Skaia (64 page)

Thaddeus smiled and nodded. “Did you find anything you wanted?”

“
There is a vendor further down with fresh fruit. I would like an apple, sir.”

“
An apple, is that all? Not a sweet cake?”

“
No, sir. Just an apple.” Skaia’s mouth quirked in a smile. “Though I do not want to wear it in my ear.”

Thaddeus grinned, picked a coin from his purse, and gave it to Skaia. Sitting on the steps, he told him to go buy his apple, and he would wait. Though he watched carefully and stood again, when he lost sight of the boy.

Skaia came back munching happily, and held out the change.

“
Come with me,” Thaddeus said as he took the smaller coins. “We’re going to the jeweler again.”

“
The jeweler?” Skaia questioned. “Were you looking at jewelry while I was gone?”

Thaddeus didn’t answer, just led the way, and Skaia quietly walked behind him. But as they approached the familiar stall, Skaia moved forward. “You’re not going to pierce me again, are you?” he asked apprehensively.

Turning to face him, Thaddeus grinned. “Are you sure you don’t want that apple core hanging from your other ear?”

“
No.”

Thaddeus smiled. “We’ll see.”

Curiosity covered Skaia’s face as he looked at the assortment of goods. Changing to surprise when Thaddeus held up the ring he’d looked at earlier.

“
I was thinking of getting this for you. But you need to try it on and see if it fits.”

Skaia looked at Thaddeus hands, to determine which finger he should try, and then slipped it on.

Thaddeus thought it might be loose on the slender digit. “Does it fit?”

“
I think so, Master.” Skaia held out his hand to Thaddeus for inspection. “But I don’t think I should have it, sir. Others… others in the household…”

“
Are jealous?” Thaddeus asked.

It was more than that—it alienated them, left him alone. But he didn’t know how to explain it. Jealousy was close. “Yes, sir.”

“
They’ll have to deal with it,” Thaddeus said bluntly, checking the fit of the ring, thinking Skaia’s lovely hand set it off, rather than the other way round. He called for the jeweler to check the fit as well, and was glad when he approved. When the cost was settled, Thaddeus paid and turned away.

As they walked, Skaia held out his fingers to admire the ring, forgetting all his earlier objections. “It is very beautiful, Master. Thank you.”

“
I bought a collar that matches it. But it has to be inscribed before it is delivered.”

A collar?
Skaia felt a knot form in his gut. “I don’t want a collar.”

Thaddeus put his arm around Skaia’s shoulder. “Sorry,” he grinned, “that’s something
you’ll
have to deal with.”

Skaia dropped behind as Thaddeus pushed through the crowd. He thought he would gladly give up the ring—even the earring—if only he was not forced to wear a collar.
Only, it still is not my choice.
Nothing is.

Except the apple.

XIX

Skaia followed closely as Thaddeus entered the dining room, to find that they were indeed late. Crassus was already reclining on a couch, and tonight—for the first time Skaia had seen—Thaddia had pulled a chair close to the table and sat with her back straight. They seemed to be talking amiably, while Kaleel stood near his young master’s couch, laughing quietly at their remarks.

As Skaia made his way straight to the serving table, Thaddeus took up position on a couch with the children. “What is this, Thaddia? Have you given up the couch?” he asked.

“
We don’t need to use them for family dinners, Father. When Antius’ wife helped me with grandfather’s funeral, she told me about proper manners.”

Crassus laughed at the comment, and Thaddia frowned at him. “Brat,” she hissed, before looking at her father again. “Rosella told me that young ladies should not recline in the presence of men.” She sighed. “I’m too old now to still behave like a little girl.”

Her brother laughed again, and this time Thaddeus turned a stern look on him, before he addressed his daughter. “You’re not that old, Thaddia. If you still want a couch, I have no objection to your using it.”

Thaddia shook her head stubbornly. “I
am
older, Father. Almost thirteen. It is time for me to have a husband.”

A husband?  Not already…
Thaddeus was speechless. He fumbled with his napkin before he looked up, noticing that Thaddia’s neck was bare. “Do you not like the necklace I got you?”

“
Oh—it’s fine. But it matches Thera’s coloring better. I gave it to her.”

Thaddeus sighed and settled back, fearing he had absolutely no idea how to handle a daughter.

Joining Skaia at the serving table, Kaleel noticed the new ring that adored Skaia’s finger almost immediately. “It’s beautiful—and matches the earring. Did Thaddeus get it for you today?”

“
Yes,” Skaia admitted, finding he was slightly embarrassed.

“
I think he must like you more than Thera thinks,” Kaleel smiled. “I hope that Master Crassus will get me something like that some day. I mean—if he keeps me.”

“
He likes you, Kaleel—and this household almost never sells slaves,” Skaia tried to reassure him. But the youngster just shrugged, looking at the ring again. And when he started to speak, Skaia interrupted quickly. “Kaleel, do you know why Thera is not here?”

