Free Celtic Maid (Roman Love ~ Pict Desire Series Book 2) by Amy Jarecki Page B

pointing to a young bit of flesh across the room. I shall see you at sunrise.”
    Holding the whore’s gaze, Dulcitius rose and meandered over to her. He ran his finger across the exposed nipples that peeked from her bodice. “I believe this is your lucky night, wench.”
    Wide eyed, she nodded and grasped her skirts, slowly pulling them upward. Dulcitius grabbed her wrist. “No. Not here. Take me to a place with some privacy. An officer would never pull out his cock and rut in front of his men.”
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Titus growled as he headed toward the principia . He hated it when pomp was required of his office. He preferred to carry out his duty without creating a spectacle. Fortunately, his superiors rarely called upon him to host games and parade around a field like a puff-chested peacock. But Theodosius was a different sort. The man’s entire life centered upon how things looked, and especially how he looked. The count had an insatiable thirst for power, and Titus’s greatest consolation was that Theodosius would not be remaining long in Britannia.
    Let him return to Rome and consort with senators. Truly, I am convinced that’s where Theodosius’s talents lie .
    With Bacchus’s help, Titus felt certain the games would not disappoint Theodosius, though he wished a proper arena had been constructed nearby. Clearly, the former Dux, Fullofaudes, had not engaged in the circus, or else there would be one directly outside Vindolanda.
    Titus climbed the principia steps. Blast. Theodosius and Dulcitius were already there, glaring down their noses at him. He let out a deep breath and raised his hand in greeting. “The parade is about to begin, sir.” To his reprieve, the game’s chariot drivers rounded the corner and clopped down the flagstone lane leading to the principia . Titus clapped his hands loudly.
    Bronze reliefs on the chariots glistened in the sun. Each driver wore an immaculate uniform highlighted with polished bronze breastplates and helmets with red horsehair crests. Men carrying the flags of Rome rode in front and behind, followed by trumpeters announcing the grand procession until the retinue stopped before them.
    Theodosius spread his arms wide. “This shall be a great day for Rome and all who support the Empire!”
    Nodding his approval, the count pattered down the stairs to blaring trumpets. He stepped onto the first chariot. Following closely behind, Titus relieved the charioteer of his reins and stood beside the count. Dulcitius followed, riding with the driver of the second. Titus ignored the irritated scowl on the other centurion’s face. As primus, Titus had taken his rightful place at the head of the procession. He snapped the reins across the horse’s backs. Damn Dulcitius and his insufferable pride .
    They rode in a procession through the cobblestoned streets of Vindolanda and out the south gates to the arena Titus had hastily erected, encircled with a wooden fence. Along the far wall, more trumpeters blared the commencement of the games in concert with the trumpets behind. The fence was mostly lined with Roman legionaries, but as his chariot circled the arena, Titus noted a few locals had come to watch the spectacle.
    The chariots drove through the center of the arena and stopped for the officers to alight and climb the steps to the officer’s box. The procession then circled three times with the gladiators joining in the parade, cheered and jeered by the crowd.
    The legionaries roared and whistled until the parade rounded in the center of the arena and faced the officer’s box. Titus leaned toward Theodosius. “Would you care to do the honors?”
    Theodosius grinned and held up his arms. “Welcome, faithful servants of Rome. Today we shall celebrate the peace that we have again brought to the Empire. Let the games commence!”
    The procession filed out of the west entrance, and Titus looked to the east. As planned, soldiers quickly staged five targets in the center of