Page 34 of Fate

“You know, there are easier ways to tell me you’re ready.” The edge of Helia’s thumb traces along the edge of my jaw, eliciting a soft moan from deep within. “Mmm, see? You do know the easier ways.”

An abrupt rumble from my stomach kills the tension with the ease of a seasoned hunter. Helia barks a laugh, pushing herself away. Planting a kiss on the top of my head, she heads out to grab food, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Are you fucking kidding me?! Fingers trace where Helia’s thumb explored. How in all the pantheons am I supposed to create this kind of moment again? How am I to create this magic? I force the held air in my lungs out, pushing whatever lingering frustrated arousal out of my body. Well, trying to push. Failing, really.

Before long, Helia returns, pushing the door open with a platter of cheese, flatbread, fresh cuts of cooked meat.

Olena steps in right behind her, radiantly beaming at me. “Skion! Sister! I was so worried.”

I beam right back, welcoming her kind words as much as the food Helia places on my lap. Helia smiles, hidden from Olena’s gaze, and shoots me a wink. Maybe there’s hope after all. Curiously, Olena steps back out of the door only to pull in a few large parcels wrapped in linen. I know exactly what they are and I mouth a thank you around a bite of food as Olena closes the door. Flashing another brilliant smile in recognition of my thanks, she bounces on the balls of her feet unable to hide her glee.

“We’ll talk later. You’ll have to tell me all about it.” Olena snaps a quick salute to Helia. “Commander.” Without waiting for anything else, she leaves quickly, closing the door behind her.

Helia cocks an eyebrow as I eat. Grinning, I gesture a gloriously food-laden hand for her to open them, taking a bite before setting the food aside; I want to be fully present for this. Inside of the first two is my newly made armor. I need to revisit the blacksmith and thank him; it’s perfect. A bronze chest plate with simple leather pauldrons exactly like he promised. Helia nods appreciatively while opening the final and largest package.

Helia blows out a low whistle of admiration and I don’t fault her. That blacksmith is blessed by the gods. The blue tipped spearheads line the outer edge as before, but right in the center is a silver painting of the moon, intricately laced just like my mark. No matter my worries about Lunos, Helia is still an Aspect of her; of the moon. I hope she understands.

“This is a heavy shield for you. You sure you can use it?”

“It’s yours.” I can’t stop my grin, even if I had wanted to. “I noticed how worn yours was and, after you mentioned collecting things from the places you visit, I thought this would, well…” My grin dims slightly, thought unfinished. Neither of us know what would come from this adventure. Helia hefts it and tests the weight on her arm, lifting it a few times.

“It’s a good shield Skion. I will carry it with honor.” I wince at my name, a chip in the beauty of an otherwise joyful moment. Helia is still caught up in her new shield as I blow out a breath; it’s time.

“Helia?” She stops and turns to focus on my face at the slight quiver in my tone, the urgent uncertainty. I forge ahead before my nerve dissolves in the well of anxiety threatening to bubble forth. “I’ve decided. My name is Itho.”

It hangs in the air between us; crystalline and fragile. A spark of something new, hope for the future, a blatant defiance of fate. Laying the shield down, Helia sidles alongside the bed and firmly grips my head in her hands.

“Thank you Itho, for sharing this moment with me.” Helia gently kisses my cheek. “Thank you for your bravery.” Now the other cheek. “Thank you for your trust.” She lays a long kiss on my forehead, tension fleeing my body. “Thank you for your truth.”

We lock eyes, lost in each other’s soul, each finding the peace we’ve been searching for. After a moment I can’t help but flick down to her lips, aching to kiss her. Helia understands perfectly and pulls my head up slightly, taking possession. The unyielding yet supple kiss makes time stop. Surely Ephos the sultry goddess of love would approve. The slow, passion fueled kiss quickly turns heated as our tongues dance together, seeking and thirsting for each other. A quick pounding at the door shatters the moment.

Fuck. Helia pulls away with an earthy frustrated growl, echoing my sentiment wholeheartedly.

“WHAT?!” Helia swings the door open in a flurry and pushes a loose lock of her hair behind an ear. Bellius stands at the door, arching an eyebrow while saluting, a brief look cast my way.

“Apologies commander. Pellax sent for you. It seems our prisoner took his own life. Bit off his gods-damned tongue and choked on the blood.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“WHO WAS ON guard?!” Pellax doesn’t bother hiding his anger as Helia, myself, and a few others gather in his chamber. Helia had pulled me along despite not being an officer. Bellius and Andra are among the attendees, and everyone bares grim looks, though Andra carries a wariness when looking my direction. I don’t blame her; I know what she saw in that alley. No one speaks and the vein along Pellax’s neck thrums with fury. I cough, purposefully drawing eyes to me.

“If I may Strategos, I don’t believe it would have mattered who was on duty.” Bellius shoots me a look of caution, urging me to hurry. “This was the second run-in with these people in Hecalon. Did any of the bodies have a Solon-emblazoned gold coin?” Pellax’s eyes narrow as he nods, motioning for me to continue. “This was the same group then. They all fought fiercely and seemed driven by a singular purpose; if that man wanted to kill himself, he would have found a way no matter who was watching him.”

Helia flashes a grim smile, proud of the simple yet sound deflection of our leader’s anger. Pellax’s vein slows, though remains visible. The strategos leans over the desk toward me. Guess I’m not out of the woods yet.

“Well Skion, now that you are up and walking, the officers and I would like a debrief.” Helia bristles and makes to open her mouth, though whether to correct him or deflect attention, I am unsure. Bellius surprises everyone when he steps in before Helia has the chance.

“Strategos, Skion may be walking and talking, but given the period of time he has been asleep, his memory will be unreliable. I recommend we stick with the reports from Captain Andra and the others. Sir,” Bellius finishes, inclining his head in deference. Pellax swings his narrowed gaze to Bellius; weights and measures being added to some scale in his mind. Helia shoots me a questioning look as Pellax relaxes back upon the pillows in his chair. I give the barest shake of my head; now’s not the time. Apparently satisfied, Pellax sighs signaling the assembled officers and myself to sit.

“You’re right nephew. I was hoping that young Skion here would be able to provide more information. Gods, he was right near that freak lightning strike according to Andra. Well, nothing for it then. Let’s discuss next steps; open forum, no bad ideas.”

Too stunned by multiple revelations, I sit back and listen as the others start chiming in with ideas; bounties, double the watch, run another bait scheme, and the like.

Bellius is Pellax’s nephew! He keenly avoids my eye, focusing on the conversation. I swivel my gaze past him to Andra, catching the veiled fear in her eyes before she quickly looks away. Clearly she didn’t tell the whole truth.

“Care to weigh in Skion? You seem to be at the center of things so you must have an opinion.” Pellax looks at me expectantly, drumming the fingers of his hand on the desk.

I force a neutral look while rushing to get my brain running. This might be the perfect moment to lay the foundation for the next leg of our journey.