Styxx paused as he heard a familiar voice. Frowning, he turned to see Dorus in the crowd.

The nobleman headed straight for him and gave a curt bow. Dorus glanced around as if seeking Styxx's ever-present guards, but said nothing when he didn't find them at their usual post. Having grown tired of his every belch being reported to his father while their thoughts insulted everything about him, Styxx had slipped out of the palace to be alone for awhile.

"I haven't seen you since your return, Highness. Welcome home."

"Thank you, Dorus."

"I've heard great things of your victories. My father said that you were headed for the Atlantean mainland when you were recalled."

"We were."

"It must have been incredible to fight so many victorious battles. Exciting."

More like bloody and terrifying. Haunting. Grueling. A thousand adjectives came to his mind, none of them good.

But Dorus didn't want to hear the truth any more than Styxx wanted to remember it. "I heard they elected you to the senate. Congratulations."

"They did. At one-and-twenty, I'm one of the youngest members."

Styxx felt so disconnected from Dorus and the other noblemen his age. Unlike the king, their fathers wouldn't send them to war for at least two more years. For that matter, all his experiences were so radically different from theirs and from what they believed his to be that it was hard to converse with any of them.

But at least Dorus tried. Best of all, Styxx never heard his thoughts. And for that, he was eternally grateful.

Dorus, Galen, and Bethany were the only ones who didn't bombard him whenever they were around. Every once in a while, he might overhear something, but overall, their thoughts were blissfully hidden and silent.

"Did you know there's a new brothel that opened near Catera's? They have some of the most exotic beauties they've imported...."

Forcing himself not to grimace at something he found utterly revolting, Styxx held his hand up. "I'm not interested."

Dorus laughed. "I understand. A prince never has to pay for sex. I imagine any woman is yours for the taking."

Yeah ...

If only I lived the life everyone thought I did.... He might actually be happy.

Unable to stomach any more of this conversation, Styxx inclined his head. "Pardon me, Dorus, I have an appointment to keep. I hope you don't mind."

As Styxx started past him, he felt a strange sensation over his skin.

One he'd only felt on the battlefield ... like something powerful was watching him. Slowing down, he glanced around for the source of it. But nothing was there.

Putting it out of his mind, he headed back to the palace.

* * *

"What are you doing with Styxx?"

Apollo glanced up from the lyre he was tuning to see Athena in his temple, heading straight for him with more venom than a cobra nest. "I haven't seen the irritable bitch, why?"

"Not the goddess, you moron. The prince of Didymos."

Apollo strummed a note. "Ever wonder what his father was thinking when he allowed you to name his son for the River of Hatred? For a Titan bitch so cruel that none of us will even consider crossing her?"

"What has this to do with anything?"

He shrugged. "I thought we were talking about things that don't matter."

With her hands on her hips, Athena stopped in front of him. "I'm serious, Apollo. He is my champion. Why are you-"

"Fucking him?"

Athena snatched the lyre from his hands and had to grip it hard to keep from bashing him against the head with it. "Don't push me, brother. I'm not that fond of you, and unlike your twin sister, I don't fear you."

"What I do or don't do with the prince is no concern of yours. Why do you care anyway?"

Because I can't stand what was done to an innocent boy who should have been coddled and loved. Not cast into the harsh existence he has because you and your Atlantean conspirators screwed with his life.

Unfortunately, she couldn't say that. "There are plenty of mortals for you to pick from. Leave mine alone."

"Jealous?"

"He is a loyal follower of mine and you are single-handedly turning him against all of us."

Apollo leaned back against his chaise. "I have him well in hand."

She winced at his cruel double entendre.

"No need in you concerning yourself with our relationship, dear sister."

Athena ground her teeth in anger. "I don't understand why you can't leave him alone when it's obvious he can't stand you."

"Cast off your virgin robes," Apollo said with a sadistic twist to his lips, "and you'll understand it fast. He is a very sweet piece of ass."

She curled her lip. "You sicken me."

He mocked her words. "And you bore me. Now hand me my instrument and begone."

Athena wanted to shove it where the "sun" didn't shine. But it wouldn't do any good. Apollo was a prick. "For a god of prophecy, you're a complete and utter idiot. Can you not see what you're about to do to him if you don't let him be?"

