by Tanya Bird
‘I suspect Dulcia would happily sleep on the streets, as long as it was with you.’
Nero turned to look at Felix, finding him propped up on one elbow, watching him. He had been awake after all. ‘I can’t do that to her.’
‘Oh, I know that. But would it have killed you to admit you were at least tempted?’
‘Feed her false hope?’ He hung his head again. ‘I won’t destroy her.’
Felix rolled his eyes. ‘Must you be so dramatic?’
Nero raised his head. ‘Right now she needs a roof over her head.’
The dwarf sat up and pushed the blanket aside. ‘All I am saying is, if you do not wish to see that girl married to your nemesis, you had better make a plan—and quickly. Once she exchanges nuptials with Manius Liberia, there will be no second chances.’
Nero stared at him. He was right, of course. Soon she would be untouchable. If he was crazy enough to think himself worthy of her, mad enough to try, the time was now. He just needed a few weeks to get back on his feet, to make some money and figure it all out.
‘Dulcia’s not going to marry Manius.’ He nodded as he thought. She’s going to marry me.
Chapter 17
The sun had grown teeth. The women stood in the shade at the back of the temple. Licinia had her arms folded, watching the blue rock thrush flitting around them in search of insects.
‘You are not saying much,’ Dulcia said, eyeing the priestess. ‘Your silence is not much of a comfort.’
‘Is it really comfort you seek?’ Licinia looked sceptical.
Dulcia shook her head. ‘Fine, counsel, then.’
Licinia smiled. ‘You want me to talk you into marrying Manius, is that it?’
Dulcia glanced around, worried someone would overhear them. ‘He visited me daily for the entire week I was bedridden. Everyone is singing his praises.’
‘Everyone?’
She hesitated, twisting the ring that hung from her neck, the one she should not be wearing. ‘Well, my mother, at least.’
‘Ah.’ The birds flew off, and Licinia turned to face her. ‘You have a choice, but the choice is not between Nero and Manius. That would be too easy. The choice is between Nero and your family.’
That was true. Her mother had made it perfectly clear the day she had dragged her from the stables, unable to look at her. ‘If Rufus finds out about this, you will be exiled so quickly, you will be left spinning on the street. What were you thinking, going to him?’ Tertia had seethed.
She had been thinking only of Nero: his warm arms, lips, breath. The way his voice hummed on her skin when he spoke. How was she to make sensible choices when she could not think past him?
‘Lust,’ Tertia had called it. ‘It can reduce the most sensible person to a juvenile state. You are smarter than that.’
Her mother had reduced everything she felt down to a physical impulse. Dulcia might have been young, but she recognised the enormity of her feelings.
‘Did they find an apartment?’
A nod. ‘It’s tiny. Only two rooms, but they make it work.’ Remus and Mila had refused the offer of coin from Nerva.
‘But you have not seen Nero since the night you…’
The fact that Licinia could not even finish the sentence spoke volumes.
‘Nothing happened, you know.’ Not entirely true. She had bared her soul, and he had sent her away. Now three weeks had passed without a word.
The birds returned, snatching Licinia’s attention once more. ‘You answer only to Vesta.’
Dulcia felt her eyes prickle. She had been on the verge of tears for days. ‘Families will be returning to the city soon, tiring of the quiet and salty air. Mother has bought fabric for the gown. Manius’s sister even gifted me a necklace for the event.’
Licinia studied her for a moment. ‘And yet you have never looked more miserable.’
Dulcia brushed aside a tear that escaped. ‘Nero said that now is not the time, but time is running out. They are talking about a date four weeks from now.’
A bird hopped closer, its tail flicking and head tilting to get a better look at them.
‘He is being practical,’ Licinia said. ‘The more time that passes, the higher the stakes.’
Dulcia drew a long breath. ‘I can be practical too. I have already thought about the fact that I would need to find work.’
‘If you are truly being practical, then consider the possibility that people might not be prepared to employ you, or use your services, when they learn of your situation.’
The words slammed into Dulcia’s middle.
Seeing the effect of her statement, Licinia added, ‘But you have skills, youth and good health on your side.’
‘But not my own mother.’
Silence.
Approaching footsteps made them both turn. Dulcia felt cold at the sight of Manius coming towards them. What on earth is he doing here?
‘They said I might find you here,’ he said, coming to a stop in front of them. He bowed his head at Licinia, who returned the gesture. ‘I am afraid I must steal Dulcia away.’
Licinia regarded him for a moment before replying. ‘We were just finishing up.’
He was the last person Dulcia felt like seeing. ‘I thought I was joining you for dinner this evening.’ She struggled to keep the annoyance from her tone.
He bent, kissing her cheek. It left a damp spot on her skin, and she had a strong urge to wipe at it.
‘Can I not surprise my soon-to-be wife during daylight?’
Licinia looked away. ‘Please excuse me.’ She bowed her head once more.
Dulcia wished her friend would stay, but knew she could not avoid being alone with him forever. ‘Good day.’ She lowered her head.
The priestess gave her a fleeting sympathetic glance before leaving.
