by Nhys Glover
‘Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you?’ His voice didn’t sound like his, so gruff and strangled was it.
‘No, you didn’t hurt me. You were right. My body isn’t too small for such pleasures. It’s good to know.’ Was her voice more breathy than usual? Could he hear tears in it?
‘It shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry.’
She sat up suddenly and turned to look down at him. Gasping, he couldn’t stop his rod from coming instantly to life again at the sight of her silver eyes flashing, totally uninhibited by her nudity. No Roman woman would ever be as comfortable in her nakedness as Brennwen was, especially not out in the woods this way. In this moment, he realised the difference between civilized and barbarian – and the natural freedom that came when the veneer of civilization was removed was electrifying.
‘I’m glad it happened. I’ve wanted it to happen for days. We have no future, I understand that. But at least we had this time. I’ve had few expectations of life, no grand dreams. I know what I am; I understand that someone like me can never hope to know lasting happiness, a home, and people who love her. I know all that, Gaius. But this… what we just did… That was the sweetest, most incredible experience of my life. So don’t tell me you’re sorry and that it shouldn’t have happened.’
Before he could stop himself, he grabbed the back of her head and brought her face down to his. He covered her open mouth to stop her words. He covered her mouth because he couldn’t do anything else. Once again, all thoughts beyond the fierce little creature in his arms were blown from his mind. And he gloried in their absence.
Brennwen recovered quickly from the shock of his kiss. Instantly, she was caught in the passionate frenzy that had claimed him. She returned every kiss, every fevered caress that he gave her. He kissed and licked his way down her neck and suckled each breast for brief moments before moving heedlessly lower, until he reached those white curls. He breathed in the rich, musky scent of her, combined with the smell of his own release. It drove him mad with lust. When he breathed hot breath into those moist curls and the pink petals of flesh, her hips jerked up to meet his mouth.
Gaius wanted to taste her and drive her over the edge, but his need was greater. Too great to deny. With a frustrated moan at his own impatience, he slid back up her body and claimed her mouth again as he positioned himself at her entrance. Then, as his tongue plumbed her depths, so did his aroused member. It felt like Elysium. It felt like everything he’d ever wanted in his life and been denied. It was bliss.
While her small body writhed beneath him, he pumped his bliss into her, stroke by frantic stroke. He lost all sense of himself, all sense of her as a separate being. In those mindless moments, they were one being, driving toward the sweet oblivion they’d only just discovered could be found in each other’s arms.
When the overwhelming wave of pleasure rushed up his rod and spine at the same moment, he smothered the sound against her shoulder and fell into the darkness beyond. His last thoughts were coupled with amazement. If it was possible, this joining had been more profound than the first.
Coming back to himself, he found he was laying where he’d collapsed on her. His first thought was that he’d crushed her tiny form with his much heavier one. Then, as he noticed her breathing and the slight flicker of white eyelashes, he was relieved to know she wasn’t suffocated. He had no idea how long he’d lain on her this way.
Hastily, he began to move away, separating his well-used member from her damp depths. She made a half-hearted effort to keep him with her, but her limbs fell slack at her sides. Though all he wanted to do was collapse next to her, more spent than he could ever remember being, he sat up instead and began pulling on his clothes.
He had to get away from her. Clearly, his obsession with her was not finished. That he’d forgotten everything yet again bordered on insanity. That couldn’t be allowed to happen again.
When he was clothed, and his sheathed sword fastened to his side, he leaned down and pulled her to her feet, trying not to look at her blissful expression.
‘Come, we have wasted too much time. Get dressed and find your way to the trees beyond the well. I must get back to town. Leave the horse here, out of sight.’
‘You won’t take him back to town with you?’ Her voice was slow and lazy, as if she’d drunk too much wine.
‘No. You’ll need him to get back into town this evening. Or earlier, if something important happens that I need to know about immediately.’
‘All right.’
