Page 112 of Of Love and Treason
Beatrix and Delphine ushered the remaining children out of the culina and toward the triclinium with strict instructions not to jump in the puddles along the way.
Iris turned to Phoebe, who had returned to piling platters of breadand bowls of fish stew onto several trays. “Are these ready to be carried in?”
“Nearly. Grab the jar of salt, will you, dear?”
Iris wiggled the saltcellar between three bowls as a knock came at the culina door. Phoebe rushed to open it. Iris rounded the table as Marius entered, followed by her pater, supported between Titus and Cato. Abachum shut the door as Iris rushed to her pater with a horrified cry.
“What happened to him?”
“Tribune Braccus,” Titus spat.
Iris touched Pater’s face. His eyelids fluttered, or they might have; the skin around them was bruised and swollen.
“Iris,” he breathed. “Thank God you’re safe.”
“We’ve got to get him to the clinic.” Cato lifted his chin toward the door. “I forgot my key to the front—”
Titus swore.
Iris followed his glare over her shoulder as everything fell silent and still. Valentine froze in the doorway, wrapped in his cloak and satchel. Eyes locked on Titus.
L
“ITHOUGHTITOLD YOU TO LEAVE.” Fury poured over Titus with a heat that rivaled Vesuvius.
Iris clutched at his arm. “Leave him be, Titus.”
He wouldn’t look at her. Couldn’t look at her. The others in the room stared wide-eyed and silent.
“I was just going.” Valentine took a step toward the door.
Titus let loose a stream of curses. “You should have been gone months ago. So help me—” He started forward.
“Let him go, Titus.” Iris lurched to block his way. He shook off her grip, irritated that Valentine did not show a hint of fear. Heshould beafraid. Very afraid.
“I let him go once already.” Titus’s fists clenched and he stepped toward Valentine, who didn’t so much as flinch.
Iris scrambled against him, hands on his chest as if she could hold him back. “Please, Titus, let him be. Heisleaving, I promise.” Her words tumbled out as fast as the rushing of Titus’s pulse. “Just let him go.”
He ground his teeth. “Give me one good reason why I should let this traitor go free. He’s the reason I’m being transferred to the front.” He looked at Iris then, the shock of his announcement clear on her face. “I’m being transferred, did you know that? Because I haven’t brought this lawbreaking liar to justice.” His voice went low, angersteeling him against the panicked tears welling in her eyes. “So give me one good reason why I should let him go.”
“I love him,” she choked.
Titus stopped. All heads swung to face Iris, who stood her ground and stared up at Titus.
His jaw worked as he met her pleading gaze. “Youlovehim.” He hated how repeating the words cut the breath from his lungs.
She looked at him steadily. “I do.”
Titus took a step back. He turned from Iris to Quintus, whose glazing eyes and battered face held nothing but pain. What could he say? What could he do? Betrayal cut him. They’d betrayed him, betrayed his loyalty. He’d done everything he could to protect them, to keep them safe, to rescue them.He’ddone it, not their god, not their friends, and certainlynotValentine. He took another step back, feeling rage building in his chest, trembling with pressure as it rose.
What would he say when it erupted? What unforgivable things would he do?
Iris stepped toward him, face white. “Titus.”
“Don’t.” He jerked his hands up before she could touch him.“Don’t.”He flailed for the handle behind him, ripped the door open, and stormed into the night. He heard Iris’s call echo down the alley.
“Titus? What will you do?”
