Non Timebo Mala: Chapter 15

Oct 09, 2011 08:24


Chapter 15

Castiel followed silently in Azazel’s wake and feigned interest while the senator pointed out the various features of the home he felt were important. A large grizzled looking hound sat that the entrance to one of the rooms and he growled lowly as Castiel passed before taking up stride at his master’s hip. Azazel patted him but Castiel kept his distance regardless. The mongrel was some sort of imported beast, bigger than any dog he’d ever seen before, and he could guess it was from the northern lands by the wiry thick coat it bore.

As they made their way into a large sitting room with an inset pool in its center, Castiel noticed a graceful figure slipping through a door on the other side. The woman was beautiful, even Castiel could see that, and the way she held herself made it impossible for her to be anyone but the senator’s wife. Megara strode into a wide shaft of sunlight which set her golden locks to shining and, when coupled with the flowing diaphanous gown she was wearing, she made the perfect picture of a Grecian goddess. Castiel could well imagine such beauty had claimed the hearts of many men but there was a cold detachment to her eyes that belied the smile she wore.

“Husband dear,” she said in an almost mocking tone, “I see you finally collected your prize.”

Azazel shot her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes but ignored her comment. “Castiel, I would like you meet the lovely Megara, my wife.”

Castiel inclined his head respectfully but Meg merely looked at him distastefully like something caught on the sole of her shoe. “So you’re my husband’s latest conquest.”

“Megara,” Azazel said warningly.

“Come now,” she purred at him, “let’s not pretend that we don’t all know why he’s here. I have to admit though, this one is nicer than your usual playthings. You’ll have to let me know how he is. I might wish to borrow him from you.” She smiled a little challenge at Azazel and he chuckled as if her constant needling of him were an affectionate trait as opposed to the hateful banter Castiel saw it as.

He couldn’t imagine that anyone would be allowed to talk to the senator that way but Azazel seemed to almost enjoy egging her on. “If I am guilty of indulging now and then, it is only because I need some heat to thaw out my bed when your frigid body has left it.”

Castiel’s eyes widened at the insult but Megara simply laughed. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you didn’t die at the hands of the Gauls,” she said playfully and Castiel couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or not. He was sure, however, that he absolutely did not like this woman any more than her husband. He fell back into step behind Azazel and as they left the room, he glanced back to see her offer him a small wave that would have been more welcoming were it not for the evil smile that accompanied it. He found himself willing the sun to go down faster as they made their way through the remainder of the rooms until at last Azazel stopped in front of a heavy wood door.

“This is your room,” the senator announced as he pushed the entry open. Castiel certainly couldn’t fault the man’s ability to impress as he took in the lavish décor. A large bed squatted against one wall, its three open sides veiled behind two sets of drapery and its top covered in thick warm blankets. Chests of varying sizes were scattered about the walls and exotic furs littered the floor in a dizzying array of patterns which Castiel had only rarely seen showcased in the arenas. Heavy lamps hung about the room, casting flickering light across the plethora of golden trinkets and bronze accessories that lined every flat surface.

Castiel noticed with dismay that the room lacked any windows which would make it harder for him to sneak out should that become necessary. “Thank you,” he said absently as he wandered around the room. His bag had already been brought in and was sitting slumped against one wall. As he looked around, he found several other containers stuffed into corners that he recognized as ones he’d packed before leaving his home. Michael had been true to his word about sending the rest of his belongings here and Castiel felt only a small note of sadness that he would have to leave most of it behind him.

“You’ve had a long ride,” Azazel said from where he leaned in the doorway, “you are welcome to go where you please so perhaps a bath would be in order. Evening meal will be served in about an hour. I’ll have Tennen come get you then. You will find fresh clothes in the chest to your left.” The senator smiled as he watched Castiel look around the room, a predatory grin curling up the corner of his mouth.

