Skaia (97 page)

I want him, too,
Thaddeus thought.
And not so tired every night.
“Gallia, we all adore your daughter. But we all can’t give up our daily routine to be with her. Please talk to the girls. If you think neither of them will do, I’ll have some slave women sent here for you to choose from.”

Gallia’s eyes filled with tears, but she understood by now that Thaddeus would not give in. “Yes, Father. I’m just sorry you think Glauca and I are so much trouble.”

“
That is not what I said, Gallia. I love you and my granddaughter very much. But I need Skaia now to prepare for Glaucus’ arrival. I can’t have your family, and my friends, coming here with the grounds in such poor condition.”

Gallia nodded, and even managed a smile. “I suppose you’re right. My mother would be appalled at how high the grass is.” She thought of the beautifully manicured lawn at her parent’s villa. “Skaia really is an amazing talent with the gardens.” She smiled wistfully. “In a way, it’s a shame Glauca likes him so much.”

“
I suspect your mother would be unhappy to hear it.”

This time, Gallia actually laughed. “Yes, she was very angry when I told her he changed Glauca’s soiled cloths. I never told her the rest—how I have him play with her every day, and sing to her when she’s cranky.”

Thaddeus smiled at the comments, recalling how much he enjoyed watching such moments between his slave and grandchild, too. He stood and pulled Gallia into his arms, hugging her close before he let her go. “I love you, Daughter,” he whispered into her hair.

When Skaia understood that Festa had taken his place with Glauca, he had cried for almost an entire day.

Within only a few weeks, Gotus and Aulus had learned how to cut grass evenly, and took over the grounds surrounding the villa. Skaia spent more of his time in planning what needed to be done rather than actually doing all the work himself, and Thaddeus was delighted that his energy level had risen for their activities at night.

With everything that had happened, Skaia assumed his birthday had been forgotten. They had just left Rome when the day passed, but he had thought Thaddeus might mark it in some way when they reached the villa. But months had passed now, and Thaddeus had still done nothing.

One night, when Thaddeus was meeting with some of the freemen who worked on his estate, Skaia had examined his body in the shining metal mirror. He knew he’d grown almost as tall as Thaddeus, but the other changes surprised him. His shoulders had broadened, his hips seemed to have narrowed—and he thought he was more man now than boy, though he would never carry the very masculine appearance of Glaucus or Thaddeus—or even Gotus. He was gratified for that much, but still he began to wonder if Thaddeus would dismiss him because of it. Or, at the very least, take someone younger to his bed.

His distress over his appearance grew the more he thought about it, and he fretted as he rearranged his master’s wardrobe.

He worried even more when Thaddeus returned and didn’t order him to undress. Instead, he was called to the front room and instructed to sit.
I am being dismissed,
he told himself miserably… But Thaddeus played tenderly with his curls before handing him a well-wrapped package.

Skaia looked up at him questioningly, and Thaddeus answered easily, “I’m sure you thought I’d forgotten your birthday. Gallia and I talked about having a celebration before Glauca was born, but the present took far longer to locate than I expected and… and then everything else happened, too. It was only forwarded from Rome recently. Gallia suggested it.”

With hands that shook, Skaia carefully unwrapped the layers of cloth and paper. Finally revealing a scroll. A very old one from the looks of it, and Skaia handled it delicately.

“
It’s not that fragile,” Thaddeus laughed. “It’s goatskin. If you’re careful, it should last a few hundred more years. At least for the rest of your life.”

Skaia grinned at the joke but still opened the gift carefully. The language was Greek, old Greek—before Latin had influenced everything. Skaia made out the first words…
Alexander of Macedon. A History.

He looked up in awe. This small piece of parchment was worth far more than he was. “Master… I don’t know what to say. It… it’s wonderful,” he said breathlessly.
You shouldn’t have,
came to mind, but he held the words in. “How did Gallia… I mean, how did Mistress Gallia know I would like such a thing, sir?”

Thaddeus smiled sincerely at Skaia’s happiness. “It would appear that she and Glaucus spoke of you. She knew you liked to read. And that both you and Glaucus were fascinated by Alexander.” He watched Skaia’s expression. “You’re really pleased?”

“
Oh, yes, Master. Thank you,” Skaia answered, standing up and throwing his arms around Thaddeus’ back.

