by A K Clark
“I’m all right,” I lied, giving him a smile. He frowned, looking between me and Taryn.
Theo emerged with his arms full of logs for the fire. “Unbelievable. I’m working my ass off and you two are flirting?” he said, throwing us a dirty look.
“Theo,” Darrien warned, his voice rich with venom. “Taryn over there decided he would teach Alex to skin a squirrel, against her will.”
“Did he now?” Theo said, wiping sweat from his brow as he looked toward Taryn, who was waving his skinning knife at me. I narrowed my eyes at him. If one of the men didn’t beat him to a pulp, I would.
“Let me know when you want to try again, Alex. I’d be happy to provide another demonstration.” He smirked at me.
Theo muttered a few curses at the man, none of which he heard. I smiled, heartened by Theo’s need to protect me from Taryn.
Isaias and Chad returned, carrying a small doe between them. Growing tension forgotten, the men shouted their praises, happy to have more than just squirrel to eat. Isaias, ever observant, noted Theo’s rigid posture and my disheveled appearance. He handed off the doe to Nisus’s men and Chad, who set to work preparing it for supper.
“What is it?” he asked, looking between the three of us.
“Taryn,” Theo gritted out before explaining what had happened. I shook off Isaias’s concern, waving away his questions and asking Darrien to accompany me on a walk. Darrien watched me while we strolled.
“What is it?” I inquired once the camp was out of sight. I didn’t feel like analyzing him.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” he said, his voice full of regret. The anger I felt at Taryn spilled out as I spun around and struck out at him. Or at least, I tried to. I tripped. He caught my arm as I fell over a tree root. He pulled me into his body and leaned down so his face hovered inches from mine.
“Did you try to hit me?” he whispered, gripping me tighter in his arms. It was hard to ignore the way my body reacted to his touch. I wanted nothing more than to melt into his arms and pull his lips to mine. I pushed at him, resisting my desires, but he held me tightly.
“Yes, you oaf,” I said, swatting his chest half-heartedly. The warmth radiating from his body had squelched my anger.
“Why?” His head tilted thoughtfully. My breathing hitched as I became more aware of where our bodies touched.
“You apologized for not being there to protect me. While I appreciate your desire to do so, you shouldn’t beat yourself up because Taryn is a barbarian,” I said.
“So hitting me served what purpose?” he mused, his gaze dropping to my lips before meeting my eyes again.
“To remind you I can and will defend my honor. If the damned root hadn’t been there, I would’ve landed the blow.”
“Would you like to try again?” he asked, leaning down to nudge my cheek with his nose. I obliged him and turned my head. He kissed his way down to my neck before stopping. Shivers ran up my spine when he pulled away.
“No? Now is when you choose not to fight for your honor?” he teased before leaning down and making his way back up my neck. He kissed my chin lightly, then pulled back to look at me.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” he said in warning. I wanted to say he already had but his mouth was on mine, stifling my response. He began slow, backing me against a tree, his hands exploring my body the whole time. I gasped when he gripped my hair, pulling on it lightly and tilting my head to deepen the kiss. Much to my dismay he broke away, leaving me wanting.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, reaching up to touch his cheek. He grabbed my hand, turning it over to kiss the palm.
“I’m all right, but this isn’t the best place to explore this, whatever it may be.” He gestured between us. “Don’t you agree?” His hair fell around his face and I ran my fingers through it to pull him back. For a few glorious moments, I’d forgotten the world. I wasn’t ready to go back to it yet.
“Yes,” I agreed, caressing his mouth with mine. I nipped his lower lip playfully before whispering, “But kissing never hurt anyone.”
28
Isaias pinned me with a heated stare when we returned. I tried not to blush when I realized how long we were gone. A brief flicker of hurt flashed in his eyes before he turned away. Had I chosen the wrong man? The thought came unbidden, destroying whatever balance I had gained with Darrien.
Darrien watched Isaias intently, his teeth clenching when he noticed the response Isaias elicited from me. I grabbed his hand and drew closer to the fire, hoping to avoid questions from Isaias. The smell of roasting venison filled the air, and my mouth watered in anticipation. I forgot all thoughts of Isaias and Darrien in the wake of my hunger.
