Sertes savored his victory in secret. “Don’t take too long. The feast is in seven days.” A servant opened the front door as they approached. Sertes clasped Atretes’ arm. “You vanquished every foe in the arena, Atretes. It’s time now to know the enemy outside it!”
“I’ll heed your advice,” he said with an enigmatic smile. His eyes grew cold as he watched Sertes walk across the yard, say a few words to Gallus, and go out the gate.
* * *
Rizpah heard something crash against a wall. Startled, she stopped pacing and listened. From the moment the guard had come and told her Sertes had arrived and she was to remain in her bedchamber, she’d closed the door and begun praying.
Atretes shouted something indiscernible. She winced, wondering grimly what had transpired downstairs that had put him in such a foul temper. Not that he was ever in a good one, she thought, with grim amusement.
Someone rapped twice on the door. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room and unbolted it. Silus stood outside. “Atretes wants to talk with you.”
“Now?” Whatever had occurred downstairs, it appeared she would get the brunt of it.
“He said to leave the baby.”
“In whose care? Yours?”
Silus withdrew a step. “He didn’t say.”
She went back for Caleb. When the baby was settled warm and secure in the wrap of her shawl, she followed Silus out of the large chamber and down the upper corridor. Atretes’ chamber door stood open. She stopped at the threshold. Atretes turned. He saw the baby and swore in German. “I said to leave him!”
“There was no one to tend him, my lord,” she said, not entering the room.
“Where’s the wet nurse?”
“Hilde works in the kitchen now.”
“Not tonight. Get her!” Atretes said, jerking his head at Silus. The sound of the guard’s hobnailed sandals echoed in the upper corridor. Atretes paced, muttering in German. The furs from his bed had been tossed on the floor. He kicked one out of his way.
Hilde arrived breathless and red faced. Rizpah untied the shawl and laid Caleb in her arms. “He’ll sleep if you put him back in his bed,” Rizpah said and laid a gentle hand on the woman’s arm. “Don’t leave him alone.”
“I won’t, my lady.” She cast a nervous glance in Atretes’ direction and left. Silus stood to one side, allowing her to pass.
“Walk the perimeter,” Atretes snarled at him. “I’d like a word with Lady Rizpah in private.” Silus left her standing alone in the doorway. “Come in and shut the door behind you,” Atretes said in a tone that left no room for argument.
Rizpah obeyed, heart beating fast. Atretes’ agitation could mean only one thing. “Sertes knows about Caleb, doesn’t he?”
“No, but Sertes knows who you are.” He gave a dark laugh. “In fact, he probably knows more about you than I do!”
Rizpah let out her breath in relief. “There’s not much to know. And of what possible interest could a common woman like me be to a man like Sertes?”
“He intends to use you as leverage to get me fighting again.” He noted her look of confusion with growing irritation. His mouth curved cynically. “He thinks you’re my mistress.”
Color poured into her cheeks. “I hope you corrected his misconception, my lord.”
“I told him you had the tongue of a scorpion, which you do. I told him I was tired of you, which I am. He made a generous offer to buy you. I’m considering.”
She blanched. “You’re what?” she said faintly.
“I knew you were a curse on me the moment I laid eyes on you!” German oaths poured forth.
“You can’t sell what you don’t own!” She was trembling violently inside. Had the man gone completely mad?
“You’re a Christian,” he said in accusation.
“You knew of my faith before I came here.”
“It would seem having you in my house makes me suspect to a man who has the power to revoke my freedom.”
She closed her eyes. “Oh.” She let out her breath slowly and looked at him, troubled. She was not going to suggest she leave, for she couldn’t, not without Caleb.
“I’d like to throw you out.”
Biting her lip, she clasped her hands in front of her. Not one word, she told herself. Lord, keep me quiet.
“Unfortunately, if I threw you out, Sertes’ spies would go back and report it. They’d also report that the baby remained here with me. He’d want to know why and he’d figure it out in a bow-snap.”
“O Lord God, protect us,” she murmured, quickly grasping how easily an innocent child could be used by a man as callous as Sertes.