“Thank you,” Castiel said again and he met the hungry stare being thrown in his direction with as much calm as he could muster until Azazel finally withdrew, closing the door behind him. It would only be a few hours, he told himself, and then he would never have to see this place again. He wrapped that thought around him like a shield and set about rifling through the containers of his belongings, setting aside anything he would want to keep. When the time came, he wanted to be as light and fast as possible to ensure his escape at Dean’s side.

The idea of being nude in any place that Azazel might be able to walk in on him was nauseating at best but Castiel knew he couldn’t just forsake cleaning up after the long ride it had taken to get back to Rome. He stank of horse and his skin itched with sweat and dirt. He couldn’t exactly put in an appearance at dinner in such a state or he ran the risk of raising suspicions. He flipped open one of the chests in the room with utter disinterest and rifled through several bolts of cloth until he found a toga that wouldn’t impede his movement but wasn’t so short it would invite extra interest from his so called “host”.

The fabric was a fine cotton edged on one side with an ornate keystroke banding in blue and green. It must have cost a fair amount considering the scale of detail in the border but Castiel was decidedly unimpressed. He yanked the toga out and snatched up a soft tunic to wear under it before venturing out into the home once again. He half thought of just trying to flee right then but he decided it was best to stick with the plan. He couldn’t risk alerting anyone that something was off for fear that it would put Dean or Sam at risk. If his presence was missed at dinner, surely people would go looking and his home would be one of their first stops, running them right into the attempt to free Anya.

Castiel glanced up at the fading sunlight that was still coming in one of the atriums as he passed. There was still a good hour and a half of day left before it would be safe for the brothers to make their attempt at Michael’s home and as he made his way into the baths, Castiel began formulating believable excuses for leaving the evening meal should it run too long. He bathed as quickly as he could and breathed a grateful sigh of relief when no one interrupted him but as he headed back toward his room, Tennen stepped around a corner and smiled at him. “The food is being served. Please follow me,” the little man said with distant politeness. He didn’t wait for an answer, leaving Castiel to catch up to him as he wove through the corridors of the house and out to the main dining area. Cas found himself once again in the large room he’d been brought to on his first visit and he pushed aside the hurt that came with memories of his brother’s betrayal. The senator and his wife were already draped majestically across the arms of their own couches, joined by another man in heavy ivory robes.

As Castiel made his way to the empty seat Azazel gestured him to, he caught sight of crimson ribbon on the other guest’s toga. Another senator then, though not the one Castiel met on his first time here. This man was a noble looking sort with a proud air to him that lacked the usual smugness most politicians carried. He had been heatedly discussing something with Azazel when Castiel had come in and he paused only a moment to note the newcomer before barreling forward with his argument. “I am simply saying I see no point to raising taxes yet again on the lower citizens. Their favor is all that keeps our heads from rolling. Rome IS its people and your suggestion that we draw more of their lifeblood to fill the coffers of war is out of line,” the man said with utter conviction. Azazel pulled his eyes from where he’d been appraising Castiel’s new attire to shoot the other senator a bored look.

“Castiel, I would like you to meet Flavian Octavius Appius,” he said, waving a hand in Flavian’s direction. “I’m afraid you’re going to be treated to quite a bit of my fellow senator’s flair for the dramatic. He’s convinced, you see, that we should let the Legions go unpaid for the sake of some plebeians who can’t pay Rome for the privilege of living here.”

Flavian snorted in disagreement and instantly Castiel decided that of all the people he’d met in politics thus far, he liked this man most, not in the least because he was arguing with Azazel. He glanced over when Megara yawned loudly and let her head drop back against the arm of the couch as if utterly bored with this topic of conversation. Flavian was not about to be put off though and he pushed ahead despite Megara’s rude behavior. “I never said do not pay the Legions. There is money enough in the pockets of the wealthy that we should not need to further beggar the poor is all I’m saying. The poor will…”

“The poor will do what they are told,” Azazel interrupted with exasperation, “Tomorrow we will announce a new tax and sweeten the taste of it in their mouths with the commencement of new games. I have already booked out the coliseum in the center of the city for three days and before the masses have time to think, they will find themselves too entertained watching barbarians, criminals, and gladiators killing each other to care about the tax.” Flavian glared at him disapprovingly and Castiel had to refrain from joining him. He wished Azazel weren’t right about such things but he knew full well what kind of fervor the citizenry would rile themselves into over a good set of games. No one would be talking about a new tax when the far more interesting topic of who killed whom was there to conveniently cover it up.

