Page 36 of Taming the Eagle

Fenella glanced the Eagle’s way. Even in that silly hat, he cut an imposing figure. However, it didn’t seem right that he sat in the cramped kitchen with his servants and slaves. She tried to imagine Toutorix breaking bread withhisslaves, and her mouth twisted.

“Is the wine not to your liking, Fenella?” Aquila asked.

Fenella’s spine snapped straight. Curse him, the man was always watching her.

“The wine is good,” she replied stiffly.

The Eagle smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Pork?” Caius held out a platter, piled high with meat.

Fenella’s mouth watered. Her meals usually consisted of bread, cheese, boiled eggs, and dried fruit, with vegetable stew for supper most evenings. Roast meat was a treat indeed.

Aquila’s presence was putting her on edge, as had his smile—but she wasn’t going to refuse this delicious feast.

Nodding, she helped herself.

XIII. OUTSIDE THE WALLS

CRUNCHING THROUGH THE snow, Fenella and Kahina made their way toward the Porta Principalis Dextra. Both women carried wicker baskets and wore heavy fur cloaks about their shoulders, their feet pushed into sturdy boots. Their breathing steamed in the gelid air.

“Ava’s given me quite a list this morning,” Kahina told her before ticking the items off on her fingers. “Fresh fowl … pig’s liver … eggs … cabbages … and onions.”

Fenella nodded, although she wasn’t paying much attention.

She was too busy trying to calm her racing heart.

Finally, after nearly three moons at Ardoch, she was venturing outside the walls. There was a market in the vicus, and Kahina needed help carrying all the items the cook had requested.

She had to seize the moment. It was time to run.

Looking up at the colorless sky, Fenella frowned. It was a snow sky, warning that another blizzard wasn’t far off—poor weather for travel. Even so, it couldn’t be helped. Fenella knew the land around the fort well. She’d find somewhere to shelter—a safe place the Eagle and his men would never find her.

Glancing over her shoulder, she eyed the four legionaries who shadowed them.

I’ll have to lose these idiots first.

The two women cut right onto Via Principalis. Rows of granaries rose up on one side of the street, opposite storehouses and lean-tos housing ovens. Through open doorways, Fenella spied cooks kneading dough, while others shoveled flat loaves into the red glowing maws of great ovens with large paddles. The nutty aroma of baking bread drifted across the street.

They were nearing the gates, when a man wearing a helmet bearing a proud red fan stepped forward to intercept them.

Marcus Camillus raised a hand in greeting. “A cold morning for an outing?”

Kahina patted her empty basket, gazing up at him through lowered lashes. “It can’t be helped … Ava’s stores are getting low.”

Marcus stared down at the slave, his expression softening. “You look well, Kahina.”

A shy smile graced her lips. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Marcus and Kahina watched each other, the moment drawing out, before one of the guards behind them cleared his throat.

Marcus snapped out of his reverie and stepped back, his attention shifting to Fenella. His gaze narrowed then, the good humor draining from his face. “The general’s letting you out of the fort?”

Fenella nodded, tightening her grip on the basket. Irritation crept into her voice when she replied, “What of it?”

The centurion snorted and shifted his focus to the four men following them. “Stay close to her,” he warned. “Don’t let the woman distract you.”

“Yes, centurion,” one of the men replied. “The general has ordered us not to let her out of our sight.”