Skaia (14 page)

Thaddeus shook his head. “The slave is comfortable, Glaucus, after Castor’s care. And he’s asleep by now. You wouldn’t want to wake him. And you need your own rest.”

Glaucus studied his father’s face. He saw no sign of deception and gave in to his father’s wishes. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He stretched a little. “And I am tired.”

Thaddeus smiled, glad his son was finally being reasonable. “Yes, bed is a good idea for both of us. Just say goodnight to your grandfather first. He promised to stay up for it.”

They left the atrium together, talking easily again.

V

When Thaddeus entered his own chamber, he stopped to glance down at Skaia. The slave was sleeping and Thaddeus kicked him awake. “What did Castor say? Are you better?”

Skaia looked up at him with sleep-laden eyes. “Yes, Master. I… I have stopped bleeding.”

“
Good,” Thaddeus snapped. “Then I can get some work out of you tomorrow.”

“
Yes, Master.” Skaia watched as Thaddeus walked to his bedroom, wondering what he’d done wrong this time. But regardless of what it was, there was nothing he could do about it. Not tonight. He put his head down and went back to sleep.

Thaddeus pulled off his clothes and climbed into bed. He hoped Glaucus slept well—his own mind still raced.
It was Skaia’s fault,
he told himself. Somehow, the little barbarian had bewitched his son, making him forget his responsibilities to his family and to his country. Thaddeus calmed somewhat as he determined the cause of the problem and formulated his plan. He would destroy the slave’s hold on his son. By the time Glaucus returned, having feelings for the little bastard would be untenable.

Easy enough,
he thought. Glaucus had convinced himself that Skaia was pure and innocent, and somehow special. Just destroy that fantasy. Destroy the boy’s appeal. Turn him into a common slave. Like Meera, available to anyone who wanted him. Make him so foul that no decent Roman would want him for anything but fucking and scrubbing floors. And if, in the process, Thaddeus himself should sully the slave’s body, so much the better. There was certainly no way Glaucus would want the brat when he learned that his father, and his friends’ fathers, had used him.

Convinced that his plan would succeed, Thaddeus finally felt his nerves begin to settle. He reached for his cock, stroking himself hard, and his release from the earlier tension was complete when he brought himself to climax. He sighed deeply, rolled to his side and slept.

Castor entered early the next morning, before dawn, and went directly to Thaddeus’ bed, although his entry woke Skaia as well. The boy pretended to be asleep until Castor left again. Rising quickly, he pulled on his tunic and went to Thaddeus, hoping against hope he could be useful and deflect the man’s simmering anger. “May I help you, Master?” he asked softly, his head respectfully lowered.

Thaddeus looked him up and down, despising him. But he was here; he could work. “Go to the kitchen and get me hot water to wash with.”

“
Yes Master.” Skaia bowed and left quietly. Thaddeus watched him walk. His movement was stiff, but his limp was less pronounced and he didn’t hesitate.
No doubt much better.
Thaddeus sat back on the bed to wait for his water, and thought about the slave. His feelings had not changed. He was still determined to destroy the boy… but he could admit the slave’s appeal. His body was that of an adolescent now—the perfect stage between a boy and a man. And his face was more than acceptable. Large, deep blue eyes. Soft, auburn curls. Well-shaped lips. Thaddeus felt the familiar morning stirrings in his groin and smiled at the prospects his plan presented for his own enjoyment.

But not now. Glaucus was leaving. His friends would be waiting at the front gate.

Skaia returned as quickly as he could, and prepared the bowl of fresh hot water on the wash stand. He stood to the side, a towel draped over his arm, and waited for instruction from Thaddeus. He even glanced at him occasionally, without raising his head, and hoped for some sign of approval.

There was none, of course. Thaddeus walked past him as if he wasn’t there, washed his face and his cock, and roughly pulled the towel from Skaia’s arm. After he was dressed, he finally looked at the boy. “Take all this mess back to Castor,” he said, pointing to the bowls and cloths on the stand. Skaia bowed as Thaddeus left the chamber, grateful nothing worse had happened.

He’s my master,
Skaia reminded himself.
But just temporarily, only until Glaucus gets back. I can survive.

After he had taken everything to the kitchen, he looked for Castor. Gotus pointed him to the washroom, where Castor had him bend over while he removed the packing again. This time, he only applied new ointment to the tear.

“
Castor, sir,” Skaia said softly, “may I have a breechcloth today?”

“
Not at the moment, Skaia. Clean ones haven’t been delivered yet and I don’t have time to track them down. Perhaps later, after Glaucus is gone and I have time to check you again.” When Skaia didn’t leave, he spoke sternly. “I’m finished with you now and I have many other duties this morning. Go back to Thaddeus’ rooms.”

With Castor’s curt dismissal, Skaia left the washroom, and started to obey his order. But he hesitated near the atrium, and then moved toward the front gate of the household. With luck, he hoped to catch a final glimpse of Glaucus before he was gone.

