And that was what she loved most about him. For all his confidence and power, he still had moments of profound shyness and uncertainty. Not many, but enough to be endearing and fallible.
She pulled his shirt off, and placed her hand over the scar in the center of his chest. “I feel so bad for you. To me, it seems like we were together only yesterday. I have no concept of how long I slept. But for you—”
He placed his fingers over her lips. “It doesn’t matter.”
Yet it did, and she knew it. While he’d been off delivering Apollo to Apollymi, Tory and Acheron had told her about his sketchbooks. About how tortured and miserable he’d been all these centuries without her. She had no idea how he could have kept his faith and troth. How he’d managed to find the strength to carry on and survive. But she was so glad that he had. Then again, her Styxx had never been a coward. He was, and would always be, a steadfast warrior hero. Imperfectly perfect. The keeper of her heart. Wanting to please him, she moved to straddle his hips.
Styxx sucked his breath in sharply at the sensation of her soft body against his. He trembled at the one thing he’d been most desperate for. And still, he couldn’t believe she was really here in his arms. She sank her hands into his hair and gave him a kiss that set his entire being on fire. And when she trailed one hand down his chest to the button on his jeans, he thought he was going to die from the need to feel her hands on his bare skin.
Pulling back and sliding to his side, Bethany scowled as she tugged at his fly. “What is this thing?”
He laughed. “Zipper.”
“What’s a zipper?”
He smiled, remembering how confused he’d been when Dionysus had first taken him to New Orleans. “It secures clothes to the body.” He untied his boots and dropped them to the floor then showed her how to work the zipper and button on his jeans.
“I miss your chiton. It was easy access.” She pushed his jeans down until he was exposed to her questing hand.
His breathing rugged. Styxx did his best to think about anything other than her touching him. But when she brushed her hand down the length of his cock and cupped him, he lost the battle in one heartbeat. Against his wishes, he came in a blinding sweet moment of pure bliss.
His body still shuddering, he buried his head under the pillows and groaned in utter agony and embarrassment. He’d been right. Not only had he not made it inside her, he hadn’t even gotten close. “I’m worthless!”
She continued to stroke and tease him as she pulled the pillow off his face. “No, Styxx. You’re not. I didn’t doubt you, but this shows me how much you love me, and the fact that you have been every bit as faithful as you promised me you would be.” Wrinkling her nose playfully, she smiled down at him. “Besides, I know you. You’ll spend the next twenty-four hours more than making up for it. You are nothing if not an overachiever.”
He reached up to toy with a stray lock of her hair. “I am that, Beth, but only for you.” Then he pulled her peplos off and rolled her over so that he could savor the sight of her naked in his bed. His heart pounded as indecision on where to begin paralyzed him. He wanted to devour her.
So he started with her lips then moved south to her breasts.
Bethany cradled his head against her as he meticulously tasted every inch of her while his fingers stroked and delved, and heightened the aching need she had for him. And when his mouth replaced his fingers at the center of her body, she cried out in ecstasy.
He laughed deep in his throat. “That’s it, Beth. Come for me. I need to taste you.”
Those words sent her over the edge. Throwing her head back, she screamed as pleasure ripped her apart and her body spasmed with pure rhythmic bliss. Still he nibbled and teased until he’d wrung every last bit of orgasm from her.
Then he slowly nibbled his way back to her lips. He lifted himself up on his arms to stare down at her while his long hard body lay between her legs.
Bethany cupped his face in her hands as she felt his cock already hardening against her stomach. “See, I knew you’d be back in business.”
Smiling, he kissed her lips then slid himself inside her. They moaned in unison as she wrapped her body around his while he began thrusting against her hips.
“I have missed you so much,” he breathed in her ear. “And not just this. I could drown myself in your scent and warmth.”
“I am yours forever. Literally.”
“And I am eternally yours.”
This time, Styxx knew that nothing would ever to separate them again. And if anyone or anything was dumb enough to try, they were going to learn the lesson that he’d given both Archon and Apollo. Styxx of Didymos fought for what he wanted. He didn’t back down. He didn’t give up. He didn’t lose.
Even when it meant coming back from the dead. He wouldn’t be stopped and he would never again live without his most vital part. Bethany.
December 28, 2012
Azura entered Noir’s study without knocking to find him in the middle of entering one of their servants. “Put it away, love. I have business to discuss.”
Noir growled at her intrusion. “What is so important that—”
“Rezar has returned.”
He shoved the woman off his lap and quickly tucked himself back into his pants. “What?”
She nodded and watched as the servant made a quick exit. Crossing her arms over her chest, she faced her brother. “And Bathymaas is reunited with Aricles.”
“Then the prophecy is true.…”
“So it seems.” Azura wrinkled her nose at him. “Right at this moment, Darkness is covering the Light.”
“How do you know all this?”
“Our slave made a report.”
Noir considered that. “Has he found Braith yet?”
“No. He’s still looking. But with Bathymaas free…”
The Malachai wouldn’t be far behind. The balance must always be maintained.
