The Olympian dragged Styxx over to the table and threw him against it so that Styxx was facing a mirror where he could see himself and the god who held him down by the scruff of his neck. A tic worked in the Olympian's jaw as he glared at him with potent fury. He ruthlessly pulled the stola up until Styxx was bared to him.
In the reflection of the mirror, he locked gazes with Styxx. "As you ravaged my army today, I'm going to ravish every part of you. And every time you feel me violently take you, prince, I want you to remember which of us is the god and which is nothing but a pathetic piece of human waste."
October 27, 9532 BC
"Highness, the men are wanting-" Galen's voice broke off at the sight of Styxx lying on the floor of his tent.
Styxx couldn't move. He could barely breathe. Every part of him felt as if it'd been pulverized. He could only imagine how he must appear. Completely naked, he stared at his arm, which was covered with bruises and blood. No doubt he looked like that all over.
Except for his face. The god had taken great care to leave his face undamaged....
"Styxx?" Galen breathed as he carefully rolled him to his back.
His breathing labored, he met his old tutor's gaze. "Don't tell ... please."
Tears filled Galen's eyes as the old man pulled him gently into his lap, covered him with his cloak, and held him like no one had done since the night his father had cut open his arm.
I must look like total shit. He hadn't even known Galen possessed any kind of tender emotion.
Galen cradled Styxx's head to his chest and rocked him like a child. "I would never betray you, my prince."
Only then did Styxx relax. As long as no one knew, he could find a way to live with this as he lived with everything else that had been done to him.
"I should never have left you unprotected. I assumed you would stay with the others and celebrate your victory, but I should have known you better." Galen placed a fatherly kiss to his brow. "I heard from the men that you felled the grandson of a god and I've seen their retribution before. I should have warned you, my lord. I am so sorry."
Styxx patted his arm. "It's all right ... I can be taught."
Galen gave him a bitter smile. "You are the best pupil I've ever had." And I love you like a son, boy....
Styxx's lips quivered as he heard Galen's thoughts. "I know we need to leave. I'm sure they're ready to pack the tent."
"You can't ride in your condition, Highness."
"I just need some water to bathe with. I'll manage the ride."
"Styxx-"
"Galen ... I won't keep them or you here. Let's go home." But home wasn't what he really craved returning to.
Then again, the only thing he craved right now was one single, unimpeded breath.
November 3, 9532 BC
"Bethany?"
Her heart quickened as she finally heard the deep, husky voice she'd been longing to hear. "Hector?"
He sat down beside her on her blanket and laid his head on her shoulder then he wrapped his arms around her.
By the way he breathed, she knew he was in a great deal of pain. "Were you wounded?"
He placed her hand on his wrist so that she could feel her necklace there. "Not cut, but bruised to the point I can barely draw breath. Of course, it didn't help that I rode ahead of all the others and snuck back here to see you as soon as I could."
She cradled him against her. "Did you really?"
He nodded. "Night and day. I wasn't tired at all, until now."
She kissed his brow and savored the scent of his skin. "Does your head hurt?"