This is a bit of a filler chapter, necessary to get us from point A to point B. Thank you for all of the WONDERFUL reviews. For those of you itching to see a bit more "Rome", we're heading there next! I wanted to build a bit of character depth before diving into the intrigue so that it wasn't overcome with so much "Rome" that phantom phans would be turned off.
Hope you stay tuned in, and let me know what you think!
-M
(Thanks for finding the error, Maat.)
Marcus awoke feeling restless. He had spent nearly an hour the night before trying to find Caelia, only to be told by all of the other girls that she had not returned to her room. He had fretted over it for some time, before finally turning in himself.
Today he would not be swayed until he did speak with her. The list of early morning chores were put aside and instead he made his way throughout the spacious villa. He searched the kitchens, only to be swatted at by the old crone. He hurried away from there and went from place to place in search of her, at last making his way to the bath. Caelia was not present, only several of the other girls splashing at the water from it's edge. Apparently not all in the household were so concerned with the perceived threat. He rolled his eyes and turned to walk away, only to be accosted by a petite woman with flaxen hair. Her skirts were hiked up near her hips, displaying the full length of her tanned legs. Moisture ran down them in droplets, and the small hands she lifted to his neck were moist as well.
"Marcus," she purred against his chin as she pressed a kiss there. "It has been far too long since you have come to me."
"Ahh," Marcus stuttered as he lifted his hands to curl about her familiar, rounded shoulders. He gently pushed her back.
"I am rather busy, Corrina. We shall have to resume this conversation later."
The sensual creature that would have appealed so very much to Marcus before did not hold the same command over him. Though she was undoubtedly desirable, something was missing. It was not the same.
Marcus felt a slight pang of regret as she pursed her pretty lips and with a saucy sway made her way back to the other girls. He could have any of them, or all of them, if he desired. But now worry clouded his mind and he could only think of Caelia. With a heavy sigh, he turned from the decadent sight and continued his search.
Caelia had awoken at least an hour after the other girls. She was quite embarrassed to have overslept and, having missed breakfast, she was famished. All of this seemed rather inconsequential as she combed through her curls and prepared for the day. All that she could think of was the events that had transpired in the night before.
Before she could prepare herself, her Master had opened his mouth and the most heavenly sound had issued forth. The song he sang was an original composition and was a tale of heartache and death. The lyrics were unimportant, however, with such a voice. She was riveted and felt the instrument of her emotions being plucked with every word. Never had she felt so enmeshed with music as in that moment. It was as if his voice coiled within her own being and swelled until it consumed every fiber. It was sheer, exquisite ecstasy.
All too soon the moment had ended, and she had been breathless. Her cheeks were moist with tears, and Caelia simply gaped at him. He smiled a bit, obviously confidant in his abilities. After her silence had continued for several moments,, he had cleared his throat and sat up a bit straighter.
"Your voice is rare, Caelia. Special. Allow me to mold it."
She had nodded dumbly, still awe-struck with this experience. There was something terribly intimate about having shared this with him, and she felt the desire to squeeze his hand or hug him tightly. That idea was frightening, though, and she clasped her hands in her lap to prevent any actions she would regret.
"Good, that is settled then. You should rest. I have kept you up far too late, and upon the sunset tomorrow we shall set off for Rome."
The euphoric haze of his singing had worn a bit then, as her jaw dropped again. "What?" Was all she managed to query.
Frankly, Lucius had startled himself as well. In all of his planning he had eventually decided that a visit to the city was in order. He had also decided to take at least a half dozen of his servants. He despised travel so very much and a caravan of slaves were remarkably less conspicuous than a lone masked rider on a horse. He had not, however, included Caelia in any of those plans. He had spoken the words before he even realized it, and could not bring himself to regret it now even in the shock.
He liked Caelia. He enjoyed Caelia. He owned Caelia. Who would tell him he could not enjoy her company? A bit like a petulant child who had been denied for far too long, Lucius decided at that moment that no one would take this sweet companionship away.
The two had parted only moments after, and it had been hours before Caelia could sleep. The sound of his voice echoed about in her mind, until she was squirming within her bed.
Caelia yawned, and finally stepped out into the corridors. She had few belongings, and so preparing for the trip had been little effort. All that remained now was to carry out her typical chores and wait for further instruction.
Why were they traveling to Rome at all? Was it related to the chaos of the day before? What sort of business would require the accompaniment of a slave? A new slave, nonetheless, and a woman?
Caelia headed toward the atrium, eager to taste sunlight upon her flesh. As she hurried along, she ran headlong into Marcus. He seemed as startled as she at first, and then immensely relieved.
"Caelia!" He breathed, hands grasping at her shoulders to pull her in for a tight squeeze. He released her as quickly, and Caelia was left blushing and more than a little confused.
"Good morning, Marcus.." she said softly.
"I looked for you all night, I was worried terribly when the girls said you hadn't returned. What kept you? Is all well? With all that is going on, you really shouldn't disappear. I thought something may have.."
Caelia cut him off with a shake of her head.
"You need not worry, Marcus, I am fine.." she said, suddenly feeling rather nervous to admit her location. It seemed far too personal to speak of.
"Were you here at all?" He pressed.
Caelia forced a little laugh and stepped around him.
"Of course I was!"
"Caelia.." he called, not at all put off by her avoidance. Before he could continue, though, Aelus called to him.
"Marcus, a word please."
Marcus passed an apologetic glance to Caelia, which she returned with a bit of a smile. When he turned to follow after the older man, Caelia released a sigh of relief.
"You seem taken with her," Aelus observed as he strolled the length of the hall with Marcus.
Marcus seemed a bit put off with the comment and shrugged his broad shoulders in an attempt to convince Aelus that it was all rather inconsequential.
Not to be fooled, however, Aelus simply chuckled.
"Another one to conquest, eh?" He continued in a teasing manner.
Marcus scowled and stopped abruptly.
"Never," he said between clenched teeth. The tension was palpable for a long moment, until Aelus began to laugh aloud and Marcus realized he had given himself away entirely. He grumbled, but fell into step beside Aelus once again.
"The Master has requested a party of six or more to accompany him to Rome at nightfall. I suppose you impressed him with your loyalty in the market the other day. He only asked for two by name, and you were one of them."
Marcus seemed surprised, and did not bother trying to hide it.
"Rome? Why?"
Aelus shrugged in the same way Marcus had, though they both knew that he did in fact understand a great deal more about the situation than anyone else. Aelus was the man most trusted in the entire household by the Master.
Marcus accepted the answer begrudgingly, then asked with a bit of alarm.
"How long shall we be gone?"
Aelus chuckled yet again, and replied in a voice laced with amusement.
"I am not sure, Marcus. I wouldn't worry about your little interest, however. The Master requested her by name as well."
Marcus stopped dead in his tracks, and Aelus either didn't notice or didn't care. He continued.
"Be ready at nightfall, Marcus."
With that he disappeared around the next corner and left Marcus staring after him.
Lucius had a personal interest in Caelia? The thought angered and alarmed him, but also left him feeling a bit helpless. Usually he did not mind his station terribly, as he lived a blessed life compared to most slaves. In this, however, he was reminded that he was indeed a slave and if Lucius Julius Caesar desired Caelia for himself, there was little he could do to thwart it.
Red-faced and steaming, he blew several curses to the gods and then stormed away to prepare for the journey ahead.
