A Stray Drop of Blood (73 page)

“
My lord.” Phillip grabbed the bridle of the horse and caressed the beast’s nose. “I prayed you would come this morning. She has already been there two nights. You spoke with Andrew?”

“
I did.” Titus swung off his horse so that they could proceed on foot and talk as they went. “You know not where in the arena she is being kept?”

Phillip shook his head. His jaw clenched. “She should not be there at all. If I had been doing my duty–”

“
Eight men, Phillip. It seems to me that you are amazing for escaping from their clutches at all.”

“
Every time it has mattered, I have failed.”

“
No.” Titus smiled in spite of the anticipation sparking to life within him. “Who but God can know how many dangers were avoided because of your presence? You can be blamed for none of the sorrows that have befallen her, Phillip. The important thing is that we get her back. Once she is my wife, there will be nothing my father can do. All of Rome will know I have wed her, and they will not be able to turn a blind eye to his doings.”

Phillip measured him evenly. “You know what they do with women at the arenas, do you not?”

Titus’s felt his eyes harden into the way they had been most of his life. “I know better than most how harshly a whore is treated, yes, and I know my father would have sent her there to fill that description. But if you are implying that I may change my mind about marrying her because of what she is likely to have been through in these two nights, you are mistaken. If anyone is to be punished for this, it will be my father, not Abigail.”

“
What will you do?”

“
The only thing I can with a clear conscience. Absolutely nothing. Never again will I step in his house, exchange a word with him, or acknowledge his existence. He has made his choice. I am no longer his son.”

Phillip nodded. They walked quickly in silence for a moment before he asked, “And what of the officials at the arena? What will you do about them?”

Titus’s grin felt edged with danger. “Well, my friend, that depends entirely upon how cooperative they prove to be.”

Phillip’s lips tugged up to match Titus’s. It seemed he, too, was looking forward to the prospect of a confrontation. Sometimes only a hint of indulgence could tame the savage in a man’s soul.

~*~

Mannas had a hard time believing it was chance that led him past the entrance gates at the very moment that Titus Asinius charged up the steps. If it was fortune, it was decidedly bad. He would rather be anywhere else. As it was, he stepped aside and hoped that the furious man would not even see him.

Such luck was not destined for him that day. As he strode by, Titus grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him forward with him, not even sparing him a glance. “Volusius,” he demanded in a stony voice. “Take me to him.”

Mannas nodded, but he had a feeling it did not occur to Asinius that he would do anything but agree. It was not an unsafe assumption. Mannas darted a look at the second man, recognizing him as the bodyguard that he heard had gotten away. He hoped fervently the man would not recognize him. He suspected Asinius would not object to the eunuch breaking a few bones in vengeance.

“
This way.” Mannas indicating a narrow, steep set of steps. He chanced another look at the young Asinius. At the moment, he had the same look of impenetrableness that his father was famous for, along with an extra touch of ferocity for good measure. Mannas decided to be glad it was Volusius, and not he, that would feel the brunt of this one’s anger. Maybe he could even secure a little extra leniency for himself. “I heard that you just returned recently from Jerusalem, Lord. I served there myself, many years ago, alongside Cleopas Visibullis.”

The hand on his shoulder tightened. “You are an idiot. You just admitted to me that you know who I am, and hence why I am here, which means you know for whom I come. And if you know of Abigail, it is because you have seen her. And tell me, my fellow legioner, how is it that you looked upon my betrothed without offering her your assistance?”

Mannas forced down a swallow. “I. . . did not know she was your betrothed, Lord, only that she–”

“
Enough.” Titus punctuating the command with a shake. “Where is Volusius?”

Having reached the top of the steps, Mannas indicated the appropriate chamber. He hoped to be released, but Titus apparently decided it would be a more impressive entrance if he barged in with the man’s own guard in hand.

No, it was not a day of fortune for Mannas.

