Release Life's Rapture

Chapter 1: mala tempora currunt

"Bad Times Are Upon Us"

"Let all of life be an unfettered howl. Like the crowd greeting the gladiator. Don't stop to think, don't interrupt the scream, exhale, release life's rapture."

- Vladimir Nabokov -

-x-X-x-

"You watch them closely. Do these men unnerve you?"

Alexa faced her inquisitor, the touch of his whisper still soft on her ear, and smiled. She turned in his arms, his fingertips firm on her hip, and the girl placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Who should I fear but the gods when in your embrace?" she asked, then looked back at the captives. Her smile faltered as she watched the beaten and broken men who were knelt upon the hard marble floor, chained to one another, while the others in the room made merry in celebration. "I pity them," she continued and turned her attention back to her betrothed.

She knew her words were a mistake as she felt the man's fingers dig into her hip. He brought Alexa closer in what would seem as an affectionate embrace, but the look on his face told otherwise. He brought his hand up and caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "Pity?" he hissed. "You pity them?"

The girl softly shook her head. "Seppius, please -"

He ignored her appeal and quit her side, instead walking to captured slaves. "Death is but a day from them, yet the men still eye us as prey!" he announced loud enough for the others close by to hear.

"The arena awaits them," Alexa heard from behind her, but she could not turn from Seppius' gaze. A fire burned in his eyes that the girl had not yet learned to extinguish and she cursed herself for fanning the flames.

Seppia walked closer to her brother and stopped by Alexa's side. "It will be a day etched in memory," she said, and only then did their contact break. Seppius turned to his sister with furrowed brow. "I cannot wait to see their blood spilled upon the sands."

"Nor I," he countered, "but should they not fall here? In the very place where they robbed our beloved cousin Sextus of his life!"

Alexa watched as her own brother handed Ilithyia his cup and made his way over to Seppius. Gaius clasped him on the shoulder, a display of sympathy made only for show, she knew, and attempted to agitate rising tempers.

"A man dearly missed," he commented. "It is a pity he shall not be honored this night."

"A pity, yes," Alexa said, aware too late that Seppius would undoubtedly acknowledge the fact that she had pitied many men that day, but she continued. She took her place beside her husband-to-be and wrapped an arm around his elbow. "Though, would the greater honor not be before all of Capua?"

Both her brother and her betrothed stared hard at Alexa, but she only gave them a smile. She heard Varinius begin to speak, the room's attention now on him, so she placed a hand on Seppius' chest and spoke softly to only him. "Much blood has already been spilled in this house," she recounted. "And a pleasant night can quickly turn ugly. Do not let emotions get the better of you."

The corners of Seppius' lips turned up in smile, but his jaw still clenched, and Alexa knew that this was not over. "We will have discussion later."

The couple turned when Gaius once again began to speak. "Varinius has seen fit to give us a taste of blood yet to come. A single man to be sacrificed to this house where so many lives were stolen by Spartacus and his jackals. To be chosen by its former domina, the gods themselves guiding her hands."

The Romans around the room clapped in approval at the suggestion, but Alexa shook her head. "This is unwise," she whispered, but Seppius demanded that she still herself.

"Go to your quarters," he commanded. "I will be with you presently."

-x-X-x-

The solitude of her room gave Alexa comfort, though thoughts of the events transpiring below did what they could to dampen contentment. The music could not be heard, but felt - the vibration of tiles underfoot sent soft tremors through her body, as did the sporadic cheers of the Romans.

Her stola was quickly discarded, replaced by her night robes, and she waited. Be sweet, she reminded herself. Be humble. Be the dutiful wife.

The door opened and Alexa stood up to greet her guest. They made their way toward each other silently and the girl recieved Seppius in her arms. "Apologies," she whispered into the hollow of his throat, and gave the flesh a delicate kiss.

He gently tugged the girl's obsidian locks, prompting her to tilt her head up and look him in the eye. "You think I can be so swayed by fluttering lashes?" he asked, his voice smooth and deep. He allowed his hands to wander down the length of her neck and across her breast to find their place on her hips. "You think your lips so ambrosial that I would forget defiance?"

Alexa took the man's hands in her own. "No, Seppius, I only wish to make amends." She brought his hands up to her lips, but quickly released them when she noted the stain of blood upon his flesh.

Seppius laughed and turned from the girl. "It is a good thing you did not participate in events. You would have pitied the man."

Alexa's cheeks grew hot as Seppius continued to chuckle. He meant to shame her for her weakness, but it only ignited her rage. "We are all fools," she said. "We cage men like animals and then punish them when their hearts seek freedom outside of their bars. Do you not ever wander if we are the ones who provoked this?"

"My cousin Sextus -"

"You care nothing of your cousin," Alexa interjected, "only that his name gives weight to your cause!"

Seppius grabbed the girl's jaw with his hand and brought her face close to his own. He stared at her for a moment, dark eyes boring into her blue, before speaking. "You will learn to hold your tongue if you are to be my wife." His tone was calm and fluid, and it alarmed her. "Do you understand?"

Alexa nodded her head, and the man smiled sweetly down at her. He released her jaw from his grasp and stroked her hair with tender touches. "It is fear that moves your words," he whispered. "All of Rome is in fear, but I would not have it so." The young Roman leaned down and pressed his lips against the girl's. "Who should you fear but the gods when you are in my embrace?"

This was just an introductory chapter, and I promise the story will get better. Please review and tell me what you think. Both criticism and compliments are always welcome. Thank you!