A small smile plays on Varro's lips as he watches Cassia saunter into the room. She is clearly inebriated. Batiatus held a small dinner gathering, likely regarding his senate endorsement. The only gladiator required to attend was Spartacus since he was the Champion of Capua. Cassia was requested as the medicus who took care of the brave warrior. Varro laughed at the idea of the two, forced to interact with the dignitaries and each other.
"How was dinner?" Varro questions as he stands up to greet her. Cassia wraps her arms around his waist as she kisses his jaw.
"All I could think about was your cock," She seductively murmurs against his neck. Surprised by her brazen statement, a small chuckle leaves Varro. Cassia bites her lip and drags her nails down Varro's chest. Varro can see lust brimming in her eyes as her hand settles between them, gently stroking and grabbing him through his cloth. He raises a brow and steps backwards as she pushes him to the bed. Leaning back, propping himself up on his elbows, Varro watches Cassia shed her dress, and move to straddle him and begin aggressively kissing him, her lips eager and bruising against his. Varro's hands move along her back, stroking the soft and delicate flesh as the two passionately kiss, his tongue parting her lips and enticing a moan when it meets hers. Cassia breaks with a gasp when one of Varro's hands grabs her backside and roughly pulls before placing a small smack.
"Is that so?" he teases. Cassia rolls her hips against his erection as she nods, lowering to Varro's neck to pepper slow kisses.
"Yes," she murmurs against his skin. "I also thought about how caring, sweet, and handsome you are," she adds before biting and earning a low growl from Varro.
"Keep going," Varro whispers as she traces her tongue along his bottom lip.
She leans back and slightly lifts her hips, her hands working to undo his cloth and freeing his throbbing dick. Her hand firmly wrapping around the smooth velvety skin, Cassia seductively bites her lip as she spreads his leaking pre cum with her thumb.
"Mmmmm," he hums in approval when she lowers and teases her soaking wet folds with his member. He playfully smiles at her as he forcefully pulls her hips down and enters her core, earning a loud hiss from the woman.
Varro takes advantage of his feet being planted on the ground, using the leverage to thrust upwards as her hips roll and buck with each thrust, the sound of Cassia's loud moans and soft whimpers encouraging Varro's upward movements. Cassia arches her back, falling into him as a result of momentum. Attempting to steady herself, Cassia's elbows are on his broad shoulders while pulling on his curls, trying to get closer even though there's no space between them. Her breath hitches each time Varro hits that perfect space within.
Burying his face in her neck, Varro commands, "Let go for me." Cassia bites his shoulder as her walls clench around Varro's cock which continues to drive into her as she rides out her orgasm, his pace hard and fast, moaning her name when he cums.
Cassia warily rolls over just as Varro sits on the edge of the bed.
She squints through narrow lids and uttering, "Why is it so bright?"
"It's morning." Varro replies as he places a cup of water on the side table for her. She silently notices the gesture and sighs as Varro gently brushes away stray strands from her face.
She clutches her blanket and confesses, "I wish you didn't have to leave." He kisses her temple.
"Me either." A smile graces his face as he recalls the evening, "I must admit you were rather fun last night."
Cassia covers her face with a remorseful groan, attempting to roll away from the laughing man but he pulls her back, prying her hands away from her face. She blushes with embarrassment.
"It was very educational," he teases as she huffs, turning her face away. Varro stands, once again leaning down to kiss her temple before adding, "I hope to one day return the favor."
Cassia steals a glance just as he winks.
"I love you," she offers as he turns to leave. Varro smiles in return, clutching his heart as he backs out of the room.
Spartacus smiles at the obvious strut Varro displays while crossing the courtyard.
"Wine?" he asks with a knowing grin.
"Wine," Varro cheekily confirms as Spartacus drapes his arm around Varro's broad shoulders.
The two friends grab a bowl of grub and position themselves at their usual table near the doors.
Spartacus eyes the room looking for eavesdroppers. "I heard some things of interest before it was time to leave."
Varro shakes his head, "I told you I want no part in whatever you're conjuring."
Setting down his spoon, Spartacus leans towards his friend with a hopeful expression, "I have others."
Varro slowly swallows, quickly glancing around before leaning forward to join Spartacus.
"Knowing there are others isn't comforting. It doesn't change the fact that I think you're mad. Looking into whatever Batiatus is up to is only begging for trouble."
Spartacus rakes a hand over his face as he leans back, "She was my wife. I can't just let this go. I know there's more to her death."
"I understand..." Varro starts but is immediately cut off.
"Do you? Because I'm not so sure anymore," Spartacus interjects with lowered brow, his frustration clearly evident on his face.
Varro quickly stands up with his bowl. Pointing an accusatory finger at Spartacus, "Just because you wish to self-destruct doesn't mean you have to take the rest of us down with you."
