51. ‘Kronos’s Reign Is Not Secure’
‘Kronos’s Reign Is Not Secure’
It was my father’s voice.
And he was saying the most dangerous
of things I had ever heard him say.
Why would he ever speak these words?
I looked at Styx and she met my gaze
with the same determination.
We let the footsteps leave
us and then followed them
at a safe, silent distance.
I could see Oceanus’s
long, flowing white hair
and my own father’s shiny
dark curls as their heads
were bent close together
deep in conversation
while they walked.
Styx said softly,
‘There is a place to listen.
Come with me.’
Any hesitation I had
was overtaken by curiosity.
I nodded, taking her arm,
and we waited for them
to enter Oceanus’s chambers.
Then Styx pulled at my elbow
and led me into a hidden alcove.
There was barely enough room
for the both of us, but suddenly
we heard Oceanus say,
‘I had disagreed before.
But now, after this fourth child
and the news from Rhea
of his descent into madness,
I am inclined to agree.’
My father’s voice had
a note of craftiness to it.
A tone I heard him often use
when he was convincing
others of his own ideas.
‘Rightfully, as the eldest,
you should lead us.
You have the most children.
So many that Kronos
had to issue a decree
against you.’
Oceanus’s voice was cautious,
‘I have no interest in ruling,
you know this, Coeus.
My home,
my children,
my realm, is enough for me.’
My father’s voice dropped
slightly. ‘But look how
he treated you in your own
realm, Oceanus.
He has grown too
arrogant, he forgets his place.’
Styx’s eyes widened
at these words.
I almost gasped.
‘He is God-King.
That is his place,
you know this well.’
Oceanus’s voice held
annoyance in it
and a warning.
But my father was growing
more impatient
and argumentative.
‘Ask me why I only
have two daughters.
Do you think I do not want more?
Do you think I do not want a son?’
My eyes narrowed at this.
He had never expressed
any such sentiment.
Oceanus was silent
as my father continued.
‘I do not feel
Kronos’s rule is stable enough
to bring more Titan children
into this world.’
Both Styx and I clapped
our hands over our mouths.
The noise must have travelled
because the two Gods went silent.
For a terrible moment, all was still.
And then Oceanus’s voice boomed,
‘Who stands behind my door?’
Styx and I took this as our sign
to run.