Page 233 of Styx

My body felt like it had turned to ice,

but I stood my ground.

‘My children are not a bargaining chip

for any God, mighty Zeus.’

He sat back, his features betraying

a growing fury that I felt upon me.

‘It is either this or when I win,

and I will win, make no mistake,

you and your daughters will be enslaved.

Your consort and sons will be in cages.

Your choice, nymph.

Either they fight for us now,

or you all spend an eternity

I will ensure is an absolute agony.’

The brutality and finality in his words

made my own fury give way to

something I had never felt before.

Fear. Fear for my daughters. My sons.

For Pallas. I could take any punishment

Zeus meted on me. But not my children.

Not Pallas. Realizing I had no choice left,

I accepted defeat bitterly with these words,

‘You promise nothing

will harm my children?’

And Zeus smiled.

The smile of a shark seeing prey.

‘I promise. They will be protected.’

A Visitor

Only Bia and I returned

to my father’s palace.