“
Thank Gallia tomorrow, too, at the belated celebration,” Thaddeus instructed softly, as his hands began their slow exploration of his slave’s body.

“
Yes, Thaddeus. I will.”

Clothes came off, bodies touched, and soon nothing else mattered but getting to bed… When Thaddeus slept, Skaia wept. But they were tears of joy. And gratitude that Thaddeus still wanted him.

Pornecia’s garden was done as well as Skaia could manage without access to cultured flowering plants. He had grouped wild flowers close to a large boulder, and was satisfied with the bright touches of color.

Gallia and Festa came almost every day to play with Glauca in the now beautiful open space, and Skaia was reassured by her presence that he had not fallen out of favor with his mistress. The baby still remembered him, and scooted to him on her knees frequently. But on the days Thaddeus joined them, Skaia would step away so Glauca would go to him.

When word arrived that Glaucus was close, there was another flurry of activity to get the extra rooms prepared for Gallia’s family. Eventually it was done, and all was ready the day that Thaddeus’ eldest son finally arrived.

Glaucus appeared older, and no longer seemed to be the brash youth who had left them. He embraced Gallia eagerly, holding her tight and burying his face in her hair. He cried with joy at seeing his new daughter for the first time, picking her up and kissing her face, before going across to hug his father. He only nodded as he passed Skaia.

To Thaddeus’ disappointment, Antius and Flavius had declined his invitation to visit, but all of Gallia’s family had come. The first few days were spent in celebration, and the kitchens were continually busy preparing meals.

Skaia, Gotus and Kaleel were assigned to serve at each meal. If Lady Attia remembered Skaia, she gave no sign. The only time she gave any hint of disapproval was when Glauca insisted on going to him when he served at Gallia’s table at dinner one night.

Thereafter, Skaia avoided their table when Glauca was present. And he also left the garden when Attia accompanied her daughter to play with her granddaughter.

The Galliani family returned to their own villa after ten days, and Glaucus began to spend more time with his father. Thaddeus never sent Skaia away, and when he wasn’t busy with the gardens and grounds, he listened to their talk.

He was present when Glaucus explained that young Octavian had been named Caesar’s heir, to almost everyone’s surprise. Anthony had held him back from assuming power until he finally left the city to seek military support.

“
I have no idea what will happen, Father. Octavian is only my age, but Anthony seems almost drunk with his power—and he maintains his close relationship with Octavian’s mother. If Anthony had any legal claim, I feel sure he would assume the dictatorship himself. I often wonder what Trestus thinks, or if he regrets aligning with the man.”

Thaddeus cared little of what happened with Trestus. “What of you and your future, Glaucus? Since the Senate remains intact, will you have other assignments?”

“
I think I should be insulted,” Glaucus laughed. “If it weren’t for my youth, I would already be heading my next mission. Senator Scipio and his compatriots were very pleased with my work in Sicily. Unfortunately, I will have to return to Rome for further instruction.”

“
Not now, surely,” Thaddeus objected. “It’s too dangerous. Even that old Jew with the horses has left. He said there were riots in the streets.”

“
It’s not that bad,” Glaucus disagreed, shaking his head. “Senator Scipio says most of the rabble has been crushed and we’re safe to return at any time. But I still have a few months before I receive my next assignment. I’ll stay and enjoy the country for as long as I can. Gallia and Glauca love it here.” He stopped, and looked at Skaia. “How in the world did this slave win Gallia over?”

“
Fairly simple,” Thaddeus smiled. “His blood is very red.”

“
What?”

“
Come, we’ll discuss it over lunch with your wife.”

Skaia watched them leave, and then left for the garden. He wondered if Abrahm had kept Nicea with him when he moved. And found it sad to think that Nicea would not find it surprising if he was left behind, or sold…

Thaddeus was overjoyed to have Glaucus back, and spent as much time as he could with his son and younger children. Almost every afternoon, there was a walk in the woods by the river. Thera was always with Thaddia, as Fraca was with Gallia. And Kaleel sometimes accompanied Crassus. But Skaia was left out. Thaddeus had taught him to tally the counts associated with the farms and he was usually kept to those tasks during the day now that the garden only needed routine maintenance.