Tuesday Tales: From the Word CUP

Well. it’s the end of May. The heat has arrived and I’ve been busy working in my flower beds. This is the last post from Beneath the Ashes. Next week we’ll have a new story for you. Our word prompt is CUP.

“Until Titus demands your presence in Rome and turns you into his errand boy once more,” she stated and coughed.

He pulled her into his arms. “Antonia, he is the Emperor. While I may have retired from the army, I serve at his pleasure. Once I’ve spoken to Pliny, we’ll go to my uncle Cassius’s house in Neapolis and stay there as long as you like. We won’t come back until every speck of dust has been cleaned away. Will that make you happy, my love?”

“What makes me happy is having you by my side, but I know the truth, Julius. Duty will always come first with you. You belong to the Emperor.”

“No. I serve Titus, but I belong to you.” He released her to get her another cup of wine.

“Drink this; then you should rest. We leave for Oplontis at dawn.” He picked her up gently and carried her out of her studio to their bedroom. He stood her beside the sleeping couch, helped her removed her chiton and settle into bed, covering her with the warm blanket. After she finished the cup of wine, he bent and kissed her, putting all of his love for her into that one kiss. He blew out the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

“Julius, don’t leave me. Don’t leave us.” Her voice was filled with fear.

“I will never leave you, my love. I would sooner die than be forced to spend any more time away from you.”

He undressed and crawled into bed beside her, pulling her into him, his arms encircling her and the child, holding them tightly against him. He listened as her breathing changed, and she fell asleep. He tried to relax but couldn’t. What could have kept Lucius in Pompeii when the man knew how important the message he carried was? Could something have happened to him? He’d seen the way the dark clouds of ash had moved toward the south. What if Antonia was right, and he’d condemned them by waiting here? He only had the word of a priest that all would be well, and he knew from experience that their answers were rarely as truthful as they should be. He was asleep when the ground shook harder than it ever had startling him awake as it did Antonia. She cried out in fear. “I have you my love. I’ll never let go, you’re sa—”but he never finished the word.

That’s it. Stay safe, and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.