Thaddeus grabbed him around the neck and pushed him beneath the water. When Skaia’s head came up, he dunked himself. “I am a Roman,” he laughed when he emerged. “We aren’t the same as barbarians.”
Skaia coughed several times and then smiled in spite of himself. “Yes, sir,” he agreed. “Romans
are
different.”
Thaddeus just stared for several seconds as water dripped from Skaia’s hair. He was incredibly tempted to pull the boy closer and kiss him.
No,
he told himself.
Not here. Not now.
“How is your foot?” he asked abruptly.
Skaia looked down, wondering what had just happened. “It… it’s fine, sir. But I lost my cloth in the first pool.”
“
Your skin has also lost its little bumps. It’s time to get out.”
Looking at himself, Skaia realized he no longer felt chilled. And when Thaddeus took the steps out of the pool, he followed.
After they were dressed again, Skaia hoped they would leave, but Thaddeus led the way down another long hallway. They reached a chamber that took Skaia’s breath away. His eyes were drawn to the ceiling—arches of white marble outlined with rich polished wooden beams. The walls were of pale green marble swirled lavishly with white. The reclining couches in the room were a deep green that seemed to highlight the color of the walls—and floor.
Skaia was so stunned at the architecture that he lost sight of which way Thaddeus had gone. In panic, he looked around the room and spotted his master staring at him from one of the couches. Lowering his head, he quickly approached.
“
Kneel in front of me,” Thaddeus instructed him sternly. Skaia obeyed and almost immediately felt Thaddeus’ hand tangle in his hair. He anticipated the grip would soon turn painful and was surprised when Thaddeus only stroked his head lightly.
Thaddeus, Marco and the other men who were seated around the table began talking of the filth in Rome since Caesar had taken power. Most of them obviously blamed Caesar for the decline in city services, but Thaddeus did not seem to agree. At least, he did not voice agreement.
Skaia listened to the conversation, having noticed the smell himself on the walk. Marco blamed the homeless, saying they used the public roadways as toilets. Someone else spoke out, saying, “Caesar will round them up when he returns. They should be fodder for the games for months to come.” There was hearty laughter from the whole group and Skaia leaned back into Thaddeus’ hands, suddenly needing the comfort.
He felt his master stroke his neck. And then Thaddeus leaned over to speak to him. “Go to the vendor and purchase six cups of their best wine.” He slipped the boy two coins and Skaia stood to do his bidding.
Thaddeus and his companions watched as he walked away, and Skaia knew that they talked of him, though he could not hear what they said. He returned with a tray bearing the cups of wine and served each man. When he was done, he knelt again before Thaddeus.
“
You should have told me you were taking the pretty thing in the water,” Marco laughed. “I would have waited for you.”
Thaddeus laughed, too, but his hand rested possessively on Skaia’s neck. “Maybe next time.”
“
What’s this I’ve heard about renovations to your town-home?” someone asked.
Thaddeus looked at the man almost gratefully and began to speak. Several of the men questioned him extensively and Thaddeus answered openly, except when it came to cost. As he talked, his hand ran through Skaia’s curls before coming to rest on his neck again.
Skaia found himself leaning into the touch, as Thaddeus’ fingers now rubbed his neck gently. But his mind raced. Glaucus had never touched him like this, or indicated such affection in front of anyone else—apart from that final day. Still, he wondered if what Thaddeus was showing was affection, or a simple show of ownership. Regardless, the gentle massage felt wonderful and he did not want it to end.
“
My family and I will be staying at our Umbrian villa,” Thaddeus was saying, “while the construction is on-going. Father wasn’t too thrilled at first,” he laughed, “but he will be selecting plants for his gardens, so he’s warming to the idea. He’s been teaching this boy, so he will have help in the country.”
Skaia looked up then, realizing he would be going, too, after having been left behind for all these years. He bowed his head again, and felt Thaddeus’ fingers resume the massage on his neck and shoulders.
After a little more talk with his friends, Thaddeus spoke directly to him. “Return the cups and tray, Skaia. We’ll be leaving soon.”
As Skaia was returning, he watched Thaddeus kiss each man on the cheek and embrace him. Thaddeus glanced at Skaia, and motioned him to follow as he headed to the exit.
There were litters outside to be hired and Thaddeus looked at Skaia. “Does your foot hurt?”
“
No, Master,” Skaia answered, looking at his feet.
“
Then we’ll walk.” But instead of moving toward the road, Thaddeus led the way to the side of the bathhouse and pointed out the formal gardens. “This is the sort of thing my father wants to try.”
“
Yes, sir,” Skaia nodded. “He showed me his sketches this morning.” He looked over the vast expanse of plantings, noticing how the height went from very low where they were standing, to tall trees closer to the next building. “It is more like the garden at Antius’ home. I thought…” He stopped talking, thinking he should not criticize anything.
When Thaddeus continued to look at the garden, he did as well. “These plants are very beautiful, sir. Will Master Paulinus be able to get such large ones at your farm, sir?”
“
It’s not exactly a farm, Skaia,” Thaddeus remarked, thinking of the grand villa. “But, yes, I think most of what father wants can be found there.” He laughed softly. “If they couldn’t, I doubt he would be coming. He’d stay in Rome and pester the builders so badly they’d get nothing done.”
