She couldn’t answer, her lips trembling, and her mother reached over to squeeze her hand. Still, she kept silent, and Marius turned to Melissa. “What’s your daughter’s name?”
“She’s called Brianna, dominus.”
“How old?”
“Eleven, dominus.”
“What did she do in your previous household?”
“She helped with various minor tasks, dominus, mostly gardening and cleaning.”
“Who’s the father?”
The woman swallowed, her eyes welling up. “He is dead, dominus. Killed when we were captured. I was pregnant with her...”
Marius’ lips pinched. Still, he had to ask. “Is she a virgin, as stated?”
“Yes, dominus. Our previous owner liked boys.”
“Why were you sold?”
“He got into debts and couldn’t pay them...”
Marius sighed, his emotions raging, and his eyes went to Kyle, his grey eyes on the woman and the child, pale. He turned back to the woman. “Well, you’re in my household now. You will help Shayla in the kitchen and your child can continue doing the various minor tasks she’s done before. There are only two other male slaves, Sixtus here, and Kyle. Sixtus is in charge of running this household and making sure you’re all busy. Do your tasks well and behave, that’s all I ask, and you will be treated well.”
“Yes, dominus, thank you.”
Marius watched her, her trembling lips, her hands still clutching the child. “You have nothing to fear. Your child is safe here.”
Her shoulders slouched, and she whimpered. Marius left them with Sixtus and gestured for Kyle to follow. Clavius left for his home to change and be back for dinner.
Marius noticed the gleaming corridors and his room, the floor like mirrors, and he looked at Kyle whilst he unwrapped his toga. “Your handiwork?”
“Yes, dominus.”
“That young girl will need some tasks. Can you think of anything she can do? I bought her for a small fortune, so make sure she’s used.”
“Yes, dominus.”
Marius sighed, his thoughts on tonight’s dinner, not even realizing he was sharing his thoughts with Kyle, it seemed so natural. “My father is going to tease me because of that little girl... I need to make sure she’s useful.”
“I’ll make her work, dominus.”
“Good... now to take a bath because I am filthy from the streets and that market. Horrid place...”
Kyle didn’t comment, and they walked to the bath, Marius asking him to join him. Kyle sat on the pool’s side, his legs in the water, behind Marius who sat on the stone bench in the water, and Kyle massaged his back and neck, the tension slowly easing off him and he asked, his eyes half-mast. “Were you also sold on a market?”
Kyle’s hands stopped for a split second, just to resume. His voice was heavy, almost pained. “Yes, dominus.”
“Lucius bought you?”
“Yes, dominus.”
“But you were not a virgin?”
“No, dominus.”
“Why?”
