The Roman's Revenge

by Caroline Storer

  “Oh, Livia!” Portia cried, interrupting her hesitant explanation, and her friend, always prone to tears when distressed, grabbed Livia’s hand halting her. “I will pray every day to the gods for you. Please send me a message when you get to…to wherever it is you are going. Tell me everything, for if you don’t, I swear I will never be able to sleep again.”

  Livia smiled down at Portia. “I promise. I will send word as soon as I can. Now dry your tears and come help me pack.”

  “Before you leave I want to know one thing.”

  Livia looked up as Flavius strode into her bedroom. She was in the process of packing a wooden crate with her belongings, and had insisted on packing her own things, much to her tire-woman’s amazement. But she needed something to occupy her whirling thoughts before the time arrived for her to leave the villa for good.

  As usual, her half-brother’s tone was sharp, and she bristled. Livia turned and faced him, crossing her arms, in an unconscious gesture of defiance.

  “What?” She asked, her tone brisk, resenting the fact he had interrupted her relative peace, now that Portia had left the villa unable to stay for as long as she’d liked, as her father was still prohibiting her meeting with Livia.

  “Are you, and Metellus lovers?”

  Livia gasped, hot colour surging into her face at the abruptness of his question, “No!” She burst out, before she turned away, and with shaking hands carried on folding a silk stola, her eyes unseeing. She was unprepared when Flavius grabbed her arm and roughly spun her around.

  His face was flushed with anger, and his eyes flashed, “You lie, girl. He was - is -your lover, isn’t he?”

  Not bothering to answer him, Livia snapped back her own question, “What difference does it make now, Flavius? I am his wife. He can do what he wants with me. And what do you care anyway?”

  “So that’s the way it is. I should have known. You did know him before, I had my suspicions. After all, why would he marry you – you have no dowry. Where did you meet? How long has this affair been going on? By the gods you had me fooled girl.”

  He finally stopped his tirade of questions and Livia realised that there was no way out, so she said, “You are wrong, Flavius. There has been no affair. Metellus was on the ship to Alexandria, it was he who saved me from drowning, he was the one who rescued me.”

  Flavius's grip on her arm tightened, “Don’t take me for a fool girl,” he snapped, “Did he take your virginity?”

  Livia looked away, refusing to answer him, but her unspoken gesture was proof enough of her guilt in Flavius’s eyes.

  “So it was him you rutted with, and now I reap the consequences, is that it?”

  Livia gasped at the crudeness of his words, and anger surged through her, “You reap the consequences, Flavius? How ironic. Haven’t you ever thought how I might be feeling? How all this has affected me? Everything you’ve ever done had been for your own ends. For the glorification of the Drusii name-”

  “How dare you talk to me like that?” Flavius interrupted, his face flushing an unbecoming shade of red, “I am in charge of this household now. You will obey me, as you would our father, as if he were still in charge of this family – remember that.”

  “Really? But I don’t belong here anymore, do I Flavius? You’ve already made it abundantly clear, I am no longer welcome in this house, remember? I’ve been forced to marry Metellus…and I would wager you made sure enough money changed hands as a result of it. Just how much I wonder?”

  “Three hundred thousand denarii give or take.” A voice drawled from behind them.

  Both Livia and Flavius turned to where Metellus watched them both. He was leaning nonchalantly against the wooden doorframe, a look of bored indifference on his face, and Livia wondered how long he’d been standing there listening.

  “Lost for words, Flavius?” Metellus eventually asked. “Were you about to tell Livia how you’ve managed to gamble away the family coffers? Tell her about the debts you’ve racked up over the past year?”

  Flavius’s silence spoke volumes, and Metellus straightened, walking into the room, never once taking his eyes off the older man. “I thought not.”

  He looked at Livia, his eyes unreadable, “You should thank me for saving the family name. It wouldn’t have been too long before all of Rome found out how Flavius had managed to single-handedly bring down one of Rome’s leading families.” He tutted before he shook his head from side to side in a mocking gesture, “Your brother isn’t a very good gambler I’m afraid.”

