Fueled by Lust: Cato (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Celeste Prater

  Nudging Drusus with her shoulder, Lina rolled her eyes and blew out a frustrated breath. “You’ve been on Earth for five years and never heard of Harry Potter? I was trying to be subtle and incorporate your agency name with something magical…Oh, never mind. I guess I should’ve just called him Rob.”

  Cassie burst out laughing and fell out of her chair.

  Severus shoved himself back from the table and reached down for her. “Sweetness! Are you okay?”

  She grabbed his forearm and hauled herself back into her seat. Scrubbing at her eyes, she attempted to speak between deep giggles and Severus patting her down for perceived injuries.

  “Damn, Lina. Warn a girl, will yuh?” She clasped Severus’s hands and kissed his knuckles. “I’m okay, baby. You can stop now.” Dabbing her eyes with a napkin, she leaned forward and looked at Drusus.

  “It’s from her favorite movie and no, you don’t have to run out and buy it for her. She has the entire collection. I suggest you pop a squat with her one night and learn about Hogwarts. It’s the only way you’re going to appreciate the irony and Lina’s sense of humor.”

  Cato didn’t think it was possible to be more confused. Why would anyone make a movie about hog warts? Judging by Drusus’s face, the feeling was mutual.

  “I’ve heard of it. Seen every one.”

  All eyes turned toward Maxim. He shrugged and kept loading meat onto his plate.

  “Caelius brought them home. He sat through the Die Hard series with me and Petrus. I thought it only fair to do the same for him.” He pointed his fork at Severus. “You’d appreciate them, Severus. One of the characters carries your name. They were rather good. You agree, Ulixes?”

  “Indeed.” Ulixes smiled at Lina. “Cedric was an excellent choice. Very clever.”

  Lina grinned and popped Drusus on the arm. “See? Clever.”

  Drusus stood and pulled Lina flush against his body and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve always thought you clever. Obviously, I’m the clueless one here. I would love to ‘pop a squat’ with you. Whatever that is.”

  He halted her soft giggle with a resounding kiss then scooped her up in his arms. “Enjoy your breakfast, everyone. I just realized I left something in our room. Go on ahead when you’re done. Tell Father we’ll be there as soon as we can.” Without a backward glance, he carried his smiling princess away.

  Severus chuckled. “Cassie? Did we leave something in our room, too? I would love to go back and find it. Please tell me you left something in there.”

  Cassie laughed and leaned against her mate’s shoulder. “Baby, if you make me go search for what we left in the room, you’ll have to carry me to the Senate floor on your back. I was barely able to walk to breakfast as it is. My fierce warrior has the stamina of a god.”

  Severus reached over and gently stroked her cheek as she stared up into his eyes. Cato could barely hear his soft words. “You make me feel ten feet tall. How did I get so lucky?” He couldn’t hear Cassie’s response, but her words must have been powerful to place that look of utter adoration upon Severus’s face.

  He wanted that. It was simple and pure, but far from his reach. To see Luna smile as she laughed and spoke with his friends would be nirvana. To receive a look that Severus now enjoyed made his skin shiver in anticipation of the possibility.

  Cato glanced to the others staring silently at the quiet exchange, the food upon their plates now forgotten. Each held the same wistful look of longing for a deep connection found only with a life mate. He took small comfort knowing he wasn’t alone with the unfulfilled need.

  * * * *

  The Senate chamber wasn’t one of his favorite places. Maybe it was the severe formality that preceded any decent discussion or the one hundred pompous old farts lined up along several wide, platform steps stretching out on each side of the massive room. They were the senex, a literal interpretation for “old men.” These just happened to be the ones sent to assemble and represent numerous clans from around the planet while providing the emperor sound and sage advice. Good luck with that, he thought.

  It wasn’t their age that skeeved him out, it was their demeanor. Right now, they were more concerned about the strategic placement of a colorful pillow on which they would park their privileged asses. He wouldn’t be surprised if the cushions were specifically designed to reflect the station of their masters. The fluffier the bulk, the larger the purse? Who knew? None were of the warrior class. He could tell from their build that the majority were philosophers, law givers, engineers, or just aristocracy that happened to have a blue dot in their genetic marking.

