“It was another dream, perhaps,” he murmured to himself. “You have not slept. Your brain is not at its best.” It seemed to be the only logical explanation. He had not slept well in weeks—he must be suffering hallucinations.
Convinced, he pushed his tired body towards the villa. He crawled through the open window of his room, which had not yet seen the sunrise. The cool darkness welcomed him as he slipped into his bed, eager to rest. Gaia’s warm body welcomed him as he snuggled her close, draping an arm around the bend of her waist. She rolled over to face him, a sliver of faint sunlight revealing swollen, reddened eyes. He realized she’d been crying.
“What is wrong?” he asked, alarmed.
“I was dreaming of Moira,” she replied. “I woke up and did not know where you were.”
“Forgive me, my love. I could not sleep so I crept onto the rooftop. I did not want to disturb you.” He felt a pang of guilt tear at his stomach as the lie spilled from his lips.
She accepted his excuse, wiping at her moistened face. “I am glad you are back,” she said, trying to give him a smile.
Davius gathered her into his arms, placing a kiss on her warm shoulder. “It pains me to see you suffer so.”
“Davius, do you remember what you said to me the night I joined you on the roof?” she asked. “That you wanted to marry me, to take care of me until the end of our days?”
He pulled her away from his chest so that he faced her. “Yes.”
“I want you to marry me. You must get me out of this place. I cannot bear it any longer. I want to be free—I want to be married and bear our children. I cannot remain a prisoner in this miserable home any longer. I want it to be you and I, for eternity.”
Davius gazed at her, her words pulling such emotion from him that a tear drifted slowly down his cheek. He kissed her softly on her forehead. “It will be, Gaia. I promise.”
The smile that lit up her face was genuine, and she lay back, pulling him towards her to cradle his head against her chest. Her fingers trailed through his hair as he listened to her heart pumping a soothing rhythm against his cheek. He suddenly noticed one of her breasts had fallen free from her tunic, and on impulse, he lifted his head, sliding his tongue up its curve. She stirred, but did not stop him, and his lips continued to caress the flesh that was now freely exposed.
“Davius…” she hesitated, her face fearful but flushed with desire.
He grasped it in his hands, allowing his eyes to pour into hers. “I have loved you from the minute I laid eyes upon you,” he whispered in their old Gaulish tongue.
Another tear trickled down her cheek, but it was not of sadness. She echoed the language, her lips gliding gently with the whisper, “And I have always loved you.”
He said nothing more, for his mouth found hers. He could no longer control his hands, undressing her so that his fingers could roam her bare skin, his lips and tongue trailing over every curve and crevice he could find. She groaned with pleasure, her body twisting underneath him as he tore off his own clothing, their naked bodies soon moving together in perfect unison. The wind sighed all around them, the sounds of awakening birds sweetly singing their praises. It felt as if the world had paused and it was only them, trapped in each other’s sweaty embrace. Afterwards, she ran her fingers up and down his back, sending shivers along his skin as they lay in wordless relief, the sound of their breathing keeping rhythm with the songs of dawn.
“Davius,” she finally whispered, her fingers in his hair.
“Gaia,” he answered.
“I do love you.”
He smiled, lifting himself up to kiss her one last time before the heavy press of fatigue demanded compliance. He fell back, pulling her close to him. She nestled her nose into the crook of his neck as they both obeyed slumber’s demands. All thoughts of mythical beasts and nightmares drifted away from him, his mind finally at peace.
CHAPTER 3
THE MONSTER
He’d barely slept more than a few hours, nevertheless, he greeted the morning refreshed and renewed, the taste of Gaia still lingering on his lips. The summer heat had mercifully cooled, the vineyard shady and pleasant as he strolled through it. Streaks of shadows crossed over him as he passed through hundreds of meandering vines curling around their wooden posts. He avoided the barrels of harvested grapes that cluttered the walkway, searching the aisles for Eridus.
“Good morning, Lavida. Have you seen Master Eridus?” he asked a woman who had paused to wipe the sweat from her brow.
“I believe he is preparing to go to the races today,” she replied, wiping her hands on her stained apron. “I last saw him in the press room.”
Davius nodded his thanks and headed back towards the villa. The press room was a large cylinder structure standing just beyond the vineyards, closest to the slaves’ quarters. It reeked of fermentation, housing a gigantic iron vat at its center, surrounded by dozens of small wooden barrels that drained into reservoirs underneath the floors. The vat was able to fit a dozen pressers at a time, the fruit easily smashed to pulp before it was collected in the lower barrels for a second press. These could only fit one man, who both pressed and sifted until only the extract of the grape remained. These barrels overflowed constantly at harvest, slaves scrambling between the press floor and the cellars below where the juice was collected for fermentation.
He pushed open the door, choking even though he’d anticipated the wickedly pungent aroma. Eridus stood amongst a cluster of slaves, gesturing emphatically with his instructions. Standing next to him was none other than Gaia. His face flushed immediately upon sight of her. She turned, brightening as she noticed him.
Before he could greet her, Eridus also took note of his arrival, a grin stretching across his fleshy face. Davius tried not to expose his surprise at the man’s disposition, for it was the happiest he’d seen him in months.
“My boy!” he greeted him with a hearty slap on his back. “I am going to the Circus Maximus today and you will be joining me.”
Davius could no longer hold in his surprise. “Me?”
“Yes! Great things have come to pass. Gaia will fill you in with the details. I’ll need you to suitably dress. We will head towards the city within the hour.” He turned, resuming his conversation.
Gaia shyly inched closer to Davius, a coquettish smirk dancing on her lips. “Hello, Davius.”
“Hello, Gaia,” he grinned. “What has him in such a mood?”
The two began heading back towards their villa. “Caesar has returned from his conquests and wishes to throw a celebration,” she explained, hesitantly.
Davius stiffened at the man’s name. He had long discovered it was Julius Caesar who waged the Gallic War campaign responsible for the destruction of his home. It was something he’d accepted—men wage war and conquer other men. But it was not something he’d ever forget.
“He has requested barrels of Eridus’s wine for the feast,” Gaia continued when he did not interject. “In a great coincidence, Tiberus Gallaenus, the athlete, is interested in purchasing one of Eridus’s horses. They will be discussing the terms today at the race.”
“Well, it is about time he has had some good news,” Davius remarked. “I have not seen him so spirited since before she passed.”
Gaia agreed. “He knows I grow bored at sporting events, but he still desires a companion. Lucky you,” she jested, playfully.
Davius waited until they were safely behind the walls of the slaves’ quarters before he grabbed her, kissing her deeply. Her body caved into his without resistance. “Will you come to me again tonight?” he whispered when he was finally able to wrench himself free.
