Page 67 of Axios

“You two could always kiss each other, if only to say you’ve finally had your first kiss,” I suggested in jest, not expecting them to actually do it.

As usual when dealing with them, I was wrong.

Just as Quill sat up, Theon grabbed his face and pulled him back down, crashing their mouths together. Their lips connected for only a moment before they quickly pulled apart, scrunching their faces up.

“That was… odd,” Theon said, meeting my amused stare. “And wet.”

“I almost speared you.” Quill slapped Theon’s arm before standing. “Warn a man next time.”

“So there will be a next time?” Theon asked, smirking. He still sat on the ground and appeared awfully smug. “I knew I was irresistible.”

That earned him a kick to the thigh.

“The only appealing quality you have is when that hole in your face is shut,” Quill said, retrieving his fallen shield and spear from the dirt.

The smile that gently lifted the corner of his mouth once he turned from Theon’s sight told me otherwise, though.

Perhaps there was more between them than what met the eye—a connection they both realized but never fully surrendered to. They often spoke of how beautiful Spartan women were, and they kidded about wooing them, but they’d never once acted on their words.

I’d assumed it was because they were bashful when it came to women, but they did not embarrass easily, and I questioned my theory.

After we put away our weapons, we left to meet the others for evening meal.

It was the first time all day—other than in the early morning before everyone woke—that I’d get to see Eryx. Days had passed since our fight, and since then, we’d been closer than we’d ever been, as if going through the fire had only made us stronger.

I had not seen King Agesipolis again. Word had arrived from his co-king, Agesilaus, concerning the war and he’d been with the council going over details.

My stomach still fluttered when I thought of our time together, and I knew I’d forever think fondly of him. I suspected I cared deeply for him, only knowing him that one day. He’d taught me so much within a short amount of time, and I’d never forget him.

But he was not my Ery, and as long as breath filled my lungs and blood coursed through my veins, I would never belong to him or any other man.

When we entered the room, my stare immediately landed on Eryx. Well, to the back of his golden hair.

He sat with his back to me and nodded his head to something Haden told him. Haden’s eyes found mine, and he grinned. Obviously following Haden’s gaze, Eryx turned and looked at me, his emotionless face instantly faltering as a smile took its place.

I approached him and took my seat to his left.

His green eyes appeared lighter that day, more of a pale green rather than their darker moss shade. In sight of the whole table of men, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.

The kiss only lasted a second, but it was enough to jolt my heart into frenzy and cause heat to spread to my groin.

I scanned the faces of the men around us, and none of them gazed upon us with anything more than slight interest. Most of them knew about us, but others—ones from different training groups—did not. However, it fazed none of them, and they went about their business.

“How was your day?” Eryx asked, sitting as close to me as the seat allowed.

“It went well,” I answered before picking up a piece of bread, tearing off the corner, and eating it. “And you? How does Demetrius manage in training? Is he still stubborn and too much like me?”

He smirked. “I’m afraid heistoo much like you.” He placed a hand on my upper thigh and squeezed, doing nothing to ease the strain in my bottoms. “But, he is learning, and I suspect he will make for a fine warrior someday.”

“Does no one wish to know howmyday went?” Haden asked, feigning sadness. “My heart breaks by your unfeeling attitudes toward my well-being.”

Theon—who stopped mid-conversation with Quill—scoffed and said, “Youhaveno heart, Haden. No wait… that is brains you do not have. Carry on with what you were saying.”

Eryx jumped between them as Haden lunged across the table to try to grab Theon, and he pushed Haden back in his seat, grinning.

After huffing his dissatisfaction—and snarling at Theon, who beamed with a smile—Haden continued, “Anyway… during training, I had one boy who did as I’d instructed and finally managed to tackle his opponent by carefully watching the other’s movements and seeing a weakness in their form.” He sat back and leaned against the wall behind him, crossing his arms and moving his arrogant smirk to me. “Also, I talked to Leanna again.”

I waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.