The Immortal Scrolls (9 page)

Androcles could not restrain himself anymore. He grabbed her suddenly and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist. His lips crushed hers passionately as he walked toward the bed. She could feel his hardness against her. Her body ached with a desire she had never known. He knelt down on her bed and lay her body gently down. He quickly positioned himself between her legs. His hands began to caress her generous breasts. His mouth covered her pink nipples, and he began to lick and suck until they were taut. She let out a tiny moan of pleasure. His tongue moved from her nipple up her neck to her ear, where he bit her gently. She turned her face to his and kissed him on the lips. His tongue explored her warm, wet mouth as he slid his hand further and further down until he found her nub. He stroked her gently at first and then faster and faster as she moaned more and more. Then he took his finger and slid it inside of her. She gasped, and he kissed her again. He took his other hand and guided her hand to his hard shaft. He moved her hand up and down so she would know what to do. She took him with both her hands and slid them up and down. He groaned quietly and stopped her hands. He wanted to draw out the pleasure. He moved himself back and bent his head over to kiss the inside of her thigh until his mouth covered her nub. She gasped and sighed as he licked her.

“Androcles, wait,” she whispered breathlessly.

Androcles moved away quickly. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Araceli didn’t answer. Instead she sat up on her knees. She placed her hands on his chest and leaned him back gently. She smiled at him mischievously and bent over. She took his hardness into her mouth and licked the tip. Then she began to stroke him again as she sucked. Androcles groaned, and his hips began to move slightly. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He gently twisted their bodies around until she was back underneath him. He pushed his way gently inside of her. She gasped in pain at first. He waited a moment to let her adjust to him before he began to move.

“Kiss me,” she said. Androcles kissed her passionately, and he began to thrust softly and then harder and harder. Her body moved in sync with his, faster and faster until they both cried out in ecstasy. His body shuddered and he arched his head back on his final thrust. He gazed down at her face and she smiled.

“I love you, Araceli,” he said.

“I love you too, Androcles,” she said, smiling wider.

Androcles removed himself from her and snuggled up beside her. He stroked the hair away from her face.

“How long can you stay?” she asked.

“A while, but then I must return before someone notices my absence,” he said regretfully.

“Can you come again tomorrow night?” she asked.

“I will try, my love,” he answered. Araceli buried her face in his chest. His skin was warm. He wrapped his arms around her. “We must be extremely careful. If we were to be discovered it would surely mean my death in the amphitheater,” he said.

Araceli shuddered at the thought. “I wish I could choose you,” she said sadly.

“Me too,” he agreed and held her tighter.

Androcles held her until she fell asleep, and then he slipped out of the bed. He dressed quickly and walked to the secret passageway in her private bath. He pressed the switch and squeezed through. When he got to the exit, he listened for a few minutes for any signs of people in the corridor. When he thought it was all clear, he slipped out. Androcles walked speedily and quietly through the villa to the guards’ quarters. He made it into his room unnoticed and crashed on the bed and tried to sleep.

Androcles was able to slip unnoticed into her room every night for the next few weeks. They didn’t just make love. They talked, and she would even arrange for food so they could pretend they were actually having a normal life together for a few fleeting hours.

One afternoon Araceli was playing the lyre in the courtyard. Her father and his guards and slaves were away on business, so he felt a little more relaxed. Androcles stood off to the side, listening to her play a happy melody. When it was over, her slaves offered her water.

“Some water for my guard,” she ordered. The slave girl looked at him strangely as she handed him a cup of water. It was not customary for the guards to be offered their master’s water. “You may go,” she said to her slaves. When they were gone, she turned to Androcles.

“I have been working on this at night while I wait for you,” she said. Araceli began to play a hauntingly romantic melody. Her fingers moved elegantly over the strings. Her eyes were closed in concentration. He moved closer to her bench, hypnotized by the song. When she finished, she looked up over at him.

“That was beautiful,” he said.

