Priestess of Herculaneum by L. L. Nelson

Author:L. L. Nelson [L. L. Nelson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L. L. Nelson
Published: 2023-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The next few days were more serene than I expected. I enjoyed my time with Caius, Livia, Maxima, and their household. While Titus helped Caius arrange things for the rest of the household, I spent time exploring the estate when not helping Livia and Maxima. It was pleasant, and I expected the family to be with us as we traveled back to Herculaneum, or at least on their way elsewhere.

Yet, on the day that Titus and I were supposed to leave, I walked into the peristyle to find Titus and Caius arguing softly. Stopping behind a pillar, I listened for a moment.

“What else do you need to do here?”

“Nothing. It’s just…”

“What?”

Caius hesitated. “I had hoped we could travel to Surrentum, yet I haven’t heard from our friends there.”

“Then come and stay at my family’s villa. If no one calls on you from Surrentum, at least you will be closer to Neapolis.”

“I mean no offense by this, Titus, but your family’s villa is in Herculaneum, which will also be destroyed. Our friends in Neapolis are much fewer.”

“If you are in Neapolis, I will ensure you and your family are taken care of.”

“Are you going to Neapolis?”

Titus hesitated, and I waited for his response. He’d promised to leave Herculaneum, but he hadn’t said where he would go yet.

Finally, he spoke. “I will be there for a time, yes. There is no doubt in my mind Alex is correct about Vesuvius. But my family does not have any other estates outside of Rome, and you know what my situation is there.”

“I do. In some ways, your situation is as precarious as ours.”

Titus nodded. “I don’t think the Muses would have sent someone to save me if they only meant for me to die weeks later.”

“Many of the gods and goddesses are fickle, though.”

“They are. But I have never sensed that from the Muses. I know—”

Caius waved his hand, and Titus stopped.

“I thank you for your concern, friend. At the very least, I will ensure my Livia and my mother will be safely out of harm’s way. Even if we do not leave today, I believe our family is being watched over.”

There was a long silence, then Titus murmured, “Very well.”

I waited as their footsteps faded into the triclinium and then relaxed.

“My son is a cautious man, just like his father.”

I jumped and spun around as Maxima stepped back, eyes as wide as mine. As I pinned myself against the pillar, she raised her hands in peace.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Shaking my head, I tried to laugh. “It’s fine. I just didn’t want to interrupt their conversation.” Glancing in the direction Maxima came from, I was surprised to not see Livia with her.

“Where is Livia?”

“She is still resting in the room she and Caius share. I checked on her just a moment ago, as last night was not restful for her.”

“How so?”

“She is a few weeks from when her babe should arrive. Now is the time of sleepless nights. I believe that is another reason Caius is so hesitant to rush off.

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