100. A Palace in the Clouds
A Palace in the Clouds
It was only after meeting them
that I realized how strongly Gods relied
on their reputations to be worshipped.
The first question Eurybia asked
Styx and me as Perses and Pallas
spoke to their father was
‘My dear ones, I hope my sons
are being kind to you?’
Styx and I looked at each other
and we both smiled at once.
Styx had started smiling so much
more these days and it gladdened
my heart to see. ‘Yes. Yes,
they are kind. And good,’
I told her. ‘You have raised
them both well.’ Eurybia beamed.
‘Crius and I are equals. We raised
our sons to see their consorts
the way we see each other.’
Styx answered,
her voice laced with bitterness,
‘But I am no equal to Pallas.
I was born a nymph
not a Goddess.’
I glanced at her with sympathy.
Styx would never let this go.
Her ambition was the most
powerful thing about her.
Eurybia shook her head.
‘You are a valued member
of this family, Styx.
Pallas would do well to seek your
counsel. I know of the rivers
you helped your father build.’
Styx seemed startled by these
words of praise and my soul
ached for her. She had never
heard such compliments from
elder Gods, from her parents.
Eurybia looked at us both as our consorts returned.
‘You will always have a home with us.
Please never feel you are alone.’