Chapter 3
He travelled through a land of light and shadows. There was neither space nor time. Only flickering spots of brightness followed by wild, whirling lines of black. With light came pain and memories, with darkness came blissful unknowing.
He didn't know which to prefer.
He carved out his vapid existence between light and shadow for a while, his body light and weightless – floating beneath a sky of featureless faces, and above a black ocean of nameless thoughts and memories.
That was when he suddenly heard it.
It was distant at first – nothing more than a sweet caress in the wind. It sparked his interest, made him concentrate.
It came from somewhere above him – soft and sweet and alluring.
A sun-filled contactless touch, the faint hint of a bell-like sound.
A voice that whirled around him.
A word that touched and lightened his battered soul.
"Live"
And he followed its plea into the light.
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"You shouldn't be here." a voice from behind her admonished softly.
Serenity didn't turn around, her heart and soul heavy as she continued to dab the dark-haired man's forehead with a cold wash cloth.
"Serenity…" the voice sighed when she wouldn't answer.
She hardly realized how someone sat down next to her.
"He still hasn't shown any signs of live except his shallow breathing." she finally whispered, her eyes never leaving the man's motionless face. "The Medicus gave him a potion to bring him back to life. He still has to awake."
"And it's the Medicus' task to watch him, not yours." the man next to her reasoned with fatherly concern.
A tanned, big hand covered hers and gently stilled her motions. Startled, Serenity looked to her right only to stare into deep green eyes.
"This is no place for you, Sere." the man urged gently with the faintest of smiles on his scarred face. "Those who hold you close to their hearts are worried about you. Go home and soothe their troubled minds."
"Luna sent you." Serenity sighed, the barest hint of accusation in her voice. "Wasn't it her who taught me the fine arts of herbs and potions? To use them to show kindness for those at need? Why not make use of those skills now?"
The man's gentle smile turned sad as he took the wash cloth with gentle force from Serenity.
"You did all you could." was his only reply.
Serenity let out an exhausted sigh, and her sad eyes moved back to settle onto the unconscious Thracian on the cot.
"I wish I could do more." she murmured and removed some of the stranger's sweat-stained hair from his face.
"You did enough." the man next to her said gently. "You saved his life in the arena."
Serenity couldn't help but let out a cheerless laugh at that.
"Did I?" she challenged weakly as she faced the man sitting next to her. "Or did I just prolong his suffering?"
Before he was able to respond, Serenity continued.
"You know I'm right, Artemis." she said with bitterness in her voice. "If he doesn't die today, he surely will find his death in the arena as a gladiator. A fate I chose for him. He could be at peace by now – reunited with those he loves."
She shook her head, hot glistering tears running down her cheeks.
"I had no right." she whispered softly, her gaze refocusing on the injured man in front of her.
There was long beat of silence between them before Artemis answered.
"I saw him battle Malachite and the Roman soldiers, Serenity." he said, his voice low and soft as he relived the fight once more. "And there are things I learnt about this man without ever having exchanged a single word with him."
Serenity furrowed her brow as she turned her head slightly to look at Artemis.
"One, he is a skilled fighter. He moves like a panther, swift and smooth and deadly." he said, an appreciating small smile appearing on his tanned face. "It would be any Doctore's upmost pleasure to form this rough diamond into an honorable gladiator."
"Sooner or later, every gladiator finds his death on the sand of the arena." Serenity whispered in immediate response.
"Not everyone." Artemis retorted lightly with a mischievous smirk on his face that caused the faintest of smiles to appear on Serenity's pale face as she nodded.