Someone passed bread around the group while Isaias cut the meat. Chad gave everyone their portion before he sat next to me. He eyed me as he ate.
“I’m not like my brother,” Chad said, sudden and unexpected.
“I know,” I said, looking into his pained eyes. I’d forgotten he’d lost a brother in this mess. Thad hadn’t died, but he had forsaken our people and his brother in the process. I leaned over to squeeze his arm. “Apollo knows too.”
“Thank you, Pythia,” he said, staring into the fire, blinking until his tears dissipated. I fought the urge to correct him. I wasn’t Pythia, or at least, I wouldn’t be for long. But now wasn’t the time.
Darrien placed his hand on my knee in support. Then the sudden sound of flesh striking flesh made me jump. I turned to see Theo pinning Taryn to the ground, his elbow secured tightly against Taryn’s throat.
“You don’t stop, do you? You’ve been nothing but trouble since we tied you up. We should’ve left you bound to the tree,” Theo said through clenched teeth. Taryn gasped, trying to speak, but Theo’s arm prevented him from talking.
“I will only say this once, Taryn. You will leave Alex alone. You won’t look at her, you won’t touch her against her will, and you will not speak her name. Do you understand me?” His chest heaved. “You, of all people, will not enjoy the pleasures of her company. She is Pythia. If you as much as think about her, I will kill you.”
The truth of his words shivered down my spine. He whispered more threats into Taryn’s ear and I was glad I couldn’t hear the violent promises. The man paled when Theo pulled away, easing his arm off his throat.
“Understood?” Theo asked.
Taryn glared daggers at him, rubbing his throat gently. “No harm in it, Theo. I was just making a joke.”
“Only a sick man makes jokes about taking a woman against her will.” Theo still had the man pinned between his legs, huffing out angry breaths as he spoke. His hand gripped a knife behind his back, his knuckles turning white with need, as if begging him to plunge the knife into Taryn’s beating heart.
I went to him, grabbing his shoulder. “Come on,” I said, pulling him from the fight. I threaded my fingers with his, leading him to where Darrien sat fuming. I paused, wondering if his irritation was directed at me or Taryn, but shook off the concern before moving back into my seat.
Theo’s hand shook in mine, so I let go but stayed close to him. Tension riddled the camp and no one spoke as we waited for his rage to fade. When it seemed safe, as in Taryn would live another day, I tossed him a sack of wine and quirked an eyebrow.
“I guess you won the bet.” I nudged him, reminding him of the wager we’d made earlier. He attempted a laugh, but something more like an angry grunt came out of him.
“I’m not sure if I won the bet. I attacked him,” Theo confessed, turning his head away from me.
“Did he deserve it?” I asked. He gave a curt nod of confirmation. “Well then,” I said, “all things considered, I’d say you won. Now take a drink and hand it over. No need to hog it all.”
He smiled at me and we shared a knowing look. He poured every ounce of appreciation he had into it. Both of us knew I had stopped him from losing control and killing a man.
“Thank you,” he said, ruffling my hair the way my brother used to before giv
ing me the wine.
Darrien cleared his throat, drawing our attention to him. I couldn’t figure out why he was mad; he ignored my attempts at conversation. Had my interaction with Theo made him jealous? It was silly if he felt threatened by Theo. I held no romantic feelings for him but…Isaias was another story. I sighed, growing tired of trying to figure him out.
Before long, we headed off to our respective bedrolls. I snuggled in, more than ready to sleep. There was another long day ahead of us. We needed as much rest as we could get. Though rest was nowhere in sight, because a vision pulled me under as soon as my eyes closed.
I stood in a great hall, staring at the back of a tall man with broad shoulders. I could see his brown hair underneath the red and gold crown atop his head. He wore heavy robes of deep red accented with gold lining. The fabric looked luxuriously soft—so soft that I reached out to brush my fingers over it. The man spun, facing me with shocked eyes, but I knew he saw nothing but empty air. His eyes burned through me as if he were searching for whatever had just touched him. Had he felt my touch?
