Skaia (47 page)

Skaia almost refused. He didn’t want the encounter to end so soon. And definitely not like this… not in his mouth. “Master, please no. I want you inside me.”

“
Suck me,” Thaddeus repeated more sternly as he pushed Skaia’s head down to his cock. But when Skaia actually took him in his mouth, Thaddeus held the boy’s head gently, and stroked his hair as he thrust slowly and softly, deliberately holding back his climax.

In time, when Thaddeus felt more in control of himself, he pulled Skaia upwards, and they kissed again—long, slow and passionately. And when Thaddeus asked Skaia to turn over, the boy did so quickly, placing his head on the pillow, raising his hips and pulling his buttocks open.

Thaddeus laughed softly. “Not so humiliating now?”

Skaia wagged his hips in Thaddeus’ face. “I need you to hurry.”

Laughing again, Thaddeus used the lubricant provided by the inn, and prepared the boy thoroughly. After he’d loosened the tight muscles, he reached inside with one finger, found the small nub he sought, and massaged it gently.

Skaia moaned, and his hips began to thrust. Thaddeus withdrew his hand. “Slow down, boy. Wait for me.” He thought he heard Skaia laugh as he positioned his cock.

Though Thaddeus could not resist entering the puckered opening quickly, he remained still once he was inside the boy, making sure there was time for the initial pain to pass. He reached around with one hand and found Skaia’s hard erect length, felt the clear liquids leaking freely from the swollen head. Thaddeus smiled and stroked the silken length.

Moaning again in pleasure and need, Skaia pumped wildly into the hand that now grasped him tightly. Thaddeus thrust hard and deep, knowing by now that Skaia enjoyed a certain amount of rough play. He pulled out almost all the way and then shoved in again, feeling Skaia’s muscles clamp him tightly… And they climaxed almost simultaneously.

Thaddeus collapsed on Skaia, who had slipped to lie flat on the bed. They panted together, though Skaia continued to make his soft sounds of satisfaction. And was the first to speak. “Get off me, please. I can’t breathe.”

Rolling to one side, Thaddeus turned Skaia to face him. “I definitely wouldn’t want to kill you after that,” he smiled. He covered the boy’s flushed face with kisses. When he tried to lay back, Skaia wrapped his arms tightly around Thaddeus’ neck, not letting him go. Thaddeus did not push him away, just stroked his body until Skaia finally released him.

Listening to his master breath, Skaia waited until he was sure Thaddeus slept. Then he turned to his side, facing the wall. His mind raced. He didn’t try to deny he’d wanted this—or the pleasure he’d felt. Only it had been more than sexual pleasure. Thaddeus had made him feel wanted.
Valued and wanted.

But there was guilt, too. That he had somehow betrayed Glaucus. By willingly, even impatiently, seeking pleasure with his father. He had done it many times before, since the trip to Umbria. But now everything had changed. He was no longer sure he actually wanted to go back to Glaucus.
I could live with Thaddeus happily,
he thought.

Shame struck him hard; he moved further away from Thaddeus, and cried himself to sleep.

Their arrival at the newly renovated domus was a time of excitement and worry. Excitement to see all the changes. And worry for Lucius. The old slave had not recovered on the return journey as everyone had hoped. Paulinus took him to his chambers, and saw him comfortably relaxed in his bed, before he would look at the garden, or any of the newly constructed parts of the residence.

When Paulinus insisted he must return to Lucius, Skaia accompanied Thaddeus, and together they toured the upstairs. Skaia marveled that the new construction blended so seamlessly with the old. From time to time, Thaddeus would put his arm around Skaia’s shoulder, and point out particular things. Skaia was excited and didn’t try to hide it. This was, after all, his home as well, now.

After they’d seen Glaucus’ new chamber, Skaia forced himself not to dwell on the house any longer, and let his thoughts return to Paulinus and Lucius. The old master had been very concerned when they left him. The lines on his face seemed somehow, to have become deeper, his color grayed. When Skaia asked if he might visit Master Paulinus, Thaddeus immediately said he would come, too.

The healer was there now, examining the old slave, with Paulinus hovering nervously nearby. Finally, Thaddeus led his father from the room and out to the peristylium garden. Skaia was going to stay behind with Lucius, until Thaddeus insisted he leave the doctor alone as well.

