Disclaimer: Anything you recognize from the STARZ show Spartacus is not mine.

A/N: Unable to help myself, I've started another story. I hope you enjoy it! I found this one exceptionally exciting to write!

Prologue

The villa was quiet. Even the wind dared not stir for the sake of being confronted by the villa's master. Lying on the cold stone of the small room I occupied, I tried not to breathe too heavily. Afraid that the shudders lying within each breath would make him return. Afraid that if he did I would not last the night. The thought had plagued my mind every night since I'd arrived, yet I still endured.

Shifting my weight, my body ached, making tears come to my eyes, the trenches in my back soiled and only partially healed. My dress was in ribbons, covered in dirt and blood. My legs had yet to return full feeling from my last encounter with the man who owned me. Owned me as one owns a cup or a bed. Owned me like a loaf of bread or the clothes on your back. Tears welled and rolled from the corners of my eyes as I choked back sobs as they attempted to come out. Wallowing in my grief, I heard footfalls coming ever closer. My heart started to race and I quickly scrambled into the nearest corner, not caring about the pain it caused me or the rattling of the shackle around my ankle.

Soon a shadow moved in front of the sheet of fabric that draped the doorway, standing there for several moments before a hand appeared and slowly pulled the drape aside, revealing a toned man of worth. His tall form hard with muscle, thick brown hair that was cut short, bangs flattened against his forehead. His eyes were as cold as steal, his thin lips practically invisible as he smiled evilly. Stepping into the room, I cowered in the corner, my chin digging into my chest as I tried to melt into myself. Hearing him step up to me, he bent down, moving a strand of hair that covered my face.

"How do you fare, my love?" He said with a voice like chocolate. Remaining silent, I couldn't even begin to bring myself to meet his eyes. Gripping my chin forcefully, he jerked my head up so I would meet his eyes. "You must know that I never wish to harm you. If only you'd see that."

"Then why do you continue to force yourself upon me?" I asked with a small voice.

"If you'd comply, I wouldn't have to." He replied with an ominous tone.

"Of course." I told him with a soft tone. "Apologies."

He sighed and cupped my face in his large hand. "See?" He smiled. "A little compliance will go a long way."

Nodding at him, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. Giving me several kisses, I had to swallow the bile, unable to kiss him back. Suddenly he bit my lip, making me give a small yell as blood filled my mouth. Leaning away, he looked at me with a taut jaw, the anger I'd come to know well in his eyes. My eyes grew wide as I watched his muscles tense, pain streaking across my face as he slapped me. He didn't let me recover from the hit before his hands were on my arms, throwing me to the floor before he straddled me. There was nothing between him and I to stop what was about to happen. Unable to control my fear, I fought against him, thrashing my arms and legs to try and throw him off. He was too strong for me, especially in my weakened state, stopping, screaming, as he violently thrust himself up inside of me. Still trying to fight him off, memories of the past came flooding back, trying to lose myself in the moments where I was happy. Where I laid with a man that I loved and was not simply a toy to be played with. Those memories were all I had left to keep me going. The only reason I still fought against him. The only reason I fought to stay alive.

After he was done with me I once again lay limp on the floor, battered and bruised. I was losing my will to fight, deciding that it might just be easier to give in and be what he wanted me to be. But the thought was a betrayal in itself. I couldn't. I wouldn't. He would not destroy me. He could do what he wanted with my body, but my heart and soul was already taken by another. His memory would keep me alive. Knowing that he was out there and that someday, somehow, we would be together again. Simply the knowledge that he still lived would be enough for me.

Sleep would not take me, afraid of what would happen if I was caught unawares. I needed to be ready. Even if I couldn't stop him, I would still fight, knowing what was coming for me. Just when I felt the first wave of fatigue start to take over, I heard commotion in the villa. Sitting up, I listened to it before my master appeared in the doorway. Darting to the corner, he was on top of my before I could react. He lifted me from the ground and slammed me against the wall, allowing me to fall to the side. Straddling me, his lips tasted of wine as he pressed his lips against mine. His hands gripped my breasts with such force that I attempted to scream, though his hand against my throat quickly stifled me. I could feel his cock go hard against my thigh. Struggling against him, I managed to kick him off of me, making me scramble away from him till I was at the end of my chain. Gripping it, he yanked with all his might, making me jerk toward him on my back. Turning, I attempted to grip the smooth surface of the floor, my fingernails breaking off whole from the effort, my screams filling the room as I felt his hands once again on my flesh. With one more pull I was underneath him again. Lying atop my back, he once against thrust himself inside of me. He was clumsy with wine but managed to find his mark. I could feel warmth surrounding my cunt as pain erupted, knowing he had ripped me again. Fear slowly turned to anger, building until I had the courage to fight back, elbowing him in the face. He fell off of me, letting out a feral yell before he turned and scrambled back to me. Only now he came at me with fists and feet, beating me until I couldn't move. When he stood breathing hard, I attempted not to choke on the blood that was filling my mouth and sinuses.

"One day you will learn, my love." He told me. Coughing blood, he simply straightened his clothes and left the room.

Unable to even cry, I simply laid there. The end was near. His final lesson would take the last shreds of my humanity and then finally my life. I knew it was so. There was no stopping it anymore. As it was I felt too far gone to be able to fight him again. The next time he came calling would be the last. I couldn't take anymore. I'd rather my life end than give into him. I may be his slave but I would not live this way. I would not be a piece of meat to feed his insanity. I would not give him the satisfaction. Closing my eyes, I brought forth the happy memories that I held onto, bringing them to light behind the lids of my eyes. His boyish features. His blue eyes that made me melt. Strong hands that made me feel safe whenever they touched me. Imagining them on me now, I felt comforted. Even finding a small measure of well needed sleep.

Waking to commotion in the villa, fear once again encompassed me. Three times in the same day was far more than usual, even for him. He usually kept his visits to once a day or even every other, letting me recover before coming again. Making it more enjoyable for him. Moving to the corner, I couldn't help the shaking that started to set in as I waited for him to appear. Then I heard yelling. Something that was not normal for the villa. There were other slaves and a handful of guards but I hadn't had interaction with them in weeks. Only when a shadow appeared against the drape, the shape was different. The drape was slowly moved aside and a figure stepped in. Now tears filled my eyes, swiftly streaming down my face. The man in front of me was one I knew. For a moment I dared to believe that this hell was over. Dared to hope that I had been saved.