Page 72 of Axios
An evening with my closest companions was precisely what I needed.
Theon joined us next, and we walked to the fire pit and sat around it. Our voices filled the air, as did our laughs, as we spoke of trivial matters such as training, women who’d rejected Quill, and Gaius—who we all believed to have a lover for how relaxed and mild-tempered he’d been lately.
As we sat together, I leaned into Eryx’s side and lay my head on his shoulder. His arm slipped around my waist and held me close.
We hadn’t been there long before Ian and Melias joined us, and they easily fell into conversation.
I did not recall falling asleep that night after returning to the barracks with my men. My mind often kept me awake—spinning woeful thoughts ofwhat ifsand future bloodshed—but I had no reason for such worries after the reassurance of the peace treaty. All I remembered was lying in bed beside Eryx and feeling his warm body press against mine before awaking the next morning, refreshed and at ease for the first time in many fortnights.
Perhaps even years.
The day was one of routine: waking, eating morning meal with my syssition, and then walking with Eryx to train ourephebes. The day was also very warm, much warmer than the average for early spring. Yet, I could not find it within myself to curse the heat for the newly budded flowers and blossoms lifted any low mood.
Demetrius’ face lit up at our approach. Though Eryx and I were tough on the boys, we were never cruel, and Demetrius regarded us with admiration. He was now a youth of fourteen. Two years under Eryx’s command had given him muscle in places he hadn’t had it before, but he was still small, especially for Spartan standards.
Upon realizing his show of excitement, he straightened his stance and forced the smile from his face.
If I’d ever been fortunate enough to have a son, I would’ve wanted him to be like Demetrius—inquisitive, strong-willed, but still holding onto his tender heart. That path was closed to me. Being a father was a life I’d never have with Eryx, but I did not regret my decision.
A life with the man I loved was the only one I wanted.
“Cassius!” Eryx said in a demanding tone. “Step forward.”
Cassius, who was standing beside Demetrius, did as he was told without hesitation. His golden hair held darker shades within the strands, and he stood out amongst the other boys who mostly had dark hair. The sheer size of him placed attention upon him as well. He towered over all the boys at his side.
Eryx instructed him to form a defensive stance before pointing to another youth and commanding him to approach as well.
Training happened as it usually did, and the day was like every other. Nothing remarkable or out of the ordinary. Simple. It was just how I preferred it to be.
Later that evening, we learned more of the details of the treaty. Persia would rule the cities of Cyprus, Asia Minor, and Clazomenae. Athens kept the cities of Scyros, Lemnos, and Imbros. Every Greek city apart from those would be self-governing.
Sparta was provided the position and responsibility of executing the peace and had the power to intervene if the treaty was threatened.
Finally, the war was at a close and peace reigned.
I only hoped it lasted.
Chapter Eighteen
Marriage ceremonies in Sparta were unlike any others I’d come to know from other Greek cities. They weren’t grand public affairs, but rather kept private with very few witnesses. Visitors of Sparta often remarked on how bizarre our customs were and how we were a peculiar civilization of ruthless warriors and women who knew not their place.
They were fools. However, I had no other life experiences to compare mine to and had not experienced the world outside of Sparta’s borders, so perhaps in their eyes, wewerestrange. But they were still fools nonetheless.
It was customary for a man to select a woman at random and then capture her. The ritual allowed the man to choose a wife who was in her prime and therefore fit to bear his children. The captured woman would then be taken to a private chamber and have her hair—which unmarried women kept long—shaved almost to the scalp. She’d be dressed in men’s clothing and laid in the dark, where she waited for her new husband to slip in and bed her.
Even when married, a man was required to sleep in the barracks with his syssition until he was of age thirty. Even when he was thirty, if he did not wish to live with his wife, he was not obligated to and could choose to live on his own.
There were exceptions to the marriage custom. Although most were random and occurred when the man and woman were no more than strangers, there were times when the two being married specifically chose the other.
Haden and Leanna.
On the day of their marriage, Haden was not the arrogant man I knew. He was unfocused and occasionally shook with his nerves. When asked a question, it took him several moments to answer, and I’d had to repeat myself frequently.
Leanna was being prepared by another woman, and Haden was not to see her until later that evening. For now, he was to dine with us men, and go to her afterward.
I’d visited my sister earlier that day, and I’d never seen her happier. It would be a wonderful union between her and Haden. I knew it without a doubt. When she spoke of her soon to be husband, she came alive and her eyes shone with affection for him.
“Are you nervous?” Theon asked Haden with his mouth full of cheese.
