Chapter 26. Heartbreak Villa

AURELIA

Claudius heaved, tapping his fingers on the table impatiently. I noticed the bandage tied around his wrist. He turned his gaze back to me and, catching my stare, hid away his wounded hand.

“What is that?” I asked.

“Well, one of the minor cuts from the battle of Ice Fort.”

“And it still has not healed?”

“It has. I just prefer the bandage on as a reminder of what we all survived,” he replied, but merely looking at him, I could tell he was lying by the way he avoided my eyes.

He sniffed the food instead. “Smells good.”

“Yes, because I made it,” I quipped, and cackles of laughter pushed out of his lips.

“Indeed. Perhaps I should hire you as a cook in my estate in Rome as well.”

“I agree. Because I am sure you will miss my meals in Rome.”

“Oh, you think?”

“Come on, the entire kitchen stands and watches when it is time for General Claudius’ meals. It is a spectacle!” My eyes widened.

“You expect me to believe