Chapter One
"This way."
The boy flinched in embarrassment then fled to the baths. Naevia smiled despite herself. Still a boy and he wears the toga virilis tonight. So much potential for greatness… and for ruin, she realized, thinking of her own fifteenth year. Mira emerged from the far corner of the courtyard.
"I brought more Falonian wine up from the cellar, as requested." She proclaimed dutifully, and leaned in to whisper. "Is the dress new?"
"I shall require your assistance in the baths." Naevia responded in kind, and whispered. "No, you daft woman. It is simply washed."
Mira nodded, concealing a smile as she followed the boy. Naevia's rapport with every slave always made life under Batiatus' roof passing tolerable, but their growing friendship since the incident elated Mira. A constant fear nagged her though - happiness was a rare thing for a slave and the threat of loss was ever-present.
"The bath is filled. Leave." The boy ordered, trembling. The other slaves looked to Naevia.
"You do not require assistance?" She asked, watching him blush as red as an apple.
"I-I-I will not undress in front of strangers." He tried to be forceful, but the shiver in his chin betrayed him. Naevia bowed and left, the slaves following her. Just as well. Naevia was entrusted with the enormous task of organizing the slaves and the food by her Domina, and the importance was clearly stressed in those cold ice blue eyes. She instructed one slave to wait outside the baths in case the twitching boy required assistance and turned to the others.
"Domina requires all slaves be scrubbed clean and ready to serve the guests. Half of you bathe now, but do it quickly. The others will follow and ready themselves. Mira." She nodded toward her, leading her into the kitchen. "What is this I hear about Hector harassing you? Why did you not tell me?" She asked as they arranged the trays of food for the festivities.
"Naevia, he was looking for… the key. I did not tell him anything." Mira assured in a low tone, quickly touching Naevia's hand. Naevia flushed with anger and guilt at once.
"Mira. Apologies-"
"Tch. Put it from your mind. Spartacus taught him such a lesson he won't soon forget. Lay eyes upon his right cheek when you next see him; you will see a most unusual branding!" She laughed. The worry had not left Naevia's eyes but she did smile.
"Gratitude. I pray to the Gods every time I think of discovery..." Crixus was no longer champion - his trespasses would not be easily forgiven. Her own position was precarious and she feared what Lucretia might do in her passion.
"I thank the Gods for the day that I saw the key in your possession. It has brought us so much closer." Mira replied, and tucked her face away to appear nonchalant. "No matter how far our men may be from being friends."
Naevia looked at Mira in a playful, sideways glance. "So Spartacus is your man now, is he?" She teased Mira with her tone.
Mira quickly responded, tripping over her words. "Why else does he defend me? He refuses me because he believes that I am sent to him simply by Domina's will. He needs assurance of my affections." She attempted to convince herself of his feelings, but the man did not make it easy.
"It is not so simple with a gladiator. Especially not with Spartacus…" Naevia scoffed and busied herself with the fruit tray.
Mira grew concerned and pressed on. "What is your meaning?"
Naevia sighed. "He has always loved his wife, Mira, and he still does. With her gone, he cares only for the games. I have seen the man he was and the man he is now. He is changed - frigid and without emotion."
"Crixus once only cared for the games, only cared for the glory of the arena and the honor of the crowds. I hear he has moved to other passions of late?" Mira made a lewd gesture with her hands.
Naevia laughed. "You are grotesque!" She batted at Mira but then lowered her voice for fear of discovery. "I still warn you, as a friend. Proceed with as much caution as you can. Disappointment is a vile poison all slaves must learn to relish."
A guard approached the kitchen, fortunately not Hector. "Naevia. You are summoned."
Naevia nodded and smiled at the man - she recognized him as one of the kinder guards. After spending her whole life in the villa, she knew who to be wary of. "Finish here."
Mira whispered a term of endearment to her friend. "Miserable cunt."