Abject Authority (Clay Warrior Stories Book 19) by J. Clifton Slater

Author:J. Clifton Slater [Slater, J. Clifton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-11T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14 – The Festival of Lights

“Husband of mine,” the soft voice called to Alerio in his dream. A finger caressed his ear and traced along his jaw line. He leaned into the touch and the finger evolved into a palm cupping his face. “You can sleep the day away tomorrow.”

When the warm blanket was snatched away and the cold of early morning washed over his skin, Alerio jolted upright in bed.

“I’m home?” he mumbled while blinking his eyes.

“Ever since late yesterday when Civi delivered you and those packages,” Gabriella replied. She pointed to a pile of containers stacked in a corner of the bedroom. “If it were up to me, I’d crawl in next to you, wrap you in my arms, and we’d sleep the day away.”

“That, my wife, sounds like the best idea of the year,” Alerio remarked.

“For any other day of the year,” Gabriella corrected, “but not today. Lady Aquila and the staff from Villa Maximus will be here soon and they’ll need beverages and refreshments.”

“So, have somebody serve them,” Alerio growled as he reached for Gabriella.

“On any other day of the year,” she directed, “but not today. It’s Saturnalia and you are tasked, Lictor Sisera, with serving the guests. Now husband of mine, get your body out of bed.”

She winked, turned, and sashayed out of the room. Laying down, he rolled over and sniffed the sheets. Her sent lingered and he started to call her back. On any other day of the year, he was sure, she would respond. But not today.

***

“I look ridiculous,” Alerio complained.

“It’s festive,” Gabriella told him.

The light blue and green tunic with tiny trees bleached into spots on the material fit both descriptions. Before it got heated, a disturbance at the front door cut short the discussion.

“Colonel, the Maximus household has arrived,” Hektor announced.

Alerio used both hands to indicate the tunic, smirked at the inescapable assault on style, and marched to the main entrance.

“Lady Aquila and company,” he greeted the crowd, “welcome to Villa Sisera.”

His adopted mother stopped, ran her eyes over his tunic, and looked across the room at Gabriella.

“You picked a good one,” Aquila Carvilius complimented.

“It looks ridiculous,” Alerio remarked.

“Oh no dear,” Aquila said while patting his chest as if soothing a favored horse, “it’s festive.”

“Beverages?” Alerio inquired.

For a while, he rushed around filling and handing out mugs of spiced wine to servants, household guards, and Ladies Aquila and Gabriella. As Priest Callum Farnese described, Saturnalia harkened back to a golden age when there was no class division between people. Getting into the spirit of the day, Alerio teased, complimented, and made everyone, no matter their status, feel important.

“We have snacks on the patio,” he exclaimed when everyone had a beverage. “Please help yourself.”

Green garland hung around the veranda and every candle holder held an unlit candle. Standing off to the side with their drinks, the Ladies observed the proceedings.

“He’s doing a fair job,” Aquila mentioned. “With a little guidance, he might make a good addition to your staff.”

“I am trying mother, but you know how hard they are to train,” Gabriella noted.

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