Whisper (Riley Bloom 4)

“I trust that I can count on Dacian to be on his very best behavior when I leave my dearest friend in his care?”

Messalina and I were friends. Right. It was all becoming clear. We were good friends. Best friends. She lent me the dress, along with the jewelry I wore. She even fixed my hair, pinned it with jewels—the two of us such close friends we were almost like sisters.

“Don’t go!” I said. Or at least I tried to say it, but the words refused to cooperate, and were instantly replaced with, “I assure you I will be fine. If Dacian dares to get the slightest bit out of hand, I will summon one of the gladiators to take care of him.” I smiled flirtatiously, my eyes shining with laughter as I glanced between them. “In fact”—I made a point of pouting prettily—“I will do one better than that. I will choose that giant, hulking gladiator right over there.” I pointed toward the opposite side of the room, where the tallest, most fierce, most handsome gladiator stood with his hands and legs shackled to those who stood alongside him, ensuring they wouldn’t do anything reckless, ensuring the partygoers, the finest of Roman nobility, did not experience a repeat of the legendary revolt that was once led by Spartacus. “I will elicit the help of the one they call the Pillar of Doom. I think the threat alone is likely to keep Dacian subdued, no?” I shot him an inviting smile, eager to hear his reply.

“You would sic Theocoles on me?” Dacian said, his face a mask of mock horror as Messalina giggled beside him.

Theocoles.

What was it about that name that made me feel so odd inside?

I glanced at Messalina, my friend, my dearest friend, then shaking my head, I rid myself of any lingering doubts as I grasped her hand in mine and said, “Go! Go check in with your aunt, please. I am sure that with the threat of Theocoles hanging over him—” I paused on the name, had to force myself to move on. “Well, I’m sure Dacian can be counted on to behave now, can’t he?”

Dacian laughed in a way that made his eyes shine, as Messalina

leaned between us, trailing a finger first along Dacian’s brow and then mine. “Actually,” she said, her face gone suddenly serious. “I’m counting on both of you to be on your best behavior, and I’m sure you will not disappoint me.” Then she turned on her heel, and left us alone

14

“Shall we?” Dacian gestured toward a large platter of sweets a servant was offering.

But I just shook my head. I was in no mood for sweets. Not when I longed for fresh air, night sky, and escape.

“I think I’d rather go outside for a bit,” I said, my voice light and girlish but serious all the same. “I think I’d like some fresh air.”

Dacian nodded, offered his arm, and when I crooked my own around it, he led me through a series of crowded rooms until we found ourselves standing on a balcony that overlooked the arena where the gladiators trained during the day.

“Look at all the stars!” I leaned my head back, my complicated arrangement of curls and twists cascading to my waist as I took in the magnificent expanse of black sky.

“Do you know the constellations?” Dacian asked.

I smiled, admitting that while I did indeed know most of them, I still wanted him to show me.

“Well, let’s see then …” He squinted into the dark. “Right there is Cassiopeia.” He pointed, then moving his finger he said, “And that over there is Draco, of course. And, if I’m not mistaken, that one right there would be Aurelia Major.” He turned to me, his hair falling over one eye.

“Aurelia Major?” I shook my head and laughed. “And just when exactly was that one discovered? It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Oh, it’s quite real, I assure you.” He smiled, exposing teeth so white, dimples so deep, and a face so cute, I felt as though a bubble of butterflies had just burst in my chest. “How shall I prove it?”

The question hung between us, a flirtatious challenge that I had no idea how to respond to. All I knew is that if I didn’t do something, if I didn’t speak up, if I didn’t look away, perhaps even move away, then Dacian would soon kiss me.

And while I wasn’t entirely sure that I wanted him to kiss me—I also wasn’t entirely sure that I was willing to miss out on what may be my one and only chance at him kissing me.

He rubbed his lips together, steadied his shaky fingers on my arm, then closed his eyes and leaned toward me, as I stood there before him, body rigid, mind busily taking note of every tiny detail, knowing that later, I’d want to review them.

Noting the distant sounds of laughter drifting behind us—the swishy sound of my dress when Dacian moved his hand from my arm to my waist and pulled me closer to him. And then, before I could note anything further, his lips had found mine—pressing briefly—once—twice—and then he pulled away again.

Dacian grinned, slid his arm around me, and returned to stargazing—the silence unfolding between us until it felt as wide as the sky. But instead of rushing to fill it, I let it unfurl. Words would be said eventually, but for the moment, I was determined to savor the quiet for as long as it stood.

“Look!” Dacian’s voice was edged with excitement as his finger pointed toward the sky. “There’s Aurelia Minor! Right there—right next to Aurelia Major! Now do you believe me?” His gaze met mine, and I saw in his eyes the same thing that I felt deep inside.

We liked each other. There was no way to hide it.

I averted my gaze, suddenly overcome by shyness, having no clue what to say. Wondering if I should maybe tease him about failing to act on his best behavior—that the brief kiss we shared was more than enough to make good on my threat to summon a gladiator. Though I quickly decided against it, worried that he might take me seriously—that it might give him reason not to kiss me again—something I was not willing to risk.

“Are you cold?” He smoothed a hand over my bare arm in an effort to warm me.

“A little.” I shrugged, unaware that I’d shivered until he’d just mentioned it.