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Authors: Christina Phillips
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it’s my belief some of them spread across Britannia. The
emperor won’t rest until every last one of them is crushed beneath the might of
the Eagle.”
“None would dare set foot in Camulodunum.” Her father
sounded outraged by the very thought. “The filthy cowards most likely fled
north to the mountains of Caledonia.”
“That is very possible,” the praetor conceded.
“I wish you well in your mission, Praetor . All Druids
should be hunted to extinction like the rabid dogs they are.”
At any other time Antonia would have loved to discuss the
mysteries of the evil Druids but her mind kept straying to Gawain. Had he meant
that ultimatum? Or would she arrive at the tribune’s villa only to discover it
had been a cruel trick on his part?
If she didn’t go, she would never know. And would spend the
rest of her life wondering what if?
“Antonia?” Her father’s voice jerked her back to the
present. “The praetor enquired how you’re enjoying the restricted social
interactions here.”
The pained expression on her father’s beloved face told her
that he was convinced she secretly hated everything about Camulodunum. Soon she
would have to confide in him that she never intended to leave, but that was a
conversation for another day. For now, both the praetor and her father
had just given her the ideal opening regarding her clandestine meeting with
Gawain.
“The tribune’s wife, Carys, is most charming.” If she were
careful, she might be able to make it sound as though Carys had invited her
without having to lie outright. She would still feel bad about deceiving her
father but it would, after all, be for only a short while.
“The foreign princess.” The praetor ’s tone gave
nothing away of his private feelings on that matter. “She was the one who
thwarted the mad Druid’s plan in Cambria two years ago to overthrow the
Legions.”
Antonia stared at him, momentarily distracted from her
purpose. “She was?” She tried to imagine the delicate-looking woman doing
anything other than gracing her husband’s Roman villa, and failed.
“It was the reason Maximus was allowed to marry her. The
emperor was most appreciative of her efforts.”
“Another reason why no Druid would enter our great city,”
her father said.
She dearly wanted to learn more, but she couldn’t allow this
opportunity to pass by. “I have been invited to the tribune’s villa this
afternoon.” She glanced at her father. “May I use the carpentum ?”
Her father’s face brightened and guilt churned through her
breast. But the guilt wasn’t strong enough for her to retract her question.
“Of course. I’ll arrange for a full complement of guard to
accompany you.”
Relief flooded through her and she stood, inclining her head
at the praetor . “It has been a pleasure to see you again, Praetor .”
She hoped they would never meet again, though. “Pray forgive my hasty
departure.”
Once again he took her hand. “The pleasure is all mine, my
lady.” His eyes never left hers and unease trickled along her spine at the
desire he no longer made any effort to conceal. “I trust you and your father
will honor me by attending a feast I’m holding next week.”
Gawain found Carys in the room adjoining the Roman bathhouse
Maximus had built in the villa’s grounds. She had just finished her daily
teaching of local peasant children and he couldn’t help the glare he arrowed
her way.
“The Romans will crucify you if they discover what you’re
doing under their aristocratic noses.” Not to mention that she was flagrantly
disregarding every edict passed down from the dawn of time that the ways of the
Druids were sacred and not to be shared with any outsider.
“I’m only passing on the most basic of our knowledge.” Carys
shot him a frown of her own. “I’m not a fool, Gawain. I would never put my
family at such risk. But Cerridwen’s word must live on, and this is one way to
preserve her wisdom.”
He had heard
emperor won’t rest until every last one of them is crushed beneath the might of
the Eagle.”
“None would dare set foot in Camulodunum.” Her father
sounded outraged by the very thought. “The filthy cowards most likely fled
north to the mountains of Caledonia.”
“That is very possible,” the praetor conceded.
“I wish you well in your mission, Praetor . All Druids
should be hunted to extinction like the rabid dogs they are.”
At any other time Antonia would have loved to discuss the
mysteries of the evil Druids but her mind kept straying to Gawain. Had he meant
that ultimatum? Or would she arrive at the tribune’s villa only to discover it
had been a cruel trick on his part?
If she didn’t go, she would never know. And would spend the
rest of her life wondering what if?
“Antonia?” Her father’s voice jerked her back to the
present. “The praetor enquired how you’re enjoying the restricted social
interactions here.”
The pained expression on her father’s beloved face told her
that he was convinced she secretly hated everything about Camulodunum. Soon she
would have to confide in him that she never intended to leave, but that was a
conversation for another day. For now, both the praetor and her father
had just given her the ideal opening regarding her clandestine meeting with
Gawain.
“The tribune’s wife, Carys, is most charming.” If she were
careful, she might be able to make it sound as though Carys had invited her
without having to lie outright. She would still feel bad about deceiving her
father but it would, after all, be for only a short while.
“The foreign princess.” The praetor ’s tone gave
nothing away of his private feelings on that matter. “She was the one who
thwarted the mad Druid’s plan in Cambria two years ago to overthrow the
Legions.”
Antonia stared at him, momentarily distracted from her
purpose. “She was?” She tried to imagine the delicate-looking woman doing
anything other than gracing her husband’s Roman villa, and failed.
“It was the reason Maximus was allowed to marry her. The
emperor was most appreciative of her efforts.”
“Another reason why no Druid would enter our great city,”
her father said.
She dearly wanted to learn more, but she couldn’t allow this
opportunity to pass by. “I have been invited to the tribune’s villa this
afternoon.” She glanced at her father. “May I use the carpentum ?”
Her father’s face brightened and guilt churned through her
breast. But the guilt wasn’t strong enough for her to retract her question.
“Of course. I’ll arrange for a full complement of guard to
accompany you.”
Relief flooded through her and she stood, inclining her head
at the praetor . “It has been a pleasure to see you again, Praetor .”
She hoped they would never meet again, though. “Pray forgive my hasty
departure.”
Once again he took her hand. “The pleasure is all mine, my
lady.” His eyes never left hers and unease trickled along her spine at the
desire he no longer made any effort to conceal. “I trust you and your father
will honor me by attending a feast I’m holding next week.”
Gawain found Carys in the room adjoining the Roman bathhouse
Maximus had built in the villa’s grounds. She had just finished her daily
teaching of local peasant children and he couldn’t help the glare he arrowed
her way.
“The Romans will crucify you if they discover what you’re
doing under their aristocratic noses.” Not to mention that she was flagrantly
disregarding every edict passed down from the dawn of time that the ways of the
Druids were sacred and not to be shared with any outsider.
“I’m only passing on the most basic of our knowledge.” Carys
shot him a frown of her own. “I’m not a fool, Gawain. I would never put my
family at such risk. But Cerridwen’s word must live on, and this is one way to
preserve her wisdom.”
He had heard
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