Cassia was thinking about heading over to the slave quarters to visit the girls when Varro came stumbling in. The smell of alcohol invaded her nose when she took a step forward, visually examining the impaired gladiator.
"Do you love him?" The words fly out of his mouth and Cassia instantly wishes she would have left the medicus sooner.
"You are in no state for discussion," Cassia counters, hoping to avoid the subject.
Varro lurches forward only to fall and smack his head on the edge of the bed.
"Fuck," he murmurs as he holds his head. Cassia leans down, gently prying away Varro's fingers to look at the new injury. A goose egg is starting to form above his left brow.
"Get up," she commands and Varro sends her a pouty expression but does as he's told. She motions for him to sit on the bed as she holds a wet cloth against the swelling knot.
"Answer me and I'll leave you be." Lowering the cloth Cassia snickers.
"That's not true." Varro forrows his brow but she presses on, "I deserve to live peacefully without wondering when you're going to show up every time you've had libations."
"Oh, I'm a lecher?" Varro bitterly retorts while Cassia shakes her head.
"No, you're drunk and we don't need to have this conversation," she firmly reiterates. Varro's bottom lip wavers.
"Just tell me you don't really want him. Tell me that man is your second choice. Tell me that I am the one you want and love. The one you wish were in your bed," Varro begged, the pleading look slowly breaking Cassia's heart. Tears well in her eyes as she watches Varro unravel.
Shaking her head no before softly speaking," I can't. I won't. You're hurting and it's not fair to anyone." She wipes away her own tears before kneeling in front of the broken man. Varro's head was cradled by his hands, resting on his knees. His muffled sobs feel like punches to Cassia's gut.
Running a hand under his nose and licking the salty tears from his lips, Varro looks away from Cassia's gaze, unable to face her.
"Varro...," Cassia begins, however, Varro only shakes his head still refusing to look at her.
Desperate to garner his attention, she slides her hand down Varro's jaw, he instinctively nuzzles it as Cassia kneels before him placing them at eye level.
"Varro, you're upset over Aurelia and rightfully so but please don't do something you'll only regret in the morning." Varro starts laughing and Cassia is taken aback by his reaction.
"The child wasn't even mine. A friend, or so I thought, was supposed to be watching them for me. Instead he betrayed my trust and violated my wife." His jaw tenses as he mutters the last part, looking away in disgust.
"Oh," Cassia whispers.
"I told her I'd love it as if it were my own but I'm honestly relieved. That in itself is utterly fucked as I'm attempting to be this man they deserve." Varro pulls away from Cassia's hand and leans back onto the wall. His eyes briefly close before shooting open.
"And now I've just proven I'm far from the man my family deserves because I can't stay away from you," he slurs.
"I think you deserve to sleep. Feel free to sleep on one of these beds," Cassia offers.
Varro's eyes meet hers, unsure if he should ask but figures there's nothing to lose at this point. Patting the bed Varro pleads, "Stay with me."
Cassia's green eyes flicker away and he knows she won't.
"I shouldn't have asked," he confesses as his lids grow heavy, nodding off and slowly leaning to the side.
Cassia warily watches Varro, afraid the man will fall off the bed but apprehensive to touch him. For the past few months Varro had been her weakness and she was unable to maintain control and deny him.
Just as Varro was determined to be a better man for his family, Cassia decided Duro deserved an honest shot and she didn't want to jeopardize a possible future with him for someone that couldn't make up their own mind.
Varro's head slumps forward and his body begins to follow suit and Cassia rushes to stop him from falling over by placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Cassia," Varro murmurs as he wraps his arms around her. Cassia tries to wiggle away but Varro's got her in a vise-like grip.
With a deep breath she sighs, "Let's lie down."
The drunk man shifts, dragging Cassia downwards. She's barely able to swing her legs into the bed, if she hadn't, he would have wrenched her back as he fell.
Cassia felt stiff lying next to Varro. Once she would have done anything to be this close to him and now it felt wrong. With her hands firmly on his chest, she attempted to push backwards in hopes of freeing or loosening his grip. Instead, Varro's arms only constricted and she was really trapped. Cassia placed her forehead on his shoulder, trying to think of a way out knowing if anyone walked in they'd get the wrong impression.
Varro suddenly rolled onto his back and Cassia was now on top of him. She gently rotated her hips in order to lie flat and Varro grunts.
Her eyes widen, feeling his semi hard erection. Cassia feels nothing but desperation racking her brain and realizes there was really only one choice. She pulls her legs up to straddle Varro's hips and his arms slowly slide down her back stopping on her lower back. Cassia presses her hands on his chest and slowly peels herself away. Steadily lifting her leg, Varro's hands fall just as she manages to swing herself off the table.
