The Gladiator Prince (4 page)

When they got close enough, Phaedra put her finger to her lips and urged Bahar to the latticework mounted securely on the concrete wall surrounding the inside garden. She had climbed this a million times with Bahar as children to spy on their father, his friends and sometimes even the slaves. It had been a long time since Phaedra had scaled the wall, and she remembered it being a lot easier. Her tunic seemed to catch on every branch and thorn standing out from the withered rose bush.

They were soon on top of the tiled roof, looking down into the garden peristyle. The slick moss covered roof sloped away from their feet and Bahar had to help Phaedra sit, saving her from slipping right into the plants below.

Voices rose from the dining room underneath them moving to the garden.

“…travel a fair way just to discuss marriage, Hasani.” Abella’s deep baritone voice rumbled into Phaedra’s feet making her heart stop a moment. If anyone caught them, they would be beaten.

“Not at all,
Lanista
. Egypt is very hot this time of year, and I needed a break. Besides, we had excellent winds all the way. To my delight, I find your daughter worth the trip. She is exquisite.”

His words made Phaedra tremble. When had he seen her? The thought of him watching her secretly sent bumps over her bare arms.

The two men appeared in the courtyard, and Phaedra had to hold her breath to keep it from betraying their hiding. She had heard her father talk about this man; Hasani the Ghost, he called him. Why, she did not know. It was rumored that he was a pirate, but of course, that was absurd.

Hasani was indeed handsome. Probably twenty-five summers, his hair was as black as pitch and fell in waves down his neck. His square jaw and high cheekbones seemed almost sculpted, like statues of Greek gods Phaedra had seen in Rome. A well-trimmed mustache and beard stood out on his chin, something Romans did not sport, as a rule. It made him look dynamic, while the dark smoky eyes above it promised wisdom, self-possession and experience.

The roll of shoulders she could see under the expensive robes seemed well muscled, and his legs were strong and firm. A strange likeness of a lion’s head filled his broad back, white against a crimson wash. The workmanship was superb. His skin was very dark, obviously baked by the Egyptian sun.

He was in sharp contrast to her father, who was a very small man, with a hunch back, a dusty fringe of gray hair and a wrinkled face with bulging watery blue eyes. His lips always smacked when he wanted something as they did now.

“It is rumored that you seek a… benefactor for certain enterprises you are planning for this year,” Abella said as he moved around the handsome man, making him seem even smaller and more hunched.

Hasani folded his arms and stroked the mustache, but stayed where he was. “Perhaps.” The rolling baritone of his voice quickened Phaedra’s heart. “If I can find the right sort of man. My profession is… let me say highly speculative. I have heard you finance businesses like mine.”

Abella stopped and twisted his chin before rubbing it. “Oh, yes? What have you heard?”

Hasani lifted his arms so the sleeves of his robe could fall back then sat by the fountain to touch the water. “That you service Hassasin, Ottopeilus, the Greek Asophicles and of course Hermonius. I was hoping you would grant me the same boon. I promise you, my ship and crew will triple your profits before the next leaves fall in Rome. We have a reputation to uphold, after all.”

There was a strong tick in Abella’s face when he turned it to Hasani. “I know of your reputation, Hasani. It is why you are in my house, why I have promised my daughter to you. However, I am a cautious man.”

“If it is proof you need, beyond my reputation, then this is what I propose.” The black eyes gleamed in the torchlight, making Phaedra swallow. “There is a ship sailing in three days from the harbor at
Rutupiae
, the Opulens, bound for Rome with a cargo of raw silver and gold. You and your daughter will travel on her to Rome for our marriage, and I will show you that my ship and crew are quite skilled. We will relieve the lady of her cargo, and I will personally deliver you and your lovely daughter to Rome.”

Abella narrowed one eye and tilted his head. “Why to Rome? Can we not have your wedding here on Britannia?”