  They always seemed to have their noses tilted slightly higher than the common folk gathered about. Cato knew they had their own interests in mind a majority of the time. He was glad the emperor kept them in check.

  In all fairness, Cato knew there were a few decent fellows, yet this was rare in his opinion. Even though they chose to adhere to the ancient dress of flowing white robes and insignia of seniority when called to chambers, they were all really playing the game of social climbing and prestige acquisition. It was the emperor that truly ruled. This was an empire, not a republic. Thank the gods!

  The Insedivertus ruler sat high on the dais with a consul member to his left and one to the right. The consul consisted of just two men and they were much younger than the Senate. Each had different roles. One was the chief military office and the other a financial advisor to the emperor. Cato tried to recall their names, yet came away with nothing. Even though the emperor sat higher than all, his nose wasn’t tipped up in contempt and he refused to plant a frilly pillow under his butt. Cato remembered Drusus telling him once that his father preferred the bite of the cold marble as a reminder not to get comfortable among this distinguished group. Smart dude. He was the people’s ruler and much loved for his natural ways.

  Emperor Lucien’s dress was comparable with his mind set. He was a forward thinker with excellent stratagems. Despite the devastating blow of losing his mate, he was slowly coming back into his own. Drusus’s mating had seen to that. His eyes still reflected deep sadness, yet his grief no longer showed in his actions. Instead of the somber widower attire he’d worn for years, he now chose the warrior garb of form-fitting black trousers and a purple sleeveless tunic as a constant reminder that despite Basilius’s disappearance, they were still not safe. His body was that of a warrior and projected his capability to protect them.

  Cato felt a slight nudge to his side. He glanced over to Cassie, leaning close as if to share a secret, or some really good gossip.

  “I’ve been here twice now and I still get the shivers. I feel like I stepped back in time. On my first visit, I thought they might throw me out for standing at the podium with my mouth hanging open. Barney saved me.”

  Cato chuckled and tweaked her on the nose. “They would’ve loved you without the purple monster.” He smiled when Lina appeared at the chamber doors and made a beeline to their bench. She scooted in next to Cassie and watched as her mate walked nonchalantly up to the dais to join his father. Severus was not far behind. Lina never took her eyes from Drusus as she steadfastly smoothed her hair in place and tried to catch her breath. He leaned forward and whispered, “Did the Trejani find what he was looking for?”

  Quick to color, the Filia didn’t disappoint. She fanned her face and grinned. “Oh yes, several times.”

  Cassie poked them both with her elbows and hissed under her breath, “Enough. You guys make me start laughing and I’ll never forgive you. I’ve still got business with these guys and I don’t need them mad at me. Got it?”

  Lina nodded and clapped a hand to her mouth. She tried to look contrite, but failed miserably. Muffled giggle-snorts were going to be his undoing.

  For the purpose of self-preservation, Cato had to look away before he got caught up in their dynamics. These females could have him on the floor and rolling in under two seconds. It wouldn’t do for him to get on the bad side of the Senate, either. They still held sway o
n the purse strings and the emperor usually let them call the shots in that area.

  As he looked around, he realized Cassie was right. It wasn’t just the Senate that held to the old ways. The horde of elders fit within the ancient feel of the building. The walls were off-white with stucco texture made to look like large marbled blocks. Actual marbled panels lined a third of the forty-foot-high walls, but it was the floor that set it apart from any other on Insedivertus. Colorful, inlaid stone formed precise pattern variations among the tiles. Some held geometric shapes of yellow and purple, or depictions of tangled, green vines pressed from large-grained, crystalized rock. The same colored stone formed straight borders around each individual tile. It was the first place the eye sought when entering the chamber. After that, it was the two large, marble reliefs stationed on either side of the emperor’s platform that warranted a longer analysis.

