Seduced by the Gladiator(67)

Gaius needed us for the games.

“Christus!” I sat up straight, blood surging through my veins in a sudden, intoxicating rush. “They cannot make us do it.”

“What is that, my love?” Sleepily, he sat with me, rubbing a hand over my back. I was distracted from my thoughts for a moment by his endearment—my love—but forced myself to stay on point.

“Christus. What if we were the last two standing in the games?” I scrabbled to my knees and sat back on my heels, looking down at him excitedly.

He cocked his head and looked up at me, puzzled.

“What do you mean?”

“If we were the last two alive. They cannot make one of us kill the other.” I was overwhelmed by the possibility. Perhaps all that we needed to do the next day was to keep each other alive.

“Lilia, my love.” Catching my hand and tugging gently, he pulled me down into his arms, holding me tightly. “I wish that it was so easy. But if we do not kill each other, they could simply do it themselves.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, not willing to face the possibility of losing him, now that I had found the piece that made my life worth living. I knew, though, that the words he spoke were true.

“We can try.” I needed him to give me his word. Somehow, I was certain that Gaius would not have me killed, if I made it that far. And if he tried to kill Christus, he would have me to go through first. Perhaps I was dreaming, but it was the best chance that we had.

“We will try.” Christus’ words were troubled. I knew that he did not like being unable to ensure my well-being. “Now come. Let us try to rest awhile. We will find our way back to the party after.” He smoothed a hand over my hair, trying to soothe my agitation. “Now rest.”





CHAPTER TWELVE




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This was going to be a bloodbath.

I felt the soft Lilia that my time with Christus had teased out in me retreating, hiding deep inside. In her place was the Lilia that had embraced life as a gladiator. Though I was ashamed to admit it even in my own mind, my blood heated as I stood still in the spot to which I had been dragged by the soldiers, my every muscle tensed.

Beside me, Christus seemed to sense the change in me, for he, too, stiffened. The time spent together in the cavern seemed as if it had happened to two different people.

The stands of the great arena were full. People from all over the Empire had come to attend the games that were hosted by Gaius, and the excitement that they felt at being there was frenetic.

This was why Gaius was holding the games in the first place, or so he said—to gain favor from the populace. He still had not revealed his reason for wanting this favor—surely the brother of an emperor did not intend to run for office.

No matter how secret his motivations, he clearly had his reasons. So did any who sponsored munera.

This was why I was a gladiator, not a house slave.

“People of the Empire!”

I spared a quick glance up at the balcony as the words boomed out, quieting the crowd. Gaius stood at the marble railing, his hands outstretched, an expression of benevolence on his face.

Instead of looking at the people whom he was hoping to impress, his eyes were fastened on me.

“I will kill you.” I spoke the words low, to myself, before I looked away from Gaius. I heard, as if from a great distance, as he began to speak, addressing the crowds.

I did not care what he said. All I knew, in that moment, was that I had to survive, and I had to protect Christus.

The crowd roared at something that had been said; I did not spare them a glance, focusing instead on scanning the arena. There would be women baring their breasts at their favorite gladiators; there would be people selling meat pies. Men would collect money for bets placed, and children barely off the teat would be calling for blood.

“Lilia! Lilia!” People screamed my name, desperate for even a glance from me. Anyone who followed arena games knew of me, for as a woman, I had always stood out. But as I stood there, waiting for the slaughter to begin, I realized something that had never occurred to me before. Famous to them or not, these people cared nothing for me. I was not a person to them—I was simply entertainment. My bloody death might sadden them briefly, might give them a moment’s pause, but they would find a replacement in a heartbeat.

“Let these great games begin!”

I knew, somehow, that Gaius was looking at me—I could feel his eyes pulling at my skin. I ignored their tug, and turned to look at Christus instead. He met my stare, and though we were not permitted to touch now that we were in the arena, I felt as if he clasped my hand all the same.

“I love you.” He mouthed the words to me, and I felt my heart contract, even as the gong signaling the start of the game sounded. It was nearly drowned out by the roar of the crowd, and I knew that I had to turn away or die.