"Ooh, don't stop!" Cassia cries, tightening her grip on Duro's hair. His fingers work in and out as his tongue swirls around, teasing her swollen button. Cassia bites her lip and rocks her hips forward in hopes of increasing pressure. Duro smiles at her impatience satisfied that he's the one bringing her pleasure. All it takes for Cassia to come undone is a gentle suckle of her clit and one final swipe of his tongue. Duro makes sure to continue pumping as Cassia rides out her orgasm.
He places a sweet kiss along her inner thigh before standing up, eyeing the woman as she remains lying down struggling to catch her breath.
"Have I done you in?" Duro teases while gathering Cassia up in his arms. She nuzzles his neck and murmurs in response.
A light chuckle leaves his mouth before speaking, "As much as I'd like to stay, and believe me I'd really like to stay, I need to get out for training."
Reaching for Duro's erection, Cassia is surprised when her hand is batted away.
Furrowing her brows in confusion she states, "But you're hard as a rock."
"I'll take care of it."
"Can I watch?" A flicker of excitement flashes across the woman's face as she thinks about watching him pleasuring himself.
Duro offers a sly smile while shaking his head no as he answers, "That's not what I meant."
The woman huffs in frustration and playfully pouts as he cradles her head softly kissing her lips. She moans into his mouth, becoming aroused from the taste of herself on his tongue. Duro pulls away to whisper in her ear, "I promise tonight I'll make it up to you."
Cassia can't help the sheepish smile on her face as Duro pulls away with a wink.
"I'll see you later," he promises before leaving.
Cassia's favorite thing about being medicus was being able to leave the ludus. She often went to the market place accompanied by Ashur for herbs and supplies. Despite the lackluster company, Cassia always enjoyed the temporary escape from reality.
The breeze was warm as the two strolled along the streets, ducking into the shade from the buildings. Ashur stops at the fork in the road, turning to Cassia.
"I trust that you've got your list?"
"Yes," Cassia affirms while patting the pocket of her dress.
Ashur gives her a sly smile, "Good. I've got other pressing matters to attend to. Take care of your business first, and then you are to meet a woman at the first stall on your way back here."
Ashur extends a letter to Cassia, she hesitantly accepts the letter as he continues, "She'll be wearing a blue headdress. Give this to her and then meet me back here in an hour."
Ashur's eyes scan Cassia's face looking for any reluctance. Cassia straightens up and simply replies, "Okay."
She slips the letter into the small basket as she makes her way towards the square. Cassia's mind travels to the document as she wonders at its contents. She's not foolish to think it were anything of importance, Ashur would never relinquish power.
Time goes too quickly as Cassia finalizes her last purchase, shoving the items and her coin purse into the basket as she makes her way towards the directed stall. She weaves between patrons until the meeting spot and the woman wearing a blue headdress is visible.
Cassia nearly trips over herself when the woman turns around. Fidgeting and rubbing her belly, a small blonde boy peeks out from behind his mother's dress. He's the spitting image of his father and it takes Cassia's breath away.
Hesitantly reaching into the basket for the letter, her feet feel like bricks and time seems to be moving in slow motion as Cassia approaches the woman.
Cassia takes a deep breath to combat the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach before speaking, "Aurelia?"
The small woman looks up with doe eyes and gracefully nods, "Yes." Cassia extends her hand and Aurelia smiles taking the letter, pressing a small kiss to the seal. Cassia's eyes quickly dart away but return upon hearing the soft voice.
"Thank you!" Cassia forces a small smile and turns to leave but Aurelia's hand reaches for her arm.
"Please tell me, is he okay? I never know if he's honest or just trying to be brave in these," she asks while waving the paper. Cassia blankly looks at the eager woman and down to the child.
"I'm sorry, who?" Cassia internally pleads for Aurelia to accept her response.
With a small laugh Aurelia answers, "Of course. It's silly of me to ask. Thank you."
Cassia quickly turns, anxious to get back to Ashur. He seems annoyed when she finally arrives.
"Forgive me," Cassia offers but Ashur dismisses her.
"Did you get everything you needed? And did you deliver the letter?" Ashur asks while holding her elbow as they walk through the crowd.
"Yes, I was unaware I was playing Cupid," Cassia bitterly bites and Ashur's grip tightens on her elbow.
With a knowing grin he asks with fake concern, "Is that a problem?"
Cassia counters with a tight-lipped smile, "Not at all."
Arena days were always busy. Cassia was grateful there weren't any serious injuries but stitching up the returning men could be rather cumbersome.
Whenever a fixed gladiator would leave the next would come in, making for a seemingly endless parade of tired men.
Cassia hadn't paid much attention to the faces as she worked. Per recommendation, she knew Spartacus wasn't fighting and Agron told her Duro was unscathed from their fight.
Witnessing Varro stroll in causes Cassia to pause in her tracks, the events of yesterday flashing through her mind.
"Last one," he utters before placing himself on the table. Varro steals a quick look at the woman before she defiantly slaps his cheek.
With wide eyes Varro demands, "What was that for?" He slowly rubs his face while waiting for a response. Cassia's jaw tenses.
"She's with child." Cassia's voice is cold and assured.
