Free A Noble Captive by Michelle Styles Page A

heat from a charcoal brazier on a cold day spread up her arm. ‘Let me help. Trust me. We can work together. We are both suspicious of Androceles.’
    He was so close she could see every eyelash that fringed his dark rich eyes. She could even see a small white scar on his right cheek. But what she really noticed was the compassion in his eyes.
    She tried to tell her body that this was a Roman and Romans twisted words, but equally her mind reminded her of yesterday when he was ready to take another’s punishment and last night when he sat by his man’s bed for the sake of a promise. He had integrity. Maybe she could trust him. She wanted to believe he could help.
    She put a hand to her throat, surprised that she could even think such thoughts. What had she started with her masquerade? The ripples in the seeing bowl that Aunt Flavia sometimes used would surely show a dark path ahead.
    ‘Are you all right?’ Tullio’s voice came from a long way off. ‘You should lie down. You have gone pale.’
    ‘I believe I need some air. The incense hangs heavy in this room.’ Helena forced her lips to smile. She had to hold on to everyday things.
    ‘You need to rest. Let me escort you to your room.’ His tone allowed no space for dissent.
    ‘I’d prefer fresh air. A tour of the temple grounds would be pleasant, if you insist on accompanying me.’ Helena forced her mind away from the thought of him in close proximity to her in her bedroom. Fresh air and outdoors was the answer. It would give her time to see if her instincts were correct. Time to decide if she could indeed make him an ally. ‘You should have some idea of the lie of the land.’
    A tour of the temple?
    Tullio stared at Helena and did not try to hide his amazement. Everything about Helena, from the way her hand clutched the doorframe to the pinched look about her mouth proclaimed she wanted to flee. He had seen the same look in the eyes of his men before battle, a trapped helplessness, but with more than a hint of courage. Such a change from the confident woman who had demanded his soldiers behave properly.
    He would go on this tour of inspection, rather than confront her directly. He had to make Helena understand that he wanted to help. She did not have to face Androceles and the Lady Zenobia alone. The temple and her influence could be useful to Rome. Rome would pay handsomely for a naval base. Tales about the sibyl’s healing powers could be spread and pilgrims would return. It was easy. He’d seen it done before. But first, he needed her agreement.
    ‘I look forward to learning more about your temple and grounds. You will find me an eager pupil.’
    She gave a brief nod and glanced over her shoulder towards a closed ornately carved door as if seeking reassurance. Tullio longed to draw her into his arms, and tell her that, if she trusted him, he would do everything in his power to make sure she was protected. That would have to wait until her shoulders had relaxed and her face no longer wore its wary expression. He had to earn her trust.
    He took one last glance at the reception room before they left. Here and there amongst the friezes and mosaics it was obvious that the chamber had been altered. Had this island always worshipped Kybele? Or was it fairly recent? When he had travelled with his mother, he did not think they had seen Kybele’s aspect as a healing goddess and yet here she was. All the healing temples they visited were linked to Aesculapius with his motif of the twinned snakes. In the far right-hand corner, half-disguised as grape vines, were the twinned snakes.
    The temple had belonged to Aesculapius once.
    Tullio permitted himself a grim smile. Now he needed answers to his questions.
    How and why had the temple changed allegiance? And what did the change have to do with the pirates?
     
    ‘Slow down, you are walking as if the Furies are chasing you,’ Tullio called out to Helena.
    ‘We have a lot of ground to cover. The temple is more than