Free The Champion by Carla Capshaw Page B

by the darkness of his skin and hair as black as polished obsidian. The ease that settled between them was new to her experience. He didn’t sit in judgment of her or take offense when she admitted her true thoughts and feelings. Indeed, he seemed to approve of them.
    The unexpected melody of a pan flute drifted across the courtyard from the direction of the fountain. Alexius glanced over his shoulder before returning his attention to his food. “Apparently, Marcellus thinks I need help wooing you.”
    Tibi choked on an olive. Alexius thrust her cup toward her. “Are you all right?”
    She swallowed some water. Her throat and her surprise back under control, she nodded. “Does your friend always offer assistance when you bring a woman here?”
    “What makes you think I’ve brought other women here?”
    “Haven’t you?”
    He shrugged. “Only the most special ones.”
    Her food lost all its appeal. She could only imagine how many “special ones” there’d been in his life. She wished she was special to him, but didn’t delude herself into thinking he’d brought her here for any reason other than he’d needed a place to hide her
and
feed thecub while they waited to return to the
ludus
. “If we’re counting just the special ones, I assume there have been a hundred at the very least.”
    He eyed her thoughtfully. “I don’t keep count.”
    “You mean you’ve
lost
count.”
    “If you believe so.”
    Her brow pleated with indecision. She didn’t know what to believe about Alexius of Iolcos. He was an enigma who confused and fascinated her in equal measure.
    Marcellus returned to collect the dirty crockery. She complimented him on the food, then felt inadequate with her praise when Alexius raved about the lamb and even the fennel, which she was sure he’d had no taste for.
    “I’ll bring you some figs and more water,” Marcellus said happily, on his way back indoors.
    With her stomach full and her view of Alexius unhindered, she listened to the gentle splash of the fountain and the chirping of a pair of birds nesting on top of the wall. When she’d run to the
ludus
before sunrise, she could never have imagined the day turning out as well as it had. Whatever consequences she faced for her actions, at least she’d had these few precious hours of respite with her handsome Greek.
    “What are you thinking?” Alexius leaned forward and crossed his arms on the tabletop in front of him.
    “That I’m thankful I had this day with you.”
    His expression softened. “I’m thankful, too.”
    The air became cooler as late afternoon turned to early evening. “I suppose we have to go back soon. I have to face my fate.”
    He frowned in apparent rejection of the idea. “We have time. I’m not finished with you.”
    “Not finished with me?” Her heart quickened. “How so?”
    “I want to know more about you. Before the food arrived, you were telling me your opinion of the Nazarene’s religion. Now that I can hear you over the growl of your stomach—”
    “You exaggerate—”
    “Tell me your thoughts on the matter. Have you decided to become one of His followers?”

Chapter Six
    “I want to believe in Him. I do.” She’d never admitted that particular truth to anyone in the past. She found it liberating, as though the very air was lighter. “As a small child I always envied Pelonia. My uncle Pelonius doted on her. She was the jewel in his crown while I was viewed as a piece of broken glass.” She disliked the pity in his eyes. She cleared her throat and sought to sound more matter-of-fact. “When I was seven I asked Uncle why he found Pelonia special—Even then I sought answers to questions that were none of my concern.”
    “A child should ask as many questions as she wants.” “My family disagrees with you. A daughter isn’t supposed to ask questions. She’s meant to follow and obey.” She reached for a wisteria bloom and breathed in the floral notes. “Uncle was the kindest, most patient