Spartacus scoffs as he looks outside while Varro moves to another table.
After spending another hour in bed sleeping off her hangover, Cassia decides to finally get up and start her day. Before she can get off the bed Ashur walks into her quarters, his eyes dancing over her form merely covered by thin linen.
"Well good morning, Cassia," his voice smarmy and grating on her nerves. Cassia simply rolls her eyes at his flagrant attempt to upset her with his presence, refusing to give him more than blatant annoyance.
"It was," she shoots back as she wraps the sheet tighter around her body after Ashur's eyes rove her exposed skin.
Taking a few steps forward so he's closer to the bed, Ashur looks down at her. Cassia suddenly wishes she could disappear into the wall. His proximity would normally make her skin crawl and under these circumstances she can't ignore the unsettling feeling at the pit of her stomach.
As if he can read her mind, Ashur sits next to her on the bed, ignoring her flinch.
He studies his nails before speaking, "I'm about to head into town. Are you going to join me?"
"I have my list ready for you," Cassia curtly replies.
Ashur drops his hand with a sigh, turning to face the woman with a flat response, "That's a shame."
Her eyes grow wide when she feels a finger grazing her arm. Cassia jerks her arm away and attempts to scoot down the bed but Ashur leans on the bed sheet so she can't move without dropping the fabric. Ashur sneers at the panic in Cassia's eyes when she realizes her dilemma.
"Oh, my apologies." Ashur feigns remorse as he moves off the linen. Cassia internally screams
Still upset with each other, Spartacus and Varro spar in silence. Cassia carefully watches the men, noting the tension between the typically playful pair. As she scans the courtyard, her eyes find Ashur's. He delivers a wicked smile that sends shivers down her spine, wrapping her arms around herself before breaking eye contact.
Cassia's heart nearly skips a beat when she sees the woman standing next to Ashur, Aurelia is glaring into the courtyard watching the men fight. Her eyes flick up to lock on Cassia's, cold and unforgiving. Cassia swallows as she breaks contact, knowing she is the reason behind Aurelia's anger and pain.
Ashur calls through the grunts and yells of the gladiators, "Varro!"
His shoulders fall with a sigh, relieved to take a break and momentarily put some space between friends. As he twists his body in the direction of Ashur's call, his brows drop upon seeing Aurelia behind Ashur. Tossing his sword aside, Varro strides over to them, and Ashur nods before moving to allow privacy.
Cassia clings to a column and sheepishly peers around at them, unable to move even after Doctore cracks his whip signaling for the remainder of the men to resume their training. Cassia nervously bites her lip and strains to hear as Varro vehemently shake his head.
"It doesn't look like a pleasant reunion," Ashur whispers from behind. Cassia whips her head around to meet Ashur's look of contentment. Her stomach immediately drops sensing Ashur played a part in Aurelia's appearance at the villa.
Ashur's smile only widens as Cassia follows behind him.
"What have you done?" she calls. Ashur shrugs in response as he remains to the side, bearing the bickering couple. Cassia reaches for Ashur's shoulder but stops upon hearing the argument.
"You and your empty promises to take care of your family," Aurelia shrieks. Cassia feels a knot forming in the pit of her stomach, worried that Varro has brushed off his responsibilities for her.
Varro pinches the bridge of his nose in annoyance and frustration, "Aurelia what are you talking about?"
She steps up to him with a scowl on her face, pressing her finger into his chest as she speaks, "Coin. We've received none."
"Ashur..." Varro starts but Aurelia immediately cuts him off.
"Don't cast blame, especially if you're spending it on your whore." She shakes her head in disgust. Aurelia's words sting, and Cassia slinks back against the wall as Ashur continues to watch.
"If you'd let me speak!" Varro bellows and Aurelia clamps her mouth shut. "You should be receiving coin. There has to be some mistake, Aurelia."
Ashur steps towards the couple while wringing his hands, "I'm sorry to interrupt but Varro needs to return."
Varro asks with a tight-lipped smile, "Ashur, Aurelia claims she hasn't received coin. Is this true?"
"Why else would I have come, Varro? Your intentions have been clear and I will not grovel," she nags and Ashur bites the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
Clearing his throat before speaking, "I'm sure it's a minor mix-up." He pulls out his accounting book and his fingers flip pages as his eyes scan. Varro nervously rubs his neck and impatiently looks around the courtyard. Cassia curls into herself with a hug as their eyes briefly meet. Ashur stops with a finger tap on the page as he looks up with an uncertain smile.
"It appears that Aurelia has not been paid yet. My mistake," Ashur draws out as Varro's nose flares in anger. Turning to Varro, Ashur asks in a condescending manner, "I assume you'd like to keep the standard amount."