  If their history was accurate, the reliefs were absconded from the Roman Forum by the original Insedi ancestor, Emperor Lucius Tarquinius. He brought them here as a reminder to the newly formed race that a ruler’s immediate duty was to meet the needs of the citizens.

  The one to the right reflected an emperor sitting upon a covered chair low to the ground and at eye level with a group of the less advantaged. An approaching woman, carrying a small child in one arm, stretched her hand out in supplication while another ragged child grasped her skirt and followed. Surrounding the emperor were bushels of fruit and sheaves of grain. The mood was evident of the need to feed the poor and care for the people he ruled.

  The other showed an emperor surrounded by his subjects as he burned paper documents and cast them to the winds. His people carried adoring smiles while holding their arms high in the air in approval of his task. This one was to remind the pompous Senate bastards that the ruled should not be overburdened with taxes or legislation meant to break the very backs of those they profess to serve.

  So lost in the history of the austere building and the magnitude of leading others, Cato hadn’t realized that the proceedings had started until Ulixes passed into his line of sight. The Protonecian stood at the public podium and waited patiently for the questions to begin.

  Cato marveled that he could call a member of that race his friend. It made him angry that an irresponsible act by one ruler could pit entire races against each other. It was unfathomable that he could have easily run a sword through this exceptional man’s gut instead of having that friendship turning point in the hospital hallway. How could he ever look upon the Filia’s abduction as a bad thing when it had been the catalyst to Ulixes being in the very spot he stood at this moment? It was mind-boggling.

  Cato discreetly rubbed his temple and begged his mind to cut the crap and give him some peace for a change. He was wired to question things and figure out the fifth step before others even knew there was a first. Sometimes he just begged it to stop. He wanted to be stupid for a change. Everything was coming too close to home and inevitably pulling his emotions to the surface. Emotion was the bullet lodged in the heart of logic. It was going to die and there wasn’t a damn thing you could do about it. Give him a computer and a thousand miles of messed up code, and he could pound away at it for hours without the least bit of worry.

  However, if he was being truthful with himself, even that pleasure had become tarnished. It was too dry and antiseptic. That was why he’d turned on the audio three years ago and listened to the multitude of voices discussing their tragedies, happy events, wishes, and inane crap. He’d needed a connection to another.

  Cato straightened on the seat at the epiphany. Yes, he’d started seeking something else and found it. Hadn’t he? That husky, sweet voice would’ve never touched his ears had he left the audio alone. So, it didn’t matter how much you planned logically for a perfect outcome, it really just came down to a simple truth. Cato turned to look at Cassie and caught her mouthing, “I love you” to Severus while he tried to look serious and suppress the stupid grin trying to break out on his face.

  “You were right, Cassie.”

  Without breaking eye contact with her lover, Cassie smiled and asked, “About what?”

  “What you were thinking. When I asked you why you didn’t cry the night Severus and I got you out of that basement, you said something that didn’t make sense at the time. I’d thought you were traumatized and couldn’t express the huge emotions that I normally witness in the female breed. I was worried that Monica had broken a part of you. Do you remember those two words you said to me?”

  Cassie nodded and pulled her eyes away from Severus. “Of course I do. Shit happens. It’s my life motto. Keeps me from going insane. You either let the crap-storm cover you up and clog your nose and mouth and inevitably drown in the filth, or you jump as high as you can and catch a wave. Just keep your head up and you can breathe. Eventually, it’s got to chunk you down somewhere. You just have to get up, dude. ’Cause I guarantee you, there’s another one not far behind. Beats the hell out of dying or sucking shit all day.”

  Cato patted her on the hand and leaned back in his seat. “I like the way you think, sweetness.” The headache was gone. His eyes were clear and he was breathing. Shit happens, and when it did, he was going to catch a wave. He smiled and tried to focus on the proceedings.

  Chapter 15

  “We have news of Basilius, Ulixes. We need your help.”

  Cato watched the color drain from Ulixes’s face. His throat worked on a hard swallow and he took a deep breath before meeting the emperor’s concerned gaze.

