Page 117 of Eryx

“The king wishes to choose the men who are to accompany him, along with his ten advisors,” Nikias responded, putting more of his weight on the walking stick he carried. “Word has it that once he makes his selection, the army should be departing in three to four days’ time. That is all I know.”

Less than a week before our lives were uprooted once more. Nikias had said the king would choose the men to go with him, and I knew he would choose Axios to accompany him without a doubt in my mind. And he couldn’t take Axios without also taking the rest of oursyssition.

The flames crackled in the pit as we stood in silence.

Melias put an arm around Ian’s slender frame and pulled him closer. Ian was much smaller than him and seemed to take comfort in Melias’ large body as he turned his face against Melias’ chest. They no longer hid their affection for each other. Ever since Axios and I had become more public with our relationship, more men had done the same. As if we’d given them the courage to do so.

“My advice to you lot?” Nikias said, meeting my gaze before looking at the others. “Find a warm body to sink into for the night and forget about the war for now.”

“I have all I need right here,” Quill said. “Sit with me, brothers, and let us speak of only the good things in this life.”

Theon smiled and gently nudged Quill’s shoulder with his.

Over the past year, I had witnessed them holding each other in secret and sharing the occasional kiss on the forehead. Neither had admitted their feelings aloud, but Quill no longer sought women to warm his bed.

“Shall I recite a new ode?” Haden asked, once we’d gathered around the fire.

And with that, we all laughed.

Days later, Axios and I sat on a hill at sunset. Mount Taygetus loomed mightily in the distance, casting a massive shadow on the land as the sun inched closer to the peak. Helots worked the field a ways away, and Spartan males paced the area with whips, a warning for the slaves to do as they were told.

Axios averted his eyes from them and looked at the mountain. As expected, we had been chosen to accompany the king on the campaign in the north. For our last evening in Sparta, we had come to our favorite hill.

“Do you wish to hear a story?” I asked, wanting to distract his anxious mind.

“Yes,” he answered, leaning his head on my shoulder.

I pressed my face into his hair, finding peace within his earthy scent. There were many stories I could tell him; tales of the gods and ones about mortal men performing courageous acts. However, only one story came to me in that moment.

The one of us.

“There once was a boy who questioned all things,” I said, gliding my fingers along his side. “Our purpose for being in this life and why the sky was blue. The question he asked most, though, was what formed the stars. ‘Are they gods?’ he’d ask as he lay in the meadow at night, pointing up at them. Another boy, who had taken a liking to him, followed him everywhere he went and tried his best to answer the boy’s many questions. ‘The stars are heroes, men who died and are now commemorated for their bravery in battle,’ he’d answer the boy he adored.”

I felt Axios smile against my arm.

“What happened next?” he asked, closing his eyes.

“While each day challenged them, they only grew closer,” I responded, remembering all the hardships we had faced and overcome. “And against all odds and the toughest training any man could ever endure, they fell in love.”

I tucked a finger beneath his chin and tilted his face up to mine, kissing him. Our story was far from over.

***

Two hundred Spartans, ten advisors to the king, and several hundredperioikoitraveled with us to Olynthus. Helots accompanied us as well, some carrying the supplies while others were ordered to fight with the army.

At the break of first light, we had risen from our beds and gathered the provisions. Armor, shields, and satchels of food and water. Then, we’d started the march north.

“Look around you, men,” Felix said, nodding to the valley we passed and the mountain beyond it. “This will be the last glimpse of home for many moons.”

He had been assigned our unit commander for the duration of the campaign. After so many years of being trained under his iron fist, it was an honor to walk at his side as an equal. Gaius had stayed in Sparta, and I wondered if the separation troubled Felix. The two men could never be found without the other in close range.

Axios put on his helmet and regarded me through the opening in the front. He said not a word, but I saw the faraway look in his eyes. His body walked beside me, but where was his mind? Was it soaring above us, traveling to our secret stream one final time? Or was he still on our favorite hill, smiling as I told him a story?

I ached to hold him, but the shield and spear made it impossible. And so, I held his gaze a moment before looking away.

King Agesipolis walked at the front of the line directly in front of our unit. He had specifically asked for oursyssitionto march behind him, and my blood boiled as to the reason why. As if feeling my hostility, he glanced over his shoulder at me. His expression remained indifferent… that is, until he saw Axios. His eyes sparked with recognition and he nodded.

Axios smiled at him and returned the gesture.