"You wanted him strong."

She growled at her idiot brother. "Not like this, I didn't. And you are to leave him alone, Apollo. I mean it!" Glaring at him one last time, she turned and stormed from his temple.

Apollo shook his head and laughed. "Had you not threatened me, I might have turned my eyes to another. But ... sweet Athena, no one threatens me. And they damn sure don't do it over a piece of human trash."

January 18, 9529 BC

Styxx rubbed at his aching head as he and his father went to meet with the senators and emissaries to discuss the Atlantean truce. That alone would be reason enough to make his brain hurt, but Ryssa trailed them, whining over the fact that her beloved father was offering her up as a sacrificial goat. The selfish shrew had no concept of what real humiliation felt like.

"Father, please..."

Damn, if they could harness the sound of her noxious whine, they'd have one hell of a battle weapon to unleash against their enemies.

"Enough, Ryssa." Finally, the old bastard cut her off. "The decision is made. You are to be offered to Apollo. We need him on our side if we're to ever win this war against the Atlanteans. So long as he continues to favor and aid them, we will never stand a chance. If you are his lover, he will look more kindly toward our people and might be swayed to our cause."

"It's not fair!"

Because life was ever about fairness.

Oh, to be as naive as his sister.

Just as they approached the atrium, their conversation was interrupted by the voices of the senators who were waiting for them on the other side of the wall.

"He looks just like Styxx."

Styxx froze instantly as his stomach knotted. Obviously, some of the senators had discovered Acheron at Catera's brothel.

This can't be good.

The one who'd spoken, Senator Barax, had been a longtime friend to his father and one of his top advisors.

His father paused by his side as Ryssa smirked at Styxx. She was absolutely gloating.

"What say you?" Krontes asked. He, too, was a friend and advisor to the king.

Barax laughed deep in his throat. "It's true. They couldn't look more alike had they been born twins. The only difference is their eye color."

Even though Acheron had been gone for a decade, how could they not remember his brother? That thought angered him even more than their topic.

"His eyes are eerie," Senator Peles, his father's oldest friend, joined in. "You can tell he's the son of some god, but he won't say which one."

"And he's in a stew, you say?" Krontes asked.

"Yes," Peles said. "I'm telling you, Krontes, you have to visit him. Pretending he's Styxx has helped me immensely in dealing with the royal prick. Spend an hour with Acheron on his knees and the next time you see Styxx, you'll have a whole new perspective."

They laughed.

"You should have been at our banquet last night," Barax continued. "We dressed him in royal robes and passed him around like a bitch in heat."

Styxx's stomach heaved as fear, rage, and hatred rose to choke him. While the three of them must not have bought him from Estes, Styxx knew there were members of the senate who had.

Members he was sure had passed around the same stories about having ridden the royal stallion.

Styxx wanted to die where he stood.

Snarling in rage, his father charged around the wall to have them arrested for defaming his heir. What would he say if he knew Styxx had been as debased by members of his senate as Acheron had?

Ryssa raked him with a sneer. "It should have been you they used instead of Acheron. You deserve it."

He glared at her. "I hope you think of that curse when Apollo violates your precious loins, sister."

She slapped him then stormed away.

Closing his eyes, Styxx leaned against the wall and struggled with the agony inside his heart. Not just for himself, but for Acheron who was still being bought and sold.

He felt his father's presence and opened his eyes to find him standing by his side. "This. Ends."

Ends how?

Other than badly for all of them.

"What do you intend to do, Father?"

"What I should have done to begin with." He turned to leave.

Styxx stopped him. "Father? What are you planning?"

"To have that bastard arrested and put in a place where he can't shame me."

Prison.

Styxx shook his head at the thought of Acheron suffering like that. But his father would reject any plea based on compassion. So he used something he knew his father would care about.

The king's ego.

"You can't. Instead of having senators bragging about tupping your heir, you'll have commoners doing it. Is that what you want?"

His father glowered at him.

"Bring Acheron home, Father. It's time."

"You sound like a methusai."

I'd rather be an old woman than a heartless bastard.

Styxx wanted to argue, but he knew that expression. His father had made his mind up about the matter and no amount of logic would be heard at this point.

