“Oh, I love it, thank you!” a woman exclaimed, and Isca froze. She recognised that voice! Blast, Valeria had been correct; Praejecta was back. Worse, the villa wasn’t far from Isca’s. However, why wasn’t Praejecta at the palace? Had she fallen out of favour with the emperor? Nosiness was never a good idea, but Isca had it in spades.
She crept closer to the wall where she saw Praejecta lounging by a pool. A man sat opposite, wearing the crimson cloak of a legate.
Isca’s mouth dropped open. There were several legates in the city, and no doubt Praejecta had got her claws into one. The man leant over and hauled Praejecta into his arms and kissed her soundly. Isca cringed as it turned passionate, and it was clear they were about to make love. She began to scurry away whenhe removed his helmet, and blond hair shone in the sun. Isca’s mouth dried, her body froze, and her heart pounded as Gaius ravished Praejecta.
“What are you looking at?” a whisper sounded by her shoulder.
Isca pointed, and Valeria gasped quietly. “No! I had no idea! Oh, Isca!” she exclaimed.
“Come,” Isca murmured and began hurrying away. She’d not break down and let Gaius know she’d caught him.
“What will you do?” Valeria asked as they headed to Isca’s villa.
“Revenge is a dish best served cold,” Isca stated. She and Valeria entered her villa, and Isca broke down in tears.
???
“The feast is delightful,” Gaius praised happily.
“Yes. I hear you visited the emperor today,” Isca replied distantly.
“He is very happy with the results I’ve achieved. He rewarded me,” Gaius said with a smile.
“How wonderful. Did Praejecta enjoy your cock?”
Gaius spat wine everywhere and stared.
“That was your reward? To bed his niece?” Isca demanded.
“Isca, what are you talking—”
“Gaius, you were seen by me and one other. You betrayed me with the emperor’s whore,” Isca snarled, letting her hurt surface.
Gaius blanched. “He desires me to wed her,” he said, and Isca leapt up, knocking her wine over.
“What?”
“Justinian wants me to wed Praejecta.”
“Did you tell him you were courting me?” Isca hissed.
“He’s the emperor!” Gaius exclaimed.
“So you marry her, and then what?”
“I love you, Isca. It doesn’t have to be the end of us,” Gaius suggested with a charming smile.
Fury rose in Isca. Was she really hearing this? Disgust rolled through her. This was the fool she’d been hoping to share her life with.
“You’re asking me to be your mistress?” she hissed, and Gaius smiled again.
“Darling, I love you. I need you by my side,” Gaius murmured as he got to his feet. He grasped Isca’s stiff body and held her close. Gaius slowly bent to kiss her, and Isca turned her head away and tore free.
“You can’t have us both. Wed her, and you lose me and my money,” Isca spat.
Gaius growled. “Isca, I can’t refuse the emperor.”
“Yes, you can. He’s fair and just; I’ve met him. If he knew about me, he wouldn’t force you to marry Praejecta. Justinian wants her to wed because of the scandals Praejecta causes. You’ll be her cuckold!” Isca hissed. A tear trickled down Isca’s cheek as she gazed at Gaius with decreasing hope.