She blushed. “Thank you.”

Androcles reached out his hand to tuck a curly strand of hair behind her ear.

“The legatus, domina,” said a slave.

The legatus strode into the courtyard in the exact moment Androcles was touching Araceli’s hair. He paused momentarily and gave them a suspicious look. Androcles backed away to a nearby column where the slaves waited. He was sick with worry that he might have cast suspicion on the two of them. The legatus smiled widely at Araceli.

“Araceli, my flower, you are looking radiant today,” he said as he took a seat beside her on the bench. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. His eyes met Androcles’s with a dark look. “Play something for me, my dear.”

“As you wish, Antonius,” she said obligingly with a strained smile on her face.

Antonius watched with a smile, throwing glances back and forth between Araceli and Androcles. Androcles was sure that the legatus was wary of them.

“Antonius!” exclaimed Araceli’s mother as she walked out into the courtyard. “No one informed me of your arrival.”

Araceli stopped playing, and the legatus stood up. He walked over to Araceli’s mother and kissed her on both cheeks.

“Claudia, how are you?” Antonius asked happily.

“I am well. You must stay for dinner,” said Claudia.

“I would love to,” he replied.

“Come, come. Let us go in,” she said, waving her hand at Antonius and Araceli.

Araceli handed her treasured lyre to her slave and followed them inside. She shot a quick glance at Androcles as she passed by. He gave her a quick smile and followed behind her. After they finished their meal, they sat around drinking wine and talking. Araceli sat silent, laughing when appropriate. Her mother did most of the talking. Antonius was pleasant enough company, but all she could think about was Androcles. He was only feet away, but it seemed like worlds.

“I think I’d better retire,” said Claudia. She was drunk, and her slaves had to help her up off the cushioned bench she was lying on. “You must come back soon, Antonius.”

“You can count on it,” said Antonius as he gave Araceli a sidelong glance. “Good night.”

“Good night, you two!” Claudia said with a drunken laugh.

“Good night, mother,” said Araceli. She didn’t even want to look at Androcles. She knew he must be dying to throw Antonius out on his ass.

“Alone at last,” said Antonius. He got up and moved over to the bench Araceli was lying on. Araceli’s body went stiff. She heard Androcles shifting his feet. She prayed he wouldn’t give them away.

“Uh-huh,” she agreed, avoiding eye contact. She was propped up on the arm of the bench. Antonius moved over closer.

“You know, there has been something I have been dying to do all night,” he said huskily.

“Oh? What’s that?” she said innocently.

Antonius’s face grew closer to her own until it was inches away. He cupped her chin in his hand. She knew he meant to kiss her. Her eyes glanced over at Androcles, pleading for help that he could not give. Antonius noticed and looked at Androcles, who remained emotionless, and then back at Araceli. “Shy, my darling?”

“Um, yes,” she said, chiding herself silently for almost exposing them.

“You weren’t always so shy,” he said as he ran a finger along the length of her arm. “Guard,” said Antonius, “you may leave.”

Araceli closed her eyes and tried not to cry. Androcles nodded his head and left the room. Only a single slave girl remained to pour wine.

“Better?” asked Antonius.

“Yes,” Araceli whispered meekly.

“Good,” said Antonius. He leaned back in and kissed her gently. Araceli’s lips were stiff and unresponsive. Antonius pulled back. “A little more wine, perhaps?” Araceli nodded her head yes, and the slave rushed over to fill her cup. Araceli gave Antonius a shy but polite smile. She didn’t want him to lose complete interest in case he decided to withdraw his offer and leave her stuck with the vile senator. She chugged a bit of wine. Antonius chuckled.

“No need to be nervous, my innocent one,” he said as he stroked her arm.