And they were about to rain hell itself down on the unsuspecting humans.…
Noir couldn’t wait.
February 9, 2013
Acheron was expecting his brother to meet him so when the door to his bedroom opened, he was surprised to find the former dream god, Arik, there. Since Arik was the husband of Tory’s cousin Geary, it wasn’t unusual for him to visit.
“Tory’s not home. She went shopping for baby clothes with Bethany.”
“I’m not here to see Tory. I wanted to ask you something.”
Ash pulled the blanket up on Bas who was in the middle of his afternoon nap. “Sure. What do you need?”
“How old was Tory when her father died?”
Now that was an odd question. “Ten.”
Arik shook his head in denial. “When I first met Tory in 1996, Geary told me that she was six when her father died.”
He scowled at that. “I have photos of her with her father on her birthdays all the way up to ten. You must be mistaken.”
“No. I’m not. Even Geary now has memories of him being with Tory longer than that … and we have pictures that never existed until recently.”
Ash cursed at the significance of what Arik was telling him. “Who’s messing with the time sequence?”
“I don’t know. But since it’s affecting the one person nearest and dearest your heart…”
It most likely involved Acheron somehow. He winced in apprehension. “So whatever was altered had to have occurred between 1996 when you met her and 2008 when I met her.”
Arik nodded. “I’m thinking this time breach more than the cosmic alignment in December is what has unleashed Tiva and Zev.” Tiva was the original goddess of untime and her brother Zev of time itself.
Chaos and Order.…
Ash wanted to curse. “I saw Tiva in December. She was after the Time Stone.”
“Where’s it now?”
“Safe. Back in the hands of its keeper.” Neither Kateri nor Ren would allow anything happen to it. And Ren knew better than to let Tiva anywhere near the Stone.
And not just Zev and Tiva. Set and Bethany were also Order and Chaos. And they were now released, too.
Yeah … this was looking bad.
“Something’s coming, Acheron. And I don’t know what it is.”
“Neither do I. But at least we’re forewarned about it. Let’s see if we can find other breaches and fluctuations. Maybe we can undo whatever has been done.”
Arik nodded. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“And I’ll do the same.”
As soon as Arik left, Ash turned back to watch his slumbering son as fear permeated every part of his being. Nothing good ever came when someone or something tampered with time. While Artemis had moments of profound lunacy, she wouldn’t dare mess with that one.
Maybe one of the Were-Hunters …
Or something a lot deadlier.
Whatever or whoever it was, Acheron would find them and he would make them pay for it. Most of all, he would stop them before they unleashed the one evil that nothing could ever defeat.
September 21, 2013
“Look at them, Apollymi. Have you ever seen anything more pathetic than two grown, immortal warriors so terrified of something so small? I don’t know who’s more nervous about the birth … dad or uncle.”
In her shade form on Katateros, Apollymi couldn’t agree more with Ma’at as they watched Styxx and Apostolos gather ice chips. “Should we have them boil water?”
Athena laughed. “Perhaps it’s my presence they find most unsettling. After all, the last time I attended a birth was theirs and … Well, thankfully this will turn out much better. I think.”
Styxx pinned the three goddesses with a stern frown. “You do know we can hear you, right?”
Athena laughed. “Of course we do, love. Wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if you couldn’t.”
“Styxx!” Acheron barked. “Get over here. Now!”
Ignoring the goddesses, Styxx ran to Bethany with the ice. “I’m right here, Beth.”
Lying on their bed in her temple, she took his hand and squeezed it as she screamed out in pain. Styxx was shaking in fear while Simi held a catcher’s mitt in expectation of their son’s birth.
Artemis rolled her eyes at Simi as she motioned for Ma’at to take over the birthing process. “He’s almost here. I’m sure you want to deliver this one.”
Tory wiped at Bethany’s brow. “Breathe, sweetie. Just a few minutes more.”
Acheron tsked. “I’m so jealous, Styxx. This is usually when Tory starts calling out for the wrath of the Furies to geld me.”
Tory passed a look to her husband that said he’d be spending the night on the couch.
Bethany laughed then groaned.
“One more push, child,” Ma’at said.
Closing her eyes, she obeyed.
Happy and terrified beyond belief, Styxx held his breath as his son entered the world. He didn’t breathe again until he heard the boy’s healthy cry. Shaking as much as Bethany, he pressed his cheek to hers. They were both laughing through their tears.
Finally, they’d done it.…
Before she even cleaned the baby, Ma’at wragged him in a light blue blanket and handed him to his mother. “I know better than to make you two wait a minute longer to hold your baby son.”
He was the most beautiful thing Styxx had ever seen. Perfect and adorable, he had a mop of black hair like his mother and a set of golden eyes. Styxx placed a nervous hand on his son while he kissed Bethany’s cheek. “What are we going to call him?”
Because of what had happened with Urian, they’d been too superstitious this time to name the baby before he arrived.
She laid her gentle hand over Styxx’s jaw. “Aricles Galen?”