Gleaming white teeth sparked from his lips when he smiled. “My villa is in Rome not to mention what few friends I have. Besides, I doubt very much Phaedra will find a suitable wedding dress for the occasion in Britannia.”

“It makes little difference to me. I am only curious.” He looked down at his hands and cleaned one nail. “Gold and silver you say?”

“As much as you can carry. I doubt any of your other
clients
have suggested such a profitable opportunity. As your first installment, twenty ounces out of each one hundred will be yours to invest as you wish. However, I will expect information about my next commission before the first of the month, along with payment of the dowry for your daughter, of course.”

Abella nodded and lifted one brow before grinning at Hasani. “I think I am going to like you as a partner… and as a son.” He bowed his head, rubbed his chin thoughtfully then brought it up sharply. “However, as to my daughter…”

Abella moved to the center of the garden via a worn path and sat down on a cement bench.. “She is very lovely, and, of course, quite skilled since she has been married before. So I hope you take that into consideration before naming the cost of her dowry.”

When Hasani smiled, the gleaming eyes made Phaedra bite her thumbnail. “I am certain we can come to an agreement on that. However, I must warn you.” His face turned suddenly fierce, and Phaedra’s heart skipped a beat. “The last wife I had was supposed to be skilled and she was no better than a virgin,” he said. “I slit her throat and had her father crucified for his deception. I sincerely hope this will not be the case with you.”

Abella laughed and slapped his knees. “I knew I would like you. If she is not as skilled as I promise, I will hand you the knife then throw myself upon my own
gladius
. Agreed?”

Taking Abella’s outstretched arm, Hasani grabbed up to the elbow in a sign of bargain. “Agreed.”

Just at that moment the house slave came in and announced dinner. The two men rose and crossed to the entrance.

“Oh, I almost forgot. A cousin of mine here in Britannia has joined my entourage and finds herself infatuated with one of your gladiators, the one they call the Prince? I would deem it a personal favor if it could be arranged for her to meet with him.”

They disappeared under the edge of the roof, and Abella’s voice began to recede. “Certainly. I will see to it he is available tonight. I hope she is hearty. Thane is very well placed.”

“No worries on that account. Salihah is quite experienced. Her father is dead, and she has no brothers, so it has fallen to me to keep an eye on her. If I do not marry her off soon, she may become a liability.”

The voices faded, and the last thing Phaedra heard was her father saying. “As to that, perhaps we can come up with…” But that was all.

Phaedra sat back on the mossy tiles trembling all over. She felt Bahar’s hand on her arm, but it seemed far away. When he urged her to climb down from the roof, she could not move. Her world had just been shattered.

What was she going to do? She had never known a man, not like that. She touched her neck and swallowed. Would he really slit her throat if she did not perform well? Despair came crashing in, and tears welled in her eyes.

“Phaedra, we have to go,” Bahar urged. “Father will catch us.”

“What am I going to do, Bahar?” she said staring intently at the spot where Hasani had stood. “I… I cannot marry him unless…”

“I know,” Bahar whispered, putting an arm around her shoulders. “We will come up with a solution, I promise. Right now, we have to get off this roof.”

Phaedra nodded numbly and allowed Bahar to guide her to the ground, though how she climbed she did not know. Taking her hand, Bahar pulled her down the path outside the house and onto the side road that led to the forest surrounding it. It was all a blur to Phaedra.

When he put something to her lips, she realized it was a wine sack and took a sip. It helped to take away some of the bewilderment. She handed it back to Bahar and let him help her to sit on a log.

“Take some air,” Bahar said.

It was only then that Phaedra realized she was not breathing. The night air felt stark and cold against the heat in her throat, and she could not keep her breath from shaking.

Closing her eyes tight and sucking in another gulp of air, Phaedra did what she always did; she spoke to her gods, the incantations silent and powerful, repeating the chants Althea had taught her to survive her mother’s death, her father’s wrath and the profound secrets she fought to protect every waking moment. She opened her eyes and lifted them to her brother who scowled down at her. Secrets that were getting harder and harder to hide with each passing year.