“
She’s sick.” When Skaia looked at him questioningly, Kaleel dropped his voice and explained, “Mistress Thaddia says it’s a female thing. I don’t know what that means. Do you?”

Skaia did not. He knew almost nothing of girls, or the sickness that they suffered. Only that it was normal for them to bleed between their legs sometimes. And that they carried a strange odor when it happened. “No. Not really. Only what my master has told me,” he answered.
Which wasn’t anything,
but he would not admit that to the youngster.

“
Skaia!” Thaddeus called out. “Is there a reason why you have not served beverages?”

“
No, Master.” Skaia hurried to fill his tray, and went to the family. When that was done, he brought the platter of meats and vegetables. Kaleel followed with the bread. After that, both slaves stood back attentively, and did not speak to one another again for the duration of the meal.

When the children had left, Thaddeus called Skaia to him. “What happened? Why were you slow?” He did not sound particularly angry, but his question caused Skaia to lower his head before replying.

“
Kaleel asked about the ring, sir. And I asked him about Thera. I’m sorry, sir. It was my fault.”

Thaddeus reached out and took Skaia’s hand, looking at the ring. He pulled the slender fingers to his lips and kissed them. “Let’s go back to our room.”

Skaia looked up, and his heart began to beat faster in anticipation.

After they passed through the antechamber, Thaddeus glanced at his desk, spotting the new scroll that had been placed there. He looked back at Skaia for a moment, debating, then decided to look at the scroll first. Only a moment… Just to see what it was.

Skaia watched him for several seconds, but when Thaddeus sat and seemed engrossed with the scroll’s contents, he sighed and went to his corner to kneel. For a few minutes, he admired the ring—and then thought of the collar.
Why,
he wondered.
Why would Thaddeus collar me again?

The message was from Marius, and was longer than Thaddeus anticipated.
Damn, no,
he thought irritably.
I will not run for the Senate again. Not now. Not ever.
He threw aside the parchment and looked at Skaia. “Get out of that damn corner,” he snapped. “How often do I have to tell you?”

Rising silently from the floor, Skaia walked across the room to sit carefully on the bench near Thaddeus’ desk. “You said you were collaring me again, Master.”
And you didn’t even speak to me when we got here.
“I thought you were angry with me.”

Why the fuck is he so upset about the collar?
Thaddeus wondered. And tried to keep the agitation from his voice, realizing his true anger was not with this boy. “After I bought you the ring, Skaia?  After I kissed your fingers?”

Blushing, Skaia lifted his head. “I like the ring, sir. It is very beautiful.”
But not something I should have.

“
Then, what’s wrong?” Thaddeus asked softly.

Skaia blinked several times. “The collar, sir. I… I don’t want to wear a collar again, Master. I thought you… you trusted me.”

If Skaia had not appeared so upset, Thaddeus would have laughed. Instead, he leaned forward, elbows resting on his thighs, and spoke seriously. “Of course I trust you, Skaia. The collar is to protect you.”
And to emphasize the blue of your eyes.

Skaia shook his head, confused. “What is it meant to protect me from?”

“
I watched you in the forum today,” Thaddeus tried to explain. “Too many men seemed to think it was acceptable to touch you. That man I interrupted wanted to
buy
your services. I was not at all pleased. I didn’t think you were, either.”

“
I wasn’t, Master. But how will a collar prevent that? Your… your senator wasn’t stopped by the pretty silver collar I wore.” Skaia’s voice showed his lingering angst.

Thaddeus sat back, templing his fingers before his mouth, and considering what to say. “That was different, Skaia. That collar—with the red jewel in the center—marked you as available to my guests. This new one will mark you as
mine
, and mine only. No one will dare touch you again.”

Skaia hesitated only a moment before speaking rashly. “But I don’t want it—I hated wearing a collar. They’re heavy, and everyone will think I’ve displeased you.”

This time Thaddeus did laugh. “I doubt anyone will think that.”
More likely, they’ll think I am an old fool.
“
The collar is silver to match your other jewelry, Skaia. And it’s very lightweight. I made sure it would not be heavy on your neck. And you won’t wear it in the domus, anyway. Just when I take you out in public, like I did today.”

Skaia’s face visibly relaxed. “Oh. I didn’t understand, sir. I thought you meant a permanent collar. Like Meera wears.”

“
Meera is a lovely woman,” Thaddeus smiled. “And much too proud. Her collar reminds her she belongs to me.”
Although it could probably be removed now that she is older…

“
So, I am not too proud?”

“
Don’t try to make everything an insult, Skaia,” Thaddeus said, as he motioned the boy to come closer. “You are just proud enough.” He stood and lifted the bottom of Skaia’s tunic, pulling the garment off over the boy’s head and dropping it on the floor. “Remove your loincloth. I want to see if you are lovely enough to wear such finery.” But Thaddeus was smiling now, obviously needing no such reassurance.