Page 54 of Axios

When we arrived, the men from our herd were rumbustious and all speaking in loud, excited voices as they ate. Some roared with amusement as they viewed others reenacting what appeared to be a battle with their pieces of bread and fruit.

Theon laughed and slapped Haden on his beefy shoulder, while Quill sipped his drink and rolled his eyes. Ian and Melias sat side by side with their heads angled close, speaking only to each other.

Eryx placed his hand at the small of my back and guided me to the middle of the table where two vacant seats awaited. I wondered if the action was intentional, or if our touching had become a second nature to us. A deed that was done with no forethought.

To my surprise and pleasure, we had wild boar that evening instead of the common meal of black broth. One of the men in our group must have caught the beast that day, for only then could the food be supplemented.

“Haden, tell him your news!” Theon exclaimed and pointed to me as I sat in front of him.

I looked expectantly to Haden, who sat staring at his food and leisurely picking at the meat.

“Well?” I said, getting his attention. “What is it you wish to tell me? We can never get you to shut the hole in your face most other days, so do not start a life of silence now.”

Eryx snorted and used the back of his hand to wipe at the water on his chin from where he’d spat.

Haden’s gray eyes flickered up to mine, and he snarled. “Since when did you become such an ass? I expect it from that one,” he motioned to Eryx, “But you have always been the most reasonable of the pair.” When I remained quiet, he sighed. “Very well, I shall tell you. Your sister and I are meeting on the morrow.”

I gaped at him. “Leanna? You must be mistaken. She detests you.”

“Apparently not,” Haden countered with a slight smirk. “I approached her earlier this day, as I do at every opportunity when her beauty graces my presence, and she neither spat in my face nor attempted to pummel me to death.” He shoved a large piece of meat into his mouth and chewed, speaking with his mouth full, “Shedidcall me a mindless fool once during the discussion, but I know it was out of fondness. Such a spirited, strong woman your sister is.”

Confusion coursed through me, and I had no response for him.

He had pursued Leanna for two years, so I commended him for his determination. What he felt for her was not a temporary infatuation; however, she’d never given me any indication that she felt the same for him, other than her saying he was handsome.

Just a fortnight ago when I had visited her, we’d mentioned Haden. Her views on him— and marriage—had remained firm.

Why had she changed her mind?

The hand placed on my thigh brought me from my head, and I looked at Eryx. He watched me with concerned eyes, always knowing when I was lost to my thoughts.

“I am well,” I told him. “Only tired.”

Suspicion sparked in his green eyes, but he nodded, not pressing the matter.

And then the realization struck. Eryx.

Leanna had told me that our mother wished to marry her off to him, and she’d seen how upset it had made me. Was her decision to meet with Haden—to allow him courtship over her—derived from that? As much as I detested the idea of anyone apart from me laying claim to Eryx, the thought of Leanna submitting to a man she felt nothing for to aid in my happiness hurt just the same. But with it also came relief, and I was consumed with guilt at such selfishness.

I looked to Eryx.

He was speaking to Quill and slowly picking at his food. Although his attention was elsewhere, his leg pressed to mine. He was relaxed, carefree, and so much like the boy I’d fallen in love with long ago—a boy who had grown into the man that still managed to make my stomach flip and my knees weak with just a look.

I still had not had the discussion with him about marriage and children. Many opportunities had arisen for me to, but to my dismay, I had been too apprehensive about the answer I might receive.

All men were expected to marry eventually. The number of true Spartans was dwindling as the years passed, and the need for more was essential to survival. However, even if it were not a social obligation to marry and have children, I wondered if Eryx would still crave that life.

If he admitted he desired a family someday, could I respect his wishes and step aside?

Could I let him go?

Chapter Fourteen

“Why do you stare at me this way, brother?” Leanna asked, arching a brow. “Do you not have training this morn?”

She’d pulled her dark hair out of her face and had it braided down the side of her neck. A small flower rested beside her ear. Her clothes, which were known to possess holes from javelin throwing and stains from her time in the garden, were clean and nearly looked new.

“It has been moved to midday,” I answered, still looking at her with suspicion.