The dinner was served shortly after they were all seated and Cas spent a few minutes listening with interest to the ideas Flavian put forward. He admired the senator’s strength of conviction and his desire to put the common people of Rome before its wealthy but every option he laid out was quickly cut down by a bored and often irritated Azazel. Castiel eventually turned to just tuning them out as much as he could in favor of looking out at the garden and measuring how much more time he had until he would be able to meet up with Dean. The sun was just beginning to set and he guessed perhaps another hour at most. His heart thrilled at the idea of escaping and riding out into the night with his lover and he looked over the table for food items he could say had perhaps upset his stomach, an excuse he thought might explain his desire to get outside. Castiel flinched involuntarily though when Azazel’s hand suddenly plopped down onto his knee. He drew his eyes up to meet the crooked vulgar smile Azazel shot him and a shudder ran down his spine.

Far earlier than expected, the senator suddenly stood up inclined his head politely. “I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse me for a moment. I just remembered I have some business of great importance I want to take care of.” Megara snorted a decidedly unpleasant and bitter chuckle which Azazel ignored. “I’m sure my wife will be happy to entertain you until I return.” Meg sat up at that and shot a glare at her husband before apparently deciding time spent toying with the other senator would be more amusing than dealing with Azazel all night. She smiled coldly at Flavian who looked displeased at this strange course of events.

“You do what you must,” he said flatly.

“Thank you,” Azazel replied as he took a few steps toward the door. “Castiel, please join me. I wish to discuss…important matters with you.”

Castiel felt his stomach clench into a knot and he suddenly doubted he’d have to work too hard at pretending he was sick. He eyed Azazel warily for a moment and tried to think of a good excuse for refusing but all eyes in the room had turned to him and he knew no simply wasn’t going to be taken as an answer. He eased up from his seat and walked stiffly over to the senator who draped an arm around his shoulders and escorted him from the room. Nothing was said until they reached a large set of double doors and Azazel pushed them open to reveal a large master bedroom inside. Castiel felt his whole body tense up and his eyes widened with distress. He had rather hoped this wasn’t going to happen before he had to meet with Dean but apparently Azazel had grown tired of waiting to claim his prize. Castiel shivered as a hand was pressed to the flat of his back, nudging him into the space and he’d barely taken a few stiff paces in when the doors snapped shut behind him.

Castiel turned to stare at the senator like a trapped animal. “I…don’t understand,” he said as his mind fished for ways to buy time.

“Oh, I think you do,” Azazel purred, “Don’t worry, Castiel, I know you don’t want to be here. It’s ok. I like that.” Castiel swallowed the small amount of bile that rose at such a confession and he slid back a step as Azazel crossed the room toward him. “See, I like ‘em with a little fight,” the senator continued as he walked a slow circle around his prey. Castiel looked around the room for something that would tell him how to get out of this. If he tried to run now, Dean and Sam might not be able to get Anya out though. The plan had been to remove her after dark and the sun had only just set. It was doubtful she was safe yet. Cas shuddered and tried to summon his will. He could do this, distasteful as it was, and then Azazel probably wouldn’t care if he went for that walk afterward so long as he got what he wanted first. Castiel repeated that thought to himself over and over as he felt Azazel slide up behind him and hot breath pressed against the back of his neck. “Oh I knew I wanted you the minute I saw you,” whispered a lusty voice in his ear and a hand reached up to tug the folds of his toga off his shoulder.

