by Gordon, Eva
He glanced down at Floretta. Mischief in his twinkling eyes. “Do you think barbarians have no such talent?”
Floretta swooned and sighed. “You, my gladiator, are no barbarian but much fiercer, an alpha wolf, hungry for a wolf maiden.” She fingered her hip around her wolf mark.
He shot Cassia a quick glance and then gathered Floretta in his arms. “An alpha desiring a wolf maiden is a serious matter, but as an omega I’m not allowed such a privilege.”
Floretta giggled. Lucius rolled his eyes. He must be used to his mother’s dalliances. Lucius turned to Stephanus. They both talked of philosophy.
Nox sat next to Cassia and grinned, baring long fangs. The alpha licked drool from her lips. Did she think of her as a meal? Relief washed through Cassia as slaves brought trays and served them. The lycans relished the flesh while she and Floretta ate the vegetables and barley soup.
She tried not to think of Ulric with that viper in his arms, although it was an act on his part. Even so, a wave of jealousy coursed through her blood. Nox chewed her meat as she watched Ulric. The alpha must suspect his attraction to her as had Lucius, back at her villa. Would she tell her mistress or hold her tongue, perhaps passing his attraction off as the gladiator’s lust for yet another young woman?
Floretta let Ulric feed her and sighed. “Well spiced beef.” She glanced at Cassia, and swallowed with a pleasurable moan. “I heard you were an orphan bought by Gaius.”
Cassia sipped her wine and nodded. She wiped her lips with shaky fingers. “I have no memories of my childhood before he purchased me.”
Floretta smiled. “But not Roman. You look to be from Gaul or perhaps from…”
Cassia answered quickly. “From Aventicum at the foot of the Alps.”
She nodded. “I’ve heard green eyes are common in the north. I’m not superstitious but many deem green eyes as evil. I grew up believing witches have such eyes. That they could draw the moon from the sky.”
Lucius laughed. “I think she has especially beautiful eyes.” He turned to Cassia, “The green tunic you selected is most pleasing and makes your eyes the only needed piece of jewelry.”
Floretta ignored her son’s jab and addressed Cassia, “Tell me why Gaius, a renowned Lupercii physician, took a slave girl as his apprentice?”
Cassia’s heart sped but she spoke in a calm voice, “He bought me to be a kitchen slave, but when he discovered the sight of blood didn’t upset me, he allowed me to assist him. He taught me to read and write. I became his most valued assistant.”
“Like a daughter.” Floretta quipped, “Of course, one with your master’s sexual proclivity would not father a child of his own.”
Cassia stiffened. Macula and Floretta were close to Emperor Domitian. The Emperor’s hatred of homosexuals, well known. Especially in light of the Emperor’s hatred of Gauis’ lover, Senator Cato, was Domitian building a case against Cato on moral grounds?
Ulric changed the subject. “Domina. Did you not promise me beer?”
Floretta lifted a brow, her face softening from venom to honey. “Why of course. It slipped my mind. Zeno, bring Ulricus the Germanian beer.”
The slave dashed as ordered. Cassia stuffed an olive in her mouth to calm her racing heart. Ulric winked at her. The small gesture made her feel protected. He had, by stopping the questions about her past and about Gaius. Thank you, Ulric.
Lucius cornered the conversation with talk about the new desert mare a beta lycan had purchased for their stables. His mother reminded him of the accident and a brief argument ensued.
Floretta slammed her wine cup down. “Enough! Let us not ruin our guest’s meal.”
Lucius bowed to Cassia, “Apologies.”
Cassia turned to him. “I am most grateful for the fine meal.”
The slave returned with Ulric’s beer. He grabbed the flagon and drank it, spilling some down his throat, and then offered the beer to Floretta. She took a sip, grimaced, and gestured for more wine. She finished the cup and caught Ulric staring at Cassia. Her expression morphed into Medusa’s, hideous glower. If a head full of snakes could bite her, they would at this moment. Floretta elbowed him and he immediately returned to his meal. She downed half of the refilled cup and gave her a darkened look. “Tell me, Cassia. Does Gaius have wild orgies at his parties?” She smirked, “He and I must have the same taste for strapping big men.”
Cold anger swept through her. She frowned. “Gaius does not entertain in such a manner.”