Standing up from the table Varro barks, "I didn't come here to get abused or berated. I've had enough of that in the arena."
Cassia firmly pushes him back onto the table and orders, "You aren't going anywhere until I stitch you up."
Varro huffs as Cassia positions herself near the pouting man. He has a small laceration on the front of his shoulder, it won't take her long to clean and stitch him up. As she roughly rubs the wound, Varro's brow pinches.
"You've lost your gentle touch," Varro pauses as confusion washed over his face, "You saw Aurelia?"
"That's reserved for the deserving, and it wasn't by choice. I didn't realize your head was a vast wasteland." Cassia fumed, squinting her eyes in disgust before looking away.
Varro shifts his weight and his shoulders slump, surveying Cassia as she sews his flesh. Sucking in his bottom lip, he takes a long drawn out breath and quakes, "I'm sure this is the last thing you wish to discuss but is she well?"
Cassia pulls the thread taunt before lowering her hand. Varro's face is laced with concern and his eyes silently plead with her.
With an eyeroll she continues working, "Yes."
Relief washes over Varro, while he's still unsure how the two women met, he knows better than to press the issue with Cassia. Truthfully, she's already been kinder than he deserves. Varro already hates himself for hurting her, pressing her for more would be cruel and selfish.
Cassia finishes up without another word. Varro quietly lumbers outdoors where Spartacus is waiting.
"Don't fall back into that trap of temptation," Spartacus quietly begs his friend.
"I gambled less when I was distracted by her," Varro jokes but Spartacus hardly looks amused.
Placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, Varro reaffirms, "There's nothing to fret over. I simply went to the medicus to get treated. End of story." Spartacus notices the fresh stitches on Varro's shoulder and realizes there's truth to the statement.
Breaking the silence, Varro asks, "Heading to the bath house?"
Spartacus nods, "Yes, but I've got to do something first. I'll meet you there."
The room is warm and Varro is greeted by a blanket of moisture drawn up from the water. He slowly undresses but the conversation carrying from the bath catches his attention.
Agron quizzes, "What do you see happening with her?"
"I want to secure our freedom. Cassia and I could start a life outside these walls," Duro answers with a hopeful smile.
Varro snickers as he eases his aching body into the warm water.
Duro's smile quickly fades, "Care to share what's so humorous?"
Varro stretches his arms along the edge of the tub and glares back at the other man, "I think it's a waste of time."
Agron's brows shoot up as he looks back to his brother. Duro's jaw tenses and his nostrils flare.
"How so?" he quickly challenges between clenched teeth.
"Simple. You'll never make enough," Varro replies with a smirk, goading the man.
Straightening himself, Duro shoots, "I think she's worth it."
"Oh, she's worth it," Varro responds. Duro flinches away as Agron attempts to place a hand on his shoulder. Noticing Duro's apparent aggravation, Varro decides to press further.
"You'll also never be good enough for her." With that Duro jumps up to his feet and Varro follows suit water sloshing out of the tub as the men stare.
Agron quietly speaks to Duro, "Don't let him get to you. Let's go." With a frustrated cry, Duro leans down and sends a tidal wave of water towards Varro who laughs in response.
Varro lowers himself back into the tub. Spartacus curiously watches Duro storm out and Agron closely follow. Varro shrugs at his friend while holding back a smile.
"Must you really prod the man?" Spartacus wonders.
Varro rolls his head back, "Was I that obvious?"
"Slightly," Spartacus grins.
"Cassia saw Aurelia today," Varro confesses.
Spartacus appears taken aback by the news, "Why would she have any business with Aurelia?"
Varro shakes his head, "I didn't pry."
"Did she say anything to her?" Spartacus presses.
Varro climbs out of the tub and starts drying himself off, "That's doubtful considering the slap I received." Spartacus busts out laughing as Varro continues, "At least one of us finds it humorous."
"You probably deserve far worse than a slap."
With a deep sigh Varro admits, "And that I do."
Cassia often watched the gladiators practice when she didn't have a patient. The day was slightly overcast and rather ominous. A cool eerie breeze rustled the trees, rendering the day unsettling despite nothing out of the ordinary happening.
Cassia ran over to Marina, who was carrying out several pitchers to be filled with water.
"Need a hand?" She offered to her friend.
"You can have them all!" Marina joked while handing over a few pitchers. The women briefly chatted by the well when Ashur yelled Varro's name across the courtyard. Both Cassia and Marina jerk their heads up at the commotion.
Varro yields his sword to face the gates where Ashur was standing. As he takes a few strides forward, Aurelia is ushered in by several guards and his pace hastens.
"Aurelia," he says with a smile as he cups her face and plants a kiss on her forehead. She squeezes her eyes shut and Varro realizes her face is stained with tears.
"What's wrong?" Varro pleads, feeling helpless while waiting for a response from the sobbing woman. Aurelia's hands slip down to her stomach and Varro feels a knot form in his stomach.
Pulling away from Varro's embrace Aurelia chokes out, "We've lost the baby."
Varro feels the color drain from his face and his brows lower, "What?"
"I'm sorry," she sobs and Varro once again encompasses Aurelia in his arms even though his head is spinning.