Beloved

by Bertrice Small

  Finally he laid his head upon her belly, and his fingers began a delicate teasing of her Venus mount, stroking, probing tenderly between the plumpness of her nether lips; finding the sweet, hidden bud of her womanhood; taunting it with a clever finger; bringing his dark head down to taste of her honeyed sweetness, coaxing the bud into blossom. She shuddered forcefully, and he swung a leg over her, mounting her gently.

  She reached out to caress his manhood, her long fingers brushing him, exciting him with her very touch. Softly she cupped the pouch of his sex in her hands, her warmth communicating itself to him as she lightly fondled him. Then she guided him into her waiting body, sighing as he buried his lance to the very hilt. She wrapped her legs around him, allowing him to go farther, rejoicing in his skill as he began to find the rhythm.

  For a moment her eyes focused upon the blue sky above her, and then Zenobia began to soar with the glorious pleasures he was unleashing throughout her body. She became one with the sky, floating free above the troubled earth. She became one with him, and they were invincible! Her cry startled the horses, who snorted and danced about the tree to which they were tethered. Her nails raked down his back, making thin bloody weals in the flesh, and he reveled in the sharpness, groaning his delight as his seed overflowed her parched and throbbing womb. Her hot sheath clutched at him, drawing the last drop from him, and then he fell exhausted upon her chest, their wild hearts matching beat for beat.

  They both lay semiconscious for some minutes, and then he rolled off her and pulled her into his arms in a bear hug. "If I had died then, beloved, it would have been a glorious death."

  "I thought I had died," she murmured back.

  They lay a few minutes longer, the warm sun and the breeze lightly brushing their skin, and then he said, "We will have to go back, Zenobia, although I should far prefer to remain in this outdoor bedchamber of ours."

  "It is the first time I have felt relaxed since we arrived in Britain," she answered him. "Please, Marcus, do not leave me when you go to our island. I should prefer to live roughly than to be without you."

  "I don't want to leave you, beloved, but how can I take you when I do not know what I am going to find?"

  "Then go tomorrow! Go tomorrow, and return quickly to me, for I cannot even bear the thought of being separated from you!"

  They rose from their bed of sweet grass amid the lavender spikes and quickly redressed.

  Together they rode back toward the villa of Aulus Alexander. They were almost there when a Dobunni tribesman stepped from behind a tree along the path. "Marcus Alexander Britainus," he called. "Do not go back to the villa! The Romans are there, and they seek you and your wife! You are to come with me to a place of safety."

  "Mavia!" Zenobia's face paled. "I cannot leave her!"

  "The little one will be safe," the tribesman replied, but Zenobia was adamant.

  "I must get my child," she said. "I will not leave her!"

  Marcus reached out, and put a steadying hand on his wife. "Who are these Romans?" he asked the tribesman. "Are they from Rome, or are they from Corinium?"

  "Corinium," came the prompt reply.

  "Listen to me, Zenobia. I think you can get safely into the villa to Mavia. If the soldiers leave, then we will leave almost as quickly. If they stay, then we will have to get you both out of the villa; but I know that you will not rest easy without Mavia, and I can trust the woman who led Palmyra's legions not to get caught."

  She nodded, dismounted her horse, and began to walk toward the village. She turned once, blowing him a kiss, then continued on her way.

  "What if they catch her?" asked the tribesman.

  "They won't."

  ***

  Using a garden gate, Zenobia slipped into the grounds and entered the house. "Are you mad?" Aulus's voice hissed in her ear.

  "Are there any among them who know me?" she demanded of him.

  "No, but you risk everything by coming back!"

  "Did you think I would leave my child?" Zenobia's voice was fierce.

  "Who is this, Aulus Alexander Britainus? You said that all of your household were present." The speaker was a plump young man, obviously new to Britain.

  "I do apologize, Centurion, but I had forgotten this serving wench. She is but newly acquired. I bought her at the last captive's market." Aulus cuffed Zenobia about the head. "And where have you been this time, dog? Not at your duties, I'll wager!"

