Page 98 of Styx

A Conversation

After everyone else was gone,

I turned to Pallas. I tried to ignore

the way my heart pounded

when his eyes met mine.

The way his dark hair curled

like a halo around

his perfectly chiselled face.

‘And do you agree with all of this?’

I asked him quietly.

His handsome face creased

in confusion, then cleared.

He looked down at his hands

(rugged, beautiful hands),

and said gently,

‘Styx, I am not good with words.

Hand me adamantine and I will

make you a weapon unlike any other.

But words are not made in a forge

and I do not know what to say.’

He looked into my eyes.

‘Our parents have decided.

What else is left?’

I stared at him, disbelieving.

‘Is your life forfeit so easily?’

I crossed the room so that

we were closer. ‘Look at me!’

I told him, anger and hurt

and fear in my very bones.

‘Is this what you want