The footsteps behind Cassia startle her, but she refuses to turn around to meet her fate. Instead, she opts for a few more moments of bliss as she continues to stare at the night sky.
"So, it is you that sneaks out and gazes upon the sky." Cassia briefly closes her eyes at Varro's unmistakable voice.
She knew things weren't going to change after their encounter. It was purely a woeful fantasy that was fortunate enough to play out. Varro was married and someone she was never meant to have. Clementia had simply shown her mercy and allowed her a few moments of happiness. Albeit unobtainable, the break from her seemingly eternal loneliness was a welcome distraction.
Varro's eyes scan the horizon before they turn back to her.
"You healed well." Cassia blurted out.
A crooked smile spreads across his face, and she swallows the butterflies threatening to escape. Taking her hand, Varro's blue eyes bore into hers. "Every bit of thanks goes to you."
She offers Varro a small smile before turning back to the sky. She instantly feels heat from the proximity of his body. "I should go." She whispered over her shoulder, attempting to turn away. But Varro swiftly closes the distance, pressing his chest to her back and catching her chin. He gently rubs his thumb over her bottom lip, angling her face to search her eyes.
"I want to kiss you."
Cassia furls her brow in confusion as Varro begins to lean in, but Doctore's voice cuts through the air.
"VARRO!"
The gladiator immediately straightens up, and Cassia's heart threatens to beat out of her chest.
In a voice barely above a whisper Varro instructs, "When I turn hide behind the well." He gently runs his hand down Cassia's arm and breaks from her to let her know it's time. She hastily moves as he spins around. "Yes, Doctore?"
"Why are you out past curfew?"
"I lost track of time looking at the stars." Varro causally strides towards the skeptical trainer.
With narrow eyes, Doctore warns, "I suggest you rest. Tomorrow will be challenging."
"Of course."
Cassia listens to their retreating footsteps as she remains behind the well, attempting to gain her composure. She doesn't know what rattles her more, Varro advance or almost getting caught by Doctore.
"Finally... some decent company." Cassia looks to see Varro leaning with his head against the cell door, which separates the gladiator quarters from the cellar storage. He raises his large arms above head and as he grasps the bars, it accentuates his toned physique.
In an attempt to look away, her eyes travel down his glistening body and she notices the large gash on his side. "Do you like getting injured and missing the parties?"
"Slightly preferable over being a statue upstairs." He jerks his chin towards the party taking place in the ludis.
Cassia laughs. She always thought it was rather ludicrous that the gladiators were expected to stand around and do nothing.
Holding up the large jug of wine, she responds, "Fetching."
"They've mistaken you for a dog when you are anything but."
There's a frantic furry of steps, and Marina's breathless voice erupts into the room. "Get another jug, Marina. We wouldn't want our guests to be thirsty Marina." The slave mockingly impersonates her Masters.
Marina stops when she sees Cassia. "What is taken you so long?" She grills.
"My apologies," Varro quickly interrupts. "I was asking how the festivities were going."
Marina turns in confusion, unaware of the man behind her. Her eyes dart from him to Cassia.
"Well... the party waits." Cassia motions to the other slave girl before they start out of the room.
Varro's eyes follow the women up the stairs and then he growls in frustration.
As the Masters clawed their way up the social ladder, the parties increased at the villa but it also meant Quintus and Lucretia were invited to social gatherings.
This particular evening, Quintus and Lucretia had been invited to a Magistrates house for dinner following the games at the arena. The House of Batiatus won each of their matches. As a reward, the men were granted an evening of feast, wine, and women in the absence of their owners.
Varro isn't interested in the festivities but takes a seat in the corner sipping wine. Refraining from dice, he sits and waits for his opportunity to slip out and seek Cassia.
"Lost in thought?" Spartacus asks as he sits next to him.
With a deep inhale, he answers, "It's hard to celebrate." His mind wondering off to his missing family.
"The Fates will determine the outcome. We've done all we can to find them."
"Yet again you mention Gods you don't believe in." Emptying the contents of his cup, Varro sets it down and turns to his friend. "I rather make my own fate."
Spartacus raises a brow at the statement. "What else can be done behind these walls?"
"I can go to bed." He replies with agitation. Pushing off the bench, he heads towards the quarters. Before turning down the hall, he glances back to Spartacus who is still staring into his cup.
The slave quarters are a stark contrast to the current lively state of the gladiator quarters. Varro can hear the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees as he approaches the gate. Running a stick across the gate, he calmly waits for the guard, Albus. The armored guard smiles and unlocks the gate, ushering Varro in before quickly locking it behind them.
"You delivered on that fight." Albus said, referring to Varro's match earlier.
Pulling out a pouch of coin, he closes it in Albus's hand. "As promised."
Albus tucks the pouch away and nods for Varro to follow. Most of the women are in bed, and the few that are awake watch on curiously as the gladiator strolls through the hall. Varro notes the similarity between the quarters.
Cassia is lying with her back to the door when the men arrive at her cell. The sound of the keys in the lock causes her to look over her shoulder at the noise. She immediately sits up while rubbing her eyes, unsure if she's hallucinating Varro in her half dream state. Blinking slowly, confusion sets in at the reality.
