"What else have I done?" He dreaded the answer.
Galen ground his teeth. "Honestly? You've been a royal asshole. Well ... not you. The other Styxx. And you ... or rather he, pissed off a lot of your men."
"How so?"
"He repealed the pensions and upped their yearly service quotas with no extra pay. He insulted all of us and has been behaving like an out-of-control brat to everyone. Even your father has had enough of you."
Styxx would give Apollo credit. He'd warned him that he was going to ruin him and he had. Not that Styxx had all that much to lose in terms of his reputation. But he hated that his men had suffered for it. That wasn't something he'd foreseen.
First thing he'd do was take care of them.
And Galen.
He tried to get up and start on it, but the moment he moved, he groaned in absolute agony and fell back onto the bed. Grimacing, he glanced to his mentor. "How bad do I look?"
Galen held up Styxx's arm that was riddled with bruises and cuts. "This is the least damaged part of you. You look like you fought Echidna and all her children. And I'm pretty sure the hydra swallowed you whole and shit you out her back end."
Styxx let out an exhausted breath. "Nice to know I look like I feel."
Galen laughed. "Now that's the prince I remember. Welcome home, son. I've missed you."
But I'm going to bet no one else has.
"Is the imposter still here?" Styxx asked.
"I don't know. I'll go to the palace and check then report back." After rising, Galen hesitated. He went to his chest and pulled out a mirror.
Styxx took it from him and gasped. One side of his face was bruised and swollen. His left eye was completely red and purple, and his nose and lips were crusted with blood. Even with his heightened ability to heal, it would be days before he could be seen. Unless ... "We could say I had an accident."
Galen pulled the top of Styxx's chiton down to show him the perfect handprint around his throat. "I guess someone attempted to save you by strangling you?"
"My father would probably believe that."
Galen snorted. "The goddess was right. If you go home right now, your father will summon a physician, and I'm rather sure you have other injuries you don't want him to see."
"Fine." Styxx relented. "What mouth is this?"
"Gamelion."
"Oof..." The month of marriage and Apollo's festival. Bad fucking timing all the way around for him. "Has the festival passed?"
"Finished two days ago."
Thank the gods for that small mercy. Except for the fact that his double would have been here for it. "Did I attend?"
"Like a drunken camp whore."
Styxx could have done without that analogy. But at least the festival gave him an easy excuse for not being home. "Tell my father I was abducted by a lucius nymph and pulled to her lair."
"For the record, I resent being called a lucius nymph."
His mentor's humor caused a tear to slide from the corner of his eye as his homesickness and gratitude slapped him hard.
Galen frowned.
Styxx cleared his throat as he forced his emotions into restraint. "Sorry, Galen. It's just good to be home ... and safe. Even if it means looking at your grizzled face."
Galen took his hand and held it. "It's good to have you back and I will tell your father, but I'm sure your so-called laziness will not endear you to him."
"Let him beat me for it. At least he won't fuck me first." Styxx sucked his breath in as he realized the slip he'd made.
But there was no judgment in Galen's eyes. "Rest easy, Highness, and I'll return as soon as I can."
Styxx watched until Galen left. He still couldn't believe he was here. He'd never thought to see home again.
Let's show His Highness how we treat puny Greek whores in Atlantis!
He flinched at the memory as hostile voices assailed his thoughts. Images of him being brought down by packs of dogs and leopards, and shoved into traps, tore through him. But as bad as they were, they were infinitely better than the other memories he had. And nothing was ever going to drown out the sound of the crowds cheering as he was brutalized for public entertainment.
Growling out loud, he wished to the gods he could go back in time. Regardless of his orders or the repercussions, he'd have marched his army straight up the Atlantean queen's ass and planted his phoenix banner through her forehead.
January 17, 9527 BC
"You ready?"
Styxx nodded. "No."
Galen laughed. "For a moment, I almost thought you were."
Taking a deep breath, Styxx left the barracks. He was still extremely sore and cut in places he was able to cover. But worse was the fear in his heart. He had no way of knowing what he was about to walk into.
How much damage had Apollo done to him and his family relationships? While Galen had filled him in on what he could, there were still giant gaps in his information.
As they neared the palace, Galen pulled him to a stop. "We can always go back and let you rest for a few more days."
Don't tempt me.
