Page 39 of Taming the Eagle
“He’s young,” she gasped. “Barely a man. Please spare him.”
Justin snorted. “Old enough to wield a blade though.”
Fenella’s throat bobbed. “Your men were leading him toward the arena … I know about yourgames.” She hauled in a deep breath. “You pit slaves against each other like dogs.”
“So you’ve learned of our ways, have you?”
“It’s wise to learn all you can about your enemy.”
“I’m not your enemy, Fenella,” he replied, his ire rising. “I thought we’d established that.”
She took a step toward him, her eyes wild now. “Then prove it … set him free.”
Justin pushed himself up off the desk, looming over her. “I don’t think so. He may be able to provide me with information on Toutorix. Also, you attacked one of my men … that cannot go unpunished.” He paused then, his gaze fusing with hers. “A life in the ring isn’t such a bad one for a warrior. If he’s unlucky enough to be selected for a death match, there are worse ways to die than with a blade in the hand. And you never know … he might survive … and go on to be a gladiator. Such men eventually win their freedom.”
Fenella’s face blanched. His words had just alarmed her further. “Please,” she repeated, choking the word out. “What will it take?”
Justin frowned. “Excuse me?”
“If you free him, I will give myself to you,” she blurted. Her high cheekbones flushed then. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
A brittle silence stretched between them.
Justin swallowed. Mithras, he couldn’t believe she’d just offered herself to him. And curse him, he’d longed to accept. But, of course, the woman wasn’t willing—just desperate.
“It is,” he ground out finally, “but not like this.”
XIV. ALL FOR NOTHING
THE SNOW WAS falling when Fenella finished the last of her chores.
Putting away her pail and scrubbing brush, she moved stiffly. Her hands were chapped, her knees sore. As punishment for her transgression, she’d missed cena and supper, and had spent the rest of the day scrubbing down the atrium, tablinum, and triclinium. She wasn’t allowed to retire for the evening until she’d finished.
Heavy flurries drove into the portico as Fenella made her way back toward her sleeping space. A thick white crust covered the courtyard, and snow made the pavers beneath her feet slippery. Snow had even driven into the inset alcove she passed: a shrine to the Lares, the household gods.
It was late. Everyone else within the general’s residence had gone to bed.
Shivering, Fenella pulled her wrap tightly against her. Head bowed against the swirling snow, she quickened her pace. However, heaviness dogged every step—not just from fatigue but despair.
Today had been her chance for freedom, yet she’d lost it. She’d spend the rest of her life scrubbing Roman floors and pisspots—a cur to be ordered about.
Worse still, Eogan had been taken prisoner and could die in the coming days.
She’d even humiliated herself before Aquila, but it had been all for nothing.
The ruthless bastard wouldn’t relent.
Despite the chill, heat rose to Fenella’s cheeks. His rejection still stung. She didn’t understand the man. Ever since taking her from Loch Tatha, he’d made no secret of his attraction to her. But, following her offer, his expression had turned to stone. He’d almost looked disgusted.
Fenella’s face burned hotter still at the memory.How will I ever face him again?
Slipping into the cubiculum, the small chamber she shared with Kahina, Fenella closed the door gently behind her. It was getting late, and she didn’t want to wake her companion. However, Kahina had left an oil lantern burning for her.
Moving quietly across to her sleeping pallet, Fenella’s throat thickened. Her vision then misted, and she blinked rapidly. She’d shown Kahina little warmth over the past months—especially today—and yet the woman was still kind to her.
Kahina had a good heart. Unlike Fenella, she hadn’t let bitterness corrode her.
The lantern’s flickering flame illuminated the lime-washed walls of the room and the outline of the cat’s resting form at the foot of Kahina’s sleeping pallet. Although Electri had warmed to Fenella, she always slept upon Kahina’s bed.