Bride of the Emperor (The Prophecy of Sisters Book 4) by Hayley Faiman (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📗

sucks, but I understand it, because it’s not wrong. Even in my world, men will do as they will. Sure, there are probably a lot more rights and laws in my world, than here, when it comes to women and men, but at the end of the day—men will do as they will.

“That they will, but this was not the work of Tiberius.”

“I am glad, for I could not imagine Tiberius being this way, I have angered and frustrated him much over the years and he has never given me the inclination that he would lift a hand to me.”

I can’t help but burst out laughing at her words. I have no doubt at all that Cassia has given Tiberius many frustrated moments. She is such a teenager. I spend the morning and into the afternoon getting to know Tiberius’ cousin.

Cassia is sweet and kind, she is curious and lively. She tells me much more than she probably is allowed about Tiberius, about his father and his many women and children. Then she tells me how Tiberius took care of all the children when he was not obligated to do so.

I find that I am in awe of my husband, and falling closer and closer to the ground, to landing in a place that I know is inevitable, but I am also not ready for that yet—love.

When it is time for lunch, which is really just a snack of flatbread, cheese, grapes, and other various fruits and nuts, I take the opportunity to eat, then excuse myself to find Laurentia and talk with her.

“The gownmaker should be arriving soon,” Cassia calls out. “Petronia and I will come and find you when he is here.”

“Thank you,” I say with a wave as I slip back into the house from the gardens.

Luckily, I don’t have to go far to find Laurentia. She is in my bedroom, putting some things away and organizing.

“Laurentia,” I whisper as I enter the room.

She freezes, then spins around. I feel like I’m seeing my best friend again after being away from her for a year, and Laurentia is just that, my best friend. Without thinking, without a word, I rush toward her and throw my arms over her shoulders, giving her a big hug.

Laurentia gasps as she wraps her arms around me. We hug until I make it uncomfortable, so I force myself to take a step backward and look at her.

Smiling, I can’t believe that I’m seeing her again, that she’s real. When I was back in Florida, I didn’t think that I would come back here, I’m almost more excited to see her than I was Tiberius—almost.

“You disappeared,” she whispers. “Standing right next to me, and you were just gone.”

Taking her hands in mine, I walk us over to the small table with two chairs in the corner of the bedroom and I dip my chin in a silent invitation to sit.

“I can’t,” she breathes.

I snort and tug her hands down, forcing her knees to bend and her ass to plant in the seat. She does with a gasp and I can’t help but laugh a little.

“Tiberius says that I’m in charge of you, completely and totally, now. And since I’m in charge of you, you’re sitting across from me, and we’re going to chat.”

“Empress,” she exhales.

“You’re more than just a famulus, which I hate. You’re my friend. Without you, I wouldn’t have survived this place when I first arrived. Even now, I can’t talk with anyone else the way that I can you.”

She shakes her head but doesn’t say anything. Squeezing her fingers, I inhale a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

“I just… thank you for everything,” I breathe.

Laurentia shakes her head. “There is nothing to thank me for. I have been so proud to be at your service, Empress.”

“Fuck that,” I snap.

Her eyes widen, though she probably doesn’t understand my explicative, she understands enough that she knows I’m irritated.

“You call me Drucilla, we have already gone over this,” I state.

“I cannot.”

Squeezing her hands again, I give her a small smile. “You can and you will. That’s my name, and I’m in charge, so that’s what I want you to call me.”

Her lips curve up and she shakes her head, but she doesn’t deny me again. “Now, I think I need help,” I whisper. “What happens at these wedding ceremonies? I’m worried something is going to go down and I’m going to look like an idiot.”

We spend the rest of the afternoon chatting. Laurentia tells me about the food and dancing, then she admits that she has only ever been to one, the last one that Tiberius’ father held when he decided to take another mistress.

Apparently, the old jerk liked to celebrate all of his mistresses, he threw them each a lavish party and made all the others, and his wife, join. From what I’ve gathered about him, he was pretty freaking terrible.

I don’t know how Tiberius ended up the way that he did, but I’m not going to ask a bunch of questions. I’m going to be thankful that he is the way that he is, and hold on tightly, in hopes that it only gets better with him.

TIBERIUS

Marcellus clears his throat as he approaches me. I’ve already talked to him this morning, though we only talked about business, and judging by the way he’s watching me, I know without a doubt that this is personal.

“Frater,” I murmur.

I am watching the men train the new soldiers. They are awkward, their bodies not quite one with their gladius yet. Their limbs and muscles have not developed and they are unable to have full control over themselves. I can tell just by watching them that they will turn into fine warriors—eventually.

“Have you thought about a match for Cassia?” he asks.

Arching a brow, I turn to look at him. “Are you attempting to propose yourself?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.

He snorts. “Never, do not be foul.”

“Then what is this? Cassia is still young.”

Marcellus shakes