Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion (The Artorian Chronicles) (34 page)

“My Lady,” he said turning his eyes back towards the running waterfall. As Diana slowly walked towards him, he closed his eyes and listened intently to the sound of her breathing, which was shaky.
She knelt behind him, her arms trembling as she wrapped them around his shoulders and clasped her hands across his chest. He felt her breath on his neck and ear as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Artorius, I am so sorry,” she whispered, causing him to shudder.
It was the first time she had ever used his given name. Without thinking, he turned and kissed her. She did not pull away; instead she kissed him back while he took her in his arms. It was impossible to comprehend what they were doing, but yet there it was. They continued to kiss for some time, and as they did Artorius’ emotions soared. He caressed her back while she stroked the back of his head and sides of his face and neck. Diana continued to kiss him as she pulled him to his feet. He barely even noticed the pain in his leg. They held hands as they found their way through the woods and onto the road that led back to the estate. He used his crutch to support his injured leg while Diana held his other hand close; the fingers of her free hand gently caressing his arm. He trembled at how good it felt for he was a stranger to such affection and intimacy.

“How long have you felt this way for me?” Diana asked after a brief silence. Artorius took a deep breath and considered his reply.

“Since the first time I saw you in the Lugdunum market,” he replied. “I felt a strong attraction to you from the moment I laid eyes on you.”

“So all your trips to the estate were not mere coincidence then?” she asked with a short laugh.

“At first they were,” Artorius asserted. “Proculus saw my little mishap in the market, where I ran into that pillar…” Diana burst out laughing while Artorius mocked being hurt. “Anyway, he probably thought it would be amusing to have me act as a courier to you after that little incident. After that I started to request the privilege. Of course it was all under the guise that I liked to ride horses and wanted some fresh air for a few days. None of the other lads ever volunteered, so it became an additional duty for me; one I must say I always took pleasure in.”

“Y
our company was always appreciated, even if I did not always show it,” Diana replied as she squeezed his hand affectionately. “And yet it took tragedy and death to bring us to appreciate those things in each other. Sad…”

“There were too many barriers between us,” Artorius observed. “
And there still are. You are of the patrician class, and I a common soldier.”

“I am a divorcee as well, with an affliction that makes me an unsuitable wife to any.” Diana’s face fell as a tear came to her eye. Artorius stopped and turned to face her as she let out a short sob. He ran the back of his hand over her cheek.

“Well if it makes you feel any better,” he said, “I have no patience for children, so I certainly do not see you as afflicted. Besides, if I get the desire to pass on my family name I’ll adopt someone when I’m an old man…preferably somebody already grown and established.”  Diana let out a short laugh and tried to wipe some of her tears away. He put his arm around her and laid her head on his shoulder. “Come here.” Diana wrapped an arm around his waist as they continued their walk. Artorius was grateful for the added support, for his bad leg was starting to trouble him again.

“Just tell me one thing,” Diana said. “Tell me that you were not drawn to me merely because you felt sorry for me.”

“Not at all,” Artorius replied. “I feel sorry for many, but that does not mean I fall for them. No, there was something in your aura that drew me to you…that and I admit I was quite taken by you physically!” They shared a laugh as Diana kissed him gently on the cheek. They walked in silence for some time before Diana spoke again.

“Tell me about her,” she said. Artorius thought hard about what he would say.

“Her name was Camilla,” he replied. “We grew up together in Ostia.” He then decided if he was going to tell Diana about her, he would tell her everything. Diana held him closer as he described Camilla’s death and when he gave his medallion to her daughter.

“A bit of irony that the medallion
that Camilla gave to me, that I in turn gave to little Marcia bears the image of your namesake,” he observed.

“I think perhaps Diana has always been a part of your life,” she replied, looking up into his face.

“I wish she could continue to be,” Artorius said, Diana smiling at the double-meaning of his words.

Eventually
they reached the gates of the estate. Diana’s maidservant came out to meet her, but smiled and walked back inside when she saw the couple together. As they walked inside, lamps dimly lit the upstairs corridor. Artorius was surprised when they kept walking past the guest quarters that he had been staying in. They stopped shortly past them; Diana taking her head from his shoulder and placing both arms around his waist.

“You don’t have to stay in the guest rooms tonight,” she said, a gleam in her eye. Artorius grinned and kissed her
affectionately on the lips.

“Where to my Lady?”

“D…Drusus, you are not l…looking well,” Claudius said as he passed his cousin in the forum. They two men had not seen each other in a few weeks, and Claudius immediately noticed the lack of color in Drusus’ face. Though it was a warm day, he kept his toga wrapped close to him, as if he were cold. Their mutual friend, Herod Agrippa, accompanied him.

“I don’t feel good either,” Drusus replied before succumbing to a coughing fit.

“It’s too much drinking, old friend,” Herod chided, a look of concern on his face. Drusus looked back at him and gave a snort.

