Page 111 of Axios
He tasted of honey, and I held him tighter against me, seeking more of the sweetness of his mouth with my tongue.
Groaning, he rolled his body into mine.
It had come as no surprise when we’d been told earlier that we were to be taking our leave once more. Another conflict had arisen, and we were requested to provide soldiers. The time of departure would be anywhere from a few days to weeks—however long it took us to make preparations.
The gods had blessed us with one glorious year away from battle, but the war was not finished.
“I wish to spend the time we have left sheathed inside of you,” Eryx whispered before nipping my ear with his teeth and grinding his hips into mine. “Being joined with you is the only bliss I have ever known.”
I bit my bottom lip at the thought and gazed up at him. He must have seen the desire reflected in my eyes because he growled deep in his throat and took possession of my mouth, moving his tongue to mine in a spellbinding dance.
When we fell together, there was no rush. We reveled in the feel and taste of each other, cherishing each moment. Savoring each moan and every kiss and letting the rest of the world fade away until it was only us that remained.
***
By the time the army set out for campaign, signs of spring were everywhere. The air still held a chill, but the birds had begun singing their songs in the morning again. Flowers blossomed and the trees had started re-growing their leaves.
Unlike other times when we had left for war, I felt nothing. No fear or worry. It had become familiar to me.
Before we left, the men said goodbye to their families.
Leanna and Leo were with Haden. My sister caressed her husband’s face and stared at him in the same way Eryx stared at me. They did not need to embrace or display tears and sorrowful farewells to show how deeply they cared for the other. What they possessed was love, and it was clear to anyone who looked upon them in that moment.
Over the years, Haden had begun growing a beard, and Leanna grabbed him by the jaw hair and pulled his head down for a quick kiss. Afterward, she left his side and approached me.
“Dearest brother,” she said, taking my hands. “I hardly recognize the man you have become. Where is the young boy I once chased around the courtyard and tackled to the ground? The one who giggled when I tickled his sides?” She touched my cheek and tenderness shone in her honey eyes. “He is but a grown man now. A true warrior of Sparta. If our father could see you, I am certain you would make him proud.”
“And what of our mother?” I asked. “She did not come today to see me off.”
Leanna rolled her eyes. “The woman who calls herself our mother is too stubborn and bitter to see how much you honor our home. To see the amazing man you are. She never approved of my marriage to Haden and even refuses to see Leo. As far as I am concerned, she is dead to me. Do not allow her behavior to trouble you. She is not worth it.”
Such a terrible thing to say, but I felt the same. Ever since Eryx confessed to my mother the truth of our relationship, she had never spoken to me again.
“Farewell, dear Eryx,” Leanna said, turning to him and touching his arm. “Bring my brother home.”
“I will,” he answered, leaning closer to me. “You have my word.”
Ourmorawas led by a senior level military officer called Gorgoleon. He was older, but he was vicious and had deep frown lines that gave him a rugged and intimidating appearance. I did not believe the man had ever smiled in his entire life.
He ordered for us to get into formation, and once every man was in place, we began marching.
We were headed to Orchomenus, which was a Spartan ally in western Boeotia. The other allies had turned against us to join the Boeotian League—an alliance of Thebes and Athens—but Orchomenus and the city of Plataea had remained loyal. The expedition was not one of anticipated battle, but more so to move more soldiers into the area to help defend it if necessary.
Haden was not his usual, boisterous self as we walked. He stared ahead and said not a word to any of us.
Leaving his wife and son had always been difficult for him in past campaigns, but it seemed as if that departure hurt more than the others. Perhaps it was because we had been away at war for four years and had only been given a year at home before having to leave again.
The time he had missed with his family would upset any man.
Fortunately, my family traveled with me.
I looked to Eryx at my right and then Haden to my left before glancing toward Quill and Theon in the line in front of me. They meant just as much to me as blood family, and I’d protect them all with my life. The absence of any of them would take a part of me too.
The journey was not as tiresome as it once had been. Although it was still tedious, I had made the trip enough times to have developed immunity to the hardships of marching days on end. My legs were stronger and did not tire as easily and the soles of my feet had toughened and no longer blistered.
Orchomenus was not as far as the other cities we had traveled to, though, so it would not take as long to reach it. Possibly eight or nine days, depending on how quickly we moved through the terrain.
When we made camp seven days into the journey, none of us were tired enough yet to sleep, so we surrounded the fire and quietly talked as the other soldiers in the army rested.
