Taurus narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Panua will gain an advantage from this situation. If it helps your cause, so be it, but if it does not, then I’m afraid you will be disappointed.”
She shrugged. “I can ask for nothing more than your consideration. What is the next move? Will you write to Rome?”
“Are you a spy, Kallie? Has Gregorian sent you to cause trouble?”
She smiled. “I wish only to settle in Corinth as soon as the bargain is broken with the satrap. My mother’s family waits to give me a home, but Romans are everywhere, and if they catch me I’m finished. I had to come here. It’s the only place where Caius cannot have his way.”
“Come with me.” Taurus walked to the large doors opening onto his private garden. He steered her around the greenery to a wall with an archway. Taurus stepped through it, tugging her along. Kallie enjoyed the feel of his large, firm hands as he took her to a raised terrace at the far end of the garden. He took the steps two at a time and waited at the top, looking across the vista, as she joined him.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. The valley held the sprawling city of Panua, and in the distance a forested region darkened the horizon. To the east lay a great river leading to the Mediterranean Sea, and to the west, beyond a great mountain, lay Rome. “Over there,” she pointed to the forest, “is where we met?”
“You mean the place where you kidnapped the Governor of Panua, and still hold hostage his first officer.”
She bit her lip and leveled her gaze to meet his. “I did not know you were the governor. I thought you merely an underling.”
His eyes travelled the length of her in a merciless assessment. He wrapped an arm around her waist. “And I do not know who you truly are. Therefore, I am free to do with you as I wish.”
The tenor of his voice and the underlying meaning of his words caused the blood to pound through her veins. She leaned against the wall to view the mountain in an attempt to diminish his posturing. “To ride to the mountain would be an exhilarating adventure. Have you ever done such a thing? You must have, as a boy.”
“I grant no favors to a prisoner. You are under arrest until I decide your fate.”
“Oh, I hoped since I came willingly with an offer of help your manner would be lenient.” She shrugged in resignation.
“How old are you?” Taurus growled.
“Eighteen. Though soon I will reach my nineteenth year,” Kallie happily revealed her age to the governor.
He clenched his teeth. “When I was your age, I spent my days as a soldier. I travelled to new lands, sailed around the Great Sea and swore I would visit Egypt before I settled down to govern permanently.”
“And did you?” Kallie asked.
“No, and the prospect becomes impossible, with the emperor’s political aspirations. I cannot leave Panua open to the hands of a greedy Roman.”
Kallie took one last look at the vista. “That’s unfortunate. I intend to settle in Greece, and nothing will stop me. Not Caius, not Rome, not the satrap, and least of all, not you.”
Taurus took her by the arm and pulled her to his chest. “I am your master now. Do not think because you ran from Gregorian you have a choice in your fate. You have fallen under a greater threat than your brother.”
Kallie readied a tart reply but the gentle breeze brought the voice of Kristokus to their ears. Taurus snapped his head to see his steward climbing the last few stairs.
“Master, you asked me to inform you when…” He glanced at Kallie, unwilling to speak freely.
Taurus guessed the message. “Barca has returned.”
“Kristokus! Has he brought the giant with him?” Kallie asked, brazen in her inquiry.
The steward froze and looked to the governor, not daring to offend his master.
“Go,” Taurus commanded.
Kallie sighed in apology. “I should not have compromised your steward. I am sorry, Governor.”
Taurus set his face like stone. “The guards will see you to your room.”
Kallie was taken neither to the room with the straw nor to the governor’s rooms but to one with more feminine appeal in its decor. The soft colors and muted tones of large stuffed pillows and floating drapery were the most noticeable differences. She discovered an attached room fitted for private bathing. Six beautiful gowns in a variety of colors waited on the bed. Matching jewels and trinkets lay nearby, twinkling in the light.
She sipped expensive wine and looked out the window. Although the drop was enough to deter anyone from attempting a disastrous jump, thick metal bars prevented the possibility. The view of the mountain was visible, and she daydreamed what it would be like to ride with him by her side, heading to the hills for a day together.
