A Noble Captive by Michelle Styles Page B

else that made her blood sing.
    Helena became aware she was staring, and rapidly rearranged the tablets in front of her. He would have to appear when she was at her most vulnerable.
    ‘The sibyl is grateful for what you and your men have done. She is relieved that you are obeying the rules of hospitality.’
    ‘ We are grateful to be given the chance.’ His eyes seemedto bore into her. ‘When the sibyl has a chance to inspect, I look forward to the opportunity of showing her all we have done.’
    ‘When she has time,’ Helena replied quickly. Too quickly. She drew a breath. ‘The demands on the sibyl are great at this time of year.’
    ‘The loose stone is almost exhausted. I fear someone has found another use for it. The repairs to the southern granary need more stone if it is to withstand a fierce storm.’
    ‘I already told you that is impossible.’ Helena released a breath of air. She had to cope with this request. ‘You and your men must stay within the confines of the temple. We must ensure your safety.’
    ‘Our captivity, you mean.’ Their eyes locked. Tullio crossed the room in three steps, and his warm hand covered hers. A tingle ran up Helena’s arm. ‘What is it, Helena? What are you frightened of? Confide in me.’
    His whole being exuded strength and calm. Helena’s hands trembled. Did she dare trust him? She had to trust someone. She had to speak with someone or lose her reason. She remembered how Niobe had turned to him. Her aunt always said that Niobe was the closest to the goddess, that she understood the goddess’s will.
    Was she being nudged towards the Romans?
    The only thing she knew was that, if she stayed in this room, she’d be tempted. And this was not a burden she could share. However, she owed him more than a curt dismissal. The only thing to do was to take him to her refuge and hope the goddess offered more guidance.
    ‘Come with me, please.’
    Before Tullio had a chance to ask more or even consider why she might be reacting in this way, Helena had left the room and started down a corridor. She hurried along and then,when he thought they had reached a dead end, she pressed a hidden latch.
    Tullio heard a click and a door swung open, revealing a passage hewn out of rock. He carefully noted where she had placed her fingers. Two indentations, so small he would have missed them if he had not known where to look. He tried to keep the rising sense of hope from bubbling over in him. The work he and his men had done had begun to bear fruit. This was his chance to bring her over to Rome’s side. Silently, he wished that he was more of a silver-tongued senator than a blunt-speaking soldier. This might prove to be his best chance.
    Helena put her foot on a small ledge. Tullio peered closer. Several narrow steps were cut in the rocks and she started to climb. Tullio caught the glimpse of a neatly turned ankle and the memory of her warm body from that first evening jolted him.
    ‘Where are you taking me, Helena? I would have never found this track without you.’ He asked only in an effort to turn his thoughts back to the present. He had to look towards what benefited Rome, rather than his own desires. He did not dare risk offending her inadvertently.
    She didn’t reply, but continued to climb the track. At several places, it levelled off, only to turn again and then begin to climb once more. In some places, his bulk was almost too big for the passage.
    Tullio wondered briefly if this way could be used to escape and then rejected the idea when the path turned a final time and they came out on top of the tallest tower’s roof. Below their feet, the entire complex lay spread out. Above them to the right, the stone-strewn mountain peak rose to meet the azure blue sky.
    The view confirmed his earlier suspicion—the temple was virtually inaccessible, a perfect fortress for whoever controlled it. He wished Quintus could see it and then his grumbling about the need for escape plans would