"He is not my son!"
Those words slashed at Styxx's heart. Every time his father said them, a part of him died. Because he knew the truth.
There was no way to legitimately deny one twin and embrace the other. The scar on his arm testified to the king's doubt where Styxx was concerned.
Just like Acheron ...
Ryssa shook her head. "So that whole story you told me about protecting Acheron was wrong?"
Their father scowled. "What are you talking about?"
Her lips quivered before she answered. "You told me when they took Acheron away that you were doing it to protect him. You said that two heirs shouldn't be raised together, as it would be an added target to enemies. You said you would bring Acheron home when he was old enough. You never intended to return him here, did you?"
"Leave us!"
She spun on her heel and stormed off.
Stunned, Styxx replayed her last bit through his head. "Did you really tell her that, Father?"
He sat down in a huff. "Who knows? Who cares? I told her what I had to, to keep her from nagging at me. Take my word, Styxx, there is nothing more annoying than a woman wanting her way."
Ignoring that last bit, Styxx braced himself for the question he needed answered. "Why did you send Acheron to Atlantis? The truth, Father."
Because whenever I see his wretched eyes I hate you. His father's thought splintered his heart.
"What does it matter?" his father snapped angrily. "Acheron was not a member of this family. He didn't belong here."
"And the fact that he shares my face?"
"A trick of the gods."
But I'm the one with the powers. Acheron only has the eyes.
And his father would hate and deny him, too, if he ever learned that truth.
I really am nothing....
Worse, he had nothing.
December 9, 9533 BC
Styxx was sound asleep when someone grabbed him and dragged him from his bed in the middle of the night.
"Where is he?"
His attacker slammed him against the wall so hard, his breath left his body.
"Damn it, boy! Answer me, or so help me, I'll gut you!"
Styxx finally recognized Estes's voice in the darkness. But for his life, he didn't understand why his uncle was so angry. "He's gone to Arcadia."
Estes backhanded him. "Not my brother, you stupid whore. Yours! What did you do with Acheron?"
What?
Styxx stared at him blankly. "He's with you."
Estes punched him in the stomach then began raining blows on him so fast and furiously that Styxx couldn't even put his arms up to defend himself. He was too dazed by the herbs, his sleep, and now the beating. Falling to the ground, he tried to crawl away, but Estes followed, kicking him as hard as he could with every step.