Kyle’s hand flew to his neck. “It’s nothing... I love it... it will remind me of you for days…”
Marius laughed. “Some reminder!” His eyes grew concerned. “I don’t want to hurt you, ever....”
Kyle caressed his jaw, running his fingers along it. “This doesn’t hurt that much... it’s good pain.”
Marius arched his eyebrows. “Good pain? What on earth…”
Kyle laughed. “Yes, the kind of pain that will make me think of you... that’s good pain.”
They snuggled into each other’s arms, Kyle’s mind playing back the events of the past hour, and he blushed, slightly concerned. “What we have here... is it forbidden?”
Marius moved a bit to look at him. “Forbidden? No... not by our laws, if that’s what you mean.”
Kyle nodded, his voice drifting in the night. “My father would have killed me...”
Marius froze at his words, wanting him to continue, as he knew nothing about the slave’s past. He tried to sound casual, lazily caressing his shoulder. “Is that so? Why?”
Kyle shrugged slightly. “Relationships between men were not exactly allowed... not if you were from the ruling family, at least...”
Marius tensed, masking his voice. “Ruling family?”
“Yes, the clan leader’s ...”
“Were you...?”
Kyle sighed, the memory blurred, distant. “I was his eldest son.”
Marius shuddered, closing his eyes.What the hell... the son of a Celt clan leader... “Who knows about this?”
Kyle looked at him, alarmed by his tense voice. “You do... now...”
Marius exhaled loudly. “Gods... you can’t tell that to anybody, got it? Not Clavius, the other slaves, nobody...”
“I didn’t want to...”
“Good...”
“But why? What does it matter? They are all dead...”
His voice choked, and Marius held him tight. “Nobles, princes, highborn captives should not be kept as slaves... they are usually killed… sacrificed in the arena during games. Should anybody find out who you truly are... you would be taken from me and killed... And I would be punished too... possibly.”
Kyle closed his eyes. “I won’t tell... that part of me died anyway... Lucius thought I was a simple peasant.”
He smiled bitterly at the memory, and Marius stroked his arm. “Let’s leave it at that then...” His deep voice made Kyle melt inside. “You’re mine, Kyle, and I love you. Nothing will happen to you. Do you understand? Not as long as I live... and if I die, I’ll make sure that you’re taken care of.”
Kyle clutched at his thick arm, pulling it close to his chest. “You won’t die...”
Marius smiled. “That’s for the gods to decide. I’m a soldier. Anything’s possible.” Kyle stayed silent but his heart clenched, death settling in that dark room, making their souls ache. Marius kissed his neck, whispering. “Let’s forget about death... I’m very much alive still...” He pushed Kyle down the mattress, kissing him deeply, his hands roaming his body and they were lost in each other again, the night sky filled with cricket songs.
VII
Nextmorning,Mariuswokewith Kyle in his arms, and he breathed in his scent, his mind drifting back to last night, a small smile on his lips. Kyle stirred, sensing him awake, and Marius bent down to kiss him lightly on the mouth, watching his grey eyes pop open.
“Good morning, dom...” Marius arched his eyebrows, and Kyle blushed. “Marius...”
“Much better... gods, I love to hear you say my name...” They kissed when a sharp knock interrupted them, and Marius looked up, frowning. “Come in!” Somebody tried to open the door, but it was bolted, and Marius laughed. “Hold on!”
Kyle had gotten up and slid his tunic on before he could even move, rushing to the door, sliding the heavy bolt back.
