Kyle blushed slightly. “Dominus has been invited to the emperor’s private party and I have to go with him... so we need to go...”
Sixtus’ lips pinched. “I know where I have to take you... gods, I hope you’ll be fine...”
Kyle laughed lightly, trying to ease the old man. “Hey, I’ve been there before... no big deal...” But inwardly, he was vaguely panicked...the Emperor of Rome, the man at the head of this horror of an empire... and tomorrow night... he shook his head, opening the gate for Sixtus, jumping on the cart next to him. Marius watched them leave, and his heart clenched, but then he left too, hurrying to Clavius’ house.
Of course, Clavius had been invited too, and he knew he’d have to work hard to keep Marius under check... he had been to one of these parties before and knew full well what would happen...
Marius stood fully dressed in his room, waiting for Kyle to get ready, his eyes on the night falling over Rome.
Kyle had asked Lisandra to help him put on his makeup. He had smeared a golden cream all over his body, dusting it with golden flakes that made him glint like a statue. Lisandra rimmed his eyes with black kohl, making sure they stood out in their startling grey color. He wore a sky-blue tunic, the material very light, almost see-through, the hem barely mid-thigh. A dab of dark red lip color, and silver sandals completed his outfit, a silver cloak that would hide his near nakedness until they arrived there. He looked at his face in the mirror, his heart beating fast.What will Marius say... He dreaded his reaction more than the entire night.
Lisandra’s face was grim, and he smiled. “I look that bad?”
She shook her head. “Just... this is not you...”
Kyle looked at his reflection. “That’s the whole point...”
He walked to their room and opened the door. Marius’ eyes drifted to him, and his jaw parted in shock. He took him in, this familiar stranger who looked like he’d walked out of one of Rome’s luxury brothels, and he walked up to him, grabbing his shoulders, a tortured moan escaping his mouth, looking at his sparkling skin, his grey eyes circled in black. “What the fuck... I can’t believe this...”
Kyle silenced him with a kiss, his lips tasting of cherry. “It’s me...”
“I can’t do this... let’s just stay here...”
Kyle shook his head. “You know the stakes... you can’t anger the emperor...”
Marius sighed, looking him over again. “You’re so fucking gorgeous.”
Kyle’s lips curled into a small smile. “Great... I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
Marius hugged him tight, but they had to leave, and they walked down the street to be taken to the palace. They stayed silent all the way through, Kyle resting in Marius’ lap, the litter slowly swaying.
They had to cross corridors in that vast palace to be guided to the private party chamber, a huge room with statues, ornate columns, and the elevated couches of the emperor. Kyle had taken his cloak down and he was walking behind Marius and Clavius, his blue tunic flowing around his thighs, gliding against his body. Clavius had brought one of his wife’s boys, clearly not interested in him, but this was common practice.
Several heads turned as they crossed to their place, Marius surprised to see Titus sprawled on the neighboring couch, his hand on a slave’s shoulder, similarly dressed and made-up to Kyle. He had green eyes and long wavy blonde hair, a light green tunic, his face quietly studying Kyle when he’d knelt.
Titus beamed a huge smile. “Good to see you again!”
“Likewise...” Marius forced a smile on his face, vaguely panicked already.
Titus ruffled the young slave’s hair. “This is Damianos, but just call him Damian, my trusted little Greek whore.” Marius winced at the term but politely acknowledged with a nod. “I must admit, I had a hard time recognizing your slave. Kyle, right? He’s transformed...”
Marius smiled. “Well, this is a party after all...”
“Yes, and it will be a good one.” He grinned, and they toasted, a young slave boy filling their cups. “Whatever happened to your face, good Marius?”
Marius shrugged, smiling. “I bumped into a door last night... I was a bit drunk.”
Titus laughed, and they waited whilst the guests drifted in, and the emperor arrived too, not announced by anybody, as this was his little private party. He walked around, his purple toga trailing behind him, and greeted his guests. He arrived at their couch, and they all rose, bowing.
The emperor walked to Marius and pulled him into a hug. “My good general... so good to see you... I see you brought your treasured little pet...”
Marius swallowed, nervous. “Yes, honored emperor. “
The old man smiled. “Come, come... we are amongst friends...”
“Yes, uncle... thank you for the invitation.”
“Much better! Show me this beauty you have here...”
