Swords of Rome

Gaius turned and left Paullus alone. He hoped as he left that some good would come from this war for Paullus. That he would heed his advice and forgo all judgments of other and follow his heart. He deserved at least that much — a real chance to share his life with another that cared for him as considerably as he loved Julia.

When Gaius turned back one last time, he saw that Paullus was now standing with Claudia, speaking with her, not as a master but just as a man speaking to a woman as he held her hand. A small tear ran down her cheek as she listened to him with a warm smile. Gaius didn’t stay longer to see what happened next. He didn’t have to as her smile was all he needed to know.

He had what he wanted. He had Julia for himself. No rules, status, obligations or family could stand in their way now, save for one thing — his duty to Rome.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

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. Ha

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 wi

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 ca

“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.”

PART FOUR

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Mago had been on a long journey since last he spoke with his brother. He had spent a short time in Italy just before Ca

Ha

Mago had with him the rings and other markings of the Roman Senate and elite — thousands of small pieces of gold that had been stripped from still warm corpses following Ca

He spoke passionately about what he witnessed — three consuls dead, hundreds of thousands of Roman soldiers killed — whole settlements and communities destroyed, Italy was Ha

Mago expected, with his words the Senate to bow to Ha

When Mago finished his speech, those within the Senate, enemies of Ha

Ha

It was an embarrassment! Mago left furious as he was refused the chance to return to his brother after he was ordered by the Senate to take up command in Spain, and make ready for a new Roman offensive. And so he had been for the past five years, trapped, freezing his ass off, holding firm against the Scipio, a man unlike any Roman he had ever encountered — one that fought more like his brother.

Now, Mago returns to Italy with terrible news. He races to tell his brother in no short order that Spain had fallen — New Carthage had been taken by Scipio, and that Ha

The bag was found momentarily by a Carthaginian soldier who read the notation that it was a message meant for Ha

As Ha

A moment later, Ha

Even Ha

If there were any doubt to the long-term outcome of the war, Ha