Irina slipped beneath the surface of the bath and looked back up towards the surface. The images of Jacous and Katya on the balcony raced through her mind and she broke the surface of the water gasping for air. Chasa reached out and turned her face towards her.

"Princess you seem troubled." She stroked a strand of hair from her face.

"It's nothing."

"Is it about Jacous and Katya this afternoon?"

Irina's eyes grew wide and she shifted uncomfortably. Chasa smiled sweetly and began rubbing oil through her hair.

"I have no right to anger. Jacous is merely a gladiator, a slave like any other right. I just feel this connection because he was my first champion. I'm sure it'll pass. Won't it?" She turned back to look at Chasa.

"That is a question only you can answer." Chasa gently turned her head back and finished rubbing the oil through her hair.

"Enough about me. What of you and my gladiator Marcus? How do you fair?"

The pot of oil rattled against the stone and Chasa gasped slightly.

"I don't know what you speak of?"

"Oh please Chasa. It's me, the man went to sleep singing your praises the other night. Don't think I haven't noticed your little trips down there."

Chasa was silent and kept running her fingers through Irina's hair.

"He is a kind and gentle man my princess."

"Gentle? A gladiator that's gentle," Irina swallowed hard and stepped out of the water "Do you love him?"

Chasa stared into the swirling waters then back up into Irina's eyes.

"I care for him deeply."

Irina nodded and began getting dressed for the feast that night.

Tables of food once again littered the courtyard. King Seasar sat at the head of the largest table with Elena next to Queen Giselle and Katya and Irina off to the other side. All of them were dressed in flowing robes of gold with crowns perched upon their heads. Elena and Cadvorsus were chatting merrily away every now and then pointing in the direction of Irina who was staring absently into her glass of wine.

"The king speaks!" the royal crier announced.

King Seasar stood and raised his hand for silence.

"Friends, noblemen, and esteemed guests. It is my great privilege to welcome you once more into the wall and courts of Angusa. As we all know my armies have mercilessly swept the lands to our west, taking over the nations of Tyrus, Basat, and most of all Varta! But these victories are not why we are gathered here tonight. Tonight is a night to celebrate a coming union. The nations of Angusa and Vuldia have been friends for some time. It is now time for this friendship to become an alliance through the bonds of marriage. I am hereby pleased to announce the upcoming marriage of Cadvorsus son of Vuldia and my daughter Elena."

A chorus of cheers and claps broke across the courtyard and Irina's head sprung up, her eyes wide and full of astonishment. Elena and Cadvorsus stood hand in hand and bowed politely. Cadvorsus brought Elena's hand to his lips and she smiled at him. Irina finished her wine and beckoned for another glass, seeing Elena smile was rare and very disturbing. The music began again and everyone began dancing. Chasa breezed by and threw Irina a quick nod before going to attend to the queen. Irina rose from the table and slunk away back into the palace. Her feet slipped soundlessly around the palace as she entered the holding cell for Katya's men. As she approached the door the guard there nodded, and went to the outer door. All of the men were staring at her, as her eyes searched for Jacous. He was lying off to the side staring at her, his eyes full of sorrow.

"Jacous." She whispered her throat constricted and she swallowed heavily.

Without speaking he rose and walked over to the bars, he kept his head bowed and didn't dare look at her. She reached through the bars and caressed his cheek down to his chin and brought his face up to look at her. There was shame written in his eyes and she gasped quietly.

"Jacous you have no right to shame."

He lowered his eyes as his jaw clinched and he attempted to swallow past the lump in his throat. Irina leaned further into the cell doors and kissed his lips. He broke the contact and moved away from the bars.

"You should go princess."

A sob caught in her throat and she hurried up the steps, wiping the tears running down her cheek and into the dust.