Page 42 of Firebird
“He is.”
“Then why meet in secret?”
“It wasn’t secret. It was in the middle of the day in the forum.”
“It was on the outer edges in a deserted alcove off the forum center where no one could see. You whispered in the shadows of an alley,” I challenged. “It was a clandestine meeting.”
He arched that brow at me again. “You’re sure of this?”
“Positive.” Yet again, I wished I could hold my tongue, but there was nothing for it. In Julian’s presence, I could be no one but myself.
He smiled but it vanished quickly. “It wasn’t entirely deserted.”
He meant the man who had grabbed hold of me, the man he nearly killed for committing such an offense.
“Your reaction that day,” I began, plucking at a piece of bread, “it was rather extreme.” When he said nothing, continuing to watch me, I asked, “Why did you nearly kill that man? He hadn’t harmed me.”
For the first time since I’d sat down, his expression shifted from cool indifference to a harsh scowl. He stared for a breathless moment.
“He’d taken liberties where he shouldn’t,” he rumbled in that darker voice of his dragon. Then he snapped, “Next question.”
“Why am I eating meals with you?” I sat back, though I’d barely eaten a bite tonight, my stomach in knots. “It isn’t my place… as your slave.”
He abandoned the food as well, wiping his hands on a cloth. “Would you rather dine with Kara and the others? You can if you wish.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
His gaze was sharp and searching, the shimmer of gold burning brightly. “You don’t know?”
His question was accusatory, and it sent my pulse racing. I shook my head.
He smiled again, but this time, it wasn’t sardonic or cynical. It was seductive, whether he intended it or not. The harsh lines of his face softened to an expression of welcome and promise. He was so beautiful, it hurt. I couldn’t drag my gaze away if I’d tried. The witch inside me luxuriated under his sultry gaze.
“Do you remember our first meeting?” he asked gently.
“Of course I do. You gave me the gold piece. The aureus. Your mother’s.”
A pang of sorrow hit me at learning of his parents’ death. His expression didn’t change, still calm and intent on mine, still alluring with that crooked smile.
He glanced at my throat. Though the aureus was hidden beneath the high neck of my tunic, he knew it was there.
“You wore it all these years,” he declared. “You could’ve used it for any number of things. Food, shelter, weapons for your Celts. But you didn’t. Why?”
Then I couldn’t help it. My fingers went to the coin. Even beneath the fabric, I could feel it cool against my skin. “I couldn’t.”
“Why not?” He leaned forward off the wall. “It was given to you by a Roman centurion. A stranger you’d never see again.” His smile widened. “Or so you’d thought.”
Swallowing hard, I answered honestly. “I couldn’t part with it.”
“Because of its value in gold?”
“No.”
“Because of its connection to Fortuna, then. You thought the goddess would protect you if you kept it.”
“Partly.” My voice was shaking now.
“And what of the other part?”
