“Yes, dominus...”
“They are coming for dinner tomorrow. Make sure it’s perfect. And don’t let Bri near my father.”
Kyle nodded. They had a lot to do still, prepare the house, the meals. He followed Marius to the door, letting him out, and then went to find Sixtus.
The old man was in the kitchen, talking with Shayla about the menu, food he needed to buy, and he gestured Kyle over. “Come, boy. You and Lisandra need to clean the entire house, make sure the garden is impeccable too. She’s already working upstairs. No need to wax the floors. You did that last week. I’m going shopping. Tomorrow morning, we’ll finalize the setup, some nice flowers here and there. Lisandra and you can do the service, and Brianna.”
Kyle looked at the old man. “Dominus doesn’t want her near his father.”
“Fine... she can stay and help in the kitchen, then.”
Kyle went to join Lisandra, the young girl was washing the terrace, and he got to work, wordlessly. Lisandra looked up and smirked. “Took you long enough...”
“I had to put the toga on dominus.”
“Of course...” She was scrubbing the floor with her brush, her face mocking. “Now that he’s getting married, your life will change... maybe you should be looking for a more suitable partner?”
She winked at him, and Kyle sighed, sitting on his heels. “Lisa, can you just stop this?”
She faced him, her face blank. “Stop what?”
“You know, the teasing, the constant allusions to us...”
She shrugged. “You might not have a choice, lover boy. Not if they decide to breed us.”
Kyle blanched. He knew what that meant, he had seen it at Lucius’ estate, slave babies born out of forced unions, the baby girls smashed against the wall, or dumped like trash... He closed his eyes. “Don’t say that... you don’t know what you’re talking about...”
She crawled to him; her face close to his face. “I know exactly what I’m talking about.”
He sighed, bitter. “I don’t even know if I can be with a woman...”
Lisandra’s face fell. “You’ve never been with one?”
“I’ve been, once or twice... a long time ago.” He smiled a bitter smile. “Lucius didn’t like women so...”
Her face softened. “I’m sorry... in that case, we can just take it slow?” She grinned, and he had to smile.
They worked hard until sunset, and Kyle was utterly exhausted, but the entire house sparkled, the garden magnificent.
His thoughts drifted to Marius, wondering how he was doing.
Kyle waited for him in the bedroom, his eyes on the stars. It was very late, and he struggled to stay awake, his drained body tugging at his eyelids.Where was he? He was not supposed to stay overnight. Then again, parties could go on forever...Loud voices reached him, and he got up, alarmed. He had recognized Clavius’ voice and went to open the door when it was flung in, almost knocking him over.
Kyle caught the man stumbling through the opening, his aching arms holding him, clutching at his clothes, and Marius looked up into his eyes, smiling. “Kyle... thank the gods...”
Kyle reeled from the smell of wine but held tight, his eyes darting to Clavius who was standing behind Marius, his arms crossed, his face laced with anger. “I had to bring him home. As you can see, he can’t walk.”
Marius whirled around, almost losing his balance, but Kyle gripped his arm, holding him tight. His blue eyes blazed, his voice filled with wrath, but he was swaying on his feet. “I can walk... friend...” He slurred the word and Kyle looked at the two men, alarmed.
Clavius spread his palms. “I only want to help you, Marius. Clearly, you are not dealing with this situation well.”
Marius laughed. “Why... how observant of you... I should be thankful... but you betrayed me, friend. Talking to my father behind my back?”
Clavius sighed. “You’re drunk... just go to bed.”
Marius smiled, his eyes gleaming. “Oh, I will...” He put his arm around Kyle’s shoulders, pulling him close. “I will go to bed here with my beloved boy and there’s nothing you or father can do about it.”
Kyle paled, trying to understand, and Clavius’ lips pinched. “Telling your future wife about your fuck boy here was not exactly very tactful today...”
