Aisha’s eyes locked onto mine, wide with shock and disbelief, as if she were staring at a ghost. I couldn’t blame her; it wasn’t every day that someone you thought dead suddenly reappeared in front of you. Her expression wavered—hesitation, confusion, fear. It was all there, battling beneath the surface.
I took a breath, my voice softer than before as I broke the silence between us. “It’s been a while, Aisha.”
At the sound of my voice, something in her snapped. Her hesitation melted away, and without warning, she leaped over the table, closing the distance between us in an instant. Her arms wrapped around me with desperate intensity, as if she was afraid I would vanish if she didn’t hold on tight enough.
“I-it’s really you?! Na… Nathan?!”
Her voice trembled with a mix of joy and disbelief as she clung to me, her tears falling freely, soaking the armor I wore. Her body shook with each sob, and I could feel the warmth of her tears against the cold metal of my armor. I wanted to comfort her, to let her know it was really me, but the hard steel between us made our embrace feel distant, impersonal.
I silently cursed the armor for being in the way. I could feel her hands gripping me tightly, as if she feared I might disappear again. She wept uncontrollably, her face buried against my chest. I let her cry, feeling the weight of the moment settle over us like a heavy shroud.
For what felt like an eternity, we stayed like that, her sobs the only sound in the stillness. After a long minute, she pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face tilting up to look at me once more. Her eyes, red and puffy from crying, searched mine, filled with confusion and a need for answers.
“H…how is this possible, Nathan…? I thought you died… They said… they told me you were gone… I don’t understand…”
Her voice was shaky, her words tumbling out in a desperate stream as her mind struggled to process the impossible. She kept mumbling to herself, lost in the whirlwind of emotions and disbelief.
It was understandable. Liphiel had undoubtedly crafted a convenient story about my disappearance, probably blaming it all on the Demons while painting herself as the savior. That woman was cunning—twisting truths to suit her needs. The mere thought of her filled me with a burning hatred that simmered just beneath the surface.
I will definitely kill this woman when the opportunity arises.
“It’s a long story,” I finally replied, my voice tight with restraint.
Aisha looked up at me again, her brows furrowing as if she was starting to piece things together. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, flickered with recognition. “It’s… the Divine Knight, isn’t it?” she asked, her gaze piercing straight into mine.
I had warned her before. I had told her to be cautious of Radakel and, by extension, the Divine Knights. They were all tied to the corrupt Empire of Light, a web of deceit and power. Aisha had reached the correct conclusion, as always. Her intuition had never failed her.
I didn’t answer immediately, but my silence spoke louder than words. Aisha’s jaw clenched, and I saw the anger flare in her eyes. She had every right to be furious.
“That day,” I began, my voice lowering as I recalled the memory, “Liphiel tried to kill me. I should have died, Aisha. Everyone thinks I’m dead, and honestly, it’s better if it stays that way—for now, at least.”
Aisha’s expression shifted, confusion swirling within her as she tightened her grip on my chest. “B-but why? Why would you let them believe you’re dead? Why hide?” Her voice was small, almost pleading, as if she couldn’t comprehend why I would make such a choice.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation bear down on me. “If they knew I was still alive, they’d send their best after me. It’s only a matter of time before they see me as a real threat. I need time, Aisha. Time to prepare, to grow stronger, before I can take them on.”
Her fists clenched tighter against my chest, and I could see the pain in her eyes. “Why are they trying to kill you, Nathan? I don’t understand…” Her voice trembled in her confusion.
Why were they trying to kill me?
The truth was simple enough: I was too unpredictable, too dangerous. They thought I was weak, an expendable pawn. But then Oscar had died, and I had been with him when it happened. His death had raised too many questions—questions that pointed back to me. They suspected I wasn’t alone, that I had a powerful ally hiding in the shadows, and that suspicion alone was enough for them to want me gone.
“They don’t trust me, because I always knew something was up with them so decided to get rid of me. They failed though.” I said.
