Page 101 of Firebird
But then he added quietly, “Yes, Julian. He’s aware you’re more than attached to her.”
“Because of fucking Ciprian,” Julian bit out, his gaze still on me, his hands on my shoulders, his thumbs brushing the bare skin of my neck.
“Yes. Because of him. And the emperor won’t allow you to fall into what he believes is an ill-fated match, like your father did.”
Julian cupped my cheek. “Too late for that.”
I smiled, placing my palm on the back of his hand, pressing my cheek against him.
“Julian, we aresoclose, brother.”
“How close?” He finally lifted his head to look over my shoulder.
I turned to face Trajan as well.
“They want a meeting tomorrow night.Allof them.”
“Where?”
“At my grandfather’s house in Vulsinii. We can’t take a chance in being caught altogether. We have to gather outside of Rome.”
“Then we wait till then at least,” I offered, turning to face him.
“Do you have any idea what you’re asking of me? To willingly put you in the hands of a monster?”
“I can handle Ciprian.” I put my hand on his chest above his heart, feeling the organ beneath drumming hard and fast. “And think of it, Julian. I might even be able to help.”
“That’s true,” added Trajan. “If she’s in his house, she can get us information on his comings and goings. How to best kill him.”
I glanced back, not knowing Ciprian was on their list of death. But of course he was. I looked back at Julian.
“I can even do the deed,” I offered.
He cupped my face, his lip quirking in a sad smile. “There goes my firebird again. Barreling toward danger without a fear.”
I was riddled with fear, but I wouldn’t admit that to him. It would only make this worse.
Ruskus shuffled into the atrium. “Dominus. Ciprian’s men are here with the stallion,” he said somberly, his gaze solemn on me. “For the trade.”
Julian stiffened and clamped his jaw. “For the trade,” he grated, fury lacing every word.
“It will be all right.” I stepped away but he hauled me against him, crushing me into his embrace.
“If anything happens, you escape and come to me,” he whispered, then he turned my face up toward him and kissed me.
Shocked, I froze, for we were in the full presence of Trajan and Ruskus. Then Julian coaxed my mouth open and I forgot everything but him. For a few brief seconds, it was only Julian and me, my deep, sweet love.
When he clutched me harder, closer, I realized I would have to be the one to sever this. There was no way he could. I pushed away, breaking the kiss.
“Don’t worry.”
He lifted a shaking hand and cupped my cheek and whispered in a heartbreaking rasp, “By the gods, he’d better not hurt you.”
“I will keep him from it.” I lifted his large hand and pressed a kiss into his palm. “I promise.”
Then I turned and followed Ruskus out toward the front entrance to the street. Julian didn’t follow and I was glad of it. I couldn’t bear to have him watch me being taken away.
As I crossed the foyer, Kara was standing in an alcove, watching, solemn-faced.
