Call to Juno (Tales of Ancient Rome #3)(23)

Her Wolf was not impressed at Artile’s lack of respect. “Get up! No more wasting time. I want the answer now. It might be imprudent to hand you to Mastarna, but it won’t stop me from putting a collar around your neck and making you my slave.”

Artile knocked his stool over in his haste to stand. “I need to consult Aplu, the god known to you as Apollo,” he stuttered.

Marcus sounded impatient. “General, Rome has already sent a delegation to Delphi to Apollo’s oracle. Our own brother Spurius is one of them. This man is wasting our time. It’s best to trust our ambassadors rather than him.”

“There’s a sanctuary only a short distance away from here, Furius Camillus,” continued Artile. “It’s an oracular place. Aplu dwells there alongside other gods. Let me visit it tomorrow. I’ll be able to make the necessary sacrifices there. You’ll have the solution faster than waiting for the emissaries to return.”

Camillus grabbed the neck of Artile’s tunic. “That’s what you said six weeks ago!”

The priest rushed his reply. “Tomorrow. You’ll have the answer tomorrow. I want to ensure I have not incurred Uni’s wrath. To be sure she understands that I betrayed my city but not her. I must seek Aplu’s guidance.”

Camillus dragged the seer closer so they stood only inches apart. “Are you telling me your qualms have been delaying me, priest?”

“Tomorrow. I promise you. Visit the sanctuary with me. I’ll give sacrifice and read the victim’s liver to determine Aplu’s will.”

Marcus once again interrupted. “General, that sanctuary lies flush by the city wall. It’s dangerous territory even though we’ve secured it with a fort. It might be a trap.”

Artile shook his head. “It will be worth the risk, you’ll see.”

Camillus released the haruspex, who stepped back, rubbing his neck where the tunic had cut into his flesh. “Very well, I’ll chance it. Marcus, send orders to double the guard along that part of the lines. And make arrangements for the excursion.” He sat down again at his desk, rubbing his temple, his headache still present. Pinna placed her hands on his shoulders, knowing he needed her comfort.

The Aemilian saluted, scowling at her before he left. Artile scurried toward the tent flap, halting when he heard the general growl. “This is your last chance, priest.”

He bowed his head. “Aplu will reveal all.”

Camillus watched him depart, shaking his head. “I don’t trust him.”

“Then why do you rely on him, my Wolf?”

“Because his reputation as a prophet is widespread. I can’t discount it. It’s his conscience that is making him reluctant, not his lack of skill.” He tapped his gold ring, a nervous habit.

She nodded toward his fingers. “You are granted more protection if you tap it three times.”

He sat astride, pulling her to stand between his legs, his hands resting on her hips. “You and your superstitions.”

She looped her hands around his neck, lacing her fingers together. She was pleased he hadn’t resumed working.

He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Would you like to come with me to see this sanctuary?”

“Yes. Yes!”

“Then it shall be so.”

Pinna felt happiness well. To be asked to accompany him on such a trip was extraordinary. Before the Battle of Blood and Hail, they’d been forced to keep their liaison secret. Her position as his concubine was now taken for granted. All the times of sneaking and subterfuge had ended. “My Wolf, why do you want me to go?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I thought you’d like to see the temple. As a treat. You needn’t come, though, if you’re too frightened.”

“I won’t be frightened. You’ll be with me.”

He laughed, disentangling her fingers. “Go and finish your chores. I have to work.”

She delayed, tracing the scar on his cheek. The needle marks where she’d sewn his wound had almost faded. Surprising her again, he wrapped his arms around her waist and squeezed her, the side of his face against her breasts. She kissed the top of his head.

“Perhaps I want you with me because you’ve bewitched me,” he murmured.

She pulled back. “Don’t say that. I don’t use spells on you.”

He fingered the fascinum and Venus shell around her neck. “Yet you believe in magic. Look at all the charms you wear.”

She covered his hand. “All of us need protection, my Wolf. These keep me from the evil eye. You wear no bulla now you’re a man, so I need to watch out for you. I can advise you of the precautions needed should an ill omen befall you.”

He eased his fingers from under hers. “Enough. As you’re a woman, I’m prepared to accept your faith in superstition. But I don’t believe in such safeguards, nor should any soldier.” He guided her from between his legs and turned back to his desk.

She was sorry she’d spoken and lost the chance to linger with him. Yet as she walked outside to return to her washing, she also touched her amulets. In daylight she made a contract with Mater Matuta, promising that if the goddess convinced Camillus to love her, she would double her gifts. And at night, she used her body, lest pleasure instead of prayer was what was truly needed.