Page 39 of Enslaved
“It sounds like heaven, but Kell forbade me to use the pool.”
“A little power and it has gone to his head. Marcus allows me to use it anytime I wish and I invite you to be my guest. Water is magic. It will help shed your cares and inhibitions. Promise me you will bring him here often to play.”
For the life of her, Diana could not picture a playful Marcus Magnus, yet when she considered for a moment, had his hands not been playful when he picked her up by the bottom cheeks this afternoon? Perhaps shecouldsucceed in finding the boy in the man. Then she might truly have him under her spell—and in her power.
Chapter 12
Marcus Magnus could not remember a twelve-hour day that had lasted longer. He often walked home, climbing the hills that stretched from the fortress to his villa, but tonight he rode one of his white stallions. Bruise-colored clouds were piled one on top of another and low thunder had begun to rumble by the time he reached his own stables.
Always, he tended his own animals as any career legionary worth his salt would. Yet tonight he turned Trajan over to the care of a stable slave. “Have a care,” he warned. “Trajan bites and the approaching storm will make him restless.”
As he had ridden, the very rhythm of Trajan’s hooves had drummed out Diana, Diana, Diana. When he entered the atrium, he curbed his impatience that it was not she who greeted him.
Kell bowed his head. “I hope you had a productive day, General.”
“Yes, it was most fruitful.”
Kell kept a straight face as Marcus said, “I’ll bathe in the villa tonight. The storm will break any minute.”
Kell often disagreed with the master, simply on principle. “I believe it will build slowly, then climax with a bang.” He added silently,You being the thunder, she the lightning!
The pointed analogy was not lost on Marcus Magnus. “Would it be asking too much to have you serve us tonight?” he asked Kell.
“Such was my intent.” Usually the bath took at least an hour, sometimes two. Tonight, however, Kell thought he had better bring the lady to the dining room in about thirty minutes.
As Diana sat before the polished bronze mirror in her own chamber, she said to Nola, “I don’t think I will change my gown. Marcus seemed quite taken with the violet silk.”
“Did you know that the color purple is magic?” Nola asked. “That particular shade changes color with the light. In the shadows it is almost black, but in the lamplight it glows rich and vibrant. It will lend you power, as will the amethysts about your throat. You need violet-scented oil between your breasts and at the base of your spine.”
“I have never applied perfume there before.”
“It will not go to waste, trust me.”
“Last night I wore Egyptian musk.”
“Musk can be cloying. Tonight the violet is better.”
When Nola opened the door to a light tap, Kell stood at the portal. “I see you have wasted no time currying favor, woman of Gaul. I have come to escort the lady to him.”
Nola’s eyebrows elevated. “This morning you called her slave, tonight you call her lady. I am delighted you took my advice to show her respect. You can learn a lot from your betters.”
“One Briton is worth ten women of Gaul.” Kell pushed his way into the chamber and spoke to Diana. “Are you ready?”
Diana knew a moment of total, blinding panic. She felt like a prisoner being taken to her own execution. How could she do this thing? How could she subjugate herself to a dictator? How could she abase herself to a master? The ancient tale of Scheherazade came to her rescue. Had that female not kept the sultan enthralled for a thousand and one nights?
All I need do is negotiate. I shall simply trade innocence for power. A fair exchange when all is said and done.Yet deep down, in the depths of her mind where reason didn’t quite reach, she knew she had to do more than negotiate. She must enchant, enthrall, enslave!
Diana smiled her secret smile and held out her hand to Kell. “I am more than ready.”
He placed her small hand upon his arm and took her downstairs. His gray eyes hid a smile as he saw Marcus was already in the oval triclinium. Kell took her through the pillars. “Lady Diana,” he announced with far more ceremony than she had received when she had been announced at court, a lifetime ago.
Marcus came forward to greet her. His black eyes touched her everywhere. Diana kicked aside her small train dramatically, then took one token step toward him, with her head held proudly high. Marcus clasped her small hand firmly, then chided, “You obey my orders regally, like a goddess bestowing a favor.”
“That is because you issue them arrogantly, like a master ordering a slave.”
“That is precisely what I am.” His grip tightened painfully.
“Unfortunately, I am not a goddess. I am mortal flesh and blood. Will you crush my very bones?” she asked softly.