“Well look who’s talking!” he retorted. “A bit of a hypocrite are we?” Herod raised his hands up, mocking his innocence.

“Hey, I only accompany you on your little debacles because your father asked me to keep an eye on you…okay and I admit you do know where the best brothels are. Still, if you kept your pallet to simple wine and not that abominable sewage you drink every night, you might not get so sick all the time.”

“Yeah, well it’s all stuff that comes from your friends in the east,” Drusus retorted as he resumed coughing once more. Herod glanced over at Claudius and shook his head. Though he tried to remain good-natured, Claudius knew their Judean friend was deeply worried about Drusus.

“W…why don’t you b…both join me for dinner this evening?” Claudius asked. In truth he did not get to see his friends nearly enough. He also hoped that perhaps by keeping Drusus away from the dens of iniquity he might be able to help restore his health.

“An excellent idea!” Herod said with much enthusiasm. Drusus replied with another coughing fit.

“No, I don’t think I’ll make it,” he said after spitting out a glob of phlegm. “I would love to, but I think Livilla has some new type of medicine she wants me to try. She said it will help my cough, but may make me fall asleep. I won’t be very good company if I sleep through your hospitality, now will I?”

“You’re a…always good company, Drusus,” Claudius replied. His brother-in-law smiled weakly before resuming his coughing fit.

“By Mercury, this concoction Livilla’s got better work!” he said with exasperation as he walked off.

“Well I will certainly meet you tonight,” Herod said. “I’m not one to pass up a free meal, you know.” He winked at Claudius as he started to turn back towards where Drusus was walking away. Claudius grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Keep an eye h…him,” he said, his voice chalked full of concern. “He hasn’t been well for some time and I would hate to think of something h…happening to him.”

“It would be a dark day for the Emperor, and for Rome,” Herod
emphasized. “Drusus is the only viable heir your uncle has. Should anything happen to him…” He shook his head soberly and walked away.

The sky was red as the sun lay low on the horizon. Artorius walked along the path, his arm interlocked with Diana’s. His leg still ached, but he refused to use the walking stick anymore. Diana helped support his weight, in spite of his protests.
Artorius clasped her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers.

“I’ll be returning to the Legion soon,” he said glumly. Diana squeezed his hand hard.

“I know,” she replied quietly. The weeks had passed far too quickly for them.

They came to a patch of ground, which sloped gently upward a few dozen feet. At the top was a large oak, and beyond was a commanding view of the entire valley. The sun cast its glow on the horizon as it slowly set. Diana guided Artorius over to the oak. He leaned back against it as she set her basket down and opened it.
Inside was a blanket and a bottle of wine.

“It is a pity that Rome will not formally recognize you for having saved my life, given that I am a woman,” she said as she
reached for him. Her fingers gripped the back of his head while her thumbs gently massaged his temples. Artorius’ eyes widened in surprise, yet he was unable to stifle a moan, it felt so good. His breathing was becoming heavy, his eyes closed, his heartbeat quickening, much in the same way that it had just before battle. He placed his hands on her sides and pulled her slightly closer to him. Every fiber of him wanted her. He felt her one hand glide down to his shoulder, where it started to massage him, while her other hand caressed the back of his neck. He started to run his hands up her sides, when he suddenly stopped. He then looked down, saddened.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Diana…” he started. His mind and his heart were flooded with conflicting emotions, soaring elation and deep despair. “…I’m afraid.” She looked at him puzzled, yet still continued to caress him.

“Afraid
…of what?”

“Afraid that I may be falling for you.” He looked her in the eyes, his own suddenly wet with emotions he had never experienced before. He had once thought that he had feelings for a courtesan that he associated with in Rome at one time. But that had only been powerful lust. He was no stranger to women in the physical sense, but this was completely alien to him. Plus, what would he do once he returned to his fortress on the Rhine? His fear was compounded by the thoughts of never seeing this woman again. He had fought so hard against building up any feelings for her. And yet he had failed, and failed miserably.

“Well I have already fallen for you,” Diana replied. She then brought her lips to his and kissed him passionately. As his passion for Diana completely unleashed itself, Artorius pulled her close to him, returning her kiss firmly, yet gently and with much affection. Normally he became a savage animal when he became intimate with women, yet now he found his passion was borne out of more than just primal lust. There was a sense of affection that he had never felt before.

In spite of the impossibilities that seemed to loom over any future together, something inside told him that everything would be alright. Never in his life had Artorius been superstitious, yet suddenly he believed that everything that had happened to him recently was meant to be. He was meant to lead the attack on the residence. It was predestined that he would get wounded. And above all it was fated that he save this woman’s life.

It was reckless and impossible to conceive, yet as he held her close, kissing her deeply, Artorius realized that he did in fact love Diana. Though her physical beauty was truly stunning, his feelings for her stemmed from the beauty that dominated her very soul. The invincible soldier of Rome had met his match.