  For a moment indecision warred across Flavius’s face before he retaliated. He shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “So I am a poor gambler, and I took your money in exchange for her. What does it matter? She was your whore anyway. I'm surprised you bothered to marry her. You should have just taken her as your mistress. I wouldn’t have cared one bit.”

  Livia gasped at the vitriolic hatred evident in Flavius's voice. She saw Metellus’s eyes narrow, before he bit out, “What did you say?”

  “You heard. Now I understand fully what this is all about. You bedded Livia. The baby you are trying to pass off as an orphan is yours, and you have taken me for an idiot. What I want to know is how long you have been bedding her behind my back?”

  With lightening reflexes, Metellus shot forward and grabbed Flavius by the throat; his strong fingers squeezing the life out of him. Flavius, she saw, was powerless to fight against Metellus's superior strength, as he desperately grabbed at Metellus’s muscular forearms, trying to loosen the deadly grip from around his neck.

  If Livia hadn't been so traumatised at what had happened today, she would have smiled at the sheer horror she saw reflected on Flavius's face as he struggled against the hands fastened around his throat.

  “You have a sick mind, Flavius. The baby is not ours. You will do well to remember that. As for the reason for my marrying her. I thought you would have some semblance of intelligence, but obviously I am mistaken. I will give you a hint. Go back to the history lessons you had as a young boy. Not too far though. Recall all that you learned about the Pisonian conspiracy, and then you may make a connection.”

  And with those words, Metellus’s lips curled in disgust, before he loosened his hold on Flavius’s throat and pushed him away as if he were an annoying insect. Flavius staggered backwards, his arms flailing wildly in an effort to stop himself from falling flat on his backside. While he’d managed to keep upright, he was gasping for breath, his face flushed as he coughed and spluttered.

  Flavius, like the coward he was, stepped back out of Metellus’s reach, and Livia watched as he rubbed his throat. She could already see the beginnings of a bruise where Metellus had grabbed him.

  “The Pisonian Conspiracy,” Flavius finally said, after he had managed to compose himself somewhat. “I do recall it, I even remember the furore it created. I was around thirteen years old I think; but what has it to do with either of our father’s?”

  Metellus’ face hardened, his eyes icy before he bit out, “My father was Lucius Quadratus Aurelius. He was implicated in the conspiracy, and arrested for treason and all because Nero believed the lies spread by your father. And on the back of it all your father became a very rich and powerful man.”

  Silence greeting Metellus’s words, until Flavius snorted, “What nonsense. This is just pure fabrication. Lies-”

  Metellus’s face hardened and he stepped forward once again. Flavius gave an unmanly squeak, and Livia saw the colour drain from his face as he hastily lifted a hand in surrender. Metellus stopped, his fists bunching by his side as he reigned in his anger.

  “Believe it, Flavius,” Metellus bit out, “For it is the truth. My father was innocent of all charges. He had no interest in politics – unlike your father - who stood to gain everything by winning Nero’s favour and trust. Lies and false evidence spread by your father lead to his execution.”

  Livia watched as her half-brother took in all Metellus had to say. But the stubborn look
on his face still remained. It was obvious he did not believe what Metellus was saying. Finally, into the silence that had fallen between the three of them, Flavius snapped, “You are not welcome in this villa ever again. Both of you. I suggest you leave. Now!”

  Metellus laughed dryly, and in a mocking gesture, placed his hand on his chest, “My heart is broken, Flavius. But don't speak too soon. Don't forget who has paid all the debts you accrued recently. I own this villa. It is I who chooses – nay allows – you to stay here. Never forget that.”

  Flavius said nothing, his jaw working as he bit back his fury. He glared at Metellus, before he barged past them both and left the room.

  “Do you really own this…our villa?” Livia finally asked in the silence which precipitated Flavius’s departure.

