“No.” Aelius lowered himself to the floor to sit cross-legged next to Max. “I know you miss her. The gods know I do, too. But I swear to you, you will always have a home with us.”
The weight of such a promise, made without thought or hesitation, settled over him. Just a few months ago, he hadn’t even wanted Max in his house, and now he was promising him a home in perpetuity? He hadn’t realized how deeply Max had worked his way into his heart.
Before Crispina, the only person he truly loved was his mother. It had been just the two of them for his whole life. Then Crispina came, and Max. His heart had stretched and expanded without him even recognizing it. And now, with Crispina gone, emptiness yawned inside him.
He put a hand on Max’s shoulder. Max tensed, but didn’t pull away. Aelius gently drew Max into his arms, cradling the boy against him.
Max allowed himself to be embraced, his body still shaking with sobs. His tears sliced something deep within Aelius. Despite every attempt at control, he found his throat tightening and his eyes burning. He blinked back a tear. Gods, he hadn’t cried since he was a child.
Max sniffled. “I m-miss her.”
“So do I.” Aelius’s voice came out thick and rough.
“Why did she have to leave?” Max raised his tearstained face. “Why did you make her leave?”
“I…” Aelius swallowed hard. How could he explain that Crispina had done something unforgivable? “We could not make each other happy.”
“But youwerehappy.” Max’s voice took on an accusatory tone.
“Yes.”Or so I thought. There was no resolution to be had with this line of questioning, so Aelius changed the subject. “After the election, we’re going to leave Rome and move to the country. Have you ever been outside Rome?”
Max shook his head grudgingly.
“There will be hills and vineyards and rivers. Fresh air, plenty of space for you to run around. You could learn to ride a horse.”
He perked up. “A horse? A big one?”
“The biggest one we can find. Would you like that?”
Max sighed. “Maybe.” His tears had stopped, but his face still looked glum.
“Good.” Aelius gently extricated Max from his lap, then rose to his feet and extended a hand to pull Max up. “Are you hungry? Perhaps we can discuss what you might name your horse over some food.” He gestured to the barely-touched breakfast still laid out.
A shadow of a smile flitted across Max’s face. Food was always a reliable enticement. He grasped Aelius’s hand, and followed him to the breakfast table.
Chapter 28
Aelius Herminius to Publius Veturius Rufus:
No doubt you will be saddened to hear that Crispina and I separated last week, with plans for a divorce as soon as the election is concluded. I trust you will find no further use for your threats and blackmail, and that neither she nor I will have reason to hear from you again. I congratulate you on your imminent victory and wish you every success. I trust you will use your newfound power well.
Aelius blew gently over the letter, waiting for the ink to dry. Then, he folded it and sealed it with a glob of wax. Writing the letter galled him. He hated to admit defeat even though it was unavoidable. But at least now Rufus would know Crispina could no longer be his pawn, his spy.
He gave the letter to Malchio to deliver, then went to find Max. He discovered the boy in the kitchen, avidly watching Hector, the cook, disembowel a brace of pigeons.
“Can’t I try?” Max asked with a plaintive pout as Hector’s heavy cleaver sliced through a breastbone with a grating crunch.
“You’ll botch it,” Hector said gruffly. He glanced up at Aelius. “Sir? Looking for something?”
“Someone.” Aelius gestured to Max. “I wanted to speak with you about something, Max.”
“But I want to see the guts!” Max protested.
Hector nudged him with the handle of his cleaver. “I’ll save them for you, and you can have a look later. Now run along.”
Max trudged from the kitchen, following Aelius back to his study. Aelius seated himself behind the desk and gestured for Max to sit in front of it.
Max lowered himself into the chair gingerly, as if worried it would collapse under his slight weight. “Am I in trouble? I didn’t do it, I swear by Juno’s—”
