Chapter 19
The SeductionVery soon after these events, Julia and Aulus departed for Rome and Lucius was left in charge of the farm. Day followed day so fast, and by evening he was so exhausted that he fell into sleep as though into a dark pit. There was no time to brood on his feelings for Ethne.
Ethne herself was overwhelmed by her duties as people crowded to consult the new Oracle, no doubt more out of curiosity than need. Her heart ached, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Megan, whose dreams of torturing the Egyptian had been replaced by equally bizarre erotic fantasies involving the same man, realized how lost she was without her twin to comfort and advise her. She went to the Temple expecting to be able to see her, but was told that so many people were waiting to consult
