't know where..." Styxx's voice trailed off as a brutal realization slapped him in the face. "You do know Acheron's whereabouts."
"Of course I do. You don't really think for one moment I'd let him loose when his life is tied to yours, do you?"
Styxx glanced away from him before he gave in to the urge to beat the old bastard. "I don't know what to think anymore, Father."
The king reached for him.
Styxx stepped back, out of his reach. "Don't touch me. How could you allow my twin to be bought and sold?"
The lack of remorse on his father's face appalled him completely. "It was a perfect revenge. The gods whored my queen. It's only right that I whore their by-blow."
How was Styxx supposed to take that? It was okay for Acheron, his identical twin, to live in utter misery and to be used every single day?
Was that why he was now being tortured by Apollo? The gods were exacting their own retribution over what the king had done to one of them? And Styxx was their tool?
"And what of me?"
His father scowled. "What about you?"
By his father's thoughts, Styxx knew the king had no idea Estes had used him, and he definitely didn't know about Apollo's attacks. "Did Estes tell you he molested Acheron?"
His father grabbed him by the throat and shoved him back. "My brother never did such a thing. It's a lie that bastard told. I know better."
No, he didn't. Styxx knocked his hand away. "Where's my brother?"
"In a place where he can't hurt us."
