Page 140 of Eryx

I stood and approached him at the window, wrapping my arms around him. Bumps formed on his skin. “You are chilled.” I closed the wooden shutters before rubbing up and down his arms, trying to put warmth back into his skin. “Move away from the window and join me where it’s warm.”

He walked over to the cushion on the floor and lay on his back, staring at me. The fire lit him in a golden glow, and as I neared him, my blood moved quicker through my veins at the sight of his muscled body. Finding him too alluring, I lay on top of him and captured his lips.

Axios gripped my sides and tilted his head up to meet me for another kiss. Then another. I rolled my hips into him, groaning as our erections slid together.

“I wish to spend the time we have left sheathed inside of you,” I whispered, before nipping at his ear. “Being joined with you is the only bliss I have ever known.”

Axios peered up at me, seductively biting his bottom lip. His breaths came quickly and his eyes appeared to darken.

Beautiful. I remembered when the word had first come to me. As I stared at him, it entered my mind once again. As did another…mine.

A growl left my throat as our lips slammed together and I pushed my tongue into his mouth. He moaned and tangled his hand in my hair, gliding his tongue along mine. My heart pounded in my chest and my body heated as it moved against his.

When I took him, it was tender and unrushed. I cherished Axios in the way he deserved to be cherished, showing him I loved him with every gentle kiss and thrust. Once we were sated, he fell asleep in my arms, and I stayed awake storing every detail of him to memory. The slight furrow in his brow when he slept and the soft pout of his lips.

Worries plagued my mind, an ominous feeling that something dark was chasing us. That when we left Sparta this time, we would not be the same when we returned.

***

A senior level military officer by the name of Gorgoleon was leading the campaign. On the morning of our departure, he scowled at all who even looked his way. Provisions had been packed and themoraistood ready to leave.

But not without a final farewell from those who loved us.

Leanna grabbed Haden by his beard and tugged his face down to hers. Their kiss was quick, but the affection in their eyes when they pulled apart drew on. Much like every other woman in Sparta, she believed not in sappy goodbyes, at least not in public. The marks on Haden’s neck and chest told me she had taken her time with him the night before, however, saying farewell in private before having to send him away.

After Haden kissed the side of Leanna’s head, he then clapped his son on the shoulder. Leo, a youth of eight, kept a brave face even though his chin quivered.

Leanna then approached Axios and me.

“Dearest brother,” she said, taking his hands in hers. “I hardly recognize the man you have become. Where is the young boy I once chased around the courtyard and tackled to the ground? The one who giggled when I tickled his sides?” She caressed his cheek. “He is a grown man now. A true warrior of Sparta. If our father could see you, I am certain you would make him proud.”

“And what of our mother?” Axios asked. “She did not come today to see me off.”

As Leanna answered him, cursing their mother much like I desired to do, I glanced around at the soldiers. Would we all return? Theon and Quill spoke with Nikias while Ian and Melias nodded to an older man who had to be Ian’s father.

“Farewell, dear Eryx,” Leanna said, drawing my attention again. She touched my arm and behind her smile I saw her unease. “Bring my brother home.”

“I will,” I answered, stepping closer to Axios. I’d protect him with my life. “You have my word.”

Gorgoleon then shouted for us to get into formation, and after a brief pause for King Agesilaus to wish us well, we began the trek to Orchomenus. The journey would only take eight or nine days if we moved at a steady pace through the terrain. We had traveled enough over the years to be accustomed to the aching muscles and sore feet that came with a campaign.

Days passed, and on we marched.

A week into the journey, we made camp a little before sunset and built a fire. As the stars appeared in the night sky, the army settled down to sleep. Oursyssitionstayed awake, though, enjoying the warmth of the fire a while longer.

“Do you believe it will be like it was in Aphytis?” Quill asked, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the sleeping men around us. “I am aware we are going to reinforce the city for possible attack, but there is a chance there will not be any combat. It is only a precaution. And I do not believe Thebes is foolish enough to make any advances when our army outnumbers theirs.”

That mindset would only get us all killed.

“I would not dismiss the possibility of a fight,” I said, tossing a stick into the fire. Flames soared higher, crackling, before quieting again. “This campaign is not for us to relax and be merry. We’re at war. We must not allow ourselves to forget that. Be on guard. Do not lose focus, and certainly do not be distracted by hopes of peace in Orchomenus, for you will find none.”

A distracted Spartan is a dead one. We had to always be prepared for an attack.

“Do you ever enjoy yourself, Eryx?” Theon asked, tossing a pebble at me. “Relax? Other than the times you are balls deep in Axios?”

Axios made a choking sound before quietly clearing his throat.

I smirked at his embarrassment before composing myself. My brothers needed to realize the seriousness of my words. “It’s what has kept us all alive for these many years.”