by Aubrey Ross
“Who do you want me to ‘mount’?” He clenched his hands into fists and tore his gaze away from his master’s face. The lush serenity of the garden only heightened Theos’ anxiety. His body might belong to his master, but he chose when and with whom to couple!
“There are powerful forces in Fedoros, as there were in Rome. Your former masters were obligated to garner the support of highly placed Romans, and it is basically the same for me. This house cannot operate without the protection of powerful allies.”
“But you are an agent of Venus. There is no ally more powerful than a goddess.”
Mikko’s gaze took on a calculating sheen at the mention of their patroness. “Actually Venus suggested this course of action to me. I was not entirely sure I wanted to pursue it, but Venus was insistent.”
“What does our goddess require of me?” If Venus were behind this request, why had Mikko only brought it up after he mentioned her name?
“My sister Elaina was present for your triumph. Did you happen to notice her standing beside me?”
He’d seen a tall blonde woman who seemed vaguely familiar. He’d dismissed her after only a glance. The nobility were no concern of his. “The sun was in my eyes.” Actually the thrill of victory had driven all other thoughts from his mind, but the excuse was more diplomatic.
“Well, Elaina has connections with many of the powerful people I mentioned earlier. They value her opinion and follow her advice. Even though she is my sister, she is my greatest critic. This must change or the games could be in danger.”
“What is the basis for her criticism?”
“She fears the inhabitants of New Pompeii are being abused by their Fedoran masters.”
This was unexpected and odd. “What sparked her fear? Has she witnessed this abuse for herself?” Mikko was the third master Theos had served, and he was by far the most reasonable and benevolent.
“Elaina does not understand the way things are done in New Pompeii. She judges your situation by the standards of Fedoros. I think if she could spend some time with you, hear about your life both before the relocation and now, she might come to understand that different is not necessarily wrong.”
“If you have been unable to explain these things to your own sister, why do you believe I can make her understand?” He was being unusually bold, but this task was odd in the extreme.
“It is not that she does not understand. She refuses to believe that you are content in this life.”
“Does she understand why we were brought here, that our lives would have been forfeit had Venus not protected us from Vulcan?”
Mikko reached for a crimson flower on the bush in front of him, his gaze carefully averted. “Elaina does not believe in the gods.”
Dumfounded by the easy admission, Theos could think of nothing to say. How could this woman doubt the gods’ existence when her brother interacted with one on a regular basis? “Venus has not revealed herself to your sister?”
“This is where things get complicated.” Releasing the flower, Mikko faced him again. “Elaina was married to a man she loved deeply. She expected to enjoy a long and happy life at his side. But short months after their union, she found him in bed with another woman. Her heart was broken and she refuses to believe that a compassionate goddess would allow her to feel such pain.”
“I will not give pleasure to a married woman, even if she is unhappy with her mate.”
“She is a widow in desperate need of a new beginning.”
“But she has turned her back on the gods?”
“It is easier for her to deny their existence than to try and understand what might be learned from his hurtful betrayal.”
“It is a common reaction.” Theos felt sorry for this woman he’d yet to meet, but disregarding faith entirely was not the answer. “Many turn to the gods when all hope is lost and others blame them when nothing else makes sense.”
Mikko nodded, the calculative glint returning to his eyes. “Elaina has taken her bitterness one step further. She is determined to disparage New Pompeii in general and the gladiator games in particular.”
“Why? How does discrediting our way of life ease her pain?”
“Her husband was my business partner. His betrayal was so painful she has reverted to her maiden name. She would like to pretend the marriage never happened, but New Pompeii is an ever-present reminder of all she lost. Besides, harming New Pompeii harms Venus and Elaina needs someone to lash out against.”
“She blames Venus for the actions of her faithless husband.” Theos rubbed his chin as he absorbed all the fragments of information.
Mikko meandered through the garden, hands clasped behind his back. “Venus understands Elaina’s true motivation and that is why she proposed an intervention of sorts. If Elaina can let go of her bitterness, Venus is confident she will no longer wish to destroy New Pompeii.”
“Venus honestly believes spending time with me will be enough to mend Elaina’s broken heart?”
“It will take more than conversation.” Mikko stared at him for a moment, expectation clear in his bright green eyes. “Elaina needs to understand that all is not lost. She must see that she is still capable of feeling emotions, that she could find love again.”
Understanding unfurled within Theos. It wasn’t hard to fill in what little Mikko had left unsaid. Still, he wanted no misunderstanding between his master and him, especially when a family member was involved. “You want me to seduce your sister, to reignite the fire in her heart?”
“Yes. And it will not be easy. She will resist you, insist she wants nothing to do with you. But you must not believe her. I saw the longing in her eyes as she watched you fight. She is attracted to you.”
“I will not take her by force.”
“I was not suggesting you should. Despite her frustrating actions of late, she is my sister. If you harm her, you die.”
He was to seduce a reluctant female who wanted nothing so much as to abolish his reason for existence. And if he failed or harmed her in the process, his master would end his life. The irrational need to laugh threatened his composure. This morning he’d thought life in the arena was challenging.
