by Nhys Glover
‘Don’t be stupid – as if I’d believe that I came to be positioned just so of my own accord. I’ve slept next to many people over the years and never woken to find myself wrapped in someone’s arms and certainly not with my hand… well, I won’t increase your pleasure by referring to where my hand was. Get out of bed, oaf. It’s getting late and we can’t afford to miss our ship.’
With one last cheeky grin, Leonis rolled off the pallet and onto his feet in one lithe move. Before she had time to work out what he was doing, he was exposing himself to pee into the bowl under the table. The sound of water hitting the clay bowl annoyed her and reminded her that she, too, needed to relieve herself, but she’d be damned if she were going to do it with him in the room.
When he’d finished and thrown on the tunic he’d worn the day before, he turned back to her. ‘I’ll give you some privacy, Amazon. When you’re ready, I’ll be down stairs on the street waiting for you. We need to get to the market before we head for the ship. It’s a long day coming up and we need supplies.’
And with that he put on his sandals, unchocked the door, threw his leather hold-all over his shoulder, reclaimed his cloak and headed out the door, narrowly missing the lintel as he bent almost double to get through the small opening.
As soon as he was gone, Cyra jumped to her feet and set about her own morning activities. Finally, after splashing a little of the lukewarm water from the basin over her face and doing her best to straighten her hair in a hurry, she followed the Dacian from the room.
It was a relief to be out in the cool of the morning. The air smelled strongly of the sea, but at least it was fresh. As soon as he saw her, Leonis took off in the direction of the market that lay just off the forum. Even though the sun had not yet risen, already there were people on the streets heading the same direction as they were.
By the time they’d restocked their supplies and made it to the dock in time for sailing, Cyra was feeling the first true lightness of spirit she’d felt since that long-ago night she and Galeria had walked up the hill from their swim. Today they’d get Gali back. By the time they slept again tonight, Gali would be at her side. She just knew it!
After Leonis set up their place on the deck, she started unpacking the food to break their fast. This morning she was as hungry as a wolf, and the way the Dacian devoured his bread and cold meat, it was clear she wasn’t the only one who was ravenous. After downing a cup of watered wine and a good-sized chunk of bread smothered in olive oil, she lounged back on the cloak-covered deck and relaxed.
The sounds of movement around her were reassuring. The day before she hadn’t appreciated the wonder that was setting sail, today she did. Every member of the crew had his task and they all worked in a synchronised pattern of hurried expectancy getting the ship away from the dock, raising the sails, making sure everything that needed to be battened down was.
There were only a few passengers on board this morning and they had more space than they’d had the day before. Cyra even found herself smiling at several of their fellow travellers she recognised from the day before. Most still had sleep-dust in their eyes and creases down the sides of their faces, but they returned her smile willingly enough.
‘You seem in a better mood. I told you you’d sleep better with me at your side.’
‘Don’t flatter yourself, Dacian; I was just so tired I could have slept on a moving horse.’
‘I’m big, but not as big as a horse.’
She groaned at his crudity and chose to ignore him. She settled back against the side of the deckhouse, glad of the shelter provided by the canvas above them. As the day went on, she was sure it would be even more appreciated. It was going to be another hot one.
As she drowsed, she noticed that Leonis moved closer to her side. The heat from his body should have made her uncomfortably hot. Instead, it just eased her further. In her whole life, she’d never felt so at ease with another’s body so close. Usually she kept herself to herself; even as child she’d been like that. Well, maybe not in the early years when her father was still around, but after he’d left them she’d never needed or wanted anyone close to her. Not that she didn’t love her family, Gali and Galeria, she did. She just didn’t need their physical closeness.
But this Dacian was different. Leonis had a way of getting under her skin. He was annoying and untrustworthy, yet there was something about his presence that soothed her. So, even though it would have been cooler to put a bit of distance between their hot bodies, she stayed where she was, letting her thoughts return to those first moments of waking. Though she wanted to believe that he moved her to the place she’d awoken, honesty had her admitting that if the way she was feeling now were any indication, it was more than likely that she had snuggled into him of her own accord. Not that that meant anything. He was a man and she was a woman – albeit only half a woman now – and their bodies knew what came naturally to them. It had nothing to do with how she felt about him.
How did she feel about him? Yes, he was handsome and she was physically attracted to his youthful vitality and easy-going manner. Yes, she had enjoyed the short kiss he’d given her the day before once she’d processed it. Yes, she actually found herself liking his light-hearted, cheeky way of seeing the world. He was intelligent, there was no doubt about that, and he had a way with words that made her think he’d missed his calling; he would have made a better bard than warrior she was sure. And there was something reassuring about him that made her want to trust him, even though she knew he was not to be trusted.
Did she want to have a roll in the hay with him? Yes, she did. Maybe when they had Gali safely back, she’d think about thanking him in a way that would please him and might even please her. Her fear of what he would think when he saw her ugly scars made her edge back from the decision immediately. Maybe when they had Gali back he’d have more time to slake his thirst with a more appealing woman. At the moment, there really wasn’t time for any woman but her, so of course he wanted her, even knowing how lacking she was. However, when there was more time and more opportunity… well, he was bound to go elsewhere. That was what men did.
