Valeria’s Cross by Kathi Macias & Susan Wales Page B

then she took more of an interest in the boy and grew to love him. Babafemi adored his aunt as well.
    Although her relationship with Nanu had changed, Valeria soon became comfortable with the idea of a threesome. Eugenia smiled as Valeria’s conversation was filled with the news of Babafemi’s latest accomplishments, even as Valeria’s studies continued.

    General Galerius scowled as he surveyed the battlefield and observed the Theban Legion. He figured that if he could persuade Diocletian to give him Valeria’s hand in marriage,he would divorce his wife, marry the emperor’s daughter, and ultimately succeed Diocletian as emperor. His plan had been infallible until his rival Mauritius had threatened it by first winning Valeria’s heart, and then Prisca’s favor. Now the young captain had won Diocletian’s respect on the battlefield, threatening Galerius’ future.
    But Galerius had searched for the Egyptian’s Achilles heal, and he had found it—his allegiance to his God. Galerius kept a close watch on Mauritius when the Theban Legion arrived in Gaul. When Diocletian ordered that the entire Roman Army participate in pagan sacrifices so the gods would turn the battle in their favor, Mauritius, on behalf of the Theban Legion, had refused.
    “You must punish them,” Galerius had insisted to Diocletian and his co-emperor, Maximian, the ruler of the Western Roman Empire.
    Diocletian was adamant in his response. “I will not risk losing the finest soldiers in the empire.”
    Sensing Galerius’ anger, Emperor Maximian stepped between the two men and voiced his opinion. “We need the Theban Legion to win the battle with Gaul. It is impossible to trust the loyalties of the local soldiers. Many of them are fighting against family members, and when there is a choice, a man will choose his brother.”
    Galerius was furious but was forced to swallow his anger. After a few days, he reassured himself that this was only a minor setback. His ingenious plan would not only spoil Prisca’s matchmaking attempts but Mauritius’ military future as well. To seal his own fate, Galerius would stop at nothing—even if it meant destroying Mauritius. So Galerius watched and waited for the opportunity.
    After weeks of a succession of crushing defeats on the battlefield, Diocletian summoned Galerius and his co-emperor,Maximian, to dine with him in his tent one evening so they could collaborate on their future plans. The last to arrive, a weary Galerius, removed his helmet and handed it to a servant. He reclined on a divan, surrounded by servants, who brought platters of food and decanters of wine for the leaders.
    “We have suffered heavy casualties and lost the majority of our battles,” Galerius reported, dipping a hunk of bread into his porridge and stuffing it in his mouth.
    “Not all of them are lost,” Maximian added. “Have you heard of the Theban Legion’s victories? They have yet to lose a battle.”
    Galerius frowned, folding his arms. “All I know about the Thebans is their constant refusal to participate in the sacrifices.”
    Diocletian nodded. “Their fierce allegiance to their God is rivaled only by their expertise as soldiers. Have you observed their military strategies?”
    Galerius agreed, “Fine soldiers, indeed, but they have made the gods angry, and I am convinced this is why we are losing so many of our battles.”
    Diocletian rubbed his chin. “But the Thebans have been victorious in their confrontations. How do you explain this theory?”
    Consumed with jealousy, Galerius preyed upon both Diocletian’s and Maximian’s pagan paranoia. “The Thebans may be winning their battles, but since they arrived, our overall losses have increased tenfold.”
    “So what are you saying?” a worried Diocletian asked as he set his wine goblet down on the table. “Their allegiance to their God is obviously working in their favor.”
    “Perhaps that is true. Their God may enable them to win the battles, but we are