Skaia (80 page)

Scipio turned, obviously angry at the interruption. But when he saw it was his host, he reluctantly released Skaia. “And what is so important that it takes you away from your guests at a time like this?”

“
Forgive me, Senator. I’m sorry to interrupt you at such a… an awkward moment. But, we were about to raise a toast in your honor when, I realized you were gone.” Thaddeus smiled sheepishly and shrugged, as if embarrassed. “Your presence is required, sir. If you will return to my son, I will join you in just a moment.”

The Senator was still not happy, and he sighed loudly to let it be known. But there were many wealthy and influential people here, ones he could ill-afford to offend, and so he headed out of the garden.

As soon as Scipio was gone, Thaddeus picked up Skaia’s breechcloth and handed it to him. “Did the bastard hurt you?”

Skaia was shaking, and there were tears in his eyes. “No, Master.”

Thaddeus hesitated barely a moment before pulling Skaia to his chest. “Thank the gods,” he whispered. “Go to my rooms now. And stay there.”

He watched as the boy ran off, and only then walked back to rejoin his guests, where he offered no explanation of his absence. Or of the coal dust on his toga. Lifting Scipio’s hand, Thaddeus declared, “I wish to thank my honored guest for being here tonight, and for doing us the honor of announcing the nuptials of our dear children. Please, everyone, drink a toast to Senator Marcus Sennius Scipio.”

There was applause, and the cups were tipped again. By now, Scipio was smiling and turned to speak graciously to each guest, once more firmly entrenched in his role as master politician.

Thaddeus thought the evening seemed to go on forever, but finally the guests began to leave. He stood with Attia and Titus to bid each one farewell. The Gallianis were the last to depart, and they all embraced Thaddeus and thanked him for his help and hospitality.

When they were finally alone, Glaucus turned to his father. “What happened earlier? I saw you leave. And then Senator Scipio returned alone.”

“
Come back to my rooms, Glaucus. We’ll talk there.”

When they arrived, Nicea and Skaia were sitting huddled in the corner of the antechamber. Both boys stood and bowed as they entered.

“
What are they doing here? Why is Skaia here?” Glaucus asked.

“
The Senator was going to rape him. I stopped it, and sent Skaia to my rooms,” Thaddeus explained.

Glaucus was livid. “You angered the Senator, for the sake of a damn slave? Father, I
need
Scipio’s support.”

Thaddeus glared at his son. “Did you hear what I just said? What is wrong with you? Sit down, Glaucus.” He turned to the slaves. “Nicea, build the fire, please. Skaia, you may return to Glaucus’ rooms now.”

Glaucus stopped him. “No, Father. I promised Gallia I would not have him in my rooms again.”

“
You will just send him away?” Thaddeus was furious, and struggled to calm himself.

Recognizing his father’s mood, Glaucus’ tone quickly became conciliatory. “It’s the one thing Gallia has asked of me, Father. I could hardly deny her. Besides, Skaia and I have discussed this, and he knew it was coming.”

Thaddeus understood. He had sent Thane away after his marriage, and the slave had not been allowed back until Pornecia requested her own room, after she was pregnant with Glaucus.
Strange,
he thought now,
that I did not consider Thane’s feelings at all…
But it was just how things were done. “What do you intend to do with Skaia?” he asked his son.

“
I’ll send him to the slave quarters. He can become one of the household slaves. We don’t spend that much time together anyway.” Glaucus was beginning to sound petulant.

Thaddeus eyed him strangely. “Will Gallia allow you to have no personal slave, or is she only upset about Skaia?”

Glaucus shrugged. “Only Skaia, I suppose. I told her about him. How we grew up together.”

“
And yet she will bring her own maid?”

“
Father, she’s moving into a new household. She will need her maid. Would you send Thaddia anywhere without Thera?”

“
No,” Thaddeus admitted, sighing softly.

“
And what if her new husband had a pretty slave boy, who was known as a whore? Wouldn’t you insist her husband be rid of him?”

“
Skaia is
not
a whore!”

Glaucus shook his head. “Regardless of what you think he is, everyone knows Scipio fucked him before. And tonight, the Senator went running after him like he was a bitch in heat. What kind of impression do you think that made on Gallia’s family? To keep whores in the house is one thing, Father, but I cannot keep one as
my
slave. Surely you see that?”

Thaddeus looked at Skaia. The boy’s mouth was trembling, and there were tears in his eyes. He turned back to his son. “I do understand, Glaucus. I just don’t like turning him into a household slave.”

