The sight of her after his voluntary absence made his heart quicken. Her golden skin was rosy and dewy, and she seemed to be enfolded in a cloud of hyacinth. Her kalasiris was a delicious bright crimson, her first gay color in many days. “How fair you are,” he said almost without thinking, and she smiled. “Good morning, Roman. Have you given orders to free me now?” “You are free to roam the palace, and have guests,” he answered, “but you may not leave the grounds.” “Why not?” “Because I want to keep the peace. I need no demonstrations, goddess.” “When do we leave for Rome?” she asked him. “Are you anxious to go?” “Yes.” “Why?” “I want to get on with my life, Roman, and you tell me that my life is no longer here.” “How coolly logical you are, goddess,” he smiled, amused. “Well, you should be happy to learn that we leave here in just a few more days. First your eldest son must leave with his wife for Cyrene. I am sending an entire legion with him as escort.