As always, he'd have to find some way to deal with the aftermath of his father's lunatic hatred and try his best to modify whatever actions the king took, while trying to keep his own ass out of the line of fire.

January 20, 9529 BC

Styxx reined his horse to a stop as he held Bethany in his lap. Leaning down to bury his face against the nape of her neck, he inhaled the sweet eucalyptus scent of her lotion and smiled. Her scent made him rock hard and caused his head to spin even more than the drugs Estes had once used on him.

She placed her hand to his cheek. "Are we here?"

He squeezed her gently. "We are, love. I'd tell you to close your eyes, but..."

She leaned back against his shoulder and kissed his clean-shaven cheek. Since she didn't care for his beard as it interfered with her ability to feel his expressions, he'd bid it adieu. "You're not funny."

"And yet you tell me you love my humor. What is wrong with you, woman?"

"The very fact I'm in love with you. It rather says it all."

He laughed at her gentle teasing then dismounted. Placing his hands at her waist, he pulled her down to stand beside him. A large dog started barking ferociously.

She frowned at the sound. "Where are we?"

"Were you not paying attention to my directions from the stream?"

"I was, and I know where we are, but not where we are. Or why we're here."

He left his horse to graze and took her hand to lead her. "We are someplace very special."

"And that would be?"

He placed her hand against the wooden door of the small stone cottage.

Her scowl deepened as the dog barked even louder. "What is this?"

"Shush, skylos!" he said to the dog then he gentled his tone to speak to Bethany. "I bought this for you. It's a place for you to escape to whenever the weather is bad."

She went rigid. "Hector-"

"Beth, there are no strings attached to it at all." He put both her hands on his face so that she could feel how sincere he was. "It's yours, plain and simple. You can keep your things here and not have to tote them anymore. It has a large lake that's just down the hill, fully stocked with fish. I made sure before I bought it."

"I don't understand..."

He kissed her palms as terror rode him with spurs. Since he'd come home, he'd been tortured with images of someone hurting her. Of another man stumbling upon her spot and not being wounded as he'd been when he first found her there. Or worse, Apollo harming her to get back at him. "I know you have your knife, but I worry about you when I'm not with you. Constantly. I'd feel better if you had a safer place to be alone."

Bethany smiled as tears welled in her eyes at his thoughtful kindness. Even so, she couldn't help teasing him. "I believe you were thinking of yourself more than me. You won't have to worry about grass burns on your knees or random, randy limbs in your backside."

He laughed. "You know me so well. But I must admit that I'll be missing those intimate moments with the tree. I think after my last encounter with its branches we might be married ... at the very least betrothed."

She groaned at his twisted sense of humor as he opened the door. The moment he did, a huge dog mauled her.

"Down!" Hector snapped, pulling him away. "Beth, meet ... skylos. He hasn't been named yet. But he's the size of a horse and is here to also keep you safe. I have a woman who'll come to feed him every morning for you. Or you can take him with you when you go home ... which I'd prefer. I'd rather you have a protector at all times."

She heard the fear underlying his tone. He really was afraid for her. Leaning down, she stroked the dog's ears as he licked her face. "What color is he?"

"Black."

"Hey there, boy." She kissed his furry head. "I think I shall call you ... Dynatos."

"Dynatos it is," Hector agreed then he took her inside and gently led her around so that she could find where everything was placed and not get hurt.

The front door opened into a room with a table, two chairs, and a place to cook and prepare food. There was a room off to the right with a bed, chest, and two more chairs set before a fire.

Though tiny, it was very cozy.

Still ... "I can't take this from you, Hector. It's too much."

"Yes, you can. I want you to have it."

"Hector-"

"Beth..." He pulled her back against his front and nuzzled her neck. "Please take it and give me some peace of mind about your safety."

He so often broke her heart. Whatever had happened to him at war had really damaged a part of him. While her safety had always concerned him before, he was now obsessed with it. He was forever teaching her new ways to disarm an attacker-not that she needed his tricks, but she couldn't tell him that. Whenever he fell asleep, he had ferocious nightmares that caused him to wake up frantic and angry.

Even now, he trembled in her arms.

