"Shh, Highness. You cooperate and I'm sure we can come to a sweet compromise regarding your punishments from now on."
* * *
An hour later, Styxx stood in the corner of his punishment room, trying to find even a tiny shred of dignity. But he had none left. Worse, he couldn't stop his tears no matter how hard he tried.
I am a woman.
He'd been used like one.
The door opened behind him. His stomach shrank as he feared the scold returning for more. Surely to the gods, the bastard was well sated by now....
"Why are you still here?"
Great. It was his adoring father. Just what he needed.
"Answer me, boy."
"I don't feel well."
His father curled his lip in disgust. "I am so sick of that excuse. Can you not think up a better lie? And those tears ... you're weak and pathetic!" The king slammed his hand down on the table where the scold had ...
Styxx vomited at the memory.
Jumping back, his father screwed his face up. "I guess you are ill."
His breathing ragged, Styxx wiped a trembling hand over his mouth and did his best to control his raging and raw emotions.
For the first time, his father's features softened as if the bastard finally had some tender feeling for him. He pulled him into his arms. Styxx had to force himself not to recoil.
Or cry harder.
"Come, child. Let me help you to your bed and have a bath prepared. Do you wish to have a maid help bathe you?"
"No." The last thing he wanted was another pair of hands on his body, especially since he could still feel the evidence of the guard's intrusion sliding out of him. If anyone else bathed him, they'd know what had happened.
"All right. I shouldn't have been so harsh to you. Had I known you were really ill, I wouldn't have been."
Maybe you should listen when I try to tell you something, old man.
But he never did.
"Father!" Ryssa snapped as she saw them on the stairs. "How is he to learn any lesson while you coddle him so?"
"Enough, kitten. Your brother is severely ill. I can feel his fever radiating through his clothes and mine. You should have pity for him."
"What I pity is this empire when he sits on your throne."
Styxx glared at her.
"Father, he's threatening me again."
His father paused beside her. "How so?"
"The way he looked at me just now. Like he could go through me."
"You would do well to remember that one day, he will be your king, kitten. And he conducted himself with honor today. He walked to the scold without aid and gave no complaint." Looking down, he tightened his arms around him. "I'm proud of you, Styxx."
Great. After all I've done to please you, it's my rape that makes you proud.