Dear readers,

I am in the middle of editing The Courtesan and The Detective, so here is a snippet from my other project to keep you entertained. I do hope you enjoy it.

“Titus. Titus Severus. Son of Caius Severus Africanus.” Mila, Varinia’s servant whispered.

“Yes.” Varinia said, her voice equally low. They stood at the temple of Aphrodite watching the head priestess present the idol of the goddess of love with an offering of fruits and coins. Behind her, the other priestesses chanted and danced, spinning in circles around the altar and each other.

“They want you to marry him? But he’s a…” Another guest of the temple turned and stared at them, so the girl let what she was going to say trail off in to silence and bowed her head.

“So I’ve heard.” Unlike Mila, Varinia didn’t care if she was glared at. “Nothing can be done though. Mother has tried to talk some sense into father, but he remains steadfast. However, if Caius is as powerful as they say he is, who can blame him?”

“I’m sorry, my lady. I’ll come with you, if you want.”

She sighed, wishing the servant could come with her. “Titus will have you pregnant within the month.”

“I’ve managed to avoid your father all these years. I’m sure I can avoid him just as easily.” However, Varinia knew her bravery was only a front. She just as terrified of the man as her mistress was.

“Mother will need you once I am gone. Stay with them.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Now that the ceremony was over, the crowd surged forward, adding their own offerings to the altar. When it was Varinia’s turn, she added a couple of coins to the plate, murmuring a prayer that Titus would be kind and that their marriage would be a success. Even though she was sure Aprhodite bigger things to focus on than the wishes of a Plebian’s daughter, she planned to repeat her offering every day until the wedding, and every day after that. Every little bit helped after all.

As she turned away from the altar, one of the priestess grabbed her arm. “The goddess has heard your request. She is sending a blue eyed soldier to you.”

“To me? What for?”

“To love you of course.” The young priestess tittered. “Isn’t that what you wished for?”

Varinia eyed the statue of the goddess towering over them. “Not quite.”

“Well, even if you didn’t wish for it, it is what you need.”

“Hmm.” She adjusted her veil, pulling it forward to hide her face as she mulled over what the girl had told her. A blue eyed soldier? Titus was a soldier. Did he have blue eyes? She didn’t know – all the rumors about him concentrated on his behavior and not his looks.

But, for the first time since her mother had told her of her betrothal, she felt hopeful.