Ever My Merlin (Book 3, My Merlin Series) by Priya Ardis Page B

would make me watch the debauchment of this one. I didn’t want to think about what he would force me to do… all because I wasn’t strong enough to free myself. Frustration gnawed at me. My fingers tightened on my sword, even though I knew it was useless.
    For a second, I pictured myself hacking off his head with a blade. I would make it slow. I wanted to hear the satisfying break of his neck. I blinked and the picture receded. Of course, I’d never get close enough. The bind he used to control me was impervious to steel.
    Septimus, his Roman face etched with arrogance, grinned at me as if he knew my thoughts. He probably did. Not that he minded. It just excited the twisted bastard.
    A whimper drew my attention to the other side of the bed. A delicate-looking boy, a few years younger than I, huddled on the floor with his knees up. Something about his too-old eyes reminded me of my own brother. I glanced at Septimus. He followed my gaze and now wore a twisted smile—no doubt enjoying the boy’s terror as much as the mother’s. Rage choked me, but I long ago trained myself not to show any signs of it.
    Turning an indifferent expression back to Septimus, I said, “You’re looking for something.”
    Septimus beamed with approval. I swallowed my nausea. He put a hand on a bedpost. “The Vandal’s treasure. It is rumored that a great bounty was taken when the barbarians sacked Rome. Gold and jewels from all over the world, going back to the time of Alexander of Macedonia. Such treasure would do much for my coffers.”
    “How do you know it’s here?”
    Septimus laughed. “A piece of it is here. The Lady Aldith has an aristocratic ancestry. She is related to the royal line through Hildrec, Gelimer’s cousin. He was the deposed king who brushed elbows with Justinian himself. While I have no doubt that the bulk of the treasure was taken by Gelimer when he took the throne, these nobles find ways to keep their fair share. Such a share is hidden in this house. I have gleaned as much from Lady Aldith. She is not well accomplished in the skills of guile.”
    I took off my baldric and threw it down on the floor at Septimus’s feet. The coins clinked heavily on the stone floor. “You can add these to your coffers. I believe it will cover what you spent on me.”
    As I expected, Septimus quickly grabbed the baldric. He opened the pouch and drew out a greedy handful of gold coins. “Nicely done, Vane. Where did you find it?”
    “A noble’s house. A few doors down.”
    “From just one house. It confirms their treasures are abundant.” Septimus looked at me. “Still, centurion , you are much more valuable than a mere bag of coins.”
    The caress in his tone when he called me by the title he chose for me made my skin crawl.
    Septimus smiled, the soft lines of his face disguising the monster lurking inside. “If we were to find such a grand treasure, its worth would be immeasurable…”
    A lure. Yet, what choice did I have? Every soldier in this house owed fealty to Septimus. Even if one dared to stand against him, he would surely be skewered for his heroics by the larger army. I touched the threaded necklace at my throat. “Allow me to talk to her.”
    “Yes, allow him,” Sergius said from the door. He stomped into the room. His hulking form stopped just behind me. He put the axe at the back of my head. “I will take care of him if he misbehaves.”
    “Of course.” Septimus laughed. I held my breath as he reached to take off his necklace. He drew out a small green crystal, the bane of my existence, the key to my cage. I yearned to reach for it and yank it from his slimy fingers. I must have betrayed myself because Septimus’s mouth curled up. He let the necklace fall back on his chest with a dark grin. Blue eyes met mine. They glinted with the knowledge of the power he dangled over me. They gloated. He said slyly, “No, it would be too easy. I have yet to see anyone withstand Silvertongue for more than a few