Even so, at the moment, as he had told the brief story about his father, Gaius knew what he had to ask for. It was the only thing in the world that he truly wanted. He knew, however, that his words were about to cause a great deal of pain to the man who sat across from him, and that scared him a great deal. Not because he feared what Paullus might do or say, but that he actually liked the man, a great deal and the thought of hurting him pained him greatly.
“Consul,” Gaius’ voice grew serious as he stared back at Paullus. “You ask what I want — what you want to reward me for my services. Then, I ask only one thing.”
“Ask and it shall be yours?” Paullus said enthusiastically.
“I want you to release Julia of her marriage vows.”
Paullus’ expression changed suddenly. He was no longer excited at the prospect of Gaius’ request as he looked at him for a long while, not saying a word, almost as if he had not heard what Gaius had asked for.
“What do you mean?” Paullus stuttered.
“Varro, her father is dead. The political and financial gain you would have attained no longer has meaning.”
Paullus stood to his feet and stepped away from his chair. His back was to Gaius as he placed his hand to his forehead, seemly lost for words.
“You asked me what I desire the most, consul. It is she. I love her, and I always have,” Gaius added, now standing to his own feet. He felt like he had dug himself a hole that he could not get out of. However, he had said what he needed to say.
“And she loves you, I suppose?” Paullus asked, not facing Gaius. His words sounded cold and bitter, almost to the point of rage.
“She does,” Gaius answered truthfully.
“Have you shared her bed?” Paullus asked, his words becoming colder.
“Sir?” Gaius was hesitant to answer.
“Answer me!” Paullus cried out as he turned sharply and faced Gaius.
“We have.”
Gaius felt sick, suddenly, when he watched Paullus expression of frustration and anger change before his eyes. He seemed weaker and sad by this realization as he stepped further away from Gaius.
Gaius felt like he was betraying the man — tearing out his heart right then and there. He desperately wanted to say something that could ease the consul’s mind, but he knew that no words could.
“Why…why her? I would have given you anything, Gaius — armies, wealth and power. I would even promote you as the next consul of Rome if you so asked. I would have set you and your descendents up for generations to come. Why her of all women?” his words weren’t spoken so much as statements, but almost as a bribe.
“Because, there are no other women, there never has been. I’ve loved Julia my entire life, and she loves me. She is all that I crave in this world, nothing more. I do not make this request likely, but I need her as I need air. The blood in my body aches for her. I’m nothing if she isn’t with me, in body and soul.”
“You know what she means to me! I’ve confided to you what I’ve never spoken to anyone before, and this is what you do to me!”
“I do not mean to create mistrust between us. Your friendship does mean a great deal to me.”
“Do not — ” Paullus wasn’t able to finish his sentence as his emotions had gotten the better of him. In his still weakened state, he fell into a coughing fit as he dropped to his knees. Both Gaius and Claudia tried to rush over to him, but Paullus raised his hand and cried out, “Don’t! Both of you get out of my sight! NOW!”
“Master…” Claudia tried to say as she looked on, a few feet behind Gaius.
“I said, leave me!” Paullus cried again as he spat out a mouthful of blood. He had exerted himself in his anger, but Gaius’ words had hurt him more than his still healing wounds, that much was painfully clear.
Gaius turned away from the consul and placed his hand on Claudia’s shoulder. She was already beginning to tear as she desperately wanted to run over to Paullus and help him, but Gaius urged her to leave him be.
“I am sorry, Paullus. I truly am,” Gaius said before he left him alone, who now rested his back up against the wall; his hands over his face.
“Take care of him,” Gaius then said to Claudia once the two were outside.
“I’m sorry, Gaius,” Claudia tried to say as she wiped away her tears.
“No. You have nothing to be sorry about. I did not mean for any of this. I just had…” He couldn’t even finish his own words. He felt it best that he should leave. “Be safe, Claudia,” and then Gaius left.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Gaius stood among a dozen officers. This was only the second time he'd stepped foot inside the Senate house of Rome. The last time it had been when the war with Hannibal had started and back then, which seemed like a decade ago, the Senate was confident in its resolve and its ability to crush the upstart warlord who had taken a tattered army of barbarians across the Alps, and crossed into Italy; however, a great deal had been lost since that day — whole armies, tens of thousands of lives, both military and civilian alike — more than the Republic had ever sustained in its long history. Lesser countries would have fallen under similar circumstances, and in fact, only days prior the Senate was debating whether or not to call for terms with Carthage.
Rome would have given up much of its territory — everything gained in the last war and then some, yet the Senate did not give into its fears and instead turned to another man to guide Rome from the crisis.
Gaius had seen many men, consuls and generals alike that vowed to win the war, but all had come from the same cloth — rich, influential, aristocratic individuals who sought personal glory and fame. Paullus had said the day prior when Gaius had spoken with him, Rome’s fathers were dead, and it was left to the sons to usher in a new era. Many feared that this nation would not survive another generation, no less another war; so, in response the Senate and people put its trust into the hands of Fabius Maximus.
Gaius had met him years before, the nephew of Varro that had seemed bent on irritating his uncle during that first dinner many months now past. Maximus had been outspoken then, a freethinker with radical ideas that did not, and in many ways still did not sit well with the social elite of Rome. However, like Gaius, Maximus was a changed man. He’s seen too much, and now expected a great deal from those men he was going to lead.
The Senate had just finished granting Maximus the title of Dictator. He would be the sole power in Rome — a king in everything but the name. He commanded the armies, navies and the political powers of the Republic. What he said, no man could question. It was a dangerous gamble, one that the Republic had tried desperately to avoid. The return to the old kings was every Roman greatest fear. However, at the moment, there was no other choice. If Rome was to survive it needed to speak with one voice until the crisis had passed, and the war won.
Gaius stood with the other officers listening to the closing statements from the various senators who applauded the decision to appoint Maximus as dictator. There was no real point to their speeches. The choice had been made and there was little need to justify why Maximus was the right candidate for the title. These men were merely playing the political game that Valerius had said he hated so much about the Republic — covering their own asses and positioning themselves to benefit from Maximus’ new post.
He ignored much of what they were saying as one speaking stood and gave his speech, followed by thunderous applause and cheers as Maximus sat quietly, smiling and nodding his thanks to each speaker. No, Gaius’ eyes had been locked on Paullus, who sat in the left stone marble seat of the consul — the second seat still empty as Varro’ place had not been filled.
Paullus had already stated that he would be staying out of politics and so far, it seemed he was doing just that. Beyond a few choice words earlier in the proceedings the consul had little to say about the historical events of the day.
From time to time, Paullus would turn and look over at Gaius. He could still see the anger in Paullus eyes when they stared at each other.
Gaius didn’t know what Paullus might do. He did not grant his request to release Julia of her marriage vows, and in fact, if he wanted he could drag Julia to the courts and force her to marry him, or perhaps even take away all
