He was aware of the cool soft surface underneath him first. Then his eyes fluttered open to see the last rays of sunlight spilling over the balcony of Princess Irina's room.

"You're awake. Good." One of Irina's servants came into his view. She was kneeling in front of him with a chalice of water in her hand.

He turned onto his back, only feeling a momentary stinging and pulling. She held the chalice to his lips to let him drink. For a moment he stared at the sheer curtains surrounding them, his bed in Vartus had been similar.

"How are you feeling? The spikes Elena's men used did not penetrate deep, but they are jagged and you lost blood."

"I'm fine. Why am I here?"

The servant did not meet his gaze, instead refilled the cup handed it to him.

"There is a feast in the courtyard for you and your men, if you are healed enough to attend."

In answer he swung his legs over the side of the bed and handed her the chalice.

"Thank you."

When he entered the courtyard, the first thing he noticed was the food. Plates of fruit, cheese, and draughts of wine spilled over the tables where his men feasted. In the middle of the chaos were his men each with a chalice in one hand and a woman in the other. Even Marcus who was not known for attending festivities was drinking his share. Irina sat on a throne a few steps from the revelry her eyes blank.

"Our valiant leader has come to join in the merriment. Come Jacous, you may have one of my women." Marcus laughed and pointed to the woman closest to him feeding him grapes.

Irina looked up, her shoulders going slack when she saw him.

"My men. Today has been a great victory for us. As you know it has been many a year since Elena felt the bitterness of defeat. Because of your victory, I will be able to take you all under my care. So eat, drink, and enjoy to your heart's content. Your feet will not meet the rings of Angusa for another week's time. To Vartus." Irina proclaimed.

"TO VARTUS!"

Irina nodded to her guards and they stepped in front of her, leading her through the chaos. They stopped as she approached Jacous.

"I am glad your wounds are healed enough to join your men in the feast."

"You said you can take all of them. I thought you could only take two."

"My father was impressed by your skill as a unit. The men of Vartus are now completely under my care."

"And those taken by your sisters?"
"I am afraid they are lost Jacous."
He nodded and stepped aside to let them pass.

Sometime later Jacous sat atop one of the banquet tables listening to Marcus spin tales of their childhood in Vartus.

"The horse would have trampled him alive had I not been there. After that Jacous treated me like a brother." Marcus lifted his flask and took a drink.

Jacous smiled at his friend, he could have sworn the story went the other was around. A pair of soft arms slipped up his back and over his shoulders. The woman was cool against his alcohol warmed skin. He turned to face her, taking in the hooded cloak she wore to cover her face and then he smelled it. Lilacs. Fear of recognition passed through her eyes and she stepped away from him.

"If you will excuse me Marcus." Jacous smiled taking the woman's hand in his and leading her around the side of the courtyard. Once there he backed her against the stone wall, his hands rested against the wall and blocking her escape.

"Hello princess." He growled into her ear. He tenderly pushed back the hood of the cloak, her chestnut hair glinting in the moonlight.

"How did you know?" she whispers her eyes unwilling to meet his.

"A man has his ways your highness." He lifts her chin to look at him.

Fear and a hint of desire are hidden in her eyes.

"I should go." She ducked underneath his arm, and reached to pull the hood back over her head.

"No. Tarry a while. What do you fear? My men will not speak against you and neither will your servants." He gently took her hand in hers and led her back to the feast.

Everyone nodded a silent oath not to speak of her presence. Jacous filled a flask of wine for her, along with topping off his own. She sat and listened to Marcus's story, all the while sliding closer to Jacous's side. Taking her actions as encouragement he lifted her onto his lap. After her initial fear passed she settled in for the rest of the night.

After the other gladiators had retired with their women for the night Jacous and Irina lingered. She sat down on the bench in front of him, her legs hanging over either side. He placed his hands around her waist and pulled her flush against his open legs. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he pulled her up so that she was fully straddling him, her body cradled against his chest and her arms around his neck. Their faces were only inches apart, the warmth of their bodies mixing with the alcohol burning them both. She meshed her lips with his a small sigh escaping her lips. He could see the hesitance in her eyes and knew not to push her. Their lips met again just as soft but more insistent. Jacous tugged on her bottom lip, his teeth racking over the soft skin. A moan pulled past her teeth as his lips spilled down her neck. He moved as if to stand but she pulled away her body tensing in fear.

"What if we are found?" Irina's head dropped unable to look him in the eyes.

"Who do you fear princess?" Jacous lifted her chin to look at him.

"If my sisters find out they will tell father. You will surely be killed."

"Don't worry the stars have not signaled my death as of yet." His lips met her again her body immediately relaxing.

"No Jacous. I cannot." Irina pushed away from him and disappeared within the palace.

Jacous watched her leave then retired to the cells they had been given.