‘Sleeping, Cyra?’ His voice was deep and drowsy. Unconsciously, she shifted to the side so she could rest her head on his shoulder. Her only response was ‘Hmmm…’
‘I like having you curled up next to me,’ he said softly, his breath fanning her damp forehead. A hand came up and brushed a stray curl off her face.
‘Hmmm,’ she said again.
‘You’re a beautiful woman. I know you don’t believe that but I don’t lie. I find you’re a beautiful, desirable woman.’
‘You haven’t seen me naked,’ she mumbled, rubbing her head against the rough fabric of his tunic and breathing in the pleasing scent of him.
‘There’s only one way to find out,’ his voice was laced with humour.
‘Too risky. I saw the way people looked at me on the auction block. They were repelled by me. Galeria can barely bring herself to look at me when we swim together. You’ll be no different.’ Why was she being so honest with him? This drowsy peace was loosening her tongue more than was right.
‘People like Galeria… and me… we aren’t repulsed by your ugliness, we’re sickened by what was done to you. It’s a gruesome thing to do to any woman, but a young and beautiful one like you… I wish I had the bastard right here. I’d butcher him in just such a way.’ Now his tone was anything but light and joking. She could hear the steel in his voice and it made her heart flutter. He would really revenge her if he could. This declaration touched her as much as young Gali’s hug beside the palm of Colossus had done. For a moment, she let herself believe he meant it.
‘It doesn’t matter. If we revenged ourselves on every person who deserved it…’
‘We’d sleep better at night,’ he finished for her, his humour back.
‘I don’t think so. I think all that you’d feel was empty. Revenge gives you a purpose, but when it’s done, what’s left? Just the debris of
a life neglected in the pursuit of vengeance. It’s a man’s desire, not a woman’s. We women get on with life.’
‘You remind me of my mother,’ he said, shifting her so that she was now wrapped in both his arms, not just leaning against him. ‘She had a difficult life, loving a man married to another, shunned by society because she was a concubine. But she never resented father for the position he placed her in, and she never showed any bitterness toward the people who snubbed her.
‘I remember one time when Boreus’ mother came walking down the street with her entourage. I must have been six or seven. When she saw us coming the other way, she crossed the road. I saw my mother’s face. She was so hurt by the action. I wanted to pick up horse dung and throw it at that snotty, self-satisfied face.
‘I wanted to call her ugly, but in truth, she was actually more beautiful than my mother. Yet in that moment, I thought she was truly ugly.’
For a moment, Cyra could think of nothing to say to that. In the end, she returned to the subject that had started this sharing. ‘So your mother understood how revenge could eat the soul. A wise woman…’
‘She… she was. I missed her badly when she died and they took my baby sister away. I cried for days, and father never sent for me. Not for a long, long time after. I think he was grieving. When he finally had me brought to him, it was over a year later… he looked at me, stroked my hair that was the same golden colour as my mother’s and broke down. He pulled me in close and cried into my hair. He said, “You look just like her… gods, how I miss her.” That’s when I realised that he hadn’t rejected me as I thought. He just found looking at me reminded him too much of her.’
She rubbed her cheek against his chest, giving comfort in the only way she knew how. His hand stroked her arm. ‘After that, he seemed to want me around. Instead of not wanting to be reminded of her, after that, I think he felt like a little piece of her was still with him when I was at his side…’
‘I think he wanted you there because he cared for you, his son,’ she found herself saying. The idea that this easy-going man thought the only reason his father wanted him was because he reminded him or his mother was belittling. She didn’t like that.
‘Maybe… I tried to be the best son I could be. I trained the hardest and longest. I took chances to prove my courage, all so I could see the pride in his blue eyes. People say I have his eyes.’
‘They must make him a handsome man,’ she said before she realised the significance of her words.
‘You like my eyes then, wildcat?’ The teasing note was back but it was laced with affection. She couldn’t bring herself to bristle.
‘They remind me of the sea. They’re pretty eyes,’ she admitted.
‘And your eyes are as dark as a Dacian forest at dusk. They hold the same mystery and magic.’
‘You missed your calling. You were born to be a bard. Such honeyed words…’
‘I speak the truth… nothing more.’ His voice had become lower and there was gravel in it that told her he was moved. She felt him swallow.
Lifting her head, she met his gaze with her own. Why was she letting this happen? This was not the time for sexual overtures with Gali’s life at risk, but she was mesmerised, unable to break the strange magic that had wrapped itself around them here on the rocking deck of the merchant vessel heading for Ephesus.
‘What do you see in my eyes now?’ she said on an out breath, letting all of her newly found attraction show through.
For a moment, he just stared at her, seemingly lost in thought. Then he let out the breath he’d been holding. ‘Don’t tempt me, kitten. If I followed through on what I see there, there would be a riot on the decks. I want you… badly…’ And even though he had reminded her of their location, he still brought his lips down to meet hers.
This time she had a chance to experience the kiss fully as it was happening. She tasted the wine on his lips, could smell it overlaying the now familiar scent of his skin. The silky brush of his beard tickled her chin. His lips were so soft and sleek, and they moved over hers asking for more; and she wanted to give more.
