by Gordon, Eva
She lifted the jug. “I needed more acetum to cleanse Lucius’ injuries.”
He lifted a brow and scowled, “Quick, Ulricus is angered because you left without permission.” He dragged her by her arm and she ran to keep up with his long strides.
She did her best to hold the acetum with her still bandaged arm while he squeezed her good arm. His vice grip would soon crush her arm. “Oww! You’re hurting me.”
He stopped and let go of her arm. “We must catch up!”
She rubbed her bruised arm and showed him the injury he had caused. She whispered, “Remember, I’m a human. You nearly broke my bone.”
Silo stared, his face flushing. A look of fear spread across his face and he bowed. “Do not tell Domina Floretta. She will have me flogged.”
As she should for hurting me. The brute doesn’t know his own strength. She blew out a breath. “Don’t worry. I won’t report your abuse.” She covered the reddish purple bruise with her palla.
He bowed again and gestured her to follow. She walked behind him as he cleared the path with his bulk. They all feared Floretta. Who could blame them? Look how she flogged Ulric. The sooner Cassia left their territory the better.
By the time they caught up, the main party waited at the entrance of the most impressive villa above the eternal city of Rome she had ever seen. Far larger than Albius’ villa. Guards opened the gates. Ulric pierced her with his glare. His angry glower slapped her like a sudden gust of cold wind. She shuddered and wrapped her palla tighter. She lifted her chin and looked away from his cold eyes that looked at her as if her presence deeply offended him. What had angered him? He could not be upset she had left to buy a needed medicinal solution. It was not as though she were alone in an alley trapped by street thugs. Humph. Is this how he would act as her alpha mate?
Floretta stepped off her litter and hung on to Ulric as he escorted her through the gates. Cassia followed them. She sensed his fierce emotions.
Floretta stopped mid-step and turned to her. “Cassia, we thought we had lost you.” She glanced at Ulric and laughed, “Look how angry you made Ulricus. If my son didn’t need you, I might be tempted to have Ulricus flog you for disobeying his order not to leave our procession.”
To his credit, Ulric’s eyes widened and looked mortified at such a thought. No alpha would ever knowingly cause his mate pain.
Cassia suppressed the urge to slap Floretta, “May I be so bold as to remind you that I am not your slave but your son’s physician? The one who saved his life!”
Floretta’s face hardened, her eyes dangerous with ire. “The only reason I do not flog you myself is because you saved my son’s life.” The dangerous woman stepped closer as if to strike but tempered her tone, making herself clear to Cassia, “You are in our territory and are therefore my slave until I dismiss you or your Lupercii master comes to fetch you. Do you understand that one false move among a pack of lycans and your lovely little body will be torn to shreds?” Her eyes roamed over Cassia from head to toe as if assessing the purchase of a slave, or a competitor for a man’s affection.
Before Cassia cast her eyes down in submission, she caught a glimpse of Ulric’s extended fangs and low growl. He glared at Floretta, as he had his enemies in the arena.
Floretta reacted to his growl with approval. “Let Ulric’s growl be a good warning.”
Cassia’s pulse raced. “Yes, domina.” The foolish woman had no clue she threatened an alpha’s wolf maiden and that his growl was directed at her.
Lucius gently carried from the wagon on a litter, defended Cassia, “Mother, you will not threaten my physician!”
She scowled at her son and turned to Ulric. “Escort me to my chambers.”
Ulric gave Cassia a fleeting look before he took the viper away. Survival in Caninus’s palace would be a challenge indeed. One jealous mistress and an alpha slave determined to claim her.
Lucius called to one of the female alphas. “Acca, show Cassia to her quarters.”
A stern looking woman with braided brown hair wearing the Spartan style armor and tunic came forth. “Come.”
Cassia followed her through the vast grounds. Gardens and magnificent fountains spoke of great opulence. A colossal statue of Romulus and Remus suckling on Lupa’s teats stood in the center of a fig tree grove. She counted the twenty steps up the columned palace. In front, two huge marble wolves guarded its entrance. Their heads bowed in eternal submission. Only the Lupercal had greater wealth than the Caninus pack. She looked forward to viewing the inside of the palace. Perhaps later after she checked Lucius. For now, she walked toward the villa rustica where the staff and slaves lived.
