Page 149 of Eryx

“Some of our men will need to hold the territory when we leave,” I said. “If Quill wishes to stay, I will request for him to remain stationed here with them.”

Axios nodded and pressed his head to mine.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m well.” He kissed my cheek, my jaw, then down my neck.

“Are you in pain?” I asked, not letting him distract me. “You should be resting.”

I expected him to grumble at me, but instead he smiled. “I feel no pain. I swear.”

“You seem… different,” I said, observing him closer. Nothing but joy shone in his eyes. “Not as grumpy when I inquire about your wound. Perhaps I shall leave you alone more often. It makes the reunion all the sweeter.”

“Please, do not,” Axios said, stroking his thumb along my collarbone. “Being away from you makes me anxious. Especially now.”

I felt the same. Almost losing him had made me appreciate every single moment, every breath. It mattered not if we were together or apart, we’d forever be each other’s missing piece. Like the story my father had told me about soulmates.

“When you are near, it’s as if my soul reaches out to touch yours,” I said, moving my fingers along his jaw. “To reconnect with a missing piece. And when we part, I leave that piece with you.”

“Stop talking and kiss me,” Axios said, resting his head on mine and grabbing my hair.

We had not made love since the battle, and I was almost desperate to taste him. To have him writhing in pleasure. I cupped the back of his head and kissed him before pulling him on top of me. My body responded to him, hardening beneath his touch.

“Do not hurt yourself,” I said, gripping the tops of his thighs as he straddled me. His health and wellbeing came before anything else. “Take it slow.”

“Ery, I feel fine,” he responded, rolling his hips. The stars danced above his head as he smirked down at me. “But if you wish for me to stop...”

I grabbed his waist as he began to slide off. “By the gods, do not stop.”

His self-satisfied grin told me he’d never had any intention of stopping. He’d only wanted to hear me beg.

“Very well,” Axios said before leaning down and kissing me, smiling against my lips.

When we came together, it was slow but no less intense. As he moved on top of me, taking me deep into his body, I clasped his hand and linked our fingers. His eyes closed as he tilted his face to the night sky.

And then he was soaring.

He collapsed on my chest afterward, and I maneuvered him to the side, keeping my arms around him. We slept then, and it was the best night’s rest I’d had in weeks.

Days later, after we’d been told we were going home, Haden beamed at the thought of seeing his family again, while Axios spoke of the house we shared and how he’d missed it greatly.

Quill, however, didn’t smile. He stared at Theon’s resting place with tears in his eyes.

“I will not leave him,” he whispered.

Axios looked at me, and I nodded before walking across camp and approaching the commander. I suggested that Quill remain in Orchomenus with the other men assigned to stay, and the commander agreed without question. The more men defending the city, the better.

On the day we left, I regretted my decision. I would not only be leaving Theon behind, but now Quill as well. He stood before us, too pale and with dark circles under his eyes. With no appetite over the weeks, he’d lost weight, making him even smaller.

“Take care of yourself, brother,” Axios said, squeezing Quill’s arm before stepping back. “Sparta will not be the same without you.”

“I will,” Quill responded with watering brown eyes. A light laugh escaped him, as did a single tear. “Watch over Haden and ensure he does not do anything too foolish.”

Axios laughed, though his eyes were pained.

“It is you who should watch yourself,” Haden responded before pulling the smaller man into his arms for a tight embrace. “The world is large and you are small.”

Quill playfully shoved Haden away before looking at me. “Farewell, Eryx. May fate bring us together again someday.”