As Sure as the Dawn(25)
She let out her breath as Caleb began nursing and the room fell silent. She heard the scrape of metal against metal and knew Atretes was pouring himself more wine. Did he intend to get drunk? He was intimidating enough when sober. She didn’t even want to think what he would be like reeling from too much wine.
An image of her own father rose like a demon, gripping her mind with anger and fear. Remembered violence. She shuddered and pressed it away.
Judge not lest ye be judged. Forgive and be forgiven. Ask and it shall be given. Her control slipping, she grasped hold again, clinging. Lord, walk with me through the valley. Talk with me. Open my ears and heart that I may hear.
“What are you muttering?” Atretes growled.
“I’m praying for help,” she snapped, heart still pounding fast and hard. She was surprised Caleb didn’t notice her tension.
“Is he asleep yet?” Atretes said quietly from behind her.
“Almost.” Caleb’s eyelids looked weighted. His mouth relaxed and then began to work again. Finally, he relaxed completely.
“Thank the gods,” Atretes said with a sigh and reclined. He watched Rizpah’s back as she readjusted her clothing. Sitting sideways on the couch, she began wrapping his son in her shawl again. “What happened to your own child?” Her hands went still, and he saw the soft color ebb from her cheeks. It was a long moment before she answered him.
“She took fever and died in her third month,” she said tremulously. She lightly brushed Caleb’s cheek. Turning on the couch, she looked at Atretes, her eyes awash with tears. “Why do you ask me these questions?”
“I’d like to know a little more about the woman who nurses my son.”
Her dark eyes flashed. “How much did you know about the woman you bought, other than she was German?”
“Perhaps my interest in you has changed.”
His cold, cynical smile had a dismaying effect upon her. Her body responded to the look in his eyes, for having been married, she was not unfamiliar with a man’s needs, and what Lagos had just told her about Atretes’ inclination toward women was distressing. Certain things had to be made plain now. “You may play with Caleb anytime you wish, my lord, but do not think you can play with me.”
His brow lifted. “Why not?”
“Because it would strain an already tenuous relationship when I said no to you.”
Atretes laughed at her.
“I’m sincere, my lord.”
“It would seem so,” he said dryly. “But then sincerity is a trait rarely found among women. I’ve only known three who possessed it: my mother, my wife, Ania, and Hadassah.” He gave a bleak laugh. “And all three of them are dead.”
Rizpah felt a wave of compassion for him.
Atretes saw her dark brown eyes soften and fill with warmth. His heart responded even as his mind rebelled. “You may go,” he said, jerking his head in rude dismissal.
Rizpah scooped Caleb into her arms and rose, eager to depart. She felt his gaze follow her. She paused beneath the archway and looked back at him. For all his fierceness and hardness of heart, she sensed he was a man in terrible pain.
“I give you a solemn vow, Atretes. I will never lie.”
“Never?” he said mockingly.
She looked straight into his beautiful, empty blue eyes. “Never. No matter the cost. Even if it costs my life,” she said softly, then left him alone.
5
Sertes stood on the balcony overlooking the practice arena. Below him, two gladiators sparred, one with sword and shield, the other with trident and net. Disgusted with their unexciting display, he grasped the iron railing. “Use the coals on them!” he shouted down at the lanista.
Shaking his head, he stepped back. “If this is the best we have to offer, no wonder the people are bored!” He turned to the man standing beside him. “What did you find out about the woman living in Atretes’ villa?”
“Her name is Rizpah, my lord. She’s a widow. Her husband was a silversmith who was run down by Ceius Attalus Plautilla.”
“Nephew of the proconsul?”
“The same. He’s given to excessive drinking and—”
“Never mind,” Sertes said, gesturing impatiently. “I know all about him already. What more did you learn about her?”
“She’s a Christian, my lord.”
“Ah,” Sertes said, smiling broadly. “That will be useful.” He rubbed his chin, thinking just how useful it could be, especially if Atretes was in love with her. “And the baby?”
“There’s conflicting information about the child, my lord. One source said the woman had a baby girl that died within a few months, while another argued she had a son who lived.”