The Chariots Slave (13 page)



you to do exactly what I say when I say it, understand?”
Calista firmly whispered.

“I understand,” Guya nodded as she stared wide eyed and
unknowing
They made it through the gates remarkably unscathed. The
women believed Thaddius’s promise and lined up to have
their names taken down. Calista smoothed out her hair,
dusted off her cloak, pinched her cheeks, and licked her lips.
She wanted to look good for Thaddius, the best she could.
Bedding Thaddius was one thing, but marrying him would be
another. He had title, status, and land. He was the talk of
Rome, the most eligible bachelor. But after tonight she would
make him see that she was meant for him. Her heart beat in
happy anticipation as she followed after the guards to
Thaddius.

Calista shook with eagerness and focused hard to steady
her breathing. She allowed Guya to enter the room before her
as she wanted to be the last face on Thaddius’s mind.
Holding her head up high and sticking out her bosom, she
walked gracefully into his room.

When Thaddius did not acknowledge her entry she huffed
in frustration. For some reason he was seated on the side of
his bed and was fixated on the floor.

A few awkward moments of silence passed before Calista
cleared her throat and gained his attention.
“Would you like some wine?” he asked as he lifted his
head and pointed to the jugs lining his settee. “I asked for
some honey wine to be sent. I hear women like the sweeter
wines.” He went back to staring at the spot on the floor.
“Yes, that would be lovely.” Calista walked over to the
wine and helped herself to some. It would be harder gaining
his attention than she thought. He wasn’t taking the lead; in



fact, he looked like he had his mind in other places. She
would have to do something about that.

“Here,” she said as she held out a cup of wine to Guya.
“Thank you, but I do not drink,” Guya smiled.
“Tonight you do,” she said in a sweet tone accompanied

Guya quickly picked up on Calista’s frustration and took
the cup. She placed it to her lips and took a tiny sip. This did
not please Calista, and she tipped Guya’s cup, causing her to
choke as the wine poured into her mouth.

Thaddius glanced up at Guya, and Calista pretended to
comfort her friend by rubbing her back. Satisfied that she was
all right, Thaddius looked back down at the floor.

When Calista was certain that he was not looking, she
handed Guya another cup of wine. Guya shook her head, but
when met with Calista’s glare, she reluctantly accepted it.

“I’m afraid I will not be such good company after all,”
Thaddius said as he took another mouthful from his jug.
Calista responded by removing her cloak to reveal a tight
gold stola that clung to her body and displayed her generous
curves. She then sauntered over and sat next to him on the
bed.
“Let us take your mind off that which bothers you,” she
breathed into his ear.
When Thaddius did not move, Calista crawled on the bed
behind him. Pressing her body close to his back, she began to
rub his shoulders.
“You are very tense,” she purred into his ear as she flipped
her head forward, causing her soft golden hair to fall over his
shoulder.



“It has been a difficult time,” he explained as he diverted
his eyes to watch Guya, who now teetered side to side on his
settee. “Is she all right?” he asked Calista as he nodded
toward Guya.
“Ah yes, she just does not hold her wine well.” Calista
smiled as she worked hard massaging his back. “Now what
can I do to make you forget these difficult times?” Calista
breathed into his ear once more.
“This feels nice; you can continue to ease my aches.”
It was not the answer she had hoped for, but she would
give that time. For now she was with him and that was all
that mattered. She worked diligently rubbing his shoulders
and back, taking extra care to see how his body responded
and to focus on his places of pleasure. He moaned as he sat
his jug down on the bed and pressed into her touch.
“Your jug is empty. Allow me to get you another,” she
said as she slid her body around his and off the bed. She
made sure to accentuate the swinging motion of her hips as
she walked in front of him and over to the jugs.
Guya was now lying on the settee, her head spinning from
the effects of the wine. In an show of sisterly concern, Calista
grabbed a cover and lovingly pulled it over Guya, making
sure to rub her head a few times for Thaddius to see.
“Maybe we should place her in the bed,” Thaddius
suggested as he stood and walked over to the girls.
“She is fine.” Calista hoped he would leave the bed to the
two of them.
Thaddius bent down to Guya and pushed back the hair that
was in her face. “Guya, are you comfortable?”
Even though she did not answer, he slid his arms under her
head and knees and carried her over to the bed. Calista tried



to hide her look of disappointment by seeming to be helpful
and pulling back the bed covers.

