Page 76 of Over the Emerald Valley
“You think so?”
Temaj leaned in and kissed him. Not on the lips but close enough to twist Solon’s stomach in knots. He had never thought of himself as a possessive man, but what was this uncomfortable feeling if not the desire to mark his territory? He wanted nothing more than to pull Temaj back to his side and cram his tongue down his throat.Mine.
“Of course I think so,” Temaj whispered next to Ottah’s ear. You’ll go, won’t you? Away from this cursed mine?”
“And what of you?”
“I’m leaving with Solon.”
“Come with me.”
Temaj shook his head. “I’m not meant for you, Ottah. You’ll find someone in Thebes. Another soldier, perhaps. Someone who’ll care for you as I care for Solon. Qeb could surely use a friend right now.”
Ottah nuzzled their cheeks together and kissed Temaj’s temple. “I’m sorry I was unkind to you.”
“Water under the bridge. Make it up to me by keeping this secret. Tell no one what you saw tonight. Solon is dead, and I along with him.”
Ottah nodded. “Are you sure I can’t really kill him?”
“Pretty sure.” Temaj grinned.
“Then I’ll be off. Unless you need anything else.”
Temaj’s head tilt said it all. “Well, one more thing. Tomorrow night, could you arrange for a donkey with supplies to be waiting? Perhaps tied out somewhere past the southern gate?”
“Headed south, are you?”
“I don’t know yet. Maybe.”
“I’ll see it done.”
“Thank you, Ottah.”
“Goodbye, Temaj.” Ottah glanced over his shoulder to where Solon was silently lurking. “You’d better come get him. He’s barely standing.”
Solon jogged forward, relieved to take Temaj off his hands. Sure enough, his condition had deteriorated. He leaned heavily into Solon’s embrace, giving him most of his weight.
Solon caught Ottah’s gaze. “Tell Neku I said he must cart you to Thebes in return for calling meold manone too many times. He’ll know I mean it if you tell him that.”
Ottah nodded, took one last look at Temaj, and left the way he’d come.
“You’re getting worse.”
Temaj sagged against him. “I’m feeling worse too.”
“Let’s get you settled.” Solon scooped him up with an arm behind his shoulders and the other under his knees. This time, Temaj didn’t protest, so he really must be feeling poorly. Solon had seen head injuries like this in the field. He knew enough to be worried. It could go either way. Temaj might be fine in a day or two, or…
Solon didn’t want to think about that. He laid Temaj carefully upon the lounge. “I’ll be back in a moment. I just need to close the door. Don’t close your eyes.”
Temaj rolled his eyes instead. At least his sense of humor hadn’t faded.
Solon heaved the stone back into place, leaving them alone. Well, alone with two sheep whose fate he’d rather not consider. He was racking up things he didn’t want to think about. Nothing felt safe.
Temaj had kicked off his sandals and curled up as small as he could be on the cushion. His eyes, at least, were open—and trained on Solon with purpose.
Solon feared their argument wasn’t over. He might as well ask the question on his mind. “What is there between you and Ottah?”
“Nothing much. A little flirtation. Longing on his part, vanity on mine. In another world, perhaps we’d have had potential.”
