Gladiator Heart (26 page)

“You will do as I command!” the Legatus’s wife shouted out, startling him with her fury.

He cast the woman a cold stare but remained silent.

“I’m giving you one last chance to perform for us, or you will suffer for your insolence, slave.”

Slave.

These people had no idea how great Tristan had once been. He was the commander of three armies. He had honor. Only Valeria was aware of how far he’d fallen, and that she seemed to care at all gave him the courage to do what he did next.

Valeria couldn’t watch Tristan with another woman. Even though he was being forced into the act she would still feel like she’d lost him. Watching Tristan’s humiliation—watching him do any of this—was wrong, and suddenly she felt ashamed. This wasn’t her. Valeria wasn’t like these people. She didn’t enjoy using others for cheap pleasures, and couldn’t stand to watch any longer. She felt as if she’d deceived Tristan simply by being present for the depravity he was being forced into. She knew he didn’t want to take that slave girl any more than she wanted to see him do it. He was too proud, and too good a man to let others use him in so base a manner.

The walls of the room closed in around her and she felt hot, suffocated. She needed to breathe. Valeria tore out of the room as fast as she could and ran down the dark, deserted hallways, headed back to the party. Let the others think she was silly and immature. Perhaps she was.

Or perhaps she loved Tristan more than she knew and couldn’t bear to see him lost to her forever. He’d been hers once, for a brief moment in time, in a cold, frozen land far from the comforts of home, and he’d been perfect. That was the memory she wanted to keep, and not some sullied depravity.

Back in the main atrium, the party had turned just as perverse as what was going on in the dark corners of the villa. The dancers were now involved in an erotic display, their shimmering, golden bodies writhing together in one big mass of arms and legs, fingers and tongues. Valeria was besieged on all sides by grasping hands, moans of pleasure, bodies slick with sweat and the scent of lust. She closed her eyes and saw Tristan as her mind swept her back to those passionate nights spent in his arms. It was impossible to escape the sexual satisfaction permeating the room, overwhelming her senses, filling her with a desire of her own. The world began to spin away from her. She had to get out of this place.

Just when she thought she might faint, a set of strong arms locked around her waist from behind, startling her back to reality.

“There you are, my love.”

Gaius!

Her entire body seized with panic and her heart beat rapidly against her chest as fear quickly overrode her lust. She was afraid to even move.

“I’ve been looking for you.” He kissed her cheek and trailed his fingers dangerously over her throat.

Valeria wriggled in his arms, trying to loosen his menacing embrace. He was alive. She wasn’t sure whether to be afraid, or relieved. What would he do to her?

He released his hold, and before she could get away, he whirled her around to face him. She’d never seen him look so frightening before. His green eyes glittered with suppressed rage, and when he smiled, he looked half mad. Taking her by the hand in a painfully tight grip, he dragged her off to a private corner of the room behind a panel of silk draperies.

Once isolated and alone, he pulled her roughly against him and crushed his mouth down over hers, holding the back of her head so he could force his tongue between her lips and plunder her mouth. He’d kissed her fiercely before, but this kiss was painful, punishing, and she gave a protesting cry and turned away.

He locked his arms around her held her tight against his body. “You escaped me the other day.” His tone was laced with malice, his face a mask of rage. “But you will have to submit to me eventually.”

A frightened cry escaped her and hot tears ran freely down her face. She felt like a coward for crying, but she couldn’t control it. Gaius struck true fear into her heart. His hold on her was hard and crushing and she struggled to breathe. How horribly would he punish her?

“I’ve decided it would be more romantic to wait until our wedding night to take you.” He lowered his head and spoke at her ear. “And believe me, I will make you pay for the injury you’ve caused me. I’ll tie you down if I have to, and I’ll fuck you so hard and so long you’ll be begging me to stop.”

Deep sobs racked her as the fearful images built in her mind, and she gripped handfuls of his toga, holding on to him and burying her face against his chest as tears of despair flowed from her.

“
Please
,” she begged him. “Please, don’t make me marry you. Just let me go.”

