Valeria’s Cross (14 page)

“Ah,” the senator observed, “so the present governors will be responsible for smaller provinces of fewer people.”

“Exactly.”

Diocletian smiled, standing shoulder to shoulder with Galerius now. “And that, my friends, will make it more difficult for any of the governors to launch a rebellion.”

Everyone in the room clapped and cheered. Once the applause died down, a senator from Rome posed a question to Diocletian. “Lord, how do we keep the provinces from joining forces to rebel against the empire?”

“A very good question, indeed. Consider this: a ruler can delegate authority but not responsibility. Responsibility must be inspired. Galerius, my son, how do you propose that we inspire responsibility in the lives of our governors?”

Valeria felt proud that there was no hesitation in Galerius’ response. “When we meet with the fifty governors to inform them of our plan, we will assure them that we want to lighten their sphere of responsibility. Believe me, they know how difficult it is to protect their provinces, and I believe the governors will feel a sense of relief.

“Next, we assure them they have proven worthy of our trust and, for this reason, we want to increase their power by appointing them to keep a watchful eye over their bordering provinces and report back to us on a quarterly basis.” Galerius chuckled. “Of course, they will not know that we are telling their neighbors the same thing.”

The audience clapped their agreement, and a senator from Rome stood. “But according to this theory, do you not believe that you have weakened your power by appointing four rulers?”

“I lead by example,” Diocletian proclaimed. “The empire is far too vast for one ruler, which is why we have had so many wars in the past. I plan to use my own division of power as an example to the governors when we reduce their territories. Since I have divided my own territory, the governors will have no right to complain when I divide theirs.”

“I believe this brilliant act will produce a peaceable kingdom,” declared another senator from Rome, who raised his cup. “I propose that while we have all gathered in Nicomedia, we have a coronation for our newly appointed Caesars. All in favor?”

“Aye, aye!” Approvals rang out in the hall.

As the lively discussion drew to a close, Galerius and Diocletian joined Valeria and Prisca for the lavish lunch.

“The coronation will delay our trip to our palace in Thessalonica,” Galerius informed Valeria. “But I am sure that will make you happy because you can stay with your mother longer.”

Valeria’s smile was less forced than it had been earlier. “Wherever and whenever you go, I shall be happy to accompany you, my lord.”

Galerius’ eyebrows shot up in obvious surprise. “Submissiveness is not becoming to you, Valeria.”

Feeling rejected yet again, Valeria swallowed the retort that yearned to escape. Instead, she looked into her husband’s dark eyes. “You were very impressive on the podium.”

He seemed almost as surprised by her compliment as he had been by her humble attitude. “Really?” he asked.

“Your ideas were brilliant, and your delivery inspirational. It was obvious in the way the crowd responded with such enthusiasm. You have a gift, Galerius.”

This time he paused before answering, and Valeria was not sure what emotions she saw playing across his face. “I do not believe I have ever heard you speak my name before.”

Valeria felt the annoying flush trying to return. “I said your name at least a dozen times when we spoke our vows,” she reminded him. “But if it is that important to you, I will say your name more often.”

“Thank you.” He took her arm. “Shall we take our seats at the banquet table?”

Valeria nodded, accompanying him without further conversation. Throughout the luncheon, he ignored her, but when she noticed that the other men also ignored their wives, she resorted to making small talk with the women, relieved that they were too polite to ask about the details of her wedding night.

After lunch the women retired for an afternoon nap, but since Valeria had slept until noon, she was not tired and decided to take a walk in the garden. “Eugenia, will you please accompany me?” Valeria could tell by the dark rings around Eugenia’s eyes that her friend begged for a nap, but she also knew she could not walk the gardens alone.

As they strolled through the flowering bushes, Valeria confessed, “I am more prepared to meet my fate tonight. As Galerius spoke to the dignitaries this morning, there was something appealing about him.”

Eugenia eyed her questioningly. “Are you telling me that you find power an aphrodisiac?”

“Oh, stop teasing me, will you? It is not power that I find attractive, but his inspiring manner.”

“I must admit, I, too, was quite impressed with General Galerius.”

“What did you think of the other Caesar?”

“Constantius?” Eugenia giggled. “We must have the same thought.”

“That he has the longest nose and sharpest chin God ever put on a man?”

“I am glad you said it and not I. I could never be so rude.”

Valeria rolled her eyes. “Oh, now I feel guilty! But you must admit, Constantius is an odd-looking man.”

“Yes. And pity the poor girl who will be forced to marry him.”

