Free Dark Hunter 00 - Dark Bites (Novellas) by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page A

families?”
    “You ask for them and not yourself?”
    “You are my family, goddess. I am more than content to be here, even in your absence.”
    She fingered his lips before she kissed him. “I wish we never had to be apart, for any reason.”
    As did he, but it couldn’t be helped. “You are always in my heart, no matter where I am.”
    She pulled him close and held him tight. “Tell the men that they may take three weeks to ride home and see their families, so long as another war doesn’t break out. I might have to recall them, and they should be ready to return at any time. But hopefully, they won’t be needed.”
    When he started to pull away, she stopped him. “However, I’m hoping you won’t go with them.”
    He pressed her hand against his lips and kissed her palm. “I will stay.”
    With one last kiss, he returned to the barracks to let the others know. Everyone was thrilled, except Galen who frowned at him. “Why can’t you come with me?”
    “Should something come up, one of us is needed to stay behind. I volunteered.”
    “It’s not fair!”
    “Fair has nothing to do with life or war, little brother. It just is. And we get through both as best we can. Now, pack. Take your furlough and send my love to Father, Perseus and Julia, and their son. Tell them that I think of them often.”
    “All right. But I shall miss you.”
    “I will miss you, too. However, I will enjoy a night’s sleep without your snoring.”
    Laughing, Galen shoved at him. “I’m not the bear in the room. That would be Hector.”
    Hector grinned as he packed up his gear. “I would say I’m insulted by that, but it’s true.”
    Aricles went to his chest and pulled out the small carved horse and soldier he’d made for his nephew. He handed them to Galen. “Take these to Theodorus and tell him that his uncle will hopefully see him soon.”
    “I will.”
    “And give Talia my best, too.”
    Galen blushed, yet didn’t speak as he continued to pack.
    Within an hour, even though it was almost nightfall, the men were gone and Aricles was alone in the room that seemed suddenly too quiet. Since he’d been born a twin and had shared a room at home with both his brothers for as long as he could remember, he’d never spent a night alone before. It was strangely unsettling.
    That was his thought until he felt a warm presence behind him. His heart lightened instantly.
    He turned, expecting Bathymaas.
    Instead, it was the Greek god Apollo.
    Aricles shot to his feet to confront him. “What are you doing here?”
    An evil grin spread across his face. “Time for payback, Atlantean. And this time, there’s no one here to interrupt us.”

October 23, 12,249 BC
     
    Frowning, Bathymaas materialized in the Ēperon barracks. She’d expected Aricles to call out to her once the others had left, but it was long after nightfall, and she was certain they’d gone home by now.
    Her frown deepened as she saw him in bed with no light whatsoever. Scared he was ill, she quickly closed the distance between them. “Ari?”
    Horror filled her as she saw his battered face. Bruises covered him all over. There was one fierce mark in the shape of a handprint on his throat, as if someone had held him down and choked him.
    With a light groan, he pushed himself up.
    “What happened?”
    Shame and torment darkened his gaze. “It’s fine, my goddess. I’ll heal.”
    “Who did this to you?”
    “It doesn’t matter.”
    “It matters to me! Was it one of the Ēperon?”
    He swallowed hard before he answered. “No. They went home in high spirits.”
    “Then who?”
    He refused to meet her gaze. “Bathia, please… I’ve no wish to discuss it.”
    Tears clouded her vision as she saw how badly he’d been beaten. How she wished she had the power to heal him. But unfortunately, she didn’t have the ability. “I’ll call my aunt. She’ll – ”
    “Please, Bathia… I’d rather no one else know about this.”
    “Why?”
    A single tear fell down