The lovers, separated by oceans and seas…
Augustus took Selene’s hand and pulled her to a stop in the middle of the cobbled street. The people around them glided by like a gentle stream.
Whatever Selene saw in his expression stripped her of her smile. “What is it, Augustus?”
“I love you.”
Her eyelids fluttered. “I love you, too.” She cupped his face, and a line appeared between her brows. “Are you all right?”
How did he tell the woman he loved more than his own life that their time was likely running out? And how did he stop it from happening? He couldn’t lose her.
Hewouldn’tlose her.
Augustus dredged up a smile from somewhereverydeep and lifted a berry to his mouth. “I’m wonderful.”
He bit into the fruit; sweet juice burst onto his tongue and drippeddown his hand and wrist. “Gods be good,” he moaned around a mouthful. “This isdelicious. Here, taste.”
Selene, the sun gilding her hair with copper, opened for the bite he offered and giggled when berry juice fell across her chin. She hummed happily as she chewed, and Augustus leaned in to lick the juice from her chin?—
“Augustus Labienus Triarius.” The familiar male voice boomed with both surprise and recognition.
He knew his past was haunting him today, but this was taking it too far.
He met Selene’s eyes. “Did you hear that?”
“Should I not have?” Her focus lowered to someone behind him. “Hello.”
Augustus spun around. “Blaze?”
Blažej Kašpar. His brown hair hung straight to the nape of his neck, and clearly, the last few years hadn’t hurthimin the least. He was tall, slim, and those shoulders… What did he do? Throw sacks of flour around all day? Damn the gods, he looked good.
Blaze fisted Augustus’s shirt and yanked him into a crushing kiss.
Augustus’s entire line of thought stalled as memories capsized his mind—desperate nights aboard theAkias,tearing off each other’s clothes, drunk on exploring tongues and hot skin and firm hands. Blaze’s mouth was salt and wine and a thousand stolen nights. It was also every whispered promise that neither of them kept.
Selene coughed.
Augustus pushed free, words leaping toward his tongue but not quite making it. Something to do with old loyalties and old sins. Old versions of himself he thought he’d drowned.
Blaze grinned, but so did Selene, though she at least tried hiding it behind a hand. Augustus was far less amused. He was… Gods, he didn’t even knowwhathe was. Not happy, exactly. Confused? Stirred up in ways that came from several directions.
Blaze reached out a hand to Selene, his brown eyes sparkling. “Blažej Kašpar. An old friend of Augustus’s.”
“Selene Marinea.” They shook, and then her hand slipped into Augustus’s. She squeezed gently, and his heartbeat immediately came down two notches.
Until she said, “Old friend or old lover?”
Augustus winced.
A laugh burst from Blaze. “Both.” His attention landed on Augustus, eyes crinkling. “I’m hurt. Were our years together so unimportant that I don’t merit even one mention?”
“What are you doing here, Blaze?” Augustus asked. His lips still tingled, and his lungs fought for every breath.
“We”—Blaze swept an arm behind him—“are here on a job.”
The two men and one woman he encompassed were just as fit. They all wore a variation of tunic, pants, and boots beneath thigh-length coats with high collars. With that many weapons and straps, they were either going into battle or returning from one—likely the former; they were very clean.
“What sort of job?” Selene asked, eyes narrowed.