They took a leisurely stroll home, and Thaddeus pointed out many of the more important buildings. Skaia was given permission to speak and he asked innumerable questions, which Thaddeus answered patiently. When they were back at home once again, Thaddeus sent Skaia straight to his rooms.
“
I want you to serve at dinner tonight, and you should rest first.” He touched the boy’s lips. “I have to go get my lecture from father now.”
“
Lecture, sir?”
Thaddeus grinned. “About taking better care of you.”
And admitting father is right,
he thought as he turned toward Paulinus’ rooms. After this delightful afternoon, he could no longer deny he enjoyed Skaia’s company.
Or that he might care for him…
He refused to think of Glaucus returning, of Glaucus demanding the slave be returned to him. No, thoughts of that possibility could wait for another day…
XIII
Lucius and Paulinus were sitting outside on the bench that overlooked the main garden area in the peristylium. They were talking quietly when Thaddeus arrived, and Lucius got up immediately to retreat inside. Paulinus looked at his son and patted the vacated spot on the bench. “Sit.”
“
You needn’t look so upset, Father,” Thaddeus said as he took his seat. “I bought Skaia a new pair of shoes.”
“
I was sure you would,” Paulinus smiled, “just as soon as you noticed that he no longer wore those wretched things he had. But you should have taken care of it before I had to.”
Lucius reappeared with two cups of honeyed water. He offered them to the masters before going into the garden to water the newly planted grasses. Thaddeus found he was glad for the interruption. He had been sure he was ready to accept his father’s censure, but it seemed he still hated it as much as he had when he was a child. “It was Glaucus who left him here with those wretched things as you called them. My son should have bought him new shoes.”
“
Glaucus was never allowed to take his slave out of the domus. How was he supposed to find a pair that fit Skaia properly?” Paulinus argued.
“
A slave doesn’t need carefully fitted shoes,” Thaddeus retorted, letting some of his frustration show. “Glaucus could have guessed the size—or instructed Castor to handle the matter.”
“
Skaia is not a house slave, Thaddeus. And Castor is not responsible for such things unless his master specifically asks,” Paulinus replied. “Besides, if Skaia is to accompany you in public, he should have something better than common slave sandals. More like what you would get for Thane.”
Thaddeus watched Lucius quietly for another minute. “Perhaps you’re right,” he finally answered. “But Skaia should have told me he needed shoes.”
“
Yes—he certainly should have,” Paulinus agreed. “And I told him so.” He sipped his water, giving them both a moment to calm down. “As I recall, you took Thane with you almost everywhere. And bought him whatever he needed. Why did you never allow Glaucus to take Skaia out of the domus?”
“
The relationship between Thane and me was not the same as that between Glaucus and Skaia. I didn’t dote on Thane, and Thane didn’t presume on me. He certainly never insisted on learning to read and write,” Thaddeus said bluntly.
And he did not have the looks that would attract attention,
Paulinus thought suddenly. But he contained his remark to simply reply to Thaddeus. “I suspect there were times when you wished he’d had those skills.” Paulinus paused and looked directly at his son. “Why did you never replace Thane?”
Thaddeus didn’t answer right away. To think of Thane’s death still upset him, far more than he was willing to admit. He took a deep breath. “I found I could get along quite well without him. The household slaves meet my needs now.”
“
Nonsense. We all need someone we can count on. You have cut yourself off from a very valuable source of support.” Paulinus glanced to Lucius. “You may regret that, when you get to be an old man like me,” he said, as he continued to sip his water. “It’s not just you Thaddeus. Your daughter sees how you act with Skaia. And she has begun to treat the slaves harshly, too.”
“
I’m not harsh,” Thaddeus objected. “You’re just upset because my friends and I put Skaia through his paces. To teach him what slavery really means. Which my son sorely neglected to do.”
Paulinus shook his head sadly. “Skaia knows what slavery means now. Just as Thane did. But you would never have forced Thane to submit to being fucked by your friends. It would have destroyed him.”
“
It’s different with Skaia and Glaucus,” Thaddeus said defensively. “Glaucus had come to think of Skaia as his friend, not his slave. For the gods’ sakes, Father, he wanted to take that boy to Greece with him.”
“
He did,” Paulinus agreed. “And you were right to put a stop to it. But Skaia hardly deserves to be punished for Glaucus’ mistake.”
“
Glaucus didn’t make a mistake!” Thaddeus replied angrily. “How can you say that? Blame Glaucus for such a thing? It was the damn slave’s fault—he talked Glaucus into taking him.”
Paulinus sighed and watched Lucius work, thinking his slave was much too old for such things. He looked at the small plants as he recalled Thaddeus’ earlier comment. That Glaucus had failed to teach Skaia the meaning of slavery. And yet, now, somehow, it was all Skaia’s fault again…
Interesting,
he mused,
how my son places blame so randomly.
He took another drink of water before looking at Thaddeus again. “I remember Glaucus and Skaia playing here as children. Glaucus would always pretend to be Alexander,” he smiled. “And Skaia was always a defeated Persian.”
Thaddeus actually laughed. “I should have watched them more often. I could have instructed Glaucus on how to use a defeated Persian.”