The Gladiator's Mistress (Champions of Rome) by Jennifer D. Bokal

Author:Jennifer D. Bokal [Bokal, Jennifer D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503944589
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2015-07-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Phaedra

How could Phaedra have said such a thing and in such a forward manner? In her years away from Rome, she had become accustomed to speaking her piece. Now that she was back in the center of politics and intrigue, she needed to be mindful of her words, and vowed to choose more carefully before she spoke.

“Greetings, Phaedra,” Valens said. “I heard of your husband’s death and that you had returned to Rome. Accept my sympathies for your loss.”

Of course Valens would know of Marcus’s passing. She then wondered if he ever thought simply of her. So great was her desire to know that Phaedra feared she would blurt out her question. Instead she said the expected, “I thank you for your sympathies.”

“You look well.”

“You do, too. I am surprised to see you in the market without guards,” she said.

He laughed. “I fought more men in the arena than most soldiers do in their lifetime. I do not need a guard. Besides, I won my freedom two years ago.”

Valens’s freedom came as news to her. Fearing that she would hear something unpleasant about him, Phaedra had made a point to avoid talk of the games. “I congratulate you.”

Valens nodded, smiling but tight-lipped. Then he smiled again, larger and more genuine this time. “I could ask the same of you—where are your guards? Or have you taken up the sword, too?”

“I just wanted a moment away from the villa,” she said, fearing again that she had been too honest. “What of your life?”

“I live on the Aventine with my sister.”

“Just you and your sister? No wife?” Oh, may the gods preserve her and help control her emotions and the words that follow!

“I never found a woman I wanted to bind myself to,” he said.

“Good.” Good? Good? Had she just said good? What must Valens think of her? “It is good to wait and marry when you find a person you favor, I mean.”

“I thought that was what you meant.” His eyes twinkled and she looked away, her cheeks feeling flushed.

Phaedra saw other patrician ladies she knew standing near the silk merchant’s stall as their maids purchased goods. What would the gossip be tomorrow if Phaedra talked to Valens for much longer? Yet what did she care? Acestes’s marriage proposal had not been accepted by either her or her father. She was a widow, not an unmarried virgin. Even though she once again lived with her father and his rules, she did have a certain amount of freedom.

Valens stepped toward her and her skin tingled. She had forgotten how standing close to him brought about a primal need like the drawing of two halves together, as if they were trying to become whole. The first time she felt it, Phaedra had not entirely understood the feelings and emotions. Now she did.

She understood something else as well. Her father meant for her to marry Acestes. True, her father loved her and he wanted her to be happy, but he cared much more for his own comforts and his position.

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