There was a bitter chill in the air. Fall was coming quickly, but Gaius didn’t mind, not one bit. He stood on a balcony looking out across Rome. The moon hung high overhead and the gentle breeze. For the first time in a long time, he felt comfortable with this city. Nothing grand happened since his return. Hannibal was still out there somewhere, and Maximus’ propositions were in its early stages. However, he was perfectly content.
Gaius smiled as he felt Julia’s arms wrap around his bare chest as she stood behind him, kissing him on his shoulders as she pressed her naked body up against his.
He returned her kiss as he placed his hands over hers and caressed them.
It had been several days now since Gaius had spoken with Paullus. The consul had been true to his words and had already released Julia of her marriage vows. She was his now, finally and there was nothing or anyone who could stand between them.
“What vexes you so that you leave the warmth of our bed?” Julia asked as she rested her head between his shoulders.
“Tomorrow I will leave for Spain,” Gaius answered.
“You worry about the deployment then?” she asked.
He turned and faced her, making sure that he kept her close to him, in his arms.
“I worry about leaving you. After so long, we have nothing to hide from — the chance to finally,” Gaius paused as he thought about what a future with, he would be like. He hadn’t gotten very far in his daydreams, which he had always believed were just fantasy. “I don’t know really. I don’t want to leave you here alone, again.”
“I have waited this long to be with you, Gaius. I can wait longer if I have to."
“It could be years. There is still much that needs to be done before we can be sure Rome is safe, no less actually winning this war. I’m afraid what might happen in that time, that I may not — ”
She placed her index finger over his lips, politely asking him to be still.
“What may come may come. We can’t dwell over what we cannot control.”
“But I could control it. I could ask to remain behind and help Rome in some other capacity. The Fifteen Legion will be left behind to protect the city. I could take a post with them.”
Julia smiled as she shook her head.
“I love you more.”
Julia placed her hand over Gaius’ heart and stared up at him.
“Perhaps so, but we both know it isn’t the same. Out there, beyond our borders lies your destiny, and you need to see it through to the end. I will always be right here waiting for you to return.”
“But I may not return at all,” Gaius added as he lowered his head.
“Then, if we can’t be together in this life, then the next. It will change nothing.”
Julia buried her head into his chest, wrapping her arms around him as she held onto him tightly.
“Just never forget what you have to live for,” she whispered. “You will come back to me. I know it.”