Or kissed her until she couldn’t tell him no. She was somehow disappointed when he turned and left her there by herself.
He says he loves me.
It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. A person didn’t fall in love in two days. She didn’t believe in love at first sight—or whatever nonsense people called it. She didn’t know that she believed in love at all. She had never felt it before. She had never even known anyone who had claimed to be in love. Priestesses of the Temple of Hera were not allowed to be physically involved with others outside of marriage.
As for love? She had nothing except stories, sonnets, and poems to go on, and those always seemed to end so horribly for everyone involved.
She had nothing to compare it to. Nothing real.
But if he was only after her body, he knew how to get it. Besides, she was just a slave. He could take her if he wanted to. She was his property.
I am not disappointed. I’m not!
Shaking her head, she took a long shower and enjoyed the hot water. It did nothing to help calm her thoughts. She went to bed and, after a long time, finally fell asleep. And she dreamed of him—of his touch—of his laugh.
Of splashing around in the pool like children.
And of being happy.
The next day, she dressed and went to breakfast. Nero joined her, and he was giddy. He wouldn’t stop snickering like a child. “What is it?”
“I have a surprise for you today.”
“I…” She didn’t know what to say to that. She sipped her orange juice. She preferred it to the tea or coffee. It made her less jittery. “Why?”
“I’m not going to tell you. It ruins the point.”
“No, not what is it, but why.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you giving me a surprise?”
He paused for a long time. “Have you ever been given anything before?”
“For my twentieth birthday, the Mother Arkhiereus bought me a hairbrush. I’ve had these bracers for most of my adult life. They were given to me by the temple. Of course I’ve been given things.” She didn’t know why she was so indignant all of a sudden. He said it as though she were some kind of street urchin. Like she hadn’t lived a life.
I’ve never known love. Not even from a family. Maybe I haven’t really lived.
“That’s…nice.” It was clear he thought very little of it.
“You still haven’t told me why.”
“Because I want to. Because I want to make you happy. I like it when you smile. Is that so hard to believe?”
“I believe you’re being nice to me so I’ll sleep with you.”
“Nope.”
Something bounced off her forehead, and she yelped. She scrambled to catch it as it fell into her lap. It was a grape. “Hey!”
Another one hit her, this time in the shoulder, and she growled. She lobbed one back at him. She had no idea if her aim was anywhere close. “Stop it.”
“Not until you stop feeling bad for yourself.”
“I’m not—” Another grape hit her in the face. “Nero!” She threw it back at him. He was laughing. “Throwing grapes at a blind girl is incredibly rude!”
“But it’s funny.” And another.
She gathered up three and lobbed them all at him at the same time. “I can’t even hit you back!”
“You’ve hit me twice so far. You’re a pretty good shot.” He moved his chair back from the table, and she heard him walk up to her. He scooped her up out of her chair, and suddenly she was in his arms. Her knees were over one of his elbows and her back was against his other arm. He was carrying her like a bride.
She squeaked. “Put me down!”
“Not until you cheer up.”
“I’m cheered. Put me down.”
“Now you’re lying to me.” He was walking now. Ten paces away, and he sank down onto a lounge, with her in his lap. She went to push away and stand, but he wrapped his arms tightly around her and held her close. “Nope.”
She punched him in the shoulder. “Let me go.”
“That’s a new one. I don’t have a tally for those.” He hummed. “But at least you’re angry now. Angry, I can deal with. It’s that solemn, sad, morose thing you do all the time that I can’t handle. You get this look on your face like you’re one of those statues over someone’s grave. Like you’re mourning your own damn life. And I can’t take it. That’s why I’m giving you a surprise. And I’ll keep giving