Eight for Eternity

Chapter Thirty-Four

January 17, 532

Felix opened his eyes a slit but remained otherwise motionless on the stool where he’d spent most of the night. He was sure he had heard a sound.

A footstep?

Grey, pre-dawn darkness filled the hallway leading back to the rooms where Hypatius and his family were staying. Why wasn’t the wall torch burning?

He slid his hand stealthily toward the hilt of his sword. He hadn’t been sleeping, only dozing, he assured himself. It would have been impossible to fall asleep sitting on the three-legged wooden stool.

He remained with his back to the wall, legs extended into the hallway, and strained to see into the darkness. A hazy phantom floated into view and moved slowly down the corridor.

He blinked, trying to clear his vision. Then the figure suddenly darted in his direction.

Felix sprang forward. His arm shot out and his hand fastened around a slender wrist.

Julianna uttered a string of oaths an aristocratic girl should never have had the opportunity to hear, let alone commit to memory.

“At least you have the sense to curse quietly enough not to wake the household,” Felix muttered.

She tried to pull away with more strength than he would have expected for such a slight thing. Felix refused to release his grip. “I’m glad I insisted on taking most of the watches here. I had a feeling you’d try to creep off again.”

“I didn’t intend to do that, Felix. I need to see Antonina. I was about to ask you to accompany me, but you decided to try and break my wrist before I had the chance.”

“That explains why you put the torch out, and that dark cloak you’re wearing.”

“Don’t you want to come with me? You seemed very keen to visit my friend the other day, when I saved you from making a grave mistake.”

Felix took his hand off her arm. “You claim you saved me. I’m trying to return the favor by saving you. Which is to say by making sure you stay safely inside.”

Julianna made a show of rubbing her arm. “Safe? With rioters baying at the palace walls? Nowhere’s safe. Besides, you can guard me as easily walking to the Daphne as here. You do want to see Antonina….”

She was right. Felix had to admit it to himself, although not to the girl. He hadn’t been able to banish Antonina from his thoughts except for when he’d been fighting. She’d been whispering in his ear all night long while he guarded the corridor. “I’m sure Antonina wonders why I haven’t paid my respects.” Felix got to his feet. “You did go out of your way to help me. I’ll come with you, it’s the least I can do.”

He sent the guard in the atrium to take his post. The man gave him and Julianna a curious look as they went out but Felix offered no explanation.

The cold outside made him catch his breath. The rising sun turned ice-filled ruts in the muddy yard outside the stables into an orange embroidery. Ice-glazed marble walkways and frost glistened on grass and shrubbery.

Felix was happy to enter the Daphne Palace, which wasn’t much warmer. The silentiaries hardly glanced at Julianna. They didn’t seem concerned that she’d brought a companion.

“You’re a frequent visitor,” Felix observed.

Julianna nodded and led him along a bewildering series of hallways. He half expected to see the Eros he’d treated so cruelly during his previous visit but no one else was about at this early hour.

By the time they reached the tall double doors at the entrance to Antonina’s quarters, Felix was breathing hard, not the result of exertion but rather in anticipation of seeing Antonina again.

A servant answered their knock.

“Eugenius,” said Julianna, “I have brought a visitor to see Antonina.”

The servant ushered the two into a cramped vestibule where more silentiaries stood shoulder to shoulder with life-sized Greek sculptures. Another set of doors opened onto a warm, humid atrium graced by potted plants.

Felix felt his heart pounding. He glanced around, expecting Antonina to appear. How would she receive him?

He followed Julianna past low hanging palm fronds and into a room filled with cushion-strewn furniture. Frescoed seascapes covered the walls. Three golden cherubs flew above painted waves in an ascending line. Tables and alcoves displayed a welter of enameled boxes, ivory figurines, and elaborate glass vessels.

“Don’t look so surprised, Felix. A lady of the court is bound to accumulate expensive gifts and it’s only polite to display them.”

Felix realized he must have looked as awestruck as a peasant on his first visit to the capital.

The air felt warmer than in the atrium and heavy with unidentifiable scents, a mingling of perfumes, spices, and strange herbs. His breath caught at the sight of Antonina. No, only a small marble statue. He spotted at least two larger than life bronze busts.

Julianna tugged at his hand, leading him deeper into Antonina’s abode, down a short hallway, and then into a room lined with shelves crammed with bottles and stoppered clay pots. A pan steamed on a brazier and dried herbs hung from the ceiling.

Finally, he saw her. She stood at a marble table, working a mortar and pestle. She looked up, pushing a loose strand of hair away from her eyes. Beads of perspiration glistened on her forehead.

“Felix,” she said.

Was she surprised to see him? Happy? Annoyed? To his dismay, her tone conveyed absolutely nothing.

She wore a plain silk tunica, almost immodest. Her pale hair dangled to her shoulders in disarray. He could make out faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

“I needed to see you,” Julianna said. “Felix agreed to accompany me, for safety.”

Antonina put down the pestle. “Very wise. I’ve nearly finished the charm I promised you. Everyone at court wants my services. I’ve already supplied Theodora with the magickal devices she requested, along with several philters.”

“It wouldn’t be necessary if the excubitor’s would fight like men,” Felix said. “Sharp blades are all the charms the emperor needs.”

“Spoken like a soldier,” Antonina replied, without looking at him. “Now, Julianna, if you will go and wait in my reception room, I can complete your charm.“

“Maybe a potion to make the excubitor’s fight is what’s wanted,” Julianna said.

“I’m not sure that’s within my power.”

“I thought we might visit for a time,” Julianna told her.

“Yes. Surely. But you must allow me to finish first.” She looked directly at Julianna.

Clearly she was avoiding looking at Felix.

“Antonina,” he blurted. “Did I somehow offend you the other night? If so…I…I apologize. I had to see you again.”

Felix realized she was staring straight past him, over his shoulder.

He turned his head.

In the doorway stood a rumpled and sleepy-eyed Belisarius.