  The centurion was less interested now, but still sought answers. "Where is she from? She does not look British."

  "She is from Ierne, the island nation to the west of Britain. She was brought back from a raid," Aulus answered. "I think she is a bit simple-minded, for she has a tendency to wander. Go to your mistress, wench, and don't let me catch you out again! Probably in the stables humping the men," he grumbled, and the centurion laughed, his interest in Zenobia completely gone.

  "She's a bit too long in the tooth for me," he said. "I like 'em young, around eleven or twelve."

  Zenobia hurried to stand beside Dagian, her head lowered in a servile attitude. "What has happened?" she whispered.

  "They arrived about an hour ago," Dagian whispered back. "Wait, and I will tell you."

  The family was finally dismissed and permitted to go about its business. Zenobia hurried upstairs with Dagian, and almost at once the older woman began to speak. "They came without warning. It seems a trireme returning from Massilia reported seeing Sea Nymph docked there, and it was quickly ascertained that you had fled to Britain, although they did send to Cyprus and Capri both in case you were being clever with them. Finding Sea Nymph at Portus Adurni confirmed the trireme's sighting. The ship was seized." Dagian caught her breath. "Why did you come back? Where is Marcus?"

  "I could not leave Mavia, and he is with the Dobunni. I am safe. They have no idea what Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, looks like. Are they going to stay?"

  "I am not certain, but I do know that this centurion is not very bright. All he knows is that he is looking for Marcus and you. He has no idea that I just arrived here several weeks ago."

  "They are not staying." Eada came through the door and into Dagian's room. "Oh, Zenobia, how you frightened me! When I saw you come into the room, my heart went into my mouth. Why did you not stay away? You might have been caught!"

  "I was in no danger of being caught," Zenobia soothed her sister-in-law. "I could not leave my child to seek safety. Mavia is our most precious possession."

  "They are coming back," Eada said. "They feel sure that you are in this area, although Aulus has denied seeing you. They are returning to Corinium for more soldiers, and then they are coming back to search the whole area around Salinae."

  "How long will that give us?" Zenobia asked Eada.

  "They cannot return to Corinium until tomorrow, and it will take them all day to get back. Then they must come back with more soldiers. I think you will probably have three days."

  A mischievous smile lit Zenobia's face. "We shall leave before them," she said, "and since we will be riding, we shall be through the town of Corinium before them. While they are retracing their steps to seek us, we shall be going in the opposite direction!"

  Eada began to laugh softly. "What a marvelous strategist you are, sister! Is it true that in your own land you were a great general?"

  "I led my armies," Zenobia admitted modestly.

  "Marcus says she was indeed a great general," Dagian said.

  "I well believe it," Eada replied, and then she asked Zenobia anxiously, "You will forgive Aulus for cuffing you, won't you?"

  Now Zenobia laughed. "I think my brother has missed his calling," she said. "He would make a marvelous actor! Humping the men in the stables, indeed!"

  "There was really no need for Aulus to be quite so crude," Dagian chided.

  "No, no," Zenobia defended Aulus. "It was that marvelous touch that convinced the centurion that I was naught but a blowsy and stupid slave woman. It was quite clever of him."

  That night, Au
lus was forced to offer the hospitality of his table to the centurion and to the legionnaires in his courtyard. Zenobia and Mavia kept to their bedroom, safe and out of sight. Mavia was nervous as she had not been since Palmyra, and at one point she began to cry. Zenobia soothed her child, making a game out of what they would do later. "We are going to sneak out of Uncle Aulus's villa just the way Mama snuck out of Palmyra to seek help from the Persians," Zenobia said.

  "But the Romans caught you!" Mavia wailed.

  "Only because Papa wasn't with us, Mavia," her mother said.

  "Where is Papa?" the child demanded.

  "With the Dobunni. They will help us to reach our island."

