“I was dishonest with you,” Eryx said in a soft, faraway manner. My gaze fell upon him. “How so?” He sat there a moment before his eyes found mine. “I was angry with you. Not only for your reluctance to stand up for yourself, but because I did not favor the way you looked at the helot.” His jaw tightened as he looked toward the wet earth and snatched a long strand of grass, tearing it apart in his hands. “Seeing you fancy another was like a dagger to my heart, Axios. And I must confess that a part of me enjoyed slitting his throat.”