There were only two men she knew who had survived the life of a gladiator. Artemis was one of them. He had been the city's Champion when Tiberius had brought Diamond and her to Capua. She had been a girl of no more than 5 summers back then, and had been terrified of the gladiator's fights. All the blood and the deaths … It had reminded her too much of the wars she had just escaped from. She had kept her distance. One night, however, she had got lost on the villa's grounds after one of her nightmares, and had somehow ended up on the gladiator's training grounds. There had been one man – one of Artemis' tribe members as she had learnt years later – who had found her there. She had been terrified when he had approached her with a glistering knife in his hand. He had smiled a cruel smile at her, had told her how he would pay back Tiberius for having killed his family by taking her life. Serenity didn't remember much, but she knew that Artemis had come to her rescue. He had killed his tribal kinsman without thinking twice, and had carried her shivering form back to Tiberius. Tiberius had been more than grateful for what Artemis had done, and he had rewarded him years after by granting him freedom. Artemis had stayed at the Ludus, and was now the house's Doctore – the lead trainer of the gladiators.
"There's another thing I've learnt about this man, Serenity." Artemis continued, softly startling the young woman out of her rememberances.
"I saw the pain flicker across his face when the Greek had taken his own life." he continued, his eyes on the dark-haired man as he spoke. "I learnt that they shared a cell before the games."
Serenity shook her head, confusion clearly written across her face.
"It is something your father taught me, Sere." Artemis said with a tender smile gracing his lips. "Fighting alone will never form a great gladiator, a great man. It is what lies within our heart that will lead us to true glory. It is the love to our brothers that will help us live the honorable lives of a gladiator."
Serenity nodded slowly, but her eyes were still filled with unshed tears.
"But the last thing I've learnt is the most important." Artemis said, his green eyes sparkling with seriousness.
Before he was able to answer, a pained, loud groan escaped the Thracian's dry lips, immediately drawing Serenity's full attention. She immediately grabbed the man's right hand and squeezed it tightly as if to signal that someone was with him. The man's eyes fluttered open and closed again, his face and rough groan though filled with pain the first sign of life in days.
Artemis smirked a little as if in triumph.
"He is a man who decides his own fate." he said, his gaze full of knowing as Serenity faced him with wide open eyes. "Even the Parcae could not send him to the Orcus without his consent."
He gracefully stood up and placed his big hand on Serenity's slender shoulder.
"I will send for the Medicus to tend to him, and for some guards to take you back to the villa." he declared and gave the beauty a stern look to silence any protest. "Do not come here again, Serenity."
Serenity's hold around the dark-haired man's hand tightened when Artemis left the room.
"Live, Thracian." she whispered and pressed his fingers against her lips. "Live and decide your own fate."
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Endymion was sitting on his cot, his blue eyes firmly fixed onto his hand as he flexed his fingers. It had been almost two full moons since his fight in the arena, and he was slowly but steadily regaining his strength. The only persons he had seen since he had awakened were the Medicus, a scraggy older man with oily hair, and the house's Doctore. The latter had introduced himself as Artemis, the gladiator's lead trainer. He was a tall, muscular man with long white hair that almost reached his hips. He had piercing green eyes that had scrutinized Endymion like a big cat, and his posture was straight and strong, something that immediately called for obedience. His body was well-built and tanned due to years of training under the sun of Capua, and his face and arms showed several scars that he wore proudly as evidence of numerous victorious battles in the past.
He hadn't talked much – had merely informed Endymion that he now belonged to the house of Tadius under the command of General Tiberius and his son Diamond. He had also told him that he was to be trained to become a gladiator to bring honor to the house he belonged to. The young Thracian's eyes darkened with anger as he remembered Artemis' words.
He was nothing but a common slave now – chained to men he neither knew nor liked, and fated to die for the Roman mob's amusement.
It filled his heart with both disgust and sorrow.
How would he ever be able to find his sister that way?
He had already wasted too much time.
A wooden sword was suddenly thrown before his feet. Startled and with furrowed brows, he looked up only to find Artemis standing before him with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Your wounds have healed." the other man said, his voice dark and smooth as always. "It's time for you to begin your training."
Without voicing another word, Artemis left. Endymion stared at the wooden sword before him for a moment before he picked it up and followed the Doctore outside.
Endymion had to close his eyes for some moments when they entered a square courtyard covered in sand and dirt. The villa's thick stony walls surrounded three sides of the training area, while the fourth was open space, a giant cliff that led down to jagged rocks and a creaming, wild ocean.
