An exciting page-turner about two noble families in Ancient Rome and their slaves, filled with romance and suspense.
Ostar Lyons is a powerful nobleman who equally mistreats his slaves and his wife, partially due to advanced alcoholism.
Augustine Aires is a righteous nobleman lured into immorality by grief and unfulfilled passion.
Tino Aires, eldest son of Augustine, struggles to make his father proud, despite his choice of an alternative sexual lifestyle.
Juli, a gorgeous, Goddess-oriented Lyons slave, fights to do the right thing by her family, in the face of everlasting oppression.
Xeno Ostio, a free man and flower dealer, enters the life of Ostar's battered wife, Ovida, and turns it upside-down.
Alise, the loyal personal maid-servant to Ovida, tries to keep her mistress safe, as she watches her life unravel.
These are some of the characters you will come to loveand hate in this authentic historical saga--Mortal Shortcomings by Darkstar
Excerpt
Chapter XLII
Xeno Ostio was not overly astonished to finally be summoned for flowers, to the Lyons’ Estate. The steward, Julio, beckoned him, requesting beautiful pastel flower arrangements for a banquet honoring Ovida’s daughter, Ostara. Xeno worked exceedingly hard to make certain, the arrangements were of the most outstanding variety. He hoped to win Ovida’s love back, during this visit. He hoped Ostar would not be around to interfere in his plans of romantically reuniting with her.
As Fate would have it, it was Ostar Lyons who greeted him in the antechamber. Ostar surprisingly suggested, they sit and talk, while his slaves put the decorative flower arrangements in their proper places. Xeno felt rather astounded that a man of nobility would take this time with him, his obvious inferior.
A young, chubby slave girl, face flushed and eyes averted, hastily brought them fresh homemade bread, and a mouth-watering silver platter of olives, plump grapes, melons and cheese. She bashfully returned again, and silently handed Patron Lyons a bottle of his homemade liquor. Xeno was unaccustomed to warm homemade bread, and treated himself to two large slices with cheese on top. This dried out his mouth and throat, so he followed it with a large slurp of Ostar’s strong drink. The harsh alcohol burned Xeno’s unaccustomed throat, but then, pleasantly heated his entire body.
As Xeno felt it rise into his face, Ostar sincerely spoke, “I feel that I owe you a debt of gratitude for all your years of devoted service to my family. Have I ever thrown an important event that you have not perfectly decorated? Tonight will be just such another occasion. Once again you have outdone yourself for the sake of my daughter Ostara’s birthday,” Ostar said this with apparent earnestness, and then loudly burped.
Xeno was not offended by the burping, as it was considered a sign of appreciation for food or drink in Ancient Rome. He felt relieved their discussion was to be one of business and not on the subject of Ovida. He replied, “Patron Lyons, it has always been my pleasure and honor to be of service to you and your household. I am quite sure that my flowers are of little significance in your important world, and I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to thank me for simply doing what I enjoy.” Secretly, Xeno was wishing that this vulgar little yellow man would part company from him and allow him time alone with Ovida. Xeno could not help but smile at his private thoughts.
“Are you finding something amusing? Please let me in on the humor. I can always stand for more laughter in my life.” Ostar was simmering with rage, and this was not missed by the intuitive and creative Xeno.
Xeno looked into the empty air, trying to come up with a clever explanation. After a pause, he said quite unconvincingly, “I was just thinking… how lucky you are to have the lifestyle and family that you do; and how fortunate I am to be of service… to you all.”
Unable now to keep his cool, Ostar bitterly said, “It is not a matter of luck that I am of nobility, Xeno Ostio! I was born into my position and through a fine education, have earned my right to all that I have. Furthermore, I am certain that you have been of far greater service than I realize.” Ostar cleared his hoarse voice, and stood. With a noble gesture, he more calmly added, “I would be most honored for you to attend my special event tonight—for only my most privileged and loyal colleagues. You will indulge me, will you not?”
This was better than Xeno expected. He was certain to get a few moments with Ovida this way, and even if he were unable entice her with some stirring words, he certainly could physically attract her, after so long apart. “I would not deny such a gracious invitation, Patron. I am only sorry not to have a gift for your honored daughter.”