Floretta drank wine like water and it loosened her vindictive tongue. She lifted a cup and burped. “Our Emperor does not favor such Greek habits.” She laughed, “Don’t worry. Emperor Domitian is more inclined to pursue his real enemies, the Jews of the line of King David.” She leaned over and whispered as if no one would hear. “They are everywhere.”
Cassia’s cheeks burned. Nox noticed and scoffed, “You should see your face Cassia, red as the roses in our gardens.”
She fanned herself. “I’m afraid I’m not used to drinking rich wine.” The non-watered wine had made her hot, dizzy, and careless with her emotional reactions. The talk of Domitian upset her more than seeing Ulric holding the viper’s beautiful body.
“Really, Mother all this talk of orgies would embarrass anyone.” Lucius turned to a slave. “Bring some clean water for my lovely physician.”
Cassia took the drink and smiled. “Thank you. I must admit, I’m modest.”
Floretta’s eyes grew big with mirth. “Are you a virgin?”
Nox sniffed her and quipped. “Never touched. As pure as a fallen spring lamb.”
Floretta suppressed a wicked smile. “What do you say, Cassia? Would you like to experience one of our lycan betas?”
Ulric stood, nearly knocking Floretta to the ground. He growled down at her as she dropped her cup and gripped the divan. His fangs out. “Enough, domina!”
They all startled. Floretta shot Ulric a dangerous glare as slaves raced to gather the mess. Nox stood and growled back at him. Her nails extended into claws, ready to protect her mistress.
Floretta gained her balance and sat, reclining onto the couch. “Nox, sit. And you, Ulricus, get on your knees and beg my forgiveness.” Her face contorted in rage. “Now!”
Lucius barked. “Mother, let him be.” He clapped his hands. “Musicians play in tribute of my physician, our honored guest.” He had his cup filled again. “To the woman who brought me back from death.” He and Stephanus drank alone. The party ignored his salutation, and the musicians remained silent. They all kept their gazes down, lest Floretta take her anger out on one of them.
Ulric stood his eyes defiant, and his chest heaving like a spent bull. The anger of sharing his mate with another, evident on his face. Cassia feared for him. She stood to reason with him and her palla fell. She covered her arm but Ulric noticed her bruised arm. He stepped forward and gently lifted her arm. His tone dangerous, he demanded, “Who hurt you?”
She touched his hand, to soothe him with her gift. “No one. I bumped it.”
His eyes darkened. “I see the imprint of a large hand.” He sniffed. “Silo.”
Floretta stood and scowled at him, her face contorted in jealous rage. “Ulricus, why do you care what happens to the physician?” She drank a cup and threw it on the ground. “Tell me you are not enamored of this common woman!”
Cassia’s skin grew cold as if death had already taken her. How could Ulric be so foolish?
Ulric shook his head as if coming out from a drunken stupor. His eyes widened and he fell to his knees before Floretta. “No. Forgive me domina; the beer clouded my mind. For a moment I thought Cassia was…was…my mother.”
“Rohesia?” Floretta burst out laughing. “Your warrior mother looks nothing like this young insubstantial woman.”
Ulric nodded. “I had a vision, nothing more.”
Lucius spoke, “Like the vision he had in the arena of his pack being annihilated.”
“A cruel joke,” Stephanus muttered under his breath
; a bold comment in Macula’s home.
Cassia added her support, “Traumatic events can cause the mind to have such visions. Domina, Ulric could not be interested in me when it is you, my domina, who is beautiful and a wolf maiden.”
Floretta seemed placated. “Get up, Ulricus.”
He stood. “Yes. I am ashamed; please forgive me.”
She glared at Cassia and then turned to Ulric and trailed her finger on his taut arm. “I will allow you to visit your mother.”
“When can I leave?”
Floretta laughed and sipped from her cup. “Leave? You think I would risk you running off?” She waved a finger in front of his face. “Oh, Ulric you would not get far.” She smiled in a maternal way. She addressed a beta. “Remus, deliver a message to Rohesia. Invite her to visit her son tomorrow afternoon.” Remus bowed and left. She reached and tenderly moved her fingers through his thick mane. “Will that please you?”
“Yes, domina. It would.”
“Then it is done.” She nipped his earlobe. “I have another surprise.”
He raised a brow. “Oh?”
