Page 85 of Eryx

Axios and Haden had left early to hunt, and I had stayed behind to give them time alone to bond. I suspected Haden had something of importance to discuss, and I didn’t want my presence to be a hindrance.

“Eryx, my darling.”

I glanced up to see Amara approaching. She carried a small basket on her arm and by her manner of dress—a less conservativepeplosthat dipped low to show her cleavage and rose up on the side to reveal her upper thigh—I suspected she had either just come from theagoraor had stopped to see me on her way to it. She had a stand in the marketplace where she sold her crafts.

“Amara,” I said, standing to greet her. When she stepped forward to embrace me, I stood still and didn’t return the gesture. “Why have you come here?”

After hugging me, she tucked her dark hair behind her ear. Women journeyed to the barracks on occasion, but very rarely in the light of day. Her presence could only mean she desired something. A favor, perhaps.

“Is Axios with you?” she asked.

“No.” I gave her no explanation as to his whereabouts. “I ask again. Why are you here?”

“Haden has asked for Leanna’s hand in marriage,” she said with disdain in her voice. “Out of all the men she could choose, she chooses a dimwitted fool.”

I gritted my teeth at the insult to Haden. Axios and I could tease him about such things, but I didn’t favor anyone else doing the same.

“Haden is strong and loyal,” I said, biting back my anger and forcing a polite tone. “He will make a fine husband for your daughter. As pleased as I am by this news, I fail to see why it brings you here.”

Amara’s dark eyes flashed to mine, and she walked closer. “I beg you to convince Leanna to reject Haden and marry you instead. I have always wished for you two to form a union. You would give her strong sons with sharp minds.”

Her request took me by surprise.

“You are everything a Spartan male should be.” Amara grabbed my hand, her eyes big and pleading. “Haden might be physically strong, but his mind is weak. He has not what it takes to discipline Leanna the way she should be. You will tame her and make her what Sparta demands of her; a wife who gives her husband many children.”

“I cannot,” I said at last. “Leanna is a wonderful woman, but the answer is no.”

“I beg of you, Eryx. You are a man now and must do your duty by taking a wife. Why not let that wife be Leanna?”

Amara would not back down if we continued down this path. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. Only one reason would make her understand that my decision could not be swayed.

“I will not take Leanna nor any other woman as my wife,” I responded, pulling my hand from her grasp. “For I belong to another.”

“You belong to another?” she demanded in a tone that matched the fire in her eyes. “Who is it that’s captured your devotion?”

“Your son,” I answered, amused by the dropping of her jaw. “He possesses me body and soul. I love him.”

It was the first time I had ever admitted aloud that I loved Axios. The confession was like a blanket over my heart.

Her lips moved but no words reached my ears. She reminded me of a fish plucked from the stream. When she finally found her voice, she did nothing but shout obscenities at me. I stood silently as she spewed them, not reacting to the harsh words. In fact, they amused me. She called me disgusting and a disgrace. She said I was dishonoring Sparta by refusing a wife.

They were all things I had already considered.

And I had chosen Axios anyway.

“You are the son I should have had, Eryx,” Amara said with a defeated slump to her shoulders. “Why Axios has your heart, I will never understand. He is weak and foolish. He spends too much time with his mind in the clouds, and he will never be—”

“Silence.”

Amara’s mouth snapped closed. I hadn’t raised my voice at her, but the demand was clear in my tone.

“I care not if you speak ill of me,” I said, not taking my eyes off her. “But you will not insult Axios in my presence ever again. If you do, they will be the last words you ever speak.” I moved the sharpening stone over the blade, making her flinch. “Is my meaning clear?”

Amara nodded.

Making threats was beneath me, but I made an exception for Amara. Axios might not be close with her, but she was still his mother. One warning was all she would be granted, though.

“Now leave my sight,” I growled.