Chapter 14 Trajan #2
“I didn’t take you for the devious sort of woman, Lela.”
“I wasn’t once,” she said solemnly. “But I am different now.”
She glanced at me then rolled to face the other direction and said no more.
I carried the lamp with me to the study and settled on my chaise with a blanket.
For once, I didn’t pick up a book to read before bed.
I let the night’s revelations sink in and wrap me in the smallest sense of joy I’d had since Julian had left the city.
This plan had always been ours. When he left, saving his mate Malina and taking her with him, I had understood.
At least, I had tried to. But now, knowing Lela was mine to cherish and protect, I knew that I would’ve done the same.
Even though it had ruined our plans—for he was to be the one to get close to his uncle and slit his throat when the time came—I understood now that Julian had no other choice.
So it was up to me … and Lela.
As if the fates were fulfilling my thoughts, I heard the hurried, heavy footsteps of someone coming down the corridor toward my private quarters. Had Caesar discovered my betrayal and sent an assassin into my home? I grabbed my gladius on the desk, unsheathed it, and slid next to the door.
Whoever it was, they weren’t keeping their arrival secret. Gripping the hilt of my gladius tighter, I readied to pounce. When he passed by my study toward my bedchamber, I leaped into the hall and shoved him against the far wall, my blade at his throat.
“Don’t! It’s me, Koska.”
I heaved out a breath, grabbed him by the shirt, and shoved him into my office. “What in all the hells are you doing rushing to my bedchamber at night?” I glanced toward the door. “Are we in danger now?”
Perhaps Caesar did indeed have praetorians on their way. Like he had done to Julian, he had sent them to drag him back to the palace. I’d never allow that to happen with Lela in the next room, vulnerable with no protection. I’d kill them all and carry her away, take my chances with the deathriders.
“No. No, Tribune. I apologize for surprising you. But I have news I thought you’d want to hear immediately.”
“Come and sit.” I urged him farther into the room, not wanting to wake Lela if she was already asleep.
Koska took a seat on the chaise with me while I set my gladius aside. “What is it? Did you find Euphemia?”
“No.” He smiled. “I got Bellona to talk. About her mistress Fausta.”
“And?” I urged anxiously.
“She said her kind mistress has a secret.”
“Fausta? Kind?” I’d never describe her that way.
“She said that Fausta helps the unfortunate ones of Rome get out of the city. Even little children.”
“Fausta is the slave smuggler?” I deduced.
He nodded. “She is.”
I leaned against the back of the chaise, completely baffled. “She surely does hide that well. I’d never have thought she was the one.”
Suddenly, I stood and stared at the wall that separated my study from my bedchamber. “The secret note she’d given Lela.” I turned back to Koska. “She was reaching out to her, to see if she wanted to escape Rome.”
Koska frowned. “You said it was just quotes from a Greek.”
“It was. Quotes about freedom. I’ll bet she planned to help Lela out of the city.” I hurried to my desk. “If she was intending to do it once, then surely she’ll do it now when she needs it more than ever.”
Pulling a piece of parchment from my drawer, I pulled my sapphire dragon-head-shaped inkwell closer and dipped the stylus. I kept my message short and to the point, knowing she would understand. I would not address it, in case the missive fell into the wrong hands.
We spoke briefly of a treasure you found on the street the other day. I have it now. But would like to make sure it’s in safe keeping. I’d like to discuss this with you at your earliest convenience.
I rolled it without signing, but I did pour hot wax and seal it with my insignia—the Sapphirus dragon breaking out of the ocean waves. Fausta would want some proof it was me, but my insignia was used by every Sapphirus in Rome.
Handing it to Koska, I said, “Be sure she burns it after she reads it. And put it in her hands yourself. Do not go through Bellona or any other servant.”
“Yes, Tribune.” He tucked the missive into the pocket of his tunic and left.
I lay back on the chaise, trying to settle my mind.
I huffed a laugh, thinking about Fausta.
She was known as a cold, fierce patrician woman—both beautiful and deadly.
There were rumors she had killed her husbands in order to gain their fortunes.
This was why she likely had no luck in finding a third.
Though there was never any proof and no one ever brought charges against her, it was believed to be true by many.
What a perfect facade to hide her true nature.
No one would suspect her of smuggling slaves out of Rome.
But if I could discover it, so could someone who intended her harm. Notably, Caesar. I had to speak with her soon.
It wasn’t Fausta who lingered in my thoughts as I drifted into sleep.
It was Lela. A tightness eased in my chest, for I might finally have a way to get her out of the city and somewhere safe.
I hated to part with her, but every day she remained inside the city walls was another day closer to danger for her.
I had to get her out, even if that meant letting her go from my life forever.
A burning sensation stirred from the deep where my dragon slept. He didn’t like that idea. Neither did I. But keeping Lela alive and getting her free of here was all that mattered now.