“I had a shield crafted that matches your new gladius. It will be brought here any day.”
He bowed. “I am honored.”
Slaves brought dessert, sweet roasted chestnuts and honeyed apples. The conversation returned to Cassia’s medical expertise and potions. Lucius snored, bored with mundane conversation, drunk with too much rich wine, and still not well. Lupercii Stephanus remained a quiet observer. Were his loyalties to the Lupercal or to the Caninus family?
Floretta licked the honey from her fingers and signaled for a slave to pour more wine. “I want to purchase all the salves you used to heal my son’s skin.” She slurred, “If it can remove lacerations perhaps it can remove blemishes and wrinkles.” She drank more wine. Never had Cassia seen a woman drink so much.
Cassia drank more than usual and worried she would retch at any moment. “I will leave the remaining jars of my skin ointment before I depart.”
Floretta stood and stumbled but Nox caught her.
Cassia sagged on her couch, relieved the banquet appeared over. She bowed. “Domina, thank you for the gracious celebration.”
Floretta’s eyes were glassy as she smiled. “Let us hope his legs will heal as well.” She twisted around to speak to Nox, “Take her back to her quarters.” She held her wine and collapsed on Ulric. She giggled. “Ulricus will see me to bed.”
Ulric took the wine cup from Floretta’s hand and dropped it. He lifted the drunken woman, cradled her in his arms, and nodded to Nox.
Floretta nestled against him and sighed in pleasure.
Lucius still slept, holding his spilled wine cup in one hand. Drool escaped his slightly opened mouth.
Stephanus stood. “I will take my leave and visit Lucius in a few days.” He bowed and left.
Nox glowered at Ulric and gestured for Cassia to follow her. The night air had chilled but Cassia’s blood boiled. The married wolf maiden had Ulric. Should she wake Lucius to stop his mother from seducing Ulric? Reason prevailed. She must act as if she didn’t care about Ulric. Still her heart constricted. Would Ulric bed the beautiful drunken woman?
She tried to keep up with Nox but the wine’s numbing effects and the alpha’s longer stride made her lag behind. Nox waited by the villa rustica with her arms folded and a sneer on her face. Nox grabbed Cassia and sniffed her arm. “I must tell Silo to leave tonight and remain with our pack head quarters in the Subura.”
She referred to the beta who had bruised her. “Why?”
“He is clumsy but a good warrior. It would be a shame for Ulric to kill him.”
Now it made sense. Did Nox suspect anything more? She had to ask. “Why would an omega kill a beta?”
“I saw and smelled Ulric’s anger. He will scent him.” She sighed. “When he does we will have one less beta.”
She feared for Ulric. “He won’t risk execution, will he?”
Nox laughed. “Human, you know nothing. Ulric has killed several of our betas. Macula will only punish him if he kills a favorite. Silo is no one’s favorite.”
Cassia hunched her shoulders. “Then I will not keep you.”
Nox smiled and told one of the slaves to fetch Silo. She loomed over Cassia. “Pray, my domina doesn’t discover Ulric favors you.”
She masked her worry with light laugher. “I understand he likes bedding women. I won’t encourage him. I know he’s Floretta’s pet.”
Nox shook her head, her tone stern. “No, his fondness for you is more. I don’t like my domina’s dalliances but when she asks me to rid the world of a human that displeases her, I obey.” The lycan turned, ripped her clothes and leapt off in her wolf form.
Would Nox someday kill her, as she had Nidia? She certainly would not, if her true identity were discovered. No lycan risked returning as a prey animal in their next incarnation for the sin of killing a wolf maiden.
***
Ulric held Floretta over a bowl as she vomited her meal and copious amounts of wine. He never understood how the Romans ate and drank to such excess they made themselves sick. If only excess wine had poisoned her.
He sensed her jealousy of Cassia. Beautiful Cassia. His mate. When he saw Cassia in her plain green silk tunic that showed her beautiful curves, his wolf urged him to grab her and take her to the forest. A beast running with his captured prey. Her soft round bottom as she bowed made his fangs emerge ready to imprint his claim on her. Yet he tamed his wolf into submission. His need to protect proved greater than his carnal lust.
But when Floretta offered to her to bed one of the beta males, his tamed wolf turned feral. Snapped out of his calm lair. Then her bruised arm with Silo’s scent maddened him even more. His heart broke. He had failed to protect his mate. What had he done? His lack of control had placed Cassia in great peril.