Acca opened the door for her. The inside was more spacious and nicer than Gaius’s domicile. It had plumbing! Unusual, for slaves’ quarters. However, it became clear that most of the villa rustica’s occupants were betas and omegas. She saw their wolfish auras. As she peered in the large kitchen area, she caught site of two humans, perhaps Lupercii or human slaves. Gaius said Macula kept most of the omegas in an underground facility, guarded at all times. Was that where Ulric lived? No matter. She would be gone by tomorrow.
Her thoughts turned to her beloved Gaius. Had he received her urgent letter? If he did, it might be another week before he arrived. She hated to interrupt his long planned tryst with Senator Cato but had no choice. She feared for his life. Why were Emperor Domitian and Macula in Ravenna? Was it to arrest Senator Cato for attacking Domitian’s policy in the Senate? She took in a slow breath. Best she focus on the present.
Acca turned. “Your chamber is on the second floor.”
Cassia nodded and followed up the stairs to the last room in the hall. She stepped in and gaped. Bigger than a slave’s cell, it accommodated a large bed. On the walls were exquisite frescoes. The floor had a mosaic of fine tiles. Household gods of Feronia and Lusna added to the décor. Beautiful. A door led to a small terrace that faced the stables. Was this where Macula or his men brought women for pleasure?
Acca, the she-lycan addressed her, “Our blessed domina wishes you to join her for tonight’s welcoming banquet in honor of master Lucius’ return.”
She looked down at her dusty tunic and sandaled feet. “Oh, but…”
Acca smiled. “I shall bring you fresh garments and show you to the baths.”
Normally she would be elated to have the luxury of a bath, but she worried someone would see her mark of the wolf. “Is there a private bath where I may wash?”
“I can have our omegas fill a wooden barrel but the baths are far nicer.”
“Yes, please. I choose the wooden barrel.”
Acca raised a questioning brow but said nothing more. “Yes, domina.” She bowed and left.
Cassia sat on the bed and bent her head between her hands. She sighed deeply. This place was too dangerous. Dear Feronia and God of my Ancestors, what will become of me?
***
Floretta ordered Ulric to stay in a prepared room in the villa. He raked his damp hair back in frustration. The harpy would come to him. He dreaded what might happen. He no longer worried about the lash; he had gotten used to her punishment. It was Cassia who occupied his deep concerns. Floretta must never find out she was his mate. In a heartbeat, the jealous woman would have Cassia fed to the crocodiles that Macula kept as pets.
Ulric eyed the crocodile pool as he returned from the baths. He entered his room and stared at the mirror. His body glistened like moonlight. Floretta had demanded he bathe and have his body oiled so that she might gaze upon his strapping muscles.
A slave handed him a short white toga to wear. He bowed low and spoke, “Domina requests you keep your chest bare.”
For once, Ulric wished his master’s presence. Macula knew of his wife’s attraction to him but took great pleasure in it, knowing Ulric preferred the lash rather than risk a tryst with his wife. He clenched his fists in rage. Tonight he must attend the small private dinner party with Lucius and Cassia. Paraded like a prized stallion in front of his wo
lf maiden. A Roman’s pet. It shamed him. He wore his hair down and face unshaved to remind them he still kept part of his Chattian wolfen dignity. Still the collar around his neck felt like a noose, a reminder that he had no right to claim a wolf maiden.
Chapter 8
Cassia selected a green flowing silk tunic and long matching palla to wear for the sundown dinner. Perhaps it would enhance her green eyes and Floretta would grow fearful of having one with the evil eye around. She donned her garments and made her way downstairs. Acca stood at the entrance dressed in armor and belted sword. The stoic alpha held a folded long tunic. A change of clothes? Why?
“We must hurry. Our domina likes her guests to arrive first.”
Cassia nodded but would have preferred to dig in her heels and not move. She followed her down the paved footpath, lined with cedar trees and illuminated by standing torch lights. Why would Floretta want her guests to arrive first? A black wolf jumped into their path. She gasped. The large wolf stared at her with cold amber eyes. It circled her and sniffed as if trying to figure her out, friend or enemy. Her nose lingered near Cassia’s left hip before moving to her loins. She held her breath. Fortunately, only the taste of her blood or her exposed mark revealed her wolf maiden identity to a lycan. For now, her nature remained hidden. But for how long?
