Read Styxx (DH #33) for Free Online

down as he saw Acheron. “And little Acheron … look at how much you’ve grown, too. I barely recognize you and Styxx. Come and embrace me.”
    Acheron jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. “Have you been fighting the Atlanteans again?”
    Their uncle always regaled them with the stories of his glorious battles against their enemies. A legendary, undefeated strategos , Estes was one of the most respected soldiers in all the world.
    “Not lately, dearest. Unfortunately, we are trying for peace with them.”
    “Peace?” their father scoffed. “Such is not possible where they’re concerned.”
    “So say you, brother, but the other Greek kings are trying, and I’ve been named as an ambassador to Atlantis while they negotiate the peace terms.”
    That seemed to please their father a great deal. “Well, if anyone can make peace with those jackdaws, it is you. Now come and let us catch up for a while.”
    Estes kissed Acheron’s cheek then set him down beside Styxx. “Remind me later, boys, I have special gifts for both of you.”
    Their father curled his lip. “Why do you dote on that one when it’s obvious he’s not one of us?”
    Estes caressed Acheron’s cheek. “He’s a fine, handsome boy, Xerxes. But for his freakish eyes, you’d never know he wasn’t Styxx’s brother.”
    Acheron winced at words Styxx knew cut his brother to the bone. He started to comfort him, but Ryssa picked Acheron up and cradled him to her. Acheron laid his head down on her shoulder and closed his eyes. Before Styxx could move, she headed back inside with Acheron while his father and Estes withdrew to his father’s study.
    Alone, Styxx watched as everyone dispersed. He’d been completely forgotten.
    Again.
    Sighing at the common occurrence, he headed inside so that he could return to his solitary studies. Other boys his age met together to learn, but his father didn’t want him held back by those who were slower. It was far more important that Styxx, as a future king, commit to memory as much as he could as fast as was possible. Therefore, he had the best, most learned tutors his father could procure and he was required to fully utilize them and not waste their time. Failure to advance at the rate his father set was met with the harshest of punishments for both the tutors and for Styxx. So his tutors, fearful of the king’s wrath, were brutal with their expectations, and Styxx had to keep up or be punished first by them and then by his father. The king had given all his tutors and trainers full rein to make his life miserable if he did anything they didn’t approve of.
    You will be responsible for everyone in this kingdom, boy. You must learn to focus and think through every complicated matter and obstacle. I will not leave my throne to a senseless fool.
    Because his father had inherited the throne so young, he didn’t care that Styxx was still a child. Should anything happen to the king, Styxx would advance to the throne immediately. It could happen twenty years from now, or tomorrow. In the event of the latter, it was crucial that he was trained and ready to accept his responsibilities as king.
    There’s no place in the heir’s life for foolish childhood pastimes or pursuits. Every man, woman, and child of this kingdom is looking to you for their welfare and future. For thousands of years, Didymos has stood as the greatest of the Greek city-states. Undefeated. The House of Aricles is the oldest in the land and we have a glorious history of renowned heroes spanning untold generations. Gods willing, we will continue to be the greatest of them all. I will not allow you to taint our empire or tarnish the names of our esteemed Ariclean ancestors. When they look at you, they do not see Prince Styxx, they see the son of Xerxes of the House of Aricles. Every word you say or action you take reflects on me and I’ve worked too hard to achieve my stellar reputation to have it tainted by you or anyone else.
    Acheron and Ryssa