Page 22 of Of Love and Treason
Valens nodded. “More than cooperating. They’ve been petitioning for everyone to offer compulsory sacrifices and offerings to end the war. They’ve got quite a following of the people and now they’re trying to get approval to be able to fine anyone who refuses to sacrifice. On grounds of treason.”
Cato watched Lalia spin, his expression tight. “Do you think they’ll get it?”
Valens shrugged as Rue patted his cheeks and reminded him they were prickly. “The emperor banned marriage.Marriage.If he can do that, there’s nothing to stop him from pushing other policies.”
“If he lasts long enough. I heard he was ill.”
True. Seven emperors had risen and fallen in the previous twentyyears, each one bringing with him new policies and edicts, established one year and ignored the next.
“Do you think the priests will get approval for punishments harsher than a fine?” Cato jerked to one side as Lalia swung on his hand.
Again, Valens shrugged. “I hope not, but who can tell anymore? The mob today will either get them dismissed or taken seriously. Who knows which it’ll be.”
“Cato? Valens?” Delphine stood in the doorway. “The others will arrive soon.”
Cato swung Lalia onto his back. “All right. We’ve shown Uncle Val the trees; now let’s show him how well you can eat your dinner.”
Rue lifted her tiny chin as Valens turned back inside. “Not hungry.”
Cato twisted around. “You just said you were.”
“Not hungry.” She shook her head, black ringlets flopping.
Valens grinned. “What’d you say? You can’t win with women?”
“Valentine would have made a wonderful father.” Bea spoke in a mournful tone as the men and children entered. Valens rolled his eyes and pried Rue’s arms from around his neck.
“Bea.” He groaned. “I’m thirty-two. I’m not dead yet, and—” Valens glanced between the three women, two of whom were staring at him in mock sternness. “Can we stop discussing this already?” He turned to Marius. “How are you?”
It took all the willpower Valens had not to respond when Bea did not drop her voice and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. “He needs help.”
Lord, help me.
“It’s going to rain tonight.” Marius peered toward the open doors, squinting at the sky.
“Hopefully it holds off until later.” Valens nodded, grateful for the change of subject, even if it was weather.
Two servants entered with trays of food and the women rose to help lay it on the table. While the women prepared the meal, others arrived in twos and threes until thirty or so filled the room. Valens greeted them all by name as they trickled in and found seats. He’dgrown up beside many of them, under the guidance of the older ones. Never had he been more humbled and overwhelmed than when the elders had brought him before Bishop Dionysius and appointed him to be a church leader. He’d remained under Bishop Dionysius’s tutelage for several years before the bishop died and the other church leaders deemed Valens ready to lead. They’d prayed and laid hands on him and finally sent him off.
The anti-riot policies left over from long ago forbade religious gatherings of large groups, forcing churches to splinter into small “dinner parties” in various homes across the city. Marius and Martha opened their home to his church immediately. Attendance swelled and ebbed as believers grew and went out into other parts to spread the message. Valens would have it no other way.
Two young men, Linus and Pax, escorted Alesia, a pretty, young widow, and her two small children, a boy and girl. Valens ruffled the boy’s already-wild hair and tweaked the tiny girl’s nose. She giggled and hid her face in her mother’s skirt.
“Welcome, Alesia, Linus, Pax.”
They returned the greeting and the children took their place at Alesia’s feet when she sat next to Bea. Bea hugged her and sent a questioning look to Valens, who shot her a look of warning in response. Leave it to his aunt to try pairing him with Alesia next. Others joined the company, and Valens moved through the chattering groups, encouraging them to head to the tables and eat. Once everyone had eaten, the room fell into whispers and rustles as people settled on chairs and couches and the floor. Cato and his brothers closed the balcony doors and pulled curtains across the windows.
Valens perched on a stool as Alesia began to sing in a sweet, trembling tone that grew stronger as the others joined in with voices full of passion and conviction.
“He was manifested in the flesh,
amen, amen.
Vindicated by the Spirit,
amen.
Seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,