  “Of course. Anything. Tell me what I need to do.”

  Emperor Lucien nodded. “During his absence, the Protonecians reformed their Senate. As you are aware, Basilius executed or exiled a majority of the members as soon as he acquired the throne. Believing him dead, the citizens demanded Interregnum be called. The Interrex were appointed and a nominee for King has been named. Those loyal to Basilius presented objection and claimed the King still lives. The Senate demanded they present him or the election will be held within the month whether he’s present or not.”

  Lucien looked around the chambers as the voices grew from whispered questions to strong inquiries. He lifted his hand and the chambers quieted.

  “We are an empire and have never fallen under Kingship, so I am sure my announcement has confused many. It is simple. Interregnum is a set amount of time between the death of one king and the election of another. In this case, the throne has either been abandoned or the King is truly dead. Once started, only an election completes it. It matters not if the wayward King returns and calls foul. The Interrex are appointed from the Senate to agree upon nominees and the citizen’s vote for their new king. Of course, it is usually the Senate that makes the final determination no matter the citizen wish. In this case, they are all in agreement and only one name ever rose for consideration.” Lucien turned back to Ulixes.

  “Have you ever heard of Bellator?”

  Ulixes’s eyes widened. “Yes. He is cousin to Basilius. He was exiled many years ago for treason. I’m not sure of the cause. Rumor was given that Basilius became jealous of his popularity among the citizens and placed Bellator in a situation to warrant expulsion.” Ulixes’s face reddened. “I can now say with confidence that there was probably much truth to the majority thought. Bellator was a kind young man and all hoped he would ascend when Basilius’s mother was killed. Alas, that was impossible since no one knew his whereabouts. Have they found him?”

  “Yes. He resides on Messor. He won’t speak with any of the Protonecian representatives sent to fetch him. I, too, would be hesitant to trust those that called for my expulsion so easily. The Protonecian Senate has asked for us to intervene since we are allies to Messor. They, as well as I, believe you would be the best voice of reason. I would rather place an unknown than allow Basilius the opportunity to take the throne again. What say you? Will you travel with me to Messor and bring back your future king?”

  Ulixes’s spine straightened. “I would be honored to assist. Y
our people have been nothing except kind and accepting. It is the least I can do after what Basilius has done.”

  The emperor smiled and nodded. “Very good. We leave in the morning. Pack heavy. We will be away for several weeks. There is no vortex jump between our planets. A week of our time will be traveling and the rest convincing.” Lucien hesitated and his brow creased.

  “I would be remiss if I did not mention the most important thing, Ulixes. Your Senate is aware that Basilius is alive. They are just not stating it publically. He was seen boarding a long range transport a few hours ago. They believe he plans to assassinate Bellator. That would be his only way to avoid an election and retake the throne.”

  Ulixes appeared calm, yet Cato could see the subtle clench and release of his fists. “I thank you for warning me. However, it matters not in my determination to have him gone forever. Should I have to face him, I will make sure my knife finds his cold, dead heart.”

  The emperor nodded and touched his chest in acknowledgment of Ulixes’s allegiance. “Thank you, Ulixes. You may step down. I’ll send for you when we are ready to depart.”

  All eyes followed Ulixes’s determined stride from the Senate chambers. If he’d not had their respect before, he’d certainly gained it now. Cato’s gaze landed on a set of light green eyes filled with sadness. Kallon shrugged and attempted a smile, yet it lacked in strength. Perhaps he, too, was learning that shit happens and you had to pounce on something good when it presented. An ignored call or a delayed kiss could become haunting regrets.

  Cato wondered where the fine line lay between making a fool of yourself for fear of missing out on something that might not come around again and the need to appear civilized. Gah! Catch the wave, dumbass. Quit overthinking it! I’m going to kiss the shit out of Luna the first time she even looks open to it. I don’t care if she thinks I’m uncivilized or not. He smiled back at Kallon, tilted his head toward the chamber doors, and sent a mind call to the physician. What the fuck are you waiting for?