“That would be Maximian’s stepdaughter, Theodora.”

“You should be thankful that Galerius is so handsome.”

“Not so to me,” Valeria countered quickly. “There is only one who is handsome in my eyes.”

“Then you are blind. Mauritius is no longer of this world. Let him go.”

Valeria stopped in front of a red rose bush and stared at its radiant blooms as she spoke. “Love never dies, Eugenia. Only people do.”

“When love is all that is left of someone, you must give away that love and not keep it all for yourself.”

“Give away his love?” Valeria turned from the fragrant roses and fixed her gaze on Eugenia, patting her chest as she spoke. “Never. I will always guard it, here in my heart.”

“You are a hopeless romantic!” Eugenia rolled her eyes. “But never mind. Do you know what I heard about Constantius?”

Valeria covered her ears. “Please do not tempt me to gossip.”

“But this is not exactly gossip. Actually, the news is encouraging, but you must not tell anyone.”

Valeria was curious now. “I promise.”

“Constantius’ present wife, Helen, is a Christian.”

“Is that so unusual? Mother and I are Christians, but that makes no difference in Father’s persecution of the believers.”

“There is more. I have heard from a reliable source that in secret, Constantius is a Christian too.”

Now this was newsworthy, and Valeria lowered her voice. “Do Father or Galerius know?”

Eugenia shook her head. “Hardly. If they did, they would have put a stop to his confirmation as Caesar. You must never tell.”

“Never.” Valeria crossed her heart. “One thing puzzles me, though. How could a Christian man agree to leave his wife in order to become Caesar, for that is what Constantius has done, is it not?”

Eugenia nodded and shrugged. “If he truly is a Christian, perhaps he believes he is called to serve and make changes in the empire once he becomes an emperor, though the abandonment of his wife is quite sad.” She paused and fixed her eyes on Valeria. “No sadder than your situation, of course.”

“So you do pity me! I knew it.”

“I never pretended not to feel sorry for you. But I have told you that you must accept your fate and relinquish your life— not to your husband, but to your Lord.”

“I believe I have done that,” Valeria declared. “And I am finally ready to accept my fate … tonight.”

“You said that last night.” Eugenia smiled. “We shall see what happens when the sun sets.”

E
ugenia’s teasing remark echoed in Valeria’s head throughout the following days. Though part of her was relieved that she had been spared the horrible wedding night she had feared, she was also becoming more and more insulted by the fact that Galerius had not even attempted to touch her since the day they had spoken their vows. What would people—particularly her father—think if they knew that she and Galerius were married in name only?

Since they had arrived at their palace in Thessalonica, her husband was unconcerned about appearances and had not even visited her room. Night after night she lay awake in bed, waiting for him to appear, wondering if this might be the night she finally conceived a child. But Galerius never came. Embarrassed, Valeria had not yet confided in Eugenia, despite her friend’s constant prodding.

“Everything is fine,” Valeria continually assured Eugenia, though it was obvious her longtime friend did not believe her.

Valeria had not seen her husband at breakfast. Each day Galerius went out early, leaving Valeria to eat alone. No
matter what time she ventured downstairs, he was never there. But her pride would not allow her to invite him into her bed.

Why do I care?
she reminded herself.
This is the man who was ultimately responsible for Mauritius’ death. How can I possibly encourage his advances? And yet …

One morning Valeria arose at five, determined to have breakfast with her husband. To her dismay, his place was empty, even at that unfathomable hour. None of the servants knew where he was, and her curiosity consumed her.
Where does he go each morning? I have to know!
At last she decided to confide in Eugenia.

“He is probably at the temple for the early morning sacrifices,” Eugenia suggested.

Admittedly, an early morning visit to the temple sounded logical, but Valeria wanted confirmation. The following day, she arose at three and dressed. The black cape from the sisters of Saint Mary Magdalene’s priory provided the perfect disguise. She tossed it over her shoulders and pushed the hood down over her head. Down the hallway she tiptoed and then slipped into an alcove, praying that the servants, who were preparing the palace for the day, would not see her lurking in the shadows. She leaned against the wall and mumbled a prayer, as she waited for Galerius to appear outside his chambers.

As the clock struck four, she heard his door open, and he stepped into view.
At last!

Valeria waited until Galerius was far down the hallway and then discreetly followed, hiding in the shadows whenever he paused or she heard the slightest noise.

