Page 70 of Eryx

“We’re so different,” he whispered, and I peered at him. Our minds had been connected, both of us contemplating our differences. “Complete opposites.”

“I like to think of us as two sides of the same coin,” I said. “Our differences are what keep us balanced.”

“You always do that, you know.” Axios smiled and drew circles on my thigh, connecting the freckles present there with his fingers. “No matter the situation, you know exactly what to say. A man of logic.”

“I only speak the truth.” I smoothed my hand up his forearm, feeling muscle beneath his soft skin. The sound of the rain hitting the leaves silenced, and I looked at a puddle on the ground. There were no ripples in the water. “The rain has stopped. We should walk to evening meal. Once Haden arrives, there won’t be any food left for the rest of us.”

Axios chuckled as we climbed down from the tree. “It’s Quill we should be worried about. He may be the smallest of us, but he eats the most.”

The rain had brought humidity, and the thick air clung to my skin. I paid it little mind. One day when we traveled for war, we’d face far worse conditions than a bit of humidity. Axios, however, sighed and gazed upward at the overcast sky.

Voices could be heard before we entered the dining hall. Our brothers conversed excitedly while some laughed. Meals had become a time for merriment as we’d grown older. It was the one part of our day where we didn’t have to fight or train. We could sit together and enjoy each other’s company.

As we entered the room, Axios softly smiled. Haden used his bread and fruit to reenact a battle, his voice booming throughout the small hall as he shouted orders to his bread army.

“The bread men are greater fighters than you,” Theon told Haden before laughing and shoving the bigger man’s shoulder.

“Hold that tongue or I’ll rip it out,” Haden countered with no real threat in his tone.

Quill rolled his eyes and took a drink of water. Theon threw a berry at him, and he picked it up and tossed it back, smacking Theon in the forehead.

I placed my hand on Axios’ lower back and led him over to the two vacant seats at the table. Touching him had become habit. Anywhere I went, I guided him along with me, as if my soul couldn’t bear being parted from him for even a moment. The times we trained separately were challenging enough.

When we took our seats, a helot brought us each a plate of boar and vegetables. Normally, we ate black broth, so the change of menu was nice. A member from our herd must’ve hunted earlier and caught the beast.

“Haden, tell him your news!” Theon said, pointing at Axios.

Haden’s cheeks darkened as he stared at his food, picking apart the meat. He didn’t speak or look our way.

“Well?” Axios asked, snagging his attention at last. “What is it you wish to tell me? We can never get you to shut the hole in your face most other days, so do not start a life of silence now.”

I had just taken a drink and spat some of it out as I laughed. I used the back of my hand to wipe away the little bit of water from my chin that had managed to burst free.

Haden snarled at Axios. “Since when did you become such an ass? I expect it from that one.” He pointed at me. “But you have always been the more reasonable of the pair.”

Axios brought a hand up and slid it beneath his chin, waiting for Haden to grow a backbone and spill his news.

“Very well, I shall tell you,” Haden said, puffing out his chest. “Your sister and I are meeting on the morrow.”

“Leanna?” Axios gaped. “You must be mistaken. She detests you.”

I suppose that explained Haden’s upbeat mood when I’d spoken with him earlier. If Leanna had finally agreed to speak with him, he had reason to celebrate his victory. Her constant rejection of him amused me, but it also made me wonder if she did so because she actuallywasinterested in my oaf of a companion and wished to challenge him before giving in to his charms.

“Apparently not,” Haden said, smirking. “I approached her earlier this day, as I do at every opportunity when her beauty graces my presence, and she neither spat in my face nor attempted to pummel me to death.”

Theon giggled and when Haden shot him a glare, he slapped a hand over his mouth.

Haden bit into the boar meat and spoke with his mouth full, “Shedidcall me a mindless fool once during the discussion, but I know it was out of fondness. Such a spirited, strong woman your sister is.”

That made Theon laugh again, and Haden threw a berry at him, hitting him in the same place Quill had.

Axios neither laughed nor smiled. Was he angry at Haden for pursuing his sister? No, I knew he thought them to be a good match. He’d told me so. If he wasn’t angry, then why did he frown so deeply? He stared at the table, but the dazed look in his eyes told me he didn’t see it.

Where had his mind taken him?

Come back to me.I rested my hand on his thigh.

His eyes flashed to mine, and I breathed a little easier. My concern must’ve showed, however, for he offered me a small, reassuring smile.