~*~

When Titus flung the door open, Volusius looked up in surprise. The man stood, outrage on his face.

Titus released the guard and charged the man. “Where is she?”

Volusius scurried behind a large piece of furniture. “I know not of whom you speak or why you are here. Please, I am a busy man, and I have much to do. If you have business with me, we can make an appointment.”

Titus’s answer was to kick the table between them out of the way and walk through the void it created so that he could grab Volusius by his tunic and lift him a few inches off the ground. “Abigail Visibullis,” he said with exaggerated patience. “My father had her delivered to you the day before yesterday. Where is she?”

“
I–I do not know that name.” Volusius clutched at Titus’s arm.

“
Then let me clarify. The most beautiful woman you have likely ever seen, young, with my amethyst around her neck and my babe in her womb.” The falsehood was meant to get a reaction, and get it he did. He watched Volusius’s blood drain from his face.

“
Truly, Lord, I know not of whom you speak. But I will inquire. I will find her for you if she is here, and I will contact you. Please, go home and rest, and I will do all I can.”

Titus dropped the man without warning. “See that you do.” He turned and strode from the chamber with the same force he had entered it with, signaling Phillip to follow. As soon as they were outside, having slammed the door closed behind them, Titus ducked into the nearest empty chamber and pressed himself out of sight. Phillip followed suit as Titus eased the door closed after them. At the slave’s arched brow, he just shook his head.

From the other chamber they could hear Volusius exclaim, “Well get her! Bring her up here and let her answer for herself. If that wench births an Asinius child here, that man will kill me!”

Titus smiled the answer to Phillip, who smiled in return. Minutes passed, silent minutes during which Titus leaned with perfect confidence against the wall as he waited. Phillip kept flexing his wrist as if hoping he would soon need to exercise it with a few blows.

At last, they heard two sets of approaching footsteps, one the heavy tread of a man, the other the softer one of a woman. Phillip immediately tensed, but Titus held up his hand to signal him to wait. It would be best not to show themselves until there was no hope of the guard escaping with Abigail. As the sounds drew nearer, Titus reached for the door’s latch, and Phillip slid into place beside him. When the footfalls were almost directly in front of them, they threw open the door and stepped into the hall.

He watched as Abigail glanced up, the resignation on her face transforming instantly to joy. “Titus!” She launched herself into his arms before the guard could so much as respond and let out a trill of laughter. “I knew you would come!”

“
Of course I came.” Titus cradled her head against his shoulder. He drew it back enough to kiss her soundly. “Are you well? Have they hurt you? I swear, if anyone laid a hand on you, I shall–”

“
Hush, my love.” Abigail silenced him with a gentle finger over his lips. She was smiling, and he decided she would not be smiling if she had been treated poorly. “Jacob, known as Ares, the one they gave me to, is faithful to the wife he left behind; he would not touch me, but he let me stay with him so that they would not give me to another. The Lord was with me, Titus.” Her eyes sparked with joy. “In fact, this Jacob had been a follower of John the Baptist, he of whom the scriptures spoke as ‘a voice crying in the wilderness.’ I told him of Christ, and he believes.”

Titus laughed, barely noticing as Volusius came out of his chamber with a thundercloud on his face and spoke to the guard, who turned and left. He gave Abigail a squeeze. “The Lord was with you indeed.”

She chuckled and rested her head against his chest. “How are the children?”

Titus smiled. “I did not see them in my rush to find you upon my return, but from what I understand, they are well, though missing you. It seems our mothers have struck up a friendship; they are all awaiting you at the villa, beloved.”

Abigail drew in a long breath. “You saw Ester? She is well?”

He nodded. “She looked worried, but strong. A bit older than I remembered, but still lovely and graceful.”

“
What did she think of Benjamin?”

Titus laughed. “Fair one, I was there no longer than a minute. Andrew told me what had happened the moment I dismounted, and I was on my way again a heartbeat later. I rushed to the gates, where Phillip met me.”

