Skaia (65 page)

They made love, as they had so many times now. Sweet, tender, rough, passionate… and full of mutual pleasure.

When they were both sated, Skaia slept first, and Thaddeus watched him for long minutes, knowing that changes were on their way. He could not be sorry that Glaucus would return soon, but he knew full well that his relationship with Skaia might end. Or change in ways he could not control. For that, he could grieve…

Glaucus watched as Nicea served dinner, first to him and his friends, and then to the guards, before finally standing quietly next to the wagon, awaiting further instructions.

After eating, Trestus called the slave back, and pushed him down between his spread thighs, pressing the boy’s head towards his crotch. Nicea made no objection, performing as he always did, reaching his arms beneath Trestus’ tunic, untying the Roman’s breechcloth.

Glaucus stood. “Not in open view, Trestus. Take him to your pallet.”

Trestus glared. “You go to your pallet, if you don’t want to see. Bessus and I want to have a little fun with him tonight. Together. We want to watch each other.”

Staying for a few moments, watching as Trestus raised his tunic higher and Nicea engulfed his cock in his mouth, his fingers massaging Trestus’ balls, Glaucus sighed and turned away, and walked to his pallet.
Damn,
he thought.
The slave belongs to me, now.

But not really, not yet. He had not paid his friends their share of Nicea’s price. They still had rights to him. Glaucus cursed again, but he didn’t have the coins to pay. There was no help for it until they got home.

Looking back, Glaucus could see Nicea’s blond head going up and down Trestus’ length. He turned away again, lay down, and tried to sleep. But sometime later he heard Bessus’ distinct grunts of pleasure, and realized Nicea was now with his other friend.

Some of the guards were calling out—urging that Bessus send the boy to them. Glaucus looked back, and started to rise. But Trestus was taking charge. Joking with the guards, even as he pulled Nicea to his own pallet near the fire. Covering them both with his blanket.

What is it between them?
Glaucus wondered as he settled again. Trestus would never admit any fondness for Nicea, not when he still ridiculed Glaucus for his feelings toward Skaia. But Glaucus had seen him watch Nicea occasionally. Had seen Nicea watch him back.

Perhaps Trestus exemplified how a Roman should treat a slave. Using him as he wanted. Showing a bit of kindness occasionally. A bit of concern. Perhaps that was all that was required.

Glaucus did understand he had behaved inappropriately that day they left Rome. And—after being teased so often by his friends—he knew now he had shamed his family, and knew he would never do such a thing again. Still, he could not imagine treating Skaia as they all treated Nicea.

But perhaps my father does.

For just a moment, Glaucus’ chest constricted at the thought. It had been some time now, but both Trestus and Bessus had joked about their own fathers assisting in Skaia’s
training
. Perhaps Skaia was the same as Nicea now.

Glaucus took deep breaths to calm himself. After so many months with Nicea, it was still disconcerting to think that Skaia might have given in to such a life—but no longer beyond understanding. Slaves were only slaves—they had no choice but to obey.
Even Skaia…

As the small camp quieted, Glaucus’ mind did as well, and eventually he slept.

The next night, only Bessus wanted Nicea. Glaucus and Trestus both left the fire, and walked among the horses. Trestus laughed when he realized Glaucus was upset, and he slapped his shoulder good-naturedly. “Don’t worry—Bessus is quick. He can never hold back. Nicea knows how to ensure it.”

“
But the guards…”

“
Gods, Glaucus—you
are
soft on the slave.”

“
And you’re not?”

Trestus looked up at the trees overhead. “Of course not. And stop worrying. Bessus will not let him be hurt. He’ll keep the boy at his side tonight and see he has a good breakfast tomorrow. We both know Nicea will ultimately belong to your family. We won’t let him be ruined.”

Ruined.
Skaia would not be ruined, either… Glaucus nodded and tried not to think of it further as they returned to camp, and took to their pallets.

Some time later, Glaucus was awakened by fingers tapping softly on his shoulder, and he looked up instantly. Nicea was kneeling beside him, his head bowed. “Please, Master, may I lie with you?” the boy asked.

Glaucus reached out and touched the silver head gently. “Not tonight, Nicea. Sleep in the wagon. Your breath… you smell of sex.”

