Page 57 of Of Love and Treason
He grinned back at her, revealing a charming gap in his front teeth, before shifting his gaze to Quintus. “No magic. Your daughter was healed by the power of Jesus Christ.”
XXIV
QUINTUS WANTEDBOTH TO ARGUEand to listen. He couldn’t deny this god’s power—nor ignore the danger of it.
Valentine nodded to Iris. “Your daughter’s sight is proof of the resurrection and power of Jesus Christ. What other gods have done whatHehas?”
Neither Quintus nor Iris responded. The answer was obvious.
“Who is he?” Quintus asked.
In the orange light, Valentine’s eyes took on the hue of polished copper. “Jesus Christ is God. Creator of this world and everything in it. No temple can contain Him. He breathes out stars and life, and yet He is not far from any of us.”
“A seer once told me a god she did not know had done me a great service.” Quintus shifted his weight. “I have sought this god ever since, but I do not know his name.”
“His name is Jesus.” Valentine spoke with certainty. “And yes, He has done a great thing for you—for everyone.”
Despite the warnings pulsing through his mind, Quintus could not withstand the flood of relief that swept over him at that one name.Jesus.Was this truly the god he’d spent years trying to find? The god with enough power to restore Iris’s sight—yet unable to keep Valentine from prison? And what was this great service?
“What thing has he done?”
“Pater, can’t you release him?”
Quintus turned to see Iris’s eyes traveling over Valentine’s chains with a look of mingled awe and anguish. Of course. It was the least he could do in the wake of such a miracle. He pushed himself to his feet with a groan. Daggers of pain shot through his leg. He felt for the keys at his belt and limped toward Valentine.
“I’ll get food.” Iris scrambled to her feet and rushed for the stairs, head tilting this way and that, taking in the dank cell as if it were the most magnificent sculpture in the Portico of Pompey.
Quintus opened the lock on the stocks and Valentine slid his raw ankles free with a groan. “Thank you.”
Quintus worked at the lock on his wrist.
“Will you tell me how long I will remain here?”
The lock clicked and Valentine’s arm fell to his side. He grunted and slowly flexed his fingers, which were no doubt numb.
How was he going to explain? If he said anything to Valentine about the arrest, about who had ordered it and why, the promised payment would be withheld, and he and Iris could not escape the city. Iris might be able to see now, but without the money, the tribune would still claim her.
“I’ve been sworn to secrecy on that account.” Quintus released the other wrist. “I dare not go against my orders.”
Valentine stumbled to his feet, struggling to work feeling into his arms and hands. “You hadordersto arrest me? From whom?”
“I’m a soldier. I receive orders and I obey.”
Speaking of orders, Quintus also couldn’t have a prisoner walking around the carcer, free. He gestured to the wall where an ankle shackle lay at the end of a snaking chain. “You’ll be more comfortable here at least.”
Valentine limped to the wall and slid into a sitting position, legs shaking with the effort.
Quintus closed the iron around his ankle, guilt pricking his conscience. He couldn’t leave Valentine here, not after this. But what could he do?
Iris crossed the cell, arms loaded with what remained of their supper. She knelt by Valentine, setting the amphora of wine on theground beside her and offering him a fish cake, which disappeared in two bites. She poured a cup of watered wine, watching the plum-colored stream like a magic trick. She handed it to Valentine and eyed Quintus.
“Can’t you do something, Pater? Can’t you get him out of here?” She stood, putting on her best pleading look.
Quintus shifted and shook his head. Miracle or not, releasing Valentine meant no escape for Iris. No matter how grateful he might be, he couldn’t take that from her. Quintus met Valentine’s eyes with uncomfortable apology. “What you’ve done is considered treason. I can’t release you without a signed document stating you recant your Christian beliefs.”
Valentine set the cup beside him, a look of resignation steeling his features. “Well, that isn’t going to happen. So what now?”
“Treason?”Iris’s eyes went wide. “But that means...”