Once outside, Galerius walked alone.
Where are his servants?
Valeria wondered. It was dark as she stepped onto the cobblestone streets to follow her husband, with only a hint of moonlight to light her path. For blocks Galerius continued, with Valeria following behind. Each time he paused, she
ducked into the nearest alley, stretching her neck around the corner building so as not to lose sight of him.

To her surprise, when they passed the temple, Galerius did not enter. Instead he continued toward the other side of the city, headed for the seaport.
Perhaps he swims in the ocean every morning
, she thought.
That may be how he keeps so fit.

She stood in the shadows and watched him walk down the beach.
Perhaps he enjoys the solitude of the ocean every morning.
With the mystery seemingly solved, Valeria considered returning to the palace. She was tired and hungry since she had skipped her breakfast. The sun was just beginning to lighten the horizon, and if she continued tagging along, she would most certainly risk being seen. But as she turned to retrace her steps, she heard a woman call out, “Galerius!”

Valeria halted. The voice was familiar. Refocusing on her husband, her eyes followed as he crossed the sand toward the ocean. At the water’s edge, Valeria spotted a woman, waiting for him. When he reached her, they embraced, and Galerius leaned down and kissed her—passionately.

So
, she fumed,
my husband is unfaithful to me! What sort of trollop is this woman?

“Good morning, my darling,” Valeria overheard the woman say.

“You look lovely,” Galerius said, touching the woman’s cheek. He kissed her again, more tenderly this time.

Valeria tiptoed closer to the sand so she would have a better view. When she caught a glimpse of the woman’s protruding stomach, she gasped, barely able to restrain herself from voicing her thoughts aloud.
She is … with child!

“I miss you terribly. My heart aches for you,” the woman confessed, her voice weepy as she spoke.

“And I, you,” Galerius responded. “I regret to tell you that I must take our daughter soon, but you have my word that I will
try to have her transported out of the palace to visit you every chance I get.” He paused before continuing, “And you know that when our child is born, I must take it as well.”

The woman sobbed, and Galerius embraced her again, his voice choked with emotion. “Oh, my darling, what have I done to you?”

The woman gazed up at him. “You have no choice. The gods have chosen you. Go in peace, my love, and do not look back. I will survive. I will make another life for myself.”

“Is there anything you need?”

The woman shook her head.

Peeking out from her hiding place, Valeria’s worst fears were confirmed. The woman was Galerius’ former wife.

Shocked and devastated, Valeria suddenly realized she wasn’t the only victim in this politically expedient marriage. And yet, had Galerius not been the instigator behind the entire situation? Had he not leered at her from the beginning, even while he was still married to the woman who now clung to him in the early morning light, and who carried his child, apparently conceived after Galerius’ betrothal to Valeria? No wonder Galerius found it so easy to avoid consummating his marriage to Valeria, as his manly desires were being met elsewhere.

Whatever the facts that had led to Valeria’s marriage to Galerius and whatever the reason it had not yet been consummated, it was obvious the man still cared for his first wife, and there was no doubt that she loved him. Oh, the injustice of it all! What a monstrous price to pay for the Roman gods and empire! Valeria had already taken the woman’s husband; how could she take her children as well?

Confusion swirled around Valeria, and she felt so overwhelmed she was tempted to fall to her knees and cry out to God for forgiveness.
Surely it is a sin to take this woman’s
husband
, she thought, even as she turned away and took her first steps back toward the palace.
What a self-centered, whining young woman I am! How dare I think I am the only unhappy person in this equation! In reality, there are others who have suffered more than I. I promise, Lord, that I will make no demands of my husband, for it is obvious that his heart still belongs to his first wife.

When Valeria returned to the palace, Eugenia met her at the entrance. “Where have you been?” she demanded. “I have been worried sick!”

“I awoke early and could not sleep, so I went for a walk.” Eugenia’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Alone?”

Valeria nodded, too exhausted and emotionally drained to say anything more. “Forgive me,” she began, feeling lightheaded. “It was such a beautiful morning, and I—”

As the darkness closed in, Eugenia’s voice faded, and Valeria abandoned herself to her temporary means of escape. When she awoke, she struggled for her bearings, relieved when she finally recognized Eugenia’s face. “Where is he?” she asked.

Eugenia frowned. “Who?”

“My husband.”

“Downstairs,” Eugenia replied, suspicion lurking in her eyes. “He came in moments after you returned. I told him you had collapsed and said I would send for him when you awakened. I will send a servant immediately.”

“Please, no. Not yet. There is something I must tell you.”

Eugenia paused. “Are you with child? Is that why you fainted?”