In a few swift economical moves, Brennwen replaced her clothing. She made no attempt to bring order to the wild hair that now feathered around her face.
‘I… I have no control where you’re concerned. I can’t let this happen again.’
‘All right.’ Her very passivity drove him mad. He wanted her to be fierce again, wanted her to do something that would push him over the edge again, so he could take her and feel that incredible bliss once more. It hadn’t lasted long enough. Surely it hadn’t lasted long enough for her to have found her release. And yet, from her soft features and glazed eyes, she looked replete.
No, stop thinking like that! I have duties to perform. I can’t betray Calidia’s son, the child my wife gave her life for, by seeking endless pleasure with this uncivilized slave!
Before he gave in to his basest urges once again, he took off at a run into the woods, heading for the township of Olicana, and sanity.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
For a long time after Gaius left, Brennwen existed in a strange state of languid bliss. Even though she knew she had to have her mind on their goal, her rebellious body fed her memories of Gaius and their joining. She hadn’t believed it possible for that first experience to be bettered, but it had. In fact, during that second coming together, she’d been sucked into a state of perfect sensual fulfilment that defied description. And although it probably lasted only a few minutes in real time, in whatever world they’d managed to create for themselves during the interlude, it had lasted forever.
Each touch, each explosion of wanting and needing felt like an eternity of time. Having Gaius inside her, filling her with his hot seed, felt infinitely right. And she had felt her womb open to receive his seed, felt it take hold. Another child had been conceived in a body she’d believed could never know the joys of motherhood. That it was Gaius’ child was… perfect.
It was after midday when the girl came out to the well. In full daylight, and somewhat cleaner than she had been the night before, Brennwen could see that she was a golden redhead with skin almost as pale as Brennwen’s own. Her thin shoulders were stooped from exhaustion or defeat, even before she filled the bucket she carried.
Brennwen moved out of the shelter of the trees and came over to the girl. At first, the girl looked startled to see her, and cautious. It took a smile and a few words to remind her acquaintance of their meeting the night before.
‘I got away from my master for a while. I was wondering if there was any word about the rebels you told me about last night.’
‘Oh, you’re the girl… Umm, you shouldn’t have come here. It’s dangerous. I told you they’d make contact with you if they saw a need.’
‘I know. I know. But I was so excited. I’ve never been this close to revenge before. I can almost taste it already.’
The girl frowned and looked at her more closely. ‘I remember you. Weren’t you the girl who worked with the blacksmith in town? A long time ago. It was a long time ago.’
Brennwen smiled uncertainly, not knowing if this was going to aid her or not. If this girl knew that she had foretold the death of the child at the river, she’d be suspicious and fearful. If she didn’t, then maybe her presence in the town so long ago would work in her favour.
‘Yes. I lived there for nearly two years.’
‘Huh, my mam used to say you was special. That the Lady’d touched you.’
Brennwen stared at the girl in surprise. ‘My mother said the same thing. But most people are
afraid of me.’
Sympathy showed in the dark hazel eyes. Then she smiled. ‘People’re stupid. Most of them ain’t no better’n cattle. I’m Ardeth. D’you wanta come in and meet the men? They arrived first thing. We’re waiting for another two or three from further afield.’
The temptation to accept the girl’s offer was almost more than she could take. But she remembered her fears about being recognised and fought to remain on task.
‘I’m Brennwen. No, I… They may think badly of me for pushing my way in. I’ll leave it to you to let them know I want to help. Have you any idea what they plan to do?’
The girl shook her head, brows scrunched into a deep frown. ‘They brought a child with ‘em. Just a little tike about three or four summers old. He’s important to ‘em and they’ve looked after him, but he’s ailing. He ain’t eating and he seems groggy. Ferudos says he’s been like that for a day or more. I’d say he was real sick, ‘sept he ain’t running no fever. I’m going to warm this water up and bath him. Maybe that’ll brighten him up enough to get him to eat.’
