Read Online Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) by Elizabeth Rose - Free Book Online Page B

longer standing there. He was already far from her, tying his horse to the tree.
    Embarrassed by her own behavior, she turned away, falsely warming her hands at the fire.
    “Make sure Hester gets to graze.”
    “Hester?”
    “My horse.” He walked over to the fire. “The food looks like it’s ready to eat. Have your fill and burn the rest so it doesn’t attract any animals.”
    He sounded as if he were leaving.
    “Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked.
    He pulled two blankets from his saddle bag and threw them down next to her.
    “I’m not hungry.” She could have sworn she felt his stomach convulse when he said it. “Use the blankets to keep warm tonight. And keep the fire going.”
    “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
    “Just for awhile.” He hurriedly headed toward the woods.
    “Wait!” Thera jumped to her feet and started after him. “What if centaurs attack while you’re gone?”
    He stopped and turned toward her. “You don’t have to worry about any centaurs you may see tonight, Thera.”
    “By the gods, I hope not to see any of those wretched creatures while you’re gone.”
    His eyes grew darker and his jaw twitched. She felt his anguish and couldn’t help but notice his fists clenched at his sides.
    “Mayhap you should try and get to know one, Goddess. Mayhap then you’d change your mind.”
    “Wait!” she called after him but he was already gone.
    She felt a small pain stab her in the stomach and decided not to go after him. Her baby was hungry and she had to eat. She’d just have some food, and she’d talk to Kyros when he calmed down. He had to return soon, wherever he was going. She couldn’t imagine he’d leave her alone all night when there were centaurs roaming the woods.
    She ate her fill and still Kyros hadn’t returned. She let Hester graze and then tied her closer to the fire for the night.
    “So, Hester. Where did Kyros go?”
    She petted the horse on its nose and reveled in the animal’s calmness. Her own insides were jumpy. The night had closed in all around her and still Kyros hadn’t returned. She went back to the fire and wrapped up in the blankets and laid her head against the trunk of a tree. He should be back soon. She’d apologize for upsetting him when he returned.
    Her body ached and every bone within her felt tired. She tried hard to keep her eyes open but just couldn’t. She needed rest after her long day. She needed to sleep to rejuvenate herself. She’d just close her eyes for a few minutes until Kyros returned.

 
    Eight
     
     
    Kyros ran through the woods, trying to get as far away from Thera as possible. The sun had disappeared through the trees and he could feel the chill of nightfall setting in. His legs cramped and his stomach convulsed, causing him to fall to his knees in the dirt. It was happening again. Damn, this curse. When would he ever get used to the wretched transformation?
    He clutched his side and fell over on the forest floor. A sweat encompassed him from the heat, so strong that he felt he’d incinerate before the change was finished. He tugged at his sandal laces, ripping his shoes from his body in order to save them from being torn apart. He then threw his sword and scabbard to the side and grabbed for his tunic, trying to pull it over his head.
    It was too late. His muscles bulged, his bones stretched, and his clothing ripped down the middle. He’d stayed too long at Thera’s side and now must suffer the consequences. His body writhed on the ground and though the hum in his ears was deafening he could have sworn he heard Thera calling his name.
    His stomach convulsed. His body groaned. His teeth chattered as his hooves and tail emerged, and a chill colder than an Arctic winter wracked his body, not to mention his brain. But the pain in his head was nothing compared to the aching in his newfound joints. His ragged breathing slowed as he lay on his side. Beads of sweat clung to his chest and back.
    Damn the god of war for