His Seafaring Siren (Caledonia's Captives) (7 page)

Mowriyah!
His mind screamed her name, but his voice could not muster a syllable. He sat on the settee alone and pondered the events of the day. With no one around, Septimus felt like a small child who had been abandoned. He remembered the feeling from his youth. The moment of being lost on the sea of Caledonia after his parents had left him. Though he was found by traders, he had been petrified of the men who had taken him from everything that he had known. But things changed quickly. He was taught to handle the ropes, to fish, and they’d treated him well during his journey to Rome. The fear he had had of these seagoers turned into something more. He began to care about them, to think of them as family. Mowriyah had been an unexpected gift, like those men who’d found him many years ago. She took care of him and their relationship had grown. What had started as merely fun between them had transformed into...
love.

***

Mowriyah tossed about the soft, feathered bed, wrestling with her thoughts. Anticipation, excitement, and worry combined with the enormous emotional bubble that was forming around Septimus and herself and was threatening to burst.

She tried to calm herself, knowing she needed the rest to get her through tomorrow. The night showed no sign of passing and the dancing shadows outside Trivian’s window had come to a halt.

Septimus had crept into the room hours later and was now breathing steadily in her ear. But instead of soothing her as it so often did, it irritated her even more. She slid from beneath the covers and made her way to the kitchen.

She stood at the sink and turned the handle. Water poured freely from the spigot. The inventions here amazed her, but the sound was comforting and reminded her of rushing water near her new home in Caledonia. Her thoughts drifted to her older sister, Abagail. Her sisters were all she had left now. These Romans had taken everything away from her.
I’m coming, Leihla. Hang on a little longer.
Her eyes welled with tears and the rushing water from the faucet urged the tears to flow. She broke into a fit of sobs. A gentle touch on her shoulder made her jump and turn.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Phaedra raked her fingers through her hair. “I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now...”

“No. It’s okay.” Mowriyah filled two small cups with water and motioned to Phaedra to join her at the kitchen table. “Come. Let’s talk.”

“Having trouble sleeping?”

“When my nightmares become my realities, it does seem to keep me from my sleep.”

Phaedra took a small sip. “He does love you. You do know that, don’t you?”

“I thought that he did, but now I am not so sure.” Mowriyah’s heart sank. He had never made any verbal commitment and the coolness from that moment at the bathhouse still pulsed through her body. “Besides, when I told him today how I felt, he pulled away and left me standing alone.”

“Oh, but I am sure.” Phaedra reached out and grabbed Mowriyah’s hand. “I’ve known Septimus for a really long time. He’s changed so much, for the better. And I am sure that you are the reason.”

“Perhaps he’s simply older.”

“That could be part of it. But there’s something more.”

Mowriyah pulled back and felt a tinge of sadness prick her heart. “But he loved you.”

“Not like he
loves
you.”

“You betrayed him.” Mowriyah could feel the emotional bubble in her mind expand. “You crushed him and his trust.”

Phaedra hung her head. “I know. I’m truly sorry.” She lifted her gaze. “Please believe me. I don’t live a single day without regretting my betrayal.”

Mowriyah stood, empowered by the raging batch of feelings that engulfed her. “Yet you had guards poised to take us in yesterday morning. You were willing to—”

“No! I didn’t. I would have never.”

“You said—”

“I know I did, but I lied. There was never anyone. I was just so desperate. I would have never done that to Trivian!” Phaedra stood. “You have no idea what he means to me, what he’s done for me.”

“And if he refused to leave this place, to leave his pet project for Hadrian?” Mowriyah leaned forward. “Would you be so
desperate
that you would leave your love behind?”

Septimus burst into the room. “Mowriyah?” Trivian had emerged from his room as well and the four stood in the kitchen around the table. Mowriyah looked back and forth between the two men. She shot a piercing look at Phaedra then smiled wide. “I was just having some trouble sleeping.”

“As was I. We were just getting to know each other.” She clutched Trivian’s arm. “Well, since we are all up, how about some food and we can start our planning early.”

Septimus and Trivian looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

Mowriyah grabbed Septimus’s arm, mocking Phaedra. “Yes, there’s a lot to do.”

