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She nodded, pensive, but in agreement.
“I realised then, that I could never be a Roman citizen, even if I won that right. I’m also Edsel, a Briganti, captured, enslaved, and forced to fight for my freedom. Finding out what happened to my family has only made it clearer to me that I am not a Roman.”
“You live like one.”
She need not remind him. He frowned. “I do, but not perhaps in my heart. I’ve tried. I’ve decided I should live as I choose, and not as others would expect me to. I can be both Briton and Roman. As a freed slave, it is wrong for me to keep you, and the others, as slaves. Therefore, I’m freeing you.”
She gasped—she’d never expected her freedom to come so easily or so soon. “All of us?”
He smiled. “Yes. I shall grant them some of my land. There they can build their homes and grow food for themselves. In exchange, they can labour in my fields. But I will not own them, and they are free to come and go.”
Her heart glowed at the thought of Arwen and Caradoc being free. She was sure both of them would stay, and the other men given the offer of land.
Her excitement waned when she thought of herself. “And me?” she asked cautiously. “The altar… the gods and…” Did he still desire her, as she did him? The yearning was greater than she realised.
He squeezed her hands. “I’m going to visit my half-sister, and the lands of my father, Cedric. Uther invited me there.”
She frowned. The wagon again!
Behind Felix, Rufus chuckled. “She hates that wagon now.” He saw into her head as easily as if she’d spoken aloud.
Felix tipped up her chin. “Ah, sweet girl, no. I shall go alone on horseback. This is my decision.”
“You’ll leave—”
He tapped his thumb on her lower lip, halting her words. “Not yet. There is the harvest to collect first. I shall stay for that and then… it won’t be forever,” he added. “And that is what brings me to my friend, Rufus.”
Felix stepped aside and ushered Rufus away from the wall. The bronze hair of Rufus shimmered as he swapped places with Felix.
“You’re staying,” she asked, hoping the news wouldn’t be any more unsettling.
“Aye. I’m to look after the farm in Felix’s absence. Which means, of course, keeping the goddesses happy.” He winked.
She giggled. “I suppose that must continue.”
“Oh, it shall,” Felix stated firmly. “I shall insist.”
“And, in order to ensure your honour as a free woman is kept,” Rufus said, “I shall ask you a simple question. Bethan, will you marry me?”
This time, she’d not the air in her lungs to gasp. Instead her knees turned to jelly and she swayed, feeling light-headed. Rufus caught her in his arms and held her steady.
“Marry you?” She glanced over to Felix. He wasn’t shocked by Rufus’s request. He seemed pleased to hear it.
“Yes. Felix has agreed. It is best for all of us, if you were to marry—”
“You love me?” she asked. “Truly love me?”
He swept back her hair and planted a firm and deliciously long kiss on her lips. She exhaled, sighing in relief as he released her mouth. “Never doubt it,” he said. “And you? Do you not feel that quiver in your heart whenever I touch you? I know I do.”
She nodded. It was there, right now, beating hard against her breast. “I do. But… what of my…” She nearly said master, but corrected herself. “Felix?”
Was it possible to love two men, and be married to one of them? Were the laws of nature against them?
Felix took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Marry him, yes,” he said, then he drew her closer and whispered in her ear. “I shall return, and when I do, young lady, you will be assured that I will need plenty of time before the altar to make up for my absence.”
Her legs quaked even more than ever and she felt the familiar flurry of butterflies in her belly.
Felix continued, “You must be obedient to your husband, as you are to your master.”