Artemis motioned Endymion to stand at the end of a row of five other men with wooden swords and equal confused expressions on their faces. Artemis placed himself before them, his spine straight and his hands firmly behind his back as he examined each and every one of them closely. But it was the men behind the Doctore that caught Endymion's attention.
About ten bulky men with haughty smiles and dangerously glistering eyes appeared from the shadows, eying the six men in the center of the training area appraisingly. But it was only one that Endymion's gaze focused on. It was the gladiator that he had fought against in the arena, the one with silver-white hair and grey eyes. The one who had effortlessly killed all of Endymion's fellow prisoners, the one who had almost killed Endymion himself. The bulky gladiator wore a stoic expression across his face, his eyes, too, solely focused on the Thracian.
The undefeated Celt.
"What is beneath your feet?" Artemis' voice finally managed to tore his attention away from the Celt.
A young blond next to Endymion chuckled and shrugged his shoulders as he answered.
"Sand?"
The gladiators behind Artemis roared with laughter at the young man's response. Artemis stared hard at the one who had answered and lifted one hand to silence the men behind him.
"Malachite!" he barked without taking his piercing eyes off of Endymion and the rest. "What is beneath your feet?"
The silver-haired Celt pushed away from the wall behind him and stepped onto the sand, his chin held high as he caught Endymion's gaze.
"Sacred ground, Artemis." he spoke in a deep voice. "Watered with the tears of blood."
The Doctore nodded his agreement and spread out both strong arms in an almost ceremonial way.
"Your tears, your blood, your lives." Artemis said while eying each and every one of his new recruits for a long moment. "Your fate." he added when his gaze fell onto the Thracian. "Remember this, honor this. And perhaps you will find your way into the brotherhood of our gladiators."
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Serenity's heart fluttered like a hummingbird in her chest as she watched Artemis' introduction from the balcony. She was hidden from view, her slender fingers holding tightly onto the fabric of the almost transparent curtain she was looking through to get a sneak peek at the new recruits. Even though there was only one she was yearning to see.
"He's handsome, is he not?" Mina who was standing next to her giggled in delight. "Not as handsome as Malachite, but still…"
Serenity wanted to rebuke her blond companion for her comment, but couldn't find the voice to deny the undeniable. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered. His midnight black hair was untamed and wild, and some of it fell into his eyes that she now knew were of the most amazing dark blue color she had ever seen. Her fingers curled as her eyes followed the line of his body, and she couldn't help the traitorous blush that illuminated her pale cheeks when her eyes lingered a little too long on the hard abdominal muscles of his stomach. She watched in fascination as he effortlessly combatted against one of the other recruits, a young blond that Artemis had him paired off with.
Serenity smiled a little as she followed the Thracian's fluid movements.
"He is." she whispered softly.
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"You are the Thracian."
Endymion was standing at the watering place in the shadows of the training area. He moved his head a little while taking a well-deserved drink of water, only to come face to face with a blond man with a smirk on his face. Endymion narrowed his eyes at him, but remained silent. Without another word, he turned his back at the blond and dipped his mug once again into the water drum.
He heard the other man's amused chuckle.
"Not much of a talker, mh?" the blond chirped and moved to stand next to him.
"I'm not interested in talking with Romans." Endymion huffed.
But despite the rough edge to his voice, the other man just chuckled anew.
"I guess my accent reveals my heritage." he laughed. "Even though heritage hardly matters among gladiators."
Endymion let out a dismissive snort and shook his head.
"It matters to me."
He could almost feel how the Roman rolled his eyes in mock-annoyance. Endymion, trying to end the conversation, made his way back to the center of the training ground, but soon had to realize that the blond Roman was following him.
"I saw your fight against Malachite in the arena." he said as he hurried to walk next to him. "Quite impressive I must admit."
Endymion arched one brow at him.
"You were allowed to watch the games?" he couldn't help but ask.
The smile one the blond's face faltered a little, and the shiny light within his sparkling green eyes dimmed for a moment.
