The Barbarian's Mistress (30 page)

What if he just got Publius to look into it when he got to Britannia? No,
the more he thought about it, the more that possibility became nullified. His brother would be the first one to send Anniana back to his mother. He’d delight in it.

Gaius shuddered at the thought of his sweet little sister married to Titus. Other than looking like a toad, he had the degenerate leanings of one, too. No wonder his mother was so popular with the man… er
god,
he supposed, now that he was emperor. Like attracted like. And for all her beauty, Gaius was the first to admit that his mother was rotten to the core.

He slipped the scrolled message onto the shelf behind his desk. By morning he’d have a response ready to go back to Rome. Until then, he needed a bath, some food and a woman in his bed. It had been more than two weeks since he’d felt the need for a woman. With his mind filled with bureaucracy, there never seemed to be much
time left for his basic needs.

Maybe his father was right. Maybe he needed to marry. Not for political gain, but for sexual companionship. He was tired of using women who didn’
t choose to be with him. Slaves or prostitutes, they were both the same. They serviced anyone. But a wife would share his bed because she chose to. Or that would be the way he would want it. He wasn’t unattractive, and he was powerful and respected, even with the blot that would be caused by his father’s divorce and financial difficulties. Surely there was a pretty, innocent patrician who would want him?

As he closed the door to his office
, he tried to imagine what she might be like.

Publius read the missive by candle light under his brother’s desk. It was demeaning to be hiding like this, just as he had as a boy. But as soon as he’d heard the rumours of a message from home, he knew he had to read it. He knew his big brother wouldn’t lower himself to inform him of its contents. So, what choice did he have?

He read it through twice, trying to fully grasp the magnitude of the situation. Then he smiled. It was the smile he used when he had his next victim in sight. Britannia? How convenient. The gods were smiling on him and his mother. If he pulled this off, Emperor Titus would be grateful in so many ways. He’d go home. He’d get involved in the court. Power and unlimited excess. That was his goal. And Annia Minor could get it for him. It was about time the little bitch served a purpose.

Chapter Twenty One

18 September 79 CE
, Caralis SARDINIA

Ninia was standing next to the main betting agent when the roar went up that told her Braxus had entered the arena. A muscular man with the face of a fighter came over to the agent, and whispered in his ear. He nodded and shouted out his first odds.

‘Five to One on the Caralian, Five to One! One denarii and you win five more! Won’t get better odds than that. Five to One!’

Ninia hurried over to the man and offered up the eight gold aureii. The man stared at her in astonishment, shrugged, and handed her a chit with her possible winnings recorded on it. Five times eight, plus her original eight … Ninia was not good with figures. But she finally worked out it would be forty eight aureii if they won. That had to be enough to get her and Braxus to Britannia, didn’t it?

If he won.

She moved out of the way of the pushing and shoving men, as they fought to place their bets. When the chaos died down, and people had returned to their seats, the match was announced. In the interim, she knew that Braxus would have chosen his equipment. What would he be? A murmillo, or a provocator? What about a trident welding retiarius, or thraex, or maybe a hoplomachus? There were so many roles he could be asked to play. Whatever he chose, his adversary would choose one of the opponents usually matched with his choice. For instance, if he went with the fish-like murmillo, he’d then be paired with a thraex or hoplomachus. Each role had a different set of weapons, protection and way of fighting.

Even though she’d never seen a contest, she knew everything about them. Everyone did. But the idea of watching one of those blood baths was repellent. Even more so, now that she knew one of the contestants. The idea of watching Braxus being cut down… No, she would stay here and wait until the result was announced, and she could be the first in line to collect her winnings. 

She eyed the agent who was counting the money in his pot. There were two huge men a short distance away. Obviously, they were there to make sure no one tried to steal the takings. From the look of them, they didn’t expect to be paying out to the yokels. How many provincials would have the skills of a professional? Few. The chances of these gladiators winning, and winning well, were high.

From the yelling, Ninia knew the contest had started. There was more chaos, as fresh bidders came to put their money down on the ‘local’ who was doing so well. The odds had gone down. Now they were 3 to 1.

Ten minutes later they were even money, and the agent and his offsiders were looking distinctly concerned. The agent called one of the musclemen over, spoke a few words, and then sent him away. A little later he returned with a big bag of coins. They’d pay out if they lost. They had to. If they were caught cheating, the emperor would hear of it, and they’d find themselves in the galleys. It wasn’t worth the risk, nor was it worth the ire of the local crowd.