The man shook his blocky head, muttering something about too much wine before turning back to the altar he stood before. I watched him study the cross molded from gold set atop the marble table.
“Emperor Constantine, the advisers request your presence,” a small voice said from the back of the room. I turned to look at the young girl dressed in maid’s wear. Equally unappealing straw-colored hair surrounded her mousy face. Her cheeks burned brightly as she waited for the man to acknowledge her message. The robes swooshed as he turned to face the girl.
“Tell them I’ll be there in good time,” he replied, his commanding voice echoing throughout the great room. “I haven’t finished my prayers. Tell my advisers they can leave the city if they cannot learn to respect my sacred time.”
The girl blanched at his angry tone. She bowed to him, and her voice shook slightly when she responded, “Yes, Emperor. Right away.” She spun on her heel and fled the great room like her life depended on it.
The man breathed in relief when he was alone once more. He turned and knelt at the altar in front of the cross. Constantine tucked his chin against his chest, clasping his hands together before he whispered his prayers. I crept closer to him until the words became clear.
“Lord, speak your wisdom. The advisers don’t have the same faith as I. I alone have changed the tides in Rome. Your faith is growing more rapidly since I revoked the pagan gods and declared myself a Christian. I‘ve collected the seers; soon the false messages of their gods will be lost.” He lifted both hands and looked toward the ceiling. I glanced up but didn’t see anything.
“What would the Lord have me do with the seers?” He paused his ranting, listening intently for an answer. I heard nothing but saw him nod ever so slightly. Maybe his god spoke within his mind like Apollo.
“So shall it be, Lord. There is only one true god.” He stood, rolling the tension from his shoulders before leaving the room with a manic smile plastered on his face.
The image faded. I cried out for Apollo within my mind, but he didn’t answer. I stared up at the sky, sleep evading me as thoughts of Constantine nagged at me. What had his god told him to do? Answers never came. Heaviness settled in my stomach while my mind tried to understand the purpose of what I’d been shown. Had it been another warning?
29
I woke with a start. Hints of sunrise painted the sky a pale pink. I dreaded the morning for it meant more riding. I lay still, listening for whatever had woken me. The night passed, silent save for the sound of cricket songs. The early morning breeze chilled me, and a foreboding gooseflesh rose on my arms. Though I heard no sounds, I wrapped a hand around the dagger Darrien had given me.
Darrien and Theo slept on either side of me to ward off unwanted night visitors, like Taryn. I gripped the weapon tighter, the sturdy handle filling me with reassurance. Then I heard it, the soft shuffling of feet and muted whispers. I tried to see whatever danger approached our camp. My heart lurched, grateful it was not Taryn, then dropped when I noticed two shadowed figures at the head of our camp.
I kicked Darrien and Theo until they woke. They came groggily out of sleep, jolting to high alert when they took in the shadowed figures.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Theo said, his voice gravelly with the remnants of sleep. I pushed the water he desperately needed into his hand. It was so quiet I heard the water trickling into his mouth from the water bag. Nisus and his men stirred, startling to attention when they took in the scene. Although the sun had risen slightly, the figures remained hidden in shadows, making it difficult to distinguish features.
“What can we help you with, friends?” Nisus asked with a hint of concern. His wariness propelled my heart into an erratic beat.
One figure to the right spoke as he stepped forward. “We were wondering how we might help you, Nisus. It seems like you and your men found trouble.” The man stepped close enough that I could make out his face.
I gasped at the sight of him, falling over in my hasty attempt to get up. The man focused on me, letting out his own huff of surprise. His hair, the same color as mine, was longer than the last time I’d seen him and his beard desperately needed a trim. In a flash, he moved to stand in front of me, but Darrien and Theo blocked his way, prepared to fight the stranger.
“Hyri?” I shouted the question with barely contained joy. I shoved the men aside to reach him. Darrien blocked my advance with his arm.
