Page 96 of Styx

It was something different.’

My hands shook and I looked at them,

Then looked back at Asteria.

‘I think… I may have to

do as my father has asked.’

Asteria’s Home

Unable to face going back to my father’s palace immediately or even consider meeting my new consort until I was sure I was ready, I spent my days in Asteria’s home with her mother and sister and Metis. Before my eyes, I watched Metis become as tall as the rest of us. Forever fascinated by the world, she would disappear for long walks alone with the fox by her side, bringing home an assortment of strange objects and flowers. It was finally revealed what I had long suspected, that Metis was like Asteria and me; her capacity to create pure white flowers from stones gave this away one morning on the beach. As much as I longed for her to be closest to me, it was Leto she chose to be her confidante, and I often saw them walking across the sands together deep in conversation. Asteria and I visited the forest and gathered herbs and flowers to learn more about them. Why did they die while we lived forever? What were they for? How did they work? I remember those days in Asteria’s palace as full of learning and a freedom I never experienced in my own home. If anyone ever asked me, I would never tell them. This was the last time I ever felt truly safe.

A Visit

One night, Asteria, Leto, Metis, and I

returned home long after

Hyperion had set the sun.

Our aunt Nyx now ruled the skies.

We entered the palace

with the cadence of laughter,

our feet stomping together,

flowers braided through our hair.

But as we crossed the main archway,

Coeus was waiting for us.

‘I heard you return.’ His expression

was unreadable. ‘You have guests.’

We looked at one another in surprise,

but I felt a flash of anger in my bones.

My parents must have sent my sisters.

We followed Coeus into his chambers.

There sitting on two gilded chairs

were the two Gods who had

turned my immortal life into a mess.

Perses… and Pallas.

It was Perses who cleared his throat.

‘Our apologies for the unannounced visit.’