  “Yes,” Metellus said flatly, “My family used to live her. This was my father’s villa before all his assets were seized by Nero.” His mouth twisted, “Nero gave it to your father after mine was executed.”

  Livia stared at his harsh profile, her thoughts racing, “Will you want to live in it soon? Take it away from my father and Flavius?”

  Metellus barked, no humour in his voice at all, “No. I never want to live here again. It ceased to be my home the night my father was arrested. Your family villa is safe for now, providing Flavius – and your father - do nothing to rile me of course.” His lips sneered in obvious derision, “And I would bet my last sesterce Flavius is going through all the paperwork right at this very moment wondering if I actually really do own it.”

  Livia bit her bottom lip, before she asked the one question which plagued her, “But why marry me? Why not just humiliate me – my family? You could have so easily crushed us all. As Flavius said, you didn’t have to marry me to extract your desire for revenge.”

  “Power.”

  Livia frowned. “Power, but I-”

  “Your family has connections,” Metellus interrupted, “Connections in places where I as a mere merchant have no access too. Yes, I have money, more money than your family will ever have. But I have no connections. By marrying you, I gain access to the higher echelons of Roman Society. You, as my wife, will give me access to that society, and my money will pave the way.”

  “All this is because you want power?”

  “Of course. Power and revenge. Why else would I have married you, Livia? But don't get me wrong. You suit my purposes very well indeed. It wouldn't do to marry an ugly wife would it?”

  Livia gasped in outraged shock, her heart breaking open at his words. Where had the passionate lover on the island gone? The man who had rescued her from certain death and who had accepted Elisha without a qualm?

  “You are despicable. Hateful,” she whispered.

  At her words hot colour surged along Metellus’s cheekbones, before he grabbed her arm and pulled her forward so she was a mere breath away from his mouth. Anger pulsed in every line of his hard body, before he whispered savagely, his hot breath on her face, “And why am I like this? Because your family made me like this, that's why.

  You will be a dutiful wife, or you will rue the day you cross me. If you don’t obey me I will crush your family. Obey me and no-one will be the wiser, your family's dirty secret is safe with me – for now. The Drusii will be as they were before debt nearly brought them to the edge of ruin. Your father – if he is able –will resume his seat in the Senate, and one day your brother will be there too because I have the necessary money to make it so. And by marrying you I will one day gain status too. Marriages such as ours are what makes Rome great. Don't ever forget that Livia. Not for one minute. Do you understand?”

  Livia tried to tug free, but his grip was too tight. Then she saw the anger in his eyes disappear to be replaced by desire as his intentions became clear as he leaned in closer. Livia gasped, “No! I don’t-”

  The touch of his mouth on hers silenced her protest, as his lips plundered hers. She held herself rigid, but couldn’t stop the tidal wave of emotion that suffused every part of her body. Passion replaced anger as his mouth demanded a response from hers. A response she couldn’t stop even if she wanted to. The kiss was a bittersweet reminder of all they had shared on the island. And no matter how much she protested to herself, she had longed for the touch of his mouth on hers for weeks now.

  Metellus’s mouth softened, and his punishing kiss changed. Now his lips tasted, teased hers and took what they both wanted, eliciting from her a deep groan of desire.

  “Yes,” he whispered against her mouth, “Open your mouth for me.”

  Livia did as he commanded, relishing the feel of his tongue mating with hers. The hand holding her arm loosened, and moved upwards to cup the back of her neck, tilting her head so he could capture the fullness of her lips.

  Now it was he who groaned, as the kiss deepened, intensified. She felt his other hand cup the underside of her breast, his fingers trailing upwards until he found the evidence of her desire, her response to him, as her nipple hardened and pushed through the silk of her gown.

  Livia didn’t know how long the kiss lasted, but eventually he broke it off, stepping away from her. He stared down at her, his eyes once again unreadable, shuttered, as if he’d put on a cloak of indifference to protect himself.

