Skaia (29 page)

Skaia looked up at him from the pallet. Though he was afraid to say anything, he begged anyway. “Master, please don’t do this.”
Don’t leave me chained here in the dark.
“Whatever I did, sir, I’m sorry. Please don’t do this.”

“
You know what the fuck you did!” Thaddeus hissed and shortened the chain at Skaia’s neck, forcing his head all the way down to the floor. “You have already earned twenty lashes this morning, Skaia,” he said, his voice somewhat calmer. “If you say another word, you will earn ten more. And I assure you they will not be so easy as last night.”

Skaia said nothing, terrified to speak again, and he lay where he was without moving until Thaddeus slammed the door. Slowly, he shifted on the pallet to make himself more comfortable and, in time, he even admitted that Thaddeus was right. He knew what he’d done wrong. He even understood Thaddeus’ anger.
But I can’t forget Glaucus—no matter how angry it makes him!

Sighing in frustration, Skaia realized how stupidly he’d acted. He could just remain quiet. He didn’t have to question Thaddeus.

As light began to enter the antechamber, Skaia thought of Thaddeus’ other demand—that he should willingly offer himself to the master’s friends.
I can’t.
He knew he couldn’t, and yet…
Oh, Belenus.
He knew he had to obey—if there would be any chance to survive until Glaucus got home.

The hours passed, and Skaia’s thoughts turned fully to Glaucus. He remembered their childhood, the games they’d played, and the laughter they’d shared. Lessons, discussions of history and the ruins they hoped to see together.

Though the memories were so very precious, for the first time it occurred to Skaia that his young master might not want him when he got back.
When he learns what I’ve done.
Servicing Thaddeus’ friends. Licking vomit from the floor. Taking pleasure from his father… This must be what Thaddeus planned from the beginning—to make me so disgusting that Glaucus could not possibly want me.

When the tears came this time, Skaia did not even try to stop them.

Thaddeus met with his father for breakfast and they decided to eat outside. They were no sooner sitting than Paulinus began to question him. “How are things going with Skaia?”

The first question?
Thaddeus grinned but didn’t speak until after Gotus left their tray of breakfast foods. “I fucked him last night. His body is superb.”

Paulinus paused in moving the piece of fruit to his mouth. “I would have expected that, just based on his looks,” he smiled. “Did you hurt him?”

“
Of course not,” Thaddeus answered almost defensively. “I know how to prepare a boy properly. I even let him climax.”

Paulinus nodded and continued to eat. “Very good. If he enjoys his time with you, he is more likely to let go of his hopes for Glaucus.”

“
His hopes?
I thought it was more important that Glaucus would want nothing to do with him when he gets home.”

Paulinus shrugged and continued to eat. “Both goals can be accomplished if Skaia prefers you when Glaucus returns.”

Thaddeus tried to fight down his anger, not wanting to argue with his father. “I really don’t care who the slave prefers,” he finally said, knowing the words were not completely true even as he spoke them. “It’s completely unimportant to me, as long as Glaucus doesn’t want
him
.”

Paulinus stopped eating and stared at his son. “Has something happened since last night? You seem unsettled this morning.”

Thaddeus hesitated before he finally nodded. “The little bastard told me he would not service my friends. And he asked about Glaucus after I’d forbidden him to speak of my son.”

And you’re angry with him again.
“The matter is in your hands, Thaddeus,” Paulinus said evenly. “I will not interfere. I ask only that you consider this one thing.” He paused as he ate another piece of cheese. “What would have destroyed your fondness for Thane? That I forced him to have sex with other men, or that he enjoyed having sex with me?”

What? Thane?
“Father—you never did such things to Thane. You wouldn’t.” The thought was horrifying. “Did you?” he asked. And, suddenly, his heart beat painfully—in worry for a slave long dead.

“
Of course not, Thaddeus. I would never hurt you like that.
You
never needed such a lesson. And I liked Thane.” Paulinus laughed lightly. “Though not like that. As good a slave as he was, he didn’t inspire men’s lusts. Certainly not mine. I just want you to think about the situation between Glaucus and
his
slave.”

Thaddeus felt relief wash over him—that Thane had never been treated as he was treating Skaia. He nodded slowly, coming to understand what his father meant. “I will think about what you have said, Father. I promise.”

