Tangled Web (11 page)

Fat tears rolled down Claudia’s face, melting away her haughty demeanor and exposing the scared woman beneath it. “Have her arrested for threatening me. She’s a monster.” She ran into her room and slammed the door. Her sobs permeated the harem.

Azurha took a step back, so ashamed of her behavior that she couldn’t meet his eyes. The last time she’d lost control of herself that way, she ended up covered in her master’s blood. But there was something else in Claudia’s face that startled her. It had almost been like looking into a mirror and seeing herself as a slave.

“She started it,” she whispered in her defense.

“So I noticed.”

She felt Varro’s eyes on her as she retreated back to her room. If he wasn’t suspicious of her before, she’d given him more than enough reason to think her capable of harming the emperor. She crawled underneath the covers of her bed and waited for Titus to banish her from the palace.

13

Titus stood on the balcony overlooking the city. The afternoon sunlight baked the brown tile roofs, toasting them like loaves of bread in an oven. Sweat tickled down his chest. After the long winter, the heat of summer seemed to be rushing toward them sooner than usual. The icy water of the frigidarium would feel wonderful after the long day.

An uneven pair of steps sounded behind him. Varro stood waiting a few feet away when he turned around. “Pardon my intrusion, Emperor Sergius, but might I have a word with you in private?”

“Of course, Varro. What about?”

“Lady Azurha.”

The way he said her name instantly set Titus on guard. Were the cries of disapproval already beginning? “Has something happened to her?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes.” The steward wiped his brow and rocked from his good leg to his bad and back again. “She and Lady Claudia had an interesting spat this morning that raises a few questions about her.”

“Such as?”

“When Lady Claudia threw a vase at Lady Azurha, she responded more like a member of the Legion than a concubine.”

Titus gritted his teeth. “Varro, I’ve told you before that you may speak frankly with me when we’re alone. Out with it.”

After clearing his throat, he said, “She grabbed a broken piece of the vase and pounced on Lady Claudia like she wanted to slit her throat. She probably would have if I hadn’t been present.”

“Are you sure of that?” Azurha had survived on her own for many years, had endured things most Deizian women would never dream of, but he’d never thought her capable of violence.

“As it was, she drew blood by nicking Lady Claudia’s face while threatening to do more serious damage.” He took a step forward. “I fear she is not all that she seems and that she may pose a danger to you.”

“None of us are what we seem. Besides, it sounds like Claudia deserved it.”

“Perhaps, but there was something in the way she moved that bothered me. It was like watching a cobra strike, fast and fluid, graceful but deadly. And then there was the hardness in her voice when she threatened Lady Claudia. I don’t doubt she’d follow through on it if provoked again.”

An uneasy feeling of dread crept up his spine. First, the rumors of the price on his head. Now, the news that the woman who was sharing his bed had a violent temper. Was he even safe behind the palace walls? “And then what happened?”

“I got her attention, and she released Lady Claudia.”

“So no harm done other than what you’ve described?”

“No, Emperor Sergius. In truth, I think she was just as startled by her outburst as I was. She ran back into her room and closed the door. Hasn’t come out since.”

Titus leaned on the balcony and stared at the palace slaves retrieving the day’s laundry from the lines. Days like this, he envied them. Their life was so simple, despite their lack of freedom. They didn’t have the burden of fixing all the problems of the empire.

“Do you think there may be another spat between the ladies?”

“Hard to say. Lady Claudia was frightened to tears, but I sense a certain viciousness in her. She won’t let Lady Azurha’s behavior go unpunished.”

“You never told me what started the argument.”

“I assumed you would have guessed, Emperor Sergius. Lady Claudia was already quite perturbed that you ignored her last night, and when Lady Azurha returned to the harem wearing the necklace you gave her, she practically turned red with anger. She sees Lady Azurha as a rival.”

“And we’ve all heard the rumors of what happens to Pacilus’s rivals,” Titus finished. Throwing a vase seemed mild compared to the “accidental” decapitation the previous governor of Lucrilia suffered. “I tried to tell her that I had no need of her presence in my harem, but she insisted on staying.”

“I remember. I took the liberty of making sure her letter to her father accidentally met with a torch this morning.”

“Much appreciated.” He straightened and paced a few steps while he considered possible courses of action to take. He could just ignore the outburst and see what happened. Of course, next time, someone could end up hurt, or even dead. The thought of Azurha’s head rolling from her neck made his heart stop and every muscle in his body want to bolt straight to the harem to ensure she was still alive. “We need to separate them. Since Claudia has refused to leave the harem, I’ll have to remove Azurha.”

