Taurus sat back and raised his feet onto his desk. The old woman left in a hurry to begin the task. “Why are you still here?” Taurus asked his hovering steward.
“Master, the lady from Rome recited a strange thing today.”
Taurus sat upright and gave his full attention. In all his years with him, Kristokus had never once come with a problem or concern.
“What did she say?”
Kristokus repeated the phrase. “They say the men in Greece are handsome and proud.”
Taurus shook his head. “Is there a significance?”
The steward nodded. “It is a test. If I am not loyal to Panua and if I am a spy placed within your fortress, then I would respond. Another message may pass between us to confirm I am the true spy.”
Taurus had heard of such tales. Lidia was a master spy. At one time she’d had spies in the bed of the old emperor. She knew Gregorian’s business before he knew it.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you know the proper reply, Kristokus?”
“Only the spy planted within our midst would know.”
Taurus paced the room. A spy in the fortress, placed among the highest of the high. Damn! He had enough to worry over—the impending choice of a wife, the possibility of aggression from the emperor, and, most of all, the presence of Atticus roaming freely in his land, communicating with his captive. “Thank you, Kristokus. Keep your eyes and ears alert for the slightest hint of a spy accessing Lady Gregorian.”
****
Taurus glanced outside. The sun dominated the horizon. The time had come to go to the Villa Verragius and socialize with a girl who could become his wife. He despised such trifling events with their small talk and women flitting about like butterflies. Lidia would watch him like a hawk, dissecting every word and action, inferring the wrong conclusion. This evening she hoped to push him further into marriage negotiations and see Panua’s heirs come swiftly as she neared sixty-five annals. Taurus owed Lidia much, but where did her ambitions end and his truly begin?
He groaned at the thought of marriage. Taurus had the power to sentence a woman to death if she dallied with another man. Panuan law called only for a woman’s fidelity, and Rome had a similar law. Most men opted for discretion when married to a nobleman’s daughter and indulging in an affair, but Taurus planned to take Kallie to the home of Verragius to flaunt her as his mistress, as a defiant snub against Lidia as well as to set the tone for his prospective wife, to make it understood his marriage would be only to appease his grandmother’s burning desire to keep the name “Paulus Paulinus” alive for the ages. If they deemed it an insult, their complaints would fall on deaf ears. A Supreme Commander of Panua had every right to conquer, in and out of the bedroom.
A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. He had never housed a woman in his private quarters before. None had interested him as much as the woman who waited there now. A searing pulse of desire ran through his body at the mere thought of touching her soft skin and kissing her sensuous mouth.
****
Kallie had gone to great lengths to look her best for this evening. Taurus itched to display her as a plaything in front of his little court in Panua. She wore a red dress shot with golden thread that shimmered in the lamplight. She had artfully braided her hair in a long twist and laid the dark, glossy length over one shoulder. Bracelets of gold accented her smooth, sun-kissed arms, from wrist to elbow. A gold chain dangled between her round breasts with a large, clear gemstone winking a rainbow of color in the firelight. Bronzed powder and a tiny application of dark tincture on her features enhanced her beauty tenfold.
Taurus entered the room without preamble, dripping wet from the pool, his half-naked body streaming with rivulets of water that accented his muscles and tanned skin. The drying sheet around his waist dropped to the floor and Kallie failed to concentrate her eyes on his upper half.
He smirked as he moved to her side, causing a squeal as his wet body pressed against hers, undoing hours of preparation. “I’ll be careful,” he muttered, as his lips touched her cheek.
“You can’t do this now,” she begged. “It will take too long to rearrange myself.”
Her dress loosened easily at his touch. “You give me no choice when you look the way you do.” He chuckled at her dismay.
She threw her arms around his neck in resignation. If his guests were kept waiting or if she arrived disheveled, it would be his fault. “Fine, but they will know we have tangled together as soon as they see me,” Kallie whispered.
“You belong to me. I possess you when it pleases me.” Taurus pressed her mouth apart with his kisses until she gasped for breath.
“You are a wild animal at heart, Governor. You will be as bored as me at this evening’s party. Let’s run away together!” She giggled.
