Page 127 of Eryx

Axios placed a hand on my bicep. “They have surrendered, Eryx. Show mercy.”

“Very well,” I said to him. “My mercy shall be giving them a quick death.”

“What honor is there in slaying a man begging for his life?” Axios challenged me. Enemy or companion, he believed all life was precious. “Enough blood has been shed this day.”

The men crouched on their knees with Spartans holding blades to their throats. The soldiers watched me and awaited my command. One nod of my head and every enemy would be killed. However, Axios implored me to show mercy.

Curse his tender heart.

“Restrain them,” I said. “But if any of them try to flee, slit their throats.”

One of the commanders walked down the hill from the temple and neared the beach. Blood covered his chest, though it wasn’t his. He gave a cold smile as he greeted me, “King Agesipolis has control of the acropolis. You and your men are to rejoin our forces there.”

When we reached the temple, I searched the men’s faces for three in particular. During the raid, I had kept a focused mind, knowing the men relied on me. Worrying over my companions was a distraction I couldn’t afford. But now I looked for them and hoped they had fared well. Haden nodded to me, showing no injuries, and Theon appeared the same apart from welts on his chest. A deep cut marked Quill’s cheek.

“Do not worry over me,” Quill said to Theon, smiling. “It is only a small cut.”

Theon cupped Quill’s face and pressed their lips together. Quill gripped the back of Theon’s head and returned the kiss. It was the first time they’d kissed openly.

Axios gaped at them, and I had to force myself not to laugh. For someone so curious, he had failed to see the signs of their relationship until now. He quickly lost interest in them as his attention pulled him elsewhere.

Without asking, I knew who he searched for. And while it would always cause a pang of jealousy, I was learning to accept it. When he stilled, I followed his gaze.

King Agesipolis had a shoulder wound that bled down his arm and his hair was matted with sweat, but he otherwise looked unharmed. However, his skin had only become paler since before the attack. He leaned against a column and seemed disoriented as his advisors spoke to him.

Axios frowned.

“He is not well,” I said.

“He is wounded,” Axios spoke defensively. Though it seemed like he was more trying to convince himself.

“Such a minor wound as that would not weaken a man of his spirit,” I responded, shaking my head. “We Spartans have suffered far worse than a cut on the shoulder, and he is a man who has fought in many battles. No, it is something else.”

The king’s gaze landed on Axios, and for the briefest of moments, he appeared to regain his strength. The corners of his eyes creased with a warm smile. But then he fell back against the column, grabbing onto it to hold himself upright. His closest advisor rushed forward to help him, and he held up his hand before saying he was fine.

Then, he grabbed the side of his head and collapsed.

Instantly, Axios ran over to him, with me following close behind. He dropped to his knees on the tile floor beside the king and touched his sweaty brow. His concern deeply affected me. It was more than a mere attraction between them.

Does Axios love him?It would explain why he had held onto his affection for him for so long.

I went to the king’s other side and placed my palm on his forehead. His skin was like fire. I looked up at the men who had gathered around us and said, “He is fevered.”

Agesipolis groaned and regarded Axios, his eyes having difficulty focusing. His speech was incoherent as he tried to speak and more sweat beaded on his brow. He trembled and grabbed Axios’ hand. An ache burrowed itself inside my chest. Sickly pale, sweating but also shaking with chills, and disoriented… all symptoms of a fever that needed to be broken quickly.

Axios looked at me, his expression desperate. A silent plea for help. It was then I truly knew how much he cared for the king. His love for me was greater, I knew this, yet part of his heart also belonged to Agesipolis.

With that thought, I stood from the king’s side and approached his advisors. “Gather the commanders for an announcement.”

“Pardon me?” the oldest of them scoffed. “You are nothing more than a mere soldier. You make no demands to me or my council.”

Already in a foul mood, his insolent tongue only made it worse. I strode forward and stared him down. “I just did. Now gather the commanders.”

The advisor stepped backward, showing his lack of a spine, before glancing at the others and rushing away to do as I’d ordered.

When I looked back at Axios, the area in the very center of my chest constricted. The king was staring up at him, his body still being racked with chills, and he clung onto Axios’ hand as if it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“What is the news?” Felix asked, as he and the other unit commanders approached.