Eightmonthslater,Maxreclined in the dining room of his family's home, his wife beside him. They had been married earlier that day at Volusia’s house, and then had journeyed in a merry parade to the wedding feast here.
The dining couches were crowded with people, including both of Max’s families. He’d finally told Aelius and Crispina about his reconnection with his mother and sister, and they had been overjoyed to meet Max’s birth family.
Now, Aelius was chatting amiably with Appius, while Rufus looked on and occasionally butted in with a self-important comment. Gaia and Volusia’s mother Sabina were cheerfully battling over who got to hold baby Appia, and Crispina was seated between Furia and Max’s mother. Lucius entertained little Tullus with the dutiful air of an older brother.
Max and Volusia were at the center of it all. He gazed at Volusia, resplendent in her white and saffron-yellow wedding finery. Like the other women, she didn’t recline, but perched upright beside him, feet tucked delicately beneath her body. He still struggled to believe that she was really his wife. A gold ring sparkled on her left hand, where she’d once worn Avitus’s ring. Now, she was his.
And he was irrevocably hers, as he always had been. He didn’t need a ring to signify it. Every breath that filled his lungs, every pump of blood through his veins, it was all for her.
They had received word a few months ago that Petronax had fallen victim to an unfortunate riding accident. Hortensius had replaced both him and the province’s governor with men he trusted, and promised to review regular reports of the province’s finances to ensure that no further corruption was festering. Silvanus had disappeared into exile, and Max was happy never to see the man again.
Max’s mother rose from her seat and came toward the central wing of the table where Max and Volusia sat. Maia clasped her hands, fingers twisting tentatively.
Max stiffened at her approach. He still wasn’t entirely comfortable around her yet, though they had reached a careful, bland cordiality where they could exchange small talk without awkwardness. Volusia laid a hand on his arm, which instantly made him relax.
“Quin—I mean, Maximus,” his mother said, flushing as she stumbled over his name. “I just wanted to say how honored I am to be here today, to see you married. And to such a fine lady.” She offered Volusia a cautious smile.
Max opened his mouth, but no words came out. He often found himself tongue-tied around his mother, stuck between the scared little boy he’d once been and the man he was now.
Volusia gracefully interceded. “We are very happy to have you here. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by family on a day like this.”
Maia inclined her head to Volusia, then returned her attention to Max. “I know…I know I wasn’t the mother you needed. But it brings me more joy than you know—more than I deserve—to see the man you’ve become.”
In their prior, surface-level conversations, his mother had never acknowledged their past. Now, the words eased something tight in Max’s chest, a knot of long-held anger and resentment. It didn’t disappear entirely, but it loosened enough for Max to summon a small smile. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
Maia nodded to them both, then resumed her seat next to Crispina. His adoptive mother had been watching the exchange, and her gaze caught Max’s. Crispina gave him a small nod of approval before returning her attention to the meal.
Max let out a breath. Volusia’s hand was still on his arm, and he lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of her fingers. She gave him a dazzling smile, and the warmth in her eyes cleared his mind of everything but his desire for her.
The past eight months had been as tortuous as he expected. Max had kept himself busy, the only way to stave off his longing for Volusia. He’d bought the land near Furia and Appius, and he hadn’t even had to ask Aelius for a loan. Volusia had inherited all of Avitus’s wealth, and it was more than enough to purchase the land, clear it, and build a cozy house.
With his savings, he’d acquired a few healthy young mares and a selection of stallions from which to breed his first generation. By this time next year, he would have a few foals if all went well. The stallions had been offered to Elephant, but she’d turned her nose up at all of them. She was past her most fertile years anyway, and Max was happy to keep her all to himself.
But tonight, his focus was on the other most important lady in his life. Volusia was his now, forever. They’d said the words, eaten spelt cake blessed by a priest, and Volusia had lit the sacred fire at his family’s home. There was only one more wedding tradition to complete, and Max had been aching for it for eight months.
Max leaned over to whisper in Volusia’s ear. “I’ve eaten enough.” He raised his eyebrows significantly.
She blushed and hid her grin behind her wine cup. “As have I.”
His mouth went dry with anticipation. He rose to his feet and extended a hand to help her up. As they stood, cheers and laughter sounded from their guests. Rufus, however, was scowling, scrawny arms crossed tight over his chest. His greatest fear was that Max would defile his stepdaughter, and now it was about to happen. Rufus just didn’t need to know that it had already happened several times over.
For good measure, Max seized Volusia around the waist and pulled her into a deep kiss, to resounding whoops from the guests. Bowls of candied nuts had been strategically placed on the table, and as they broke apart from their kiss, everyone began pelting them with the nuts, meant to ensure their fertility.
Volusia, laughing, clung to Max as they tried to dodge the hail of nuts. Max grabbed her and put her behind him, shielding her with his body as if from enemy bombardment as they made their way toward the door of the dining room. On their way, Max snatched a handful of nuts from an unused bowl and hurled it back at the guests, giving way to a new round of raucous laughter.
Finally, they made it out the door, into the empty hallway. Max slammed it shut behind them. Volusia was breathless with giggles, her face red and her flower crown askew. She looked more beautiful than ever.
Silence fell between them as they walked down the hallway to Max’s bedroom. A sudden spell of nervousness seized him. Apart from a few stolen kisses, he hadn’t touched her since they’d slept together on their journey back from Gaul. Those encounters on their journey had been hasty, desperate, full of fear that they’d soon be separated. Now, they had the rest of their lives ahead of them. Max wanted to savor this night, but he worried his desire would get the better of him.
In the bedroom, Volusia glanced around. A small smile curved her lips. “It’s so funny to think that after all we’ve been through, this is the first time I’m seeing your bedroom.”
“Does it meet your approval?”
She reached up and rested her arms atop his shoulders. “It could have three walls and a dirt floor and I’d still be happy to be here, right now.”
He kissed her, and the desire he’d been carefully keeping tethered for the last eight months came surging back in full force. Before his brain caught up to his body, he had pushed Volusia against the wall and was kissing her as if her mouth was the only thing that could keep him alive.
His hand lowered to the knotted belt cinched at her waist. It was tied in a complicated knot that was traditionally supposed to make things difficult for the bridegroom on his wedding night. Max grabbed an end and yanked.
