A Legate's Pledge

by Tanya Bird

  Chapter 30

  If there was one time Nerva needed Brei to do as she was told, it was after his father’s death. He made three requests of her: stop fighting, do not go anywhere without Albaus, and be prepared to leave the city at a moment’s notice.

  Four days after his father’s funeral, he stood across from her, staring at the welts and bruises covering her body. He could not touch her. In fact, he could barely look at her.

  ‘Nothing is broken,’ she said, throwing her hands up. ‘Everything you see here will heal.’

  It was a good thing there was a bed sitting between them.

  ‘I told you, whatever amount of coin you need, I will give it to you.’

  She crossed her arms. ‘I can make my own money.’

  He could feel the blood pulsing in his ears. ‘Did Albaus go with you?’

  ‘He dropped me there and collected me after.’

  ‘But did not stay with you?’ He was going to have firm words with the bodyguard.

  She exhaled in frustration and shook her head. ‘He can’t protect me in the arena. Only I can do that. It’s sort of the point.’

  He looked over at the dressing table against the wall. A comb and a few other items sat on top. ‘Have you even packed?’

  Now it was her turn to look away. ‘I only have about five things. It won’t take me long to throw them in a bag if the time comes.’

  His gaze snapped back to her. ‘If? You will be leaving any day now.’

  She looked wounded by his words. Falling forwards onto the bed, she crawled to him. ‘Are you going to spend this time mad at me?’ She tugged on his arm. ‘Let fear drive you?’

  She was right. He was terrified of failing to protect her. If his father could be killed outside his own home, then Brei could be murdered anywhere. He sank down on the bed beside her, closing his eyes as she touched his face and chest. ‘I need you safe. I cannot let anything happen to you because of me.’

  She kissed him and moved closer. ‘Tell me about the last few days. Has it been unbearable?’

  Yes, it had been unbearable. The visitors, the outpouring of sympathy, his mother. All of it. He had even been forced to let Paulus Cordius into his home so he could deliver a speech about how sorry he was for their loss. Aquila had stood there nodding, and Nerva had stood there imagining what it would feel like to cut his throat and watch him bleed out on the rug his mother had imported from Egypt. But he had no solid proof Paulus was involved in Rufus’s murder. ‘The hardest parts are surely behind me,’ he said, kneading Brei’s hair between his fingers. He did not want to think about the even harder part in front of him. Her departure would leave him utterly depleted.

  ‘Grief is a strange and unpredictable beast.’ Brei stared down at her lap when she spoke.

  Before Nerva could respond, there was a pounding on the door. They were normally left alone when he visited, as it was the only mutual territory they had. Standing, Nerva walked over to the door and opened it. Mila stood on the other side, looking flushed and out of breath. His stomach fell at the sight. ‘What is the matter?’

  ‘Aquila sold her.’

  Nerva’s shook his head, confused. ‘Who?’

  Her hands went into her hair. ‘I went by the house to check on her, and Aquila would not let me in.’ She took a breath. ‘Nona says a man came by to collect my mother after you left the house this morning.’

  Tertia.

  Nerva hit the door frame and swore. His father had always planned to free her if anything should happen to him. ‘The will is being read tomorrow. Mother must have known of his plans.’

  ‘So she got in first,’ Brei said behind him.

  Mila did not know where to look. ‘Nona does not even know where they have taken her.’

  Brei came to stand next to Nerva. ‘She can’t have gone far. I can help you look. We can split up and comb the city.’

  ‘It is not safe for you to be wandering around the city,’ Nerva said.

  Brei rolled her eyes. ‘Then we will stay together and take Albaus with us.’

  Nerva took in his sister’s distressed face before nodding. ‘Fine. I will pay a visit to my mother.’

  Nerva was pacing in the atrium when his mother finally returned to the house. Conveniently, she had managed to stay away the entire day.

  ‘Goodness, what has you in such a state?’ Aquila asked, pretending to be puzzled by his hostile manner.

