CHANGE OF HEART
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within the story; they all belong to the creative minds of Renaissance Pictures and Starz. I did borrow dialogue and scenes from the show.
A/N: Welcome to my first multi-chapter story! As noted above, many scenes will be familiar to you because I borrowed them from the show as well as some dialogue. I wanted to embellish some of the details and elaborate on more things between the characters. Take note that things will happen differently or with different characters. I will enjoy any and all feedback, especially on any action or smut scenes! I've never written either before and would like all the advice I can get so I can improve. Thank you for your time and hope you enjoy!
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PROLOGUE: First Impressions
Lucretia is frantic as she moves about the room, cursing herself silently for not rising when expected of her. She strips of her night clothing while Melitta runs a soaked cloth across her face, then down her arms and taps her shoulder letting her know to raise her arms. She rubs underneath her arms and under her breasts. Lucretia grabs a brush and begins to run it through her long brown hair while Melitta cleans between her legs.
"Fuck me..." she says as the brush is caught in a snag. Melitta sighs and sets the bowl of water and cloth down and grabs the brush from her hands.
"Let me do this, Domina." she says as she continues running the brush through Lucretia's hair, removing all traces of sleep from her curly locks. "Which dress do you desire to wear today?"
"I wish to wear the blue one." Lucretia points as Melitta continues to calm her with her brushing. "That vile man loathes me enough as is and yet I add oil to the fire..."
Melitta pauses for a moment before speaking. "If I may speak mind, Domina?" she asks, setting the brush down to begin styling Lucretia's hair. Lucretia pats her gently on the hand.
"It is only I here with you, Melitta. Speak what plagues you."
"Master Batiatus may rule over house but he is a fool to not see your worth... One can only be cornered for so long before striking with vengeance," she says, slightly afraid she has spoken too much. Lucretia thinks of the plan she has already set in motion against her father-in-law and gives pause before replying.
"Yes. Truth spills from your lips and is much appreciated. Gratitude for your praise," she smiles at her trusted body slave. She then frowns as her thoughts become more troublesome. "He bares weight on Quintus's shoulders and mind with decision to remove me from home or not, even more so due to my inability to produce a child. He wishes Gaia's belongings removed from our home. He wants no trace of her left behind and I will not have her erased from memory." She thinks of her closest friend and her blue eyes fill with tears that she cannot keep at bay. Melitta is finished with her hair and she stands so she can be dressed for the day. She steps into the dress as Melitta pulls it up her body and rests the straps on her shoulders. Naevia is across the room straightening the linens on the bed as she tries not to listen to the conversation playing out before her.
"We will tell them belongings have been removed even in absence of the deed. Naevia will attest if questioned." Melitta says as she comes to stand in front of her and dries her tears with a cloth. Lucretia squeezes her shoulder in affection.
"Gratitude." She sniffs.
The two slaves finish preparing her for the morning, adorning her with jewelry and scented oils. Lucretia smooths her hands over her gown and takes a deep breath to steel her nerves. "Come," she says as she walks out of the room and travels to the balcony that overlooks the training grounds, joining her husband and father-in-law. The smell of sweat and dust hangs heavily in the air. "Apologies for the hour of my rising. Sleep came with difficulty last night." she explains.
"Your absence was not noticed," Titus says with contempt. Lucretia grits her teeth and forces a smile to her face.
"Yet the apology still stands," she said.
"A noble gesture that is much appreciated," Quintus said, giving her encouragement. This doesn't placate Titus as he turns and says, "The mulsum more so." It takes all her power not to roll her eyes.
"Let me fill your cup," she says as she moves to pour him a cup of wine. Oenomaus calls the next match.
"Duratius! Crixus! Take position!" he commands. Crixus breathes deeply as he is equipped with a practice sword and shield. As he walks to take his position, he looks to the balcony and catches the eye of the younger Batiatus, hoping to impress. He also takes in the sight of the beautiful wife at his side. He gets into stance as he awaits the command to start. "Begin!" Oenomaus yells.
He feints forward as he watches his opponent. Duratius also feints forward and Crixus lunges towards him, bringing his blade down in a fast swipe and hits Duratius's sword with his shield. He immediately ducks beneath the sword swiping above his head and tries to land a blow on his opponent, but Duratius rolls out of the way. Crixus charges forward again, raining fierce blows upon Duratius and manages to land a hard kick to his leg that causes him to fall. Lucretia has taken a mild interest in the Gaul as she watches him fight. "Gaia favored him from first sight," she speaks softly. Naevia steps onto the balcony and brings news of an unwanted arrival to the villa in the form of Tullius. She is instantly enraged. "What is that man doing in our house?" she questions.
"My house," Titus states matter of factly. "He comes in response to invitation," he says as he takes leave. She looks to Quintus and sees his barely controlled rage as obscenities begin to fall from his lips. "You do nothing to stop him! Save lay blame where none should rest!" she states.
