The Centurion's Woman

Chapter 17

THEY WERE PAST the doors and back in the street quickly. Alex admired the broad back in front of her, noting that his usual stride was relaxed to something she could keep up with. She would have to thank him for that respect. Now that the adrenaline was ebbing away, she was starting to feel the scream of aching muscles being overused. Thankfully the rib seemed to have held, the sharp stabs no worse or better than yesterday, but her insides in general were far from happy about the morning's extra activities.

        She wished the activities were over.

        Alex had bluffed in the bathhouse that she was not just a slave, and that the attempt to usurp Ixillius's claim was more of a joke to her than the very real threat it had the potential to be. She needed to make sure that anyone else thinking that she could be stolen was dissuaded before the thought had time to form into action. She heard the warbling caw of her little crow as soon as she stepped into the sun.

        Making the most of the many people still hanging around outside the public bath to see what interesting happenings could immediately be turned into gossip, she stopped, whistled, and held up her hand. The fledgling perched unsteadily after a swoop and a few wing beats, and she quickly tucked him against her chest to help steady him. He bit and clawed his way up to settle on her shoulder, happy crow noises bubbling out of him into her ear as she rub-scratched between the feathers on the back of his head.

        Quintus – the soldier who had stood by her in the bath, bless him – didn't even appear mildly surprised that she called down a carrion bird. A lot of people in the street paled noticeably, the whispers starting quickly. Ixillius just frowned over his shoulder at the antics, his gaze uncertain, but unwilling to show it publicly.

        Then Alex looked back toward the bathhouse. She smiled gently at the emerging men who'd tried to steal her from Ixillius. The two who'd been helping the injured youth saw the bird perched on her shoulder and stepped away from him so quickly he stumbled and nearly fell again. No replacements came to his petulant demands for further aid, the circle of empty space widening around him.

        Quintus and Ixillius were both watching the little crow on her shoulder warily. Alex winked at them and urged the bird to stand for a moment, showing the single leg and giving them a chance to see the short tail feathers. They both quickly hid their smirks as they suddenly assumed the real reason behind the tame bird, and Ixillius turned to continue leading them back to his room.

                                                                ***

        Ixillius sent Quintus for food from the nearest lodging with the same order he gave Brasus – two plates, one heaping – and offered his arm to Alex. She dropped a light hand on his forearm, her smile and poise a picture of charming, high-bred femininity. The kite hopped to where their arms touched and pecked curiously at the shiny bronze on his armor as Ixillius walked with Alex up the steps and into the hall.

        She didn't falter until the door to the room was closed and she saw that the window slit was still covered with the blanket as she'd left it. Ixillius was ready and caught her around her shoulders and hips as she sagged, taking her weight and dropping to one knee to help her collapse within his steady control. The kite flew awkwardly up to the table and cawed at them, momentarily disgruntled at being dislodged, but then hopping about on its single leg, more interested in the room than the people.

        After a moment, Alex looped both her arms up around the one of his bracing her across her collarbones, clinging as if she'd been drowning. Her head leaned to the side against his bicep as her ragged breathing calmed. Safely settled on the floor, he took his hand from her hips and stroked her back and neck, whispering the quiet comforts that always get said when something bad happens to someone else.