In spite of all their efforts to be cheerful, Paulinus was distraught, and finally sunk to the bench, unable to appreciate this garden he had dreamed of. The old man’s voice was shaky. “He will want his ashes scattered in Thrace. You will see to that, won’t you, Thaddeus?”

At first, Skaia did not know what Paulinus’ words meant. But, when he saw his master sink to his father’s side and hold him, assuring him that Lucius’ last wishes would be honored, Skaia suddenly understood. He knelt before Paulinus, and reached for his hand. The old man looked blindly at him for a moment, but then he squeezed the hand in his gently.

The healer came out, and walked to them. The news he had to impart was grave. “I suspect this will be his last night, but I will come again in the morning, in case I am still needed. I have given him a potion to keep him comfortable. It is all I can do.”

Thaddeus sent Skaia to be with Lucius, while he held on to his trembling father.

Lucius looked up when Skaia entered the room. His voice was weak as he summoned the boy to sit beside him. “I would never wish slavery on anyone,” he said feebly. “It is a hard life. But I have been blessed, Skaia. I have been loved. Be sure…” Lucius squeezed Skaia’s hand as firmly as he could. “Be sure that Paulinus knows I have loved him in return. Be sure he knows I have been happy to live with him.”

Skaia assured him he would tell Paulinus, and gradually Lucius released the pressure on his fingers. Satisfied with the promise, Lucius seemed to sink deeper into the bed and closed his eyes. Not knowing what else to do, Skaia picked up and rubbed Lucius’ wrinkled hand, until Paulinus entered. Then he got up quickly so Paulinus could take his place.

From the doorway, Thaddeus motioned Skaia to come to him. “Stay with them,” he whispered. “Come for me if anything changes.” Thaddeus took Skaia’s head in both hands, and kissed his forehead before he left. “Thank you.”

Skaia returned to Paulinus with tears in his eyes. But he blinked them back. He would not let himself distress the old master even more. “Master Paulinus, you should be in bed too, sir,” Skaia said, lightly pulling on the old man’s arm. When Paulinus tried to shake him off, he added, “Lucius would insist, sir. He… he would want you near him, sir.” At that, Paulinus finally agreed and allowed Skaia’s help in stripping off his outer tunic.

When he lay down, Skaia pulled the blanket over him, tucking it in behind his back. With everything done, Skaia knelt on the floor by the old master’s side, and rested his head on the bed.

Lucius was gone before dawn arrived. Paulinus knew it first, and his sobs woke Skaia. Sitting up, Skaia felt his own tears begin. “I’m so sorry, Master,” he said softly. “I… I have to get Thaddeus.” Paulinus only glanced at him before he started stroking Lucius’ face again.

To Skaia’s surprise, Thaddeus’ eyes grew bright with tears at the news of Lucius’ death. Telling Skaia to stay in his rooms, he went to his father. By early afternoon, the funeral arrangements had all been made. They were simple enough, but elaborate for a slave. Lucius’ body would lie in the atrium for some hours, before it was transported to one of the local sites used for slave cremations in the early evening. The fire would not be lit until the following morning.

At Paulinus’ insistence, a garland of flowers was procured and placed around Lucius’ neck. And he sat with the body until way after lunch had been served. Until Thaddeus almost forced him back to bed.

Skaia watched them go, but could not bring himself to leave Lucius all alone in the atrium. After some time had passed, Castor joined him, and then Gotus. Castor was as calm and composed as ever, but Gotus had tears in his eyes and Skaia moved to stand beside him, feeling easier with someone else who grieved.

“
How was the country? Did Thaddeus hurt you?” Gotus asked very quietly.

Skaia looked at him for just a moment. “It was fine, Gotus. Thaddeus and I walked in the woods often, and by the river.”
We played games; I learned to ride.
Skaia’s eyes filled with tears again, and he was almost grateful when Castor frowned in their direction.

Eventually, Thaddeus returned and collected Skaia. “We’re going to bed,” he informed Castor. “There will be no formal dinner tonight. Make sure someone is with Lucius until the men from the crematorium come. I promised my father he would not be left alone.”