Guest blog with Minnette Meador

By the end, Phaedra found herself inside Hasani’s arms, sobbing against his shoulder.

Pulling in a shaking breath, she finally pushed herself away from him and gathered her arms around her chest. Moving deeper into the shadows, she leaned against the wall, fighting to get her emotions in check.

“Let me take you to the ship.”

“No,” she replied quietly. “I have to save them.”

The hand on her shoulder tightened, and he turned her around to face him. “How?” he asked harshly. “Do you expect to march into the arena and carry them away?” His face softened, and he tucked two fingers under her chin. “I am sorry, Phaedra, but you need to face facts. There is nothing you can do on your own.”

She pulled her shoulder out of his hand and turned away. “Maybe not.” Turning back, she laced her fingers together and stared up at him. “You could help me.”

Hasani’s eyes narrowed, but he gave her a half smile. “Perhaps.” He stroked his chin and searched her face. “What is there for me? Granted, even if we could come up with a plan to get them out of there, then what? You go back to your gladiator.”

“If you were a decent man…”

“I believe my decency has been well established,” he said. “Something else.”

Phaedra pushed down her disgust and swallowed. “I could pay you.”

“I do not need money,” he said coldly.

Phaedra licked her lips. “We can help you escape the Romans. You are wanted…”

He laughed out loud and it startled her. The sound echoed down the portico and came back to them in an eerie chorus.

“The Romans have always wanted me, little sparrow, and yet I still come and go as I please in this city.” His eyes twinkled in the torchlight. “No, something more.”

Stepping away from him, Phaedra hit the wall, afraid of what she saw in those eyes. “If it is my body you desire then take it!” she spat at him. “Just help me.”

Hasani circled to her right and leaned against the wall very close to her. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. “Trust me, if it were only your sweet body I wanted, I would have taken it before now.” She lifted her hand to strike him, but he caught it and kissed each finger. “No, little bird, I want only what is my due. You were promised to me in marriage. That is what I will take in exchange for their lives.”

She glared at him. “There was never any real promise of marriage. You know that.”

“Guarantees were made and an agreement signed by myself and your father.” He pulled her face toward him to look into her eyes. “Your dowry sits safe and sound in a chest on my ship and a handsome one at that.”

Pulling away from him, Phaedra stepped back in wonder. “You are not serious.”

“Quite serious.”

“You would let Bahar die, if I do not promise…”

“In a fleeting heartbeat, my love. You underestimate the power you have over my soul. I have loved you since I saw you flitter through the garden at your father’s home toward the ludus. Believe me, when I set my mind on something, I will not be denied. If I could not take you in slavery, then I will take you in marriage.”

Phaedra’s heart quickened and she turned away from him, trying to get her wits wrapped around what he was saying. “I do not love you. I love Thane,” she whispered more to the wall than to him.

A hot hand slid down her bare arm sending shivers through her. “I do not need your love. Only your obedience. Love will come when it may.”

“What if I refuse you?”

He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her quickly to his chest. She could feel his bulging manhood against her back and his hot breath against her ear. “Then I leave Bahar and the gladiator to their fate and sail you to your father. I hope you do not have delusions that you could possibly escape me,” he added. “The voyage back would prove… interesting.” His lips touched the back of her neck, and she struggled to get out of his arms. His grip was as tangible as iron.

It was hard to push the words out of her throat. Her stomach twisted into knots making her nauseous. “If I agree,” she breathed, “you will promise to help me. On your word?”

“My word is fickle at best, little bird, but I will give you what assurances I can. I swear to you, if you promise to become my wife, I will use everything at my disposal to rescue Bahar and even Thane. Do I have that promise?”

She could not get the words out of her mouth. A rush of gall trapped in her throat that she had to swallow. In a quick rush, Hasani twirled her around until he pinioned her against the cold marble pillar. His dark eyes were stern, yet amused.

“Quickly, beauty, or I may change my mind. Do I have your promise?”

The late evening darkness fell like a veil over her eyes, and they shut over hot tears. Behind them Thane’s handsome honest face stared down at her, and those bright blue eyes pieced her heart.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I give you my promise.”