She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Are you planning to stay hidden until your hair grows back?"
Acheron paused as pain cut through him at the reminder. The only time he had hair was whenever Artemis showed up—even though she was the cause of it she hated the sight of him like this. The moment she left him, his hair returned to its real state.
"I have no reason to leave. Period."
"I thought you enjoyed going to plays. Yet you haven't been in ever so long."
Not even they could ease the pain he felt inside. The betrayal. If anything, watching the plays made him even more morose. "I'd just rather stay in my room, Ryssa."
She opened her mouth to speak, but her words died underneath a sharp cry of pain.
"Ryssa?"
"It's the baby . . . he's coming!"
Acheron's heart pounded as he rose to his feet, then swept her up in his arms. He carried her to her room before he left to find her maids so that they could summon the midwives and his father.
"Acheron," she called as he started to withdraw. "Please, don't leave me. I'm scared. I know you can make the pain less. Please . . ."
"Father will beat me if I stay."
She screamed out as another contraction seized her.
Unable to leave her like that, he went to the bed and started massaging her again. "Breathe, Ryssa," he said in a calm tone, applying a counter pressure where she was tense.
"What is this?"
He cringed at his father's snarling voice. Ryssa turned to look at him. "Father, please. Acheron can help with the pain."
His father shoved him aside. "Get out."
Acheron didn't speak as he obeyed. He passed Styxx and a line of senators in the hallway who were coming in to witness the culmination of his sister's union with Apollo. Several of them sneered at him and made comments under their breath. A couple even made offers.
He ignored them and kept going to his room. Then he locked his doors to make sure no one followed him inside.
Wishing he could have helped his sister, he sat in his room and listened to her screams, sobs and cries that went on for hours. Gods, if this was childbirth it was a miracle any woman would endure it.
Why would they?
And yet having endured something so horrifically painful, how could a mother shun the very child she'd fought so hard, and suffered so long, to birth?
He struggled to recall his mother's face. All he could really remember was the look of hatred in her blue eyes. "You're disgusting." Every time he'd ever gone near her, she'd slapped him away.
But not all mothers were like that. He'd seen them in the market and in the stands during the plays. Mothers who held their children with love—like the one he'd stumbled into in Artemis's temple. Her baby had meant everything to her.
Acheron brushed the back of his fingers against his own cheek. Closing his eyes, he pretended it was a mother's gentle touch, that a woman was touching him so sweetly. Then he scoffed at his own stupidity. Who needed tenderness? All he had to do was walk near any human being and he'd have all the caresses he wanted.
But they were never loving and they never came without conditions and cost.
"It's a boy!" His father's shout was muffled through the walls and was followed by a massive shout that echoed.
Acheron smiled, happy for his sister. She'd given Apollo a son. Unlike their mother, she'd be honored for her labor.
Hours went by as he waited until he was sure everyone had left her.
Acheron headed to her room, but was stopped by the guards outside.
"We were told to keep you away. Under no circumstances are you allowed in to see the princess."
How stupid of him to think otherwise. Without a word, Acheron returned to his room. With nothing else to do, he took himself to bed.
Acheron?"
He jerked awake at the whispered call. Opening his eyes, he found Ryssa kneeling beside him. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard them turn you away, so I waited until I was free to come to you." She held a small bundle up for his inspection. "Meet my son, Apollodorus."
A smile curved his lips as he saw the tiny infant. He had a wealth of black hair and deep blue eyes. "He's beautiful."
Ryssa returned his smile before she set the baby in his hands.
"I can't, Ryssa. I might hurt him."
"You're not going to hurt him, Acheron." She showed him how to support his head.
Amazed, Acheron couldn't believe the love he felt inside him that swelled up.
Ryssa smiled. "He likes you. He's been fussing all night with me and the nurses, but look how quiet he is for you."
It was true. The babe gave one tiny sigh, then went to sleep. Acheron laughed as he examined the tiny fingers that didn't even seem real. "Are you all right?"
"Sore and very tired. But I couldn't sleep until I saw you. I love you, Acheron."
"I love you, too." Reluctantly, he held Apollodorus out to her. "You'd best go before you're caught. Father would be extremely angry at us both."