Chapter 34 - Androkles

“I know you don’t intend it to be. But I don’t trust Lord Ares,” Ismene-Eirene sighed as she moved from her chair.

I furrowed my brow, not sure what she was doing at first. And blinked in surprise as she sat on my leg, having used her hand to be sure of where my lap was.

Am I dreaming this? Did Dio knock me unconscious in training?

I froze, probably not breathing for fear of startling her or waking up from a fever dream. Her arms wrapped around my neck and hugged me like if she let go, I was the one that would disappear.

“You have to be careful. And you have to win,” Ismene-Eirene said softly.

“You're fighting for a good reason because you're a good man. And I won't stop worrying until I can talk to you after the fight and hear your voice," she said, muffled slightly as she buried her face into my shoulder.

I was not prepared for this. I've been hugged by... well, Dio was the only person I could remember hugging me, which was VERY different. This was Ismene-Eirene hugging me. Thi