He hesitated as a wave of fear went through him. “Is that bad luck?”
Athena tsked at them. “Not this time, sweetie. He will do his namesakes proud.”
A loud knock sounded on the door. “Is that my newest grandson I hear?”
They laughed at Set’s impatient voice. He’d become so distraught during Bethany’s labor that Ma’at had banned him, Maahes and Urian from the room.
Opening the door, Athena let Set in. He flashed across the room to make sure Bethany and child were healthy.
Set kissed Bethany’s cheek then cooed at his grandson. “There’s a room full of beings who want to meet this little guy. Including his other aunt and uncle, and cousins, and older brother.”
Ma’at laughed. “Let me get little Ari cleaned up and dressed then the extreme spoiling can commence.”
Neither of them wanted to let go of their son, but they knew Ma’at was right. Sooner or later, they would have to let someone else hold him. Styxx stepped back so that Ma’at could reclaim Ari.
Styxx covered Bethany with a blanket. “What can I get for you?”
Her smile dazzled him. “Nothing. Just don’t let Ari out of your sight.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry.” He inclined his head to Simi who was micromanaging every step of the bathing process and driving Ma’at crazy. “This time he has his own demon mother hen who will eat anyone or anything that comes near him.”
Soteria kissed her on the cheek, too. “We’ll leave you to rest, but if you need anything, let us know.”
Acheron gave a light squeeze to Bethany’s hand then hugged Styxx. “Congratulations, brother. I can’t wait to watch Theron and Bas play with him.”
Neither could Styxx. Acheron’s son Theron had been born this past May. Barely four months apart, their boys would be more like twins than cousins.
And their sons would all have the spoiled-rotten childhoods that he and Acheron should have had.
Once Ari was cleaned and dressed in a white cotton jumper, Ma’at returned him to them.
Her heart bursting with emotions she couldn’t name, Bethany choked. And her gaze swam at the sight of her perfect, healthy baby as he stared up at his parents. “We finally get to raise our son.”
Styxx returned her smile. “Poor thing. We’re both going to smother him.”
She laughed. “Absolutely. We’ll make Acheron and Tory look neglectful.” She kissed the top of their son’s head then held him out to Styxx. “You better go make the rounds with him.”
More petrified than he’d ever been before, Styxx hesitated. “I don’t know about this. He’s awful tiny.”
She tsked at his fear. “You’ve got to learn to hold him at some point.”
“I’d rather face an army of gods with nothing more than a knife and my bare hands.” But she was right and he knew it. Taking a deep breath for courage, Styxx allowed her to place their son in his arms.
“See, you didn’t break him.”
Awed and amazed, Styxx stared down at his tiny, precious son. Never in all his long life had he seen a more incredible sight than his boy in his own arms. “Wish me luck.”
Bethany kissed him then allowed Ma’at to pull him out of the room to show off his boy. The instant they opened the door, Skylos barked happily and ran past Styxx to jump on the bed and take his usual place beside Bethany. Laughing, she patted his head. He licked her twice then settled down to sleep.
Athena stayed behind to be with her. “How are you doing?”
“I’ve never been happier … or more frightened.”
She laughed. “That’s called life.”
No, Bethany thought as she watched her husband through the open door smiling proudly with both of their sons. It was called love. The hardest thing in the world to find and keep, but the one thing that made the worst imaginable hell tolerable. More than hope, it was truly the light that guided the lost to safety and kept them sane in the midst of utter chaos.
And never again would she choose any obligation over her sons and husband. They were her family, and for them alone, she would kill or die. The things in this world didn’t matter. Only the people did. And that was the way life should always be.
Forever.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, a very special thank-you to my friends, who are so forgiving when they don’t hear from me for long periods of time while I’m working. One day, I know they’re going to get together and put my face on a milk carton.
To my sons and hubby who tolerate my absentmindedness and bizarre work hours. I love you more than mere words can ever convey and I thank God every day for the gift that is you.
For the fans who visit and make my day online.
And especially to my editor and team at Macmillan for not strangling me when I handed in a 1600+ page manuscript. There aren’t many publishers who would be so bold and supportive. You guys are the best!
Also by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Fantasy Lover
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Dance with the Devil
Kiss of the Night
Night Play
Seize the Night
Sins of the Night
Unleash the Night
Dark Side of the Moon
The Dream-Hunter
Devil May Cry
Upon the Midnight Clear
Dream Chaser
Acheron
One Silent Night
Dream Warrior
Bad Moon Rising
No Mercy
Retribution
The Guardian
Time Untime
Dark-Hunter Companion
THE LEAGUE
Born of Night
Born of Fire
Born of Ice
CHRONICLES OF NICK
Infinity
Invincible
Infamous
Inferno
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In the past three years, New York Times bestselling author SHERRILYN KENYON has claimed the #1 spot sixteen times. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre in which she writes. With more than 35 million copies of her books in print in more than one hundred countries, her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon, BAD Agency, Chronicles of Nick, and the forthcoming Nevermore.
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