"It was before I sold myself to slavery." The other man admitted with a sad smile. "Fortuna was not my companion when I gambled." he further explained. "Earning money by risking my own life is the least I can do to amortize my debt so that my wife and unborn child can live free from debtors and worries."
A spark of sympathy washed through Endymion's veins as he heard that, and he nodded his understanding.
This man in front of him was a good man – Roman or not.
"Andrew." the blond introduced himself, the shiny smile back on his face.
Endymion hesitated a moment before he sighed and answered.
"Endymion." he replied, earning yet another happy grin.
This happiness was just as annoying as it was endearing.
"So the great Thracian warrior has a name after all." Andrew chuckled heartily and winked at him. "I have never seen anyone defy Malachite the way you did. The Gods have truly blessed you."
Endymion snorted at that and shook his head determinedly.
"The Gods give a fucking damn about me." he said harshly. "They have abandoned me a long time ago."
Andrew just shrugged his shoulders in response.
"They saved your life." he retorted. "They seem to have high hopes for you. Even though it certainly couldn't hurt to watch over you a little longer, given the daggers that Malachite keeps throwing your way with his eyes."
Endymion furrowed his brows and followed Andrew's gaze. Malachite was standing in the shadows with three other gladiators surrounding him. On had wavy, long brown hair, the other two were blond. Their eyes clashed together, and even over the distance, Endymion could see the fiery hatred that lay deep within the Celt's eyes.
"I have faced worse." Endymion simply said while returning Malachite's icy stare.
"Hardly." Andrew chuckled and wiggled his head from one side to the other. "Be careful around this one and his devoted lap dogs. They can be particularly unpleasant."
Endymion just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't care.
"Gladiators!" Artemis suddenly yelled, the mere tone in his voice once again demanding obedience. "Attend your Dominus."
Endymion and the other men formed three rows as they were told. Above the far wall of the Ludus was a balcony made of rich marble that led to the heart of the villa. A young man with sharp features and almost white, glistering hair that reached his chin stepped to the front. Just like Artemis had done before, he eyed the new recruits with a piercing gaze, and once again, Endymion felt as if his eyes lingered a little longer on him than on the others.
Then, another person stepped onto the balcony, next to the man. Endymion felt his heart quicken and stop at the same moment.
Long hair was pinned up to two buns while leaving the rest of the hair float in waves past her slender shoulders. She wore a white dress embroidered with glistering sparkling beads and silver ornaments. Long thick lashes framed her expressive blue eyes, and Endymion couldn't help the sharp intake of breath as the hot sun fell onto her and made her pale skin sparkle with light.
A shiny goddess in a place of death – a creature far too delicate and lovely for a place like this.
It was her.
Two women were standing close behind her. One was small and had long blond hair, while the other was very tall with dark curls framing her tanned skin. Both were very beautiful in their own way – but nothing compared to the silver temptress in the middle.
"I am Diamond Tadius, your Dominus." the man next to the goddess announced, his voice sounding as cold as he looked. "Jupiter himself has blessed you for you find yourself in a house as noble as this. My father, the honorable general Tiberius, gave me this Ludus to bring honor to our house. He has willed, and you are my hands."
The gladiators of the brotherhood bawled and hollered their approval. Endymion's expression was blank of emotions as he listened. But his blue eyes shone with interest as his gaze was glued to the silver-haired beauty, silently willing her to look at him.
Just for one moment.
One moment would be enough.
But she wouldn't respond to his silent call. She had her beautiful eyes downcast in modesty, her porcelain face void of any emotions as she listened to the man's speech.
"Your body, your heart, your soul belong to me." Diamond further continued. "Those who are new still have to earn their place among my titans. Pay this price with blood and devotion, and you will become part of this house, of this family, of this brotherhood."
The men around Endymion once again cheered in response, and only stopped when Diamond lifted a hand, indicating them to be silent.
"Become my gladiators who live with pride and part this world as Gods." Diamond then said, and suddenly, his eyes settled onto Endymion. "Or die as common slaves."