Aisha’s eyes narrowed as her emotions shifted, suspicion darkening her gaze. She tilted her head slightly, as if weighing her next words carefully.
“Why are you here, Nathan? You didn’t come all this way just to reunite with us, did you?” Her voice was quieter now, edged with something sharp, almost wary.
I met her gaze, deciding it was best to be honest. “I’m working as a mercenary for Troy. Right now, I’m infiltrating this camp.”
Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening slightly in disbelief. “Troy? Infiltrating? What… why?”
“It’s complicated.” I paused for a moment, searching for the right words. “I need something, Aisha. I’ve made a deal to fight for Troy, and I’m here to save a woman who’s been captured by Agamemnon—Astynome, the priestess of Apollo.”
The moment I mentioned another woman’s name, Aisha’s gaze changed. It sharpened, her eyes narrowing dangerously, and I couldn’t hide my surprise. This was the first time I’d ever seen her with such a possessive look. Her lips tightened, and her body language shifted from open to tense.
It felt oddly familiar, though, like when I was with Medea or Scylla—women who didn’t take kindly to perceived competition. Charybdis, at least, was more straightforward to calm down, but this… this was new territory with Aisha.
“Why do you want her?” she asked, her voice losing its softness, her earlier tears now completely dried. Her tone was laced with suspicion, and I could see her trying to control her emotions, but they flickered across her face too quickly to hide.
It took me aback for a second. Was she really jealous? Over a woman she didn’t even know?
“She’s Apollo’s priestess. By saving her, I can get Apollo’s attention and ask him for a favor. That’s all.”
“A favor?” Aisha repeated, her tense posture easing slightly as she seemed to absorb that explanation. For some reason, relief flashed across her features. I wondered what she thought I intended to do with Astynome.
Silence stretched between us as she contemplated my words, her thoughts clearly racing. I couldn’t blame her for needing time—after all, I had been dead in her mind until mere moments ago. She was still processing my return, the lies Liphiel had spun, and now this—me, tangled up in a war and working for Troy.
As I watched her, my mind shifted to something darker. My eyes drifted over her form, catching glimpses of her torn clothes and her breasts.
But I wasn’t feeling aroused by this sigh as it only reminded me of what had nearly happened to her moments ago in the tent.
King Ajax of Salamis…
A sickening, twisted rage welled up inside me, far more dangerous than mere hatred.
Sienna had driven Ajax away without killing him, no doubt to avoid the wrath of the Greek kings. She was bound by her allegiances, and antagonizing all the kings would be disastrous. Even with her strength and that of the others in the Empire of Light, fighting off the massive Greek army would be impossible, in this place.
But I wasn’t a Hero of Light Empire anymore. I had no loyalty to them, never had, nor any reason to hold back. I was with Troy now.
Not like it changed anything on what I was about to do to that King.
“I understand better now what’s happening,” Aisha nodded.
I nodded to her.
“We will have opportunity to see hmmmm?”
Aisha’s sudden kiss caught me completely off guard. Her lips pressed against mine, and before I could process what was happening, she pushed me down with unexpected force. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her, catching her as she fell onto my chest. The familiar warmth of her body sent my thoughts spiraling, but I was too stunned to react.
“Before you leave again… I want you to fuck me,” she whispered, her voice carrying an edge of desire, her usual calm and nonchalant expression staring down at me.
I blinked, still processing her words. “Aisha?”
This was not the Aisha I remembered. She had always been straight in her words, but this… this was different.
I opened my mouth to say something, but she cut me off as if sensing my what I wanted to say. “I know about you and Courtney.” Her voice was steady, and I felt her fingers grasp my arm, tearing away at the armor that covered me, exposing the simple tunic underneath. She smiled, a playful but almost possessive glint in her eyes.
“I don’t care,” she whispered, her lips curving into a wicked smile. “I just want to be with you right now, Nathan.”
Before I could respond, she leaned down and kissed me again, this time deeper, more demanding.