‘Where does this leave us?’ I asked eventually.
‘As we always were: me the property of someone else, and you my escape from it all.’
‘I’m happy to be your escape, but you shouldn’t speak of yourself as property.’
‘It is what I am in this city. What else can I be?’
‘Didn’t you have a dowry? You could always try to claim that back, if your husband does not respect you. I’ll even help it through the courts.’
‘Oh, I’m sure that’s all lovely talk in your court of law,’ Titiana said. ‘But such freedoms seldom come to us who are not as fortunate as others. In this city, freedom is not easily affordable. Guardianship laws—’
‘Went away because of the demands of the Daltan queen,’ I interrupted. ‘I don’t want to speak badly of a marriage, but if I was your husband, you would not be considered my property. Can’t you divorce if you’re unhappy? I can handle the legal proceedings myself if you wish.’
‘Who said I was unhappy?’ Titiana sighed. ‘Besides, I must think of the security of my children.’
‘You must,’ I conceded.
‘Anyway, if you had been my husband, would you have let your father hand me over for prosecution like a common criminal?’
‘I was young, and I was stupid, Titiana. I’m older now, not exactly a wise man, but with a little more experience of what’s important in life.’
Somehow that left me with the vague feeling that I had lost an argument. We lay awake indefinitely, and now and then I’d kiss whatever part of her was closest to me, and at some point I fell asleep.
The Stadium of Lentus
When I woke in the morning, Titiana had gone. She’d left no note, no gesture. There was only the vacant bed. Wondering if everything was all right, I walked into the hallway, where Leana was moving through some morning exercises. The doors were open into the garden, where the sun was glistening off the heavy dew of the plants.
‘She left here in the night, if you want to know.’ Leana flipped up into a handstand, her bare feet touching the wall to balance herself.
‘You met Titiana?’ I asked, crouching down to read her expression.
‘She seemed pleasant.’ Leana showed no signs of strain in her muscles.
‘Pleasant?’
‘Very beautiful. I did not think that you would find a truly beautiful woman, knowing how you speak when you are with them.’
‘Very kind,’ I said. ‘Did you actually see her when she left?’
‘Yes, I saw her just as she went out the door. Not wanting to wake you, like married women might do…’ Even at this angle I could tell Leana’s glance was judging.
‘She is married as it happens,’ I replied. ‘I know it’s not exactly a perfect arrangement.’
‘And what does your Polla say to that?’ Leana pushed herself back onto her feet with a gentle sigh.
More than your spirits would, I wanted to reply, but calmed myself. Leana was right, of course. Ultimately my actions could wreck another’s home and Polla most definitely would not approve. Not out of any direct moral judgement – that was not her way – but for the long-term pain it would cause to everyone involved. ‘Did you manage to talk with her?’
‘Yes. Very pleasant, as I say. Though have you ever asked if it is likely that a woman would be interested in coming all the way across the city on her own merely to fuck?’
‘Leana, please.’
‘Have you asked yourself what she hopes to gain?’
‘We have a complicated past, as you well know,’ I sighed. ‘Anyway, neither of us has anything to gain from this. We never really did – we just… I don’t know. I’m not one for soothsayers and I trust the astrologers as much as I trust politicians, but sometimes it feels as if the gods have brought us together for a reason.’
Leana moved into her stretches. ‘I need to find the city’s gymnasiums.’
‘This house isn’t big enough for your exercises?’
‘I need more. More weights. Competition,’ she replied. ‘You could at least find a few more fights for me.’
‘Be careful what you wish for.’
In the gentle light of dawn, I attended to some brief administrative matters, which involved sending an update to my superiors out of the city. I always preferred to engage in desk work early on in the morning, when my mind was clear and my attention focused, before the day became too hot to concentrate.
My peace was disturbed by a banging on the door. After Bellona opened it, Senator Veron barged his way through, his face creased in delight.
‘Drakenfeld!’ Veron embraced me like an old friend. I smelled wine on his breath, and marvelled that he had been drinking already – though perhaps he had not stopped drinking all night.
‘You’re very early.’ I guided him into the study. His step was lively and eager to be somewhere that wasn’t indoors. ‘I wasn’t expecting you until a little later.’
‘I’m not disturbing you, am I?’ Veron laughed. ‘Because it’s bad luck if I did – I’m here to take you to the Stadium of Lentus.’
‘No, I was only writing letters and doing my administration.’
‘You Sun Chamber types…’ Veron slumped on a seat in the corner, prodding the cushioning with admiration. ‘Still, it’s good to see. Nice to know we’re all in reliable hands.’
‘Did you have a good night?’ I asked.
‘I did. I met up with these two ladies new to the city. Both daughters of diplomats – old enough, in fact, to be my daughters. I impressed them with another fine social display and we all ended up in bed together. How was your night?’
I didn’t question what his wife might think of the matter, but then again I wasn’t exactly one to offer ethical commentary on marriages. Instead I told him what I’d seen last night with Maxant’s men and the bloodbath in the courtyard.
‘Yes, I heard about it. Messy business, politics,’ Veron added, as if it was an everyday thing for the city. ‘Any developments with regards to Lacanta’s murder?’
‘It’s difficult to tell. You will, of course, be told as soon as I know anything.’
A smile grew on his face. ‘And what about that lady of yours, the rather delicious dancer?’
‘I’m enjoying her company when I can.’
‘I knew there was blood in you,’ Veron crowed. ‘I must admit, I was getting worried for a moment. My physician tells me that it can make you ill if you don’t bed others often enough. It isn’t good for your soul, so the current thinking goes.’
‘That’s your excuse,’ I replied. ‘On a more professional note, I’ve an offer you might be interested in.’
The senator leaned forward and grew very attentive. I explained my thoughts about moving a cohort here and forming a headquarters for a more efficient operation. At the end of my little speech, Veron nodded and sat back in the chair. He declared that we had a deal. We negotiated a rate of a thousand pecullas a month for usage of my premises, which surprised even me, and he said that we could start getting things moving this afternoon – perhaps while we were at the races, which seemed a good idea.
‘Though do you really want to share your house with those men?’ Veron ran his hand through his hair. ‘They can be quite… Well, you know what the lower classes are like at times. Vulgar and crude.’
‘I’ve walked the slums of Venyn City for many years, and often chatted in slum taverns with some folk you would consider beneath you. They’re just like you and me, you know; they just have less coin.’
‘But having them in your own house, Drakenfeld. I mean, really.’ Veron chuckled, shaking his head. ‘You’re a strange figure. Your father didn’t like to associate with people like that willingly.’