Endymion narrowed his eyes, the fingers of his hands clenching to fists as he stared at the white-haired man. Diamond then moved his gaze away from him and introduced Artemis as the house's Doctore, but Endymion barely listened as he felt another pair of eyes on him.
She had lifted her eyes, and the blueness of them almost caught him off-guard as he found himself the sudden center of her attention. Just like weeks ago in the arena, the world around him seemed to blur to non-existence as she looked at him. Soon, way too soon, however, the Dominus destroyed their moment and pulled them out of their own little world. Endymion watched a startled look cross the beauty's face as the white-haired man bent down to whisper something into her ear. The goddess nodded, gave him a small smile and without looking back onto the training area, she went back inside the villa. He felt the Dominus stare at him for the briefest of moments, before the white-haired man turned around, his white cloak floating gracefully through the air as he followed the woman.
"Endymion." Andrew next to him tried to get his attention by pulling at his shoulder, a slightly worried look on his normally cheerful face.
"You better should refrain from gawking at the Domina so openly." the blond warned with a serious expression edged into his features. "The Dominus doesn't like us staring at her."
Before he could stop himself, his eyes wandered back to the spot where the goddess had stood only moments before.
"She's his wife?" he found himself wonder aloud, and his heart clenched in strange anticipation as he waited for Andrew's confirmation.
Andrew titled his head a little to the side as he studied the tense expression on the Thracian's face.
"No." he finally sighed. "She is his sister. But he is very protective of her."
Endymion automatically nodded in silent agreement. It was only natural for the Dominus to protect a treasure such as her in a place like this. It was sheer madness to keep such a beautiful temptation so close to so many raw and brutal men to begin with.
But what startled him most was the fact that Diamond was supposed to be her brother. It was not due to the lack of resemblance in their appearance – in fact, the silver hair and pale skin made them truly look like siblings. But it was something different, something he had sensed when the Dominus had pulled her close, when he had whispered into her ear. It was something he had felt when the Dominus had looked at Endymion.
"Come now." Andrew interrupted his deep musings. "Artemis has paired us off. Let's see if there is a gladiator hiding somewhere beneath this heap of raw strength and murky presence of yours."
"What's her name?" Endymion heard the question suddenly tumble from his lips, making Andrew stop in motion.
The young man couldn't help the knowing smirk that formed his mouth.
"A goddess among mortals, isn't she?" he chuckled, and his green eyes shone with amusement. "But I guess it's only natural for you to be so interested in her. After all, she is the reason why you are still with us."
It was a comment that made Endymion eye the other man with furrowed brow.
"She's the one who asked to spare your life at the arena, and she tended your wounds afterwards." Andrew continued, his knowing smile brightening at the disbelieving look on the other man's face. "Her name is Serenity."
Something deep within Endymion fluttered in both excitement and delight as he heard her name.
"Serenity" he whispered, immediately liking how her name felt and sounded on his lips.
His gaze moved back to the balcony, recalling the way she had stood there – a sparkling vision of silver and white.
Truly a goddess among mortals.
He felt the tender smile grow on his lips as he remembered the way she had looked at him.
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It was later that day when Endymion found himself sitting on a hard wooden bench. He closed his eyes, and he convulsed his face a little in pain as he felt every muscle of his body ache in exhaustion. It had been his first day of training as a gladiator, and he quickly had to realize that Artemis was just as strict as he was demanding. He had fought most of the time against Andrew, and he soon had found himself liking the young blond. Even though he hadn't thought it at first, but despite Andrew's lack of bulky muscle mass, he surely was a skilled fighter, quick and all. Endymion had found himself lying on the hot sand more than once with a wooden sword placed against his throat and Andrew's smirking face right above him. Endymion had been the best warrior of his clan – and constantly being beaten by a man almost half his size was downright annoying. But at the same time, he admired the young blond for it, and he was secretly grateful that Artemis had paired him off with him. In only one day, he had learnt more from him than in years on the battlefield. He wondered if he would have been able to rescue his sister if he had fought like Andrew did. His heart gained in weight as an image of a woman with long black hair and indigo, almost violet eyes flashed before his mind.
