My eyes keep drifting to the gauzy curtains where Rosie disappeared over an hour ago.
I know Rosie can take care of herself, and going over there might alert Kairyn to just how much I care about my partner, but it doesn’t make the waiting any easier. One hundred thousand denarii for the company of a siren. Just who is behind that curtain?
I grab another goblet off the table and down it. An array of fruit, dates, and crusty bread with oil for dipping is laid before me. I already stuffed myself as soon as my companions passed out. It’s much better than the food in the barracks. I even wrapped some extra in cloth, hoping to bring it for Rosie and Tilla later, but I’m not sure how I’ll smuggle it out.
Not like they gave me pockets in this ridiculous get-up.
It didn’t look ridiculous on Rosie, though. She was like a golden goddess. When I think of the curves of her body, her gold-dusted lips, it’s no wonder some minion paid one hundred thousand denarii just to bask in her presence.
Fuck, I’d give every star in the sky.
I adjust my position and try to shift my thoughts away from Rosalina. This outfit does little to hide my growing desire.
“Fancy a drink?” A servant comes around with a tray of wine goblets.
“No, thank you,” I say.
“Dayton.” The voice lowers. “It’sme.”
Wrenley stands above me, holding tight to the tray. “Come on, follow me. I don’t think your buyers will notice your absence for a long while.”
She weaves through the crowd, white robes trailing on the marble flooring, and takes me to a secluded cubiculum covered by a white curtain. Inside, there is only a chaise, a low table, and a platter of olives.
Wrenley sits down and pats the seat beside her. “I noticed this one wasn’t being used. It’s been so hard to sneak away and see you.”
Guilt tightens in my gut as I look down at my mate. Sure, nothing really happened with Rosalina the other night. But I’d held her in my arms, touched her body, and stars know, if she had let me, I’d have done more.
Rosalina said she was taken over by her mating frenzy, but damn, there was a fire burning through me as well. One like I’ve never known. My cock was steel hard. Even after she fell asleep, the instinct never left me. All I wanted to do was rouse her from her slumber and kiss her and claim her and empty my seed deep inside.
Why did I agree to do this mission with her? I’m not only in agony because of her beauty but because of who Rosalina is. In the arena, she’s fierce and valiant.
I would never have won the fight against Damocles or Decimus without her.
My brave, kind, beautiful girl.
Who isn’t mine at all.
“Dayton?” Wrenley says. In the dim candlelight, with the way her curls fall across her brow and the furrow of her nose, she looks a little like Rosie. A lot like Rosie, actually. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I’m listening.” I sit down next to her. “I’m sorry I’ve been distant lately. I’m going to try to do better by you, Wren.”
Because to break my curse, I don’t just have to find my mate. She has toloveme. Could Wrenley do that?
“Do you really think we can make this work?” I say softly to her.
“I do.” She reaches out to grab my hand. “The stars would not have aligned our fates, if not.”
“I guess you’re right,” I say and then add, “How are you doing?”
“I’m all right. Kairyn is furious at you for your remarks this evening. Why do you chide him with such untruths?”
“Untruths.” I smirk. “I meant what I said. I’d face him if he showed up on the sands of the arena, dressed in nothing but gladiator gear! I’d like to see that, wouldn’t you?”
Wrenley looks me up and down, then her face turns entirely red. “Why would I—”
“I’m just teasing you,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s what I do when I’m nervous or scared or just feel like being a shit. Which is a lot of the time.”
“I’ve noticed.”
