36. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Leukos glanced over his shoulder and then turned down a small alleyway. The path was dark, but torches flickered in the distance.
They walked in silence, heading for a wooden fence and sprawling stone house beyond. Lit sconces lined the outside walls, revealing a colonnaded porch and richly panelled double doors plated with bronze. A guard dog lay on the porch, one ear pricked forward as they approached. The building was quiet except for the occasional grunt and cry of the farm animals penned in the courtyard.
“Stay here,” Leukos said. “I’ll make sure it’s safe.”
He slipped one hand through the fence, and the guard dog trotted closer, sniffing the Megarian. It wagged its tail, and Leukos scratched its head before climbing over the gates and disappearing into the night.
The slaves glanced at Alena, awaiting orders.
“Let’s sit down while we wait.” Pain throbbed through her injured hand, but she forced a smile and sat, leaning against the wooden fence.
The boy and girl followed suit, and then San squatted down on one knee, keeping her son close.
“What’s his name?” Alena asked her.
San peered down at him, and the crease between her eyebrows eased. “Kaixo.”
They waited in the darkness until the doors creaked open and voices resonated through the courtyard.
“By the Sea, Leukos,” a voice muttered in Koine. “You sure chose the right time to come knocking at my door. Let’s get everybody inside first, and then you’ll have some explaining to do.”
The bright flames of a torch stung Alena’s eyes, and she squinted.
“The Cyprian herself! What a sight to behold.”
In the flickering light stood an old man with wispy white hair and a beard. He was older than what she’d expected, older than her father even. An elegant sandy tunic was draped over one shoulder, leaving part of his hairy chest and arm bare.
The old man gave her a warm smile, and she blushed. He’d compared her to the Cyprian—the Achaean goddess of love.
“Leukos, you should have mentioned you were travelling with a lady. And with such unusual hair. Quick, my lovely, come inside before the city guards see you.”
After a quick glance at Leukos, who nodded in reassurance, Alena passed through the gates. The others followed close behind.
“How many slaves exactly did you bring me?” the man asked. He spotted San as she stepped into the light and did a double take. “By the Sea God’s beard! Non-Humans, too?”
Leukos hurried them along. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll explain everything.”
The old man led them through the heavy double doors, topped with a stone lintel inscribed with Rhaetic, and moved straight into a small vestibule with a bright mosaic floor depicting dogs.
“Felix!” he called out.
At once, a young man appeared, and the two exchanged a few Rhaetic words. Felix bowed his head, then spoke to the slaves, whilst San glanced at Alena in apprehension.
“What’s going on?” Alena asked.
“My servant, Felix, will take the slaves to the kitchen to be fed. He’ll take care of them and ensure they have clean straw to sleep on.”
San shook her head, clutching Kaixo against her.
“It’s all right,” Alena said, taking her aside. “They’ll give you food. You need to eat.”
“Stay,” the mother pleaded. “Mistress, stay.”
Alena placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I need to speak with the master of this house, but please, eat some food, bathe, and then I’ll come find you.” She turned to Leukos and his friend. “May San and her boy stay with me tonight?”
The older man scoffed at her question until he realised it was a serious one. His face fell. “My sweet girl, the idea of Non-Humans staying under the same roof as their masters, it’s simply unheard of! Their place is in the barn with the animals.”
Alena rankled at his suggestion. “Then I’ll sleep outside in the barn with them.”
The man’s expression contorted with visible dismay, and he shot a speechless look at Leukos, whose lips twitched with amusement. “And I will sleep there, too, to watch over them,” he said.
“Absolutely not, I will not have it.” After a beat, the old man let out an exaggerated sigh. “Very well, then, they may stay in the guest quarters. I do not like it one bit, but I will not have anyone say that House Acilius did not live up to its reputable hospitality. Besides, you are not only a guest, Leukos, you are also a family friend, and any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Now come along, we have much to discuss.”
With a brief nod and a smile from Alena, San trailed behind Felix and the others, tugging Kaixo along. The group disappeared down a narrow corridor, and the old man headed in another direction. “Follow me.”
