I gripped Roman’s hand as Leaping Deer and Grey Feather slipped from the teepee.
Then, I gathered my thoughts, tugging them free from the fearful abyss I’d been in these last few days.
“How were you saved, my love?” I used my thumb to stroke the skin on the top of his hand. “Who was that man who stared at me from the shadows? Did he help you escape?”
Roman’s breath stayed steady and even.
“I’m afraid we’re in more danger than before. Balthazar will surely be enraged to find you missing. And I have not discovered the journal. If he finds us, I have nothing to show him.” I ran my fingertips up his arm.
“And this news will come as a surprise as it did to me. You’re going to be a father.”
I squinted.
Did he just sigh, or was it my imagination?
“I’m worried that Balthazar will come after the child and us. I love knowing there’s life inside me that we both created through our passion. But I’m also hesitant to keep this child, knowing how unstable our lives are and how mortal life is for us now. We have nothing to call our own but each other—no home, no place to raise a child. I want to raise our children in a real home somewhere.”
A lone, wistful tear tracked down my cheek and landed with a soft plop on my deerskin-covered thigh.
“Will you even be the same man when you wake up? Grey Feather said your soul is shaken. What happened, my love? What despicable things did Balthazar do to you and say to you?” I let out a long sigh. “I’m so glad you’re here with me. I promise to do everything I can to care for you until you’re strong again, side by side with me.”
I stretched out my cramped legs. “We need a plan. We found her father’s journal when Emily and I were at her home in Weston Hills. After reading it, we discovered that my mother had a relationship with Emily’s father, and Emily is my half-sister. They had been searching for a man named John James.”
I lapsed into silence, my heart pulsing with love for my fallen warrior, lover, and life.
Several beats passed, one stretching into the next, but I felt deeply connected to Roman as I sat caressing his skin.
Our silent respite was broken by Marcellious, who lifted the door flap and softly said, “May I enter?”
“Of course,” I said, blinking at the intrusion of light streaming in.
Marcellious slipped inside and closed the door, enveloping us in the faint light.
“How’s he doing?” Marcellious said, sinking into a cross-legged position on Roman’s other side.
“I don’t know. I don’t know how he’s doing. Grey Feather and Leaping Deer seem certain of his recovery,” I said, meeting Marcellious’ eyes.
“They said as much to me, as well. They also encouraged me to share with him—to unburden my soul to him, even though he is not awake.” Marcellious’ gaze dropped toward Roman. “So, I should like to do that when you’re ready.”
“I just did the same.”
“Did it help?” he said.
“I don’t know the answer to that, either, at least not as far as helping Roman. But it seemed to bring peace to my heart, so…” I shrugged. “I need to go relieve myself, anyway. I’ll go do that, and you can share.”
“I don’t need for you to be gone,” Marcellious interjected. “If you need to be by his side, please stay.”
Who is this new, courteous Marcellious, anyway?
I smiled at him. “Go ahead and say your piece. I’ll be back.”
After relieving my bladder in the woods and sipping water from the nearby stream, I padded back to the teepee. I hesitated before entering, hearing Marcellious’ heartfelt words.
“Roman, forgive me for everything I did to you in Rome. Seeing you this way, brother…seeing you lay broken by the hands of our shared enemy has awakened something inside of me,” Marcellious said in a hoarse voice. “Forgive me for forcing you to kill your best friend, Marcus, in a fight to the death. Forgive me for forcing you into a life of servitude to Severus. And I’m terribly sorry for capturing Olivia and holding her prisoner. I’m deeply ashamed of my actions.”
I paused, not wanting to break the mood of confession inside the teepee. I couldn’t believe what Marcellious was saying—I never in a million years thought I’d hear words of regret coming out of his mouth.
“I tried many times to kill you. I was always at war with you, yet you saved me several times. You saved my life just as I was trying to end yours. I’m a wretched, wretched man.” His voice cracked. “I was angry when you arrived in Rome and bested me in championships. I wanted all the glory for myself. It was mine! I didn’t want to share my success with anyone. I wanted to reign supreme, and you took it away from me. You took everything I had worked for. You became my ultimate rival. I only wanted what you took from me. I am ashamed of my actions.”