He took her chin in his firm grip and lifted her to face him. “Such lovely tears.” He kissed the wet tracks running down her cheek. “I shall get more from you before I’m through.”

With a violent shove, he threw her away from him and disappeared on the other side of the colorful draperies. Valeria caught herself against the wall and sagged back against the cold marble. She hugged her arms around her middle in an attempt to anchor herself, but she was lost, with no hope of being saved. Giving in to her despair, she sank down to the floor and cried out the rest of her hopeless tears.

If she married Gaius, her life would be over.

Valeria wasn’t ready to die.

The wobbly, dilapidated stairs made for a precarious climb to the second floor of Vorenus’s tavern. Valeria thanked the Gods when she got to the top without breaking her neck. Sunlight filtered in through the tall windows and it was quiet enough upstairs to hear the activity on the street outside.

She followed one of his girls down a narrow walkway that led to his office. The room was larger than she expected, with a table in the middle, and stacks upon stacks of books lining the walls. His back was to her as he faced a large sheet of parchment tacked to the wall and made furious notes in the different columns.

“A lady to see you,” the girl announced, then she lowered her head and ducked out of the room.

Vorenus wheeled around and eased into a friendly smile when he saw her. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“I imagine you once thought you’d take my coin and never see my face again.”

“I admit, in the beginning, I pegged you for an easy mark, but now you lead all the bets.” He poured two cups of wine and offered one to Valeria.

She accepted the drink with a nod of thanks and took a sip, watching Vorenus as he pulled out the wooden box that held the winnings for the bets placed with him. She’d gotten to know him better in the few times she’d come here, and she was starting to think him a handsome man, or maybe she’d just developed a liking for beards. He was a little rough around the edges, but he was honest and trustworthy. Not something one would expect from a shady character.

“What are the odds for today?” she wondered, looking at the chart on the wall behind him. She could make no sense of it, but Vorenus could track all of his bets, and that was good enough for her.

“Six to one for today’s games,” he said, while counting out her winnings from a few days ago. “You interested?” He gave her a cocksure smile, knowing she had every intention of placing another bet.

She giggled and sipped from her wine. “I’ll put down two thousand today, if that’s all right.”

He piled a neat stack of coins on the table in front of her, and she took her winnings and filled her purse, leaving two thousand denarii sitting on the table. She’d already made five thousand denarii as profit. If the odds stayed in her favor, she’d have more money than she knew what to do with. She was already having trouble finding places to hide it all in her rooms.

“That’s really going to upset the board.” Vorenus smiled at her over the rim of his cup, and then took a long swallow. “Half my bettors won’t put up until they see what you’ve laid down.”

She gave a casual shrug of her shoulder and smiled an impish grin. “I figure I’m playing with profit now, why not get a little adventurous?”

“I never would have guessed you to be so genuine and modest.” He perused her with an admiring gaze. “It’s not like those of your station to treat common citizens as equals, yet you’ll laugh at my jokes and share a drink with me and my men downstairs. You have a kind heart, lady.” He raised his cup in salute to her and took a drink.

Valeria blushed at his heartfelt compliment. She didn’t think he’d recognized her, and she couldn’t have it get out that she’d been coming here. “Please, if you’d do me a favor and not tell anyone that I—”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” he assured her. “I’m not one to prattle on or spread gossip. That’s a woman’s job. I’ve been telling everyone you came from the north after selling all your worldly possessions so you could earn enough money to free the gladiator because he’s your heart’s true love.”

Valeria couldn’t hide the look of shock on her face. This was unbelievable. The man couldn’t possibly know how close to the truth he’d come with his story. Was this some sort of joke?

He smiled boldly. “It makes things more interesting, what do you think?”

“I think you should stop teasing your patrons with such ridiculous stories.” She awkwardly returned his smile. “They’re bound to get caught up in some silly, romantic notion.”

“A little romance would do us all good,” he said. “Life isn’t worth living without it.”

In ten more days, she would realize the meaning of his words when she was wed to Gaius. At this point, all she could do was pray for a miracle, or her life was going to be over before it had even started.

