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-"