Yearnings: A Paranormal Romance Box Set (144 page)

With blood pounding in his veins, Brutus realized he could refuse Syra nothing. “Yes,” he moaned, “I love you.”

But still, she would not meet his lips. Instead, she looked into his eyes. “For eternity?”

Their lips were nearly against one another. Every breath she took became his own. “For eternity.”

When her lips met his own it was as if the world collapsed unto itself and exploded all around Brutus. The kiss was all consuming. He might as well have been caught in a lightning storm. Rome was nothing but a white blur while his body was held prisoner in the most seductive of traps.

Syra’s lips were hot against his own. Her body arched into his, feeding the fire into his whole being. Her lips parted slightly, just enough to let her tongue explore his lips. Then ever so gently, she used her teeth to nip at the corner of his mouth. There was no pain, only scores of fire down his skin. Her hand explored his neck, until her fingernails scratched at his neckline. Then with precise skill, she tugged at his hair. Just enough to cause bolts of energy down his neck. The sensation did not abate until it had coursed out his feet.

As much as the Northerner was affecting his body, it felt as if their passion was altering his mind. He had been a tightly held bud his whole life, and now with her moist lips upon his own, the petals were slowly opening, releasing desire and knowledge in equal measure. Brutus cared not for the reason—he only wished it to continue to infinity.

Breaking off the kiss, Syra whispered in his ear, “Do not fight it.”

“
Never.” Oh, how little she knew of his passion. It was a raging river, and Brutus was prepared to ride each and every rapid with elation. He found her lips again as images opened in his mind like a flower’s first bloom.

There was no surprise when Brutus realized that he had known Syra before. Her hair might be brown or her eyes blue, but the woman whose lips now kissed him hungrily was the same.

He let the sensation wash over him as his arousal hardened against the woman known as Syra. There was no hiding his desire now, nor did he wish to. The full truth was still beyond his sight, but Brutus knew this woman was his own.

Syra had been his Fated since the dawn of time. Freed from the shame and guilt back at the celebration, Brutus explored Syra’s back. She groaned as his hands cupped her buttocks and pulled her to him. This was not the first time he had heard her make that sound, and he wished to hear it over and over again.

The more memories that poured into his mind, the greater his desire to know everything about this new body of hers. Each Awakening only drove his passion to dizzying new heights. While Syra had been the aggressor at the beginning of their kiss, Brutus now guided their course. As his hands became surer, and the passion they had shared for ages flowed through them, Brutus could feel her yield to him. Her body leaned into his in sweet surrender, causing
him
to groan in pleasure. No matter that Syra was a warrior who could break an enemy in half, she was still a woman who could make him feel the man.

* * *

Syra felt Brutus’ hand slide up her side and find the outline of her chest. He cupped her breast and gave the flesh the tenderest squeeze. Syra moaned for a moment, then caught his hand and moved it away.

“
Not here,” she whispered.

Brutus kissed her neck in that tender spot just beneath her earlobe. As much as she wished to surrender to his passion, this was not the time or the place for such amorous intents. Again, she pushed him away.

“
The Crux is at hand.”

It was obvious that Brutus cared not for intrigue. His desire was hard against her, and his hands still sought purchase to pull her closer. This time with more force, she pushed him back a step.

“
Your Guardian is here. He will explain.”

Brutus growled his disapproval but kept his distance as Syra opened the door to the tunnel. The brooding frown evaporated from Brutus’ face when he saw his old friend. She stepped out of the way as Brutus and Horat clasped arms in welcome. Leaning against the wall, Syra tried not to reveal how weak she was. She had used the Crux as an excuse to distract her lover. The truth would have concerned him too greatly.

Never before had an Awakening tasked her so. Not only was her body sluggish, her mind was not yet her own. Her skull was filled with glistening fragments from a hundred different lives, yet none would gel into a coherent whole. Normally within minutes their history would bloom in her mind. All the anxiety of leaving a single life behind and embracing a hundred would be swept away within a few breaths. Not this time. As much as she knew the name Zi, she could not yet call herself that.

Syra could feel these other lives in her very marrow. Her skin had been black, brown, yellow, tattooed, and dyed in the blood of enemies, yet she still felt her home was northern Scotland rather than the ancient valley of Nirro.

Legs shaking, Syra lowered herself onto the small stool across from the statue of Venus. How could she help Brutus, if she could barely stand? The hellish ride from the Tiber had tapped out the last of her strength far worse than the trek across Spain in the slave cart.

A hand found hers. Even though Brutus was deep in conversation with Horat, he still sought her out. She gave a firm squeeze back, not wishing him to worry over her. He had far more complicated issues to wrestle with.

“
The Ides are at hand, Brutus,” Horat said

“
Aye. Caesar has taken Suprinna to heart, for he will not leave his estate.”

“
You must coax him out.”

“
Nay. They will kill him.”

Syra could see the surprise on Horat’s face when he spoke next.

“
Yes. Caesar must die.”

* * *

Brutus felt as if someone had kicked him in the chest. “Kill him?”

The Roman had assumed that when he Awakened, this course could be avoided. That Julius could be saved. Was that not the Order’s responsibility—to bring civilization to the burgeoning human population? How did cold-blooded murder promote their objective?

Horat seemed surprised at Brutus’ question. “Why, yes. That is when the conspirators have decided—”

“
No. I mean, why must he die?”

“
Brutus, I know you have feelings for—”

As much affection as Brutus felt for Horat, he was not to be pampered or manipulated. “Why?”

The older man took a deep breath. “He stifles Rome. He is ill. He divides the nation when it needs to be united.”

