Free Siren Slave by Aurora Styles Page A

helm was askew, revealing a receding hairline on the left side. His skin was gray, his lips dry. He looked as if he’d aged a decade since Siegfried had seen him in the marketplace.
    “To what do I owe this visit?” Siegfried asked, although he should know very well.
    “Your actions earlier,” Pompey said. “That prostitute was to be an example, yet every effort I made to do so, you thwarted.”
    “I see. But you’re not seeing my situation. I am new to the Remi. The Remi and Rome undoubtedly view my people as barbaric, given our history and the continuing actions of Siegfried. I would have the loyalty of the Remi, so they will trust my decisions and follow me, as you would have me follow Rome. If I spare a prostitute, then what would I do for others? They’ll trust me more now when I make decisions in regard to their safety. I know that’s what Rome wants, as well as I. And what is less barbaric than mercy?”
    Pompey nodded weakly.
    “You do not look well,” Siegfried said.
    Pompey’s hand fisted over his heart. “A heart ailment…I was just angered. Furious. What angered me is your betrothed.”
    When Siegfried said naught, Pompey went on to relay his conversation with Freya.
    “So, the woman disobeys her parents and is a little foolish,” Siegfried said, hiding his amusement and guilt. This Freya would be getting a wedding, then taken immediately to King Vercingetorix as a hostage. “I would not expect less from a pampered princess. I do not see why this is a matter for a Roman general. I, too, love Rome’s laws, but a silly princess is hardly where we should expend our efforts.”
    “I had thought she was slow when she’d panicked earlier. But then, she became angered after Odilia discussed pirates, and the girl lost her temper, abandoned any pretense, and said she was ashamed of her parents for working with Rome. So, she’d been toying with me earlier, only pretending to be an imbecile. She went so far as to exonerate Siegfried the Fox, saying the tribes would not be in such a situation if everyone were a little more like that outlaw.”
    Siegfried stiffened. “So, she speaks treason in front of Rome’s allies. The fool.” A supporter? The Remi princess supported him? He hadn’t heard a thing to indicate that, and he’d done his research. But not much was known about Freya, who was kept constantly in the palace.
    “You see why this is a concern, Etainen. As a princess, she is an example to her people. Some of your people already support Siegfried. Enough of the tribes already support Vercingetorix.”
    “Indeed,” Siegfried said. Many people did not support Chieftain Etainen. Even though his lands were across the Rhine, by throwing his lot in with Vercingetorix, he might be able to stop Rome at Gaul. Etainen’s continued alliance with Rome was not popular with the oppressed tribes. “Yet, it would be folly to act against the Remi princess. It would anger her people. Leave Freya to me. I can handle princesses as well as prostitutes.”
    “You’d best. Siegfried will probably be in the vicinity, hoping to stop this wedding somehow.”
    “Undoubtedly he’s already discovered our plans. He probably wants my blood as well as yours.”
    “Yes, well, I would not be surprised if this barbarian wench would assist him if he asked. I’ve come to see the barbarians very much like the Remi horses. They are infamously wild until a saddle is placed on them. You must see your mare is reined in.”
    “I will speak with her, then,” Siegfried said. Rein her in, tame her. The thought of dominating a woman would normally entice him, even a woman he hadn’t met yet. Ever since meeting Swan in the marketplace, Siegfried couldn’t stop wondering what Swan was doing with that interesting sex toy.
    “See you do. If she helps Siegfried, you’ll both be implicated as traitors to Rome. Odilia has told me where you can find Freya, at least later in the evening. The soldiers’ barracks . Gaming and