“Alex?” the newcomer asked, eyeing Darrien’s hand with a murderous look. “Are you hurt? Did these men steal you from Delphi?”
I reveled in the sound of my brother’s voice. It had been too long since I’d last heard him speak. Darrien raised a questioning eyebrow. I nodded at him. He begrudgingly stepped aside and allowed me to pass. Hyri scooped me into his arms, laughing at my enthusiasm before asking again if they had hurt me.
“I’m fine, Hyri. I’m traveling with these men. We’re looking for Cora. Goddess, it’s been too long! What are you doing here? Who are these men…how do you know Nisus? Are you still in the order? Why haven’t you—”
“Whoa, little sister. Slow down. One question at a time,” Hyri said, ruffling my hair affectionately.
“I’m here to see if Nisus needs help. We’re traveling together and when he didn’t come back, we had to go look for him. It seems we found him in good company—I hope.” He shot me a pointed glance.
“The order?”
“Ah. Yes, the order. I left my post.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture which usually accompanied a confession of guilt.
“Why?” I asked.
“I hate to break up the family reunion, but Hyri, is it?” Hyri nodded at Theo, who continued. “Hyri couldn’t have made it into camp without Isaias noticing. I’m curious, how did you make it past him?” My brow creased. I hoped Hyri hadn’t hurt Isaias.
“We’ve secured your man to his post. It might surprise you to learn we found him sleeping on the job. It made it easy to gag and tie him up before he could alert you.”
Hyri smiled. He had always loved sneaking up on me we were younger. Apparently, he still loved the thrill of catching someone off guard. The man behind him approached with caution, coming to stand next to him.
“Chad, go get Isaias,” Theo commanded. Chad rushed to find him. Silence befell our party while we waited for his return. There were so many questions I needed to ask, but now wasn’t the time. Darrien and Theo still stood prepared to fight as did Hyri and his companion. Nisus and his posse stood casually to the side.
Isaias burst through the bushes with Chad rushing after him. He hurled himself at Hyri, tackling him. Hyri dodged the first fist, but the second one made contact and whipped his head to the side. I shouted at Isaias to stop, but he wasn’t listening. Darrien hauled Isaias off Hyri. I rushed to help my brother.
I turned his head and inspected the damage, then whirled toward Isaias, ready to scream at him, but caught myself when I s
aw that Darrien had pulled him off to the side. Isaias made wild hand gestures at Hyri. Darrien spoke a few more words before Isaias shook his head in frustration. He turned, striding straight toward me.
My previous determination to confront him disappeared upon his approach. Hyri growled a warning as Isaias prowled closer. I smiled at the brotherly protection. Isaias considered the two of us, his eyes flashing from my face to Hyri’s before his anger ebbed.
“You’re her brother?” Isaias asked Hyri.
“Yes.”
“You are with Nisus and his men?”
“Yes.”
“And you attacked me to save your men?”
“Yes,” Hyri replied.
“Do you ever say anything else?” Isaias asked.
“No,” Hyri quipped. A delighted smile crossed his face. He was enjoying himself too much. I slapped his chest, giving him a disapproving glare.
“My brother means to say he came to rescue his men, but upon finding me with your men, he has second-guessed his infiltration of your camp. Isn’t that right, Hyri?”
“It is true. We came to rescue our men, but it isn’t true that I’ve second-guessed myself. I’m still not sure I can trust your men. Did you kidnap my sister?”
“No!” Darrien shouted. “This whole trip is for her sake. We are going to find Cora.”
“Cora?” Hyri asked, confused.
I sighed. “Can we at least rekindle the fire and make breakfast?” I asked the men. “This will take a while.”
I explained the last few months to Hyri, beginning with Vero’s death and ending with what Nisus’s men had told us. Hyri explained why he had left his post: corruption within his regiment. The bad outnumbered the good. Rumors of conversions. Much of which we had already learned.
“We are leaving for Larissa in the morning,” I said. Then I narrowed my eyes at Isaias and added, “Hyri is coming with us.” I shot my brother a look, warning him not to argue with my decision. He raised a brow, chuckling when he saw how serious I was.