Araceli realized he must have thought she was only shy because she was supposed to be a virgin. Antonius leaned in again to kiss her. He opened her mouth with his own and thrust his tongue in. Araceli kissed back with forced enthusiasm. Antonius didn’t recognize the difference. Instead he was more encouraged and started to grope her with his hands. She felt so guilty for kissing another man. She tried to pretend it was Androcles, but it didn’t work. Araceli pulled away gently as to not be rude. It took a lot of effort for her to smile at Antonius instead of cry.

“Why don’t you dismiss the proposal of that old man and accept me?” he said between kisses. His kisses trailed down her neck. “I have so much more… to offer…”

“Please understand. I need just a little more time to decide, Antonius,” she said firmly.

Antonius sat up. “Take your time, my dear. You will choose me. He can’t make you happy. He might have more villas and riches, but I have other great endowments,” he said cockily.

Araceli blushed. Antonius chuckled some more. “Good night. I will take my leave.”

“Good night, Antonius. Thank you for the pleasure of your company,” she said, trying to be careful with her words.

“I will see myself out,” he replied.

Araceli excused herself and went off in search of Androcles.

Antonius was walking to the door and caught sight of a guard. “You,” he said, and he pulled the man off to the side. “I want you to do something for me.” Antonius reached into his bag and pulled out a small purse filled with coins. He handed the man the purse. “I want you to spy on your domina Araceli and, more specifically, her personal guard.”

The guard said nothing but nodded yes and took the purse.

“Good,” said Antonius. “I will return in a few days. If you discover anything at all, send word for me at my villa, and I will come to you. Not a word of this to anyone.”

The guard nodded again. Satisfied, Antonius left and the guard set off to spy. He went down to the guards’ quarters and saw Androcles in his room, so he made his way back up to the corridor to the family’s rooms. He saw Araceli’s slaves leave her room. She was all alone now. He hid in the darkened corridor behind a curtained doorway. Not thirty minutes later Androcles was sneaking into the corridor. The guard watched intently as Androcles disappeared into an opening behind a statue. The guard waited a few minutes and went after Androcles. He searched around and found the secret latch. The wall slid open enough for him to squeeze through. He went in the dark passageway. He felt his way around clumsily until he reached the end of the passageway. He searched for another latch and found it more easily this time. The door slid open, but he didn’t go inside. He peered through the crack and saw Androcles and Araceli embracing.

“I had no choice,” said Araceli as she finished recounting her few minutes alone with Antonius.

“Shh,” said Androcles. “I know, my love. I am not angry with you.” He kissed her gently and comfortingly. “But this is only going to get worse. I cannot stand the thought of you with another man. Maybe I should talk to your father.”

“You know he would never agree, and you would only get into trouble,” Araceli said sadly.

“Well, then run away with me. I can take care of you. I have family in Macedonia,” he said, pleading. “It is the only way. You know he will get rid of me once you two are married. Unless that is what you want.”

“Of course it isn’t what I want. I love you, Androcles,” she said as tears streamed down her face. Androcles kissed her again furiously and desperately.

“I love you more than life itself, Araceli,” he said when they broke apart, breathless from kissing.

“All right,” she said, her voice shaky. “Let’s do it. I will go away with you. We will just keep going until they forget all about us.”

Androcles grabbed her and pulled her to him. He backed her up to the wall and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around him as he pulled his tunic up and thrust himself inside her. Araceli cried out in pleasure as he pounded himself deeper and deeper. Their mouths mashed together frantically.

“Everything will be OK,” Androcles said breathlessly, and he covered her mouth with his own again.

The guard was watching the scene unfold before him in disbelief. He had gotten to know Androcles recently and liked him. He never suspected this, and he knew the penalties if he were to reveal the information. He also knew the penalties for himself if he were to cover this up. He regretted having to reveal the lovers. The guard didn’t need to see anymore. He felt his own hardness from watching the couple and decided to go find a slave girl to relieve himself with. Marcus let his guards take privileges with the slaves he no longer used for his own sexual pleasure. He crept out of the passageway silently so as not to get caught himself.