“
Thank you.” Paulinus shifted the conversation to his gardens, speaking of what he wanted to do after the house was renovated. He thought Thaddeus had calmed down by the time he left for his morning meetings.

Thaddeus may have entered his office composed, but he was soon frustrated and angry again. Even more men than usual had come today, complaining that they would be forced to hire free men in their small enterprises. Apparently, they had met on their own and decided to confront Thaddeus together. He listened to their complaints and sympathized with their plight. But he had little to offer… except, perhaps…

When he could take their whining no longer, he stood and raised his arms for quiet. “I’m sorry this has impacted you.”
You should have supported me when I ran for Senate,
he thought irritably.
Maybe I could have fought such foolishness, then.
“
I truly doubt it was meant to,” he continued. “For the time being, I want you to ignore the law.” When everyone started talking at once and some even questioned his sanity, Thaddeus held his hands up another time and sternly told them to be silent. When at last, the buzz had abated, he started again. “If anyone harasses you, send them to me. The matter is now entirely my responsibility. Let it bother you no more.”

“
What if you’re wrong?” someone called out. “Will you pay our fines?”

“
I have told you it is my responsibility,” Thaddeus replied angrily. “If you have so little faith in my word, you are of course free to seek another protector for your guild.” He looked around and most of the men looked down.

Thaddeus, and Paulinus before him, always insisted that the people they represented follow the laws. His stand now was a departure from that history. Thaddeus liked to think they had always supported what was right for Rome. And in that context, he was sure he continued the tradition.

In the past, they had usually been successful in the interests they represented. Thaddeus thought they would be again. As he surveyed those assembled in his office, he was sure few, if any, would leave him.

And, in his current mood, he cared little if they did.

When Thaddeus returned to his room, his head was throbbing. He walked past Skaia, chained to the floor, with no more than a cursory glance, went to the chamber pot, and then to lie down. As the bedroom started to darken with the passage of the sun and his headache relented, he got up, thinking of all that had to be done. Another conference with his father before he could head to the baths. And then dinner with Antius tonight.

He sighed quietly as he remembered that he had promised to bring Skaia, supposedly to help train Puella. But he suspected Antius wanted to fuck the boy. Flavius surely would.
Thane… Skaia was not Thane.
He was only a barbarian Gaul, who used his looks and charms to seduce Glaucus.
I shouldn’t care if he’s fucked!

As he walked past Skaia this time, Thaddeus paused to look at him. “How are you feeling? Up to a night with my friends?”

Skaia could not sit, but he twisted his head to look up at his master. “I… I will do whatever you tell me, sir.”

Turning as if still annoyed, Thaddeus went back for the key and unlocked Skaia’s chain. When the boy stood, the wet stain on his tunic became obvious. “What in Hades happened there?” Thaddeus thundered.

Skaia was humiliated; his face colored and his voice shook. “I… I couldn’t get up, sir. I… I wet myself. I’m sorry.”

“
Did you mess your pallet, too?”

Skaia seemed to shrink into himself even further and his voice was so low Thaddeus could hardly hear him. “Yes, Master. I’m so sorry.”

Thaddeus shook his head.
Fuck.
“It’s not your fault. I should have realized…” He caught himself, appalled that he would apologize to a slave.
To
this slave.
“Clean yourself and the floor,” he said sternly. “I’ll be back later to change my clothes.” And with that, Thaddeus was gone again.

Skaia wondered why Thaddeus had bothered to free him since he was so obviously still angry. But he was much too glad that he could empty his bladder in the chamber pot to worry overly much.

He carried the pot with him as he made his way to the kitchen. Castor wasn’t there, so there was no one to ask about going outside—and no one who would question him.

After the pot was washed and refilled, he cleaned himself as thoroughly as he could and slipped into a clean loincloth and tunic—common ones like all the house slaves wore. He headed back to the kitchen, wondering who he could ask for food—and a clean pallet.

Castor was back and called him over as soon as he entered. “Why were you chained this morning?” he asked angrily. “Did you resist Thaddeus when he fucked you?”

Skaia flushed with shame.
Now everyone knew.
He set down the pot of water as it began to shake in his hands. “I did not resist, sir,” he answered softly, never lifting his gaze from the floor. “Master Thaddeus was pleased with me last night.”

“
Then what the fuck did you do this morning?” Castor demanded.

Skaia flinched at the tone that was so obviously disapproving. “I… I told him I would not willingly be a whore for him, sir.”