"Is this my reward?" he said, his voice hoarse.

She smiled slowly, her hands roaming him, touching old scars. Holding his gaze, she turned lithely onto her stomach, raising herself and reaching behind to hold his hot flesh in her hands as he rose over her.

"It is just the beginning," she said.

With dawn yet to break, Julius strode through the lower corridors, nodding to the guards as they stood to attention. The king of Egypt was locked in a room that had once held jars of oil. It had no windows to tempt a rescue and the door was solid.

"Has he been quiet?" Julius asked.

Before his legionary could reply, a high voice yelled a stream of oaths and curses inside, barely muffled by the heavy wood.

"He's been doing that for hours, sir," the soldier said.

"Open the door," Julius replied, pursing his lips. "I'll speak to him."

As he entered he saw that Brutus had stripped this room as bare as any of the others. No bed had been provided and a small bench and bucket were the only furniture. A single lamp burned steadily on the wall and in its glow Julius could see white smears of dust on the boy's skin. The king of Egypt had clearly spent the night on the cold floor.

Ptolemy stood with stiff dignity, facing his captor with his arms folded over his narrow chest. Julius could see the outline of his ribs and the dust had smeared on his cheeks as if he had tried to hide his crying.

"Good morning," Julius said, seating himself on the bench. "I will have some clothes found for you when the men bring breakfast. There is no need for you to be uncomfortable while you are here."

Ptolemy glared at him without speaking. He was smaller than Julius had realized the night before and his face was pale and delicate, as if it had never seen the sun. His features lent themselves easily to expressions of sullen anger. The dark eyes and long lashes were twinned in Cleopatra and Julius repressed a shudder of dislike at the thought of their relationship.

Julius let the silence stretch for a little longer, then stood. "If there is nothing else, I will go back to my work," he said.

He turned to leave and Ptolemy snapped words at his back. "You will release me immediately!" he said. His Latin was faultless.

Julius faced him and this time could not prevent a smile. "No, I will not, Your Majesty. I need you, you see."

"What do you want? Gold?" The boy's lips twisted into a sneer.

"I want to see Cleopatra restored as queen," Julius replied, watching the boy closely. As he spoke, he wondered if that was truly what he desired. Before meeting Cleopatra the night before, his aims had been clear. Now, the thought of restoring her to the incestuous arms of her brother did not seem as attractive.

"I knew she would be behind this!" Ptolemy burst out. "I knew it! You think I want her back? She treated me as a child."

"You are a child," Julius snapped, instantly regretting it. Sighing, he seated himself once more. "Your courtiers honored your every wish, I suppose?" he said.

Ptolemy hesitated. "When I acted with honor and with the traditions, they did. They respected the office and the blood, despite my youth." His eyes would not meet Julius's as he spoke, but then he stiffened in fresh anger. "Your men struck me, invaded my private rooms. You will be burnt and torn when…"

"From what I saw, Panek barely listened to you," Julius murmured.

Ptolemy's eyes flashed. "You know nothing of my life, Roman! I am a child and I am a king. I carry the god flame within me. Panek is…"

He hesitated again and Julius spoke quickly, wanting to probe the weakness. "Panek is the power behind the throne, I think. Are you expecting him to stand back when you are older? It would never happen. There would be an accident-a tragic fall, or an illness-and Panek would have another decade to rule while the next child grows. I have known the compulsion of power, lad. Take that warning from me, if nothing else."

He watched while the boy considered his words, quietly surprised at Ptolemy's composure. Julius had half expected him to be in tears when he entered, but instead he had found himself addressed as an equal or a servant. The king may have been a child, but he had a sharp mind and Julius could see him thinking and planning.

"Panek will be furious when he hears I have been taken," Ptolemy said thoughtfully.

Julius could see the idea amused the boy and he waited for more.

"You will have to show him I am unharmed, or he will raze this place to the ground."

"I can do that," Julius said. "If you wish it." Ptolemy glanced quizzically at him and Julius went on. "You might not want to be returned to him. Have you thought of that? I could demand that your courtiers be banished, and you could rule with Cleopatra once more without their influence."

The boy's eyes were dark and unfathomable. Julius did not know him well enough to see if he had reached him.

"Why are you doing this?" Ptolemy said at last. "Are you lusting after my sister? Or is it my younger flesh you desire?"

Julius controlled his temper. "If you were a son of mine, I would have you beaten for speaking to me in that way," he said. "I may still."

"You would not dare," Ptolemy replied, with such confidence that Julius was taken aback. He considered calling for a switch, but settled himself, resting his hands on his knees.

"You were very rude to Panek," Ptolemy said, clearly enjoying the memory. "He had to lie down afterwards, with cool drinks and slaves to massage away his anger. You are a rude people, I think."

"He is an irritating vulture," Julius replied.

Some of the tension eased out of Ptolemy and Julius suspected he had struck a chord at last.

"May I see your sword?" Ptolemy asked suddenly.

Without a word, Julius drew the short gladius and handed it over. The boy seemed astonished as he took it from Julius's hand and immediately pointed it at the seated consul.

"Are you not afraid I will kill you with it?" he asked.

Julius shook his head slowly, watching for the slightest move. "I am not. The blade is nothing without the man to hold it. You could not strike before I had taken it from you."

Ptolemy looked into his eyes and saw nothing but honesty. He turned away and tried to swing the short blade, his wrist bending under the weight.

"Would you like to learn its use?" Julius said.

For a moment, he saw Ptolemy's face light up, then clouds of suspicion dimmed his interest. He turned it round awkwardly and handed it back hilt-first.

"Do not pretend to be my friend, Roman. I am nothing more than a bargaining piece to you, yes? Something to be used for whatever it is you really want. You are my enemy and I will not forget it." He paused and clenched one of his fists. "When I am a man, I will make you remember how you kept me prisoner, Roman. I will come for you with an army like locusts. I will see your joints smashed with hammers and your skin burnt. You will know me then!"

Julius stared at the ferocious expression on the boy. "You have some growing to do first," he said, rising to his feet.

For a moment, he thought Ptolemy might attack him, before the boy turned his back in impotent fury. Julius left him alone in the little room, walking out to the day with a light step.

Panek arrived with a delegation of courtiers at the first light of dawn. They approached the guards Julius had placed in the gardens and suffered a rough inspection for weapons before the three most senior were allowed inside.

Julius stood as they were brought into his presence, feeling again the wave of dislike from Panek's cold eyes. It did not matter, now that he had the king.

Julius gestured to a stone block and sat down on a padded couch facing them, enjoying their discomfort. Five soldiers of the Tenth stood nearby and Octavian took position directly behind the courtiers, making them nervous. Panek's face and neck shone with oil or sweat, Julius could not tell. His eyes were unpainted and he looked a little more human in the morning light without that decoration. The omission spoke volumes.