Floretta retched one more time and wiped her spittle on his arm.
He kept his tone gentle. “Domina, you must sleep now.”
“Nooo. Make love to me.”
He lifted her and carried her to her bed. She spread her legs like a common prostitute and licked her lips. “Take me, gladiator.”
His lip twitched in disgust. “Domina, you are sick. I will not take advantage, but I will sit with you until you sleep.” He held her hand.
Floretta sighed, closed her eyes, and before long, snored softly. He gently put her hand down and stood. Did she believe his wrath was because of concern for his mother? Nox and Lucius knew better. A lycan could not hide his feelings for a woman, be she human, lycan, or a wolf maiden. He glowered at the sleeping serpent and left.
He ran outside into the night, undressed and shifted. In a few hours the sun would rise. He poked his nose to the ground and growled. Silo. He raced to the gate, hot on the trail of Silo’s scent. Cassia’s sweet aroma stopped him, like a shot from Cupid’s arrow. He whirled around toward the villa where Cassia slept. He returned his attention to the lycan who had hurt her, and trotted to the gates. No. He could not leave her alone with Macula’s brutal pack. He growled at the darkness. He would taste Silo’s blood another time. He walked back beneath her terrace and then curled into a ball.
Chapter 9
Cassia slept through cockcrow and woke to the chirping of birds. Bright daylight accosted her sleep-deprived eyes. She covered her face with the sheet and moaned in protest. Her head throbbed from the effects of strong Roman wine. Better that than the agony of poison. She forced herself to sit and rubbed her eyes. She had to leave. Ulric had made it clear he favored her. She doubted Floretta would stand for that. Yet the woman had drunk beyond reason. Please let the evening have been a blur for the vile wolf maiden. Nox, her companion, would not have forgotten Ulric’s obvious reaction. How soon would she tell her mistress?
Cassia slipped into her long tunic and opened the door. The aroma of fresh bread soothed her frazzled nerves. She stepped out of her room and nearly tripped on a wolf at her feet. She gasped. The tawny wolf star
tled and stood.
Not afraid of lycans, Cassia nonetheless backed away, feigning fear. The wolf shimmered into the alpha, Acca. She stood naked and suppressed a yawn, “You look well rested.”
“You slept here all night?”
“Nox ordered me to guard your room. We watch every visiting human, even one that has taken the blood vow. However, you are free to attend to Lucius as soon as you have your meal.”
Cassia nodded and headed to the kitchen. She ate a few bites. Her thoughts roiled. Floretta’s jealousy. Ulric’s unpredictable emotions. Moreover, beloved Gaius. Was he in danger from the emperor’s persecution? Her appetite gone, she left to gather her herbal remedies and ointments. Once she instructed his slaves on his care, they might dismiss her by late afternoon. She made her way to the Caninus villa. Her heart thumped as she glanced around. It was quiet. The lycan guards opened the doors.
She addressed the one on her right, “Where may I find Lucius?”
Zeno, a young omega and Lucius’ body slave approached. He bowed and spoke, “Cassia, Lucius wishes you to check his legs.”
She followed him into a special recovery room on the first floor near the atrium prepared especially for Lucius. She recommended no stairs and was relieved they had already arranged it. Before she entered, on a whim she asked, “Umm. I suppose Floretta is sleeping?”
He smiled. “No, she is awake. Bathing.” He whispered, “With the gladiator.”
A flicker of jealousy coursed through her. Had he spent the night with Floretta? Would he satisfy Floretta’s lust, to prove he did not care for her? Cassia’s stomach twisted at such a vile predicament for Ulric. Or was she mistaken? Maybe he had decided she was not his mate, but just an infatuation. No. Not with how he had reacted on tasting her blood. She had felt the mating bond as well. Not to mention his intense rage at the idea of her bedding a lycan. She entered and smiled at Lucius. He sat on a chair with a sheaf of parchment in front of him.
Lucius looked up and waved her over. “Cassia, welcome. Let me show you my legs.” He turned to Zeno, “Help me to my bed and leave us.” The slave lifted him and gently placed him on the bed. He then bowed and left. Lucius called after him. “Stand outside and do not let anyone enter.”