Styxx (DH #33) (120 page)

Finally, they’d done it.…

Before she even cleaned the baby, Ma’at wragged him in a light blue blanket and handed him to his mother. “I know better than to make you two wait a minute longer to hold your baby son.”

He was the most beautiful thing Styxx had ever seen. Perfect and adorable, he had a mop of black hair like his mother and a set of golden eyes. Styxx placed a nervous hand on his son while he kissed Bethany’s cheek. “What are we going to call him?”

Because of what had happened with Urian, they’d been too superstitious this time to name the baby before he arrived.

She laid her gentle hand over Styxx’s jaw. “Aricles Galen?”

He hesitated as a wave of fear went through him. “Is that bad luck?”

Athena tsked at them. “Not this time, sweetie. He will do his namesakes proud.”

A loud knock sounded on the door. “Is that my newest grandson I hear?”

They laughed at Set’s impatient voice. He’d become so distraught during Bethany’s labor that Ma’at had banned him, Maahes and Urian from the room.

Opening the door, Athena let Set in. He flashed across the room to make sure Bethany and child were healthy.

Set kissed Bethany’s cheek then cooed at his grandson. “There’s a room full of beings who want to meet this little guy. Including his other aunt and uncle, and cousins, and older brother.”

Ma’at laughed. “Let me get little Ari cleaned up and dressed then the extreme spoiling can commence.”

Neither of them wanted to let go of their son, but they knew Ma’at was right. Sooner or later, they would have to let someone else hold him. Styxx stepped back so that Ma’at could reclaim Ari.

Styxx covered Bethany with a blanket. “What can I get for you?”

Her smile dazzled him. “Nothing. Just don’t let Ari out of your sight.”

He laughed. “Don’t worry.” He inclined his head to Simi who was micromanaging every step of the bathing process and driving Ma’at crazy. “This time he has his own demon mother hen who will eat anyone or anything that comes near him.”

Soteria kissed her on the cheek, too. “We’ll leave you to rest, but if you need anything, let us know.”

Acheron gave a light squeeze to Bethany’s hand then hugged Styxx. “Congratulations, brother. I can’t wait to watch Theron and Bas play with him.”

Neither could Styxx. Acheron’s son Theron had been born this past May. Barely four months apart, their boys would be more like twins than cousins.

And their sons would all have the spoiled-rotten childhoods that he and Acheron should have had.

Once Ari was cleaned and dressed in a white cotton jumper, Ma’at returned him to them.

Her heart bursting with emotions she couldn’t name, Bethany choked. And her gaze swam at the sight of her perfect, healthy baby as he stared up at his parents. “We finally get to raise our son.”

Styxx returned her smile. “Poor thing. We’re both going to smother him.”

She laughed. “Absolutely. We’ll make Acheron and Tory look neglectful.” She kissed the top of their son’s head then held him out to Styxx. “You better go make the rounds with him.”

More petrified than he’d ever been before, Styxx hesitated. “I don’t know about this. He’s awful tiny.”

She tsked at his fear. “You’ve got to learn to hold him at some point.”

“I’d rather face an army of gods with nothing more than a knife and my bare hands.” But she was right and he knew it. Taking a deep breath for courage, Styxx allowed her to place their son in his arms.

“See, you didn’t break him.”

Awed and amazed, Styxx stared down at his tiny, precious son. Never in all his long life had he seen a more incredible sight than his boy in his own arms. “Wish me luck.”

Bethany kissed him then allowed Ma’at to pull him out of the room to show off his boy. The instant they opened the door, Skylos barked happily and ran past Styxx to jump on the bed and take his usual place beside Bethany. Laughing, she patted his head. He licked her twice then settled down to sleep.

Athena stayed behind to be with her. “How are you doing?”

“I’ve never been happier … or more frightened.”

She laughed. “That’s called life.”

No, Bethany thought as she watched her husband through the open door smiling proudly with both of their sons. It was called love. The hardest thing in the world to find and keep, but the one thing that made the worst imaginable hell tolerable. More than hope, it was truly the light that guided the lost to safety and kept them sane in the midst of utter chaos.

And never again would she choose any obligation over her sons and husband. They were her family, and for them alone, she would kill or die. The things in this world didn’t matter. Only the people did. And that was the way life should always be.

Forever.

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, a very special thank-you to my friends, who are so forgiving when they don’t hear from me for long periods of time while I’m working. One day, I know they’re going to get together and put my face on a milk carton.

To my sons and hubby who tolerate my absentmindedness and bizarre work hours. I love you more than mere words can ever convey and I thank God every day for the gift that is you.

For the fans who visit and make my day online.

And especially to my editor and team at Macmillan for not strangling me when I handed in a 1600
+
page manuscript. There aren’t many publishers who would be so bold and supportive. You guys are the best!

Also by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Fantasy Lover

Night Pleasures

Night Embrace

Dance with the Devil

Kiss of the Night

Night Play

Seize the Night

Sins of the Night

Unleash the Night

Dark Side of the Moon

The Dream-Hunter

Devil May Cry

Upon the Midnight Clear

Dream Chaser

Acheron

One Silent Night

Dream Warrior

Bad Moon Rising

No Mercy

Retribution

The Guardian

Time Untime

Dark-Hunter Companion

THE LEAGUE

Born of Night

Born of Fire

Born of Ice

CHRONICLES OF NICK

Infinity

Invincible

Infamous

Inferno

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

In the past three years,
New York Times
bestselling author S
HERRILYN
K
ENYON
has claimed the #1 spot sixteen times. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre in which she writes. With more than 35 million copies of her books in print in more than one hundred countries, her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon, BAD Agency, Chronicles of Nick, and the forthcoming Nevermore.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

STYXX.
Copyright © 2013 by Sherrilyn Kenyon. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

Cover design by Ervin Serrano

Cover illustration by
Shutterstock.com

The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-1-250-02988-1 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-250-02990-4 (e-book)

First Edition: September 2013