(past tense) It was well after midnight when Styxx returned to his bedchamber, glad to finally be out of the presence of his uncle and father. Ryssa had left hours ago, so the two older men had dropped their act and had begun talking business and insulting his twin brother, Acheron.
Styxx knew nothing of this boy other than he hated him. One of Styxx's escorts crawled onto the bed, rubbing his shoulders and whispering into his ear. Styxx pushed her away, telling everyone to go and leave him in peace.
Styxx remembered very little of his brother. They'd been separated when they were very yound, his parents telling Styxx and Ryssa that Acheron was nothing but a monster. Ryssa didn't accept that, while Styxx trusted his parents, wanting nothing but to please them.
Then there was his uncle. He detested the times his uncle visited. What he hated about him the most is how he upset Ryssa. The stories of how his brother was in Atlantis, how he was too busy to come and visit her. Styxx hated them both. They were having the time of their lives while Styxx was left here, a prisoner of his own home.
He could go about town, but he had to keep up his "royal" image. His friends were forced to be around him because of who his father was. If he so much as made a reference to his brother, he was punished.
"Styxx?" Ryssa's tired voice was succeeded by a knock as she announced her presence. Styxx narrowed his eyes at the door, then laid face down on his bed, burying his head in his pillows. He heard the door open and his sister's soft footsteps heading towards him. The spot next to him dipped, a soft, gentle hand placed on his back. "Are you alright?"
"What do you care?" He mumbled, refusing to look at her.
"Styxx..." Ryssa sighed, combing through his hair with her fingers. "Tell me what's wrong little brother."
Styxx rolled over and glared at her. "Why should I? What good will it do to tell you anything? All you care about is that horrible waste of space you call a brother." He almost bit back that last comment, but he didn't care.
Ryssa's jaw dropped. "Styxx, don't you ever say that again. He's your brother too."
"No, he's not. He's nothing to me. Now get out and don't come back. I want to be alone." He waved her away, turning his back to her so he wouldn't see her tear up. He hated hurting her like this, but she really didn't care about him. She barely glanced his way.
"I hope one day you won't think like that." She sniffed, covering him with a blanket before she left. He pulled it close around him.
"Me too." He muttered, burying himself in the covers. "Me too."