Once Guya was settled and tucked into the bed, Calista
turned to Thaddius and traced her finger over his chest. “Now
where were we?” she asked.

A sly smile spread over his face as he realized the
intentions of Calista. “Where do you want to be?” he asked as
he teased her by pulling her body closer to his.

Tilting her head up to his, she closed her eyes and opened
her lips just a touch. She was begging him with her body to
bring his lips down to hers. She held her breath awaiting his
response; it seemed like forever before she felt his touch.

When she opened her eyes to take in her prize, it was not
his lips but his finger placed against her mouth. His eyes
directed towards the door. It was then that she heard a knock
and sighed in defeat.

“Enter,” Thaddius instructed as he held her tight to him
and stared into her eyes.
The door creaked open and Thaddius stole a look toward
the person entering. She felt his body tense beneath her grasp.
When his eyes did not return to hers, she realized it was not a
simple slave at the door, but someone else. Someone much
worse by the look on Thaddius’s face.
Calista turned to look and saw a beautiful creature
standing in the door frame. Her body was as rigid as
Thaddius’s was. And it was obvious by the look on her face
that she was shocked and maybe even disappointed to see
Thaddius in such an intimate position.
Calista made sure to add insult to injury by rubbing
Thaddius’s body and locking her arms around his torso.

He gave her a brief questioning look before turning to the
girl at the door.
“Sellah?”
Anger slowly replaced the look of shock on the girl as she
looked about the room, taking in the empty wine vessels,
tossed clothing, and Guya passed out in Thaddius’s bed.

“You requested me to come to you.” She stumbled over
her words as fear of what was required of her took control of
her tongue. “For this!” she shouted in angry exasperation as
she pointed at Guya. “I will not be so easily persuaded by
wine!”

“How dare you question me,” Thaddius retorted as he
pushed Calista from his arms and strode over to Sellah. “How
many times do I need to remind you who I am!”

“I am not your whore, Thaddius. Punish me if you must,
kill me if you must. But I will not partake in this.” Sellah’s
chest rose and fell at a rapid pace as anger and fear poured
into her.

“Do not flatter yourself. I told you once before I would
only bed you if you begged me to. Slaves are not my type!”
He looked upon her with disgust. “Get out of my sight. Go to
the stables and take up quarters there. I have no use for you
other than to tend to horseshit!” He yelled as he slammed the
door shut in her face.

Both of them stood frozen before the door, barely able to
recall the words they had been exchanged.
Thaddius slammed his fist into it wooden frame before
turning back to Calista. “Now where were we?” he asked as

Sellah could hear every word as she stared at his door.
Tears threatened to escape. Not wanting him to give him the
satisfaction of hearing her cry, she turned and ran.

“That is an excellent question. She should be awake and
working by now. Why are you here? You and Acestes were
ordered to go to town first thing and acquire drivers.”

“He is bringing the cart around for me,” Vettius said with
a wave of his hand. “Thaddius answer me, why is Sellah in
the stables?”

The hardness of Thaddius’s face and the way he held his
head erect and puffed out his chest worried Vettius. It was
something he had seen Thaddius’s father do many times
when he led with his pride.

“I told her to sleep there,” he offhandedly replied.
“
You
instructed her?” Vettius ground his teeth and worked
to steady his breathing. “What could she have possibly done
to be treated so?”
Thaddius paused and turned to Vettius. He narrowed his
eyes and wagged an accusatory finger. “Now that is an
excellent question. Perhaps you should ask your son.”



“Simeon? What does he….” When realization washed
over Vettius, he took a step back. “Wait, Thaddius, you misunderstand….”
“Vettius, I do not have time for this,” Thaddius interrupted. “I
am on my way to begin instructions with our driver. Now go
on your way. I am eager to see our new prospects. Much
depends on the men you purchase today.” Just then the cart
arrived and Thaddius roughly shoved Vettius toward it.

Thaddius stormed off before Vettius could retaliate. It had
not been a good night for him. He had not slept well and was
too tired to argue. Calista had smothered him, Guya’s snoring
was aggravating, and Sellah, well, he was frustrated with how
their conversation had gone.