"My father is already going to be pissed beyond endurance. No need in making it worse." Grinding his teeth, he started up the stairs and cursed the architect for every one of them.
By the time he reached the top, he was trembling in pain.
Galen stood at his back. "Take a moment if you need it."
Styxx wiped the sweat from his forehead then walked in. It was even stranger to be here now than it'd been when he'd come back from war.
The most disconcerting part was that no one knew he hadn't been home. I am totally irrelevant.
While he'd always had the suspicion, facing the reality was a lot harder.
"Where in the name of Hades have you been?"
Styxx exchanged an I-told-you-so glance with Galen. "In bed, Father."
The king's glare intensified until he burst out laughing. "At least you're honest. I trust you rode her well, then?"
Styxx was too startled to answer as his father approached him with humor in his blue eyes. Who are you and what have you done with my father?
Was this another imposter?
Styxx looked back at Galen. "She didn't complain."
Galen arched a brow.
Much, Styxx amended silently.
Frowning, his father took Styxx's chin in his hand and turned his face so that he could study Styxx's neck.
Cold panic gripped him. Was the handprint not gone?
"She must have been a biter. I can still see her teeth marks."
A shiver of revulsion went down him at the memory of Apollo and his violent feedings. Styxx lifted his chlamys to cover that side of his neck.
His father clapped him on the arm. "Rest easy today. Since I didn't know you'd be returning, I have nothing scheduled. You can resume your normal routine tomorrow."
Still baffled by his father's complacency at his absence, Styxx led Galen to the stairs. "What was that?"
Galen shrugged.
When they reached the hallway, Styxx paused and turned to the opposite direction of his room.
"Highness?"
"I want to meet my nephew."
"Are you sure you're up to it?"
He nodded as he made his way to Ryssa's room. Just as he reached it, a servant opened the door to show him where they'd put the nursery.
Unsure of what to expect, he tentatively entered the room the servant had just left.
The nurse looked up and grimaced at his presence as if the mere sight of him sickened her. Styxx ignored her as he saw the boy lying on his back on top of a white fluffy sheepskin blanket. Someone had strung stuffed and wooden toys over him so that he could slap at them.
A smile curved his lips as he watched the most adorable baby he'd ever seen. Styxx sank down on the floor next to him. "Hey, sprout. Where's your hair?"
Apollodorus's blue eyes sparkled as he laughed and reached toward him.
Amazed and instantly in love with the tiny creature, Styxx held his hand out and smiled wider as his nephew grabbed on to his finger and squeezed. "You've got an impressive grip there, sprout. One day, you'll be a fierce soldier ... or at least good at holding your reins." He wanted desperately to pick him up and hold him, but was scared to try. Apollodorus was way too small. But he was absolutely perfect and precious.
The door opened behind him. "What are you doing in here?"
He cringed at Ryssa's shrill, angry voice. "I wanted to see my nephew."
Shoving Styxx aside, she scooped Apollodorus up and stepped away from the brother she loathed. "You're not welcome in here. I told you that. I want my son to grow up to be a man, and not a putrid bully like you. You are to stay away from him before you corrupt him."
Styxx bowed to her. "I'm sorry I upset you, sister. Forgive me. I won't disturb you again."
The look on Galen's face said that he wanted to say something to her, but Styxx shook his head. There was no need.
Styxx opened the door to find Acheron on his way in. His brother's eyes flared with anger.
He stepped back to let him enter.
Acheron slammed his shoulder and elbow into him as he passed by. "Fucking bastard," he growled under his breath.
Styxx laughed bitterly. "At least I've graduated up in rank from a generic asshole."
Acheron turned on him.
Ryssa grabbed Acheron's arm before he could attack. "Let it go, little brother. He's not worth your being harmed again. He's not worth anything." She placed Apollodorus in Acheron's arms then slammed the door in Styxx's face.
Styxx took a deep, sarcastic breath. "Ah, blessed family. How I've missed them all."
He saw his own grief and pain mirrored in Galen's eyes. "That was wrong."
Styxx tried not to think about it. "A wise man once told me that life, like war, is neither right nor wrong. It just is. And rather than worry over a philosophy you can't change, you should just try to live through it as best you can."
"You should have kicked that old bastard in his balls."
"Yes, but you kick back, and hit like a stampeding horse."
