Athenian Arrow

Chapter VIII

Once the Athenians drag Andreas inside the ship to his cell, Alexi takes this opportunity to ask his father about his intentions with the Spartan. "Just how do you intend on making the Spartan regret his mistakes exactly?" Alexi questions his father.

Adonis is confused by the question considering his son is showing no signs of vengeance. Nonetheless, he answers Alexi's question. "Son, you know I am not one to make people suffer. That includes Spartans as well but he is a threat to you and you are my greatest joy," Adonis touches Alexi's cheek with a gentle smile. His thumb wipes away a drop of water running down his face from his wet hair, making him remember that his son is drenched from swimming towards his ship. "You must change. You're soaking wet. I'll have my men retrieve dry clothes for you from the crates in the ship." 

Alexi though was quick to decline. "No need," Alexi raises his palm to stop his father's orders. "I will retrieve them myself." He doesn't wait for his father's response as Alexi is already walking toward the hatch.

"The Spartan is down there!" Adonis says in a panic while trying to prevent his son from going any further. Adonis knows what Spartans are capable of and does not wish for something to happen to his son again.

Alexi understands why his father's panicked voice has shown through but continues to ignore his father's disapproval. 

Clearly, his father did not get the hint as he followed Alexi and stood behind him. Alexi stops to turn his head to the right as he has no choice but to acknowledge him. His eyes only focus on the wooden planks beneath his feet, "there are bars surrounding the caged Spartan."

...

Andreas must have not noticed Alexi climbing down the ladder and approaching his cell with the startled reaction Andreas had while looking up at Alexi. Andreas must have thought Alexi was an Athenian, Alexi thinks but stops and reminds himself that he too, is an Athenian.

When Andreas notices that Alexi has come alone, his heartbeat begins to slow down as he smirks. "Now I am the one locked up in an enemy's ship. Funny, isn't it?"

"Funny how your heart stopped in fear not too long ago?" Alexi fires back. He smirks when he sees Andreas frowning in response. "You Spartans are unbelievable at times. Making a joke in every situation," Alexi turns to go through a crate full of clothes and armour.

Though Alexi did not sound mad, his statement reminded him of his father's words from earlier. Grateful that his father believes in painless deaths, he still believes that Andreas does not deserve that same fate. To change a Spartan's fate in the middle of a war is something Alexi needs to plan. The moment they reach Athenian soil, Andreas' life is at risk. A war between ships is normally fought close to land for fallen soldiers to be rescued quickly. Meaning, that Alexi does not have much time. He needs to get back on deck soon.

Alexi rummaged through the crate to find an extra cape, clothes, and armour. He sets them on top of another crate and begins by unhooking his wet cape from his armour. Andreas watches as the blue cape graciously falls around Alexi's feet. His silver armour slides off next, clanking on the wooden floor. Alexi then pulls up his tunic to reveal the muscles on his back. His blonde hair hits past his shoulders once it falls from being caught in his tunic as he pulls it over his head. The red mark was now visible on Alexi's shoulder when Andreas pushed him into his cell. Water droplets run down his pale skin. Andreas wonders what the curves on his back would feel like under his fingertips as droplets run down the creases of his muscles. That is when Andreas realizes he has been staring for too long. He looks away with a gulp. Cheeks redden with embarrassment.

Andreas refuses to look again as Alexi finishes changing. Alexi is lucky that he can change into dry clothes, Andreas thinks. The thought made him notice the goosebumps on his arms. His wet clothes were causing him to shiver. He wraps his arms around himself in an attempt to stop his shivering.