"Here, eat." Andrew said and placed a wooden bowl filled with mushy yellow content before him. "It's not exactly ambrosia, but it'll keep you well sated and strong for the next days to come."
Endymion offered him a small smile and nodded his thanks.
They ate in silence for a while before Andrew spoke again.
"You fight well, Endymion." he said and gave him his trademark grin. "It won't take long until you will become an honorable gladiator."
"I do not wish for being a gladiator." Endymion answered with dark eyes narrowed at Andrew. "There is nothing honorable about killing for Rome's mere amusement."
Andrew shrugged his shoulders in response.
"You did it once before, and you will do it again." the blond said matter-of-factly.
"I killed to save my own life." Endymion corrected with a growl. "Nothing more, nothing less."
Andrew stared at him for an almost endless moment with an expressionless look on his face, before it broke into a big smile.
"Ah, believe me you will learn to love them the way they will learn to love you." he sighed, an almost dreamy look on his face. "But you will soon realize that you won't kill to please them, you will kill to please yourself. There is no more addictive feeling in this world than this. As for myself, I couldn't have imagined my life as a gladiator…"
"Now you do?" Endymion asked with furrowed brows and earned an affirmative nod from the other man.
"I do." Andrew replied. "The life of a victorious gladiator and valued member of the brotherhood is much better than you might think, Endymion."
Endymion couldn't help but scoff at that.
"The brotherhood, you say?" he said with barely hidden contempt in his voice. "I do not wish to be part of it. I never asked to become a gladiator, nor do I wish to be called brother to these men."
"An opinion I share without objections." a cool voice sounded from behind him.
Endymion whirled around to find Malachite and his three companions standing behind him. The Celt had his strong arms crossed before his chest, his wild grey eyes looking with barely hidden dislike at Endymion.
"You lack the basic skills of a true gladiator." he said, his voice low. "I can see it in your eyes. You yearn for something long gone – instead of accepting your new fate as any man should. I could never call you brother."
Endymion's eyes darkened with fury as he returned the man's cold stare.
"How can you speak of brotherhood?" Endymion growled and stood up, his hate-filled gaze never leaving Malachite's. "When it was you who killed his fellow countrymen in the name of Rome?!"
His mind wandered back to the young, trembling prisoner Malachite had effortless killed during the executions. He had been vulnerable, defenseless, and barely old enough to be called a man. Malachite had pushed his sword into the young man's body, killing him instantly without a second thought.
The boy had been a young Celt – just like Malachite once was.
The gladiator's stance never wavered as he replied.
"The young Celt? He was weak, pathetic even." Malachite replied without emotion. "He was sentenced to death, rightly or not is not my place to decide. But he could have fought for his life. He didn't, so I did him a favor by ending his lowly life."
It was the emotionless tone in his voice that made Endymion snap. Without thinking another thought, he threw himself over the table and at Malachite. The Celt's eyes widened in surprise at first, but he soon joined in the fight with equal force. Endymion faintly heard Andrew call out for him, but it was already too late. Satisfaction flooded his system as his fist made contact with Malachite's jaw, causing an ugly crack to sound. His triumph was short-lived though, when Malachite roared in fury and punched Endymion in his stomach, right into his barely healed wound. Endymion tumbled back a little and groaned in pain as Malachite threw him forcefully onto the ground, delivering blow after blow onto Endymion's body. Mustering all of his remaining strength and ignoring the pain in his body, the young Thracian pushed him away with his feet, causing Malachite to land on the ground some feet away from him. Both men scrambled back to their feet, both bleeding and panting heavily, but before either of them could attack once more, firm, strong arms wrapped around them, keeping their struggling forms in place.
"Enough!" they heard Artemis bark from the entrance, his green eyes sparkling with anger as he stared at them.
"I should have killed you in the arena!" Malachite hissed and glared at Endymion while two of his men, the one with the long brown and short blond hair, had a tough job keeping him restrained. "You don't deserve the chance at becoming part of our brotherhood!"
Endymion struggled wildly against Andrew's hold, his hot, dark eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.
