I don't want to," she said, firmer now, pushing against him once more.
Eryx tilted his head as his eyes searching her face desperately. "Please," he said softly. "We need to talk. Don't you think I deserve an explanation?"
Athena closed her eyes. "Eryx… please."
He shook his head slowly, refusing to let go, refusing to back down, completely unaware or uncaring of the dozens of eyes burning into them.
Athena opened her eyes at last, meeting Eryx's gaze. "I can't," she said quietly. "Not here. Not like this."
Eryx didn't back down, If anything, he leaned closer, his voice dropping, urgent. "No," he said quietly. "You don't get to shut me out like this."
Athena stiffened. "Eryx…"
"You disappeared," he cut in, pain flashing across his face. "One day you were there, telling me things I can't forget, and the next, nothing. No goodbye. No explanation. Do you know what that did to me?"
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