“If I refuse?”
Mikko shrugged. “Then you will never fight again.”
Anger twisted through Theos, drying his mouth and clenching his fists. “I do not respond well to ultimatums.”
Guiding him back the way they’d come, Mikko said, “I did not mean it as a threat.”
Theos barely suppressed a disbelieving snort. A slave had no real option but to please his master and Mikko knew it.
“I told you I wanted your willing cooperation,” Mikko reminded. “If Elaina has her way, there will be no more gladiators and no more games. No matter what she says, or how stubbornly she resists you, it is in your best interest to help her see the error of her thinking.”
Chapter Two
A warm, fragrant breeze brushed across Elaina’s face as she gazed out over the red tiled roofs of New Pompeii. The arena perched atop one of the city’s many hills like a crown effortlessly dominating the elegant villas and temples surrounding it. Only the Imperial Palace commanded a higher position than Ludus Xyellus, her brother’s domain.
It was all very impressive, but none of it was real!
She’d always been curious about New Pompeii. Her husband Vito treated the ludus as an investment and refused to let her go near it. But Vito was dead, and her brother approached the endeavor from an entirely different angle. Mikko lived in the villa adjacent to the ludus and personally oversaw every aspect of his investment.
Pushing away from the wooden railing, she walked back into the cozy bedroom that had been prepared for her use. Laetif had insisted the room was the best place for her interview with Theos. This way no one would know what transpired between them. If they did no more than talk, that was up to Elaina. But if passions flared and Elaina wanted more, she could indulge her fantasies with no one the wiser.
Mikko had stressed the noninterfe
rence clause for the third time then he’d gone to speak with Theos. Elaina wasn’t sure what her brother was going to tell the gladiator. Probably that she was crazy and he should disregard anything she said. If she couldn’t tell Theos he was living a lie, that he was being used and manipulated by a technologically advanced society, what was left to say?
The scrape and clatter of shifting armor or chains drew her attention to the archway on the far side of the bedroom. Mikko called out a greeting then swept aside the heavy curtains that separated the bedroom from the rest of the villa. She moved into the room from one side as he strode in from the other, followed by two armored guards flanking the gladiator. Theos was shackled hand and foot, shuffling along as well as the chains allowed.
She glared at her brother. “I told you not to bind him.”
“Precautions are taken whenever a gladiator is moved.”
“If he’s so dangerous, perhaps I better not speak with him.”
Mikko shrugged. “He’s as dangerous as he chooses to be, and I’ve given him good reason not to harm you.” The guards bent and released his ankles restraints. Mikko stopped them as they reached for the manacles. “Last chance,” he told her. “Are you sure you want him free?”
“What happens if he hurts me?”
“I end his life.”
The cold finality in her brother’s tone made it obvious he meant every word. “Then free him. I suspect this won’t take long.” She caught the challenging glint in the gladiator’s dark gaze a moment before his expression iced over. He understood what they were saying well enough to take exception to her attitude.
After removing the rest of his restraints, the guards withdrew from the room.
“This is what you want?” Mikko asked.
Her dry mouth refused to form words, so she nodded.
Mikko glanced at the gladiator before offering her a smile. “If you need anything, just call out. The villa isn’t that large. If not, I’ll see you in the morning.” He said something to Theos in Latin before he left. A faint smile was the gladiator’s only response.
From a distance, Theos had seemed fascinating, undeniably dangerous yet not personally threatening. Now she felt awkward, vulnerable and…restless. He was dressed, sort of. His simple tunic only reached mid-thigh and gaped across his chest. He remained where the guards had left him, arms at his sides. She knew his body was well-formed, to say the least, so she focused on his face. He had strong features, a wide brow and sharp cheekbones, firm jaw and sculpted lips.
She moved closer, staying well out of reach. “Congratulations on your win.” She wasn’t sure how much he could understand, but they had to start somewhere. “You fought well today.”
“Meus gratiae, domina.”
He’d thanked her and called her mistress, but he hadn’t attempted to speak Fedoros. Had Mikko overestimated the gladiator’s abilities? Tearing her gaze away from his handsome face, she looked around the room. Where should she take him? Or where could he take her? The bed was the obvious choice. He could stretch out on his back while she straddled his hips, or he could stand on the floor and drape her legs over his thick forearms. Her pussy warmed and melted while her pulse thudded steadily through her arteries.
He was here to speak with her, not pleasure her with that amazing body! Which meant they had to find a way to communicate.
Too anxious to stand still, she motioned to the small table near the balcony. “Are you hungry? Would you like something to drink?”
He shook his head as his gaze lowered to her lips.
She indicated that he should precede her, but he didn’t move. Didn’t he understand what she wanted, or was he waiting for her to lead the way? This was all so strange. When he continued to stare, she turned and walked back onto the balcony. Torches had been lit, but the light wasn’t bright enough to penetrate twilight’s gloom.
His arms reached around her and grasped the railing. “You should have left me in chains,” he whispered in Fedoros.
Fluctuating between uncertainty and excitement, she held perfectly still. If a predator sensed fear it would strike, and there was no doubt Theos was a predator. “You speak Fedoros very well. Were you tutored, or do you have an ear for languages?”