“
And who would do this uniting? Antony?”

“
Nay. Octavius.”

Brutus was truly surprised. “Caesar’s young nephew?”

“
He is not so young now. He crests his seventeenth birthday soon.”

“
You mean for a child to lead Rome?”

Horat was not dissuaded by Brutus’ tone. “You were not much older when you took on the mantle of The Fated.”

Brutus’ jaw tensed. That was a far different thing. This was a different time. Not just brute strength was needed. Diplomacy that was far beyond an adolescent was required.

“
Nay, but the child is too green for such a task.”

“
The Order has long been in Rome. His tutor is of the Order. His schooling is far beyond his years. He will be ready.”

Who was he to challenge the greatest minds the world could gather? How many of Horat’s words were true? Was his heart interfering with his Fate? Perhaps, but Brutus could not shake the sense of wrongness here.

“
Why not allow him to strike at Parthia? Death may await him there. Then we shall not worry about a king.”

Horat shook his head. “You misunderstand us. We mean to make Octavius not only a king but an emperor.”

Shocked, Brutus struggled to question such a notion. “Then why kill Caesar?”

“
The Senate can never unify under him. Rome needs a strong hand, but one that is not constantly being bitten by the legislature.”

Brutus felt the walls of the small cubicle press down upon him. He had thought himself free of this burden twice now, and both times the responsibility of the assassination had come back to rest upon his doorstep. Brutus was restless and needed time and space to think, but he had neither. Another concern rose in his mind.

“
If that is the case, than why did the Order alert Caesar?”

“
The Order did no such thing.”

“
Yes, it was Suprinna. He clearly warned Caesar of the dangers today.”

Horat’s eyes dilated slightly. “Suprinna is not of the Order.”

Now Brutus was the one to feel caution. He relayed all that Suprinna had said to him over the past few months. “Could he have the sight?”

“
Or the Dark truly exists,” Horat suggested.

Brutus could not help but curse under his breath. It had been long since the suspicion of a rival Order had been raised. A band of educated men who meant to keep civilization hobbled to its past. Some said the Dark wished to keep the populace uneducated and easy to manipulate. The scholars had yet to find any firm proof of their existence, but there were moments much like this that made them suspect.

“
Yet it seems that Suprinna wished me to Awaken,” Brutus said as the shock began to fade.

“
Perhaps for just this purpose. To stall the assassination.”

Brutus shook his head. “Or promote it.”

* * *

Syra watched her love struggle with his decision. The task ahead of him betrayed every shred of honor that clung to Brutus’ bones. She knew that assassination was the lowest form of treachery. But she could also see by the slump of his shoulders that his responsibilities had a far broader scope than just a single man’s life. History hung in the balance this day. Would Rome move forward in a surge of progress, or would Brutus doom the Republic to stagnate under an unhealthy leader?

Echoing down the hallway, someone called Brutus’ name. Syra could tell by the voice that it was Cicero, the older senator. She and Horat backed away a few steps as the voice grew stronger. Syra looked to the secret door that was closed, but Brutus shook his head. Syra found it doubtful that the thick curtain would stop the noisy intruder, but Brutus seemed unconcerned.

“
Brutus?” Cicero asked.

“
Leave me to my peace, Cicero.”

“
Antony has arrived from the palace and wishes you to join him in convincing Caesar to come to the Curia.”

Brutus’ face clouded, but you could not hear it within his voice. “I will come out shortly.”

“
But—”

“
Prayers cannot be hastened, Cicero. I will be out in a moment.”

The old senator said nothing more, but they could hear the scuff of his sandals retreating. Syra looked at Brutus. Once the sound died completely, he frowned deeply.

“
There is no other option?” he asked Horat.

“
Civil war is on the horizon, whether you join the conspiracy or not. If you join, it will align Antony and Octavius against a common enemy.”

“
Cicero or Cassius will not do?”

The older servant shook his head. “Out of all the conspirators, you are the only one with a military background. You will need to lead the opposing army.”

Syra now felt the weight of this decision on
her
heart. Usually, once the Crux was resolved, The Fated could fade into the background. Perhaps scrounge for several years of their own. But Horat asked them to give up even this slim comfort. Brutus needed to not only start the catharsis, but maintain it as well. Horat must have sensed their dual reluctance.

“
If you do not lead it, Antony will easily overwhelm the others and grab power for himself. The Senate will be as recriminatory against him as it was to Caesar. Only Octavius, fresh and young in his power will be able to unify the nation.”

If Horat did not speak with the knowledge of centuries of research and debate, Syra might have argued, but the Order was seldom wrong about such matters. But it was not she who needed to wield the deadly blade.

Brutus looked at her. His warm brown eyes were filled with doubt and pain. Syra wished beyond all else that she could shield him from both, but that was not her lot in life.

“
The Crux is at hand, Brutus. I will stand by you no matter what your decision.”

A faded smile crossed his face. Syra knew she did not need to articulate her last sentence, but it felt good to say it out loud. And even though his brow was still heavy with concern, Brutus’ burden did seem slightly lessened by her words.

“
I will go to Caesar, but I give no guarantees,” Brutus finally stated.

Horat bowed his head in acceptance and backed into the recess of the alcove. Brutus took Syra’s hand, which suddenly glowed with warmth from his touch. There was so much to say, and no time to say it.

Syra’s voice was thick with emotion. “We will speak after…”

“
The Fates have been cruel this life,” Brutus said, his words equally strained.

Syra’s hand reached out and stroked his cheek. “We do not know yet what the future holds. We will reunite after the deed.”