That had the same effect on the angry god as it had on him. Acheron softened immediately and picked Simi up in his arms. His red eyes faded back to their normal swirling silver color.
Leucious would never forget the look of love on Acheron’s face as he tightened his arms around his young daughter. “Sorry, Leucious. I panicked.”
“Understood.”
Simi turned around in his arms to look back at Leucious. “Akri-Leucious said you’d do that. You were right. Akri did miss his Simi.”
Of course he did. If Simi was his, Leucious would never let her out of his sight.
Acheron walked slowly toward him. “Thank you for bringing her back to me.”
As Acheron approached him, his horse became skittish. No doubt it sensed Acheron’s inhuman powers. Leucious patted his horse to settle its nerves. “Any time.”
He shifted her to his other side. “As long as you take care of her, you’ll always have a friend in me, Leucious. You ever let harm befall her …”
“You don’t have to threaten me, Acheron. I’m not my father. I don’t prey on those weaker than I am.”
Acheron let out a sinister laugh. “Trust me when I say this, even though she looks like a little girl, Simi is never the weaker creature. But it’s not just physical pain. I take it personally whenever someone hurts her feelings, too.”
“Note taken. And don’t worry. She’s too precious to harm. Like you, I hope no one ever taints her … uniqueness. Or dampens her smile.”
Acheron held his hand out to him. “Sorry to be such an ass, Leucious. Trusting others doesn’t come easy for me. And when it comes to Simi, I tend to be rabid. I’ve already lost one child I loved more than my life. I don’t want to lose another. I’m not sure I could survive it.”
Leucious shook his extended arm. “I’ve never lost anyone I was close to.” Because he wasn’t close to anyone. “And in spite of my upbringing, I don’t enjoy causing pain.”
“Says a warrior renowned for his brutality.”
“War isn’t pretty, but it’s my mother and my mistress.”
Acheron snorted. “Maybe you should think about breaking up with them.”
It was a thought. However … “And do what? Farm?”
“It’s a noble occupation.”
“Not for a prince who will one day reign over a vast empire.”
“Will that satisfy you?”
Leucious wanted to say yes, but why bother? Acheron could sense the truth he didn’t want to say out loud. Or even admit to himself.
He would never be satisfied. Just like his barbarian father, he would always want more.
And there was no telling where that would take him. Or who he’d end up hurting in order to get more.
7
June 19, 8645 BC
Leucious had awakened to a peculiar feeling. Not one he could easily explain. Just one of deep unease. Similar to the feeling he had right before battle. That moment when the war drums became his heartbeat and the stench of sweat, fear and anticipation hung heavy in his nostrils.
Not his fear, but that of the troops who had no idea if they’d live to see another day.
Had he valued his life even a tiny iota, he might have shared their fear. But death didn’t scare him. Living was far more traumatic.
At least death would bring peace, and though he’d never known that word, he liked the sound of it.
Peace.
