Skaia (46 page)

Skaia glanced quickly to Paulinus, and saw him nod. Turning back to Thaddeus, he smiled. “Yes, Master. I would like that, sir.”

When he was mounted, the gathered assembly pulled away from the estate. Thaddeus galloped down the long road leading away from the villa, and Skaia’s mare tried to follow. For a few desperate moments, he struggled to hold her back, but finally he let her go.

Thaddeus waited for him, watching carefully. “You’re not as good at this as my father told me.”

Skaia wasn’t sure what he thought Thaddeus might say, but this rebuke hurt him badly, especially after his coldness last night. He slipped from the mare’s back and, dropping his gaze, he handed Thaddeus the reins. “I’m sorry I have disappointed you again, sir,” he said, before running off to meet Paulinus’ wagon.

Lucius held out a hand to steady Skaia as he scrambled up, and to pull him into the back. Paulinus frowned at his son, but continued driving. Thaddeus stayed motionless until the third wagon had passed him by, and then moved his horse to trail behind it.

Jupiter,
he swore to himself.
What was I thinking?
He had wanted to enjoy Skaia’s company, to engage him in conversation and try to make amends for his boorish behavior last night. Instead, he’d insulted the boy.
And sent him scurrying to my father.
He sighed deeply as he rode forward to his father’s wagon. “Stop, please. Send Skaia back out here.”

Paulinus met his son’s eyes questioningly, before he pulled the large ox to a stop. “Skaia,” he called to the back of the wagon. “Your master wants you.”

Appearing quickly, Skaia climbed down, but he would not meet Thaddeus’ eyes, fully expecting that he would be whipped again.

“
Get your ass back on the damn horse,” Thaddeus commanded. Now, Skaia looked up. He’d cried; his eyes were red. And, seeing them, Thaddeus spoke more softly. “Get on the horse, Skaia.”

Skaia did not hesitate. He grasped the front horns of the saddle and pulled himself up, as Paulinus started his wagon forward again.

“
Come,” Thaddeus said. “We’ll ride at the front.” Skaia obediently followed him. And when Thaddeus was sure no one could hear his words, he apologized to Skaia, but did not look at him. “I’m sorry for my thoughtless words. I know you haven’t ridden since you were sold into slavery. My father was right, you’ve picked up the skills remarkably well, from the little riding you’ve done here.”

Skaia glanced at him, knowing such words must have been difficult for such a proud man. “I’d never ridden at all until Master Paulinus taught me, sir. I know I’m not good…” He hesitated, needing another moment to let go of his anger. “Thank you, sir.”

Thaddeus turned in the saddle to look at him. “I’ll try to help you, if you’ll let me.”

“
I would like that, Master,” Skaia smiled. “Thank you.”

Thaddeus explained that Skaia needed to grip the horse tighter with his thighs when they galloped. And he demonstrated the various paces. He and Skaia ventured out from the sides of the wagons and back. Paulinus watched them and smiled when he saw Skaia laugh.

They stopped for lunch, and everyone riding in the wagons got out to stretch their legs. Thaddeus dismounted and watched Skaia. As he had expected, the boy had difficulty swinging his leg over the back horns of the saddle. Thaddeus dismounted easily, went to him, and gave him his arm. “Feeling a little stiff?”

“
Yes, sir. And sore.” But Skaia smiled when he looked up. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, sir.”

Lucius called to Skaia and Thera, telling them to pass out the midday meal. There was bread and olives and cheese. Thaddeus laughed openly when Skaia walked to him awkwardly. The boy looked up and feigned a frown. “It is unkind of you to laugh at me, Master.”

Thaddeus and Paulinus both laughed at his plight, and Skaia soon joined in. But when Thaddeus suggested he might prefer to ride in the wagon during the afternoon, Skaia agreed immediately.

The first night, the entire party camped in the open and spent the night under the stars. Thaddeus kept Skaia near, and they spoke of the constellations again. Skaia was able to remember the ones Thaddeus had explained to him before, and this night Thaddeus showed him more. When Skaia fell asleep, Thaddeus covered him with a blanket and then went to talk with his father.

Paulinus was concerned for Lucius. He had been stiff for several days now, and tonight he had complained that his stomach hurt. Thaddeus tried to reassure his father that the old slave would be well in a few days. When Paulinus appeared calmer, the talk turned to Glaucus and his possible brides. Paulinus was anxious for his grandchild to marry, and have a son.

“
But he’s still so young, Father,” Thaddeus protested.

“
I am not, Thaddeus. Lucius makes that abundantly clear. And I want to see my heir.”

Thaddeus shook his head. “Glaucus may not want to marry so soon.”