She must not become enamored with a harsh and unreachable man. Her hope to cast a charming spell over the governor of Panua had not included meeting him in the wild before breaking into his fortress. A reputation of masculinity and prowess as a soldier preceded him, but her overwhelming physical attraction to the man had taken her by complete surprise. She pictured his hard body with its sculpted chest, broad back, and well-muscled limbs… A servant interrupted her thoughts.
“The governor has instructed you choose a dress and prepare to be his guest at a feast in your honor this evening.”
Was this a ploy of the governor? Treat her well but flaunt her as a prize won from Rome? She expected as much. Caius would hear of her capture and send an envoy to Panua to open negotiations. The satrap’s toady minions would soon follow Rome’s example. Panua would be inundated with visitors vying for the attention of the governor. She must do her best to encourage him to enjoy his victory.
The maid came to her cosmetic table and dressed her hair for the night’s feast. The governor held her life in his hands. If she married the satrap, it meant never seeing the light of day again. Never to walk or ride into the mountains or the forest, the way she did as a child with her beloved family. To escape her role as a broodmare for the satrap, she must convince the governor his interests were best served by keeping her in his fortress.
Chapter Four
Taurus raged. The giant had escaped his men and no one knew where to begin the search. Not one man had tracked his movements. Taurus yelled at them to leave his presence or suffer pain.
Barca stood motionless after the men left and watched as Taurus gulped his wine.
“Gods! I almost had the man who murdered my father! Atticus put a knife into his throat, after he pleaded with the emperor to return his lawful wife. Gregorian refused and she married Maximus Octavius instead.”
Barca nodded in sympathy. Everyone knew the story of Lidia, who had singlehandedly defied Primus Gregorian. She often ranted about her son’s death, wanting revenge so badly she could taste it. For years she had schooled Taurus and Barca on the injustices meted out to Panua by Rome.
Barca strolled to the window. “He will come.”
Taurus looked up in surprise. “Here?”
“He seeks the girl and will attempt to free her. But he must die by my hand! I owe him that for the way he trussed me up like a pig.” Barca leaned in to Taurus with a depraved look. “Have you taken her yet?” He licked his lips. “I’d like a turn at shaming the wench after you’ve finished.”
Taurus shot him a freezing stare. “She is mine and mine alone. I will do with her as I please, when I please.” He saw the confusion on his friend’s face. “Understand this—she is the sister of Caius Gregorian and the key to my future concerning Rome.”
“Oh!” Disappointment slashed across Barca’s face. “I planned to…”
“Enough!” Taurus growled. “Your plans concern the giant, not the girl.”
“As you wish, Governor.” He backed away as Lidia slipped in from the corridor.
“What makes the two of you talk in such loud tones?”
She patted Barca’s arm. “Don’t worry. You will catch Atticus, and we’ll roast his carcass over a spit before it grows cold. Now go and rest until the f
east tonight. I have arranged to display the spawn of Gregorian to our noblemen and women.”
Barca left the room and Lidia moved nearer to Taurus. “You left a great many people waiting for your decision on a wife, yesterday.”
Taurus ignored her admonition.
“Consider the daughters of Verragius and Hestonius, both excellent choices, vetted personally by me and guaranteed virgins, compliant in and out of the bedroom.”
Taurus held back a roar of anger. The idea of a marriage arranged by a seventy-year-old woman lusting to hold Panua long after she went to her grave gave him cause to vomit. He remained silent, unwilling to enter into Lidia’s negotiations.
“They are daughters of important men, and you would do well to nurture their friendship.” She left the room as Taurus sank deeper into his dark mood. He groaned at the thought of paying attention to them, but it would be a gross insult if he did not approach them and make their presence welcome.
He turned his mind to the prisoner. Better to marry one of the girls Lidia had picked for him than tangle with Rome and lead Panua into disaster. It might be wise to pack up the girl and send her back to the emperor as fast as possible. But perhaps he should ruin her before sending her to Gregorian. After all, he had been kidnapped, tied up, hand-fed, and tossed on a filthy cart full of stinking straw. The desire to see her consumed him. He recalled the kiss bestowed on him. A parting gift to a pitiful soldier she had ill-used and thought never to meet again.
