Styxx (DH #33)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  “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 compl
acent 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.

  January 23, 9529 BC

  Styxx winced as he stood outside the cell where Acheron had been placed. Worse, he heard the fear and anguish in his brother’s thoughts. The anger that justifiably cursed their entire family.

  Most of all, he heard the unwarranted hatred and hostility Acheron bore for him personally when all he’d ever done was try to help him.

  Fuck it.…

  Knowing his hands were tied where his brother was concerned and guilty over the fact that he treasured Bethany’s safety more, Styxx opened the tiny hole at the base of the fortified door and slid in the basket he’d brought. Bread, wine, cheese, and the sugared figs Acheron had loved when they were boys. He didn’t try to speak to him. There was no need. Rather he let Acheron think it was Ryssa who brought the food.

  After all, what could he say to his twin?

  Sorry, brother. I can’t help you?

  While I love you, I love someone else more?

  That wouldn’t go over well, and he understood. If he were Acheron, he’d hate him, too.

  Heartsick, he placed his hand on the door and ground his teeth in impotent frustration. But what hurt the most was the knowledge that it could have just as easily been him in that room as Acheron.

  And maybe it should be.

  The only thing that had saved him from Acheron’s fate was his eyes. It was so ridiculous, he’d laugh if it didn’t hurt so much.

  One day, Acheron, when I’m king, I will set you free. Then no one will hurt you ever again. I swear it with every part of me. I will make this up to you.

  Unfortunately for his brother, today wasn’t that day.

  October 22, 9529 BC

  Styxx woke up to an awful queasy feeling. Again. He hadn’t felt well in days and he knew why. Acheron had stopped eating. Even though he’d been making drops of food to the cell, his brother had chosen a slow suicide.

  Over the last week as the symptoms had worsened, Styxx had considered telling his father then reconsidered it.

  He wouldn’t take this from Acheron. His brother wanted an end to his suffering. The least he could do was allow it. Even if it hurt like hell.

  So he hadn’t breathed a word of it to anyone. Not even Bethany. Instead, he’d spent most of yesterday with her, knowing it wouldn’t be long before Acheron killed them.

  He shook his head, trying to clear the hazy fog. It was useless.

  Styxx reached for his wine, ignoring the food. It wouldn’t matter how much he ate, he’d still be hungry and his stomach woul
d continue to gnaw viciously … As it always did whenever Acheron starved.

  “Styxx? Are you listening?”

  Blinking, he met his father’s cold stare. “Majesty?”

  Ryssa twisted her lips into an ugly face. “He didn’t hear a word, Father. He’s ignoring us as always.”

  “I asked what you thought of putting your sister in yellow and gold to offer her to Apollo.”

  “Sure.” The wine slipped from his hand.

  “Styxx?”

  He heard his father, but he couldn’t respond. His knees buckled. He hit the ground hard.

  His father and the priest ran to him. They were speaking to him, but he couldn’t understand them or respond. He was too weak to even move his own hand.

  All the color drained from his father’s face as he lifted him up and carried him to his bed. For a moment, Styxx could almost pretend his father loved him. But he knew better. No one could do the things his father had done and care about their child. It wasn’t possible.

  The bastard never even called him “son,” not unless he was speaking to someone else about him. His father had never once used any kind of endearment for him at all. Unlike Ryssa, his precious kitten …

  Styxx blinked slowly as bitter memories churned inside his head.

  Ryssa came forward to sit on his bed and hold his hand. With the exception of slapping him, she hadn’t deigned to touch him since …

  Ever.

  I am definitely dying.

  Thoughts and voices mingled in his head, but he shoved them aside so that he could conjure an image of Bethany yesterday when he’d given her a gold necklace he’d bought for her. Her face had lit up his world like the sun after a long rain.

  And then, singing with her beautiful voice and playing her drum, she’d danced for him with her bells jingling lightly with every graceful movement of her hips and arms. There truly was nothing more beautiful.

  How he wished he were in her arms right now, listening to her hum in that sweet, dulcet contralto. But he would never see her face again, never feel her gentle touch on his skin.