Seeming to make a decision, he spoke softly to the two slaves. “Skaia, Nicea—please go help with the cleanup. I’ll come to the kitchen for you when Glaucus and I are through talking. And, Skaia…” Thaddeus dropped his voice almost to a whisper, grabbing at the boy’s arm. “Don’t do anything foolish. Promise me. Please.”

Skaia met his eyes.
Thaddeus did not want him to die.
He nodded. “I promise, sir,” he answered softly. Then, pulling from Thaddeus’ grip, he and Nicea left to do as they had been told.

Glaucus turned to his father. “What in Hades was that all about?”

Thaddeus sat at his small table. “Sit, Glaucus.”

Once his son was seated, Thaddeus looked him in the eyes. “Skaia tried to kill himself after I let Scipio have him the first time. He would rather be dead, than whore for me.” When Glaucus tried to interrupt, Thaddeus stopped him. “Or for you. He did what I told him, because of his… his affection for you. And he would have done it for you tonight, to prevent a disruption to your betrothal party. Your coldness could drive him to attempt suicide again.”

“
That is always a slave’s choice,” Glaucus replied calmly.

“
Glaucus… Damn you!”

Glaucus looked at his father, startled by his outburst. “Me? Father, you sound like a fool. Your friends must laugh at you behind your back.”

No. To my face.
Thaddeus took a deep breath, remembering his words to Glaucus. A lifetime ago…

Telling himself that this should be a happy occasion for his son, Thaddeus tried to control his temper. “We will talk of this later, Glaucus. Skaia means something to me, even if he doesn’t to you. He is… fragile right now. You will take care not to upset him any more. If not for his sake, then for mine.”

Glaucus’ voice became softer. “Gods, Father, it is not my intention to
hurt
Skaia. But a slave can’t survive being fragile. In many ways, they must be stronger than any of us. You should know that.” He got up and paced in agitation. “My primary concern is for Gallia. That doesn’t mean I have no feelings for Skaia,” he said, sitting again. “But, what would you have me do?”

“
Nicea has told me he thinks Skaia misses me, too.”

“
Too?
You mean, you miss him, Father?” Glaucus asked in surprise. He had certainly realized his father was soft on Skaia, but had not imagined the feelings ran deeper.

“
I do,” Thaddeus admitted. “I don’t know how it happened. But I have become… fond of him.”

Glaucus considered. “So, you would like him back?”

“
If being with me is acceptable to him, then… yes.”

“
Acceptable to him
?” Glaucus laughed. “Do you know what you sound like?”

Thaddeus smiled, remembering the conversation with his father when he had expressed a similar reaction. “I have a suspicion, Glaucus. I seem to have acquired all the characteristics I tried to eradicate in you.”

Glaucus nodded thoughtfully, memories flooding him. He met his father’s eyes. “Take him, if he’ll have you. I will not stand in your way.”

“
And Nicea? What of him?”

“
We should have sold him in Greece as we’d planned to,” Glaucus sighed.

Thaddeus considered what his son said, but he was already sure he would not order that the Greek youth be sold. “Is there some reason, Glaucus, that you dislike him so much? He seems to me to be a very good slave.”

“
He
is
a good slave, Father, but he’s much too pretty. And, besides, Gallia knows about him as well. How we all used him on our trip.”

Looking at his son, Thaddeus sighed. “I wish you great happiness in your marriage, Glaucus. But, I should point out, that complete honesty may not always be the best possible course.”

Glaucus nodded and smiled. “Yes, I begin to see that.”

Thaddeus sat alone thinking for some time after Glaucus left him. He knew he was being foolish. But he couldn’t help it.
Or
wouldn’t, even if I could.
Eventually though, he knew he had to fetch the slaves. There were few solutions, and none that could be settled on this night.

Reluctantly, he went to get them.

In the kitchen, Castor was seated at the table with Skaia and Nicea, Gotus and Meera. Everyone but Castor stood, as Thaddeus moved to join them, demanding angrily, “Sit.”

With everyone settled, he asked more calmly, “Are there any of those sweet cheese things left?”

Meera stood again. “Yes, Master. I’ll get them, sir.”

She returned with a tray and set it before Thaddeus. He took one, before pushing the food towards Castor. “There are enough for all of us. Everybody may have one.”

Castor, Gotus, and Meera selected theirs quickly, but neither Skaia nor Nicea made any movement. Thaddeus looked at them. “Damn it, take one. They’re good.” The boys glanced at one another before they obeyed him.

“
Have the rented slaves left?” Thaddeus asked Castor.

The old slave looked up. “Yes, sir. Their owner was waiting outside for everyone to leave. He took them as soon as the last guest departed.”

“
Did they get to eat?”