Lost to Fire: Book Two

This is a sick, demented, joke!My anger and frustration at the fucked up situation reach a new time high! First, I went to Troy, and we all know what happened! Now, I am stuck in fucking Pompeii! Probably right before the gluttonous bitch, Vesuvius blows her top and destroys the whole city! What the hell did I do to the fairies deemed this as a just punishment? All I said was, "I don't believe in fairies!" I come from the 21st Century, where magic doesn't exist! Only technology. I think dying in the arms of the man I loved was punishment enough! But NOOOOOO! I'm tossed like a salad into another tragic time in human history and to top it ALL off! I'm looking at the twin of my Trojan Prince, who is maybe long dead. The thought of Braxius being dead hurts my heart, and I can no longer keep my emotions in check.The unwanted tears are starting to stream down my face as I stare down at the cobblestones. I watch the movement of my legs as I try to keep putting one foot in front of the oth

Eurydice is content to spend the rest of her late afternoon playing with her dolls. Not to die of boredom, I joined in with the play. Ironically, I had the role of the "baby's'" nursemaid. At the same time, she is the mother and mistress of her make-believe domain."I will someday make a grand match and have lots of babies," Eurydice says with excitement. "My house will be full of screaming and laughing children. Not so quiet and lonely as it is now," she adds."What happened to your mother, little mistress?" I have surmised this house is a living tomb of Brixtius's wife. I am curious about her tragic end."She died having me," the little girl says sadly."I'm sorry, little mistress," is all I can say."Papa says it was a noble death. Much like the Spartan women of old.""Spartan women who died in childbirth were worthy of a small monument in their honor," I tell her."I know," the little girl sighs. Like my knowledge of such trivial things bored her. "Papa misses her. That is why he

We discussed nothing during the hours I was finishing the house accounts from last night. A silent agreement passed between Brixtius and me to not discuss the passionate kiss we shared. Or the attraction we have for each other.If I told him he is my dead husband's twin, I think he would no longer be attracted to me. Most men do have their pride. I'm in a time when men rule the world; women are second class citizens. A light tapping at Brixtius's office door makes me stop what I am doing. "Go," he commands. I already balanced the accounts from yesterday and started on today's reports. I stand, the pins and needles from sitting too long-running hot up and down my legs. Opening the door, little Eurydice is standing at the entrance. "I'm done with today's studies! Ready to play Hide and Seek, Jessa?" I can only smile at the little girl's energy."I'll start counting when we reach the courtyard, little mistress," I tell her with a big smile. I reach out my hand, and Eurydice grabs it w

Dinner was a quiet affair. As if on repeat from supper, Eurydice and I excused ourselves when we finish eating. I take the little girl back to her room, and I again go to the kitchens to refill the ice cup and another cup of tea.Olivia was just as quiet as before, though I tried to make some small talk while I study her prepare everything. I also thanked her for dinner, but she just nods her head in acceptance and keeps on working.When the cup of tea is prepared and cool enough to carry, I head back towards Eurydice's room. I sit on her little bed, giving her the cup to drink, and I make another ice pack. Softly placing it on her arm as she nods off to sleep. I leave the sleeping child, making my way to Brixtius's office to work on the house accounts. I softly knock on the closed wooden door. Brixtius's command is muffled, but he was telling me to come in. I enter the room brightly lit by room's wall sconces, and I hurriedly take my seat in front of his desk. Picking up the stylus

I made my way back to the dining room. Brixtius was sitting in his place, and little Eurydice is running through the opposite doorway. She's starting to feel better from her injury because her energy is returning to full throttle. "Papa! Papa!" She shouts excitedly. "We read about Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus!""And what did you learn about these two men?" Brixtius quizzes."Julius Caesar was beloved by the people and was murdered because of it. But if it weren't for Caesar, Emperor Augustus would never have existed," the girl recites. Damn! That was the most straightforward answer I've ever heard about those two men!"Titian!" Brixtius bellows from his seat. He waits a few more seconds and screams the name again. A few seconds later, a young man sprints int the room. He's about my age, which I can only surmise as Titian. From the way Titian is trying to catch his breath, he was booking it to make it here."Yes. Senator. Brixtius," he heaves between each word."When you teach m