What is your name? I must remember it, she had whispered with her sweet voice.
“No.” Taurus swore under his breath. “You will not forget my name. Ever!”
****
Her reflection in a highly polished silver mirror stared back in wonder. Dressed to perfection in a white dress with gold braid crisscrossing under her full breasts, Kallie thrummed with confidence. The governor expected her to shine like a star in the night sky; otherwise, why send her a selection of beautiful dresses? Jewels and ribbons decorated her hair, arranged artfully on her head. The clever yet minimal use of tinctures and powder on her face finished off a dazzling appearance. Pleased but not arrogant over her looks, she waited for an escort to the feast and thought of her mother, who had never set stock in beauty. It almost killed her to carry the reputation of most beautiful woman in the empire. Taurus’ father had obsessed over her after she fled from their betrothal. Kallie’s mother had educated her children and taught them to live with less, not more, than they needed. Raised on a secluded estate, far from the politics of Rome, Kallie had visited her grandfather, Primus Gregorian, often, but she had never considered Rome as her home. It was Actinium and the Phillipus estate that held Kallie’s heart.
The sun slid into the horizon, and she patiently waited. Images of Rome played in her mind as she stood by the window, watching as the clouds changed from gold to orange and then to reddish pink. She did not hear Taurus enter the room.
****
The breath left his body when he saw her from afar. Her stunning beauty intrigued yet irked him, for no defensible reason. In fascination he watched as the muscles on her arm flexed, revealing her strength and fitness. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a woman—or even the name of one. He and the men used to ride into the countryside to tumble willing wenches, and many a buxom woman entertained a soldier for a coin or two. In his youth he dallied often, but in the last few years issues had arisen that curtailed the raucous behavior of his troops. And now his advisors, and primarily Lidia, pressured him to take a wife and begin the dutiful business of producing an heir. Damn the old woman! Where had the time gone? His thirtieth year loomed on the horizon.
She slowly turned, and they stood face to face. Taurus had dressed in a dark tunic with golden bands encircling his wrists. His mood lifted when her eyes found his. He strode across the room, took her hand, and tilted her head. No words passed between them. Her pink, bow-shaped mouth parted and pearly-white teeth bit her lower lip. The tension increased, until he bent his head and kissed her warm, soft lips, breathing in her delicious scent of rose mingled with jasmine. His hand slid along her jaw with the lightest touch, and she pressed eagerly against his lips. As her free hand slid across his muscled chest, he took the opportunity to explore her curves with interest. A sound escaped from the back of her throat. Taurus pulled back to view her face. Dreamy-eyed, she gazed at him with an expectant look.
“Are you a virgin?”
“Yes,” she whispered, “but I have no wish to remain so.”
Taurus grew suspicious. “Oh, and why is that?”
“My virtue is currency for my brother. If I am ruined, he will deem me unimportant, especially if the man who ruins me is the Governor of Panua.”
Taurus released her from his grip. “My guests are waiting. Lidia salivates at the chance to look upon a Gregorian after all these years.” Taurus eyed her openly. “Your mother was said to have entranced my father with her beauty.”
“My mother always said her beauty proved to be a curse. We were taught skills, not pretty poses.”
“She gave you permission to run around in boy’s clothes, shoot arrows, and ride horses?”
“I’ll never be much of a lady.”
She outshone any woman, but perhaps not in social skills. “I’ll seat Lady Virga on your right. She will be helpful if you feel overwhelmed tonight.”
“Thank you,” Kallie whispered as they walked to the grand reception room.
****
A roomful of curious onlookers waited to greet them, and Kallie handled them with expert ease. She spoke eloquently to the nobles of Panua who lined the hall to meet her, and even those women with skeptical looks on their overly made-up faces were handled with aplomb. They hushed the moment Lidia Paulinus entered the room just before dinner. Kallie inclined her head graciously to the old woman.
