Clavius turned Marius around, that handsome face darkening with bruises. “Let me have a look at you...”
Marius swatted his hand away, his cheeks burning. “Leave it, it’s nothing...” He sat down, wiped, his stomach clenched in ice, his eyes drifting to the quiet slave. He grabbed Kyle’s arm and pulled him next to him, his voice choked. “Come here...” Kyle settled against him, his face on his chest, and Marius held him tight, fighting his tears with his jaw clenched. He knew his father well enough to know that his threats were never empty, and he was pissed.How dare he?! The old bastard....
Clavius sighed, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, I’d never thought the old guy would go this far...”
“If it hadn’t been for you, he’d be dead...”
Clavius watched him, Marius' cheek darkening as the bruise spread to a light purple color.Man, the old guy could still hit hard...He was worried for Marius though and watched him clutch the young slave like he was a lifesaver buoy.The old guy is going to get at him where he’s weakest...
They didn’t have to wait long. A couple of days later, Marius read the invitation to the emperor’s private party and his blood froze. His cheek had taken a light purple color and he stroke it lightly, his hand gliding on the tender skin.Private party... more like private orgy... bring your delightful boy. Your father had high praises for him...He swallowed, closing his eyes, and looked at Kyle, who was waiting patiently, vaguely anxious at his expression.
Marius read him the invitation and Kyle stood very silent, waiting for him to speak. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“Yes, I know...”
“I’m not going to take you there!”
Kyle walked up to him. “You don’t have a choice...”
Marius flung the invitation through the room. “Damn it! Fuck them all, and fuck my father in particular, that son of a bitch!”
Kyle took his hands, trying to sound reassuring. “I’ve done many of these... parties... it will be fine...”
Marius shook his head. “This is the emperor’s party, not some kind of countryside orgy...”
Kyle shrugged. “Men are men, doesn’t matter if they’re emperors or countryside nobles, or whatever...”
Marius moaned, his face miserable. “If they do anything to you... I’ll have to watch...”
Kyle’s eyes shone sadly, a small smile on his lips. “Yes, probably... just try not to hate me too much afterwards.”
Marius held him tight. “Hate you? Never!”
Kyle looked up at him. “Don’t promise something you can’t keep, maybe... When is this ‘party’?”
Marius whispered, lost. “Tomorrow...”
Kyle straightened. “We need to go shopping.”
“What for?”
“I don’t have any clothes that would fit a party like this...”
Marius stood, frowning. “Clothes? You can just wear one of your best tunics?”
Kyle smiled, bitter. “No... at these parties, you dress in a special way... and you need to look special...”
Marius looked at him, worried. “I hate doing this to you.”
Kyle shrugged and pushed him away. “I’ll go with Sixtus. He’s going to town anyway to shop.”
“Nice... leaving me in my misery.”
“Go and ask Clavius if he’s been invited? It would help to have a friend there...” He didn’t finish and Marius knew what he meant, his face darkening.
Kyle left him, hurrying to catch Sixtus, who was harnessing the donkey to the cart. “I’ll come with you; I have some shopping to do.”
The old man raised his eyebrows. “Shopping? For what?”
