Free Surrender to the Roman by M.K. Chester Page B

passionate Dacian woman. His pulse rose as she moved with fluid steps, graceful even under such pressure.
    Surely, even in her anger, she expected he would punish her. And he should. The safety of his family came first, and she’d gone far beyond threatening only him.
    The intricacies of life wrapped their many arms around him. He’d become entwined in subtle games with his second. No longer a simple soldier, Marcus had become embroiled in personal hostilities and intrigues under his own roof.
    When had he started to sympathize with his enemy?
    The surprise of that realization lodged in his throat. He’d suspected Tertullian’s sinister side, but his brother-in-law’s behavior tonight provided additional fodder that said he was not an honorable man.
    Marcus glanced again at Ademeni, recalling the haunted look on her face in the Dacian cellar and the deep hatred moments ago. His life had become complex the moment he’d laid eyes on her.
    Pity that to keep peace in his home, he’d have to punish her. There could be no question as to the order of things, even if he didn’t like it.
    * * *
    How foolish could she be? Had she not decided to step back, watch and learn?
    One glimpse of that monster and she’d seen nothing but his blood on the floor. Lucia had hurried the guests from the house so quickly that Ademeni and her sister had been given no chance for farewell.
    And now, she would be punished for raising her hand against the family of Marcus Cordovis. Her father had killed men for lesser offences. Still, given the same opportunity, she would make the same attempt over again.
    She pushed her hands through her hair and took in Marcus from the corner of her eye. He prowled the front of the house like a lion, her weapon more powerful in his trained hands.
    A stab of fear stole her breath. Patience was his ally. When the house had been put to order and the others had gone to bed, he would dole out her discipline.
    And yet, he had not allowed Tertullian to shame Lilah.
    Compared to his vile brother-in-law, Marcus had displayed some small amount of compassion. Not enough for her to let down her guard, but enough to make her unsteady.
    Flora pushed by with a rude grunt, the bulk of the cleaning done. Lucia paused in front of her, glancing at Marcus, then back to Ademeni with a smile. “Time to rest.”
    “Surely—” she started, then stopped. He would beat her.
    “Go to bed,” Lucia advised. “If he cannot see you, his anger will lose its heat.”
    Her parting words did little to calm Ademeni. His every move set her nerves on fire. Even behind the curtain of her small room, she would be able to hear his footfalls. She could not escape him.
    One by one, Marcus extinguished the sconces, making a circle from one side of the house toward her. He made no sound, but his rigid spine and efficient movements made clear his mood.
    Rather than wait for him to reach her, she escaped to the cool darkness of her room. She sat on the edge of her bed and held her breath as his footsteps approached.
    Under the curtain in her doorway, reddish firelight died, replaced by the silver sheen of the moon against the flagstones. Marcus’s shadow lingered. Ademeni’s pulse thundered in her ears, and she pushed herself to her feet, ready to meet whatever demands he might place upon her.
    His anger washed over her from the other side of the curtain. She’d lost her head and deserved his rage. Yet how could he not see the nature of his second in command and do nothing about the man’s craven nature?
    She ached for Lilah, an aloof girl born with an airy, artistic bent that did not serve her here. Ademeni would have been able to bear Tertullian’s advances. She would have been more than a match.
    That’s why he’d taken Lilah and given her to Marcus.
    Her thoughts rounded to the general again. She rubbed her throbbing temples. Would he never make a move?
    Stepping to the doorway, she flinched as he pulled back the curtain. When he pushed his