The Kin

  ***

  The dancing in the great hall was exotic and sensual, but it was lost on Marius; he had typical Roman tastes and would much rather be watching gladiatorial combats or chariot racing. But the dancing was the only entertainment on offer tonight and it would be churlish not to watch. He scanned the audience looking for Junius and found him, lying with his head in Belinda’s lap and from the look in the young Roman’s eye it was apparent that he didn’t share Marius’s opinion on the dancers.

  Marius felt alone, his friend was further away than merely across the room, but he didn’t know how to bridge the gap that was growing between them. Unexpectedly, someone sat down next to him, breaking his reverie. Casually, he glanced over to see one of the women who’d shown him around the palace on their first night. Cassia, if he remembered correctly.

  “Would you like some wine, Marius?” she asked quietly, holding out an amphora and a cup.

  “Why not?” he replied, sighing. As she poured, the scent of sharp herbs hit his nose and a delicious sweetness wafted between them, Marius glanced at the girl who smiled back. Tentatively he took a sip and pulled an appreciative face. Not bad, he thought. He took a bigger draught and then another. The wine was spicy, sweet and incredibly full bodied. In moments he’d finished the cup. Cassia immediately replenished it.

  “It is strong, I warn you,” she told him, grinning.

  Marius laughed. “I’m a Roman soldier, I can hold my drink as well as my place in the battle line.” She giggled as he put the cup to his mouth and he finished the contents in one mouthful. “More of that. It’s very good.”