House of Thebes (The Bloodstone Saga) by Courtney Cole Page A

Our bodies spoke for us.
    Several hours later, I lay quietly with Charmian draped over my chest.  She thought I was asleep.  I could tell because she was softly tracing the outline of my hand, my face, my chest.  Her hands lightly flitted everywhere, as though she was memorizing what I looked like.  I couldn’t bring myself to speak, to let her know that I was awake, because I didn’t want to have to lie to her again when I comforted her. 
    Instead, I memorized the feel of her hands on my body, her scent, the weight of her body upon mine. 
    Could I really walk away from her tomorrow?  If I did, I would not be there when she needed me.  I would be leaving her to fend for herself against the Roman dogs. 
    For once brief second, I thought of snatching her up and running away with her.  It seemed like the only way I could truly keep her safe.  But I knew she would never leave Cleopatra’s side.  There was no way I could get her to leave this place.  She would never betray the queen in such a way. 
    Just as I would never betray Antony’s trust.  He was my commander and he was counting on me.  Egypt was counting on me to fight my best fight. 
    I sighed raggedly, a sound that was loud in the night.  The torches on the wall sconces flickered as they burned lower.  Charmian had stilled in her movements. She buried her face into my neck and breathed deeply.  I felt the wetness of her tears on my skin and I ached to stroke her back, but I did not.  I wanted her to sleep.  If she knew that I was awake, she would want to talk about tomorrow.
    I waited while her breathing slowed once again.
    Then waited more.
    Finally, she was still.  Her breathing was deep and shallow and I knew that she had slipped into sleep.  I crept very quietly from the bed and paused at the doorway.  She was still asleep, her face peaceful as she dreamed.  I turned and walked into the hall and passed the guards. They didn’t question me as they’d seen me come and go a thousand times before.
    I made my way down to the courtyard gardens so that I could think quietly and clearly in the fresh air.  Only I quickly learned, as I passed the black onyx statues of Isis, Anubis and Ptah, that I was not alone. 
    Antony rested on his knees beside a small pool in the center of the court.  His head rested on his hand and he was completely still.  I had almost decided to turn and leave when he lifted his head and caught my eye.
    “Ah, Hasani,” he sighed.  “Faithful and true.  How wondrous it is to have someone such as you fight by my side.”
    “Antony,” I nodded, as I crossed the few feet remaining to stand by his side. “As always, you know it is an honor to be by your side.”
    “Why are you out here?” Antony asked absently as he trailed one hand in the water, disturbing the lilies that floated on the water’s surface.  “You are probably as I am…unable to sleep.”
    “That is true,” I admitted.  “I do not see the need.  I will be eternally sleeping soon enough.”
    Antony looked sharply up at me, his dark gaze glinting in the light of the moon.
    “That is true, as well,” he answered wearily.  “I fear that I have led you astray, soldier.  You will die tomorrow, although knowing you as I do, it will be a good death.”
    “I pray that it is,” I acknowledged.  “I pray that it is.”
    Antony shook his head.  “You don’t know any other way than honorable,” he said quietly.  “You may not be Roman, but you are more honorable than anyone I have met. That is the truth, general.”
    “Thank you for your words, sir,” I answered.  
    It was quiet here in the gardens and our voices carried.  I glanced up at the balconies that lined this side of the palace, the balconies that led to the rooms of both Cleopatra and Charmian.  Both were darkened.  They were still abed.  We were not disturbing them with our conversation.
    “Do you ever wish that you had chosen a different path?” Antony asked me.  He