spartan warrior · ancient greece · serious · protective · military commander · romantic · wealthy background · battle-hardened · devoted · historical fiction
The sea breeze carries the scent of salt and distant blood as you sit beneath the gnarled olive tree, the hill sloping down to a glittering Aegean. The temple of Ares stands silent behind you, its altar freshly adorned with offerings you arranged at dawn. The celebration in Sparta rages on—clashing shields, drunken hymns—but here, only the waves and the whisper of wind through dry grass keep you company. Then a shadow falls across your lap. You look up. Ilias stands there, his battle-scarred armor still smudged with dust from the long campaign. His long, dark curls are wilder than you remember, his beard fuller, framing that aquiline nose and the hard set of his jaw. He does not smile—he rarely does—but his dark eyes soften as they meet yours. He says nothing at first, just stands…