The following morning, Eliza awoke to Gannicus staring at her. "It wasn't a dream..." Eliza whispered as she turned her head to push the side of her face further into her sheets. Gannicus smiled gently at her before it fell as a more sincere look replaced it. Eliza watched him move some of her hair behind her ear, trailing his nails down her jaw as he rolled onto his back and stretched.
Gannicus yawned and cracked his knuckles, watching Eliza roll over onto her back and swing her legs out of bed, standing up quickly. Gannicus watched her walk over to the door and move the curtain ever so slightly, bringing back in some wine.
He sat up and smiled, taking the cup she had poured the wine into from the ampulla. "My lady?" Eliza heard as Rhea's hands grasped the curtain. Eliza covered herself slightly and shoved Gannicus from her bed as he groaned. Rhea walked in and furrowed her brows.
"Did you fall?" Rhea asked, referring to the sound of Gannicus hitting the floor. "My feet did." Eliza responded. "And I - almost with them."
Rhea nodded. "The praetor wishes you to be bathed and have word sent for the gladiator."
Eliza nodded. "He spoke carefully with his words, only to say - 'The bloodline will remain'." Rhea told her. Eliza smiled.
"I will send out for Gannicus, just prepare my bath. Will he bathe too?" Eliza asked. Rhea nodded. "Yes, my lady."
Gannicus gave a faint groan as Rhea smiled slightly. "I have knowledge you won't have to send too far for the gladiator."
Eliza blushed, nodding. "Your knowledge is right, just don't tell a soul."
"Yes, my lady. What oils would you like?" Rhea asked as she gathered Eliza's green dress from the floor.
"Rose." Eliza replied as Rhea nodded. "I shall have your dress washed." Rhea said before going to the doorway.
"What shall the gladiator's oils be?"
"I fear oil will not help him." Eliza laughed as Rhea nodded and walked out. Gannicus stood from the ground and stared at her.
"Had you the need to shove me?" He asked, his eyebrows raised. Eliza nodded. "I did. She would have seen you."
Gannicus sighed and crawled back into the bed, he watched Eliza roll over slightly and onto him. She straddled his naked hips and laid her arms across his chest. They didn't speak as he wound his arms around her waist and held her slender body to his.
"Have you any idea what chaos this could cause?" Eliza whispered, her stomach full of anxiety once more. Gannicus nodded. "Between your people, and mine people?" She questioned. Gannicus nodded once more as she slowly moved her hands through his hair.
"Are you nervous?" Gannicus asked, it was Eliza's turn to nod. "Why?" Gannicus asked.
"I'm going to be fucked in front of my cousin and his wife along with Lucretia and perhaps someone else." Eliza told him. Gannicus breathed deeply as he thought for a moment.
"My body will shield yours." Gannicus assured. "The movements will not be, but your body will be." He added as Rhea walked back into the room to see them. She cleared her throat and looked down.
"My apologies for interrupting - Your baths are ready." Rhea told them. Eliza moved off Gannicus only after he let her go. Eliza picked up Gannicus' garments and put them in a basket, only to hand them to another servant. Gannicus watched them be put beside the room he would bathe in.
"Gannicus, do not fight them." Eliza told him as she had a robe around her body. "Let them work."
"Eliza," He began, calling her by her name was rare for him. "I shall not fight then if you shall not fight the praetor."
Eliza stared at him as the servants held towels for him. Eliza sighed and shook her head. "I can't promise that." She went into her bath room as Gannicus went into his, only to smile softly at the sudden courage Eliza had. Though stupid of her, he still smiled.