The fabric slithered to the floor in a heap around Castiel’s ankles leaving him only in his tunic and he could feel Azazel press against his back hungrily. He concentrated on controlling his breathing and tried to grab for any calming thought that would help him through this as a tongue slid along the side of his neck. He shuddered again and pushed away his repulsion with memories of Dean. His Dean. He tried to imagine the hand wrapping around to fondle his chest was the strong one he’d held on the ride here. The fingers pushing up his hem were those of his lover, the same ones that had gently caressed him on that night in the fort when they’d finally given in to each other and as those fingers rolled around to brush the inside of his thigh he pulled up the image of green eyes and freckles. There was no one else in the world he wanted more, no one who’s touch would make him happy, and he couldn’t wait until he could get back to

“Dean.”

The hands on him froze as did Castiel’s heart in his chest and his eyes snapped open as he realized what he’d just moaned aloud. “Dean?” Azazel hissed in his ear. It felt like an eternity before Castiel’s lungs would properly work again and his mind scrambled for something to fix his error but the lie didn't form fast enough. “The soldier,” the senator growled behind him. It wasn’t a question, it was a statement, a validation of what they both already knew and Cas felt his whole body tense up. “Why Castiel, not so innocent as I thought, are you?” Azazel whispered angrily, “So tell me…was it just the one soldier or did you fuck the whole encampment?”

Castiel jerked away from the arms encircling him and wheeled to punch Azazel squarely in the face before he could even register the movement. He stared in shock as he realized what he’d just done. Azazel coughed a small amount of blood onto the floor and wiped at where his nose was leaking. The cough grew into a chuckle and then an outright laugh while Castiel looked on in confusion. He didn’t see a single thing in this whole situation that was humorous. He turned and headed for the door having made up his mind that he would simply have to ride to Dean and if his brother sold Anya, then they would just steal her from the quarries instead, but Azazel’s voice stopped him cold. “Oh no, no. You’re not going anywhere, my pet. GUARDS!” Castiel could hear several sets of booted feet thundering instantly in their direction and he whipped around, looking desperately for another escape. He bolted for the window but his fingers had barely touched the sill when a set of strong hands jerked him backward.

Three men surrounded him, pinning his arms behind his back, and a hand wound into his hair, jerking it back painfully. Azazel sauntered up to them and Castiel could hear the sharp hiss of a dagger being drawn. The blade pressed against the soft skin of his throat but the senator put his hand out to hold back the guard. “No,” he said with a little too much amusement, “I want him alive and undamaged. Take him to his room. No one goes in or out until I say.” Castiel struggled in vain as the men holding him dragged him out into the hallway. The entry to his chamber was thrown open violently and he staggered as he was shoved inside. He skidded and turned to slam himself against the door as it was shut but he couldn’t budge it with the three men pressing in from the other side. “NOOO!” He cried as he heard the heavy wood bar thud into place, effectively locking him in with no way to escape. How was Dean going to get to him now?

Down the hall Azazel leaned against the door to his room looking rather peeved. Tennen appeared beside him, accompanied by the head of the guard, and the senator turned to smile at them both. “Gather the men, we’re going for a little walk.” He swept down the hall and back out into the dining area where Megara was delighting in riling up Flavian until the man was reconsidering his vow not to strike a woman. Both parties rose at Azazel’s entry and his wife took one look at him before laughing outright at the fact that he was apparently having trouble with his new toy. Azazel glared at her. “I’m afraid dinner is going to be cancelled for the moment. I have to ride out to a friend’s house. I have a very important matter I need to discuss with Michael Novak, the young man I told you about, and it’s not the sort of thing that should wait till morning.”

Flavian quirked a brow and shrugged, snatching his cloak up from Tennen’s hands. “Then I shall ride with you,” he said, leaving no room for argument, “I am headed in that direction anyway and would like to meet this man you claim such favor in.”

Azazel paused and stared at Flavian as if trying to determine the best way to tell the other senator to drop dead but he put on a sugary smile instead and muttered “of course.”

Chapter 14    Master Post    Chapter 16

non-con, non tiembo mala, rome, dean/cas, gladiator, dean/cas big bang, dcbb

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