Brennwen felt sick. This was why she hadn’t been able to talk to Cal last night. He’d slipped into a delirium of sorts.
‘Does his bottom lip wobble?’
The girl looked at her in surprise. ‘Yeah. I thought he was gonna cry but he didn’t.’
He would need a lemon balm and lavender decoction, laced with the smallest amount of wolfsbane. How was she going to get this to her child without giving them away? But then, if he was delirious, it was unlikely he’d recognise her.
‘I can help. I’ve been trained as a healer by a druid. I carry a few herbs with me. If I get them, can you give them to him?’
‘Of course, but why don’t you do it yourself, so you know it’s done proper? I’ll make sure the men know you’re with us. They don’t want the boy sick, neither. I wish I knew what they’ve got planned, but they ain’t saying nothing ‘till the others get here.’
Brennwen felt her heart begin to beat frantically in her chest. This was her chance. She had to get to Cal and administer a tea that would calm his delirium. If not, the condition could worsen and he might die.
Without another word, she took off across the back of the property and into the woods, not far from where they’d tied up her horse. Then she mounted quickly and directed the beast back onto the main track. There was no time now for secrecy. She had to get back to her small packets of herbs she kept in her small pouch. That pouch now sat beside her bed in the tavern.
Did she have all that she needed? The herbs were all common enough, so if she’d forgotten any she might be able to pick them up from a midwife in the area. Calming brews were often fed to women during labour.
She rode right into town and left her mount tied up outside the tavern. Ignoring the surprised looks from passers-by, she hurried into the side entrance of the tavern. This way she could avoid the men in the taproom.
By the time she had her pouch open and had sorted through the few herbs she had with her, Gaius was storming into the room.
‘What’s wrong? Why are you back so soon?’
‘Cal is sick. Delirious, not eating. I have to make an herbal tea for him. The girl said I could take it to him.’
‘Oh, gods! Will he recover? The strain of it all has overcome him.’
‘Yes, if I get him to take the tea, he’ll be fine. It’s likely terror that’s brought it on. I have to go to him. I have to take the risk that he won’t give me away.’
‘Yes, yes, if you think you can help him… If I’d known…’
‘You couldn’t have known. We couldn’t have got to him any sooner. Don’t blame yourself for any of this, Gaius. Keep strong and hope your friends arrive soon. The girl told me they’re waiting for two or three more men to arrive before they make more plans. Today, they’re expected today. If I’m there, I can listen in…’
Wild with worry, Gaius’ brown eyes met hers. They looked for comfort, they looking for assurances. But she had given all she had to offer. Only Badb knew what Cal’s fate would be. Would her curse fall on her child? Would she be allowed to get so close and then have him taken from her again?
Resolutely, she straightened her spine. Thoughts like that did no one any good. She must believe that Arianrod was with her. Or Ceres, the Goddess whose temple had been attacked. Would a powerful Roman Goddess allow one of her own to die at the hands of rebels who had desecrated her temple? No, she would not!
With the last of the herbs she needed, including some feverfew she knew might help sooth pain from the harsh journey, she hurried to the door. Gaius was watching her closely, fighting for control.
‘It’ll be all right, Gaius. I’ve been well trained and have the herbs I need. As long as I’m allowed in to assist, all will be well. Just pray your friends arrive soon. I’ll try to get word to you… but I may not be allowed to leave, once I’m there.’
‘Just make Cal well again. Leave the rest to me.’ His voice was harsh, but the hands that came to rest on her shoulders for a moment were gentle.
‘I will. May the Lady be with us both.’
Brennwen didn’t even remember the mad ride back to the farm, so fevered were her thoughts. When she finally drew rein outside the round house, she wasn’t surprised to find an old man with a sword waiting for her.
‘I’ve come to help the child,’ Brennwen said on a gasp.
‘Father, she’s the one I told you about. She says she can help.’ The redhead came to stand at her father’s side and the old man looked down at her indecisively.