Dulcia felt only dread as she looked at Manius. It was a blazing contrast to the butterflies in her chest whenever Nero made impromptu visits. She knew she would never play games, climb a tree, or even laugh with the man standing before her.
‘Come,’ he said, offering her his arm. ‘I have something to show you.’
She stared warily at the extended limb before finally stepping forwards to take it.
The domus was in region thirteen, close to the Liberia household, though around half the size. Dulcia stood in the middle of the newly refurbished atrium, feeling detached from the scene. Her gaze settled on the fountain in the middle of the room. ‘Who lives here?’
‘We will,’ Manius said, a wide grin spreading across his face as he came towards her. ‘In a few short weeks.’
She really ought to have smiled, or at least reacted. Instead, she watched the pride play out on his face, his teeth seeming five shades whiter in that moment. So happy with himself. What an awful person she was, unable to even muster a few words of appreciation.
‘You did not think we would live with my family, did you?’
What did she know? She still shared a room with her mother. ‘I had not given it much thought.’
‘A senator must have his own domus if he is to entertain.’
She pressed her lips into a thin line to stop herself from speaking. He was not a senator yet, but it was probably smart not to point out the fact.
Manius strolled around the room, radiating importance. ‘After the wedding, your father will discuss the matter with Severus himself. What a successful match we are.’
She watched him circle her, feeling like prey. ‘Yes.’
He returned to her, taking her face in his hands so she was forced to look at him. ‘This is not just business, you know. I also get you, and you get me.’
The angle was uncomfortable, so she shifted her feet, waiting for him to let go. Instead, he bent his head and kissed her, more feverishly than previous times. His prime reason for marrying her might have been for the senate, but there was no denying his attraction to her. That only made her feel worse. At least if it were pure business, she could remain detached without guilt.
She felt like an awkward statue standing there in the middle of that large room while he ravaged her mouth. Finally, he pulled back, but kept hold of her.
‘Would you like to see the bedrooms?’ There was no mistaking the innuendo. ‘The beds are most comfortable.’
She swallowed against his fingers. ‘Careful. Senators must be of high moral character.’ She had meant to keep her tone light. ‘Perhaps you can show me the kitchen.’
‘Of all the rooms in the house, you ask to see the kitchen?’ He pulled her back to him, his hand gliding over her breast. ‘Why do you deny me still?’
She leaned away from him. ‘Because we are not married yet.’
He laughed. ‘In a matter of weeks it will not matter.’
She pulled free of his grip. ‘I should go.’
He caught her wrist, holding so tightly she had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from crying out.
‘I bring you here, to our home, and you offer up nothing but bland conversation and indifferent glances before walking out on me?’ He seemed genuinely confused. ‘It is as though you have forgotten what you are.’
She watched as her hand changed colour. ‘And what is that?’
‘A freed woman. A slaveborn woman.’ He let go of her arm, and she pressed it to her chest, covering it protectively with her other hand. ‘When a man like me invites you to bed, you should be gleefully lifting your skirts.’
She took a step back. ‘Can you hear yourself?’
He looked away, suitably ashamed.
‘Perhaps there are some women who show their gratitude in that way, but I am not one of them. Is that really the type of woman you want to marry?’
He was quiet a moment, then cleared his throat. ‘I only pray your hesitation has nothing to do with some childish fling.’
She did not have to ask what or who he was referring to.
‘We cannot erase our past feelings or actions,’ he continued, ‘but we can put them behind us for the benefit of our futures.’ He paused. ‘I trust you will be able to do that. I might seem like a progressive man, but I will not accept you in parts. You will belong to me entirely or not at all. In return for your blatant devotion, you will have a life many only dream of.’ Another pause. ‘Do you understand what I am saying?’
She nodded, then backed away from him. ‘I have to go home and prepare for this evening.’ She was barely aware of what she was saying.
Manius waved her away. ‘The litter will take you home.’ She was almost at the door when he called out, ‘And wear something nice.’
Chapter 18
There was no shortage of criminals in Rome. Those sentenced to death via combat were often sent to Gallus Minidius, who wanted to pay Nero handsomely to be his star executioner. The sponsor organised a horse and chariot and made Nero a spectacle, one that drew people from all corners and classes to watch Remus Latinius’s apprentice deliver justice.
‘I’m not interested in playing executioner,’ he had said at first.
Gallus had waved his statement away as though it held no weight. ‘Common criminals take no toll on your conscience. Your soul will rest easy knowing there are a few less rodents on our streets.’
Nero had been one of those rodents once. ‘I’m not a killer.’
‘You might change your mind when you meet some of these vile men.’
It had been three weeks since the fire, since he had carried Dulcia’s lifeless body from that blaze. Since he had thought her dead. Three weeks since she had come to his bed in the middle of the night, her body fitting so perfectly against his.
‘I do not want to marry him,’ she had said. As if it needed saying.
The only way out was to provide her with a viable alternative, offer her something more than a section of mattress in a cramped apartment. That was why he took the extra coin Gallus threw his way—and the job that went with it.