Nicea rose to obey immediately. But not before Glaucus saw the tears in his eyes.
Extraordinary,
he thought.
Nicea does not cry. He accepts everything.
“Did Bessus hurt you?” he asked suddenly. “Trestus said… he said Bessus would keep you tonight.”

“
Master Bessus did not hurt me, sir. He just said he could not sleep with me so close.”

It was obvious that Nicea was upset, and Glaucus was tempted to comfort the slave, but he remembered Trestus’ words—and refused to give in to the impulse. He let Nicea go, and watched him stumble into the woods. To the creek; to wash himself. As he always did.

Lying back, Glaucus’ thoughts turned to Skaia again. His slave had been with his father for over a year now. And his father had used him. Glaucus wondered how much Skaia had changed. Did the slave ever think of him?  What were Skaia’s thoughts of his father?  

Does he enjoy my father?

Glaucus shook his head, feeling foolish.
Why do I care?
Slaves are nothing. They can be bought anywhere. Ones as pretty, and as well trained, as Nicea. Greeks. Educated and cultured. Not barbarians like Skaia.
The image of a curve of a leg, the soft swelling of a buttock, flashed through his mind.
Skaia’s,
he wondered, o
r Nicea’s?

After Glaucus felt the surge of blood between his legs, he decided not to squelch his need. He pushed back his blanket and walked to the wagon that Nicea had just entered. For just a moment, he thought that Nicea would not be pleased to see him. But what did that matter? As Trestus had said, the Greek boy was only a slave—and well used to such treatment. He would serve him well enough.

Pulling back the flap on the wagon, Glaucus saw Nicea lift his head. He climbed in and pulled the boy’s blanket away. Nicea said nothing, and put up no resistance as Glaucus fell on him. At his command, the boy pulled his legs back and spread himself wide, and Glaucus freed his hard, aching cock, slipping it between Nicea’s buttocks, probing until he found the opening. Then he slammed in brutally, knocking Nicea back. Grabbing the boy’s hips, Glaucus held tightly as he pumped ferociously.

He was silent as he climaxed, and as the waves of pleasure overtook him.

When he was done he pushed Nicea away, retied his breechcloth, and returned to his pallet. Sated now, he fell asleep quickly.

The finished collar was received. Thaddeus was both pleased, and disturbed by it. Exactly what he had envisioned—but not something he wanted his friends to see. He had pointed one out to Antius one afternoon as they’d walked home from the baths—and his friend had been almost overcome with laughter. “Look at that girl,” he’d chortled. “If her master worries for her, why does he let her go out in public at all?  He should just keep her in his domus.”

Thaddeus had laughed in return—and realized his idea to collar Skaia would call unwanted attention to him, as well as to his family name.

He tucked the collar away after he was done looking at it.

The good news had arrived earlier. Glaucus and the others would be home in just a few days. Antius would provide the formal welcome dinner for them, but Thaddeus still instigated a flurry of activity to make sure the domus was prepared for his own son’s home-coming.

The kitchen was stocked with fresh foods, and the cellar with various wines. Every surface was scrubbed and polished until it shone. Thaddeus had even assigned two men to Skaia, to make sure the gardens were perfect. Now, Thaddeus toured Glaucus’ new rooms a final time, to be sure they were ready.

Skaia trailed behind him, his eyes wide as he looked at the changes that had been wrought since Paulinus died. Exquisite paintings of seascapes covered all the walls, and there were draperies at the large windows overlooking the peristylium garden. In matching tones of blue and green. Everything he had suggested had been done.

Thaddeus looked around, completely satisfied, before glancing at Skaia. “Will Glaucus approve?”

‘
The rooms are beautiful, Master. Anyone would be happy to live here.”

“
You?” Thaddeus asked cautiously.

Skaia had seen the small antechamber, where a slave, or slaves, could sleep. And the great hooks to which chains could be fastened. He colored as Thaddeus continued to stare. “I will do whatever I am told, sir.”

“
Of course you will,” Thaddeus laughed softly. Though he could not help but wonder if Skaia wanted to be here. He led the way back downstairs, and through the gardens. Outside, there was a light breeze, and the small flags placed in the ground waved gently. “Are you ready to meet Nicea?”