Page 89 of Eryx

“Where have you two been hiding?” Haden asked, as we entered the courtyard. His serious tone immediately put me on alert. “Have you heard?”

Axios froze at my side.

“No, we have not,” I responded, touching his hand to help steady his nerves. Whatever happened, we would face it together. “What of it?”

On the outside, I remained indifferent. A perfect mask of calm. On the inside, my heart thumped against my ribcage faster and faster.

“The peace treaty was a success and the war is over,” Haden said, though he appeared to be disappointed by the news. “Such rotten fortune that war would end just as we reached age twenty. I looked forward to crushing our enemies and driving spears into their hearts.”

Relief slammed into me, and I hated myself for it. A true Spartan would react just as Haden did now. A true Spartan wouldn’t fear war. But the truth was, I didn’t fear war… I feared losing the thing most precious to me.

“I am certain there will be other wars, brother. Just not this one,” I said, smirking at him. “I am afraid you must find something else to stab with your spear.”

“And it better not be my sister!” Axios said.

I grinned as Haden barked out a laugh. He blushed, though, showing his embarrassment. He really must’ve cared for Leanna, for him to behave such a way. Most men would’ve boasted in his place.

A dark figure darted into the courtyard, and my hand reflexively went to my dagger.

It was only Quill.

“See what I have stolen for us,” Quill exclaimed, before emptying the contents concealed in his cloak. Dried slivers of meat, bread, and honey. “This night is cause for celebration, I believe, and what better way to do it than gorge ourselves and enjoy each other’s company?”

Theon followed close behind Quill and entered the courtyard moments later. A night of food and celebration with my brothers sounded magnificent. It was rare for us to be given moments such as these. With all men present, we walked to the pit and started a fire.

The flames took away the chill in the air as we sat in a circle, speaking of Quill’s poor luck with seducing women. He snarled as we teased him. Topic then shifted to Haden’s upcoming marriage with Leanna, and Quill and Theon took the opportunity to poke fun at the much bigger male.

“Oh, Haden!” Quill exclaimed in a higher pitch, draping a hand across his forehead. “My love!”

Theon deepened his voice and turned to Quill, stroking his dark hair. “Your hair is soft like a bird’s fur.”

Axios howled with a laugh, and I even chuckled a little. Haden glared at all of us and tossed a stick at Theon.

“Fur. Feathers.” Haden shoved a sliver of meat in his mouth and chewed. “It is all the same.”

When Axios laid his head on my shoulder, I slipped my arm around his waist and held him closer. Ian and Melias talked about Gaius and how they believed he had a secret lover, for he had not been as vile as of late. Then, we went around the circle and each gave a name as to who we thought the lover could be.

“Perhaps it’s Felix,” Theon said, laughing.

He meant it in jest, but I saw the potential for it to be true. Neither Gaius nor Felix had ever taken a wife, and they seemed to read each other with a single glance. A connection I knew well.

“Rubbish,” Quill chimed in, pointing at Theon. “I wonder how many pieces Gaius will tear you into once he hears of your theory.”

We all laughed before talk shifted to our training. When Axios and I weren’t instructing our boys, we trained with the other soldiers. Mostly strength training, basic combat drills, and phalanx maneuvers.

Once we returned to the barracks that night, Axios fell asleep quickly. As he slumbered, a smile curved his lips. For the first time in weeks—months—the apprehension he’d carried was absent.

Finally, the war had ended.

But I knew Sparta and its men. There would be other wars. I only hoped we could enjoy this peace a while longer.

Chapter Seventeen

“How is your sister?” I asked Axios. He had gone to see her earlier that morning to check on her before the ceremony.

“She is well,” he answered with a smile. “Excited. I do believe she fancies Haden after all.”

“She better!” Quill said. “She’s going to marry the fool.”