Chapter Six

Septimus watched his younger brother leave the house and realized that he was left to fend for himself in the company of these two women. He and Mowriyah would have to trust Phaedra to lead them in and out of the palace without being noticed. Her plan was sound, but he didn’t like not having control.

The two women were dressing now, Phaedra in her normal Roman attire, Mowriyah in a simple brown tunic and skirt. He and Mowriyah would have to dress as commoners since they planned to act as Phaedra’s servants for the day.

Mowriyah emerged from the bedroom, her hair loose and skimming her shoulders. Even with her drab attire he was in awe of her beauty. “How are you feeling?”

She fidgeted with her clothing. “Fine, I suppose. What if someone were to recognize us? They may hardly remember me since I was only there for a day, but I’m quite sure someone could identify you.”

Septimus rubbed his chin and felt the hair that had grown in the weeks since he had last shaved it at home. “Hopefully this will be a good enough disguise. Not once in all my years here has my facial hair been so long.”

Phaedra entered the living room dressed in her best white toga with a gold belt that graced her waist. “Are you ready? We’ll go to Master Justious first. His order for the palace kitchen will be perfect.”

Septimus eyed Mowriyah. “Ready?”

Mowriyah nodded.

Phaedra led them out into the streets and Septimus kept his eyes focused on his surroundings. Rome being a bustling city of thousands had its own advantages and Septimus was counting on using each one of those advantages to his benefit.

Septimus glanced at Mowriyah, who was quiet as she fiddled with her clothing and hair. He was sure that a certain amount of terror lingered in her mind. The last time she was in the palace, she was there as a slave. The night she and her sisters had been captured, Mowriyah had managed to escape the palace.
If they do recognize her, what will Hadrian do with her?
His own beating from Hadrian came to mind and a sudden fear ensnared his heart.

Collecting the food supplies from Master Justious went smoothly, but as they walked the streets toward the palace, Septimus felt a dark cloud forming over him. Though he was certain no one was following them, something didn’t seem right.

Once they arrived at the palace, Phaedra sashayed to the guard and began her story. “These food wares are to be delivered to the kitchen for the feast. Master Justious thanks the Emperor for his patronage.” Mowriyah was shaky with her light load of vegetables and Septimus prayed to the gods that she would be able to manage the bundle for a few minutes more.

The guard looked questioningly at Phaedra and then to him and Mowriyah. Phaedra smiled playfully at the guard, who returned the gesture. Septimus couldn’t help but notice the guard’s eyes follow Phaedra through the entrance. A small wave of relief fluttered through him, but then it left just as quickly. There was never really a doubt that they would make it
into
the palace, but getting
out
could prove to be trickier.

The trio navigated the halls of the palace with no trouble. Phaedra had claimed to have made deliveries of this type before and, like now, the residents often smiled, nodded, or waved in her direction.
At least she hadn’t lied about this part.

They entered the kitchen and Phaedra waved him and Mowriyah to the right of the doorway to offload their wares on the counter. She followed behind them and whispered, “Stay here. I will tell your sister you are here but you cannot make a scene. Grab that small bag of flour there. You need to look as commonplace as possible.”

Mowriyah nodded and did as she was instructed. Septimus watched as Phaedra mingled around the kitchen, speaking with a few workers who looked to be friends. She shuffled her way through the people to the counter in the far right corner of the room. There Septimus noticed a girl with a fragile build and long, straight black hair that fell to the middle of her back.

He looked to Mowriyah, who was trembling as tears welled in her eyes. Septimus leaned in closer to her. “Be calm. This is dangerous for both of you. Tell her we will be back this evening and to be ready. Then leave. We need to get out of here fast.” She nodded again.

Phaedra signaled subtly to Mowriyah and she walked forward. He saw her posture straighten and he thought back to the wonderful performance she had given on the street the night before. She could do this. She knew what was at stake.

She made her way across the kitchen, holding the flour as she had been instructed. The girl, presumably Leihla, turned and faced her. Mowriyah handed her the flour, and there was the slightest contact of their hands. She whispered and it was done. Leihla turned back to the counter and Phaedra and Mowriyah walked back toward Septimus. Mowriyah held a look of concern in her eyes but nothing that would make anyone suspect anything.

