Page 141 of Eryx

“You bedding Axios?” Quill asked, poking his head up to look at me. “That has kept us alive?”

Seconds passed as we all stared at each other. And then the five of us started laughing.

“I meant me being on my guard has kept us alive,” I responded, once the laughs quieted. “Yet, you can thank Axios for ensuring I do not kill you all when you annoy me.”

That made them burst into more laughs, causing some of the sleeping men to wake and grumble at us.

“Instead of war, let us speak of the future,” Theon said, wrapping his cloak tighter around his slender frame as a cool breeze swept through the trees. “When we return to Sparta, I wish for Quill and I to build a home together like Eryx and Axios have.”

Quill softly smiled and grabbed Theon’s hand. He still struggled with showing affection for the man he loved, but he had gradually become more comfortable with it.

The fire dimmed, and once it did, we said goodnight and lay down to sleep. I closed my eyes as I lay behind Axios, but then I breathed in the scent of smoke and pine from his hair and focused on his warm body against mine. Trailing my hands down his back and around to his stomach, I sucked his earlobe into my mouth.

He whimpered and leaned into me, seeking more. When he reached back to stroke my cock, I had to bite his shoulder to keep from moaning aloud. He smiled before doing it again. However, after I prepared him for sex and entered him, I was the one who had to keep him from being too loud.

I covered his mouth with my hand as I took him from behind, slow but hard.

Knowing we could be caught any moment by the surrounding army only added to the excitement. I felt like a youth again, sneaking around with Axios in secret and rolling around with him in the hay.

Axios panted against my palm as he chased his orgasm, and when it hit him, he shuddered and pressed his lips together to keep from crying out. I joined him in that bliss, my muscles quaking before I went slack and rested my head on the top of his shoulder. I wasn’t sure who fell asleep first, but it was the most relaxed I had been since we’d left Sparta.

Morning came too soon, just like it always did when we were on campaign. The army woke, repacked the supplies, and began walking. Another day passed in a repetitive loop of walking, camping, and rising at dawn to do it all over again.

“We’re expected to reach our destination by nightfall,” I said, after overhearing the officers speaking.

The news lifted the men’s spirits. Hours later, we arrived.

“It’s stunning,” Axios said in admiration.

My attention had been on the army camped inside the city, as well as scoping out high lookout points, rather than admiring the scenery, but at his statement, I surveyed the area. Rolling hills, mountains, and a multitude of trees and marble structures. The sun glistened off the water of Lake Kopias, and I trailed my gaze upward to the acropolis sitting atop the tallest hill in the city.

It was decent, but nothing compared to Sparta.

Theopompus, the Spartan commander in charge of the army stationed there, approached upon our arrival. I tilted my head in respect as he passed by, though I held little respect for such a warmonger. When it came to protecting my home, I would fight and kill, yet the commander craved power and was known for raiding cities and taking what wasn’t his to take. A vast difference compared to my own beliefs.

“Join the men on the western shore of the lake to make camp,” Gorgoleon told us before stepping toward the other commander and speaking with him out of earshot. They walked in the other direction toward a large tent, probably to strategize.

Our unit followed his order and joined the rest of the army. As we entered the camp, the men glanced up from their tasks and nodded in greeting. Some sat sharpening their swords while others cooked meat over a fire. However, despite the casual mood, Axios remained tense. He looked toward the hills, as if he expected the Sacred Band themselves to come barreling toward us.

“What is plaguing your mind?” I asked, tossing my weapons on the ground before removing my helmet. “And do not lie, for I will know.”

“In truth? I am not certain,” Axios answered, looking around the camp. “But my stomach twists and my heart races, and there feels to be a weight settled on my chest. A burden I cannot lift.”

I knew the feeling he spoke of, yet admitting as much to him while he was already worried would only make the situation worse. I stepped toward him and grabbed his chin, lifting his face to mine.

“You are weary from travel,” I said, stroking his jaw. “Once you eat and rest, you will feel better.”

He studied my face, searching for the truth in my eyes. After finding nothing more than my concern for him, he released a long exhale.

“I suppose you are right,” he said, resting his forehead on my cheek.

“You two!” Theon interrupted, running toward us and beaming with an amused smile. “Come see what Haden is doing. He is balancing shields on that thick head of his and seeing how many he can do before they fall.”

I smoothed my hand down Axios’ side as I stepped from his embrace. “Well, it would be a shame to miss that,” I said, the sarcasm in my tone impossible to miss. “Truly.”

“Let us go watch, you too-serious man,” Axios said, laughing as he pushed my shoulder. “We can mock him later when he makes a fool of himself.”

“Now,thatis an excellent plan.” I lifted a brow and turned to Theon, who stood with his hands on his lean hips. “Lead the way.”