Skaia (59 page)

So he simply bowed and left Thaddeus’ chamber, going to the gates of the domus as instructed.

Dax, the boy sent by Flavius, was already waiting there. Skaia took his place next to him, and after just a few moments, leaned closer to whisper, “Are you nervous about tonight?”

“
Nervous? Why?”

Oh, Belenus…
Skaia thought.
Does he not know?

Dax laughed at his expression. “Oh—you mean about Scipio. Antius told me you were worried.” He laughed again, and then became more serious. “You can’t be a virgin, Skaia. Not with such looks. One man’s cock is much like another. Just relax and you’ll be fine. Besides,” he grinned, “after they see me dance, I doubt you’ll be chosen.”

Skaia looked away. Dax was seeing this as some sort of competition. He sincerely hoped the other boy would win. And then thought he must be very strange indeed, to have this longing to be with only one person.
It’s not my choice,
he reminded himself again.
And it’s for Glaucus.
But somehow, he was not reassured.

Flavius and Antius were the first to arrive, soon after dark. They refused their escort. Senator Marius was next. And close on his heels, one of Thaddeus’ wealthy friends, Gaius Titus Galliani, the father of Glaucus’ intended bride. Dax escorted them into the room off the atrium.

When Senator Scipio arrived, it was Skaia’s turn. The man was polite enough, but he grinned as he blatantly looked Skaia over, and whispered to him to serve him later in the night. He was running his hand over Skaia’s buttocks as Thaddeus came forward to greet him. Thaddeus saw the motion and his face froze, though he recovered quickly, spoke to Scipio cordially, and guided him forward to greet Antius and Flavius.

Skaia was nervous again when the last two guests arrived. He greeted them and led them to Thaddeus. When he got back to the gates they were closed, meaning no one else was expected. Looking around for just a moment, Skaia went to the kitchen, telling himself he was simply checking on dinner—not trying to escape.

But Castor came to him almost immediately, frowning. “What do you think you’re doing, Skaia? Get back out there to Thaddeus. Dinner can be served whenever he’s ready. Go now. Don’t you dare mess this up for him.”

Bowing, Skaia thought he should have known there would be no sympathy for him. He had heard the rumors in the household lately. That he was pampered and overly protected. Sometimes, he thought even Gotus had begun to withdraw from him. Castor had expressed his own amazement on several occasions, when Thaddeus had guests stay, that Skaia was not to be prepared to serve the men sexually.

The atrium and the room off from it were beautifully lit, with torches set both inside and about the gardens. Skaia took only a moment to appreciate it before hurrying across to the serving table, to join Gotus. He thought the conversation between Thaddeus and his guests seemed jovial, the atmosphere relaxed.

Gotus handed Skaia an amphora of wine, and told him to refill the guests’ cups. “You need to be on display,” he said softly, and Skaia recognized the concern in his voice. “The hired slaves will be bringing appetizers in a moment.” At Skaia’s dazed look, Gotus squeezed his shoulder. “Is something wrong?”

“
Nothing,” Skaia assured him. “I’m sorry. I’ll be fine.” He took the amphora carefully from Gotus’ hands and walked to Thaddeus’ group. Senator Scipio held out his cup first, and Skaia filled it. Then Senator Marius’ cup, and then Thaddeus’. Afterwards, he bowed respectfully, and walked towards Flavius, Titus and Antius.

Antius leaned toward him. “Is dinner ready? Some of our guests are eager to get to the dining room.”

“
Yes, sir. As soon as Thad… Master Thaddeus calls for it.”

Antius frowned, and pinched Skaia’s buttock. Hard. “Watch yourself, boy.”

“
Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.” Skaia refilled their cups and went to other groups before returning to Gotus. He thought the hired slaves were doing well at their job. They seemed to have an uncanny knack of finding and serving groups of men without ever looking up. Another group of them were also circulating the room with the bowls of water and towels for guests to clean their hands.

Gotus leaned toward him and whispered, “How are you?”

“
I feel like an idiot,” Skaia answered honestly. “I’m making constant mistakes.”

Laughing softly, Gotus replied, “The senators seem satisfied. They were surely admiring you.”

Skaia shivered again, thinking of the hand that had groped him. But he said nothing.

In spite of what Antius had said about guests being hungry, it was still some time before Thaddeus announced that dinner was ready, and called everyone to the dining room. When Skaia and Gotus entered, all the men were reclining on their couches, and the hired slaves had already passed out fresh cups of wine.