‘She wants to help the rebellion. She’s one of us.’
That seemed to decide the situation. With a rough nod, the man motioned for Brennwen to get down and come inside.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior of the house after the brightness of the sunny afternoon, but once they had, she took in the situation quickly. On a straw pallet in the far corner, she saw the reclining form of the child she had only ever seen in dreams. Beside the fire, eating heartily of some kind of meat stew, from the smell of it, sat two ruffians. They looked at her warily but made no move to stop her as she hurried over to look at the boy.
What she saw didn’t calm her in the least. Cal was just as the girl had described him. His eyes were open but unresponsive, his bottom lip wobbled, and he lay limp and dazed on the fur-covered pallet. He looked so tiny and defenceless, it made her want cry.
‘I need to brew a tea. Have you got boiling fresh water?’
Ardeth nodded anxiously. ‘Yeah, in the caldron over the fire. I used some to clean him up a bit. He’d fouled his undergarments.’ The girl glared over at the two warriors.
‘Good. That’ll help.’ She brushed back the dark, damp hair from Cal’s forehead, testing for fever. Finding none, she laid him out straight and went to the caldron. Keeping busy brewing her concoction, she tried hard to remain calm and in control. She wasn’t supposed to know this boy. She wasn’t supposed feel anything for him beyond a woman’s concern for a sick child.
When the brew was steeped and cooled sufficiently for Cal to drink, she headed back to the pallet. With a rough wooden spoon, she began to tip the liquid into her child’s lax mouth. The first mouthful dribbled out again.
‘Come on, darling, drink. It’ll make you better. It’ll make you strong and brave.’ She whispered to him in his own tongue as she held him closer and brought the spoon to his mouth again. Something flickered in his eyes for a moment, something about the words she’d used, or was it simply her voice that he remembered from his dreams. Whatever it was, with the next spoonful of warm, brown liquid the boy swallowed.
Smiling and kissing his damp brow, Brennwen praised him. ‘Good boy. That’s the way. Now another one. You have to be strong for when your father comes for you.’
‘You speakin’ that Roman tongue?’
Jerking upright as if slapped, Brennwen glanced over at the warrior who had spoken. In perfect Brigantes dialect, she answered him.
The warrior who’d spoken shook his head in disgust. ‘I wouldn’t waste ma time learnin’ a tongue that’ll soon be gone from these lands.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Brennwen replied firmly, seeing her opportunity to win over the men.
‘I know I am. Can ye heal him?’
She nodded as she spooned another mouthful of the liquid into the small mouth. ‘I think so. How long has he been like this?’
‘A day or so. We didn’t do nothing to him, if that’s what ye think. Our fight ain’t with young’ns.’
‘I know. It’s just terror that has sent him into himself. With the tea and my Roman words of comfort, I might be able to draw him out again. You don’t plan to move him again, do you?’
‘No. We’re here for a day or two. Unless we’re told diff’rent. Ardeth says you’re with us.’
‘I am. The Romans killed my family and enslaved me. I want them gone from our lands.’
‘Good enough. Make the boy well and you’ll have served that end.’
‘What good is a child to your schemes?’
‘He’s bait in a trap that’ll see the governor dead and our enemies blamed. We’ll then rise up against the Roman invaders and drive ‘em out fer good.’
‘Bait? Who is this boy that he’s important enough to start a war over?’
‘Lucullus’ right hand man’s child. His only child. That man’ll do anything to get him back, including place his proconsul in danger.’
‘Then I better do what I can for the lad.’
Gaius had never felt so out of control in his life. Not even when Lara had rejected his help five years ago had he felt this impotent, this useless. His child was sick, maybe unto death, and all he could do was wait around in town, hoping Vali would come to the rescue.
Maybe he should take the legate up on his offer. Maybe he needed to act quickly and decisively so that he could get his son to safety.
