Skaia (82 page)

Thaddeus was firm in his resolve, though he tried to keep his voice down so no one else in the bath could hear. “You will wait another month, Glaucus. You will be married for the rest of your life. There is no need to rush at the beginning.”

“
It’s a matter of my being able to spend two months with my new wife before I leave, instead of only one,” Glaucus disputed.

“
If you keep arguing with me, it may be a matter of you only spending two weeks with your bride, rather than a month!” Thaddeus turned in the pool and faced Nicea. “Get in and massage my neck.”

Glaucus frowned, but didn’t say anything more. Something had happened the night of the betrothal party, and his father had become high-handed and impossible to deal with. Except where the slaves were concerned. He absolutely coddled Skaia, and he took Nicea with him everywhere, even when he visited that old Jew. In the baths he was no longer content to have Nicea stay in the background, and always found excuses to get the boy in the pools.
And
he bought him that damn flute, Glaucus silently groused. Music rang through the house at all hours now, even as he tried to study.

“
Why do you dislike Gallia?” he finally asked.

Thaddeus moved to the far end of the pool, away from the few other men. “I don’t dislike her, Glaucus. She seems to be a fine young woman. But do you realize how much in the household must change to accommodate her? She will expect to take over all the management affairs that Castor, Phaelas, and Meera handle now. There must be a transition period, and it must be planned.”

“
They’re slaves, Father. She can command them to do as she wants.”

“
Think about what you just said. The girl is not even sixteen yet, Glaucus. Imagine your sister in her place. Would she know what to ask, or who to ask it of?” Thaddeus sighed. “It’s time to cool off and go home.” He stood, and moved to the next pool.

Glaucus and Nicea silently followed him.

When it was time to leave, Thaddeus announced that he had decided to visit a friend before going home. Glaucus was surprised. His father had not mentioned it earlier. “Do you want me to come with you?” he asked, hoping to smooth over the disagreements they’d just had.

“
No. I have some private business to conduct. Don’t hold up dinner for me.” It was an obvious dismissal, and though Glaucus was upset, he turned to leave without questioning further.

As he walked down the private street, away from the throngs of people, Thaddeus motioned for Nicea to come and walk at his side. “Do you know where we’re going?”

“
To Master Abrahm’s, sir?”

Thaddeus nodded. “Do you like Abrahm and his home?”

Nicea looked at Thaddeus curiously. “He has a lovely home, sir. But not so grand as ours.” He almost stumbled as soon as he realized what he’d said. “I’m sorry, Master. I meant, not so grand as yours.”

Thaddeus only smiled at the slip. “His gardens could use some help. I’ve told him that you’ve worked with Skaia. I may loan you to him to do some work there. If you do not find that objectionable?”

Nicea looked down. His immediate assumption was that Thaddeus was sending him to service the old man sexually. “Whatever you want, Master.”

Thaddeus’ smile disappeared. It was the answer he should have expected. But he wished the boy might occasionally give him some idea of what he really thought.

Walking up to the slave who stood outside Abrahm’s gates, Thaddeus announced himself. “I am not expected. If your master cannot see me, I would like to make an appointment.”

“
My master is home, Master Thaddeus,” the slave answered cheerfully as he ushered them in, leading them through the courtyard and into an interior hall. “I will announce you, sir.”

Abrahm soon appeared himself, and welcomed Thaddeus into a room off the hall. It was small by Roman standards, but elegantly appointed, with more furniture, and softer cushions, than most Romans would have had. Thaddeus assumed the difference was because Abrahm was a new citizen, welcomed under Caesar’s expanded rules of citizenship, and that he still maintained many of the customs of his Jewish ancestors.

Nicea was wide-eyed as he looked around the room, and Abrahm grinned at him, revealing a mouthful of even teeth. “You’ve seen it before, boy. It should be familiar by now.”

Thaddeus was pleased when he saw the shy smile Nicea gave as he lowered his head. And when he heard the quiet words the youth spoke. “Yes, Master. But everything is so beautiful here, sir. I cannot help but admire it every time.”

It took Abrahm a moment before he turned his attention back to Thaddeus, and insisted he sit.

Nicea stepped back into the shadows of the room, telling himself it would not be so bad to be with the old man. As he calmed, he listened to the conversation the masters were having.

They were discussing chariot teams, and Abrahm seemed confident that his white team of horses would win the next races. He was effusive about his new driver. “The man is amazing, Thaddeus. I bought him from some fool in Egypt who didn’t realize his worth.”