The trio left the palace the same way they had entered and made their way back to Trivian’s house. He followed the two women in, closing the door behind him. Mowriyah hadn’t spoken since the palace. None of them had. He had to admit the calm silence between the two women was becoming unnerving. They sat side by side on the settee, almost statuesque, with Mowriyah between them.

“Mowriyah, are you okay?” She didn’t move. “Mowriyah?” She blinked, as if clearing a fog in front of her eyes. She faced him, then looked to Phaedra. Phaedra gave a weak smile and Septimus noticed the tears in her eyes. Mowriyah lunged and grabbed Phaedra in a hug. She released her emotion on Phaedra’s shoulder and the two shared a moment.

Feeling as if he was invading on a private scene, Septimus left the two women to console one another while he recalled how wonderful it felt to first see Trivian yesterday.
But he is free. Leihla has been a slave, forced to do unspeakable acts...

***

Waking in the soft down bed was refreshing, but there was an emptiness inside her that Mowriyah couldn’t shake. Her thoughts wandered back to her sister. Having seen Leihla was a gift. But she had become nothing but a shadow of who she once was. There was a darkness in her gaze that pierced Mowriyah’s heart. Leihla’s soul had been broken. She had once been so exuberant and carefree. Her months spent as a prisoner to Hadrian and to Rome had taken Leihla to a dark place. Mowriyah only hoped that once they freed her, Leihla would be able to return to some form of her normal self.

Septimus, who had never been good at dealing with emotions, had stayed away from her. Phaedra had become her new ally. She couldn’t explain it, even to herself, but having Phaedra there to help her through this depressing moment had been comforting. There was a tenderness in a woman’s touch that couldn’t be matched in a man’s.

Trivian stuck his head into the room. “Mowriyah, it’s time. Are you ready?”

Definitely.
She nodded. “What’s the plan?” She walked out into the kitchen and joined the others.

Phaedra grabbed her hand and held it. “Trivian, you, and I are headed to the palace. Septimus will be on the boat waiting for us, for a quick departure.”

“I checked the ship this afternoon. All the supplies have already been loaded for the journey home. The ship’s repairs are sturdy, and barring any major catastrophe, we should be able to make a clean escape.”

Something wasn’t right. Mowriyah had been feeling unsettled since the visit with Leihla that morning. She had been sure that it was only worry, but there was something else. There was a sensation of loss that seemed to hang in the air. She swallowed, trying to hide her mood from the others. “So, we are ready for the final act of our mission?”

Phaedra gave her hand a soft squeeze, then released it. She stood next to Trivian and the two embraced. “We can do this together.”

“Together.” He kissed her nose and held her close.

Mowriyah turned to Septimus. “I know I have been short with you, but I wish you were going with me.”

“I wish I were too. But someone needs to be ready at the ship for a quick getaway.” Septimus grabbed her and pulled her to him, wrapping his large arms around her. “Besides, Leihla will want to see you there and may not trust the others without you.”

Mowriyah leaned her head against his chest. “She was so distant. I hope she will be okay.”

“The sooner we get her out of here, the better she will be.” He bent and kissed her forehead and Mowriyah felt a surge of warmth radiating through her.

Interrupting their embrace, Trivian said, “If we are going to do this, it needs to be now. The guards will be changing their posts soon.”

“Right.” Septimus released her and Mowriyah felt a sudden chill. He grabbed her hand and the group left the house and walked into the darkness.

At the end of the road, Septimus pulled Mowriyah close once again. “Hurry back and be careful.” He ran his fingers through her hair and she felt her heart breaking as if it were the last time she would see him. He released her and started the walk to the pier.

Overcome with emotion, Mowriyah called out, “Septimus!”

Phaedra grabbed her arm. “Shh! People are looking for him, remember?”

She shrugged from Phaedra’s grip and ran towards him. “Wait!”

“What is it?”

She stopped a few feet away. “I...” Her voice cracked.
I have to tell him. What if something goes wrong and this is the last time I will see him? He needs to know how much I truly love him, even if he rejects me again.
Her voice caught in her throat once more. “I...”