“A Gregorian, if ever I saw one in the flesh,” Lidia said, in a half grumble.
Kallie smiled with brilliance at the old woman. She held no fear of Lidia or her ambitions. “I am pleased to have you confirm my identity, Lady Paulinus.”
“You are passable, like your mother before you. Are you a wanton wench, too?” Lidia sneered.
Kallie fixed a smile on her face, determined to pass this test if it killed her. The room hushed to hear her response. “I am most definitely a wanton wench. It is the only way to avoid marriage to an old toad in the East.”
Taurus roared with laughter and the room joined in.
Lidia shrugged and moved to sit at the high table on Taurus’ left, while Kallie sat on his right. Lady Virga took her seat on the other side of Kallie, and they used the opportunity to inspect one another cordially. Virga, a demure, ivory-skinned beauty whose icy blue eyes showed no emotion, had her long blonde hair neatly braided for the evening’s gathering. Her lovely features were angular and aristocratic, completely opposite of Kallie’s dark and sensual looks.
The magnificent food was served under the watchful eye of Lidia. The servants did not dare put one foot wrong, especially tonight, with the sister of the emperor as the honored guest. Kallie noticed Barca a few seats away, his face a mask of fury, unable to disguise the fact he viewed her as a prisoner and not a guest. Next to Barca sat a young man with a softer, friendlier copy of Barca’s face. Kallie leaned toward Virga and asked his name.
“He is Hamilcar, brother of Barca. Handsome, is he not?” Virga questioned.
“He reminds me of my brother, in Rome.” Kallie said, half to herself.
“I hope to have a conversation with you about Rome’s colorful history and notable citizens,” Lady Virga whispered in low tones.
Taurus turned from Lidia, busily chiding one of the stewards. “Lady Gregorian, you have fooled me.”
Kallie turned to meet his inquisitive expression with surprise.
“You gave me the impression you are a girl of the woods. But your skill with the nobility of Panua proves you a well-bred lady.”
Lidia grunted at Taurus’ compliment.
“Proper ladies do not run off from an arranged betrothal.”
Taurus opened his mouth to retort, but Kallie interrupted.
“I am no lady. I plan to avoid marriage and its political entanglements. Like you, Lady Paulinus, I wish to be mistress of my own fate.”
Lidia paused for a heartbeat, contemplating her reply. “You will be cast down, as your brother will be cast down. I pray to see the day when another house will rule Rome.”
“Enough,” Taurus breathed mutinously. “You ruin my meal with your constant harping.”
Lidia shot Taurus a look but engaged the man on her left in conversation.
The reception proceeded in a lighter mood as Taurus signaled the musicians to play. Kallie enjoyed the food and paced her eating to match that of Lady Virga. Taurus watched with his unreadable expression. Her eyes held his as long as possible without causing insult to their company. He scanned the room and nodded to two young ladies whom Kallie remembered as Lady Verragius and the Lady Hestonius. They glowed with pleasure under his scrutiny.
“Your wife will be upset if you openly flirt with your guests,” Kallie mused.
“My wife?” Taurus asked absently.
“Lady Virga,” Kallie reminded him.
Taurus smirked. “I do as I please. I am the Monster of Panua and take whatever and whomever I want.”
“It seems to me there is another monster in this room.” Kallie glanced beyond him to the back of Lidia’s head. The old lady, as tough as iron nails and with a reputation as a mean old bitch, deserved her unkind comment. All of Rome knew she had raised the governor of Panua with flawed opinions and a biased hatred of the Romans.
“I compliment you on your observation. Do not tangle with Lidia. Give her one reason to destroy you and she will seize it.”
“You follow her like a disciple of the latest religion that rages around the empire. If you choose to believe her mad ravings over the Gregorian family it could mean your destruction, not mine.”
Taurus gazed thoughtfully into his wine, ignoring her warning. “Lidia may grow old, but her idea of defeating Rome does not. If I have inherited her thirst for revenge, it is the fault of the Gregorians.”
Taurus Page 4
