Um, no …Not even. Was it? Urian shook his head. “It’s not possible. I was born before they died.”
“No, you weren’t.” Apollymi smiled sadly. “Your father told you that because he didn’t want you to know that you and your brother were the first Apollites born cursed. And that was my fault. I intentionally chose Strykerius’s wife because I thought it would be the perfect revenge that Apollo should look after Styxx’s child given what he’d done to him. I had no idea he would curse all of you. Like Apostolos and Styxx, your blood mingled with that of Strykerius’s real son, and that made you a part of Strykerius, too.” She drew a ragged breath. “But yes. You, child, are the only being alive who is part human, Atlantean, Egyptian, and Apollite … and you are born with the blood of three pantheons, and gods inside you.”
Aghast, Urian still couldn’t wrap his head around this. “Did Stryker ever know?”
“In a way. I told him long ago, after you were grown and he wondered about some of your heightened abilities, such as your arm. That you were very special to this world, but not who your real parents were. Your unique bloodline was why the evil souls you once lived on didn’t turn you trelos. Why you could go longer between feedings than others of your kind, and how your blood sustained Phoebe while she lived. It’s also why Strykerius cut your throat instead of stabbing you in the heart. Unlike other Daimons, you wouldn’t have died from a heart wound. Only blood loss can killyou.”
Staggered by her words, Urian looked at Acheron. “Did you know this?”
“I knew it was odd that Stryker cut your throat, but no. I had no clue you were my nephew. My mother”—he passed a peeved glare at her—“never mentioned it to me.”
Urian scowled as he grappled with this new reality he’d never imagined. “Man, I’m messed up right now. My best friend is my father? The man I idolized as a kid … whose tattoo is on my arm … And he’s younger than me. Yeah, I don’t think I can handle this. Mind-wipe me, somebody … please! Where’s that dragon from Sanctuary? Simi, go get Max. I need him.”
Biting her lip, Bethany approached Urian tentatively.
Urian choked as he realized that he still had a mother …
She placed a gentle hand on his cheek as she stared up at him. “I see your father in you. My baby’s beautiful. Just like I knew you’d be.” She pulled him into her arms and held him tight. “I hate that I missed seeing you grow, but I do love you … my Urian.”
Urian felt the connection to her. It rose up in a splash of warmth from inside him. In one instant, it reduced him back to the boy who’d watched his mother die. To the child who’d wanted nothing more than to feel that unique love that only came from a mother’s heart. The kind of love that never asked for anything in return. It didn’t judge. Or hate or hurt.
It just gave.
He pulled her into his arms and held her as if he’d been hers from birth. Styxx wrapped his arms around both of them.
His eyes warm with pride, Styxx cupped Urian’s face in his hand. “My son.”
Urian laughed. “Is it just me, or is that creepy?”
Laughing, Styxx kissed his cheek. “Your poor mother has no idea how odd and quirky a child we have. But I can’t wait for her to know you.”
Urian tightened his hand on hers. “Neither can I.”
December 24, 2012
Urian pulled back from his parents to realize that everyone had left the arena.
Except Apollymi. Her crystal tears glistened against her pale cheeks as she watched them. “What I did to all of you was inexcusable. I lashed out in anger and pain, and what I thought was vengeance was nothing more than selfish envy. Because I knew I’d never be able to hold my baby, I took that pleasure from you, and for that, I am truly, truly sorry. But your son is why I saved the Apollites. Once my anger cooled, and I realized how wrong I was, I kept him safe for you both.”
Urian looked at his parents. “In all fairness, she did.”
A tic worked in Styxx’s jaw. “I can’t even begin to put into words how infuriated I am that I was alive and imprisoned, and missed seeing my son grow up—”
Apollymi nodded. “I know, Styxx.”
Urian tugged at his father’s arm. “And I can testify to that. I’ve witnessed her pain firsthand.”
Nodding, Styxx met Apollymi’s gaze levelly. “Oddly enough, Apollymi, I can’t find any hatred for you right now. I’m too grateful to have them with me to waste one minute thinking about anything else.”
Bethany took his hand and Urian’s. “I will probably hate you in the morning, Pol. But tonight, I’m with Styxx. I just want to be with my boys for a while.”
Apollymi inclined her head to them. “The others quietly made their way back to the main temple and left the three of you to your privacy. Know that if you ever need anything … I will be here for you.” Her shade returned to Kalosis.
Styxx turned toward Urian and his mother. “All I want to do is spend the night talking to both of you. But …”
“Shit to do,” Urian said for him.
Bethany tsked at Urian. “Who taught you how to speak?”