They were led to an open living space with a garden and fountain at its centre. Alena faltered, admiring the many vases, statues, and brightly painted walls. She’d never witnessed such luxury before.
“This way,” Leukos whispered. He took her elbow with surprising tenderness and guided her with care through the Rasennan house. A fierce blush rose to her cheeks, but he stared ahead, his expression locked in a pensive frown.
They entered a side room, and a sweet aroma hit her nose. The candle-lit space exuded opulence with vibrant rugs strewn across the floor and wooden chests, overflowing with scrolls, lining the painted walls.
“We’ll be quite alone in here.” The man slid a curtain behind them and settled down on a cushioned, reclining chair.
When Leukos opened his mouth to speak, the man held up a hand.
“First, I believe introductions are in order.” He faced Alena, bringing his hand over his heart. “My name is Titus Acilius, but you may call me by my Achaean name, Agapios. I have yet the pleasure of knowing yours.”
She cleared her throat. “Alena.”
A delighted sparkle gleamed in his eyes. “Ah, a strong Achaean name with an interesting twist. Derived from Helene, I assume? I like it.”
“She’s from the Freefolk lands”—Leukos interrupted with a scowl—“and she doesn’t have time for your small talk. Now, may we begin?”
Agapios snorted. “I see your manners have not improved in the time we spent apart despite all my teachings.”
Leukos crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. “And I see your inclination to serenade younger women hasn’t waned.”
His words lingered in the air, and a silent understanding flowed between the two friends until Agapios’ lips quirked. He ran a hand through his long beard, his amusement too evident to conceal, and even Leukos’ seemed to relax.
“Forgive me, my friend.” Agapios leaned on his side, one arm propped on the back of his chair, and gestured to a silver cup on the low table. With an air of reluctance, Leukos passed it to him. “It has been too long since I have received company and even longer since I have seen such a red-headed beauty.”
Alena squirmed beneath his gaze, pushing a few strands of her auburn hair behind her ear. The Freefolk had often whispered about its colour behind her back, but none had ever admired it so vocally before.
Leukos cast Agapios a warning glance, which the older Achaean ignored.
“The Freefolk Lands, indeed. How fascinating! The Freefolk are nothing more than a myth to the Rasennans, but my father always said there was some truth to it. Let us pray the Emperor never learns of their whereabouts.”
Alena’s insides twisted at the thought. If the Rasennan army ever swarmed the steppe and reached the camps, it would be a massacre.
“But you are right, my friend,” Agapios went on, taking a long sip from his cup. “It is already late. Tell me, how can I help you?”
“I need to get word to the others,” Leukos said, his voice taking on a serious tone. “I need to find out where they’re staying. Have any buzzards flown by recently?”
“Not that I’ve seen, but the Rasennan army was in town the day before last and have left some men behind. If any birds were to arrive, I imagine they would do so once it’s safe. You should visit the Achaean temple outside the city walls. They may have received a message instead of me.”
Buzzards? Were the rebels somehow using them to communicate with one another?
“There is another matter.” Leukos nodded at Alena to take over.
She stepped closer to their host. “I’m searching for my sister. Slavers took her while we were on our way to Achaea and brought her to Bruna during the last full moon, perhaps earlier. We’ve searched the slave markets, but there was no sign of her.” She hesitated for a beat before adding, “She’s Gifted with formidable strength, and it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.”
“If she’s Gifted, then there’s no doubt Lucius Aurelius, the arena master, bought her.” Agapios then gave a grunt, struggling to sit his large frame up again. “He almost always gets the first pick of the Gifted in this city.”
Alena froze, remembering the circular amphitheatre that towered over the market. “The arena?”
“The fighting pit, where the best warriors in the Empire fight for honour and freedom—or so we’re told.” He got to his feet and picked up the nearest pitcher on the desk, cup in hand. “But make no mistake, my dear, the warriors are all slaves, and fighting is their only way to survive. No one ever leaves the Pit unless they’re dead.”
“Dead?” Blood drained from Alena’s face, and her legs gave way. Before she collapsed, two strong arms wrapped around her waist.