He moves to sit next to her on the bed. Grabbing her hand, he looks into her eyes and smiles.
"Cassia..."
Shaking her hand loose from his grasp, she drops her head and sighs. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you."
Cassia closes her eyes at his words, silently willing herself not to read into their meaning. Swallowing, she looks up only to catches his gaze.
She stands and rushes to the middle of the room. "I have nothing to offer."
Furrowing his brow, he stands before the woman with a sincere smile gracing his lips. "I think you underestimate your worth."
"My worth has been determined by my Masters since I entered slavery." Cassia's face hardens.
"You have no idea the measures and cost I accrued to see you."
"So now I'm a whore?" Her cheeks flush with anger.
Varro quickly shakes his head no. "Please, Cassia… Give me an opportunity to thank you."
"You don't owe me anything, Varro. It was my duty to care for you."
"Tend to my wounds yes, but you did much more." Cassia pushes her hands against Varro's chest as he attempts to advance.
"So? That was because I wanted to. It was birthed out of my selfishness and desire."
Varro grabs her hand as she attempts to spin away. "Cassia, I'm not here to hurt you. Why won't you let me close?"
"Because this can never be." She motions between the two of them.
Gripping her hip and pulling her in, Varro cups her cheek and rests his forehead against hers. "Then let's enjoy these fleeting moments."
Cassia's expression softens at his words, and leaning back, his eyes lock with hers. She watches as Varro's tongue darts across his lip and Cassia feels her resolve shrivel. Reaching for his neck and bringing his head down, they kiss. Varro's arms tightly wrap around her waist, wanting to pull her closer as they passionately kiss once more. His hand travels lower to her butt and he gently squeezes, causing Cassia to gasp. Varro's tongue slips past her lips and she weaves her fingers through the hair at his nape, tugging on it gently.
A low, feral growl slips from Varro, and he suddenly grabs her hips and flips her around. He presses his chest into her back, his hot breath ghosting along her neck and feeding the ache growing between her legs. Varro's fingers play with the hem of her dress before slowly pulling it up and dragging the digits along her heated skin. Craning her neck, she licks and nips his jaw as his fingers stop at the crook of her thigh and center.
Varro tugs at Cassia's bottom lip with his teeth. A small whimper escapes and he smiles against her lips. Cassia slides her hand down his arm and weaves her fingers into his hand that's still teasing her. Breaking their kiss, Varro nudges her cheek with his nose and stops at her ear. "Do you want me to continue?" He seductively whispers.
Nodding feebly, she leans her head back against Varro's chest. He kisses her shoulder while his free hand slides the strap of her dress down her arm. He kneads at her breast and slowly rolls her nipple between fingers.
Cassia rolls her hips back as Varro slides their hands over her wet pussy lips. She eventually let's go and grips his thigh as he continues to pleasure her. Cassia nearly bites through her lip when he inserts his finger.
"Cassia, I want you." Varro hisses in her ear as he rubs her wet core and pumps his finger in and out of her. He trails kisses down her neck, moaning when she grinds her ass against his hard member.
Cassia leans over the bed, bracing her hands against the wall and pushing her ass up in the air with anticipation. Varro steps forward, freeing his throbbing erection from the cloth and then slowly teasing her folds.
"Uh, please... stop teasing me." Cassia begs. Varro grips her hips with bruising force as he guides himself into her. He pauses, relishing the feeling of being buried inside her and allowing her time to adjust. When Cassia rolls her hips backwards, he knows she's ready and he slowly withdraws himself before thrusting back into her. Filled with want and need, the two of them quicken their pace until the cell is filled with grunts and the slapping of their bodies. Cassia removes a hand from the wall and firmly clutches Varro's tight ass cheek, pulling him closer and deeper. He leans forward and licks the beads of sweat from between her shoulder blades.
"Jupiter... take me." He says against her skin, his cries strained as he unloads his seed in her.
"Varro...don't stop." Cassia begs as she nears her release. He continues to thrust through his orgasm and reaches down to rub her clit. The small gesture sends Cassia over the edge and she blissfully cries his name at her release.
Stepping outside for a fresh jug of water, she instantly sees Varro's fleeting form as he runs towards a woman and child. Cassia feels as if she's been punched in the gut as the scene unfolds before her. Fighting back the tears, she feels foolish for being upset. Varro's family is safe, but pure jealousy blinds her from the truth and freezes her in place, forcing her to watch.
Varro holds Aurelia and their son in a tight embrace, relieved that they aren't harmed. His eyes instinctively scan the villa and stop when he spots Cassia near the well. She is watching them and he can see the pain in her face. He instantly felt a pang of guilt but shook it off. Releasing his family, he offers a huge smile while cupping Aurelia's face. Aurelia holds his hand as he cries tears of happiness. He savors the few minutes they're spared before his wife and son are ushered out of the villa. Varro dries his eyes and then turns back to the courtyard.
Cassia is no longer standing near the well. He barely sees her retreating form before she enters the domain. Varro stands in place, unsure of his next move. He should feel happy, but instead a knot forms in the pit of his stomach.