"I believe this was settled the other evening," Varro replies through tight lips. Aurelia turns her back to Varro.
"I'd like to be on my way."
"Of course," Ashur purrs. He pulls out a pouch, counting out coin into Aurelia's extended hand. When he finishes she immediately shoves it into her own pouch. Ashur turns to Varro matter-of-facty, "The rest will be applied to debts and Cassia's freedom." Varro squeezes his eyes shut as Ashur finishes.
"She must rival Helen of Troy," Aurelia spews. Varro sucks on his teeth before a cold humorless laugh causes Aurelia to lift her chin.
"Let's be clear, Aurelia. She's not a whore and how I spend coin, as long as you get yours, isn't your concern. Goodbye." Aurelia's mouth drops but he quickly spins away. Varro rolls his shoulders as he crosses the courtyard back to Spartacus.
Spartacus sighs before lifting his weapon. Varro mimics the actions but stops and glances over his shoulder to note that both Aurelia and Ashur were gone. He silently pleaded that Cassia was okay, despising the fact he couldn't check on her. Varro shakes his head as he turns to Spartacus.
"Believe me now?"
"Meet me in the medicus later?" Varro requests of Spartacus who answers with a small smile and a nod. Vindication washes over Spartacus, knowing it was only a matter of time before Ashur would push Varro.
Cassia eyes Spartacus as he leans against the wall of the quarters with crossed arms.
Varro gently squeezes her hand in reassurance. After ensuring she wasn't too upset from Aurelia's visit, he had mentioned inviting Spartacus to discuss the array of questionable events around the ludus. Cassia was immediately put off by the idea, not wanting to 'prod the sleeping beasts' she had said. Varro eventually convinced her to hear Spartacus out before making rash judgments.
"Too many odd occurrences have happened lately for them to be coincidences," Spartacus spoke with confidence. Cassia nervously bit her lip, not wanting to discuss her attack or Ashur for that matter.
"I wish I had remained ignorant to the fact," Varro adds and Cassia glances up in confusion. "Ashur's sudden obsession with you and Aurelia's arrival here can't be mere coincidence."
"I agree," Spartacus says as he pushes himself off the wall, nearing the couple. "Let's not forget the veiled promises to bring Sura to me for cooperation. I was able to get Aulus to confess Batiatus played a hand before I took his life."
Varro's face twists in surprise, "He ordered her death?" Spartacus nods.
"I feel it's just the surface," Spartacus confesses.
Varro licks his lips before admitting, "I think there's something off about Barca's disappearance. He wouldn't have left Pietro behind like that."
"Freedom can make people do brazen things." Cassia interrupts; Varro's spine stiffens at her words. He momentarily wonders if it were reversed, if she was able to purchase his freedom, would she?
Spartacus clears his throat, "I'm sure it does but Varro's right. There's also the matter of the exhibition match. We already know the intention was for me to kill you per the agreement between Magistrate Calavias and Solonius."
"According to Ashur," Varro says in a flat tone as Spartacus moves to the chair.
"True but what I've never understood is why Cassia was attacked. What was there to gain from hurting her?" Spartacus ponders.
Cassia closes her eyes, contemplating whether she wanted to volunteer the various bits of information she had heard from Drusilla and Marina. Much to her own dismay, the past few months had been a whirlwind and it had finally begun settling down. She was beyond happy with Varro and digging into the dark abscess of the House of Batiatus would certainly disrupt that happiness, if not destroy it. There was also the nagging feeling within that it was all bigger than her and beyond her control. Secrets never stay secrets for long and a house built on lies would eventually fall.
Spartacus persists by elaborating on his earlier sentiment, "Batiatus is ambitious, apparently desperate and willing to do anything to climb the social ladder to senate but I can't help feeling there's more."
"Ashur," Cassia whispers. both men turning to her as she continues, "It's Ashur. He's the common thread."
Varro rakes his face, processing the realization. Spartacus leans back in his chair with a lowered brow. "Now the question is why? What is there to gain?" he counters.
Cassia scoffs, "Why does Ashur do anything? He's addicted to power as much as a free man."
Varro and Spartacus exchange glances. Cassia slides off the bed, distancing herself from the men.
"Cassia," Varro softly speaks with concern.
"Some of the maids have heard and seen things. I assumed most of the things were rumors but.." Cassia pauses.
"It's okay. You can tell us." Spartacus keeps his intense gaze on her as he attempts to reassure her.
Fidgeting with her fingers, Cassia nods before reluctantly continuing, "Ashur often harasses the house slaves. The less interested you are the more interested he seems. He also threatens the guards with demotions if they don't cooperate. The worst thing I've heard is that he's been spotted talking with Ilythia. Why would she bother speaking with him? He has no business with her."
Spartacus is suddenly alert, "Good question and perhaps we should watch Ashur."