All the color drained from her face as she sank to her knees in front of him. "Your Highness, please forgive-"
"It's all right," he said, cutting her off. "Now get up."
She stood immediately. "What can I do for you, Highness?"
"It's my understanding that you have a ... an employee here who looks like me."
"Acheron."
He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or appalled. "It's true then?"
"It is." Fear and worry lined her brow.
"Relax, woman. I only want to make sure he's cared for."
She scowled. "I don't understand."
For the first time in his life, Styxx took full advantage of his rank and position. "It's not your place to understand. Only to obey." He pulled his purse out and opened it. "I don't want you to overwork him. He's to have half the week off to do as he pleases, and you're to make sure he has the best of everything you can provide him, including care when he's sick." He set his purse on her desk. "So long as you abide by that, I'll have money delivered to you every month. If any word of his abuse reaches me, I will see you personally held responsible, and the repercussions will be neither pretty nor enjoyable."
Her eyes glittered with greed. "Yes, Highness. Is there anything else?"
He shook his head. "Just take care of him."
She opened his purse and her eyes widened then she smiled. "Most gladly." She hesitated before she closed it and slid it into her desk. "May I speak frankly, Highness?"
"If you must."
She ran her gaze over the length of his body. "At first, it is quite startling how much you favor. But you two are nothing alike."
If only that was the truth. They were a lot more similar than anyone would guess. However, there was one important matter they differed on.
"Believe me, I know, madam. I'm the one who's a lethal bastard when crossed." And with that, he lifted his hood and left.
December 10, 9532 BC
It was war. Open and full-scale. His father had received the notice just an hour ago and Didymos, along with all Greek city-states, was rallying troops. They had to leave immediately.
Styxx sighed as he found no sign of Bethany at their spot. "Beth?" he called, hoping she was wandering about, as she did sometimes when she didn't know he was coming.
There was no answer.
Damn it.
He'd be gone by dawn. All he'd wanted was to see her one last time, and tell her what was happening. But then, she'd know. Everyone was well aware that the Atlanteans were stepping up their attacks and determined to conquer all of Greece. They planned to slaughter every royal family they could find.
But it wasn't his family he cared about.
"I will fight for you, my Bethany." And he would make sure that Greece stayed free from Atlantean control to keep her, alone, safe. The rest of them could go straight to Tartarus for all he cared.
He looked down at the ring he'd brought for her. A ring he should have given her on his return from Halicarnassus, but it'd been tainted by Apollo and he'd wanted to wait and give it to her when he didn't have something so brutal to tarnish the joy of watching her receive it.
Unsure if she'd ever find it, he tucked it into the base of the tree where they met and hoped that she'd understand why he couldn't wait for her.
His heart broken that he wouldn't see her again for who knew how long, he mounted his horse and left.
* * *
Bethany wanted to scream. She'd been waiting here for hours, hoping Hector would come. Given the vicious attack Apollo had led against his own people and blamed the Atlanteans for, she knew they'd be sending Hector to war again and she wanted to see him before he left.