“As you wish. Shall I send her back to Governor Pontus?”

Send her back? Could he even sleep at night without her by his side? In less than a week, she’d woven herself into the threads of his life so tightly, to remove her would destroy the entire fabric. “I meant, move her to another part of the palace. My chambers.”

“Emperor Sergius, you can’t be serious?” Varro looked like he wanted to cover his mouth as soon as he uttered those words and hung his head so Titus couldn’t fully examine the rest of the thoughts that appeared on the steward’s face.

“I am. I want to prove to you that she isn’t a threat.”

“And if she is?” The stubborn set of Varro’s jaw reminded Titus once again that he wasn’t a typical household servant. He’d served as the captain of the Legion for years, and only a few men in the empire earned that honor.

“She’s a woman—a concubine—not the Rabbit.” He brushed past him, already craving the taste of her skin. He’d show Varro that there was nothing to fear from Azurha.

“As you wish. One more thing, Emperor Sergius. You haven’t forgotten that you have another one of your coronation parties to attend tonight.”

Titus stopped and cursed under his breath. Another night of drunken debauchery among his nobles, where every Deizian present would try to force their daughters on him. If it wasn’t being held in his honor, he would have gladly stayed home and enjoyed Azurha’s solitary company. “When do I have to be ready?”

“Rutilius Arculeo’s home is in the hills, so I would say you have three hours before you need to leave.”

Three hours to himself before they put him on display like a prized bull. He was the emperor, damn it, not livestock. Maybe if he sent them a message that he detested their political games, they’d leave him alone. “Varro, when you take Azurha to my chambers, make sure she’s dressed and ready to attend the party with me.”

“But she’s a concubine. By tradition, she’s forbidden to leave the palace once she entered the harem unless you banish her.”

The corner of his mouth rose in a sardonic grin. “Then perhaps it’s time we turn tradition on its head. She won’t be needing her veil tonight.”

…

Azurha folded her last palla into her trunk and closed it. Now she was ready for Titus to banish her. How could he let her stay after this morning? Varro would tell him of the attack and counsel him to remove her. She had seen it in his eyes before he left.

She should be happy to leave. For the first time in her life, she couldn’t complete a job. She’d broken almost every rule Cassius had taught her. She’d hesitated. She’d gotten too close to her target. She’d even been stupid enough to think she could fall in love with him.

Maybe it wasn’t love. Maybe it was just lust, and as soon as she left, she’d forget all about him.

Who am I kidding?

When she heard the click of the locks, her heart jumped into her throat. Memories of her life as a slave resurrected inside of her as she stood and awaited her punishment. Banishment would be kind, what she would expect from Titus. His grandfather would have probably ordered her execution hours ago.

The only good thing about the day was that Claudia hadn’t left her room since this morning.

Varro entered the harem with two burly slaves. Wonderful. They expected her to resist.

“I already have my belongings packed, everything I came here with.” She reached around her neck and unfastened the necklace. A jolt of pain stabbed her heart as she held it out in front of her. She could leave behind the dresses and perfumes, but he’d given her the necklace as personal gift. It was the only thing tying her to him. “Here.”

Varro arched one brow. “I don’t know what you think is happening, but the emperor would be upset if you returned his gifts.”

“He’s banishing me, isn’t he? Isn’t that what you’re here for? To throw me out of the palace?”

The slaves lifted her trunk and carried it out the door along with any hope she had of staying.

“Quite the contrary, Lady Azurha. It seems the emperor wishes to remove the hassle of having to send for you every time he wants your company. He’s ordered me to move you into his private chambers.” The degree of bitterness in his voice almost matched her surprise.

“He
what?
”

“Come along. I have many things to attend to in the palace, not just you.”

The reserve he normally had with her had morphed into open hostility. If his servants were acting this way, she could only imagine what some of the nobles would do once they found out about Titus’s decision to move her.

“Once you are settled into the emperor’s chambers, I’ll send Izana to dress you for the evening. Emperor Sergius has to attend a coronation party, and he’s ordered you to go with him.”

Azurha skidded to a halt. “Did the emperor get hit in the head with a sword hilt?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing myself.” Varro turned and seemed to scrutinize every detail about her. “I take it you know nothing about this.”