  “You are a sad man, Metellus,” Livia finally said, her voice cracking with strain, as she stared up at him, “If you are only driven by revenge, and power, when you could have so much more.”

  Metellus’s jaw clamped shut at her words, and she saw his eyes turn frigid. His stance was that of a man who knew his position in the world. Confident. Sure. Strong. “I don’t deal in anything else, Livia. Revenge has sustained me for fourteen long years. It’s the code I live by. The only code I live by. You had best remember that for your own sanity.”

  “You are ready? Everything you need is packed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. It is time to leave. We have an hour’s ride out of Rome, and I don’t want to travel when it is dark.”

  “Fine.” Livia said, unable to think of anything else to add. She realised she wasn't exactly full of sparkling conversation this afternoon. But then why should she be, after hearing Metellus’s declaration earlier? It hardly boded well for a harmonious future, did it?

  Following Metellus out of the villa, she glanced over her shoulder as the large brass and wooden gate slammed shut behind them. The finality of it caused a pang of regret to pierce her, and she knew this would probably be the last time she ever saw her family home. Granted, it hadn't been much of a home for practically all of her life, but still, it was the only home she’d ever known.

  She had even managed to go to her father’s room to bid him farewell, but it had been a futile exercise as he’d been asleep. And even though this would probably be the last time she would ever see him, she was reluctant to wake him. He still looked so ill, and she knew it would be many months before he would recover. If he ever did.

  She had hoped he would be awake, as she’d wanted to ask him whether he would have made her go to Alexandria to marry Pullus. And whether he would have made her marry Metellus, too. Twice now, in the space of a few short months, her life had changed beyond her wildest imagination. The first time had been when she’d found herself on the way to Alexandria. The second, today, when she’d found herself married to Metellus. And both these life changing events had occurred when her father had been unaware of what was going on around him.

  Livia’s mouth flattened in anger. Flavius had a lot to answer for!

  CHAPTER 15

  The farm was immense, as was the villa which stood proud in it.

  That was the first thing Livia saw, as she sat atop the carriage looking down into the verdant valley below, staring at what would be her new home. The late evening sunlight glinted off the marble walls, and terracotta tiles of the villa, and the scene laid out before her was one of tranquillity as horses lazily ate grass in a nearby paddock.

  She was taken aback by the size of the farm. For some reason, s
he had envisioned Metellus living on a small family farm, not this vast villa which wouldn't have looked out of place on the Palatine Hill. She smiled to herself as she had to acknowledge that Metellus had once again taken her by surprise.

  And, as if he had read her mind – yet again – he said, “The estate and villa used to belong to my uncle. He designed, and built the villa, and farmed the land for many years. But I recently bought it off him. He said he was getting too old for farming, and has now retired to his villa in Rome.”

  Livia turned to where Metellus sat next to her, “Was this where you came after-” Her words trailed off, as she realised her mistake in raking up the past.

  Thankfully her words didn't seem to upset him too much this time for he just nodded, his eyes faraway as he gazed down at the land below him. “Aye. This is where my mother and I came to live. My uncle was extremely generous in opening up his home to us at the time, especially when we were considered enemies of Rome.” His mouth pursed, “It was kept a secret of course. My uncle was one of Nero’s chief architects. It wouldn’t do to upset Nero too much. He was, as we now know, completely mad by that time.”

  “Your uncle's wife didn't mind?” Livia asked, thinking out loud, and wondering how she would have coped with relatives – relatives who were in effect - persona non grata.

  “My uncle has never married.”

  “So you've lived here all alone since your uncle sold you the farm?”

  “No, not alone. My mother still lives here.”

  “Your mother?” Livia squeaked.

  “Yes, my mother,” Metellus replied, a hint of humour in his voice, “I do have one. They are considered essential for the creation of life I believe.”

  Livia ignored his dry humour, “Well I know that. It’s just…I thought…well I thought she was dead,” seeing his dark frown she elaborated, “You have never mentioned her, that is all,” before she asked tentatively, “Does she know about me? About…about us?”