Excerpt: Hadrian & Sabina: A Love Story

Excerpt #2

Antioch, April 115

Sabina drifted off to sleep in the warm courtyard of the Antioch palace while Zuster gently played his kithara and sang. The two had been spending quite of bit of time together now that the war planning was at an end and Trajan was about to leave for the Parthian front. Plotina and Matidia felt it best that Zuster spend his time soothing Sabina with poetry and music as she was already in her fifth month of pregnancy. Soon she would have to endure the stress of her husband's absence while he was away at battle.

With the handsome freedman being the last sight she saw before she closed her eyes, and his melodic voice being the continued sound she heard, Sabina was destined to dream of him. She imagined what he must look like under his tunic. Sometimes she caught a glimpse of a powerful thigh or a strong arm, but he was terribly modest and never purposely showed off his prowess. Just once she wanted to slide her hands over his bared body and feel the ripples of his well-muscled torso under his skin heated with desire. She wanted to taste him, pleasure him the way her husband had taught her to pleasure a man. She wanted to serve him and let him be master over her.

She felt him sit on the couch at her side, his arms straddle her body possessively. His breath was hot on her cheek before he kissed it tenderly, setting the rest of her body on fire. When his lips finally touched hers, her flesh tingled with anticipation and need.

"Zuster," she moaned, licking her lips and reaching up to her phantom lover.

"Your dreams betray you," came Hadrian's soft bass tone.

Sabina opened her eyes in horror. Her husband's bearded face hovered hers after separating from the welcoming kiss.

"Graeculus!" she exclaimed, then glanced over at the servant. Zuster was playing his instrument and humming sweetly as if nothing had happened. Well, it seemed, nothing had happened indeed.

Hadrian laughed. "I thought as much," he said quietly, stroking her hair. "Does the youth know about your fantasies?"

"Don't tease me, you brute," she whined.

"Ah, I see he does not." Hadrian smiled at his wife. He very much enjoyed provoking her while she had a crush – a very big crush – on their freedman. He placed his hands gently on her belly. "And how is my son?"

"He's restless like his father," she said. "A warrior, no doubt."

"Let us hope not," he confided under his breath. "I wish to end this business of your uncle's. War is destructive to empire. It may expand borders, but at what cost? Rebellion is at every turn."

"Impending fatherhood has made you philosophic."

"I am nothing if not philosophic," he grinned. "And fatherhood is merely a benefit."

A servant entered the courtyard escorting the midwife Zosime. Plotina and Matidia followed close behind.

"So good to see you, Zosime," said Sabina. She turned to Hadrian. "She makes me drink my ginger tea despite the end of my morning sickness."

"It is to keep up your appetite, my lady," responded the midwife. "For the health of the child." She nodded to Hadrian, then placed the tray with Sabina's tea on the table before her.

"Vibia, darling, you should do as Zosime says," admonished Matidia. "It is for your own good." She took her daughter's hand and squeezed it. "I did everything she told me to, and look what I ended up with." She kissed Sabina's hand. "The most beautiful daughter in the empire, I do believe."

"And, we've our own cups and tea, as a show of support," added a smiling Plotina.

The accompanying servant placed a separate tray with the older women's tea and several additional cups on a table. Matidia and Plotina seated themselves on the comfortable chairs nearby.

"Zuster," called out Hadrian. "I think we are out-numbered. What shall we do?"

The youth blushed at the attention drawn to his presence. The look in Hadrian's eyes emboldened him. "We should succor the women, my lord." He smiled at his own idea. "We shall join them."

Hadrian laughed then nodded his head in agreement.

The tea was poured and passed around. The party saluted the gods, as well as the goddess Alemonia protector of the unborn, before they drank.

Hadrian gulped a mouthful. "It’s not so bad," he said as he examined his cup.

"No," agreed Zuster.

"Rather pleasant," said Matidia.

"Really?" countered Sabina. "It's awful." She took another draught and scrunched up her nose.

"My lady," insisted the midwife. "It should not be this way."

Sabina took another sip. "It's very bitter, Zosime. It is truly disgusting. Not your best effort, I must admit."

Zosime was distressed by this pronouncement. "Are you sure, my lady? I would like to taste it then. I mean the tea in your own cup."

Sabina took one last drink before handing the cup to her servant. "Please, be my guest."

The midwife took a hearty swallow then promptly spit out the liquid onto the stone floor.

She pointed to Zuster and Hadrian. "Hold her arms!" She indicated Matidia and Plotina. "Make her vomit!" She looked at the stunned faces around her. "Now!"

The gathering was filled with panic as all did as they were instructed. Sabina was pulled to her knees on the stone patio and forced to vomit what she had just imbibed. She knelt exhausted and heaving.

Matidia looked up at Zosime. "What is it? What has happened?"

"Someone has poisoned your daughter with artemisia," she said, her eyes black with fear. "I hope we have acted in time. Otherwise, she will lose the child."