“I don’t, nor do I want anything to do with it. I know the longer I stay here, the more trouble it will cause Titus, but…” The desire to stay with him overwhelmed every shred of her common sense, but she remained in enough control not to utter her thoughts out loud.

His face softened. “I may have been too hasty in my judgment of you, Lady Azurha, but I still believe you’re hiding something. I pray the gods know more about this tangled knot than I do and that your presence here is part of their plan.”

You’ll never find a knot you can’t untangle.

The damn soothsayer wouldn’t shut up as they continued the rest of the way to the chambers. Over and over again, the woman’s voice kept repeating that line in Azurha’s head. It sounded insane to think the gods had a hand in this. She’d been sent to kill Titus, not save him. Did they really think the empire would be better off without him?

But maybe they saw her hesitation. Maybe they placed her here to prevent another assassin from killing him. Could the divine hand of fate be that precise?

“Varro, there will be members of the Legion accompanying the emperor tonight, right?” She may be inside the palace walls, but outside, Titus became a moving target for whatever assassin waited for him. She doubted Pontus was the only noble that feared Titus’s plans for the empire.

He gave her a slight smile. “He doesn’t leave the palace without them.”

“Good.” He’d have his bodyguards, but more importantly, he had her. If anyone dared to make an attempt on his life, she’d personally see they suffered a long, agonizing death. After all, she was the best assassin in the empire.

14

Titus rushed back to his chambers. He needed to leave for the party in less than half an hour, but his advisors had buried him with reports from the frontier. So far, nothing pointed to one particular person behind the failing borders. No signs of sabotage. No unusual individuals spotted at the scenes. And most importantly, no evidence that the Barbarians had figured out a way to bypass the borders. As long as the magic held, the citizens of the empire remained safe.

The door swung open with a bang, and he was pulling his tunic over his head when a female’s gasp halted him. He pulled it back down and peered over the neckline.

Azurha sat on the cushions alone, staring at him. Just when he thought she couldn’t be lovelier, she proved him wrong. The sheer fabric of her dress was the color of ripe raspberries, matching her full lips and hinting at the luscious curves it concealed. His necklace dangled between her breasts like a beacon, and heat flooded his body the second he laid eyes on the soft, round mounds of flesh.

“You startled me.” She ran her tongue across her lips and stood. Her eyes fell to his rapidly stiffening cock, and her grin widened. “At least you seem to be recovering.”

“I—I need to bathe before we leave.”

She nodded. “Too bad Izana took such care in dressing me tonight. Otherwise, I’d join you.”

He almost groaned. He’d rather have her naked in the tepidarium with him so he could ram into her over and over again until he soothed the ache forming in his balls. How rude would it be if he skipped the party tonight?

“Go bathe. I’ll be waiting for you.” She disappeared into the bedroom as if she knew the longer she stayed in his line of sight, the quicker his resolve would crumble.

His afternoon bath matched his morning one—a quick jump in the two pools instead of the leisurely soak he looked forward to at the end of the day. At least the cold water squelched his desire enough to where he could hide it from the unsuspecting eye.

Varro stood waiting with a towel and clean clothes as he got out. He remained uncharacteristically quiet while he rubbed the sandalwood oil on Titus’s skin and helped him dress. His earlier warnings still burned like a wasp sting. Could this just be a taste of what he could expect tonight when he arrived with Azurha?

Time to start making peace with his subjects, one person at a time. “I appreciate your concern today, Varro. My father valued your service, and I’m learning to value your judgment.”

The steward paused for a split second before continuing to drape the purple toga around Titus’s shoulders. “It’s an honor to serve the emperor.”

“But you still think I’m making a mistake.”

“What I think doesn’t matter, Emperor Sergius.”

Titus caught his arm and leveled his gaze with Varro. “It does matter to me. You seem to know more about the empire than most of my advisors.”

He cracked a smile. “Please don’t classify me with them. I hope to have more than half a brain.”

The laughter between them broke the tension, and Titus released him. “You don’t want the promotion?”

“My wife would like it, but I’d consider it a form of torture. If it pleases you, I’m quite happy in my current role.” He picked a piece of lint off the toga. “And I will add that I may have been a bit off the mark about Lady Azurha.”

“Meaning?”

“She’s either a great actress or she genuinely cares about you. Far more than a concubine should, I might add. Of course, you haven’t treated her like one, so that might have something to do with it.” He gave him a stiff bow and left the chambers before Titus could ask him to elaborate.