As Varro rolls over on his side he murmurs, "Cassia, I love you." Her heartbeat quickens at the words. Knowing he's passed out in a drunken stupor and nothing will come of it, she leans down and presses a kiss to his temple before whispering, "And I love you."
Varro's head is throbbing the next morning when he wakes up confused in the medicus. He looks around and notices Cassia sleeping in her quarters. As he quietly scurries out, Varro nearly bumps into Spartacus.
Spartacus narrows his eyes and points up to the large goose egg on Varro's head before simply commanding, "Explain."
"Dominion didn't take too kindly to the fact I was sweeping the floor with him," Varro smirks before continuing, "so I stopped by for something to treat the pain."
Being medicus meant parties were now different for Cassia. Instead of serving guests, she got to stand to the side and sometimes even engage in conversation. Questions would typically revolve around the gladiators, her medical training, and caring for the men.
This evening was no different as the House of Batiatus celebrates the endorsement of Glaber, a Roman army legatus, married to Ilythia who had often been a guest of Lucretia's. Cassia had heard Ilythia's father was a senator so the domina's interest in her wasn't a surprise. Quintus and Lucretia loved to make friends with those that could benefit them.
Standing near the food, Cassia slowly sipped her wine. Per usual, the gladiators were on display and the men were being groped by spectators. Cassia personally had found the actions repulsive while the other house slaves enjoyed the opportunity to ogle the men with the patrons. She'd gladly take the opportunity to sneak a few peeks at Duro but he was placed on the opposite side of the room.
Varro's eyes scanned the room seeking a distraction from the matronly woman running her hand down his chest. His eyes eventually lock on Cassia. She sends him a sideways glance after realizing he was looking in her direction. Varro couldn't help but stare even though she was pretending her glass of wine was more interesting. Varro was even more certain she didn't want anything to do with him after his drunken escapade. Varro's mind had been occupied with her softly spoken declaration. It bothered him that she likely only said it believing he was asleep and too drunk to remember. Even so, Cassia said she loved him. He believed she meant the words just as much as he had.
Stealing another glance, Cassia noted that Varro was still fixated on her and a small shiver runs through her body. Cassia breaks away once Ashur plants himself next to her.
"Enjoying the view?" he smirks while taking a drink from his goblet.
Cassia simply rolls her eyes in response, not wanting to address his blatant attempt nor suggestion.
Leaning in closer, Ashur speaks lowly, "See, I knew you had something going on. There's not much I don't know about this ludis."
Cassia raises her chin in defiance, "Then you must also know I abhor your existence."
Ashur's eyes dance down Cassia's body, "That could be fun."
With a groan, Cassia slinks off in disgust. Ashur raises his cup to Varro who looks like his jaw might shatter because it's so tight.
Ashur slyly surveys the room as Solonius stands before him, in attempts to keep suspicion away since people would wonder why the former friend and now rival of Quintus was talking to his trusted servant.
"We aren't to be seen together," Ashur calmly states.
Solonius swallows a drink, "I'll make it brief. Have you figured out a plan?"
Asher's eyes land on Cassia, who's now across the room. "I think I might have found a solution."
Solonius boasts an ominous crooked smile as he stalks away.
Duro's arm pulls Cassia in tighter as they relish the early morning entangled in each other's arms. He places a sleepy kiss to her forehead and she smiles while cozying her head into the crook of his neck.
The sound of Ashur striking the wall with his cane causes both of them to sit up with a startle.
"Oh, good you're awake. Cassia we need to get going," Ashur orders with a smile before leaving her quarters.
"He's intolerable," Cassia mumbles while quickly dressing for the outing.
Already dressed, Duro laughs as he pulls Cassia in for another kiss. She hums as he tugs at her bottom lip and runs his tongue along the nibble before giving her a bruising kiss.
"Anytime now," Ashur's voice carries through the room and the lovers reluctantly part.
"I'll see you later," Duro promises and Cassia smiles before turning to catch up with Ashur.
The two are silent as they make their way through the villa gates and walk the path leading to the city.
When Ashur loops his arm around Cassia's so they are interlocked, she knows he's about to break the pleasant silence with unpleasantries.
"I'm curious. Are you only with the German because Varro turned you down?" Ashur asks while maintaining his gaze forward.
Cassia opens and closes her mouth before answering with a hiss, "That's none of your business."
Ashur laughs at her condescendingly, "That's where you're wrong. It is my business to know the affairs of the ludis."
"I hardly think my relationships constitute..."Cassia is cut off by Ashur's quiet laughter, clearly entertained by her outburst and it only furthers her anger.
