Chapter 22

Nessa crouched down by the riverbank and dipped her pitcher into the clear water. Even though her villa had running water, she preferred to make her morning tea with river water because it tasted so much better. Silly as it may seem, she also believed the old wives’ tales that river water was better for the baby during its development in the womb. Besides, it was a beautiful spot to be as the suns were rising.

Her bodyguard, Raif, dismounted and moved closer. He pulled his saber. “Someone’s coming.”

He reached down and placed his hand under her elbow, helping Nessa to her feet. She strained her hearing but heard nothing. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, my lady.”

From out of the brush a dirty, tattered, and rather smallish soldier emerged…actually it was a female soldier. Of course there was only one in the whole empire. Nessa recognized the tall woman right away, “Gypsy!” she shouted.

Gypsy froze and squinted at them. She looked exhausted. “Nessa?”

Nessa rushed over with her bodyguard close behind. “Yes, Gypsy, it’s me! I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you were kidnapped by General Kharon.”

“I was,” Gypsy said in a flat monotone. “I escaped.”

“You look a wreck. You’re so thin, my dear. Please come with us back to the villa where we can give you something to eat. Caraculla will be so relieved to see you. He’s been beside himself with grief over what happened.”

Gypsy nodded weakly. “Okay,” she said. “But only for a few minutes. I have to report back to my father and the emperor.”

“Here use Raif’s mount,” Nessa said as her bodyguard led the animal over.

Gypsy just shook her head. “I don’t have the strength left to ride, let alone mount up.” Nessa looked at the bodyguard, who climbed into the saddle, pulling Gypsy up behind him with ease. Gypsy shakily wrapped one arm around him, hooking her thumb in his belt and resting her head against his broad back.

* * * *

Gypsy arrived at the villa feeling like all the strength in her had been sucked out the top of her head. She went inside and collapsed into the first chair she saw. It was good not to be walking anymore. Caraculla walked in from the courtyard responding to Nessa’s calls. He was dressed in his dark gray battle armor with his black Imperial uniform underneath. She guessed he was just about ready to go on duty. His mouth fell open the moment his eyes hit her.

“You’re as much of a marvel as your father is,” he said, scooping her up out of the chair and hugging her tight. Gypsy melted against him. It felt so good to be back she didn’t even care about Caraculla’s marriage anymore. Then she remembered she was still bound to Kharon and a sick feeling twisted her stomach. She hoped to the Gods that she had convinced him that the fever was gone for good. Maybe after awhile he would put the marriage aside thinking there was no longer any hope for a reunion.

“I’m very hungry,” she said into Caraculla’s neck.

Nessa rushed into the kitchen and ordered the servants to make Gypsy something to eat.

Caraculla lowered her back into the chair. “So how did you manage to escape Kharon?”

Gypsy just shook her head. She wasn’t in the mood for stories right now and the aid that she received was probably best left out. “I don’t really want to talk about it right now.” I need time to come up with a good story…one without Titan. Her food arrived and she wolfed it down so fast she made herself sick. Then, as Caraculla continued to try and ask her questions, she curled into a ball, closed her eyes and fell asleep.