Galen pulled him into a fatherly embrace and kissed his head. "Let's get you settled into bed so that you can finish healing."
Styxx lifted his cloak to show him the blood that was seeping through his bandages and soaking his side. "My brother also hits hard."
January 20, 9527 BC
"This was not our agreement," Bethany breathed as she glared at Apollo and his dictate for Styxx's absolution. The Olympian sat on his throne, smirking. Her fist itched to knock the smugness off his face.
You unbelievable bastard!
Tears choked her as she watched Styxx walk naked down the center aisle of Apollo's temple in Didymos on the Apollodorian ... the day when all freeborn members of the city were required to make offerings to their patron god. The temple was packed with citizens who were mortified and stunned by the condition of their prince's body, which still bore telltale traces of what had been done to him in Atlantis.
He was cut, bruised, and scarred all over.
So much for trying to keep it from his father. The king stood to Apollo's side with furious eyes that condemned his son. Meanwhile, Ryssa simpered next to Apollo, blatantly amused by her brother's public humiliation.
"You have something to say to me, Prince Styxx?" Apollo asked loudly, making sure everyone in the temple knew exactly who he was.
With a dignity that astounded her, Styxx sank down to his knees on the cold stone floor in front of Apollo's throne. "I am here to beg your forgiveness, my lord, for any offense I may have caused you."
Apollo scoffed rudely. "You don't sound particularly contrite. I think you need to repeat that, louder this time. And try to make it sound like you mean it."
The people around them whispered and conjectured on the handprints, injuries, scars, and bruises that marred their prince's body. Especially the huge sun symbol Apollo had burned into the center of Styxx's back. Some laughed about it, thinking that was what caused Apollo's outrage.
Their open mockery disgusted her.
Then she saw it.... Styxx flinched at their ridicule and laughter, and his jaw quivered as if he was reliving the horrors he'd suffered in Atlantis. Somehow, he managed to get a hold of himself and repeat his apology. "I have come here to beg your forgiveness, my lord, for any offense I may have caused you."
Apollo sighed. "I'm still not hearing the appropriate tone from you. Indeed, there's more insolence than apology."
"My lord," the king said, stepping forward. "May I ask what offense he committed against you?"
"Hubris."
The king glared at Styxx as if he wanted to personally slaughter him.
Without a shred of compassion or care in her eyes, Ryssa sneered at her brother. "Surely such a high offense deserves a public beating, Father. Not even a prince is above a god. Let Styxx stand as an example to others to show what happens when they offend true divinity."
Styxx's breathing turned ragged, but he said nothing in defense of himself. He couldn't. One word, and this treaty would be breached and Apollo would continue to own him.
The king nodded to the guards. They moved forward to take Styxx into custody while Apollo smiled in smug satisfaction.
His father curled his lip. "One hundred lashes. If he passes out, revive him."
Her vision turned dark at the severity of that heartless and undeserved punishment. You want a war, pig, you've got one....
Bethany took on the guise of Athena and moved forward to stop the guards from taking possession of Styxx. As soon as she was seen, there was a collective gasp among the crowd.
She glared at Apollo. "Hubris you say, brother? Please, tell us the nature of the prince's actions against you. Let everyone know exactly how Prince Styxx offended you."
That definitely got the smirk off his face. "He has held himself up as a god. His arrogance and pride are an affront to us all."
She arched her brow at him. "Held himself up as a god? Pray tell, when was this?"
Apollo's look turned deadly.
"Ah, yes, I remember..." Bethany continued for him. "It was when he dared to slay your Atlantean grandson during battle. Is that not right, brother? I'm sure, like me, you remember that day well. The Atlanteans, led to our shores by your own blood kin, were slaughtering hundreds of Greeks until the beach sands turned red from good Greek blood. The onslaught was so fierce that entire veteran regiments fled from the Atlanteans and cowered. Even the brave, noble Dorians pulled back in fear. But not Prince Styxx. He rode in like a lion and jumped from his horse to save the life of a young shield-bearer who was about to be killed by one of the Atlantean giants."
Bethany swept her gaze around the people there, who were completely silent now. "And with reckless disregard for his own life and limb, this prince picked the boy up and put him on the back of his royal steed and told him to ride to safety. He spent the rest of the day fighting on foot. Not as a prince or a god, but as a mere, heroic Greek soldier."
