"I made promise." Victoria said, escorting Banta to the edge of her estate. He limped at her side, sporting bones broken by Archaeus' shield. But he was yet of this world and Victoria's word remained. Waiting for them was a cart, with horse, supplies and coin. A smile graced her lips when she watched her friend embrace his long lost sister. Acca stood quietly at her side.

"Thank you, Domina." Banta said over his sister's head.

"Victoria." She corrected gently. "You are a slave no longer. You are a free man." He dipped his head respectfully and she even assisted in helping him onto the cart. "Go quickly. I've heard Pompeii is quite beautiful." Banta smiled as they rode away.

"Will you go see to Duro, Domina?" Acca asked as they walked back to the villa.

"Of course, if he has not fallen from this world in my absence." Her steps moved quicker as they entered the villa to where the medicus had placed Duro. 13 cuts decorated his form, a gift from Archaeus before his head was severed. But her new champion was wounded and in desperate need of mending. "How does he fare?" She asked, sitting next to the prone man.

"He will live, Domina." The medicus answered. "He should return to the sands within a week."

"Good. Whatever is needed, give list to Acca and she will see it brought to you." She looked down at her champion, no longer smooth and unblemished. He fought well. Much better than anticipated, but there was so much room for him to grow. She would need to keep him a bit longer than planned before she could release him to Batiatus.

"Domina." His eyes opened and he looked at her.

"You won." She smiled. "A sound victory. The first of many, I am sure."

"I must train." He moved to rise and she placed hand upon his breast, halting his movements.

"You must rest. The sands will await your feet. I will employ the greatest warriors in Rome to train you before you are returned to Batiatus' ludus. Your brother will not even recognize the man you have become."

Duro smiled at her words. "Perhaps, I will best even him in combat."

"Even him." She assured him. "Your desires are so small. Seek higher, seek greater opposition. Agron will find himself taken with envy of your skill, Crixus will bow to you in respect, Spartacus will be but fleeting memory in wake of your glory. The crowd will chant your name, dozens of patrons will seek your prowess. Greatness rests on your shoulders, you but need to learn how to wield it. You must desire it above all else."

"I will." He promised. "For you, Domina."

She rose to her feet. "Rest, Champion." She made her way back into the villa to be met with the scowling face of her husband. "To what do I owe the pleasure of such an expression?"

"Duro will never set foot upon the sands again." Acteon hissed. "You will remove your guards and return to acting wife of valued lanista. Turn your thoughts to raising our status and producing a child while I search for a new, worthy champion."

"And who are you to make demands of me?" She scowled.

"I am not finished." Acteon walked slowly towards her. "Acca will be given to the gladiators to fuck as they wish. Each one will have their fill and then she shall sold to the mines where she will live out her days in dirt and mire. You have made me into a fool at which all of Rome laughs, but now, I will laugh as I finally conquer the bitch that is my wife." He backed her against the wall. "Caesar will never lay hand upon you again. He will never set foot within this ludus again. You will never raise hand or voice against me again. Do you understand? Or do I need to rip tongue from fucking mouth to ensure that you know who owns it?"

Victoria allowed a smirk to play on her lips and glanced at Acca. "Look at this, Acca, look upon a man who with but tiny inch of power attempts to seize the fucking moment. Look at how the worm between his legs grows to match the ego he believes himself worthy of. You are right, beloved husband, that Caesar is the man who warms my bed, who fills my cunt better than you ever could. I never truly cared if you knew or not. I just wonder who revealed this to you."

"Look to trusted friends." He grinned. "Whatever plans you had, remove them from thought and return our bed."

"I will die before any of your words become true."

"Who would mourn the loss of an insubordinate whore?"

"Caesar." She replied.

He scowled and raised his hand, but the strike never connected. Acteon was sent flying across the room by none other than the new champion of their house. Duro winced slightly as he held his ribcage, but he placed himself between Victoria and her husband with all the intent in the world to slay the man.

"Don't." Victoria grabbed his arm. If he slew Acteon, the entire house would be called into question. It would destroy everything she was trying to accomplish. "Lower hand. Remove yourself."

"He moved to strike you!"

"And you forget your place." She whispered. He slowly backed away and she called her guards. She gave one orders that Acteon was not to be left alone and Acca was to sleep with her that night. She was not afraid of Acteon. It made her more determined to sever herself from him. What woman had to live with guards in her own villa? It was unheard of. It was almost two months before she would address a matter weighing heavily on her heart.

Victoria was watching a reborn Duro tackle the sands when she heard the footsteps of her beloved friend. Lucretia kissed her cheek. "Your man is in fine form. His brother fares well."

"I had not known you were coming."

"It is a surprise." Lucretia smiled, but it was quick to fade when she noticed that her happiness was not quite shared. "What is it? Has Acteon done something to you? Do I need to have his cock put in a jar?"

Victoria sat down and Lucretia clung to her side. "He made many threats and demands and made attempt to hit me."

"Has your father received word?"

"None. Acteon knows about Caesar."

A scowl marred Lucretia's beautiful face. "And what did he say about Caesar? He knows of your affair?"

"Yes, he told me to look to most trusted friends to find the informant. It hurts my heart to, but I must ask if it was you."

"Of course not. I would never harm you in such a way. It must have been Ilithyia." Victoria looked into her friend's eyes and saw nothing but truth and affection. She could not imagine a life with her friend at her side.

"Forgive me."

"No, there is nothing to forgive. That man seeks only to destroy what is beautiful. We will find a way to end him for this."

"I have already made arrangements to speak with Caesar, and I have spoken with my father to ensure patronage for the House of Batiatus."

Lucretia gasped. "Victoria-"

"It is done." She smiled, laughing when Lucretia threw her arms around her. The red haired woman pecked her lips. "Now, let us turn thoughts to breaking word to your husband."

"He will lose his fucking mind!" Lucretia giggled.

Victoria smiled, but her thoughts were as dark as the sky when Spartacus brought the rain to Capua. Ilithyia was going to pay…

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