It's a Love Thing (52 page)

“
I’m not ordering my
friends, Bastisza. Never did, never will. I order my army, not my
friends. I played with them in the dirt, shared the same bread, and
you want me to order them?”

“
It's wrong, Ilias.”
Bastisza’s voice is harsh; I suppose I deserve it. He sharpens his
dagger, one rhythmic move after another. He takes a few deep
breaths, then speaks again, “Forgive me for speaking my mind, but
the kind of equal ruling you sought for Dacia after the battle … it
may not work. People need an iron fist to be their leader,
represent and protect them.”

I stand and stretch my arm toward
Bastisza. “I have to try it. I’m a visionary who believes that
mankind can live peacefully and equally with one another. My
friends have proven themselves as warriors. They will prove
themselves as leaders as well, aiding me to rebuild Dacia to what
it was before the Roman’s conquest.”

Bastisza takes my arm and stands as
well, not letting go. His fingers clench around my forearm. “Then
so be it.”

We go our separate ways: Bastisza
toward the fire and the rest of the group, me in the opposite
direction, toward the geyser. I’ve anticipated sinking into the hot
water ever since the first day spent wholly atop my horse. When I
settle down I shall build my home closer to such a place. Hot water
relaxes even the most cramped muscle.

It’s full moon and the night’s sounds
are completely different than during the day. Somewhere close two
owls hoot loudly. I know the sound—it’s the mating sound. Crickets,
boars, wolves—the closer to the geyser I get, the less I hear them.
The water rains from the mountain’s wall and forms a large basin,
then snakes down the hill until reaching the Danube and rolling
into the valley. I’ve known this place for many years; first time
Bastisza brought us here we stayed in the water until our fingers
pruned. During winters he’d threatened with the whip for no one
wanted to get out and endure the cold.

By the time I reach the geyser, I’m
undressed. Steam and water sooth my muscles, relaxing me with every
step I take, deeper and deeper until I reach my favorite place.
It’s a flat, wide rock at the base of the mountain, where water
pours forcefully then calms into circles further and further away.
I stand on the flat rock, feet apart, holding onto the mountain’s
wall and let the water whip down my back, washing away my qualms,
washing away my sorrows. Relaxed, I swim a few lengths then return
to the flat rock, this time further to the edge where the water
doesn’t rain over but rather pools around, and close my
eyes.

It’s a heavy burden my father left me
with, an even heavier curse. It fed my anger and hate every single
day of my life until my heart became stone. I didn’t mind it until
meeting Nerva. I doubt my actions, tormenting myself for what I’ve
done. It must be the gods punishing me for defying them for so
long, letting me fall in love with my enemy’s daughter. How could
that—

“
Ilias, you craven, where
are you? Show yourself, you bastard!”

My eyes fling open to see a woman’s
silhouette stopped on the geyser’s strand. My men are behind her,
loud and furious.

I rub my eyes and wonder if I’ve
fallen asleep. It’s impossible—it can’t be. The woman leans on a
stick and hobbles toward me. Moon’s light reflects off the
water.

Nerva.

I swim toward the edge, but stop short
before the water goes below my waist.

The shouting turns ugly. They all talk
at the same time. When Vipero reaches for Nerva Bastisza pushes him
away, clenching his fists.

“
I’ve had enough of you,
all of you acting like little boys. Stand back. Let Ilias handle
her. Stand back!”

I’m left alone with Nerva.
If I could just distract her somehow and go for my clothes I’d feel
more secure. I have no idea how she got here but I’m determined to
find out, even if I have to lay her over my knees and spank her.
It’s one thing to have my friends rebel against me. Different when
a
woman
disobeys
me. Mayhap I’m too much my mother’s son than my
father’s.

“
How did you get
here?”

“
You think you’re the only
one knowing how to steal?”

“
This place is sacred to
Dacians. How did you find it?”

She bites her lower lip. “One of the
maids . . . Aemirius told her to serve me. I promised her a gold
bracelet.”

“
Who is she? It’s because
of traitors like her my father died.”

Nerva takes a few more steps toward
me, water reaching to her knees. “Don’t get mad at her. She didn’t
know I was planning to run away. I could’ve found you even without
her aid.” She takes a few more steps and she’s now a mere breath
away. “You might think me stupid, but I know how to read horse
hooves. Moreover—” she takes one last step and drops the stick
before reaching for my chest to steady herself, her voice an
alluring whisper—”I’ve spent many hours in the saddle. I know how
to ride.” She threads her fingers in the hair on my chest before
finding my nipples and rubbing her thumbs over them.

I’ve growled before but never for
pleasure.

“
Why did you
come?”

“
To be with
you.”

She’s wicked. I know she’s wicked and
I should distance myself from her, but her voice, her body brushing
mine hexes me like a cobweb.

I will myself to step aside and walk
around her. “Go home, Nerva. We shan’t be together.”

“
Why, why not?” She grabs
my arm.

“
In three days I shall kill
your father and you’ll hate me the way I hate him.” I take one more
step before she throws herself at me.

“
Then kill me too, for I’ll
welcome death than be apart. I’d rather die than live without you.
You can’t come into my life, take over my heart then leave
me.”

Nerva’s words shock me.

“
I’ve done nothing to
deserve your feelings. I treated you badly.”

“
You saved me.”

“
I kidnapped you with the
intention of killing you in front of your father.”

“
You are a just man. I see
how you treat your people, how they all love you.” She cries in my
arms, her little fists drumming into my chest. She looks up at me
and sighs. “Tell me … tell me when you held me in your arms in
Aemirius’ hut you didn’t feel the same way as I did. Tell me you
don’t want me, tell me . . .”

I hold her and know I’ve lost the
battle.