“Mind your tongue,” Leukos snapped at the older man, helping Alena sit down on the nearest cushioned bench. “She hasn’t eaten or slept properly for days, and only the hope of finding her sister has kept her alive.”
“Best she faces the truth now rather than later. From what I heard, not even the arena’s Amazon warrior was able to make it out alive.” Agapios poured wine into a glass cup and passed it to him. “Here, some wine will help. I’ll have Felix bring in some food and send for my healer. You must be famished. Please rest, I’ll be back soon.”
As soon as he left, Leukos knelt before Alena and held the cup to her lips. The strong scent of alcohol made her head spin, yet she opened her mouth and drank.
“Your sister is strong.” His voice was low and soft, his warm hand still holding her hip. “Even if she was sent to the arena, her fighting skills and strength may have kept her alive. Not to mention her healing magic.”
Alena nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Her throat closed at the thought of losing Katell, and the backs of her eyes burned.
She couldn’t lose her sister before she’d even found her again.
“Agapios is a good man. I trust him with my life.” Leukos stood, heading to the wine pitcher. “He saved my companions and me after the Megarian massacre. Once the Rasennan army had slaughtered everyone in the palace, they swept through the city, looking for other nobles who may have escaped.”
He poured himself a drink, then paused, his knuckles turning white around the cup. Tousled strands of hair draped over his eyes, obscuring the inner turmoil that lay beneath. When he spoke, his hushed words were heavy with the painful memories of his past. “The Legions spared no one, and if it hadn’t been for Agapios’ quick thinking and connections, we never would have made it out alive.”
The moment passed, and he gulped down his cup before coming to sit next to her on the bench.
“He’ll know what to do.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Let’s eat, get some rest, and then we can come up with a plan in the morning.”
He looked exhausted. Alena wanted to ask if his wounds were bothering him, but when she opened her mouth, he dragged a hand through his hair and heaved a deep breath in a rare moment of vulnerability.
“I’m worried about the two Non-Humans staying with you,” he said.
A frustrated breath escaped her. “They have names, you know. I told you the mother is called San.”
“Still, I’m worried about what the boy might do. He already bit your hand.” He took her bandaged hand in his own, and his gentle touch made her skin tingle.
She bit her lip, unable to meet his gaze. “I’ll be fine. He needs time to adjust. He must have known only violence all his life. I hope in time, he’ll learn to trust us.”
His fingers gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, taking her by surprise. Her stomach tightened at the intimate gesture, and she met Leukos’ gaze beside her. Dark irises flecked with icy blue stared back at her, his fingers still entangled in her hair, and her pulse quickened.
The dark circles beneath his eyes and the scruffy stubble on his face added a touch of rugged charm that made him, if possible, even more striking.
“You really are too good for this world,” he said, his voice a low murmur.
Alena’s breath caught, the air around her growing thin. Something in his gaze shifted, and her mind darted to Scylas, remembering how he’d often stared at Katell with the same intensity.
A look he’d often sealed with a kiss.
Alena’s gaze dropped to Leukos’ lips.
Her thoughts veered towards the idea of kissing him, and a strange heat spread through her chest. Did he think about her that way? It was hard to tell. Leukos, the prideful son of a Silver Shield, was impossible to read. A man full of secrets, one who had both cut her with his words and protected her life. A man who’d promised to help her save Katell.
Fate had bound them together, whether they wished it or not.
His dark eyes searched hers, and the rough pad of his thumb brushed over her cheekbone, making her heart flutter.
The door creaked open, and they both jumped apart, Leukos dropping his hand. Agapios strode back in, oblivious to what he’d interrupted. Felix trailed behind, carrying a tray laden with an array of food platters.
“Fill your empty stomachs, my friends.” The older Megarian lay back on the low couch, surveying the small feast set before him with satisfaction. “May the Twelve make you forget about your troubles tonight and let you face tomorrow with renewed strength.”
Alena thanked him and then busied herself with meat cuts and flatbread, trying not to imagine what might have happened if Agapios hadn’t returned.
Leukos followed her lead, piling up food on a terracotta plate. He reached for the bread, and warmth seeped through her tunic as his chest brushed against her arm.
Out of the corner of her eye, Alena glimpsed a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.