Horses were milling around on the street and Glaucus was laughing with his father. Skaia only watched from the shadows of an archway in the atrium, suddenly certain that Thaddeus did not want him here. But he could not bring himself to leave, although each time Glaucus looked toward the atrium, he withdrew into the arch, trying to remain hidden.

Eventually Glaucus turned away from his father and came back inside. He was actively looking for Skaia and when he spotted him, walked quickly towards him. “I wanted to see you before I left.” He hesitated now that they faced one another, not sure what to say. “I’ll miss you, Skaia.”

Skaia could not stop the tears that came to his eyes, but he smiled sincerely. “I will miss you, too, Master Glaucus. I… I hope you have a successful trip, sir.” Glaucus embraced him tightly and continued to hold him until Thaddeus arrived and coughed. An obvious sign he thought the embrace not appropriate. Bessus could be heard laughing from the street. Glaucus finally released Skaia’s body, but cupped his face in his hands, and bent to kiss his mouth. Only then did he return to the street, mount his horse and ride away with the group.

As Thaddeus approached, with Flavius at his side, Skaia could see his anger. He fell to his knees quickly and looked up. “I’m sorry, Master.”

Thaddeus ignored his words. “Did I say you could be here?” he asked harshly.

“
No, Master,” Skaia whispered, lowering his head. “But, I was returning from the kitchen, sir, and…”

Thaddeus struck the side of Skaia’s head so hard he fell over, and Flavius laughed. “I didn’t give you permission to speak, either, you little shit,” Thaddeus snapped. “Strip and face the column.”

Here, where everyone in the household could see him? Where anyone in the street could look in?
Skaia managed to stand but made no move to remove his tunic—or to hold the column. He was shocked that he would be punished for this—and he begged. “Please, no. I’m so sorry, Master.”
Glaucus sought me out!

“
I don’t give a damn how sorry you are,” Thaddeus all but shouted. “Obey me.”

Skaia trembled when he saw the amusement on Flavius’ face. He pulled off his tunic, very aware he wore no breechcloth and was now totally naked. He put his hands against the column of the gate.

“
Well done, Thaddeus,” Flavius remarked. “I understand now why you want to destroy the relationship. Glaucus’ behavior was totally inappropriate.”

The comment made Thaddeus even angrier.
That Flavius would blame his son.
“It’s the damn slave’s fault,” he got out. “He enticed Glaucus with his little round ass.”

Flavius turned to look another time–and squeezed the pale globes that were so blatantly on display. His laughter rang out. “Well, you have to admit, Thaddeus, his ass is enticing.”

“
I don’t have to admit any such damn thing, Flavius,” Thaddeus scowled. “Come,” he commanded. “We’ll have breakfast.” Flavius glanced at Skaia again, admiring the curve of his buttocks, and was still chuckling as they walked through the atrium.

Skaia didn’t move a muscle. He was humiliated by Flavius’ casual handling of his body, and he was furious with Thaddeus. But slowly, he became aware of the activity around him. Household slaves working at their morning tasks. Men walking the road outside the domus. He was tempted to leave this public place. But the look he had seen on Thaddeus’ face—one of absolute hatred—kept him frozen in position.

Eventually Gotus approached him. Not to mock him—Gotus would never do that. “What’s happened, Skaia? What did you do?”

Skaia just shook his head, not willing to share the story even with Gotus, his best friend among the slaves—the one he’d most counted on as he grew up in this household. “Just leave me, Gotus. Master Thaddeus will be angry with you, too, if he knows you talked to me.”

“
He won’t know. He’s having breakfast with his friend in the peristylium. He won’t be back for some time.” When Skaia’s face remained expressionless and he still would not talk, Gotus tried again. “Can I do anything for you? Bring you water or food?”

Meeting Gotus’ eyes, Skaia managed a small smile. “If you think you can convince Master Thaddeus to let me have a loincloth, I would appreciate that.”

“
Not even on a good day, Skaia.” Gotus tried to laugh, but it fell completely flat. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“
Don’t you cry, too,” Skaia chided. “One of us is enough. This will pass. Everything will pass.”

Gotus stared. These were words he had shared with Skaia many times. Finally he nodded and when the other slaves called him back, he reluctantly rejoined them.

Skaia watched him go and wondered how long Thaddeus would take to eat. He wanted him to come back; he wanted this to be
over
. But time passed and his anger with it. He was helpless here without Glaucus and he could think of no way to escape this punishment. Finally, with taut muscles beginning to cramp, he gave up his pride, leaning his body and head against the column as well as his hands.

As he calmed, he became more aware of the passage of time. He felt the sun hitting his body, so knew it must be at least mid-morning. Thaddeus was in no hurry. He shifted his feet occasionally, but did not otherwise move from his position, even though he heard laughter from the other slaves and occasional comments from the street. He prayed to Belenus that this year would pass quickly and that Glaucus would come back and save him.

In a daze of aches and pains, he was not aware at first that Thaddeus had returned. But the crack of the whip in the air startled him, and he jumped. The first strike hit his back almost immediately. He managed not to cry out, but he bit his lip, drawing blood. For the next four strikes he remained quiet, except for the soft whimpers he couldn’t hold in. But on the sixth blow, he cried out.