Thaddeus grinned at the remark. “Then I should bet on you?”

“
I would never go that far,” Abrahm smiled. “If I should be wrong, I wouldn’t want to lose a friendship over it.”

Fruits and honeyed water were served, and the conversation turned to gardens. In time, Abrahm rose to take them both outside.

He addressed his remarks to Thaddeus when he talked about where he hoped to build a new garden area, right in the midst of his fully paved courtyard. Then he led the way to a small existing garden, next to the side of the courtyard. Even Thaddeus could see it was poorly maintained, the ground dry, the few plants uncared for.

“
I don’t know what to do with it,” Abrahm lamented. “And it would be foolish to build another if this tiny thing fails to flourish.”

Thaddeus shrugged. “I think Nicea might be more help to you than me. Why don’t you keep him overnight, and see if he can help you plan?”

Abrahm had expected the offer, but he looked to the slave. “You would be willing to help me?”

“
Yes, Master Abrahm,” Nicea answered, but he kept his eyes to the pavement.

“
Just send him home tomorrow, Abrahm,” Thaddeus sighed, and hoped for the best.

Dinner was over by the time Thaddeus returned home, and he sent Skaia to the kitchen to fetch him a tray.

It was the first time he had been alone with Skaia since moving the boy into his rooms. Occasionally, Thaddeus would play some game with the young slaves in the evenings, though usually he just read and let them play with each other. And whenever he took a bed partner, it was always Nicea. The Greek boy constantly kept himself clean and prepared. And Thaddeus feared that Skaia still missed Glaucus.

As Thaddeus began to eat, Skaia moved to his usual corner and knelt. Thaddeus frowned immediately. “You know don’t have to do that.”

Skaia looked up. “Where is Nicea, sir?”

Thaddeus dodged the question. “Get up and sit with me.” When Skaia was seated, he asked, “Have you eaten?”

“
Yes, sir. But… your food is much better.” Skaia lifted his eyes from the plate, fighting the temptation to lick his lips.

Thaddeus grinned. “Eat,” he said, pushing his half filled plate over towards him.

It was all the permission Skaia needed, and he devoured everything Thaddeus had left, standing when he was done and bringing the small washbowl to the table for Thaddeus to wash his hands in. When he had washed his own as well, and set the bowl on the wash stand, he looked back towards his master.

“
Set up Latrunculi,” Thaddeus commanded, “and play with me.”

Once Skaia was sitting again, he looked across at Thaddeus. “Please tell me where Nicea is, sir.”

Thaddeus lifted his brows. “Why are you so concerned?”

Skaia flushed. “He fears you will be rid of him, and that he will be sold to a brothel. And… and he is my friend, Master.”

For a moment, Thaddeus just admired the color that had come to Skaia’s cheeks. Unlike Nicea, he had emotions that could be read. “That’s all, Skaia? Nicea is just a friend?”

Skaia met his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“
I know you sneaked out of the room together that first night I took you back. And I also know you slept on the same pallet.”

“
Yes, sir,” Skaia admitted readily. “Nicea wanted me to go outside so he could talk. But…” He lowered his head. “We only slept together for warmth, sir. We did not… have sex.”

“
Thank you.” Thaddeus nodded, finding himself truly pleased. Then he answered Skaia’s question. “I didn’t sell Nicea. And I would
never
send him to a brothel. Surely you know that much about me by now?”

“
Yes, Master. But I … I never thought Master Glaucus would do such a thing either.” Skaia colored even darker, and lowered his eyes.

“
My son is young…” Thaddeus shook his head before continuing. “Nicea is with my friend, Abrahm ben Josseph. He has agreed to help the man plan his gardens.”

Skaia looked up, and his face began to resume its normal color. “Nicea has a good eye, but he is not well versed in plants yet, sir.”

“
I know that. But he knows enough to be helpful to Abrahm,” Thaddeus grinned. “At least he knows when plants need to be watered.”

He refused to speak of the matter further, and Skaia eventually stopped asking as they played Latrunculi, until Skaia began to yawn with tiredness. Thaddeus had won the first game, and Skaia the second. It seemed a fair time to stop.

Thaddeus now touched Skaia’s hand. “Will you sleep with me tonight?”

“
Like Nicea, sir? Only sleep?”

Thaddeus was content that Skaia would think that, though he was surprised Nicea had not told him otherwise. “Whatever you are willing to give me,” he answered.

It was not so much what Skaia would
give.
Indeed, the slave made demands that thrilled Thaddeus, and kept him up much of the night…

And firmed his resolve about Nicea.