When Truth Fails Read Free Page A

for it before it could be swept away by the water, which exposed her entire body for Magnus. Her eyes moved up, to him. He stood in front of her, naked as a jay bird.
    “I do not suppose the creek has enough space for me as well,” he said. He watched as she covered her eyes and face with the bowl in a juvenile motion, which made him let out a loud belly laugh. “Fine, fine,” he said. “I will leave you in peace.”
    As he turned to walk away, his sandals snapped a few more twigs. Ellie’s eyes opened and she peered over the bowl. She let out an inaudible moan.
    “Cassius,” she said. “Cass, Cass, Cass.” She shook free of her daydream. “I should be thinking about Cass.” Ellie sighed. “Oh, Carol. Where are you? I’ve got one just for you.” She thought about it for a second. “Well, I mean, since I can’t have both.” She dipped the bowl into the water and brought it up over her head. “Get over yourself, Ellie,” she whispered loudly.
     
    It felt like forever since she had been to the villa. Ellie almost expected it to have changed entirely but nothing had. The maids and slaves were all rushing about. It wasn’t until a familiar looking guard caught her eye that she suddenly had second thoughts.
    “Aemelia!” he exclaimed. “I thought you were dead.”
    “What?” The shocked look on her face mimicked the guard’s.
    “Senator Glabor said that you had been taken away and were most likely dead. Cassius was-” His gaze moved from her face to the tall man standing behind her.
    “Oh, this is Ma-”
    Magnus elbowed her back. She glanced back at him and then back to the guard.
    “This is my friend. He saved me from the assassins. But pay no mind. I wanted to see Cassius.”
    “Of course,” said the guard. “He is in his private quarters. Do you want me to escort-”
    “No, that’s fine,” she interrupted. “We’ll make it there just fine.”
    She thanked him and quickly moved past him with Magnus in tow.
    “They know you well here,” said Magnus.
    “I told you they would help us out,” she said. Her voice was an octave higher as she could hardly keep her excitement. “You'll like Cassius.”
    Magnus cleared his throat. “Yes, I’m sure,” he muttered, not very convincingly.
    The guard in front of Cassius’ room smiled at her. “Aemelia,” he said. “Nice to see you again.” He tapped his spear against the ground, signaling to the guards inside to open the doors. She bowed to the guard and waltzed into Cassius’ bed chambers. The room was twice as big as her guest room was. Large burgundy drapes were drawn back from the balcony on the opposite end of the room, which is where Cassius stood – majestic. He turned around. The sun illuminated his square jaw and tanned skin.
    “Aemelia!” he sputtered. His face contorted in expressions of surprise, alarm, and happiness. “I- I thought you were dead.”
    She rushed into his muscular arms. His embrace felt like home.
    “Oh!” He let go of her. One of his arms wrapped around her back and the other fell to his side, just hovering over a dagger on his belt.
    “Oh, no. It’s okay,” she said. She turned to Magnus. “This is the man that saved me.”
    Magnus extended his hand.
    “How fortunate for all of us,” Cassius said, not returning the gesture. “Thank you so much for returning our beloved Aemelia to us.” Cassius cocked an eyebrow. “Is there a reward you seek?”
    “No,” Magnus said. He shook his head. “I just wanted to make sure that she got here safe.”
    Cassius nodded. “Thank you,” he said. Ellie looked up at his face. There was no sincerity in his voice, just irritation. “You are dismissed.” He nodded toward the door before looking down and locking eyes with Ellie.
    “Actually he,” she started but couldn’t finish before Magnus interrupted.
    “We are journeying together.”
    Cassius gritted his teeth. “Oh you are,” he said. He pulled Ellie closer. “Well, now that she is back safe my