Page 122 of Eryx
We obeyed and raised our shields, spears resting between them. There was no time to be distracted by romantic whims, no matter how much my heart craved it. We were soldiers of Sparta, and fighting for our home was our one obligation in this life.
Chapter Twenty-Six
380 BC – Spring
“General Eudamidas and his men arrived this morning,” I said, as we walked along the shore at midday. He was the Spartan commander we had met during our first campaign to Potidaea.
“And the allies arrived days ago,” Axios added, scrunching his brow. “We are only waiting on Thessaly.”
His voice rang of sadness. He didn’t need to speak his thoughts aloud for me to understand his sorrow. Once the army from Thessaly arrived, our time in Aphytis would come to a close. For over a month, we had been in the city by the sea, finding time to enjoy the sights and each other’s bodies in between drills and other duties.
I hid it well, but I had greatly enjoyed our time there too. However, unlike Axios, I had refused to let myself become too attached. The sights, the smells… they were only temporary.
“I spoke to a woman at the market earlier while you were sharpening your sword,” Axios said, glancing at me before returning his gaze to the water. “She says the summers here are even more beautiful than the spring.”
“We will not be here in summer,” I reminded him.
He fell silent and stopped in front of a tree, running his fingers along the pale bark. “She also said that ships from all over the world make port here, bringing goods from across the sea.”
“Many cities have ports,” I said. “They also have ships and foreign goods.”
“Yes, but Aphytis is special, is it not?”
I inwardly sighed. He was wading in dangerous waters by indulging in these dreams.
“We must not forget our purpose for being here, Ax,” I said, trying to bring him back from the clouds. “This is not our home.”
“Imagine it, Ery,” Axios said, becoming more enthused. Becoming more lost in his head. “We could build a house right there.” He pointed to a spot of land to the right of us. “We’d have a view of the sea and hear the crashing of waves as we slept. As we made love.” He grinned and bumped my shoulder. “You could become a fisherman and I could… I do not know, but I could learn some trade.”
Me, a fisherman? I would’ve laughed had it not been for the excitement in his eyes. And though I would not admit it… I craved the life he spoke of. A home with him by the sea. A life far from war.
“That can never be,” I responded, saying the words to him but also convincing myself. “Our only home is Sparta. Your fantasies have often hindered you and given you hope when there was none to have.” I grabbed his hand. “Push these dreams from your mind, for they will only remind you of what cannot come to pass. When the king orders it of us, we will leave this place and do what needs to be done. We’re at war.”
Disappointment shone in his eyes and he pulled his hand from mine. He approached the water and sat in the sand. Slowly, I walked toward him, hating myself for upsetting him.
“Even after all of these years by your side, it still pains me to see that look upon your face,” I said, sitting beside him. The sand was warmed from the sun and soft like powder. “If I could give you that home by the sea, I would. And I’d kill any man who tried to get in my way.” I gripped his chin and forced him to look at me. “But alas, that is a life we will never have and is not ours to covet. You must accept it, Axios, or you will go mad with despair.”
He sharply exhaled and moved his gaze back to the water.
It pained me that I could not give him the life he desired. And now I had upset him by speaking the truth.
Giggles sounded behind me, and I looked to see Theon and Quill walking in the sand, shoving each other and looking more like mischievous imps than grown men. Haden walked with them, shaking his head at their behavior.
“I knew you two would be here,” Haden said, spotting us. “The people wish to have a feast for us. A farewell to our stay with them. The king has asked us to gather the men and join him in the dining hall.”
“We best not keep him waiting then,” Axios said and stood. At the mention of the king, his mood had shifted. As if the man he had once spent a day with had more to offer him than I did.
“Of course. Anything to please the king,” I said with a growl, as I got to my feet.
“I thought you said you would put that in the past.” Axios shook his head at me, which only irritated me more.
I snarled, and he laughed. I failed to understand how my jealousy pleased him. It was almost cruel.
“Why is he jealous?” Theon asked Axios, dusting the sand off his chest from where Quill had knocked him down. “What did we miss?”
“Perhaps it is a story I will tell you one day,” Axios answered as he blushed. From embarrassment or guilt… I couldn’t be sure.
“One day before I die, I hope,” Theon said.