Hot tears pricked Valeria’s eyelids and spilled over onto her cheeks. “Not at all. In fact,” she whispered so the servants could not hear, “if you must know, I am still … a virgin.” Then she broke into sobs, allowing Eugenia to gather her into her arms while she cried. As Eugenia stroked her hair, Valeria told
her the entire story, including what she had seen and heard that morning.

“Galerius is still in love with his wife,” she said, tying her tale together as she drew back and gazed at her friend. “And she is carrying his child!”

Eugenia blotted Valeria’s tears and pushed her hair from her eyes. “Hush now,” she whispered. “You are Galerius’ wife. And we shall never mention this conversation again. Do you understand?”

Valeria frowned, confused by Eugenia’s reaction, but nodded obediently.

“Galerius made a choice to leave his wife,” Eugenia continued. “He felt a call on his life from his so-called gods. For a man like General Galerius, it is all about duty to the Roman Empire and devotion to his gods. An integral part of his duty is to be your husband—though I suspect that you were a great enticement to him as well. He may have some affection for his first wife, but it is obvious that he has wanted you since the first time he laid eyes on you. It is now your responsibility to make this marriage happen and to earn his deep and abiding love and respect. You are a very beautiful and tender young woman, Valeria, so this is a simple task for you. It is also an order, not a suggestion.”

“But the baby—”

“Hush,” Eugenia interrupted. “That will work out. We will not discuss it further.”

Eugenia rose and exited the room. In a short while, Galerius was at Valeria’s bedside, holding her hand and kissing her forehead. “I know why you are upset.”

“You do?”

Galerius nodded. “While standing at the water’s edge, I caught a glimpse of you before you turned to rush away. I am truly sorry. It was never my intention to cause you any pain,
but she is the wife with whom I have shared my life, and she is the mother of my children. It has been very difficult for my heart to let her go.”

Valeria, moved by the compassion that came from her realization that others suffered as much or more than she, reached up and touched his cheek. In response, he took her hand and kissed her fingers. “But the baby,” she whispered. “The one yet to be born.”

The sadness in his dark eyes was overshadowed only by his determination. “Our child,” he said. “Yours and mine. We shall raise it as our own, and my daughter, Valeria, will be coming to live with us as well. I also have another son, Maximinus Daia, my sister’s son, whom I adopted.”

Valeria gulped. “Will he live with us too?”

“He will only visit occasionally, but he is my lieutenant.”

Valeria blushed. She could not recall the young man, but she was too ashamed to confess to her husband that she could hardly remember any of the details of her wedding day.

“Is there a problem?” He raised his eyebrows questioningly, and she realized he was asking for her compliance. Hesitantly, she shook her head no.

“Good,” he said. “Then it is settled. I have made a choice, and I am totally committed to you. You are my wife, and I can assure you that the past is past.” With both her hands now in his, he placed them over his heart. “From this day forward, I will give you my whole heart. I will never be unfaithful to you again.”

When she trusted herself to speak, Valeria said, “I am so sorry that this world we live in requires you to leave the woman you love, and who loves you, and to take her children from her.”

“She is very resilient, and she will make a life for herself. It is your heart that concerns me now.”

“If you can give me more time,” Valeria whispered, stunned that the words she spoke were true, “I know I can love you.”

His voice was husky. “How much time?”

“Enough for you to grieve the death of your marriage,” Valeria said, resisting the temptation to add “and for me to grieve the death of my beloved Mauritius,” instead adding what she was sure God wanted her to say: “And then, I can promise you, my husband, that I will do everything I can as your wife to earn your love and devotion.”

Tears pooled in Galerius’ eyes, stunning Valeria, as he said, “Ah, but I have wanted you from the first time I saw you, sweet Valeria. There is no man or god in the universe who could resist the temptation of your beauty and tenderness. That I still care for the happiness and well-being of my first wife does not negate that fact.” Leaning down to where she lay against the pillow, the man she now recognized as her husband kissed her tenderly, and Valeria felt the stirrings of passion that she knew would one day ignite and become a reality.

“Please let me know when you are ready,” he said, and then squeezed her hand and walked from the room.

Since that day, she knew Galerius had been faithful to her. They met in the dining room every morning for breakfast, where he amused her with tales of his battles and the antics of his daughter, often making Valeria laugh with delight and anticipation of the day when she would have children of her own. The fact that Galerius’ daughter had come to live with them at the palace only increased her longing for motherhood, and even tempered her trepidation at preparing to take his former wife’s newborn child as her own.