"A week."
A week? He frowned at Galen's unkempt state. "When did you get here?"
"Five days ago."
That explained the way Galen appeared. He'd come immediately and had ridden hard.
Styxx took Galen's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you."
Galen inclined his head respectfully. "Your men have all gathered as well and are awaiting news of your health. I think the sight of their loyalty and love of you has frightened your father."
Beautiful. Just what he wanted to deal with.
"May I ask a favor, Galen?"
"Anything."
Styxx cringed as more pain hit him. "There's a small cottage on the edge of town ... part of a small farm."
"Your woman?"
He nodded. "Her name is Bethany. Please let her know that I'm ill, but thinking of her. And that I'll see her as soon as I'm able to travel."
"Do you want me to bring her to you?"
"No!" He licked his chapped lips then lowered his voice so that no one could overhear him. "She doesn't know, Galen."
"Know what?"
"That I'm prince. I ... um ... I kind of lied to her. She thinks me a merchant's son and that I'm your foot soldier. Please, don't tell her otherwise."
Galen gaped at his words. "How can she not know?"
"She's blind."
"And you've never told her the truth?"
He shook his head. "She thinks my name is Hector."
Galen laughed and clapped him gently on his shoulder. "You're the only prince I know who wouldn't have forced her to your palace to be your slave or mistress."
"She's happy where she is."
Galen glanced around Styxx's ornate chambers. "Don't you think she'd be happier in a palace, draped in jewels?"
Styxx scoffed. "You know better than that. Money means nothing to her, and honestly, I'd rather be in her cottage with her than here."
Galen smiled at him. "We pig farmers must stick together, eh?"
"Indeed."
"You rest, Highness, and I will see the matter done for you."
* * *
Bethany stood as she heard the approach of a horse. By the sound of it, she knew it wasn't Hector's. Dynatos came to his feet to growl and bark.
Her hand on her knife, she cocked her head, waiting to see if her visitor was friend or foe. Until she knew for certain, she held on to Dynatos's collar.