Earlier that day, there had been considerable discussion on how to arrange the guests, and Thaddeus had finally decided on three sets of three couches, all facing a center table. Scipio and Titus would sit with Thaddeus, while Flavius, Antius and Marius made up the other important group. Three of Antius’ more wealthy friends made up the third.

Skaia was the first to start serving, carrying the platter of stuffed mice. He had almost begged Gotus to change with him, but then thought the snails looked even worse. At least the mice were cooked, and covered with sauce. Gotus followed closely behind him, while the other slaves served the roasted vegetables and freshly baked, warm breads.

Once everyone had full plates, Skaia started to refill wine cups. He could hear little of the conversation, but he thought things were going well. Thaddeus was smiling, and the senators seemed cheerful.

Musicians played softly in the background, the volume rising slightly as Dax arrived, dressed only in a flimsy red loincloth. He started to dance immediately, though few of the guests did more than glance at him.

Skaia was fascinated—in spite of all his intentions to ignore Dax entirely, he still found his gaze going back to the boy. His skin was oiled, and he seemed to shimmer in the light of the lamps and torches. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, and his hips swayed provocatively. Skaia began to have real hope that Senator Scipio would choose Dax.

But then, even before the dance was finished, Thaddeus called Skaia to him. “Senator Scipio would like you to massage his neck, Skaia. He’s a little tense.”

“
Yes, Master,” Skaia said softly. He turned and put his hands gently on the Senator’s shoulders. To his surprise, the man actually
was
tense. Skaia flexed his fingers to work more carefully.

The Senator sighed. “Ah, that feels very good. Here,” he said, patting the empty space on his couch, “sit beside me boy, so you will be available when I need you.” Skaia looked to Thaddeus, and saw him nod. So he sat carefully, and immediately felt a hand on his thigh.

Everyone continued talking and eating as if nothing was unusual. Antius’ girls, and some of the hired slaves, brought the fingerbowls and towels, while Skaia fought down his panic and tried to remain calm. Scipio’s hand was running higher on his leg, slipping under his breechcloth. Skaia bit his lip to keep from reacting to the man’s touch. He looked up hopefully when Thaddeus stood and began to speak.

“
Senators, may we count on you, to support our sons?”

Scipio was fondling Skaia’s scrotum even as he replied. “I think Marius and I can probably be helpful. But, may I request a small contribution to our election funds?”

Flavius smiled broadly. Things were turning out just as he hoped. “We would be happy to support my future father-in-law, and his friend.”

Antius concurred quickly, but Thaddeus was watching Scipio’s hand.

When Scipio saw it, he smiled and reached even higher, shifting the breechcloth aside and stroking Skaia’s penis. “Then I am sure everything will work out well. But I think now that I would like to see your father’s gardens, Thaddeus. I’ve heard so much about them. Is this the boy you said could show me?”

“
The gardens might be better viewed during daylight hours,” Thaddeus protested. Antius and Flavius immediately glared their disapproval, and Thaddeus forced himself to relax, reclining on his couch again.
I can’t behave as stupidly as Glaucus,
he told himself.
Not with all these people.
“Yes, Senator, that is the boy,” he forced himself to say, with a smile on his face.

Scipio stood, taking Skaia’s hand and drawing him up as well. “I’m sure the gardens are lovely at all times. The lighting seems to be quite sufficient.”

When Thaddeus spoke again, his voice was calm. “Of course, Senator. And Skaia is indeed an excellent guide. He often worked on the gardens with my father.”

“
Ah—the gardener boy,” Scipio commented, and looked directly at Skaia as he led him toward the garden path. “So, you helped Paulinus?”

Skaia looked only at the path beneath his feet. “Yes, sir.”

Lifting the boy’s chin, Scipio said gently, “Look at me when we talk.” His hand drifted to the earring. “From Glaucus?” he asked.

“
No, sir. From Master Thaddeus.”

“
From Thaddeus? How interesting. Come, show me this garden I’ve heard so much about.” Scipio started walking toward the peristylium, and when Skaia tried to drop behind him, he took his arm and pulled him forward, laughing softly. “You can’t very well show me anything from back there.”

In spite of Skaia’s determination not to like the Senator, his easy laugh was appealing. And when Skaia looked at the man’s face, he found himself smiling back.

Arriving in the peristylium, Skaia pointed out the new pool and several of the shrubs. To his surprise, the Senator actually looked around, recognizing the plants, and complimenting the design.

“
Master Paulinus developed it, sir. He loved his gardens,” Skaia told him.