Page 175 of Styx

This is why you shall be my queen.’

I watched Metis run her finger

along his jawline. ‘It is time for you

to go practise thunder and lightning.

Nyx has taken the sky.

Your father will be asleep.’

Zeus gave her the red-gold stone.

And after she put it into her bag,

he lifted her hands to his face

to kiss them. ‘I shall return at dawn.’

All of us breathed a sigh of relief

as we watched him walk to the other side

of the cave and leave.

Styx’s Hand Grew Tighter on Mine

At first, I thought it was only fear,

but when I turned to her, I knew.

I knew from when we had helped

Tethys birth Metis that day long ago.

The child was coming.

Goddesses give birth at whim.

Great swells of emotion sometimes

cause a child to be born before its time.

I should have taken Styx from this cave

as soon as we saw Metis with Zeus.

And now, she clutched my hand,

trying so hard not to cry out.

Pallas moved to support her quickly

and we helped her onto the floor.

For a moment, other than

her laboured breathing,