Page 75 of Beyond the Storm
Melancholy sensed the sadness coming from Castor. Before Lazarus took him, he had been happy. Unlike the rest of us, he’d had a wonderful relationship with his father. Caim had shown him kindness and love. Gradyn loved his father too, even all these years later.
“Kallias.”
My gaze darted to Lazarus. “Yes, sir?”
“What I’m about to say does not come from a place of compassion. I only say it because I feel it will be beneficial by removing an otherwise problematic distraction.” Lazarus watched me with emotionless eyes. But perhaps, they weren’t completely emotionless… almost as if he were forcing himself to be that way. “Your mission is to travel to Sparta.”
“Sparta? What for?”
“For your mate,” he said. “I have discussed this with the council, and though emotional attachments often do more harm than good, in this instance, having a fated mate by your side will strengthen your determination to fight. This mate of yours is also a skilled warrior, from what I’ve witnessed, and will aid us in the war against the Morningstar. Your mission is to retrieve this mortal and return with him.”
Hope blossomed in my chest. Excitement. But just as quickly, it wilted away. “Elasus is a Spartan. He will not leave his home. Doing so would be seen as cowardice. Betrayal.”
“You misunderstand me, Nephilim.” Lazarus stepped closer. “I did not ask for your opinion. This is an order. You will leave tonight.”
“Yes, sir.” I bowed my head and kept my gaze on the ground.
“As for the rest of you,” Lazarus said. “While Kallias travels to Sparta, Castor and Daman will track one of the demon lords under Belphegor’s command. He has been allying with powerful witches and building their ranks with strong magic wielders that could prove to be quite bothersome later on if not stopped.”
The rest of their conversation trailed away as my thoughts drowned them out. The pain of not being with Elasus had been so great it had forced Lazarus of all people to demand I find a way to soothe it. To make me stronger, he had said, but I wondered if the angel just couldn’t bear seeing me so shattered.
Another thought then poked at my mind, one that had me smiling despite the deep twisting ache that hadn’t stopped hurting for days. I would soon see Elasus again. Four days without him had felt like a lifetime. Although I knew how dangerous hope could be, I did so anyway.
“Need him,”Melancholy said from inside of me.
I only prayed he needed me just as much.
The distance to Sparta would take roughly two days on foot. However, it only took me a little over an hour traveling through the air. As the wind swept through my wings and hair, that earlier excitement prickled at my chest. It soon spread through my entire body. The closer I got to Sparta, the more my soul stirred, as if sensing that Elasus was nearby.
Mountains surrounded Sparta on three sides, the terrain difficult to maneuver for those not familiar with it. It also acted as another form of defense. Enemies couldn’t easily sneak into the city. I, however, had little trouble sneaking in. My wings carried me over the mountains and to a hill overlooking the place I had once called home.
How many years had passed since I’d last breathed in this air? Since I’d beheld the fields, streams, and the olive trees that had so often soothed my restless spirit? Close to eleven years. Yet, it hadn’t changed at all.
But I had.
I wasn’t the same boy who had curled into a ball while other youths kicked him and hit him with rocks. I wasn’t the same boy who had been numb to the world and everyone in it.
I landed in a tree and tucked in my wings as I knelt on the branch.
“Blood splattered the altar during the diamastigosis today,” a male’s voice came from below me. “The goddess was surely appeased.”
“The golden-haired boy showed true leadership,” another said. “He encouraged the youths to come together instead of fighting separately. He will grow to be a fine warrior. Mark my words.”
The two men continued down the path toward the barracks. Soundless, I dropped to the grass and kept to the shadows as I followed them. Elasus wasn’t old enough to own a house, so he would be with his syssition in the army’s quarters.
The hour was late, yet some of the warriors sat around firepits and spoke of politics and war. They discussed King Agesipolis, who many called the boy king, for he hadn’t yet come of age to rule. Sparta had a dual kingship system, so when one king left with the army on campaign, the other stayed behind to defend the city. Sometimes, two armies would be sent to different locations at the same time. When one battle ended, another conflict soon arose. It had been that way for as long as I could remember.
Our lives were similar. The fight never ended for my brothers and me either. But that was why we kept fighting, so that one day, we might eventually know true peace.
“You lie!” a man’s deep voice boomed before laughter filled the courtyard. “No woman would ever want a face as ugly as yours.”
More laughter.
As four men came into view, I dropped down behind a tall shrub to hide. They bantered more, reminding me of how my brothers spoke to each other. It came from close bonds of friendship and brotherhood. Once they passed, I stood back up and stilled.
That scent. My heart thumped heavier in my chest, and my skin tingled.
“Elasus,” I whispered. The mere uttering of his name propelled me forward, almost desperately. Stealth was forgotten. I only cared about reaching him as fast as my legs could carry me.