She turned back to Apollo. "His actions so enraged the Atlantean gods that they turned all of their animosity toward him. And still Prince Styxx fought on for his people, wounded, bloody, and tired. He never backed off or backed down. Not even when your own grandson almost buried his axe through the prince's skull. He hit Styxx's hoplon so hard, it splintered a portion of it off. And as Xan held the prince down, the prince, who was barely more than a child, managed to stab him through the ribs. But now that I think about it, you don't remember that day, do you, Apollo? You weren't even there when it was fought, but later that very night-"
"Enough!" Apollo roared. His face turned bright red from his fury. Bellowing, he kicked Styxx back. "Get him out of my sight."
Bethany went to Styxx. She pulled her cloak off and wrapped it around his shoulders then she faced Apollo. "You never did answer the question, brother. Is Prince Styxx forgiven for saving the lives of thousands of Greeks and driving the Atlanteans from our shores, or do you intend to keep punishing him for such awful hubris against you? Do you, finally, release him from your slavery?"
"He's released. Now get him out of my sight!"
She helped Styxx to his feet.
"Thank you, my lady," Styxx breathed as unshed tears glittered in his eyes.
Nodding, she let Galen take him from her hands and walk him out of the temple.
And as they moved through the crowd, the people of Didymos went down on their knees to bow before their prince.
Bethany's smile died as she looked back at Apollo and the wrath on his face. He was not going to forgive this. The only problem was he didn't know it was Bet'anya who'd embarrassed him.
Crap ...
Athena's going to kill me for this ruse.
She'd deal with that later. Narrowing her eyes at the bastard, she turned to leave. When she reached the temple door, an old man caught her eye. She started to ignore him until recognition kicked her.
Athena.
Quadruple crap ...
The Olympian goddess followed her outside.
Bracing herself for the fight, Bethany turned to face her.
Athena held her hand up and smiled. "You have no idea how many times in my life I've wanted to publicly bitch-slap my brother. Thank you for the amusement."
Bethany laughed and took her hand. "I thought you were going to choke me for it."
"Not for this. But don't think for even one heartbeat that we're friends."
"I know. But I am a goddess of justice, and while I have no problem tearing open someone who deserves it, I cannot stand to see anyone, even a Greek, wrongfully tortured."
Athena nodded. "Now can I have my body back? No offense, but I don't wear old man well."
Bethany resumed her true form. "I know now why you chose Styxx as your champion, Athena. You did well."
"You did better, I think."
"How so?"
Athena transformed into her goddess body. "He might fight under my badge, Bet'anya, but you're the only one he would die for."
"Leave us."
Galen hesitated at the king's furious order.
"It's all right," Styxx assured him, but he held the same doubt about that as Galen.
Inclining his head respectfully, Galen left him alone with his father.
His entire being throbbing and aching in protest, Styxx pulled himself up in the bed as his father approached him.
The king yanked the blanket from him, exposing his full naked body. "This isn't from a whore. What happened to you?"
Before he could think up a lie, his father hissed as his gaze fell to the cruelest mark he bore. His father rudely grabbed him so that he could examine it. Fury blazed in his father's eyes and for a moment Styxx was stupid enough to think it was indignation on his behalf.
"You think this is funny or cute?" his father roared in his face. "You're a prince, for the gods' sakes!" He backhanded him. "I don't know what kind of perverse games you play, boy, but if you ever publicly embarrass me as you did today, I don't care what army backs you, I will see you sold as the tsoulus whose mark you proudly wear. Do you understand me?"
Styxx couldn't answer as memories ripped through him. He heard the roar of voices that called out for his humiliation and punishment.
Fucking Greek whore! He's even branded one!
Prince, my ass. You're a worthless dog. Not even worth the brand you carry.
Are all Greek heroes pathetic quims like you?
And the whole time he'd been so cruelly held and tortured by the Atlanteans, he'd only wanted to come home.
For this ...
His father backhanded him again then painfully grabbed his hair to force him to meet his angry stare. "Do you understand me?" he repeated.
Styxx nodded.
Curling his lip, his father wrenched his hair so hard, he was amazed he didn't yank a handful out. "I don't know what you did to upset Apollo, but you better make it right even if it means licking his ass and sucking him off for the rest of your putrid life. Whatever he asks of you, I expect you to bend over or go down on your knees and do it with a smile while thanking him for the honor." His father spat in his face then stormed out of the room.