For every one the troupe lost, there’d be ten they won. As long as the locals had a chance of winning, they’d put their money down.  So this time the troupe might lose. The locals would go away jubilant, and be back, putting the same money on a loser
the next time.

The yelling was reaching fever pitch now, and Ninia was finding it hard to breathe. Her heart was beating so loudly it almost drowned out the din. Sweat was soaking her clean tunic. When was it going to be over? How long did it take for one man to beat another?

The minutes crawled by. Then, finally, a roar went up and the crowd went crazy. The agent prepared to pay out, and Ninia was first in line to collect her winnings.

‘Your husband, huh, little lady?’ The agent said as he handed over the huge pile of gold.

She nodded and smiled proudly, as if she were a local girl whose husband had just beaten the odds, and won against professionals. As she scampered away, she kept her eyes on the bystanders. Now she had a great deal of money. She was one small woman. Hardly any deterrent to a likely thief.

Under arms and between sweaty, stinking bodies, she wriggled her way toward the arena. The gate opened, and she saw a heavily armoured man being carried out. A hoplomachus from what she could see. With her hands shaking, she waited to see if Braxus
walked out on his own feet. He would win, as long as he was the last man standing. But once the win was announced, he could collapse, if he had to.

How long did it take to remove armour and walk the length of the small arena? There had to be something wrong. Maybe a physician had to be called to attend to him.

Then she saw him. He looked so different to the man she had seen only a short time ago. His tunic was filthy. His body was filthy. There were bleeding cuts everywhere. And his face was swelling. Didn’t his helmet protect his face? She scrambled through the last of the crowd, and wrapped her arms around him.

What was she doing? She barely knew this man, and yet she was acting as if he was a lover she’d feared for. A husband, she thought she might lose. Her confusion cleared the moment he looked down at her. His bloody smile was so filled with pride, she had to grin back.

‘Did you see me? The bastard was so cocky in the first minute I could have ended it then. But I had to give them a show. So I just held my own, until I thought the time was right. Then I went in for the kill. He was more shocked than any fighter I’ve seen. I think he finally realised he was up against something more than a yokel. I could’ve laughed. Did you see?’

He was like an excited child and all she could do was nod and smile. When he kissed her this time, it was harder, exhalant and tasted of blood. She expected to be repulsed, but she wasn’t. When he broke the kiss, he grinned down at her again, teeth red instead of white.

‘That was my reward. I deserved that!’

And she laughed, reached up to either side of his face and brought his mouth down to hers again. This time she kissed him. Not with any skill, not for any length of time, but with enthusiasm. When she drew back she was pleased to see that she’d shocked him.

‘Let’s get out of here. We’ve got a bed at Longinus. I’d say let’s leave town now, but I doubt I’d make it to the dock. Part of the heroes chore is to let himself be feted.’

He wrapped his arm around her, and headed off toward the forum. Well-wishers were everywhere, slapping him on the back, praising his moves, his courage, and his stamina. It was just noise and chaos to Ninia. All that really matter
ed to her was that Braxus had won them enough money to continue their search. Tomorrow they could be heading north. Tomorrow they would be one step closer to Anni.

Longinus held a celebratory party in his atrium, tables banked with so much food and wine Ninia was reminded of one of Salvia’s parties. Though Braxus kept her at his side for the first part of the evening, once she had eaten and drunk two goblets of wine, she was ready to retire. Anyway, she didn’t want to be carrying around all their money all night. It weighed heavil
y in the purse Braxus had given her.

‘I’m going back to our room,’ she said into his ear. He looked down at her as if she’d said she was going to the moon. He’d already had several drinks, and they were clearly going to his head. His eyes weren’t quite right.

‘All right?’ she asked. When he nodded and let her go, she felt like she was taking a bone away from a puppy. His expression was disappointed. Why would he feel that way? He had more than enough people toasting his success. Even some pretty women were sidling up to get his attention. He didn’t need her too.

After she’d pushed the money under the hay pallet they would share, she settled under the sheet, fully clothed. It felt different being in a separate room with him. Last night, they’d slept in a communal space with no privacy, and it had felt comfortable. Now… what if he was really drunk and expected her to …

Panic made her head light, and the room begin to spin. If he was drunk, and he tried to take her, no one would hear her screams. Nobody would do anything, even if they heard her. She was his ‘wife’ and he was the ‘hero’. He had rights.

Get out. Leave everything here and find a little corner in the larder. No one would notice. She’d be safe there.

Just as she was about to get up and carry out her plan, the door swung open, and Braxus stumbled in. He half fell onto the mattress beside her, a stupid grin on his bruised and swollen face. She huddled into the corner, wrapping her arms around her legs, trying to keep from shaking.

