“About?”
“We’ll talk later.”
Daris pretendedto be interested in the food in front of him as he stole glances across the table at Terena. While his men and Terena’s friends pestered Melanos with questions, Daris kept to himself, preferring to listen while he kept a surreptitious eye on Terena for signs of pain or discomfort.
Melanos had manifested a table with enough chairs for all of them and food enough to feed the Spartan army. It was surreal to be sitting at a table with a god—make that two gods—and yet Melanos behavedmuch like any man Daris had ever met. He laughed, and he made jokes. He shared stories with them about the Immortals before the war and listened with rapt attention, leaning in close to the others as they shared their own stories.
Daris glanced up as laughter erupted at the other end, and he found Rydon watching him. He held the man’s gaze a moment before turning away dismissively. The revelations of the past few days sat heavily with him.
A tingling sensation crept over his scalp and he raised his eyes again to catch Terena watching him this time.
“You’re quiet, Commander,” Melanos called out, his booming voice startling Daris. He looked over at the god, then at the others who were now watching him. The barely concealed dislike on Croak’s face made him duck his chin.
“He’s always like that,” Terena said. His gaze shot to her and he blinked, his eyes widening at the smile she gave him.
Melanos twisted his lips at her. “I thought you’ve not known each other long.”
Terena started, a pretty color rising to her cheeks. “We haven’t.”
“Well,” Jason said before swallowing something he’d been chewing on, “You have the right of it, lady.”
Daris frowned and Jason looked away.
Melanos regarded Daris in silence, his hand stroking his chin, then he pointed a finger at him. “There’s something about you, Commander. I cannot put my finger on it but something seems…” He shrugged and picked up a hunk of bread, tearing it with his teeth.
“Off? Aye, that’s murderous intent you’re picking up on.” Croak snarked, then cried out when Gabriol slapped his arm.
Melanos turned to Terena. “The Eudaemon’s blood should have healed your wounds by now. Maybe you should try the other.”
Croak gagged. Daris flicked his gaze to Terena and saw her lips twist.
“I don’t know what to say to that,” she laughed.
“You healed enough you didn’t die,” Melanos went on, stillwatching Terena thoughtfully. “Curious you’re still not healed, however. If you try?—”
“Godhood hasn’t gone well for me so far.”
Melanos grunted but continued to regard her in silence.
“Do you think she’s well enough to travel?” Rydon asked.
“Should be,” Melanos said, “but again, she’s not healed yet, so take it slow if you can.”
“I’d like to be back soon,” Terena said with a glance at Rydon. “I want to get Sonah.”
Croak threw Daris another dirty look from across the table. “And offload some of this dead weight.”
Daris leaned back in his chair, his face blank as he held Croak’s hard gaze.
“Stop,” Terena muttered. She gave Daris a wan smile. “Would you mind walking with me, Daris? I’d love some fresh air.”
Daris’s eyes widened, and he sat up slowly. His eyes darted around at the others before settling back on Terena, her lovely eyes sparkling. “Aye.”
The chair scraped along the rough stone floor and heat flooded his face. As he saw Terena begin to stand, he strode toward her side, only to have Rydon’s big body block him as he, too, stood and looked him square in the eye, his chest puffed out. Daris frowned at the man and shifted his gaze to Croak who also stood, his eyes dancing.
“Really?” Terena murmured at Croak, pushing him aside as she hobbled closer to Daris. He shot out a hand to grip her good arm and his stomach bottomed out at the smile she flashed at him.
“There’s a cave off to the left on the path just outside,” Melanos called out, pulling everyone’s attention back to him and breaking the tension. “It’s closed off, so no need to fear another encounter with Bethana,” added Melanos with a smirk as he caught Daris’s scowl. “We used to meet there in better days. You’ll see why, when you find it.”