"I'm a fool in such regard. Allowing frustration to strip sense from tongue," he tries to explain.
She regards him coolly. "And spilling truth as consequence," she says referring to his words from the previous night.
"I would not hurt you!" he exclaims truthfully. She says nothing as she turns her attention back to the fight below. Duratius is swinging his hammer with all his might against Crixus, who in turn is successfully blocking every blow with his shield. Crixus swings his sword down against the hammer and swipes it towards Duratius's head, which misses as he ducks.
"You desire a son of your own," she says softly. "To carry your name and make you proud. I would do anything to give you such a treasure."
Quintus glances at her as he speaks. "I must give him my answer tomorrow. It is too late for such dreams," he says quietly. Lucretia feels her panic begin to rise as she looks back down to the fight just in time to see Crixus throw Duratius over his shoulder and onto the ground, pointing the sword at his throat. The men cheer as he raises his arms in victory and turns to the balcony with his sword raised in honor. Lucretia looks at Crixus and knows what she must do.
"It is never too late when will is set to purpose!" she says desperately.
Later that night after Quintus and Titus leave the villa, Lucretia decides to go through with her idea and sends Melitta to fetch the Gaul from the ludus. She starts pacing nervously in the room, wringing her hands together. I don't know if I can do this...lowering myself to fuck a filthy slave, she thinks to herself. She lets out a sigh and mutters to herself, "Remove thoughts from mind...the purpose is clear. No more, no less than what needs to be done." Melitta and the guard that escorted her soon return with Crixus in tow. He looks around the room as Lucretia finally stops her pacing and looks at him. He walks across the room to stand before her. "Leave us." Lucretia speaks to Melitta. Melitta gives her a questioning gaze and Lucretia tilts her head almost shamefully, revealing what she intends to do. Melitta nods as she turns and exits the room and closes the doors behind her, the guard following. Left alone, they don't speak as they take each other in.
She finally breaks the silence. "You are a Gaul, are you not?"
"Yes, Domina." he answers.
"Many believe the seed of a Gaul to rival Jupiter himself. Tell me, how many sons sprang from your father's cock?" she asks as she circles him like a piece of meat.
"Five, Domina," he responds.
"And from his father before him?"
"The same," he says as she stops directly in front of him.
"Your subligaria. Remove it," she demands. He does as he is told and drops the cloth to the ground, presenting himself. Lucretia takes quick notice of his size and averts her gaze. "You are never to speak of this. Do you understand?" she said, the insinuating threat lingering in the air.
"Yes, Domina."
She pauses for a brief moment to collect herself. "Well, I will not look upon you. The sight turns stomach," she says with disgust and turns around and bends over the bed. She pulls her gown up and the pit in her stomach grows as she is disgusted with herself for becoming wet at the sight of his large cock. "Enter me. And do not cease until you have spilled seed," she commands.
Crixus swallows back his pride as he is feeling shameful because he is being used like this, yet he cannot help the hardening of his cock at the sight of her presenting herself to him. He slowly strokes himself as he walks to her and grabs her hips while he pushes slowly into her. He groans at the feeling of her tight walls surrounding him as it's been too long since he has held a woman. He keeps a steady pace, fully pulling out and slamming back into her. Lucretia is torn about what to feel as she doesn't know if she wants to cry out in the pleasure that she feels or cry in shame because of her treachery and humiliation. She bites her lip to keep the moans at bay. He speeds up his thrusts, making her unintentionally gasp loudly. Something deep within him wants to hear more sounds coming from her, wants to hear her scream in pleasure. He begins to pound into her harder and more harshly, making her cry out with every thrust of his hips.
"Ohhhhh!" she moans loudly as she clenches around him, climaxing. He thrusts a few more times before he cums, spilling his seed inside of her. They both take a moment to catch their breath and Lucretia hastily steps away from him and pulls her dress back down. She picks up his subligaria and throws it at him, which he promptly puts back on. She grits her teeth as she is trying to keep her composure.
"Get out," she says harshly. He bows his head.
"Yes, Domina," he says, and slowly starts walking out of the room. He grows nervous at the thought that she could change her mind and say that he forced himself upon her. He would be castrated and crucified. He pushes the doors open and sees Melitta standing by the doorway, her eyes glued to the floor. He doesn't look at her as she leads him back to the ludus.
As soon as the doors close, Lucretia sits on the bed and begins to weep silently. She is overcome with emotions. Shame, being one of them, because she has to resort to fucking a slave in order to keep her place beside her husband, lust and disbelief that the Gaul slave brought her such pleasures, and violent rage directed towards her father-in-law because he is the reason she has to do any of this in the first place. Her racing thoughts come to an end as she composes herself and speaks aloud.
"When mind is set to purpose, anything is within reach," she sniffs. She stands and begins walking out of the room and goes to prepare her father-in-law's honeyed wine.