Page 75 of Styx

of your countless children! I have every right

as the oldest of your children to ask why

you would do this to your own daughter – my sister!’

My mother stared at me for a moment,

then spoke with a sadness I couldn’t define.

‘I hope one day you do not have to make

the choice I have made for her, daughter.

I hope your children are born into a safer world.’

I turned away in anger and left the room

before I said something darker,

sickened and afraid all at once.

If my mother, a Goddess, could not

give birth with safety, what hope

was there for one such as me?

Asteria Followed Me

Her hands grasped my shoulders

before I could leave the gilded halls,

the oppressive archways of my father’s palace.

I stopped and turned to her,

meeting her eyes with my own

wrathful, fearful ones.

‘How could she do this?’

I asked her furiously.

‘Why would she give her away?’

Asteria sighed and rubbed her forehead.

‘Do you not see why? Truly?

How else could your mother

keep you and all your siblings safe?’

Somewhere within me a voice of reason

understood Asteria’s words.