After a couple of moments, he turned his head to the side and tried to focus
in on her. ‘What are you doing over there? I thought you’d want me now I’m the hero.  Women always want me when I’m the hero.’ He grinned lopsidedly at her.

‘I… I’m sure there are women out there who want you. Why don’t you find one of them? We aren’t really married. I don’t mind…’

He frowned. ‘But I don’t want any of them. I want you. My pretty little saviour. Nobody’s ever saved me before. Nobody’s ever been kind to me before. I owe you.’ Each short sentence was delivered in a sing songy voice, as if he was a child. A drunken child.

‘If you owe me, then don’t hurt me. If you need a woman go out there and get one. Not me. Please not me…’ she couldn’t keep the whimper from her voice.

‘Why not you? What’s wrong with me? I’m the hero. Don’t you want the hero? Women always want the hero. They used to fight over me. Cat fights as bloody as the arena. Just to get me.’ He grinned smugly.

‘Braxus, you know why not you. You know why I’m scared. Please… go back out there. I’ll be here when you get up. We’ve got a long way to go… please.’

Her pleading made him frown in confusion. ‘Don’t want the hero? But I’m going to rescue your friend. I’m going to… protect you. Because you deserve to be protected. I wish I could get my hands on that bastard that hurt you. I’d slice him into pieces and present the chunks to you on a plate. Especially his dick. Would you like his dick?’

‘I wish you could kill him for me, too. But you can’t, and it’s late, and I want to go to sleep, Braxus. Please go and finish enjoying your win out there. Let me sleep.’

‘I don’t want to go out there. They don’t really like me. Tomorrow I’ll be nobody to them. I want you to like me. Do you know that the only women I’ve ever had were either prots…prostitutes or hero-worshippers. Nobody’s ever wanted me. Why don’t you want me, little one? I want you so much it hurts.’

She stared at him, her fear replaced with compassion. How lonely he sounded. How sad.

‘Will you at least kiss me again? Ninia… Nin…ia… Ni…nia. I like your name. It’s pretty and feminine like you. Curvy like you. Will you kiss me good night, Ninia?’

Reluctantly, cautiously, she untangled herself and crawled over the mattress until she reached his head. She was ready to jump away the moment he tried to touch her. When he saw her coming, he smiled another of those silly, drunken smiles and closed his eyes, waiting.

She leaned over and placed her lips on his, gently kissing him. Then she drew back quickly. He had not moved his lips under hers, had showed no sign that he enjoyed what she did. He opened his bloodshot eyes.

‘Again?’

She scowled at him, but leaned in once more, pressing her lips more firmly to his so-soft mouth. It didn’t taste of blood now. He tasted of wine. And smelled of it too. His lips began to move under hers, softly, gently, tasting her, exploring her. It robbed her of the last of her fear. It filled her with warmth and tenderness. So sweet. Kissing was so sweet.

Moving in closer, she let herself enjoy it more. And he seemed to sense her growing confidence, because he smiled as their lips moved. He let his tongue slip past his lips and tasted hers. A little startled, she let him. His kiss encourage her to open for him. Very slowly, she did as he wanted, and when his tongue slipped into her mouth, she jumped away, back to the far side of the bed.

‘What did you do?’ she demanded tearfully.

‘Do? I kissed you. You liked it. I could tell.’

‘I… I did until you… put your tongue in my mouth!’ Her look of disgust had him roaring with laughter until the tears ran down his face.

‘Don’t laugh at me,’ she demanded, reaching over and giving him a little hit on the arm. He snagged her hand and drew her over to him. And she fought until he let her go again.

‘You never have to fight me, Ninia. I will never hurt you. I told you that. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.’ He flipped lithely onto his stomach so that he could look at her directly.

‘Here, take my hand. Trust me, Ninia… I just want to kiss you. Nothing else. I won’t force you… Come…’

Very slowly, she inched toward him, his tone coaxing her to trust. If he broke his word, she would never forgive him. She’d take the money, and run away as far and as fast as she could. If he broke her trust, it would break her heart.

Finally, her hand was in his, and he was drawing her slowly to him. When he had her where he wanted her, he leaned in and kissed her again. Just a peck.

‘Do you know what it’s like for me to kiss someone like you? Someone who has never been kissed before me? You make me feel… innocent and foolish and clumsy. I don’t know what to do. I’ve kissed hundreds of women… I’ve bedded hundreds of women. But I don’t know what to do… with you. If you don’t want me to taste you, I won’t. If you don’t like it, I won’t. All right?’