His stomach had turned to ice at her words, and she smiled inwardly at his fear. “Good. Because we will need to live together for a long time. My husband might fuck you, but I’m his wife, and you’re just his slave, do you understand?”
“Yes, domina.”
Her eyes locked on a purple bite mark on his shoulder, and she blanched, picturing Marius’ mouth roaming the young man’s body.Horror.She smiled though cruelly. “Well, in any case, he’s gone for a while, so that’s not an issue for now. I have invited our parents over tonight to celebrate his mission, make sure all is perfect. Lock down my husband’s room, and clean it once a week. That should be enough. Go and send Sixtus up. I have instructions for him.”
She dismissed him with a wave of her hand, and he went straight to get Sixtus.
Kyle then spent an hour cleaning Marius’ room, taking the sheets off, almost still warm. He cast one last glance at the empty room and locked it, putting the key back to the master cupboard. Marius had only been gone for a couple of hours, and it already seemed like an eternity.
The parents arrived later, and the dining hall had been set up, Kyle and Lis serving the food. Seraphina had also invited Clavius’ wife, and Tertullia lightened the night with her good mood and dimpled laughter. “Oh, my... you will see, my dear, you will get used to his absences... just keep busy, go out, do plenty of parties.”
Seraphina’s father barely tolerated the jovial centurion’s wife, his smile still polite, and Gaius looked at him, rolling his eyes. “That woman is something... not sure she’s the best influence on your daughter.”
“Seraphina is not influenceable. She can take care of herself. I do hope she’s pregnant, it would seal this marriage.”
Gaius raised his eyebrows. “You’re concerned?”
Quintus’ face didn’t give anything away. “Yes, a bit... your son has a volatile temper, and though he’s an able soldier and has made a career, he also has a taste for boys...”
Gaius waved it away. “He’ll grow out of it now that he’s married.”
Quintus eyed Kyle. “You’re sure? You know what the rumor is after his latest purchase...”
Gaius’ lips pinched. “Rumor is rumor, but let’s find out, shall we?” He waved Kyle over and the slave kneeled at their feet. The women were busy talking, so Gaius was pretty sure they could get the answers they wanted. Gaius’s voice was smooth like a knife. “Lift your face, slave.” He did and looked at him, his face blank.
Quintus eyed him curiously. “He’s your son’s...?
“Yes. Our good friend Lucius had the wonderful idea of gifting him to Marius on his way home. I wish it had never happened, but here we are... Kyle, you will answer my questions, boy, understood? If you lie, I’ll beat the skin off your back.”
Kyle swallowed, but nodded. “Yes, dominus, I’ll tell the truth.”
Gaius smiled. “Good boy... now, my son bought a slave a couple of weeks ago, a young boy.”
“Yes, dominus.”
“That boy, who is he?
“He’s a Celt, dominus, captured when his village was raided.”
“I need to know why my son bought him.”
Kyle swallowed, unsure if he knew the answer at all. “I don’t know for sure, dominus... he just bought him, and we brought him home.”
Gaius leant in, watching his face. “Did my son fuck this boy?”
Kyle blanched, his eyes wide. “What... no, dominus, he didn’t.”
Quintus looked at the slave, his voice smooth. “How can you be so sure?”
Kyle looked at him. “Dominus doesn’t bed children.”
“But he fucks you?”
Kyle blushed slightly, his voice soft. “I am not a child, dominus.”
Gaius grabbed his chin, making him look at him. “True... my imperial brother told me of your little show at his party... let me quote him: impressive little slut with a fucking talented mouth.”
The two men looked at him like snakes, and Kyle felt vaguely panicked and ashamed.