Abigail then pulled away from him to go embrace her loyal servant. “Thank you, Phillip. I knew you could get away from them and follow so that you could tell Titus exactly where I was.”

“
I should have done more,” Phillip returned.

“
No.” Abigail pulled away and looking up into his stern countenance. “The Lord was with me, my friend. I have no doubts that he led me here so that I could meet and speak with Jacob, and he was watching over me every moment to ensure my safety.” She looked over at Titus. “I promised him that I would see that his family in Samaria is safe.”

At that moment, Titus would have promised absolutely anything to the man who had protected his betrothed. “We will do that and more, my love, for this man.”

Two sets of heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs, and a moment later the guard came into view. Titus vaguely recognized the man beside him as a gladiator he had once cheered on. The warrior smiled when he saw them.

“
I am Jacob. You must be Titus.” The fighter approached with an outstretched hand.

They clasped wrists, and Titus smiled in return. “I am. I want to thank you for protecting Abigail for me.”

Jacob smiled at her. “It was my pleasure. I only hope another has done for my daughter as I did for her. And she has taught me much in these two days.”

“
She is a good teacher, indeed.” Titus tucked her under his arm again.

Phillip was looking with a good deal less warmth at the guard. “You! You were the one to take her from the Asinius house.”

The guard took a step back.

Abigail reached out to put a steadying hand on Phillip’s arm. “He only did his duty, Phillip. He had no way of knowing that I was not the slave Caius claimed me to be. But once he knew, he was as kind as he dared to be.”

The guard looked as surprised to hear this as Phillip did. Titus buried a smile. He knew well that Abigail had a tendency to see more in a man than he could see in himself. “She is right, Phillip. The lackey is not to be blamed. It is the master who must answer for his wrongdoing.” He turned and focused a burning gaze on Volusius, who also stepped back. “I realize you were answering to my father, but that allegiance will do you no good. I promise you that in a matter of weeks, my father’s power will fade. And then you will answer to me, Volusius. You had better be ready to pacify me when I come for reckoning.”

Volusius made no reply, so Titus turned to Jacob again. “I will see that your family is well, as you have seen to mine. Join your prayers to ours, my friend, and hopefully soon they will all be answered.”

When Jacob nodded his acceptance, Titus let his hand rest protectively on Abigail’s shoulder in preparation for leaving. He looked at Volusius but nodded at Jacob. “If I hear you have harmed him in any way because of this then you will pay with your life, and my friend here,” he said with another nod toward Mannas, “will find himself with a large promotion and your former seat. Understood?”

Volusius only nodded. Titus turned away and let his smile escape. He led Abigail toward and down the stairs, Phillip close behind. In minutes, they emerged into the daylight and headed for home.

~*~

Abigail held Ester close, tears streaming down her face. There was so much to say, but she could find no words to say it.

Ester sniffed and pulled her tighter still. “I am so sorry, my daughter. I nearly gave up after Cleopas and Jason were killed, but it was not for lack of love of you. The darkness was just so heavy . . . but it was the hope of seeing you again, of meeting your son, that brought the light back into my life. I am so proud of all you have done.”

“
I have missed you, Mother.” Abigail pulled away enough to dash at her tears. “You cannot know how much.”

“
I can. I missed you as much, my daughter. Look at you; motherhood has made you all the more beautiful. Or perhaps it is love that has done it?”

Abigail laughed and blushed and hugged Ester close again. “Both, I suspect.” She kissed Ester’s cheek. “It feels like much longer than it has been since I last saw you.”

“
That is because we did not even know how the other was faring. And because so much has changed.” She sighed and studied Abigail’s face hungrily. “Ever since the day Cleopas brought you to me, the day Jason left, I have seen something in you. Something unsatisfied, bitter, unyielding. Something that you buried, but which fueled you, kept you meek when you would have been bold, a servant when you would have been a mistress. That is gone from your eyes now.”