Page 66 of Styx

at these words.

I almost gasped.

‘He is God-King.

That is his place,

you know this well.’

Oceanus’s voice held

annoyance in it

and a warning.

But my father was growing

more impatient

and argumentative.

‘Ask me why I only

have two daughters.

Do you think I do not want more?

Do you think I do not want a son?’

My eyes narrowed at this.

He had never expressed

any such sentiment.

Oceanus was silent

as my father continued.

‘I do not feel

Kronos’s rule is stable enough

to bring more Titan children

into this world.’

Both Styx and I clapped

our hands over our mouths.

The noise must have travelled

because the two Gods went silent.

For a terrible moment, all was still.

And then Oceanus’s voice boomed,