Cold and shaking, Styxx wiped away the spittle then curled into a ball as the horrors of the last year replayed through his mind. But what hurt most was the knowledge that his father was fine with whoring him to Apollo.
So long as the Olympian god was pleased and happy what did it matter how his own son felt about it?
"Styxx?"
He couldn't respond to Galen. He just wanted to go someplace safe and warm. Someplace where no one hated him.
Most of all, he wanted his Bethany back. Only she had ever been able to make him forget the hatred he lived with.
"Highness? Are you all right?"
No. He'd never been right. That's why no one wanted him. Why Bethany had left him to this nightmare. Alone.
He felt Galen wipe away the blood on his face then cover him with the blanket.
Styxx ignored everything and crawled into the dark place inside himself that he'd discovered in Atlantis where the voices in his head screamed and he found a sick kind of comfort in the pain of it all.
Galen brushed his hair back from his forehead. How weird that the only tenderness he received came from a scarred warrior renowned for his ferocity in battle.
He stared at the xiphos strapped to Galen's hip ... a sword Galen hated to wield. "You should go back to your Antigone."
Galen frowned at him. "What?"
Styxx blinked slowly. "Families should be together," he whispered. "Always. Nothing should keep them apart. And you shouldn't waste time with me when she's so much more important to you."
"You're my family, too, son. And you're every bit as important to me. More than that, you're the one who needs me right now. Tig understands and she sends her love to you."
Galen's kindness succeeded in breaking him out of his numb cocoon. Styxx sobbed as all the pain stabbed him and he fell apart from it.
The old man gathered him in his arms and held him while he cried until he was completely spent.
Exhausted, he pulled back from Galen. "I'm sorry."
"Don't you dare apologize for being human, Styxx. I never fought a war that I didn't go home to my Thia and cry for all the horrors I'd seen and committed. And after she was gone, I cried to my cups." He wiped the tears from Styxx's face. "You're a strong man. You've been put through Tartarus. And there's not a person I've ever met who could have done what you did today and not fall apart. It was harsh and it was wrong and you didn't deserve it."
"Maybe I did. Surely I had to commit some heinous act to chafe the gods' asses as much as I do."
"Bah," Galen scoffed. "You're just a pain in my old ass, and if I can tolerate you, I know they can." He pressed a fatherly kiss to his forehead. "Rest and I'll get you something to eat before you waste away to nothing. You're so skinny right now, one blast from Aiolos and you'd blow away." Patting him on the arm, Galen rose and left him.
The smile on Styxx's face died the moment he saw Apollo in the corner of his room. "What do you want?"
Apollo screwed his face up. "There's that tone again.... You still, after all this time, have yet to learn your lesson about humility before a god."
That was because Styxx had no respect for the rancid dog. "You don't own me anymore. You released me."
Apollo laughed then flashed himself into bed with Styxx. He grabbed him by the hair and used it to yank him into his arms. "You're right. I no longer own you. But no one said I couldn't still fuck you or fuck with you. In fact, your father told me to let him know should you ever fail to please me again."
February 16, 9527 BC
Trying not to think about anything at all, Styxx paid for the hand-carved reed flute he was buying for Galen's birthday. He'd never really understood the old man's fascination with the instrument, but Galen loved to play, and while staying with Galen in the barracks, he'd learned that his mentor had accidentally left his flute at Antigone's. The old man missed it so much that his fingers twitched anytime he was around any object that remotely resembled one.
And at least Galen wouldn't stab or insult him for the gift. He might even appreciate it.
As Styxx took the flute and turned, he heard a dog barking not that far away. He ignored it until a huge black half-horse mongrel almost knocked him over. The giant dog jumped up on him and assaulted him with happy licks.
Recognition slammed into him. "Dynatos?"
The dog gave another happy bark.
It couldn't be. Styxx looked around for the dog's owner.
"Dyna? Here, boy!"
He couldn't breathe at the sound of a voice he'd never thought to hear again.
What do I do?
She'd made it abundantly clear that she didn't want to be with him....
Ever.