  He was not playing her games this time. ‘Where is Tertia?’

  Aquila pretended to be confused by the question. ‘How would I know? By now you have likely heard that she is no longer with us.’

  ‘Yes, I know that part. Mila tells me you would not even let her into the house.’

  His mother removed her palla and gave him a puzzled look. ‘Why should I? Those women are no longer my problem.’ She tossed the palla at Nona, who had wandered in to tend to her. ‘Can you actually stand there and blame me for this? Thirty years is quite enough.’

  Nerva took a few steps towards her. ‘No, I do not blame you. Father did not blame you either, which is why he made provisions for Tertia. It was always the plan that she leave.’

  Aquila threw her hands up. ‘So, I am supposed to house his mistress in the meantime?’

  ‘The reading of the will is tomorrow. You have deliberately sabotaged her freedom.’

  ‘I owe that woman nothing. She should be grateful I did not poison her.’

  Nerva rubbed his brow. ‘Please just tell me where she is. She can be housed elsewhere until Father’s wishes are known.’

  His mother raised her chin, mouth pursed. ‘I am afraid you are too late.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Aquila brushed invisible lint from her stola. ‘She is no longer in the city.’

  It took a moment to register what she was saying. ‘Oh, Mother. What have you done?’

  She looked straight at him, unblinking. ‘I have cleansed my house of sin.’

  Nona, who had been staring at the floor, cleared her throat and left the room. Nerva watched her walk off before continuing.

  ‘Where is she?’ The words came out loudly, and Aquila jumped. He had never raised his voice at her before. She took a moment to compose herself.

  ‘On her way to Elba.’

  Nerva blinked. ‘Elba?’ His mind raced. ‘Why did you send her there?’

  ‘The mine is always in need of workers.’

  Nerva took a step back from her, head shaking. ‘How could you? That is low, even for you.’

  ‘What do you mean, even for me?’

  ‘I mean that you are a terrible person who does terrible things, but this is an entirely new level of cruel.’ He searched her face, hoping to glimpse some remorse. Nothing. ‘She is an excellent seamstress. If you really could not bear her presence for one more day, any number of noble households would have welcomed her. But you know that. Your actions were very deliberate.’ He could not look at her any longer. ‘You better pray I find her.’

  Aquila drew a breath. ‘She is not your problem either.’

  ‘I disagree. She has been a loyal servant in our household my entire life. She did not deserve that. Mila and Dulcia do not deserve that.’

  His mother crossed her arms in front of her. ‘They are almost a full day ahead of you. If you really must interfere, perhaps you can write a letter.’

  He stepped past her and headed to the door. ‘Write a letter? You must be joking. I am going to Elba.’

  Aquila’s mouth fell open as she spun around. ‘You cannot leave the city so soon after your father’s death. It is entirely inappropriate. The reading of the will is tomorrow.’

  ‘You dare lecture me on propriety,’ he called over his shoulder.

  The front door slammed shut behind him.

  Chapter 31

  The moment Nerva announced he would be leaving the city, Brei knew she would go with him. Everyone in the household was prepared to go, but Nerva did not want to attract attention. He also feared that
since he was still very much a target, he would be putting others in danger.

  ‘Nerva, be sensible,’ Mila said. ‘There are men who want you dead. It is not safe for you to go anywhere without protection. Let me come with you.’

  He had appeared amused by her offer. ‘I mean no offence when I say that Caracalla’s men will not be deterred by the presence of my sister.’

  Mila opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again.

  Remus came up next to her. ‘You’re not going to Elba,’ he said, giving her hair a playful tug.

  She dug her elbow into his ribs. ‘She is my mother. And whose side are you on?’

  ‘The side of good sense.’ Remus looked at Nerva. ‘I’ll go with you.’

  ‘Can I go too?’ Atilius called, running over to join them.

  ‘No,’ Mila and Remus replied in unison.

  Brei was leaning against the wall between Felix and Albaus, silent. She was not going to have a conversation about it and give Nerva the chance to shut her down in front of an audience. She was going with him.