“I was taught. My master’s wife is sometimes amused by disregarding his dictates.”
What did Laetif gain by teaching a gladiator the language of his master? Especially if Mikko had forbidden the practice? “Did she teach others as well?” Something brushed against the nape of her neck then trailed down her spine, amplifying the shivers she was trying to hide.
“You tremble.” His breath stirred her hair and he moved closer, almost but not quite touching her. “Shall I warm you?”
“I’m not cold.”
“Are you frightened?”
“Why should I be? You won’t hurt me.”
“You seem very certain of that.” He moved his hands to her upper arms and turned her around. Their gazes locked and her breath hitched, her nipples gathering against the fabric of her gown. “I could do whatever I wanted with you. Do you doubt it?”
His deep voice had a distinct accent, but he spoke Fedoros effortlessly. “There is no honor in harming someone smaller and weaker than you. So unless you intend to force yourself on me sexually, I have nothing to fear.”
He spun suddenly, taking her with him, and urged her back against the external wall of the villa. His gaze grew demanding and hungry, so she dragged her eyes away. She could see nothing but the wide expanse of his shoulders and the sculpted contour of his chest. Damn, the man was big! His hands settled on her hips, squeezing gently before he brought her forward and aligned their lower bodies.
Hard and hot, his cock pressed against her belly as he insinuated his knee between her legs. “Will it be force if I taste your mouth?” One of his hands lightly grasped the nape of her neck while his thumb teased the underside of her jaw.
As if of their own volition, her lips tingled and drifted apart. He smelled clean and faintly spicy. Had he scrubbed himself clean or had tittering females happily attended his bath? She fought the urge to press her face against the base of his neck and wrap her arms around his back. “This isn’t why I came here.” He tilted her face up as he lowered his head. “I don’t want…”
“Yes, you do.” His lips brushed over hers, warm and inviting. He waited for her to accept the kiss before he took the exchange deeper. “Open, amor. Let me in.”
She parted her lips and trembled. His tongue slowly pushed into her mouth, but her mind pictured a more intimate penetration. If he lifted her and wrapped her legs around his hips, he could fuck her right there against the side of the villa. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she returned the kiss, lost in the sensual web. She rocked against him, rubbing against his cock, unable to escape the proof of his desire.
“Touch me,” he whispered against her parted lips. He grasped her wrist and guided her hand to his erection. She kept her fingers open, refusing to stroke him, but it made no difference. The thick ridge teased her palm and ignited an ache between her thighs.
His lips drifted over her face, teasing the corners of her mouth then following the crest of her cheek, lingering near her temple. Her fingers flexed, starting to grasp his shaft, then she snatched her hand away. “I can’t do this!”
“You can.” He cupped her ass with both hands and angled her hips as he slid his cock across her clit.
“Stop it.” She pushed against his chest, but he ignored her. “I said, stop it!”
A frustrated growl escaped his throat, but he stopped rocking. His hands, however, remained on her ass. “Why do you deny what we both want?”
“I don’t—”
He squeezed her hard enough to make her yelp. “Speak the lie again and I will find out for myself if your body is ready for mine.”
She swallowed hard. Her pussy felt heavy and achy. She was doubtlessly wet. “Do you take every woman you encounter simply because you want her?”
�
�I seldom encounter women.” He moved his hands to the wall again, shifting his body away from hers without releasing her completely. “Females are not allowed in the barracks.”
“Still, you understand my point. Your life is about discipline and control. Wanting something is not reason enough for taking it. Other factors must be considered.”
A slow, unexpected smile parted his lips. “I thought you knew nothing about gladiators.”
He towered over her, imposing and indomitable yet undeniably attractive. She still felt caged and vulnerable, but they were talking, so she left well enough alone. “I know far more about this world than my brother will let himself admit. He’s convinced I don’t understand how things work in New Pompeii. The truth is, I understand. I just don’t approve.”
A lock of her hair had escaped the twisting upsweep. He took the shiny red-gold tress and curled it around his finger, apparently fascinated. “Why do you disapprove?”
She chose her words carefully. How could she explore his perspective without contradicting the lies he’d been told by the founders? She’d promised that she wouldn’t violate the noninterference clause. Then what was she doing here?
“Do you enjoy what you do?”
One corner of his mouth lifted and his dark gaze sparkled. “I was enjoying it very much before you stopped me.”
Heat suffused her face and she lowered her gaze, unwilling to admit how much she’d been enjoying it too. “I mean in the arena. Do you enjoy fighting, sometimes killing other gladiators for the amusement of the crowd?”
“I do not kill other gladiators. I kill criminals who have forfeited the right to live by their despicable actions. Gladiators are rare and valuable. We fight for honor and the reputation of the brotherhood.” His shoulders squared and his chin lifted with obvious pride. “Ludus Xyellus produces the fiercest fighters in all of New Pompeii.”
“What if you weren’t required to fight? What did you want to be before you became a gladiator?”
“Such questions are useless.” He released her hair and took another step back. “I am a gladiator.”