“Where would we run?” Taurus smiled at her game.
She ran her hands across his strong, muscular chest as he hitched up her legs.
“Anywhere. I don’t care.”
Conversation ceased as more pressing matters took their attention. It was over as quickly as it had begun, and then Taurus helped her dress, and he too, was ready within minutes. “You will be sensational tonight,” Taurus decreed.
“If you wish.” Kallie considered the consequences of disappointment.
They reached the sweeping staircase and descended together, her hand resting on his arm.
Lidia, Virga, Barca, and Hamilcar waited below, watching with curious eyes. Virga, in a gown of pale blue to match her eyes, had her blonde hair neatly tied at the nape of her neck and wore no adornments. Kallie may have overdressed for the occasion, but Taurus paid no heed to Lady Virga and barely acknowledged Lidia.
Nestled in the fur-lined seats of his carriage, they started forward with a lurch. Taurus slipped his fingers between the folds of her gown and fondled her curves, while she considered the possibilities the evening held. Somewhere in the fortress a spy waited to seek her out and help lay the groundwork for a plan of escape.
The villa was a beautiful house surrounded by fertile orchards and fields, outside the city limits. Kallie breathed in the country air, fresh and exhilarating, and she sensed Taurus’ amusement at her excitement. He greeted General Verragius amiably and introduced the general’s wife and daughter, who feasted their eyes on Taurus. The daughter resembled a young deer, all legs and arms, with the awkwardness of youth evident in her gait. A young man stood behind them, and he eyed Kallie with open admiration.
“Ah,” Taurus exclaimed loudly, “Verragius Junior, come forward and meet the sister of the emperor. It is difficult not to stare at such a delightful woman, is it not?”
The youth ambled forward to greet the governor, and his arrogant, confident eyes swept over Kallie as they met. “Lady Gregorian,” he murmured, and his lips pressed her hand for a moment too long.
A trickle of uncertainty ran up her back. She must watch this young man carefully. He oozed danger and tested Taurus’ patience. General Verragius took her arm, whisking her away from the two men, who stared at each other like two bulls in a cowfield.
“Forgive my son. He is young and foolish.” Verragius laughed and spoke loudly enough for Taurus to hear. “He is a boy trying to be a man, without the subtle knowledge it requires.”
Taurus chuckled, “The general and I go back a long way. We have conquered many towns and wenches together. Have we not, Verragius?”
The general laughed, red-faced. His wife and daughter were steps behind him.
“Yes, the good old days,” the general remarked, trying to leave the subject of infidelity. His wife might take him to task later for it. Verragius intended to monopolize the governor by seating him apart from his enchanting companion, but Taurus recognized the manipulation and nipped the plan instantly. “The lady will sit with me, on my left, and Verragius, you on my right. She will entertain us with stories of Rome and her adventures with the giant.”
Kallie smiled politely. The last thing on her mind was Rome and Atticus.
Barca laughed with false vigour, and Hamilcar sat stone-faced, staring at his empty plate with vacant interest. Lidia grumbled farther down the table. Kallie glanced in her direction but met the eager stare of young Verragius. He smiled, warm and friendly, but his eyes held deeper meaning.
Virga complimented Lady Verragius on her beautiful home and the soft tones of the musicians in the adjacent room. Kallie relaxed and leaned in beside Taurus to talk with the elder Verragius and his interest in the old emperor, Kallie’s grandfather. She shared memories of Primus Gregorian, hardly believing him dead five years. Verragius had served in Rome as the Panuan ambassador during Gregorian’s rule, smoothing the ruffled feathers of the emperor whenever Lidia annoyed the great man. Verragius recalled many distinguished names from the last few decades in politics and genuinely displayed an interest in discussing current events. Taurus and he had a fine friendship, and Kallie noted the elder Verragius’ respect for the governor.
Hamilcar commented on the satrap’s man who had ruined last evening’s reception. Young Verragius perked up. “I hear he arrived to claim his master’s property and offered a great price.”