“He worries about you like a father.” Azurha was leaning against the doorway of the bath with her head cocked to the side. A wistful smile played upon her lips before she straightened. “I apologize for threatening Claudia earlier today. I know I’ve put you in an awkward situation.”

“She’s the one that attacked you first. You were within your right to defend yourself.”

Her laughter sounded as bitter as vinegar. “You have no idea how things really are outside the palace, do you? She’s a Deizian, I’m an Alpirion. It’s a crime for me to even raise my voice to her. Her family will demand punishment.”

“Only if they know about it. Varro intercepted her message to her father this morning. Nothing to worry about.”

“And what about tonight? Are you serious about taking me to your Deizian party?”

He clenched his jaw so tightly, his teeth ached. “Is there a reason you’re asking so many questions? Last I checked, I was the emperor, and my Will is above all.”

She winced as if he’d slapped her. “If you wish for me to be silent, I will.” She added under her breath, “For now.”

Guilt tied his stomach into knots. “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”

“Don’t apologize, Titus. You are the emperor, the sooner you establish that no one will intimidate you, the easier your reign will be.” Azurha placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “We should go.”

They walked in silence to the waiting carriage. It gave him time to soak in her appearance tonight. The slaves had arranged her hair in an intricate twist of braids and curls favored by Elymanian women. A solitary comb with three pieces of lapis adorned it. His fingers ached to rake through her hair, watching it dance about her naked body once again. He took a deep breath and looked straight ahead. Maybe there was a reason the concubines were forced to cover their faces and hair. The temptation was growing out of hand.

If the members of the Legion were surprised to see her with him, they didn’t show it. Nor was Azurha in awe of his carriage, much to his disappointment. Only those of Deizian blood could control the special vehicles that hovered over the ground instead of relying on wheels and animals to move. Using the bronze ore as a conduit, it took only a small stream of magic from the driver outside to power it. Instead, she calmly stepped into the confines of the carriage’s chamber and waited for him.

“Have you ridden in a Deizian vessel before?” he asked once the door closed behind him, enclosing them in their own private room.

She nodded. “Pontus brought me here in one.”

“Oh.” He stared down at his hands and then out the window.

“Of course, his was smaller and nowhere near as grand as yours.” She looped her arm through his and cuddled closer. “I am curious why you asked me to join you tonight.”

The light notes of her jasmine perfume calmed him, and he settled back against the padded seat. “Do you want the whole truth?”

“I expect nothing less from you.”

Titus grinned in spite of himself. Most women would probably pitch a fit if he was as frank with them as he was with Azurha, but she seemed angrier when he held something back from her. “You’re my shield tonight.”

“From what?”

The playfulness in her voice eased the remaining tension form his body. “Ambitious parents.”

“You think by bringing your Alpirion concubine with you to this party, you’ll be making a statement that you don’t want any of the fine Deizian women there?”

He studied her hand, analyzing her slender fingers before moving up to the golden cuffs around her wrist. “I’ve already told you that I don’t want any other woman but you.”

An exasperated sigh filled the carriage, and she wiggled her arm free. Titus rolled his eyes. What did he say wrong this time?

“Do you always travel with this many bodyguards?”

Her question jerked him from his pouting. How much should he share with her about the price on his head? “No, but I decided to have a couple more guards for the next few weeks.”

“I doubt ambitious parents will attack you. Your political rivals, on the other hand, are not as kind.”

“What do you know about them?”

“Enough. Remember, I had to endure Pontus’s company for the two days it took to travel from Anicium to here.”

Jealousy made his fingers curl up into fists. He loathed the idea that she’d been in another man’s company. By the gods, she was turning him into a green-eyed monster. He took another deep breath. “And what did you learn from him?”

“That he’s in line for your throne should something happen to you before you produce an heir. He made sure I knew that.”

Even his own family was plotting against him. Was there anyone he could trust? His paranoia slowly waned as he started naming names. His mother. Marcus. Varro. All people he would trust with his life. He gaze flickered to Azurha’s profile, and Varro’s warnings echoed in his mind. Could he trust her, too? “Have you ever heard of the Rabbit?”

She jumped as if he’d branded her with a white hot iron. “Yes.”

Her voice shook when she answered, and all the color drained out of her face. He took her hand in his own to comfort her, noting how cold it felt. “It seems someone’s hired him to assassinate me.”

“Hired
him
?” She turned to him, her large teal eyes wide with fear. “How do you know?”