  Felix let out a dramatic sigh, drawing the attention of the room. ‘Albaus and I will travel with you. Remus should stay here in case Caracalla grows desperate and comes after your family.’

  Nerva did not object because Albaus was a sensible choice, and it was a well-known fact that wherever he went, Felix went also.

  ‘Part of the journey will be via boat,’ Nerva said, frowning at the dwarf.

  ‘Yes, I know. It is such a pity I like you.’

  Remus walked over and clapped Felix on the shoulder. ‘It’s only six miles off the coast.’

  ‘You would be surprised how long six miles feels when your head is hanging over the side of the boat.’

  Albaus grunted, his lips turning up in his own version of a smile. Brei’s leg bounced as she made plans in her head. When Nerva glanced in her direction, she could see the toll the previous few days had taken on him. It was the wrong time for him to be riding off to play hero, and yet every time he did, she fell a little harder.

  Mila went to Nerva, eyes glassy. ‘I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you doing this at a time when you are supposed to be mourning.’

  ‘I am sorry it happened at all. I will do everything in my power to find her.’ He looked over at Felix and Albaus. ‘Meet me at the stables at first light. I want to try and make the journey to Populonia in three days.’

  Felix nodded, Albaus grunted, and Brei headed for the garden. She needed air. Nerva must have known something was up, because he followed her out and caught her by the arm. She spun to face him.

  ‘You are awfully quiet,’ he said. ‘Have you nothing to say on the subject? No objections?’

  She stared at the potted tree behind him. ‘What objections could I possibly have? Tertia is your sisters’ mother, and you are doing what any good brother would do for his siblings.’

  He watched her for a moment. ‘Why are you not looking at me?’

  She dragged her eyes to meet his. She considered herself a reasonable liar if the occasion called for it, but there was only truth between them. ‘I’m going with you.’

  He looked annoyed but not surprised. ‘Absolutely not. You will stay here with Mila and Remus.’

  She had no trouble looking at him then. ‘I’m free to go where I please. I’m not asking your permission.’

  Nerva’s eyes closed as he drew a breath. ‘Can you please just do what I have asked for once in your life?’

  She almost felt bad for him. ‘Caracalla is waiting for an opportunity to kill you.’

  ‘Which is exactly why you need to stay here.’

  ‘I can protect you.’

  Anger flashed in his eyes. ‘I have Albaus for that. I need you safe.’

  She let out an exasperated huff. ‘I’m safest with you. We’re safest with each other. That’s been proven time and time again. Just look at this past year.’ Her voice was raised now. ‘You don’t get to strip me of my weapons and just send me below deck anymore.’ She saw him flinch at that.

  He took a moment to think through his next words. ‘If you want to leave this city, you cannot be seen with me.’

  Every time he brought up her leaving, she felt a little sicker. She tucked her long hair behind her ears. ‘I’m done talking about it. I’m coming with you.’

  ‘You will stay here, or I will have Geta’s men drag you back and guard the house until I return.’ His tone was sharp as a blade. The heat of his glare made her eyes burn. He was the only man on the planet who held the power to bring her to tears.

  ‘I wish you would stop treating me like a slave.’

  ‘And I wish you would stop playing the enemy. We are on the same side now.’

  She looked down at his feet. ‘And what am I supposed to do if you don’t come back?’ There was that burn in her eyes again.

  Nerva took hold of her chin, forcing her to look at him. ‘Of course I will come back.’

  She searched his face for a moment, then fell forwards against his chest. His arms went around her, and she felt that familiar sensation of invincibility. Mustering her remaining strength, she said, ‘I’m coming with you.’

  Nerva’s chest expanded and then collapsed with a resigned breath. ‘You do not leave my sight.’

  Brei closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his chest. ‘I promise.’