Offering him a grateful smile, she kissed his cheek. "All right, Hector. Thank you."

Styxx closed his eyes as he held her and just let the scent of her skin soothe him. There was nothing in this world he valued above her. Nothing he wouldn't do to make her happy or keep her safe.

"So," he whispered in her ear. "What should we test first? The lake or the bed?"

She snorted playfully. "I knew you had an ulterior motive."

"Hey, I gave you the choice of the lake first."

"Umm-hmmm ... but I know you didn't mean it."

"I've been a perfect gentleman."

"That's not what the part of you poking me says." She turned his arms and kissed him. "I suppose I should take mercy on you." She nipped his chin, making him all the harder, before she dropped her hand to stroke his erection. "But no. I'd rather fish." Laughing, she ran past him.

Styxx groaned out loud as Dynatos chased after her. "You're so cold, my lady! Cruel. Heartless!" He caught up to her at the front door.

Expecting her to open it, he was surprised when she spun about and fell back against the wood. She buried her hands into his chiton and pulled him into her arms for a kiss so hot, it made his head reel.

Then she sank down on her knees in front of him and lifted the hem of his chiton.

Styxx couldn't breathe as she ran her hand over him, and when she took him into her mouth, it was all he could do to remain upright. "I love you, Bethany," he breathed as he sank his hand into her soft hair.

She licked the underside of him. "I love you, too."

His legs trembling, Styxx was completely distracted by her when Dynatos came up behind him unexpectedly and slammed into his back. He barely caught himself against the door before he knocked Bethany over. "Damn it, dog!"

Laughing, she pulled away. "Are you having trouble with your gift, sweetie?"

Styxx tried to push the mountainous beast back. "Not at all."

Bethany laughed harder as she heard Hector grunting in his attempts to move the dog out of his way. "Are you sure it's a dog and not a bear?"

"I'm thinking horse, given its weight."

She could hear the dog jumping and licking. "He doesn't seem ferocious."

"He can be when he's not yours." The door opened and then closed.

Suddenly, Hector scooped her up in his arms and ran with her to the bedroom, where he laid her on the bed. "Now, where were we?"

Dynatos barked at the door then rammed it.

"Distracted, I believe."

Hector placed his head down on the center of her chest and sighed. "I swear I'm cursed."

Laughing again, she led his lips to hers. "I can ignore him if you can."

He lifted the hem of her gown until she was exposed to his questing hand. "I can definitely ignore him ... And a house fire..." He teased her breast with his lips. "End of the world..."

She spread her legs farther apart and whispered in his ear as she guided his hand to the juncture of her thighs. "Then come inside, my lord, and play to your heart's content."

January 22, 9529 BC

"Where was Acheron taken?" Styxx demanded as he entered his father's study.

The king looked up with a scowl. "You dare use that tone with me, boy?"

Penalty for striking the king is death.

Moments like this, he really didn't care. Especially since his back, wrists, face, and side burned in such a way as to let him know his brother had been viciously beaten. But angering the old bastard wouldn't get him what he wanted.

Even though it galled him, he modulated his tone. "Where is he, Father?"

"Downstairs. You said you wanted him home. So he is."

In the dungeon? It was the only "downstairs" they had from here.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." Styxx spun about, intending to free Acheron immediately.

"Boy?"

A fierce tic started in his jaw as he turned back toward his father. Aside from setting his brother free, the only other thing he really wanted to do at present was tutor his father well on the fact that there was no boy left inside the man who'd taken hundreds of lives in battle for this kingdom. "Majesty?"

"Before you consider putting your will over mine. Or think for one instant that because my army believes you're some great war hero they want to follow, you have leverage ... think again. I know all about your little blind Egyptian whore and where the two of you meet. I even know you bought her a place to live. I suggest, for her continued health and well-being, that you learn to curb your temper."

Styxx went cold at his threat against Bethany. "You wouldn't dare."

His father arched his brow. "I am king. You would do well to remember that. And I will do as I please, and you will do what pleases me or I will show you the exact extent of my power. While I would hate to be without an heir, I am still of an age that I could father another. Now ... where were you going?"

Don't. Kill. Him.

"Riding."

"Good choice. Give your beautiful mistress my best."

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.