Tangled Web by Crista McHugh Page A

by a servant. His breath came in ragged shudders. The gods help him, he wanted her so much, he couldn’t keep his head on straight.
    Azurha covered her breasts with one cushion and the vee between her legs with another. The heat of her stare almost undid him, especially when she licked her lips and focused on the ridge of flesh that protruded from the opening of his robe.
    Varro stepped into the room and halted. He averted his eyes away from Azurha. “Forgive me, Emperor Sergius. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
    “No, that’s quite all right, Varro. I don’t need to neglect my duties.”
    “Very well. I’ll prepare your things for your bath.” The canny servant disappeared into the bathing chambers, leaving them alone for a few moments.
    Titus jerked off his robe and handed it to her. “Cover up.”
    She held it out in front of her with her thumb and forefinger. “But that leaves you naked.”
    “I’m going to take a dip in the frigidarium.” And try to gather what little bit of self-control I have left before I have to face the vultures.
    She chuckled as she tied the robe’s belt around her waist. The material barely concealed the swell of her breasts and the curve of her buttocks.
    Jealousy seeped into his skin. He didn’t want any other man to feast his eyes on her bare flesh. “Make sure you’re wearing a bit more than that when Varro returns.”
    “As you wish.”
    Varro stood ready with a towel and a clean tunic beside the tepidarium pool. He waved him away. “Just leave them there in case I finish before you return from the harem.”
    Varro raised a brow, but did as he was told. “Yes, Emperor Sergius.” A minute later, the click of the locks echoed through the empty chamber.
    Titus closed his eyes and tried to make sense of the last three days. Perhaps he should have been more wary of Pontus’ gift. The strange power Azurha infused into him continued to hum in the back of his mind, even after his jump into the icy water washed his lust away. Something had changed. A wild energy swirled inside him, battling with the calm rationality he’d always sought to uphold.
    His hands trembled, and he prayed to the gods he hadn’t made a mistake inviting her into his bed.
    Varro slipped back into the room a few minutes later, a silent reminder that Titus had a full agenda today. He handed Titus a towel. “I’ve arranged the chariot to meet you as soon as you finish evaluating the barrier.”
    “Good. I don’t want to keep my mother waiting.” He pulled the tunic over his head and hastily draped his toga around his shoulders.
    “Wait.” Varro stopped him in front of the door and straightened the purple swath of linen. “Perhaps you may care little about your apparel, Your Imperial Majesty, but your subjects soak in every detail of your appearance. A disheveled emperor does not inspire much confidence.”
    Titus clasped the servant’s shoulder and smiled at him. “Thank you, Varro. There are some days when I’d be lost without you. No wonder my father thought so highly of you.”
    Redness crept up into Varro’s cheeks. “It is my pleasure to serve the Imperial family, Emperor Sergius.”
    Titus proceeded to the throne room alone. As usual, the lines marking the barrier flickered, showing signs of weakness. He focused his magic into repairing them, his breath catching when they returned to a solid glow within seconds. For the first time in weeks, restoring the barrier felt less like a chore and more like a gift. The magic flowed from him easily, as warm and consuming as what he felt when Azurha had kissed him this morning. This strange power both unnerved him and roused his curiosity. Could she have anything to do with his newfound success?
    He mulled it over as he navigated his chariot across the city to his mother’s villa with three members of the Legion riding alongside him. Azurha was an Alpirion, not a Deizian. As far as he knew, they had no magical powers. But then, very little was known