  They made the journey in three days, stopping only to rest their horses and eat, never lingering in one place for too long. Nerva insisted the group camp rather than paying for rooms, as he was worried he would be recognised. Nights were cold, so they slept around a lit campfire, someone keeping watch at all times. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, the guards Geta had assigned travelled behind and camped separately from them.

  Once they arrived in Populonia, Felix secured them passage on a boat that would take them to Elba. Nerva had hoped to catch up with Tertia before they crossed the sea to the island, but without knowing their route, he was forced to simply pray that she would be there when they arrived.

  When it was time for them to board the boat, Brei stopped at the bottom of the gangplank, holding everybody up. Nerva placed a hand on her shoulder, and she jumped at his touch.

  ‘What is the matter?’ he asked, gesturing to Felix and Albaus to wait.

  Brei looked up at him. ‘It seems I don’t like boats anymore.’ She appeared embarrassed by the confession.

  ‘Geta’s men are staying here until we return. You are welcome to stay with them.’

  She immediately shook her head. ‘I’ll be fine.’

  Nerva felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He had done that to her, locked her up, left her in the dark with no food and water. ‘I will be at your side the whole time.’

  She nodded and walked on.

  The voyage to the island was accompanied by a harsh wind that tugged at their clothes and seemed to fuse their bones. Brei barely appeared to notice. She spent the entire journey staring out at the horizon, frozen hands clasped in her lap. Her hair was out, long strands blowing in all directions. Nerva found himself watching her most of the journey, fascinated by her resilience and lost in her beauty. He did that more than was healthy, often trying to imagine life without her. There was not one woman among Rome’s elite who could hold his attention like she did. No one would ever feel as good in his arms, make him lose his mind to lust like her. He knew because he had been with many women before she robbed him of his horse and heart, and none had come close.

  Brei looked across at him and frowned when she saw his expression. ‘Are you all right?’

  She saw right through him. ‘Not really.’

  They stared at one another for a moment, all the things they could never say aloud between them. Turning back to the horizon, Brei slid an icy hand across the bench seat next to his. He brushed his little finger along hers. It was their common language.

  As they neared the island, Nerva took in the houses built along the coastline, mini palaces perched on
the edge of paradise.

  ‘How could a place that looks so beautiful harbour so much cruelty?’ Brei asked as the boat was secured.

  ‘Leave it to the Romans,’ Felix replied. He was ghostly pale but had managed to keep down the food he had eaten that morning. ‘Patricians have a talent for blocking out the unsightly things and laying claim to everything else. They will only give thought to the mines if the noise disturbs their peace or the smoke impedes their lovely view of the water.’

  Nerva patted the dwarf’s shoulder as he stood, taking no offence as he agreed with everything he said.

  ‘Let us move quickly,’ Felix said, running a hand down his clammy face. ‘I am about two boat rocks from being sick.’

  Brei gestured for him to go ahead. ‘After you.’

  Albaus rose behind the dwarf, shoving him forwards. Felix was too sick to object to the rough treatment.

  Once ashore, they found an ox cart, and Nerva paid the driver to take them part of the way. The man’s eyes widened when the cart groaned beneath Albaus’s weight.

  ‘Ah, we’ll need to redistribute some weight so I don’t lose a wheel on the way.

  ‘Well, do not look at me,’ Felix said, getting comfortable.

  Nerva rose and plonked himself down on the other side as the cart lurched forwards.

  ‘You have business at the mine?’ the driver asked. ‘They usually send a cart to meet the boat.’

  ‘Something like that,’ Nerva said. ‘We are trying to track down a woman, a new arrival.’

  ‘The only women who go into that mine don’t tend to come out again.’

  Nerva glanced at Brei, whose expression mirrored his own. ‘Have any new slaves arrived in the last day or so?’

  The man made a throaty noise, then spat over the side of the cart. ‘They still bring in newcomers to replace the ones who don’t make it out of the vein mines. Those things are always collapsing.’ He rubbed at his nose with the back of his hand. ‘Not for too much longer though. Most of the iron is coming in from Spain nowadays.’