“
Let’s get you out of the
water. Your foot is not completely healed.”

“
You see?” She pushes a
hand through my hair. “You care even if you don’t want to admit
it.”

It’s been a long day. I’m tired beyond
exhaustion. The warm water and steam relaxes me too much, fogging
my brain into oblivion. Nerva’s presence sends sparks through my
muscles, my body hungers for her. I lift her in my arms and step
out of the water. When I set her down, she removes her shirt,
taking my hand and kissing slowly one finger at a time.

“
Love me, Ilias. Love
me.”

*****

“
My king, Traianus sent a
courier.”

All heads bowed over the map on the
table jerk to see the soldier bringing the news. I roll up the map,
pushing aside the stones that held it in place while we planned the
battle. I take my time before I respond. The messenger can wait. My
voice can't betray how nervous I am now. I'm surprise by Traianus’
move, for my epistle to him when I kidnapped Nerva gave explicit
instructions how the exchange shall happen.

I wish my friends were with me, but I
only have my generals and Bastisza present here. Upon arriving in
our camp, they went to their unit and I haven't seen them since.
It's the first time our disagreement has lasted this long. True, I
never before went back on my word; whatever we planned has always
been finished, no questions asked.

It's different now. Nerva's presence
has changed everything. Instead of her fiercest enemy, I’ve become
her lover. Instead of killing her, I want her to live more than
anything, no matter the risk, no matter the sacrifice. I have
nightmares of my mother and sister, reminding me of the oath I took
to avenge their deaths. My father visits my nights as well, but
instead of talking with me like he always has, he only shakes his
head, turns his back on me and walks away. I wake up drenched in
sweat, my hate renewed—and then I see Nerva slumbering next to me,
and for reasons I can't explain, my anger disappears.

“
Send him in.”

The commotion outside the
tent matches the one within. My generals stand as do I. I glance at
Bastisza and his trusting bearing calms me somewhat. His short nod
and eye movement speak more than words can say.
You can do it.
I'm determined to not
disappoint him and the thousands of soldiers gathered outside,
waiting for my signal to take the Romans down once and for
all.

The tent's folds are lifted and a man
dressed in white, with a red scarf and shiny armor enters. He only
looks at me, coming straight forward and lifting his arm in the
typical Roman salute. He removes his golden helmet and a murmur of
surprise fills the air as swords are withdrawn and pointed at
him.

Traianus.

I'd recognize him amidst
thousands, with his short gray hair slightly curled, set high on
his wide forehead. Small chin, large nose but well cut, the eyes
deep set, and fine lips, with a general expression of determination
and audacity. A man with the world at his feet. Now within reach
and unprotected. He must be desperate to get Nerva back, or
insane
. He’s come by
himself and has no weapons that I can see. All I need is to reach
to my belt, grab my father's dagger and slice his throat. Or stab
him in the heart and twist the blade until he takes his last
breath. It’s that simple.

“
I shall have you hunted
for the rest of your life. All I need do is place a reward on your
head and you will spend the rest of your life hiding.” Traianus
looks me over like one assessing his next acquisition. “I admired
your father for his courage to take his own life rather than become
my prisoner. But you surpass him by far. To come into my home and
steal from me—there is not one soul in the whole Roman Empire
capable of doing that.”

“
You didn’t come here to
compliment me, did you?”

Traianus chuckles.

He bows to set his helmet down on a
nearby chair. It's a bad move that has two of my generals grabbing
him on each side and Bastisza from behind, with a dagger pressed
against his stretched neck. I expect Traianus to put up a fight. He
doesn't. His calm demeanor unnerves me. I want him to be mad.
Demanding to see Nerva. Trying to kill me. Anything but this
relaxed bearing.

“
I mean no harm,” Traianus
spreads his fingers up in the air, his tone light.

I don't need to speak, only motion to
my men and they release Traianus.

My voice is steady, and I thank the
gods for it. “I thought my epistle was clear enough. Exchange at
sunset.” I walk around the table and recline in my
chair.

“
Indeed it was. But I must
speak to you of a greater matter.”

“
Greater than your
daughter
?”

There is a spark in his eyes and a
slight flinching. Is he surprised I know Nerva is not his
niece?

“
So you know.”

“
I have my own
spies.”

“
Like father like son.
Decebalus was the only king I considered my equal.”

If he’s trying to get to me, he is
close, yet his words sound sincere; his eyes hold no
mockery.

“
Too bad you had to kill
him, right?”

“
Much water has rolled down
the Danube, since then.”

“
You've risked a lot by
coming here. I can have you killed.”

Traianus inclines his head slightly
and raises his hands in surrender, then places them on his chest.
“I'm well aware of that. But I'm sure you're not Decebalus' son in
vain. He wouldn't kill someone who comes to negotiate.”

“
Negotiate?” My fists
connect with the table. “You are in no position to negotiate. I can
have both your daughter
and
you killed in front of my soldiers as you
deserve!”

“
And you shall do just
that, if—” he raises a finger in the air, “by the time I explain my
visit you still feel the same.”

I've wasted enough time. Traianus’
presence in my camp reminds me of all the reasons I hate him and
his own. I have a goal and I must follow through with
it.

“
Let's hear it.”

“
I won’t fight you. Instead
I'm asking for a truce.”

My men snort and so do I. “And I shall
accept it just like that?”

“
More so,” Traianus
continues unperturbed, “I ask you to become my ally and fight
together with my army, not
against
my army.”

“
And I shall hand you the
rest of my father's treasure, the one that Bilicis traitor didn't
show to you yet. Or better yet, perhaps chain my generals and have
you feed them to the lions for your people's amusement.” Laughter
resonates within the tent.