Ostar replied, with what appeared to be a genuine smile, “You have already done too much, sir. Do not worry about a gift, as my daughter… my namesake Ostara, has all that she needs; just as all the members of my family do.”
Xeno nervously drank more harsh liquor after the nobleman left him alone. He gained a keen sense that something was not quite right, but even after going over and over the odd conversation in his mind, could not come up with why he felt the disquiet, he was now overwhelmed with.
It took some doing to get close to Ovida that evening. She cleverly avoided even being caught looking Xeno’s direction, but he was quite confident she must have lustfully peeked at him, at least once. Xeno was not a man who was unsure of his good looks. He knew he attracted the attention of women all the time. It was just that he rarely felt he had the proper amount of time to devote to them. Xeno had made an exception for the rare, divine Ovida, and intended to win her back.
Finally, tired of being ignored, Xeno plucked a perfect pink flower from one of the urns and walked up to her from behind. Before Ovida knew what was happening, he expertly stuck the flower under her long hair, and caught it behind her left ear as a gorgeous ornament. She jumped in shock and turned, startled to face him.
“You have a lot of nerve, Xeno Ostio!” she said with as much anger as she could quietly muster.
Xeno laughed aloud, and thought how she was even more gorgeous when irate. “I love you Ovida. I miss you deeply, and offer complete repentance for my unruly behavior with your beloved son, Anton. I promise you will never experience such disappointment with me again, if only I can win another chance to be your faithful lover.” He said all this as rapidly as possible, knowing that he possessed little time with her alone in this crowded environment.
Ovida quickly melted with his sorrowful expression. “I forgive you, Xeno. We must part now, before my husband becomes suspicious or jealous. I will send Alise to you, as soon as an opportunity arises, when we can talk about this more privately.”
Before Xeno could say another word, they were joined by Ostar, who shrewdly steered Xeno away from his wife, after kissing her gently on the cheek. Xeno noticed Ostar had to rise onto his tiptoes in order to reach her cheek, and thought what a pitiful couple they made; compared to himself and Ovida.
Then, Ostar said, he hoped Xeno was enjoying himself and began to insist, Xeno must visit his brothel, “for some additional gratification” in his life. Xeno tried to feign business as an excuse, but Ostar insisted on a date and time, when Xeno could be expected.
Xeno figured Ostar to be quite intoxicated from his excessive drinking at the party, and did not dare to push the drunkard’s temper too far. Xeno reluctantly agreed to the proposal, reasoning he would go and enjoy some drinks and entertainment, without actually getting physically involved with the prostitutes. Xeno found all women irresistible and did not mind the thought of observing some scantily-clad-ones which Ostar, described in detail, as being stunning and very young. Xeno felt it reasonable, that he could trust himself to look without touching. Also, he was fairly intoxicated, too, and had gone quite awhile without any lovemaking; ever since Ovida became angry with him. Desire to observe the young women, began to creep more and more into his mind, almost to the point of obsession.
Ostar specifically told Xeno to ask for the hostess, named Juli. He assured him, she would find him a perfect girl, for his personal pleasure. Ostar generously added that Xeno could do whatever he wanted with the whore, and it would not cost him anything, because it was a gift of gratitude from him.
So, Xeno obediently followed Ostar’s directions upon entering the brothel. He never for a moment, counted on how undisciplined he would immediately become. He felt under a majikal spell, while looking into the eyes of the intoxicating Juli. Never had he known such a fulfilling and thrilling sexual encounter. It was as if Xeno completely lost himself and found his soul mate at the same time. Her enchanting charms left him breathless, and desiring to see her again, as soon as possible.
Xeno had no idea that Ovida witnessed the joining of himself, and the tiny enchantress, much younger than her. He almost regretted, that one woman would no longer be enough for his appetite. He knew only one thing for certain; he now, must possess both dark-haired beauties!
Joli Stewart is raised in the lap of luxury on her father's plantation near Charleston, South Carolina. High spirited, non-traditional and head strong, Joli refuses to accept any interference in her life or her romantic decisions. Follow her life dur
Fifth Book of the Southern Swallow Series. Nan Ya and his crew take a final adventure into a mythical Chinese universe and become entangled in court intrigue.