  "The Romans will not catch us?" Mavia sniffed. "We will not have to live with the emperor again?"

  "No, my darling, the Romans will not catch us, and we will never again see the emperor. I promise you, Mavia!" and Zenobia hugged her small daughter tightly.

  "Always on the run, always fleeing," Bab muttered as she packed their things. "I hope that eventually before I die we will be given some measure of peace again!"

  Adria bowed her head, smiling at the old woman's grumbling. They all knew that Bab, now in her late seventies, thrived on the excitement that seemed constantly to surround her mistress.

  "Be patient with me, old woman," Zenobia said. "Surely this must be the last time I am forced to flee. Once we have gained the safety of our island home, then they will never find me again."

  "I certainly hope so! If your dear mother were alive it would have broken her heart to see how those Romans have hounded you."

  The clothing and personal effects necessary for a journey were packed carefully by Adria in a small trunk. Everything else was packed by Bab in the trunks for shipping later.

  The centurion had been plied with excellent wine, and now with the aid of a light sleeping draught slipped into his last cup, he lay snoring noisily in a guest chamber. He did not hear the family as mey slipped one by one into Zenobia's chamber to bid her farewell. Erwina and Fearn brought their cousin Mavia a small gray and white kitten as a farewell gift.

  "She is called Blossom because she loves to smell the flowers," lisped Fearn.

  Mavia, hugging Blossom to her chest, thanked her cousins and promised to visit again one day.

  "You must travel quickly now," Eada said, "but when we can send your things along safely, I will include many rootings and cuttings from my gardens for you." Her blue eyes filled with tears. "I wish you weren't going, Zenobia! I shall miss you."

  "I have never had a sister," Zenobia said slowly. "I am fortunate that you are now mine. How can I ever thank you for your hospitality? If I were still a queen in my own land… but I am not. I have nothing I can give you except my love, Eada."

  The two women embraced warmly, and then with a teary look at Zenobia, Eada left her. "She will never forget you," Dagian said. "She is a simple chief's daughter who has never in her entire life been farther than Corinium. You have brought the world into her life."

  "She brought kindness into mine," Zenobia returned. "She opened her home and her heart to us. I can never forget that, Dagian, for it went beyond the bounds of hospitality." She looked searchingly at her mother-in-law. "Are you sure that you want to remain here? Once we have settled ourselves you are most welcome to come to us. Both Marcus and I love you, and Mavia is going to be lost without you."

  "No, my child, I shall be content here."

  "At least come for the winters. Eada tells me that the winters here can be harsh, and upon the island it will be mild."

  "Perhaps for the winters," Dagian said, and then she enfolded Zenobia in a loving embrace. "Be happy, dearest daughter, for you have made my son happy! I could love you for that alone. We shall meet again." Then she kissed Zenobia tenderly, and hurried from the room.

  Aulus came to get them. "You'll be leaving through the garden gate, and there's little likelihood of your encountering the Romans. There'll be a Dobunni to guide you to Marcus, and then you're safely on your way."

  "Thank you a thousand times, Aulus. Without you I don't know what we would have done. The Romans came so quickly. I thought we had more time."

  "You survived without me," Aulus muttered, embarrassed, for he was a simple man.

  She kissed his rough cheek, and then before he might protest, said, "Let us go, brother! Bab, Chairman, Adria, Mavia! Come along!"

  Old Severus was to go with them also, and he was waiting in the garden by the street gate for them. Dressed in dark cloaks to camouflage themselves, the six set off through the gate and down the street. At the corner they were joined by a barely distinguishable tribesman who stepped from the darkness to lead them. Silently they followed him, their eyes upon his dark shape as they traveled through the village and out into the open fields.

  A fine moon had now risen to silver the landscape and show them the way. Finally they entered a small wood, where in a clearing Marcus awaited them. Thankfully he embraced his wife and daughter.

  "Praise the gods you are safe!"

  "They never saw Mavia, and Aulus told them I was a captive slave from Ierne. It was simple, my darling. Tell me now how we get to where we are going?"

