Skaia by Ayden Sadari Page B

towel from Skaia’s arm. After he was dressed, he finally looked at the boy. “Take all this mess back to Castor,” he said, pointing to the bowls and cloths on the stand. Skaia bowed as Thaddeus left the chamber, grateful nothing worse had happened.
    He’s my master, Skaia reminded himself. But just temporarily, only until Glaucus gets back. I can survive.
    After he had taken everything to the kitchen, he looked for Castor. Gotus pointed him to the washroom, where Castor had him bend over while he removed the packing again. This time, he only applied new ointment to the tear.
    “ Castor, sir,” Skaia said softly, “may I have a breechcloth today?”
    “ Not at the moment, Skaia. Clean ones haven’t been delivered yet and I don’t have time to track them down. Perhaps later, after Glaucus is gone and I have time to check you again.” When Skaia didn’t leave, he spoke sternly. “I’m finished with you now and I have many other duties this morning. Go back to Thaddeus’ rooms.”
    With Castor’s curt dismissal, Skaia left the washroom, and started to obey his order. But he hesitated near the atrium, and then moved toward the front gate of the household. With luck, he hoped to catch a final glimpse of Glaucus before he was gone.
    Horses were milling around on the street and Glaucus was laughing with his father. Skaia only watched from the shadows of an archway in the atrium, suddenly certain that Thaddeus did not want him here. But he could not bring himself to leave, although each time Glaucus looked toward the atrium, he withdrew into the arch, trying to remain hidden.
    Eventually Glaucus turned away from his father and came back inside. He was actively looking for Skaia and when he spotted him, walked quickly towards him. “I wanted to see you before I left.” He hesitated now that they faced one another, not sure what to say. “I’ll miss you, Skaia.”
    Skaia could not stop the tears that came to his eyes, but he smiled sincerely. “I will miss you, too, Master Glaucus. I… I hope you have a successful trip, sir.” Glaucus embraced him tightly and continued to hold him until Thaddeus arrived and coughed. An obvious sign he thought the embrace not appropriate. Bessus could be heard laughing from the street. Glaucus finally released Skaia’s body, but cupped his face in his hands, and bent to kiss his mouth. Only then did he return to the street, mount his horse and ride away with the group.
    As Thaddeus approached, with Flavius at his side, Skaia could see his anger. He fell to his knees quickly and looked up. “I’m sorry, Master.”
    Thaddeus ignored his words. “Did I say you could be here?” he asked harshly.
    “ No, Master,” Skaia whispered, lowering his head. “But, I was returning from the kitchen, sir, and…”
    Thaddeus struck the side of Skaia’s head so hard he fell over, and Flavius laughed. “I didn’t give you permission to speak, either, you little shit,” Thaddeus snapped. “Strip and face the column.”
    Here, where everyone in the household could see him? Where anyone in the street could look in? Skaia managed to stand but made no move to remove his tunic—or to hold the column. He was shocked that he would be punished for this—and he begged. “Please, no. I’m so sorry, Master.” Glaucus sought me out!
    “ I don’t give a damn how sorry you are,” Thaddeus all but shouted. “Obey me.”
    Skaia trembled when he saw the amusement on Flavius’ face. He pulled off his tunic, very aware he wore no breechcloth and was now totally naked. He put his hands against the column of the gate.
    “ Well done, Thaddeus,” Flavius remarked. “I understand now why you want to destroy the relationship. Glaucus’ behavior was totally inappropriate.”
    The comment made Thaddeus even angrier. That Flavius would blame his son. “It’s the damn slave’s fault,” he got out. “He enticed Glaucus with his little round ass.”
    Flavius turned to look another time–and