The Alchemist's Apprentice by Dave Duncan

imperious, brilliant, all-knowing, and tolerates no disagreement, Aspasia is cultured and subtle, her voice infinitely persuasive.
    â€œThe doge does have a significant influence on the conduct of foreign affairs,” Aspasia said, “although the Senate can overrule him. Pietro Moro is respected and has a following. He is standing up well to the saber-rattling from Constantinople, so his successor might be more malleable, but that certainly would not be true if the assassination were exposed. Then the explosion of anger in the Republic would guarantee the corno going to an even harder-liner, and the Sultan will be worse off than before. Of course that might be the purpose—faking a botched attempt on the doge’s life to win support for his policies. I wonder what England’s position is in the current crisis?”
    â€œThat’s too complicated for a simple apprentice boy. Which wine did you drink?”
    â€œThe refosco. An indifferent brand. Pasqual took the retsina.”
    I hoped his share had contained a slower-acting version of the poison. “You have been a great help. I have to speak to everyone who was in that room to find out what they saw, just as I have heard the Maestro’s version and now yours. If the Ten—” I was silenced by an irresistible need to yawn.
    â€œToo much Carnival?” Aspasia asked sympathetically. “How much sleep last night?”
    â€œVery little,” I admitted.
    â€œReclassifying your virgin, I suppose? Hard work.”
    â€œNo! I kept dreaming of you and waking up weeping that you were not there at my side.”
    She hoisted a skeptical eyebrow. “Iuppoter ex alto periuria ridet amantum.”
    â€œOvid. ‘Jupiter laughs on high at the perjuries of lovers.’”
    â€œNot bad! When do you ever get the time to read Ovid?”
    â€œNever. You quoted that to me the first time we met.”
    â€œOh, of course!” Her smile was Helen’s. “I was bleaching my hair on the altana and a madman came leaping across the calle . Before I could even scream for help he vaulted the rail and knelt at my feet to offer me a rose.”
    â€œAnd told you that you were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.”
    â€œHe was young and quite beautiful himself.”
    â€œHe swore to love you forever. And he has not touched lips to any other woman since.”
    She was pleased, not convinced. “None?”
    â€œNot seriously. I had to fight off a lust-maddened virgin two nights ago, but I thought of you and lost interest. Jupiter has stopped laughing. He weeps for me.”
    I waited breathlessly to see who would respond to my plea. Minerva is intellect incarnate, sprung from the head of Jupiter, eternal virgin untouchable. I did not feel strong enough to deal with Medea, who is daunting, demanding, and deadly. Aspasia would either talk me out of it or cooperate for her own purposes while despising my animal lusts.
    â€œWhat nonsense! Go home. This is siesta and you need to rest.”
    â€œI have urgent work to do,” I agreed, but my feet were already kicking off my shoes, because that had been Helen’s voice.
    â€œI will waken you.” She threw the sheet aside.
    The rest of my clothes hit the floor in a blizzard and I had her in my arms. When we paused in our kissing to draw breath, I said, “You are very generous, giving charity to a poor apprentice.”
    â€œCharity? With other men I must serve, but with you I can just be myself and enjoy. I need you to keep reminding me that men can be lovable. You know,” she murmured, turning her lips away as I tried to claim them again, “what I love most about you, Alfeo darling?”
    â€œTell me.” I nibbled her ear.
    â€œThat you aren’t jealous. That you never judge. That you never nag me to reform.”
    Reform and marry me, a pauper? Live by selling off her wardrobe over the next ten years? I loved her because she