Free Hannibal: Fields of Blood by Ben Kane Page B

would kill us both if she found us like this.’
    ‘She won’t. She’s asleep.’
    ‘I hope so. What was it that couldn’t wait until the morning?’
    Aurelia’s self-confidence vanished. She was here as much to defy her mother as she was to see Gaius. Admitting to either would involve losing face, though. ‘I’m so worried about Quintus and Father,’ she whispered in a rush. ‘I pray to the gods all the time, but I never hear anything back.’
    He reached out and touched her cheek. ‘It’s bad enough for me not knowing about Quintus. It must be far worse for you.’
    Unexpected tears began to flow. In the weeks since hearing about the disaster at the Trebia, Aurelia had buried her fears deep inside. Because of the arguments with her mother, she had no one to turn to. So she had battled on alone. One human touch, and her defences came tumbling down. ‘Oh, Gaius! W-what will I do if they’re both dead?’ she whispered jerkily.
    He moved along the bed so that he could put his arms around her. ‘You poor thing.’
    Aurelia began to sob.
    ‘Shhhh,’ murmured Gaius, rubbing her back. ‘Shhhh. Your mother will wake.’
    She gulped and managed to rein her emotions in a little. Burying her face in his shoulder, she clutched him as if she were drowning. Gaius didn’t speak. He just held her tightly. Aurelia began to cry in earnest. She cried, silently, for a long time. For Quintus, for her father, for Suni, but most of all, for herself. Never in her whole life had she felt so alone as she had in the previous few months. It was as if Gaius understood that. His grip on her strengthened. It gave Aurelia the most incredible sense of reassurance. She relaxed into his embrace and let herself take comfort from his presence, his acceptance, his lack of questions. Here, she was safe. No one could hurt her. Her fears gradually abated, and a little while after that, her tears dried up.
    Aurelia did not want to move from the circle of Gaius’ arms for a long time. His flesh was warm; his breath warmed her neck as he exhaled. She could feel his heart beating beneath her ear. He smelled very male . He was so strong. Her original purpose in entering his room returned to her mind. It was almost as if he noticed the change in her.
    ‘Feel better?’
    She looked up at him. The curve of his lips was so tempting. ‘Yes, thank you.’
    His grip eased. ‘Once it takes hold, despair is damn near impossible to shake off. It’s easy to become so mired in it that nothing makes sense.’
    ‘That’s how I’ve been feeling.’
    ‘The news from Cisalpine Gaul has all been bad, but your father’s a shrewd man. He fought Carthage for ten years before, and survived, remember. He will look out for Quintus. There’s every chance that they’re still alive. Flaccus too. Don’t give up on them just yet.’
    ‘You’re right,’ she whispered. ‘I’m sorry.’
    ‘There’s no need to apologise. I saw how strained you were with your mother. You have no one to confide in, do you?’
    She shook her head miserably.
    ‘Well, you’ve got me,’ he said, giving her a squeeze. ‘You’re my best friend’s little sister. You can tell me anything.’
    Not anything, thought Aurelia. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘I will make it my business to come out here every week or two. How’s that?’
    ‘That would be wonderful.’
    Another squeeze, conspiratorial this time, before his arms fell away. ‘Now, away with you, before Atia wakes up and hears us.’
    Aurelia didn’t really hear him. His face was so close. So inviting. If she leaned in a little, she could kiss him. It might have been her imagination, but she thought that he began to move towards her lips. Her head swam.
    ‘Aurelia.’
    She returned to reality with a start. ‘Yes?’
    He had pulled back a fraction. ‘You must go.’
    ‘Yes, yes. Thank you, Gaius.’
    ‘It’s all right.’ His whisper was a little gruff. ‘In future, though, it’d be best if you didn’t come into my bedroom at