“Marcus informed me of it. Of course, it’s all rumors. What makes it frustrating is that no one knows who the Rabbit is. The only people who’ve seen his face are either dead or the ones who’ve hired him, and neither one is going to give a description of him. He won’t be able to sneak into the palace easily, but outside the walls…” He stared out the windows, looking for a shadow slinking away in the darkness. “That’s the reason I have extra guards tonight.”

She slowly nodded and laced her fingers with his. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“I didn’t tell you about the Rabbit to scare you.”

“I know.” Her lips brushed against the spot right behind his ear, sending a tingle down his spine directly to his cock. “You’re very brave to ignore the danger. I hear the Rabbit’s never failed before.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

Her tongue flicked his ear lobe, and he braced himself. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him? Her hand massaged its way up his thigh. She purred and nibbled on his ear. Yes, she knew exactly what she was doing. “You shouldn’t worry about the Rabbit, Titus. I’ll protect you.”

“I’m more worried about messing up your hair and feeling your wrath.”

“Why would you worry about that?” She worked his tunic up around his waist and cupped his balls.

A groan formed in the back of his throat. How did he go from talking about an assassin to wanting to fuck her so bad, he was already starting to come in her hand? “Because if you don’t stop teasing me, I’m going to take you right here in the carriage.”

“Maybe that’s the whole idea.” Azurha guided his mouth to hers and traced the seam with her tongue.

The last timbers of his self-control snapped, and he was on top her before she could react. A gasp burst from her lips as he buried himself in her tight sex. By the gods, she felt wonderful. Every care seemed to fade away while he relished each stroke.

“More, Titus, I need more of you.”

Her encouragement increased the ache in his groin. His balls tightened. He bit his lip to keep from coming until she did, but it seemed like a futile effort. He closed his eyes and held his breath until her walls clenched around his cock, and her pitched cry of satisfaction released the orgasm he so desperately tried to restrain.

By the time the last wave of come shot out of him, a blanket of fatigue had settled on him. He lay in her arms while she ran her fingers through his hair. Any thought of the Rabbit faded into the back of his mind.

“See? You didn’t mess up my hair.”

Titus lifted his head and saw she was right. Somehow, despite the nature of their impromptu coupling, he’d managed to keep his hands off of it. “Is that an invitation to try again?”

She laughed and cupped his face between her hands. “Are you eager to be caught inside me when we arrive?”

It took every ounce of energy to withdraw from her. “When we get home tonight, I plan on continuing this.”

“I look forward to it.”

…

Azurha straightened her dress as the carriage came to a stop. The Deizian vessels never ceased to amaze her, how they effortlessly glided across the ground fueled only by the touch of a Deizian driver’s hand on the control plate outside. They had used their technology to conquer the Elymanians and then the Alpirions, but so far, no one had figured out how to make them work without a Deizian at the helm. Until someone did, the Deizians would continue to control the empire.

The door opened, and Titus extended his hand. “Ready to face the despots?”

“Assuming we’re not part of them?” She hadn’t intended to seduce him on the way to the party, but she needed something to change the conversation. She almost blurted that she was the Rabbit and that he had nothing to fear from her. Not good, especially if she wanted to keep her head.

He brought her hand to his mouth and sucked on her fingertips, making her sex clench in waves. She bit back a moan. Maybe she shouldn’t have tempted him. She’d awakened a beast that she’d crave the rest of the night.

He gave her a wicked grin. “Just so you know, I can play this game, too.”

A challenge? She mirrored his grin. “We’ll see who wins.”

The villa glowed golden from the torchlight when they stepped out of the carriage, highlighted by the indigo glow of the distant supernova that lit up the sky. Ornately carved marble columns framed the front like a line of sentries daring her to enter into the world of wealth that lay beyond them. Unease coiled in her stomach like a viper ready to strike. Every nerve in her body whispered that she was an imposter, that she didn’t belong here, especially not with Titus. She prayed she wouldn’t embarrass him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the members of the Legion fan out around the grounds and enter the home ahead of them. Two took their place by the front door. “Are they coming in with us?”

“Yes, although they do give me a little bit of privacy. As long as they patrol the premises, I’m as safe inside the villa as I am at the palace.”

Azurha almost snorted at his ignorance. If he only knew about the dangerous woman standing beside him. She knew how easy it was to kill a man in the time it took to accidentally bump into him. Even with the guards stationed around them, she’d have to ensure his safety whenever anyone came near.