It was his third visit to the Amphitheatrum Neronis, an arena that was five times bigger than the amateur pits he had fought in previously. He waited in the tunnel with two chestnut mares. They were nervous, not helped by the fact that they could probably smell the blood. One let out a high-pitched whinny.
‘Easy.’ He stroked the mare’s neck.
Gallus wandered up and handed him a helmet, a shield and an assortment of weapons. ‘You might need these.’ He watched as two guards led a criminal out onto the blood-soaked sand. ‘Oh dear. He won’t last long.’
Nero had just finished putting his helmet on. He turned to look at the condemned man. ‘What was his crime?’ He always asked the same question before he rode out.
The sponsor glanced sideways at him. ‘Rape.’
‘Really?’
Gallus’s cheeks ballooned with exasperation. ‘I am not given detailed accounts of their sins, you know. Just pick a crime that suits your conscience. Murder, perhaps?’
Nero drew his brows together. ‘Maybe he stole food to feed his starving family.’
Gallus scoffed. ‘Stop. You know as well as I that death via combat is saved for a particular variety of men. Start thinking otherwise and you will get yourself killed.’ He gestured for Nero to climb up. ‘You are much more valuable to me alive.’
Nero stepped up into the chariot and gathered the reins. ‘Nice to know you care… about your profits.’
The gate began to open. The horses stirred. Applause started before the crowd had even set eyes on the horses.
‘I will have you know that I care a great deal for your welfare,’ Gallus shouted over the noisy crowd, now on their feet. ‘Because if you die, your gladiator friends will come for me.’
Nero shook his head and picked up the spear. A sword turned in his opponent’s hand. He held a shield in the other. Guilt pooled in Nero’s belly. He had to remind himself that the man would die eventually. That was how it worked. If Nero died first, they would send someone else out to finish the job.
‘Ha!’ Leather reins slapped rump, and the chariot lurched forwards.
‘Nero.’
He really did not want to open his eyes.
Smack. ‘I know you can hear me.’
He forced his eyes open, blinking a few times until Mila came into focus, her arms crossed, mouth set in that particular way. Oh, he was in trouble.
Pushing himself up onto his elbows, he sighed. ‘No “good morning”, then?’
She held a coin pouch in front of his face and shook it so it jingled. ‘What is this?’
He looked around at the empty beds. Felix and Albaus had abandoned him.
‘They are not here,’ she said, reading his mind.
He cleared his throat. ‘Who?’
She whacked him across the head with the coin pouch. ‘Where did you get all this money?’
He sat all the way up, hand going over the side of his head. ‘That actually hurt.’
She took a menacing step towards him, preparing to hit him again. He raised his hands in surrender.
‘I didn’t steal it, if that’s where you’re headed.’
She tossed the pouch down on the bed next to him, somewhat subdued by his statement. ‘Then where did you get it?’
‘I earned it.’
‘How?’
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, every muscle sore, every bone aching from the fight which had ended on his feet next to a dead horse. ‘You know how. Gallus Minidius.’
She crossed her arms again, which meant she did not believe him. ‘Oh, I know Gallus, and he does not pay gladiators this well.’
‘Some came from the crowd.’
She shook her head, disappointment replacing the anger. ‘What does he have you doing that would pay such a sum?’
He leaned forwards, his hamstrings protesting at the slightest stretch of his legs. Two fights in one evening was the answer to that question. He straightened his arms and winced. Gods, he was sore. He sighed and leaned on his knees. ‘I fight well.’
‘And what does that entail, exactly?’
The look o
n his face must have answered her question.
‘Gods,’ she said, stepping back. ‘What have you gotten yourself into?’
‘Delivering justice for the people.’
She laughed, a harsh noise. ‘You even sound like him now. That man is a snake.’
‘You fought for him once.’
She threw up her hands. ‘Yes, when I was young and desperate.’
He tilted his head, eyebrows raised. ‘Well, now I’m young and desperate.’
‘You are not that desperate. I was trying to earn my freedom.’
Nero stood. ‘And I’m trying to save your sister from a man she doesn’t want to marry.’
Mila’s face fell at his words. ‘Oh, Nero.’
‘Don’t.’ He snatched up his tunic and slipped it over his head.
‘Does Remus know what you have been up to?’
‘I imagine he will by the end of the day.’ He stepped past her into the other room, where the children were eating cena on the floor.
She followed him out. ‘What about Felix and Albaus?’
Silence.
Mila exhaled. ‘Wait until I see them.’
He did not want to be around for that conversation. ‘Where are they?’
Asha got up off the floor and went to hug him while the twins continued eating. He bent to kiss the top of her head, wincing as a rib twinged.
‘They are working,’ Mila said, leaning in the doorway. ‘Honest work.’
He picked up the knife and cut a thick slice of cheese. ‘It’s just for a little while. Until I get some more coin saved.’
She stared at him. ‘She does not need wealth to be happy.’
‘No, but she needs a place to live when her father casts her aside.’ He put the knife down. ‘And before you say it, you know as well as I that she can’t live here. There’s barely room to move as it is.’ He reached for the bread. ‘I’ve found an apartment.’
She walked into the room. ‘What apartment?’