Lidia chimed in. “If we had struck a bargain with the man, riches would have fallen at our feet, and we need wealth to hold back Rome.”
Taurus sat back, smugly looking around the room. “The satrap would gladly slit my throat if he knew the treasure I have stolen from under his nose.” He gave Kallie one of his charming smiles. The room hushed and Kallie sensed Taurus using the moment to his advantage somehow. Before Kallie could answer, Verragius Junior spoke up again.
“Perhaps Caius Gregorian will do the deed and slit your throat on behalf of the satrap. After all, his sister’s honor is at stake.”
Taurus smirked, but Kallie knew the comment angered him and the young man would pay for it later, if Taurus had his way.
“It is an honor for the sister of Gregorian to spend time with the Supreme Commander of Panua. Do you not agree, young Verragius? She wandered into Panua and gained my full protection from the satrap, as requested. I have done no wrong. I merely exercise my rights as her benefactor.”
Kallie avoided the shocked faces of the women. Taurus flaunted their relationship, and young Verragius dared to challenge him.
“Gregorian should thank me for my kindly disposition to his sister.” Taurus raised the wine cup to his lips.
“If Gregorian offered your sister the same brand of protection, would you thank him for his kindness?” Young Verragius had a fire lit behind his dark eyes, and Kallie was sure the two men verged on the edge of a brawl.
Taurus turned to the elder Verragius with a raised eyebrow. “Your son needs reminding of his family loyalties, General. I plan to marry into a family I trust implicitly, not one with an upstart in its midst.”
Kallie shot a look at Virga. How could Taurus marry young Flavia when he was married to Virga?
Young Verragius grumbled. “Well, Lady Virga, would you want the same treatment from the emperor that your brother gives to the Lady Gregorian?”
Kallie turned her attention to Taurus, who fumed at the audacity of young Verragius, but her ears rang with one word. Brother!
Virga declined to answer, and Lidia grunted in disgust.
“Get out of my house this instant, you stripling!” General Verragius yelled.
The boy toppled his dishes and bolted for the door with a look of triumph on his face that told them all he had meant to cause trouble and it had worked.
Lady Verragius called for the servants to clear the mess but watched and waited for Taurus’ reaction. He smiled congenially.
“Flavia and I shall walk in the garden.”
The girl was on her feet, bounding toward him like a deer in the woods. Taurus yanked Kallie to her feet.
“Join us, Lady Gregorian. You will enjoy the freshness of the outdoors.”
Lidia’s face dropped like a stone in water.
Flavia led the way as Taurus hooked his fingers into Kallie’s elbow and drew her into the gardens. Lamps lit the narrow pathways, casting an ambient glow. Kallie’s mind ran wild as Flavia talked on and on about the flowers and herbs growing in the family’s private enclave. General Verragius and Lidia watched from the terrace while Lady Virga and Flavia’s mother sat indoors, servants waving large palm fronds over their heads.
Taurus maintained a bland expression as the girl finished her tour and waited to see if she met with his approval.
“Flavia, you have a wonderful gift with words and a sweet, graceful nature. I thank you for a lovely evening.” He kissed her hand with cool formality, and Flavia floated on a cloud of happiness toward the house, no doubt to display her favored hand to everyone and brag of a successful evening, even if her brother had spoken out of turn.
Taurus turned to Kallie. “And what is on your mind this evening?” He stared deep into her eyes, his nose almost touching hers. An unexpected thrill ran through her.
“I am shocked to learn the Lady Virga is your sister. I had thought her your wife.”
Taurus nodded.
“Why did you not correct me?”
He shrugged. “Would it make a difference one way or the other?”
“Yes. Now I don’t think her treated poorly by a husband.”
“Surely you know men, married or not, consort with all manner of women,” Taurus boasted arrogantly.
Kallie fumed. “Yes, and that is exactly why I will never be married. How humiliating to live that way. I have risked my life to escape a marriage, and I will do so again if I must.”
Taurus eyed her curiously. “Can you honestly expect a man to be faithful?”