"I don't give a shit about becoming a Roman's well-trained lap dog like you!" he growled with disgust in his voice. "I am a man of my own free will!"
A cruel smirk appeared on the Celt's face, his grey eyes filling with cold amusement.
"The only reason you live is because of the piteous plea of a pathetic woman. Yes, you truly are a man of your own will, Thracian!"
Endymion's nostrils flared as pure hatred and fury flooded his system anew. He struggled more determinedly against Andrew's hold, but was stopped when Artemis stepped between the two glaring men.
"I said ENOUGH!" the white-haired man shouted, his green eyes dark with fury as he alternately glared at the two men.
"This pathetic woman, as you have called her, Malachite, is your Domina. You will watch your tongue when talking about her, or you will find yourself without food for two weeks. Champion or not." Artemis hissed coldly, his words causing the Celt to duck his head in obedience and shame.
"Forgiveness, Artemis." he finally replied, and lowered his gaze. "My allegiance lies with the Dominus and Domina. It was not my intention to disrespect her with carelessly chosen words."
Artemis gave him a hard stare for a moment or two before he finally nodded his acknowledgement.
"Forgiven." he said. "Go and see the Medicus. Tend to your wounds."
Malachite's eyes flared with protest for a moment, but eventually, he nodded his head and left without a word, his three companions following on his heels.
"As for you." Artemis continued as he turned around to face Endymion. His eyes still shone with anger as he looked at him, but there was something else within – something close to disappointment – that made Endymion's heart grow heavy in his chest.
"You will not attack Malachite again. At least if you value your life." he said sternly. "He could and will kill you in the blink of an eye – and I will not intervene once more."
Endymion neither denied nor confirmed the request. He simply returned the Doctore's hard gaze with one of his own.
"You disrespect the brotherhood, which means you disrespect the house that granted your life – something the Dominus will be informed of." Artemis continued, his green eyes never leaving Endymion as he spoke. "You will not return to your cell tonight like the rest will. Since you have too much energy left, you will spend the night on the training area, practicing. If I find you asleep or rest whenever I feel the urge to check on you, know that your life will be forfeited."
Without another word, Artemis turned around and left the room.
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Pearls of sweat flew from his forehead and into the mild night air as he grimly hit his sword against the wooden pole. The full moon was standing high in the glistering night sky, flooding the training area with silver light. With every blow, Endymion thrust his wooden sword with greater force against the palus that was standing in the center of the training grounds. He didn't know how long he had been training. He knew that it was his punishment for having attacked Malachite, but Endymion didn't care – was downright thankful for it. Welcoming pain washed through his sore muscles as he hit the wooden pole with all his might.
He couldn't have slept anyway – and fighting against physical pain and exhaustion prevented him from focusing on the grief and feelings of guilt that arose from his battered heart and soul. It had worked well at first, but every now and then, the frightened scream of his sister stole itself into his mind. He then clearly saw the expression on her face when the Romans had captured her, when they had carried her away. Her eyes had focused on him, and it had torn his heart apart as he had detected the hopelessness within.
He had failed her.
Endymion let out a frustrated shout and hit his fist against the palus. He was panting heavily as he leant his head against the wood, his bare chest quickly raising and falling as he closed his eyes.
No matter what he did, he couldn't get that look out of his mind.
Endymion stood there for several moments, with eyes closed and catching his breath until he felt someone watching him. He first thought it was Artemis, but when he turned his head slightly, no one was to be seen on the moonlight-flooded training area. The fingers around the handle of his wooden sword tightened in anticipation as he looked over the seemingly empty space. He pushed himself away from the wooden pole, his dark eyes narrowing to slits while observing his surroundings.
"I feel your eyes one me!" he shouted into the warm night with strength and confidence in his voice. "Show yourself!"
He thought that he had heard a gasp float through the air, and he whirled around to face the stony pillars that buttressed the villa's marble balcony. He waited some moments for any movement, his ears strained as he tried to detect telltale noises. But the warm night remained silent apart from the dashing rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the ragged cliffs.
