The man closest to him, known as Tiger, elbowed him with a smile. “Go easy on me today, Ares. I would like a taste of that.”
Protective instincts flared up, and Ares gripped his sword tighter. “I think not.” He practically snarled as he barked out, “Into formation! The first man I see gawking at that wall is going to get the broad side of my sword against his head!” In proof, he gave a light thwak to the nearest staring man. Amid laughter and joking, the warriors took up their positions.
Jacob glanced up at the wall only once. Abigail’s eyes were on him, appreciative and smiling. She moved her lips, but he knew she did not speak aloud. It would not have mattered if she had; her words were Hebrew, and no one else there would have understood. But he did, and it lent him a little extra strength.
“I pray for you.”
It proved enough to keep her safe for another night.
Chapter Forty-Six
Titus breathed in the cooling air of autumn with a sense of foreboding. Business had gone well; he had acquired the vessels, and they would be in his fleet soon, the revenue they brought in added directly to his. It would be enough to ensure financial security for him and Abigail. But still, there was a snake of dread coiled around his heart as he trotted his horse over the road leading to the Visibullis estate.
“Father God, please grant me peace,” he prayed softly into the morning air. “I know that all is in your capable hands. Still, I have this terrible feeling. If it is your Spirit, then please guide me in the right actions. If it is not of you, please ease my heart.”
The only answer was the whisper of the breeze through the trees. Not satisfied with that, Titus picked up his pace. A minute later, the villa came into view. His horse did not seem to mind being urged into a gallop for the last stretch. In front of the house, Titus swung down as his mount still pranced to a halt. A servant emerged to take the reins as Titus headed for the door.
“Titus!” It was Andrew who threw open the door with a relieved expression on his face. “We prayed you would come here first.”
“What is wrong?”
“Your father sold Abigail to the arenas.”
“What?” The word exploded from his lips and brought Titus to an abrupt stop.
“The women do not know,” Andrew said softly, obviously urging Titus to mirror his volume. “They know he sent her somewhere, obviously, but not where. There were eight men holding back Phillip when they took her, but he escaped and followed her. He spent two days trying to find a way in, but there is nothing he could do. He said to send you directly into the city, that he would meet you at the gates.”
“I am on my way.” Titus spun back toward his mount.
“Titus!”
At his mother’s voice, Titus halted. He was not surprised to see her here. “Mother. You have seen to the children?”
“Ester and I, yes,” Aquilia assured him as she hurried up. She wrapped her arms around him fiercely. “You must hurry. We are so worried about Abigail, and the children are distraught. Do whatever it takes to get her back, Titus.”
“I will.” He looked over her head to see Ester standing not far away. The last time he had seen her was when he came to deliver the news of death. She had the same look about her now as she did the moment the door had opened then; panic just below the surface, hope fighting to keep its place even though pain lurked. “You will have your daughter with you tonight,” he swore to her.
A wash of peace covered Ester’s eyes, and she nodded. “Go with God, my son.”
Touched more than he cared to examine at the moment, Titus nodded too and released his mother so that he could take his horse back from the waiting servant.
“Godspeed,” the young man wished him as Titus vaulted into the saddle.
Titus said something that he hoped expressed his gratitude and pressed his heels into his horse’s flanks. The ride into Rome was not very long at the quick pace he set, but every second felt like a year as he worried about the woman he loved. He should have known not to leave her for even a moment before she was safely at the villa, but he had been foolish enough to think that an hour would make no difference.
Once he reached the nearest gate, he reined his horse to a halt and scanned the crowds for Phillip. He did not spot him until he was literally at his side.
“My lord.” Phillip grabbed the bridle of the horse and caressed the beast’s nose. “I prayed you would come this morning. She has already been there two nights. You spoke with Andrew?”
“I did.” Titus swung off his horse so that they could proceed on foot and talk as they went. “You know not where in the arena she is being kept?”
Phillip shook his head. His jaw clenched. “She should not be there at all. If I had been doing my duty–”
“Eight men, Phillip. It seems to me that you are amazing for escaping from their clutches at all.”