“Will you stay for a while and keep a lonely man company?” He indicated an empty stool in front of the table.

Valeria felt it wise not to give Vorenus any romantic notions of his own and had to refuse. “I’m afraid I can’t today. I’ll be joining my cousin at the games.”

“I’d ask you to give him my best, but that would be a dagger in his back, and I’ll not set a lady to such a gruesome task.”

Vorenus put great trust in her to speak of such treason against the Caesar of Rome, but he wasn’t alone in his thinking. The people were getting tired of Crispus and his dictatorial ways. His disregard for the Senate and lack of respect for the citizens was quickly earning their disfavor. She had no wish to be involved in any of it. She’d warned her cousin not to go against the people’s wishes, and he ignored her advice, so she would let him stand alone. Soon she’d be away from the city on Gaius’s country estate and far removed from the daily politics. It was one thing she could be glad for.

“My cousin has much growing up to do I’m afraid,” she admitted sadly. “In time he’ll come to see the error of his ways.”

“His time may be coming sooner than you think.” Vorenus turned somber, serious. “Watch out for yourself, lady. There are intrigues afoot, and I’d hate to see you caught up in them.”

His warning put her on edge, but she was thankful for it at the same time. “You’re a good man, Vorenus. I feel lucky to have met you.”

“Don’t flatter me too much.” He gave a devilish grin. “I might start to get airs.”

Valeria laughed. It was too late for that. “Good day to you.”

“And to you, my lady.” He inclined his head respectfully.

She secured her purse in the pocket she’d sewn into her cape and made her way back down the wobbly stairs. She had just enough time to make it to the arena to meet Crispus.

A brisk breeze kept the afternoon fresh and cool, but with the bright sun and the brilliant blue sky they wouldn’t have to worry about rain. Valeria had been wrong to think she’d have better seats at the arena with her cousin. Crispus, Gaius and senator Braxus sat in the front row of seats, while she and Septima were stuffed away in the back row with the servants.

“I can’t see anything.” Valeria plopped back in her seat with a huff and folded her arms across her chest.

“Did you expect to be sitting down front with the men?” Septima retorted in jest as she lifted a hand and inspected her nails, seemingly bored. “They talk of politics and war. Nothing a woman would be interested in.”

“I came here to see the games, not to sit with you.” Valeria lifted her feet up on the seat and stood in her chair. She could see the arena clearly, but she still felt so far back.

“Would you sit down?” Septima hissed, glaring up at her. “People are watching us.”

“I don’t care.” She was actually having fun knowing her actions were upsetting the evil witch.

“I’m sure Gaius cares. He brought you here to show you off now that your engagement has been announced.”

“He didn’t bring me here.” She trembled at the inescapable thought. “Crispus did.”

Gaius turned in his seat and looked at her over his shoulder. The silent reprimand in his eyes was clear, but they weren’t wed yet and her life wasn’t over, so she’d do as she pleased. It might be her last chance.

“Dear Gods,” Crispus said, also looking back at her. “You’ve been sitting with the common citizens so long you’re starting to behave like one.”

Effectively upbraided, Valeria took her seat and maintained a straight, regal poise, while on the inside she rebelled at having to share such undesirable company. If she’d been more careful she wouldn’t be stuck up here. It was her own fault.

“How can you endure sitting through the games with those people?” Septima shuddered in revulsion. “I couldn’t think of it.”

“I was sitting with Lucia.”

“You can’t get more common than that woman.” Crispus didn’t bother to mask the insult.

Valeria took the affront personally. “How can you say that? She raised me.”

“She did not,” he argued back. “She was nothing more than your nursemaid, and don’t forget how she left my father’s service while you were still a child. What kind of loyalty does that speak of?”

“She left because she was emancipated and no longer needed to work for a wage.” Valeria shouldn’t be letting her cousin upset her. He had no understanding of her relationship with Lucia.

“Ha! Emancipation.” He gave a bitter laugh. “What a thing for a woman. I should see the practice outlawed.”

“I do not think the citizens would approve of such an action,” Senator Braxus warned casually. “Which reminds me, will you be present at the next Senate meeting?”