Styxx's blond hair gleamed in the sunlight. His skin glistened with vitality. There was no grayish cast to it from his being forced to take drugs so that others could abuse him. Even from my distance, I could see his arrogance as he ordered everyone around.
I thought of Acheron and wanted to scream at the injustice.
"Hey, it's lamb-head," Styxx said as he saw me. The little ogre had always mocked my curly blond hair. "Where have you been?"
"Away," I told him. The troll didn't need to know my business. "Father, might I have a word alone with you?"
He cast a smug glance toward Styxx. "Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of your brother. One day Styxx will be your king, and you will be answerable to him."
The thought made my blood run cold.
"That's right," Styxx said snidely. "That means you have to kiss my feet just like everyone else."
Father laughed at him. "You're such a scamp."
I bit my lip to keep my silence. How could he not see what a spoiled, obnoxious little troll Styxx was? But then Father had always been blind to Styxx's apish ways.
"So why are you here, kitten?" Father asked. "Do you wish a new trinket or clothes?" The man had always indulged me. At least on anything that didn't involve Acheron.
"No. I want to bring Acheron home."
Father sputtered at my request. "Now see here, what has gotten into your head? I've told you repeatedly how I feel. That monster doesn't belong here."
Styxx curled his lips. "Why would you want him here? He's a danger to all of us."
"A danger how?" But then this was so familiar an argument, I could answer with their excuses before they did.
My father curled his lip. "You don't know what a demigod is capable of. He could kill your brother while he sleeps. Kill me. Kill all of us."
How could he say that? Acheron had never once made any attack on me. He didn't even raise his voice. "Why do you not fear for Estes?"
"Estes keeps him under control."
With drugs. So Father had known about that part of it. It was all I could do to keep my anger from showing. And it made me wonder what else he knew about Acheron's treatment.
"Acheron belongs here, with us."
Father came to his feet. "You are a woman, Ryssa, and a young one at that. Your mind is best occupied with fashion and decorating. Planning your dress for a party. Acheron doesn't belong in this family. He never will. Now go find your mother and gossip. Styxx and I have important matters to discuss."
Like which of the serving maids Styxx would bed next . . . Matters so much more important than his eldest son's life.
I glared at him. "Matters more important than your own son?"
"He is not my son!"
I shook my head, unable to believe his denial. So Acheron had been right all along. Father had intentionally sent him away and he would never allow him to return. Why had I not seen the truth earlier? Because I loved my father. To me, he'd always been kind and adoring.
At least now I knew the truth.
Now I saw him for what he really was. Heartless.
"So that whole story you told me about protecting Acheron was wrong?"
"What are you talking about?"
He didn't even remember his own lies. "You told me when they took Acheron away that you were doing it to protect him. You said that two heirs shouldn't be raised together as it would be an added target for enemies. You said you would bring Acheron home when he was old enough. You never intended to return him here, did you?"
"Leave us!"