A Noble Captive Read Online Free Page A

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    Tullio’s head and neck pounded from the earlier beating as he tried to concentrate on the implications. He had to get this right. The Republic could not afford a mistake.
    The vestibule became quiet except for the breathing of his men. He regarded the slender woman standing in front of him. The time had come to start pleading Rome’s cause.
    ‘Thank you.’ Tullio bowed low. ‘The temple’s hospitality is unparallelled. Rome will be grateful.’
    ‘You are here as guests, soldier, and welcome on the sibyl’s wishes, not mine.’ Her pearl-drop earrings swayed as she lifted her chin higher. ‘Leave your armour here. To be returned when you depart.’
    Tullio heard the low murmur of his men. He refused to repeat the folly of the pirate and anger the woman. But armour held almost sacred significance to his men. Even the pirates had not attempted to take it.
    ‘We have no weapons. Our armour reminds us of who we are.’
    ‘Armour offends the goddess. You will do as I request.’
    Tullio took off his helmet and placed it at her sandal-shod feet. He motioned to the men. The last one to take off his armour, throwing it down with a loud clang, was Quintus. Tullio glared at him. Although Quintus was an experienced centurion and invaluable in the defence of the trireme, this was the second time he had defied orders in the space of an hour.
    ‘I believe your guardianship will be more considerate than that of the good captain,’ he said, hoping to draw Helena’s attention away from the belligerent centurion.
    ‘Captain Androceles and his house are well known to this temple.’
    Tullio curled his fingers about his belt, tried to read the woman’s expression and the unspoken meaning in her words. Was she saying that she didn’t trust the pirate captain? He tried to smile, but it turned into a grimace as his wounds protested.
    ‘On my sacred word as a Roman citizen, I promise you that my men and I will behave like guests as long as we are in this place, waiting for the tribute.’
    ‘Spoken like a true Roman—a promise with conditions.’ Helena crossed her arms. Her expression became more remote, her voice chilled. ‘The price Rome exacts is often great.’
    Tullio cursed the pounding in his head. He had behaved like the worst diplomat. Quintus had more finesse.
    ‘Rome always treats its friends well,’ he said.
    ‘I have seen how Rome treats its friends. We are extending the same courtesy we would extend to any stranger who requests Kybele’s protection. You used the ritual words, I believe.’
    A jolt ran through Tullio. Her intonation echoed the sibyl’s too closely. However, if they were one and the same, he failed to understand why she chose to hide her identity. Surely her word would have carried more weight with the pirates if she appeared as the sibyl?
    ‘Your humble servant.’ He paused for dramatic effect, caught her hand and raised it to his lips briefly before letting go. As his lips brushed her palm, he felt a faint trembling. ‘Sibyl.’
    Helena stared at Tullio, icy fear gripping her insides. It took all her powers of concentration not to snatch her hand out of his warm grip, but to move away with a fluid and easy motion.
    How much had the Roman tribune guessed?
    Her mind raced back over the conversation. Nothing she said had given any clue to her charade of this morning. He had to be guessing. She had to stop seeing shadows where there were none. It was one of her worst faults, according toAunt Flavia, always trying to react rather than letting the goddess take charge.
    ‘I am the sibyl’s assistant, her niece. The sibyl is busy…busy with other matters,’ she said quickly before she lost her nerve. But the excuse sounded feeble.
    ‘My mistake.’ His words were too smooth. ‘You sound and look very much like her.’
    ‘Look? How would you know? The sibyl only ever appears dressed in her robes and mask.’
    ‘Your eyes are the same.’
    Helena’s heart sank. Such a simple thing.