Damn, it hurt.
Did they really need so many?
The guards opened the door to the palace. Styxx had just reached the stairs that led to his room when his father's voice stopped him.
"What happened to you?"
He paused at his father's approach and let out a tired breath. His father would be furious at his unkempt state. "I slipped from my horse."
"Your tutors said that you didn't attend your lessons, nor your training."
No, shit. Really? The man truly couldn't see his pain. He was filthy, covered with bruises and cuts, and blood and mud and dirt.... Still his father berated him.
"I fell, Father. I had meant to return much earlier, but had to find my horse. Please forgive me for my inconsideration to all of you."
As I bled my way home ...
His father's gaze sharpened in warning. "Careful of your tone, boy. Now, should I call the physician for you?"
Styxx shook his head. "I shall live," he said bitterly. For now he knew the truth of what the wise woman had proclaimed at his birth. He could only die if Acheron died first. So long as his brother lived, he lived, too. Or perhaps they were both immortal. Either way, he had no need to fear death now.
Thanatos would never come for him.
Maybe if I were beheaded ...
Then again, did he want to test that theory? It could be rather grotesque to walk around carrying his head in his hands.... Given the perversity of the gods, anything was possible.
Yet as he thought of Bethany, he no longer minded living in this stygian nightmare. Not if he could spend another day with her like this one.
Only, more preferably, he'd be awake for it.
His father's brow drew tight as he finally realized that Styxx wasn't bleeding for no reason. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"Fine, Father." Styxx took a step then paused. "Majesty? May I ask a favor of you?"
His frown deepened. "Yes. Of course."
Styxx doubted his father would be so accommodating once he heard it. But he had to try even if it meant more humiliation for himself. "Might we please bring Acheron home?"
Rage darkened his father's eyes. "You know how I feel about that. He was sent away for your protection. Why would you have him return?"
Because he's my brother ...
And he couldn't stand the thoughts of what was being done to him. Regardless of what Acheron said or thought, he didn't want to leave him in Atlantis. Not with Estes.
"Doesn't it concern you that he could be harmed while away from us and thereby cause me harm?"
"Estes keeps him guarded. There's no danger to him there."
To be so highly intelligent, you're so stupid.
Why was his father so blind to Estes's vices and no one else's? Styxx couldn't even imagine having someone love him like that. Someone who would never judge or hate him, no matter his committed atrocities.
And none of that mattered right now ...
"Please, Father. I've never, in my entire life, asked you for anything else."
"And it is the one thing I will never give you. Understood? Now get yourself cleaned up. Your filth and stench offend me. You smell like a woman."