  "We will travel to Glevum, and be through it by morning; but we shall be able to bypass Corinium entirely, for they have built a new road in the last five years between Glevum and Aquae Sulis."

  "Then we do not have to worry about a large Roman garrison!" She was relieved.

  He continued. "From Aquae Sulis we go to Lindinis and finally the last really important Roman settlement in Britain, Isca Dumnonionim. Aulus has sent a message to the high chieftain of me Dumnonii. They will take us the rest of the way to the coast, where a ship awaits us. From here to there we travel in safety under the protection of the warriors of the Dobunni." He smiled down at her. "You are safe, beloved! You are safe now and forever!" And looking up into his moonlit eyes, Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, knew that he spoke the truth.

  "Then lead on, my husband," she said quietly, "and take me home."

  Epilogue

  The island sat like a small green jewel in the bright blue sea. The mainland had suffered a bitter winter, but here the flowers had already bloomed and the air was mild and gentle. When they arrived there had been no habitable building upon the island, only the bleak and crude ruins of some past civilization; but there was a fine harbor and several freshwater springs and ponds. There were wild goats, and small game, and a host of birds.

  Marcus had given Aulus a goodly supply of gold in order that his brother might barter and negotiate for him with the tribes, for Marcus did not think himself capable in this instance. Whatever Aulus had done he had done right, for the very day they landed upon the island another ship, this one bearing men and supplies, arrived. At once the building of a house had begun. Using the sand from a local beach, the builders began to mix concrete, and within days a large two-story house with walls fifteen inches thick had risen on the cliffs above the harbor. The inner facing of the house was of stone, the outer facing of fine white limestone that gave the building a smooth, hard, white finish. The roof tiles were red.

  The house had been designed very much like Aulus's home, with an entry that had staircases on either side, and beyond, a large hall. There were wings on each side of the main fireplace, one containing the baths, the other the kitchens and servants' quarters. The second story of the house contained six large bedchambers, all looking out upon the sea. Between the wings of the house was a lovely sheltered garden where the family would sit in the evening and on warmer winter days. Beyond the garden wall stretched a long building whose lower story housed the farm animals they had imported to the island, and whose upper story housed the farm slaves. The entire area was enclosed by a wall, although Marcus did not expect to have to repel invaders.

  Slaves had been imported to the island, strong men for the farm, and young women for the house and the gardens. Some of the slaves had had children, and Marcus had purchased them also, for Mavia w
as apt to be lonely without friends her age. In Rome, old Senator Tacitus was already gone, having caught a chill in the fourth month of his reign. He had been replaced by his much younger brother, who was head of the Praetorian. The younger Tacitus had, in his turn, succumbed to poison, and now less than eighteen months after Aurelian's assassination a third emperor sat upon the shaky imperial throne.

  The new emperor was Marcus Aurelius Probus, the son of one Dalmatius, a country gardener by profession. He was a distinguished military leader who had served under both Valerian and Aurelian. How long he would last was, of course, a moot point, Zenobia thought as she nursed her infant son on a late summer's afternoon. At least Roman interest in them seemed to be dying down, although Aulus had written that twice the Romans had returned seeking them, the last time in a midnight raid that had frightened everyone half to death.

  Dagian had come to the island to be with Zenobia for the birth, bringing with her an old herbal woman of the Dobunni. The birth had been incredibly easy, but the herbal woman had advised Zenobia against having future children. "You are no longer a girl, and your life has taken its toll upon your health. I can help you to regain your health, but another child will kill you."

  "But Eada is older than I, and she continues to have her babies and thrive," Zenobia protested.

  "The lady Eada is of this land, and she has never stopped having children in all her married life. How many years are between your daughter and the son you have just borne? Too many! Do not fear, lady. This boy will thrive, and go on to father you many grandsons! I shall give you something to use so you will not conceive again, yet your husband's pleasure will not be spoiled."