Page 73 of Of Love and Treason
“You sold out quickly despite the late start.” Iris tied down her side.
“Yes. Though I’m sure that had mostly to do with everyone clamoring to get a glimpse of you and hear your story. You’re good for business.” She winked. “I have half a mind to keep you up front from now on.” Paulina wiped her hands on her sleeveless green tunic, smudged with flour. “Where are you off to now? To see all the grand sights?”
Iris shook her head. “I’m going with Beatrix the perfumer to deliver things to the people whose apartment collapsed a few days ago.”
“Well.” Paulina stared at her a moment. “That’s kind. If there’s any extra loaves, you may take them.”
“Thank you.” They went in the back door and Iris tied the overbaked or otherwise-misshapen loaves into her palla.
Paulina settled herself at her desk. “Speaking of Beatrix, has she found her nephew yet?”
Iris focused on the knot, thankful Paulina faced away and could not see her unease. “I don’t know.” She wondered if Valens had been released. If he had, would she ever see him again? “I don’t think so.”
“Mmm.” Coins clinked as Paulina sorted them. “Pity.”
Iris opened the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Paulina. And thank you again for the bread.”
“Goodbye.” Paulina twisted around in her chair, eyes sparking with mischief. “Whatever you do, don’t let Bea sprinkle you with perfume. She likes to fancy herself a matchmaker and thinks her scents have some love-inducing power. It’s probably because they induce fainting.” She grinned. “You can tell her I said that. It’ll cheer her up.”
XXXI
USING THE SPARE KEY AROUND HIS NECK,Valens slipped inside the apartment he shared with his aunt. Quintus had returned his personal belongings before discharging him—all except for his tunic, which he didn’t mind losing to the Tullianum. The Markets of Trajan had been crowded, the mass of shoppers providing ample cover for him to move through undetected. He pulled the door shut behind him, pausing to take in the garish couches and floral-frescoed walls of the only home he’d ever known. His chest constricted at the thought of leaving Aunt Bea without saying goodbye.
The Praetorian investigator had warned him to leave the city immediately—but he didn’t have a choice. His things from the notarii offices were still in his room along with a completed marriage contract. He couldn’t leave that behind, or Bea might find herself in as much trouble as him. Besides, unless they found the contract, the investigator had no proof against him.
Valens went to his room and threw things into a small bag. Nothing large or cumbersome, nothing that would make anyone suspect him as a man leaving for a journey of any kind. He took his quills, rolls of papyrus, and seal, surprised his supervisor had not sent someone to collect them. All the more reason to return. He found the marriage contract hidden beneath his floorboards and straightened, holding it. Should he burn it? Deliver it? He thought of Hector and wondered how many roses he’d missed during hisstint in the carcer. He’d have to get a message to him somehow and explain.
Fingering the papyrus, Valens moved to the window and peered out. The back side of the markets, tucked so far into Quirinal Hill to be only two levels above the street, seemed quiet and abandoned, but that didn’t make it so. If a person were to wedge himself against the building, he would be hard to spot unless Valens stuck his head and shoulders completely out the window—something he had no intention of doing.
He hesitated a moment longer, then rolled the contract into the thinnest roll he could, secured it with string, and buried it in the bottom of his bag. Damning evidence if he were caught. If it were any other couple, he might have burned it, but he’d watched Danius and Emilia grow up, noticed their shy looks for each other before their parents had. He wouldn’t keep them apart. Not if he could help it. Valens looped the strap of the bag over his head and shoulder and opened the door. As he stepped into the hall, he nearly bowled over his aunt.
“Valens? You’re back.” Bea’s hands cupped the sides of his face. “You’ve had a haircut. Are you all right? Where have you been? You look hungry. Are you hungry?I’ve been so worried!” She threw her arms around him and held him tight.
“I thought you were at the shop.” He breathed in the familiar comfort of her overpowering perfume.
She released him. “I forgot my lunch and ran up to get it.” Her eyes fell on the bulging bag at his hip and returned to his face, scrunched with concern. “What are you doing?”
“I don’t have time to explain everything, Auntie, and it’s probably safer for you if I don’t.” He squeezed the back of his neck. “I’ve been arrested and ordered to leave the city.”
“What about the church?”
“I don’t know.” He sighed. “I vowed not to abandon them. Yet I cannot live here and put you in danger.”
Bea sucked in a breath and let it out in a huff as if she’d been expecting something like this all along. “Where will you go?”
“I’ll see if Marius has any ideas.”
Her chin wrinkled as she pressed her lips together, propping her hands on her hips. “You were going to leave without a goodbye?”
“I was going to leave a note.” His head went to one side. “Don’t give me that look, Auntie. I didn’t want you to be in trouble if you were questioned.”
“Was it your grandfather’s doing?” She followed him down the hall.
“Partly.” He paused at the front door and hugged her. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Aunt Bea.”
“It’s just like you to fly the nest now.” She sniffed and held him tight. “I think I’ve found the perfect girl for you.”
Valens rested his hand on the latch. “I’m sure you have,” he placated. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, noticing for the first time the deep wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. “Goodbye, Aunt Bea.” He swallowed the burning in his throat. “I love you.”