Opening her mouth, she let him in as his fingers clutched her hair, holding her close. All of his desire rushed into her, mixed with her own drowsy longing and ignited into a fire that scorched. Before it burned higher, Leonis dragged his mouth from hers, panting.
‘Gods, woman you tempt me… I’ll be diving into the sea to cool off if I keep this up.’ He chuckled as he nuzzled into her neck, trying to get himself back under control. Feeling his breath on her neck only excited her further. She stroked her cheek against his silky golden hair. It was unfair that a man should have such beauty.
While they calmed their fevered senses, Cyra wondered about the newfound intimacy that had sprung up between them. She had no idea why his actions were no longer raising her hackles. She no longer felt the need to hiss and spit at him. Nothing had really changed between them, and yet something had changed. She couldn’t feel sorry about that. He may not be in her life for very long, but she was now determined to enjoy the time they had.
Although, enjoying anything while Gali was in danger and Galeria was racing across the sea to save her mother seemed like an insult. Those females had done so much for her. What right had she to enjoy the company of a man while they suffered?
But as she dozed with her nose pressed into Leonis’ tunic, it didn’t seem to matter. All that mattered in this moment was that this man was kind and caring, and he seemed genuinely to want her, scars and all. It fed her soul.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
EPHESUS
It was just on dusk when they made their way off the docks and headed into the city. It was a large, sprawling place that rivalled Rome in size and magnificence. Decaneus couldn’t help but be impressed. The city wall of itself was a monumental sight, reminding him that this was once a war-ravaged region.
If Rome got its chance to conquer his homeland, would they build cities surrounded by walls like this to keep his people out?
He thought about the citadel at Sarmizegetusa Regia where he’d spent most of his younger years. That fortress on the mountain was impregnable. Rome might one day get its claws into the rest of their lands, but they’d never take that mighty and sacred place. Compared to that citadel Ephesus was nothing, he decided with pride.
‘Let’s find out where the Proconsul lives,’ Cyra said, as she almost skipped along at his side. He realised his own impatience to be doing something was making his strides long. The short girl couldn’t possibly match him. He reined himself in and slowed down.
‘Accommodation first. I made a point of asking the ship’s Master for his choice and so we go there. With any luck, it will be cleaner and quieter than last night’s midden. I’m still scratching from the bed bugs I brought with me.’
‘But…’
‘Cyra, we aren’t just marching in there and taking the girl. This is the Proconsul of Asia’s villa about which we speak. Do you think they’ll let two slaves just take a child like that? Especially as Antoninus will want to keep her as bait to draw Galeria in. No, patience and some discrete inquiries are our first step. Once we know what we’re up against, then we act. Research, a planned strategy… then action.’
The young woman at his side harrumphed angrily but said no more. And once they’d found their pleasant room for the night, cleaned up at the baths and eaten a good meal, Decaneus was nearly ready to take action. By that stage, Cyra was in the throes of frustrated fury. Any moment he expected her to take off on her own, but sense seemed to prevail and she sat impatiently by, waiting until he was ready.
Over their meal, Decaneus had asked around about the Proconsul. He found out that he lived in a large villa on the hill above the city. It was a good hour’s walk away. Some people said they’d heard Antoninus had gone. Others disagreed. There was consensus that a new Proconsul would be taking over the governorship soon if it hadn’t happened already.
‘We need to get up there and see what’s h
appening. If he leaves before we see him because of your procrastination…’ Cyra said harshly, pushing her still over-filled plate away from her in disgust.
‘I’m not procrastinating. I’m getting a feel for my surroundings. Didn’t you notice the fear in the voices when they spoke of the Proconsul? This man is not someone to be trifled with. His son is a fool but the father is not. This is information we need, and if they left the city, they’d have done it at dawn. We’ll know the situation before we sleep this night. If they leave at dawn, we’ll take ship and follow. Away from their stronghold, we have a better chance of infiltrating. This can work in our favour.’
Cyra nodded and picked up her wooden spoon again, forcing down a mouthful of the surprisingly good bean stew. She refused to look at him.
‘Have you ever raided?’ he asked her impatiently.
She shook her head, bottom lip protruding like a sulky child.
‘I have. Many times. I know what I’m doing.’
‘I just can’t stand sitting around when I know my little Gali is somewhere close by, drugged and helpless.’
‘As long as it doesn’t kill her, sleeping through this terrifying experience is the best thing for her. When she wakes up, there you’ll be. Think about that.’
She nodded wordlessly again, and this time she ate with more grace and her pout was over.
They took to the dark streets as soon as their meal was finished and found their way to the Proconsul’s villa. It was very late by that time and the place was in darkness. There were no guards on duty at the entrance and that told Decaneus what he needed to know. The Proconsul wasn’t here. Did that mean his son wasn’t either?
He decided to take a chance. With Cyra tagging along behind him, he strode up to the door and banged on it. When there was no answer, he banged again, the sound echoing hollowly. It felt like the place was deserted.
Finally, the door opened a crack and a pale face of an aging man appeared around the space.