She frowned. “My father and mother were true to one another. It can happen, even though it is rare. They say the men in Corinth remain with one woman for life.” Kallie shrugged. “Marriage is for fools.”
Taurus sketched a mock bow. “Well, we finally agree on something.”
As he strode away, she watched his golden hair glow in the lamplight; his broad back and muscular frame completed the glorious sight. He paused. “Well?” He gestured for her to join him. “Come along, it’s time to leave.”
A magnetic force pulled her into his open arms, and she sighed in silent relief. He was not married to Virga and had no interest in Flavia.
I don’t care. I can’t afford to care. Nevertheless, her heart soared skyward to the myriad tiny stars shining through the clouds.
****
They lay in his huge bed, covered with soft furs. Kallie had been asleep, but something disturbed her. It happened again, a soft call in the night, perhaps from the servant who slept outside the room. She moved silently from the bed to the adjacent room. Mira, her servant, waited, her eyes alight with a secret.
“Yes?” Kallie whispered.
“My husband is a servant in another household. He sends a message for you.” The voice was barely audible in Kallie’s ear.
“Give me the message.”
The girl paused in thought, recalling something. “They say the men in Greece are handsome and proud.”
Kallie’s heart beat faster. “No, they are old and loud,” she answered.
The girl giggled and continued. “They say the women are frigid and cold.”
The whites of Mira’s eyes sparkled in the dim light as Kallie considered the words. Dare she take the chance? Taurus was already upset over the episode when she toyed with the rocks.
“They soon warm up for silver and gold.” Kallie grabbed the girl’s arm. “Which household is it?”
“Verragius.”
Not surprising. The general had spent many years in Rome. Kallie whispered, “The elder?”
The girl shook her head. “The young master.”
Kallie nodded and waved the girl away, returning to the bed where Taurus lay sleeping. She shivered and wriggled closer to him, aching for the scent of his skin and for his irresistible touch.
Her naked body brushed his. He reached out, enclosing her in
a warm embrace. She sighed, sliding her leg over his, and provocatively ran a hand over his belly.
“Restless?” he whispered sleepily.
“Yes,” Kallie murmured.
“I know a remedy.” He rolled onto his back, at the same time pulling her onto his hard body.
She whispered their secret word.
“Ah,” Taurus breathed with satisfaction, “I have created a monster.”
“Make love to me,” she pleaded.
Chapter Seven
Lady Virga, alone in her bedchamber at her favorite time of the day, indulged in her secret pastime. A born scholar, she devoured any and all writings from Rome, including banned texts. Her grandmother and her brother forbade “the poisonous writings of a rotting empire” that circulated the country. Virga refused to comply by the sin of omission—what they did not know did not hurt them. Reading texts written by Calvinius “the scholar,” who studied Christian ideology, had become more and more popular. His true identity remained unknown to the masses, and the popularity of Calvinius increased the more he wrote against Rome and its centuries-old policies. He represented a new breed of man that believed all cultures must blend together to create a new world order under a code of common principles followed by all people, not just Roman citizens. His idea that the great thinkers of the world should unite to advance civilization, instead of fighting against one another, poised mankind on the brink of a new age.
Virga crafted ways for women to fit into this new world order, envisioning a woman’s role in shaping and influencing society. Her thoughts matched the ideas of Calvinius, and she hoped to meet him one day and discuss his wise and worldly views, views which proved him an older, well-educated man.
No longing in Virga’s heart ached for revenge against the Gregorian family. She wanted peace and unity with her neighbors to the west, to study without disruption the history of Panua and Rome once, long ago, joined under one government.
She sighed and picked up the latest text from Calvinius. She had tried to communicate with him in code, passing letters through a network of spies, but, caught between the two most powerful people in Panua, she watched and waited, hoping someday to escape the restrictions imposed by her strong-willed grandmother, who cared nothing for happiness and family peace. Power dominated the old woman’s mind, and marriage connections with rich, influential families strengthened her hold on Panua. Virga’s heart longed for conciliation with Rome and the Gregorian family, along with the chance to meet like-minded Romans, linked in a treaty of friendship, without the bonds of enmity.
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