Acca quipped. “Worry not, this is Nox.” She bowed to the black wolf, an alpha, “I brought you the new tunic.”
The wolf shimmered, wolf, wolf-woman, woman. In moments, a tall muscular woman appeared on all fours. She stood, stretched, and moaned in pleasure as if waking from a good sleep, her naked form, shapely and attractive. She raked her raven hair back and smiled with a flash of white fangs. “Welcome to my domina’s banquet in your honor.”
Cassia faced the female alpha who served as Floretta’s personal assassin. Her pulse quickened. “In honor of me?” She squeaked, “I thought it was in honor of Lucius’ return.”
Nox laughed. “Of course you. My domina is eternally grateful you saved Lucius. I for one thought he would not last the trip to your infirmary.” She donned a long red tunic and adjusted her weaponless sword belt. She stepped close and sniffed Cassia’s neck. “Don’t be frightened little human. You are safe. We lycans do not harm those who serve us well.” She fingered a claw along Cassia’s throat and sighed. “I find your touch very comforting.” Nox tilted her head as if trying to figure out why touching her soothed her. She turned and snapped at Acca. “Go!”
Acca, bowed to Nox and left.
Cassia drew in a slow breath to remain calm. Would Nox figure out she was a lycan healer? “I’ve never been alone with lycans without my master Gaius, a Lupercii.”
Nox smiled and nodded her head in memory. “Yes, he is the physician who set my den sister’s broken arm. Come, little one.”
They reached the massive villa with its elaborate tiled roof. As they walked up the steps, two beta guards averted their eyes, bowed, and opened the massive doors. She gaped upon seeing the hall’s grandeur. The gold frescoes on the red painted walls made it look like Midas himself had touched the villa. A fountain depicting a golden statue of their goddess Feronia and her loyal wolf companion reached almost to the ceiling. The mosaic floors were colored wheat gold and poppy red. They walked down a long hallway where a long mural depicted Lupercalia, their sacred wolf holiday. Painted scenes of naked wolf maidens running from their aroused alpha mates adorned the wall, along with mythical creatures, such as centaurs, satyrs, and a drunken Bacchus surrounded by nymphs. She stopped and stared.
Nox laughed. “Do you find such scenes disturbing or erotic?”
“Both, I suppose.” The temptation to press her burning wolf mark overpowered her, as thoughts of Ulric chasing her through the forest flooded her mind. Nox must sense her erotic emotions. Cassia broke away from her trance and continued to the atrium. She glanced at the glistening stars and the heated pool. There were several dining rooms. Which triclinium would they dine in? There were so many of various sizes and decor.
Nox moved aside a diaphanous curtain to a beautiful dining area, warmed with braziers and lit with hanging lamps. In front of the three long couches with finely decorated cushions stood a long table adorned with flagons of wine, and trays of green olives. Pots of clay, trays of fish fillets and chunks of beef covered the center banquet table. Eating beef for Romans was a rarity, but not for lycans. Omegas slave lycans wore fine collars and stood at their station. A young man dressed in a toga sat with a kithara joined by three women with flutes and drums near the pool. They kept their heads low. Where was the rest of the dinner party? She gave Nox a sidelong glance.
The alpha quipped, “We appear to be the first to arrive.”
Two burly betas walked in carrying a chair with Lucius on it. A human man, perhaps a friend, walked alongside him. Lucius wore a man’s fine silver toga rather than a boy’s tunic. They placed him on his own couch and adjusted him into a comfortable reclining position. They bowed and left. His wolf aura vibrant, a good sign, on his way to recovery.
Lucius smiled at her. “Cassia, you look most attractive this evening.”
She bowed. “Thank you.” She returned his smile. “You look much better and indeed most noble.” Not the mangled body of a helpless boy. Gauis would be proud of her work.
“May I introduce my friend Stephanus, steward of Consul Clemens and Clemens’ wife Flavia Domitilla?” He leaned over and whispered, “A Lupercii and long time tutor.”
Stephanus shot her a wry smile. “My pleasure.”