"Tell me, does your boyfriend know Varro spent the night?"
Cassia's eyes widen and Ashur adds, "I didn't think so."
Without hesitation Cassia asks, "What do you want?"
"I want you to meet Aurelia again while I take care of other interests. I also want you to pretend we're always together during our excursions. Is that clear?"
Ashur slides his hand up and tightly grips her bicep, waiting for her response. She slowly nods in response, unsure of Ashur's motive but knowing it can't be good.
Cassia felt mollified when Ashur parted ways in the city. His sudden interest in her was unsettling. She tried to enjoy the brief pardon of his company. As always, the time went by too quickly and Cassia was hurried to catch Aurelia at the meeting place.
Approaching the stall, she instantly spotted the back of Aurelia's blue headdress. Gently placing her hand on the woman's shoulder, Cassia is taken aback when she turns to reveal a man instead of Aurelia. His face is menacing, a large scar starting above his left brow and down his cheek, his left eye glazed over. Cassia stumbles backwards dropping her basket in the process but the man is fast, grabbing her arm and covering her mouth as he drags her barely out of sight to a nearby alley. Cassia frantically claws at his arms, her nails piercing the skin but he doesn't budge until she manages to stick her thumb into his eye. The man mutters curses before removing his hand from her mouth and he warns, "Don't think about screaming." Turning her around to face him, Cassia is struggling to keep calm as he traces a finger down her cheek, "You are a pretty thing. This is such a shame."
Cassia feels a knot forming in the pit of her stomach as she fears the worst. The man reaches inside his cloak and pulls out a dagger. Cassia eyes the weapon. He swiftly backhands her causing her to lose balance and fall to the ground. As she attempts to get up, he sends a hard kick to her ribs and she releases a breathless cry as a sharp pain shoots through her side. The man then crouches above her, placing one hand on her shoulder and grabbing a fistful of hair he whispers, "Goodnight," slamming her head into the ground and knocking her out.
The gladiators stop their practice as the gates of the villa open with a commotion. Varro's brow raises when he spots Aurelia scurrying in with Ashur. Spartacus watches curiously as Varro sprints to the guard following the two. It takes gladiators a moment to realize that Cassia is lying limp in man's arms. Duro is screaming and swinging at the men that are trying to contain him. Quintus and Lucretia step into the balcony as Varro takes the battered woman from the guard.
"She needs help!" Ashur calls up and soon several of the house slaves are sent down.
Aurelia is crying as the other woman is ushered away, Ashur places a reassuring hand on her and is calmly talking.
By the time Varro returns, Duro has been dragged away and Quintus is down in the courtyard.
"What happened?" he demands.
Aurelia sobs harder as Varro attempts to comfort his wife.
With a deep breath Ashur explains, "We were about to leave when Solonius approached me asking for a word. I stepped away for a mere moment and she was attacked."
Quintus runs his thumb along his lip in contemplation, "What did Solonius want with you?"
"He wanted me to help frame you for Magistrate Calavius's murder."
Quintus huffs in response and Ashur continues, "He claims that he and Calavius had a deal to take down the champion of Capua. His son would order Varro's death and simultaneously take down the House of Batiatus with Spartacus's demise."
Spartacus and Varro exchange wary looks, knowing their fate had been rewritten that evening.
"Solonius would stoop to that level." Quintus squeezes Ashur's shoulder. "Thank you for being such a loyal servant. I am grateful."
"Of course Master," Ashur replies.
"But what of the woman?" Spartacus speaks up and they all turn to him.
Ashur exhales, "My best guess is that pulling me away was a distraction so they could assault her. It was Aurelia that spotted Cassia in the alley."
The woman nods, "I was running late and I saw the man over her in the alley. I screamed and he ran away before he could..."
Quintus raised his hand to stop her, "She's lucky you came when you did."
The crowd slowly dispersed, returning to their tasks when Quintus and Ashur went inside the villa.
Aurelia remained at Varro's side until a guard suggested it was time to leave.
Varro cradled her head and gently kissed her hair, as she pulled away with concern.
"Who is she to you?" Aurelia questioned.
Varro searched Aurelia's face wondering why she'd ask such a question, "Just the medicus."
"Varro I'm not blind or stupid. You rushed to her side instead of comforting your wife." Aurelia fiercely spit her words, "I assume the hysterical man wasn't pleased by your actions."
Varro remained frozen and speechless. Aurelia took that as an omission of guilt.
"Anything to say for yourself you coward?" Aurelia badgers, anger and hurt radiating from her body.
Varro nervously scans the courtyard, knowing there was no escape from the hole he's dug.