The following is a complete work of fiction inspired by Roman history, with a strong fantasy aspect for the use of artistic license. For those who wrote to me about this series regarding its lack of overly explicit sexual content, I will state for your peace of mind that it is NOT a stroke story. If that interests you, you'd be better off reading something else. Please note that this chapter switches back and forth between reality and a dream sequence. It was confusing to write so readers could understand the switch back and forth between what Marcus is dreaming and what is actually happening as Portia seduces him in his sleep, so I tried to put the dream portions in italics. Hopefully it works out since this is the chapter so many waited for! Portia and Marcus! Side note-someone once mentioned Portia is the type of character you love or hate because she is at times vulnerable and other points despicable...I wrote this chapter with that person in mind!_
Disclaimer:
The following story may contain erotic situations between consenting adults. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. Please do not copy or distribute the story without the author's permission.
Important - Please feel free to send any feedback or comments through PM or you email me. I appreciate you taking two seconds to vote and leave a comment. And as always thanks to the people who have continued asking for this story and inspired me to do so. Sorry it's taken so long but I am on winter break so hope to finish cranking this and a few other outs. Thanks again!
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"Lord Aurelius!"
Gentle tones leapt into alarm as Marcus entered Portia's rooms, her body limp in his arms. The servant girl at the window hurried over, wringing her hands together. She had heard the rumors of Portia's disappearance. The guards had alerted them all when they had hoarded them into various rooms, questioning their motives and their loyalties to the throne.
Chloe had felt sick, her stomach churning as she recalled her earlier conversation with Mara. For a brief moment she had wondered if she had been betrayed. She had been allowed to go after only a short time, but some doubt remained in her mind. She was sure the seeds of mistrust had been sown in the hearts of others as well. The country of her birth, where her heart had once rested so peacefully, was being torn apart. Only one man had the ability to bring peace and he could not see his own worth.
"You're bleeding...My lady!"
"The blood is not mine, Chloe," Marcus assured her, trying to calm the panic in her eyes as she rushed to his side. "It belongs to..." He trailed off, his throat tightening as he shook his head. "I suffered only a minor injury to my arm. It needs to be washed and dressed but there is time for that. Your lady is in greater need of your assistance."
"What happened to her?"
"She was abducted by Captain Sirrus. I can say no more at this moment but rest easy tonight knowing you are safe. Please bring a basin of warm water and clean linens to tend to my cousin's injuries."
As the sound of Chloe's sandals skittered away, Marcus adjusted Portia's weight in his arms. Her lashes looked like crescents of ebony on her pale cheeks, marred by the bruises that were already beginning to form. She had slipped into unconsciousness when her shoulder had been crudely reset on the cliffs, the pain and fatigue keeping her in blissful oblivion on their return to the palace. He had allowed her to sleep though he had informed his men that she was not to be left unsupervised at any time. There would be guards posted at her door every moment of the day and reports were to be given to him at the end of each rotation.
He had placed Magnus in charge, knowing that he needed as much a distraction as he himself did to focus on something other than the loss they had suffered. Felix had been their leader and their friend. His death was one that was felt as deeply by every man in his unit as by himself and he knew that had Sirrus's life not ended on those cliffs, it would still have ended tonight before the Council could intervene.
Marcus exhaled heavily as he laid Portia down on her silken bed carefully, uncurling her arm from around his neck. She murmured in her sleep before curling on her side in the fetal position like a child. She looked innocent in repose, incapable of the atrocities Sirrus had accused her of.
And yet I heard him so clearly. He solidified my suspicions. How could you have done it, Portia? How did you dare to steal from me the men I most trusted in this world with your treason?
Marcus glanced up when he felt a tentative touch to his arm, having forgotten Chloe was there. Her eyes widened as she looked at her fingers, the tips stained with Felix's blood. Her breathing quickened and Marcus caught her chin gently with his hand to focus her.
"Tend to your lady, Chloe. She was misused tonight and needs to rest. She has been given some opium for the pain so she should sleep through the night. I have my men posted outside of her door. If you need something, they are at your disposal."
"Are you sure you do not wish me to tend to you, Lord Aurelius? You look as if you have been ill used yourself."
"No. I am fine, thank you. Have a good evening."
"General Aurelius?"
Her voice stopped him at the door. He turned, watching her fidget for a moment as if she regretted her decision to call him back. "What is it, Chloe? Speak freely. I will not chastise you for fear. We are all aware of that emotion tonight."
"I.." She paused, her eyes imploring as she looked up at him then quickly to her feet. Her skin r where she wrung her hands together. "They say that you have returned home to take the throne...that you are going to become our King. Is it so?" Her eyes lifted to his again, dark eyes widening. "Forgive my impudence for speaking so openly, but please tell me if it is so, lord Aurelius. Since the death of the king we..." she caught herself. "This is a different place. We need you so."
She didn't elaborate but he understood the words that remained unspoken. She needed the answer they all did, the answer that he had yet to find in himself. He knew what it was, but he could not yet look at it for fear that he would be unable to deny it if he confronted it face on.
He had to take the throne. If he did not, Portia would and the country would fall. Everything that his uncle had built, everything that he had defended, everything Felix had died for, it would all be for nothing if he turned his back on the city now.
He did not want the throne anymore now than he ever had, but he had to.
All for the sake of the empire.
When he didn't answer, he saw the hope in her eyes dwindle slowly, like a flame exposed too long to a strong breeze. Yet one ember remained, struggling to overcome against the darkness she saw in his face. She bowed slowly then moved away leaving him to wonder if that ember could survive the night.