With a guttural growl she only shared with her brother, Phaedra pushed down the fear with great effort. It cleared her head enough to wrap her wits around what had happened. Closing her eyes again, she focused on what they heard, trying to fathom what her father and the mysterious Hasani had said.

…payment of the dowry for your daughter, of course.

…slit her throat and had her father crucified for his deception.

…cousin finds herself infatuated with one of your gladiators.

…I will see to it he is available tonight.

In a horrifying moment of clarity, the solution came to her. It made her knees buckle and sweat bloom at the back of her neck.
Can I do that?

At once, she turned to Bahar. Try as she might, she could not keep the trembling out of her voice. “I know what I need to do.”

Bahar squinted at her suspiciously. Phaedra knew he was not going to approve. “What?” he asked.

“Tonight…” She folded one arm over the other and pinched herself, leaning away from him. “Tonight, I will watch them. I will learn from them.”

Bahar scowled down at her in confusion, but then jumped back with his mouth open. “You cannot be serious!” he cried, spreading his fingers at his sides.

She tilted her head back and forced herself to confront him. “I am,” she replied with conviction, then could not stop the words gushing from her mouth. “I will watch the cousin with Thane tonight. You heard the Egyptian. She is quite skilled. And I know Thane’s reputation. If I cannot learn from them, then I will… find another way.” As she searched his face, the condemnation was so evident it crushed her heart. She could feel her lips trembling. “This marriage must go through, Bahar. I cannot keep you safe here.” Hot tears scorched her cheek, and she brushed it with the back of her hand angrily.

Bahar leaned down and grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to me,” he whispered. “If you are caught, if they find out, father will not be content to marry you off.” He pushed her shoulders back and step away from her. “He will kill you himself. I will not let you do this.”

Phaedra launched off the log and felt her hands forming fists. The beat of her heart pounded against her eyes. Did he not realize she was doing this for him?

“Did I ask you for your permission?” she hissed tightly.

Bahar gasped, and his mouth hung open. She had never seen that expression in his eyes, and it frightened her. Putting her hand to her mouth, she said, “Bahar, I am…”

Without a word, he turned abruptly and left her in the forest.

Phaedra sank down to the log, rubbing her left arm and staring after him. Her head began to spin, and her stomach tied itself into painful knots.

Squeezing her fists against her eyes, she repeated the words that had always served her.

“Things will be all right.”

They would not catch her, Bahar would forgive her and Hasani would not be disappointed with her performance. She had a good imagination. All she needed was a little more knowledge. Thane could teach her. Licking her lips and swallowing down the doubt, she said it again, her jaw tight. “Things will be all right. I will
make
them all right.”

Wiping her eyes, Phaedra stood and headed for the
ludus
.

Chapter IV

Thane stared at the woman who had appeared before him, wondering again why it was women found him so appealing. He had not even visited the baths yet and had to douse himself in olive oil and scrape his skin quickly, since he had had little notice of her visit. The stink of the arena still saturated his pores.

Standing up, he towered over her by a good four hands, but she did not shrink from him, which was encouraging. He detested the ones who came to him as if they had been forced. There was no doubt as to where the gold came for this tryst.

“Do not rise on my account, Prince.” Her voice was deep and pleasant, the Egyptian accent adding a lilt that reverberated through his loin. With an elegant motion, she indicated the bench. “Please sit.” He nodded and sank back onto the bench.

The woman was petite, yet well figured, with a strong set of hips and large breasts. Her face would have been beautiful had it not been for the mess around her eyes; Roman and Egyptian women both wore paint on their faces to entice men, which seemed strange to him, since women of his tribe only wore paint when they went to war. This one had heavy black lines around her eyes and bloody red lips, making her expressions harsh. He could smell her spicy perfume from across the room.