Suddenly, he saw her graceful form in the crowd, feeling her way toward him. He couldn't move at all as agony shredded every part of his heart and soul. Dressed in a long white Doric chiton and a red Egyptian drape, she was stunning. As was evidenced by his inability to move or breathe. Her long black hair was pulled up to the crown of her head and left to fall in thick, fat curls. Her hazel-gold almond-shaped eyes were ringed with kohl and pointed to look like a cat's. The gold bracelets he'd bought her were coiled around her forearms from wrist to elbow.
All he wanted to do was touch her, but she didn't want him at all. And he was tired of being rebuffed and thrown aside.
"Dynatos?" she called again. The dog ran back to her then he charged Styxx.
"Highness? You forgot your change."
Bethany froze instantly.
Shit. He was caught. If he spoke, she'd know instantly who he was. So he took the change and started to leave without saying a word.
But as he drew even with her, she spoke to him. "Styxx?"
He ignored the stares of the people around them who watched with fascination. Deepening his voice to disguise it, he braced himself for her public outrage. "Yes?"
Tears filled her eyes as she reached out for him.
Damn it ... he couldn't stop himself. He took her hand into his and led it to his cheek, where he savored the warm softness of her skin, and the gentle scent of lilies and eucalyptus that he'd missed so much. A scent that hardened him so fiercely and quickly he was sure every person staring at them saw his erection.
She let out a happy sob then jerked him into her arms and kissed him with a passion that left him senseless.
Styxx fisted his hands in her red drape and held her close as Dynatos circled them and barked-as if they weren't enough of a spectacle without the dog calling attention to them.
Breathless, she pulled back and ran her hands over his face. "I've missed you so much."
Styxx arched a brow. "You kiss every stray man you meet in the market?"
She actually popped him on the biceps hard enough to hurt. "As a matter of fact I do. What was your name again?" She started to turn toward the merchant and reach for him.
Styxx took her arm and gently kept her by his side. He cupped her face in his hand and kissed her cheek. "I thought you were gone forever."
"We need to talk and I have a bad feeling that people are staring at us."
He laughed as he kept his face buried in her hair so that he could breathe her in. "They are, indeed." Reluctantly, he pulled away and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow so that he could lead her through the curious crowd.
"Tell me when we're alone."
Styxx hesitated. "Why does the tone of your voice make my sphincter clench?"
"Don't be crude."
"You told me to always be honest with you, and so there you have it."
Anger darkened her brow. "But you weren't honest with me, were you ... prince?"
"We're still in public."
She drummed her fingers against his arm, letting him know she was in a fierce pique. "Are we alone yet?"
"No."
"I don't hear anyone."
"That's because they're all gaping as we walk by. It's like a temple, precious. Statues everywhere, and they're listening intently to every word we speak."
An old woman frowned at them as they passed her. "I thought he sent the Egyptian princess home?" she asked her companion.
"Case in point," he whispered to Bethany.
"At least they think I'm a princess."
"You've always been a goddess to me."
Bethany stumbled at a comment that struck a little too close to home.
Styxx stopped immediately. "Am I walking too fast?"
"No. The dog bumped into me."
He continued walking ... on and on.
"Where are you taking me? Asia?" she asked when it seemed like he had no intention of stopping.
"Away from people ... Didymos has a dense population that I never considered the density of until right this moment. Damn, there's a lot of people here. And they're all really curious about us. Probably because they've never seen me in public with a woman not my sister, and since you're not spitting on me, slapping me, or calling me names, they know you're not Ryssa."
"Nor am I blond or Didymosian."
"Very valid points. How do you know Ryssa's blond?"
"Same way I know you are."
"I didn't tell you Ryssa's blond."
"Other people did."
"Ah ... Galen!" he called out, startling her and letting her know they'd entered the military barracks. "May I borrow your quarters?"
"Sure. Good day, Lady Bethany."
"Greetings, Master Galen." She tried to find him to converse longer, but Styxx didn't pause as he continued leading her away.
"Cover her ears, boy," Galen said then added, "Make sure you change my sheets before you leave!"
"Na-ha-ha," Styxx feigned laughter. "You're so funny. I'm going to kill you later."
Finally, Styxx pulled her into a room and slammed a door shut. But since Dynatos was on the other side of it, he immediately started barking and scratching for entrance.
Styxx growled low in his throat before he opened the door and let him in. Then he closed and locked it. "All right. We're alone ... except for the dog."