“
He’s a good boy. He will do what is right.” They looked up at the stars together for several minutes, before Paulinus spoke again. “
Use
Skaia. And let everyone know. Glaucus cared for him. If the boy is not available when he gets home, Glaucus may be more willing to consider taking a wife.”

“
I thought you were concerned for Skaia’s happiness.”

“
I am,” Paulinus laughed softly. “And I know Skaia still has hopes for Glaucus,” he said seriously. He paused for the briefest moment. “I’m more concerned for my family, Thaddeus. And I still hope you and Skaia can have a relationship like you had with Thane. Like I have with Lucius.” He glanced at where Skaia slept. “The boy is already fond of you. And he’s no longer so sure about Glaucus. What you did today will help with that.”

Thaddeus turned to look at Skaia as well. “Do you think so?  I thought I had ruined it earlier.”

When Paulinus asked, Thaddeus told him what had happened. His father seemed satisfied. “Skaia laughed today. In all these years, that’s the first time I’ve seen him so easy with you.” He patted his son’s arm. “Go to sleep now. I’m tired. And I need to see to Lucius.”

Thaddeus rose and returned to where Skaia still slumbered. In the moonlight, he was taken again by the young man’s beauty, and his cock twitched in sudden anticipation. But Thaddeus fought off his desires, lay beside Skaia, and held him close, thinking about what his father had said.

The next night, they stopped at an inn which was reputable, though not a place that a noble Roman family might ordinarily stay. Paulinus had suggested it at mid-day; he was growing more concerned for Lucius. One of the guards had ridden ahead to make certain the rooms were available and prepared.

Dinner was served in a common area, but the food was well cooked, and more than satisfactory. Thaddeus called for all the personal slaves to sit at the table, and after dinner, he requested that a tub be brought to his room and a bath prepared. Paulinus did the same, though Thaddeus was sure it was for Lucius’ sake.

Skaia still limped, sore from his riding, and Thaddeus laughed at him as they made their way to his room. But it was in good humor, and Skaia smiled, not taking offense.

While waiting for the tub, Thaddeus looked over the various letters he had received from Castor, trying to envision the changes to the household where he’d grown up. Skaia watched him silently for a moment, and then looked around the room curiously.

The tub was not long in coming, and slaves carrying buckets of water followed soon after. When Skaia had made sure all was prepared he assisted Thaddeus, helping him undress, and then washing him. When he discovered the tight muscles in his master’s shoulders, he massaged them as deeply as he could and felt Thaddeus relax under his hands.

To his surprise, when Thaddeus climbed out, he insisted Skaia use the water as well. “Hurry before it cools. There will not be many opportunities to bathe before we get home.” Thaddeus watched with interest as Skaia undressed, but quickly dried himself and pulled on his heavy robe.

When Skaia got out of the tub, he wiped himself with the towel, but had no robe like Thaddeus’ to warm him. “Get in bed,” Thaddeus told him. “I don’t want you getting sick, too.”

Skaia looked around the room again. There was only the one large bed; no pallet—or preparation of any kind for a slave. So Skaia climbed onto the far side of the mattress, although he paused to check out a small jar on the table by the pillows first. As he’d hoped, it was some odorless cream. He returned it before burrowing beneath the covers.

In the meantime, Thaddeus pulled more of the letters he had received from Castor from one of his pouches and sat in the lone chair to look them over. Finally, though, he set them aside, put out all but one of the small oil lamps, and slipped into bed as well.

Waiting in anticipation of Thaddeus’ touch, Skaia’s body almost quivered in eagerness. But Thaddeus didn’t touch him, only began speaking of the changes at home.

“
Castor says all the rooms have turned out beautifully. I wish I could have put my privy closer to the bedroom. Unfortunately, bringing the running water that close would have required destroying my mosaic floor.”

Skaia
was
interested, and fought down his frustration. “Where will it be, sir?”

Thaddeus was quiet for a moment, realizing he had never shown Skaia the detailed plans. Realizing for the first time he should have. “It will take a small corner in the bathing chamber. The supply shelves had to be moved. The drawings, at least, show more than adequate room.” He sighed softly. “We’ll see when we get home.”

We.
Skaia turned toward Thaddeus and tenderly touched his face.
We…

Thaddeus smiled and pulled the boy closer. “I’ll show you everything when we get back to Rome.” He covered Skaia’s mouth with his own, kissed him possessively, and waited for the boy to relax in surrender.

But tonight there was no surrender. Skaia was far too excited and made eager demands of his own. He clutched at Thaddeus, and explored his entire body with his mouth and his hands.

Thaddeus enjoyed Skaia’s boldness, and let him do as he wanted. When Skaia bit gently at his nipples, Thaddeus moaned in pleasure. And as the boy gave him soft kisses across his belly, he felt his body shudder. “Suck me,” he whispered hoarsely.