She smiled and bowed. Consul Clemens and his wife Flavia, niece of Domitian were sympathetic to Jews and Christians alike, earning Domitian’s distain. Lupercii kept the lycans informed on all levels of human society. Who would ever have thought a member of the Clemens household to be a Lupercii? Had Lucius kept him as his tutor to spite his father?
“I have spent half the day being washed and groomed.” Lucius pointed to his closely cropped haircut. He glowered at Nox who returned the glare. Suddenly the slaves and musicians dropped to their knees, their heads down in submission.
Nox growled at her. “Bow down, Cassia.”
She did as told. She held her palla tight across her bosom and shoulders, covering her bruised arm from Silo’s brutal grip. From her vantage, she saw a gold sandaled woman’s foot and dark gladiator boots. She dared not look. It had to be Ulric. Aroused heat spread from her wolf mark and she suppressed her need to moan in need of his attention.
Floretta called. “You may all rise.”
She glanced at Ulric and diverted her eyes from his half-naked frame. His brawny body gleamed and reeked of oil. Like a stallion groomed before an auction. She directed her glance to Floretta. She wore a red silk sleeveless stola with long layers of a gold tunic beneath it. Her gold palla was carelessly thrown over her shoulder. She wore an ornate golden necklace adorned with rubies and long dangling earrings. Her hair was dyed with henna and swept up, held in place by a jeweled hairpin that matched her necklace. Her face was chalked white and her eyes beautifully done; her lips and high cheekbones were rouged. A living goddess. Cassia felt common in her simple green tunic next to her superiorly dressed hostess. She smiled with a low bow. “Domina, I am most honored for the banquet.”
“You are most welcome. Please sit and we will commence dining.” Floretta locked her arm around Ulric’s arm. He escorted Floretta to her couch, stepped away and stood. His hooded eyes were on Cassia.
Cassia almost flinched from his smoldering stare. Her eyes were transfixed on his finely sculpted strapping body. His torso shined, accentuating his powerful muscular build and hairy chest, his wolfen spiraled marks gloriously blue along his corded biceps. His golden brown hair danced down to his mid-back. Gods, he was beautiful to behold. Her wolf mark burned like a lit brazier.
Nox quipped. “I see our little physician finds Ulricus quite pleasing.”
She immediately looked away. “I’m just surprised to see the gladiator invited.” Her face heated, knowing to
o late she had insulted her hostess.
Lucius pitched in. “My sentiments exactly. Mother, should not the gladiator be in his quarters?”
Floretta laughed lightly. “Son, do you think only men appreciate an attractive member of the other sex? He is our finest gladiator both in combat and in attractiveness. Why not invite him? After all, this dinner is in honor of your physician and your recovery. Was it not Ulricus who stood vigilance while you lay on your death bed?”
Lucius scowled. “I’m not saying he does not deserve a reward for guarding me as I healed, but we all know the real reason. Don’t we, Mother?”
Ulric’s face reddened deep crimson, his powerful fists clenched at his side.
She raised a brow to her son and smiled. “Then we agree.” She turned to Cassia, who nervously bit her lower lip. “Go on. Admire him; all the women of Rome do.”
A slave poured Cassia a cup of honeyed wine. “So I’ve heard.” She lifted her chin and smiled at him. “It is true. For a barbarian, he is indeed pleasing to gaze upon.” She sipped from her silver cup and hoped that would end the conversation. Ulric twisted a slight smile for only a moment before returning to his stern mask. The rogue!
Floretta sat in a reclined position and glanced at him. “Ulricus. Sit beside me and quit acting like you’re at a funeral.”
He gritted his teeth. “It is best I stand guard.”
“Nonsense, Nox is my guard. Sit and do not ruin Cassia’s dinner for service well done.”
Cassia threw him a smile. “Domina Floretta is correct. Do join us, gladiator. Without your help Ferox and I would not have been strong enough to set Lucius’ bones.”
Ulric sighed, his eyes warm. He smiled and spoke directly to her, “It was as easy as a stroll on a warm afternoon.” He sank down on the couch.
Floretta gave him a sidelong glance. “Ulricus, do you attempt poetry?”
Cassia’s heart melted. The stroll of their first meeting. He carrying her goat and she delighted to have such a handsome companion. He hinted his love for her.