It was only when he wanted to turn around to refocus on the palus that he saw a hooded figure move in the corner of his eyes. He didn't waste a second when he set into motion to chase after the person. Clearly not having expected his sudden speed, the figure stood frozen for one fatal moment before hurriedly making their way to the other end of the training court.
Endymion smirked with predatory glee when he saw the figure break out in the direction – making it even easier for him to catch up. It didn't take much effort on his part to draw level with the person, and with determined push, he tackled the hooded figure to the ground. Endymion quickly placed both legs on either side of the person's small struggling body, and grabbed both wrists with one hand to pin them above the figure's head. With one determined motion, he pushed the hood away from the person's face.
The triumphant smirk on his face vanished immediately as his wild gaze locked with frightened blue eyes.
"You" was all he was able to breathe as he stared down into the most beautiful face he had ever laid eyes on. Silver hair framed porcelain skin, and rosy, full lips were slightly parted in a silent gasp. The black silken cloak had opened a little due to their chase and struggle, revealing a perfect view on her heaving soft chest, barely covered by the silken material of her golden-white dress. His groins tightened at the sight, and Endymion couldn't help the purely male groan deep in his throat as he became aware of the position he found himself in. He felt the softness of her skin beneath, could feel her frantic pulse beneath his fingertips. She was small – delicate and beautiful, lying helplessly beneath him. His eyes darkened with desire. The moonlight made her skin sparkle and shine in an almost ethereal way. Never in his whole life had he seen anything more beautiful, anything more tempting.
The beauty's eyes widened in horror at the sound that escaped his throat and when she saw his heated gaze on her body – and it was the dread on her face that finally startled Endymion out of his desire-filled thoughts. He hurriedly scrambled away from her as reality suddenly hit him – as his mind slowly became aware of whom exactly he had attacked.
"Forgiveness." he quickly said and averted his gaze to the ground. "I didn't know… I thought…"
He stopped there, his brows drawing together in concentration as he feverishly tried to think of words to continue his helpless attempt to save his neck. But he found none.
He heard more than saw how the beauty tentatively shifted. His fingers tightened in anticipation as tensed silence stretched out between them.
"The blame is mine." she finally ended his torture by using the most beautiful voice that had ever reached his ears. "I shouldn't have spied on you. Forgive me."
Startled, Endymion lifted his head to look at her. She was sitting only few feet in front of him, holding her dark satin cloak tightly to her chest as he gave him an uncertain smile.
It could have easily lighted up even the darkest dungeons of Capua's arena, he thought.
He couldn't help but stare at her, his normally witted mind reduced to a whirlwind of unrelated words as he took her in. None of them would come out though.
She returned his intent gaze, the uncertain smile on her lush lips faltering a little when he wouldn't reply. He felt and saw her gaze wander to his bare chest for the briefest of moments, and a sense of manly pride surged through his veins like hot fire when he noticed how her cheeks and chest flushed. It was a reaction that made his gaze darken with desire for her and her obvious innocence.
The spell broke, however, when she suddenly stood up to quickly rush in the direction of the villa.
"No wait!" Endymion heard himself call out for her, his voice thick with strange desperation as he, too, scrambled back onto his feet to follow her.
He didn't want her to leave.
Not yet.
A startled, soft gasp escaped her lips as he caught her hand to make her stop. She turned back around to face him, her beautiful features edged with both confusion and fear as she stared back at him.
Endymion reluctantly let go off her hand and took a few steps back.
She was scared of him, he could see it in her eyes.
He didn't want her to be – she didn't need to be. He wanted to see her soft smile again.
"I … I wanted to thank you." he started cautiously, his eyes shimmering with the truth of his words. "You saved my life. Back in the arena and afterwards."
Relief flooded his system as the fear started to disappear from her face.
"I am forever in your debt."
A tentative smile flickered at the corners of her lips, and she slowly shook her head.
"You are not." she softly said, the sound of her voice music in his ears. "You don't owe me anything."
"But why." he couldn't help but wonder, causing a confused look to appear on the beauty's face.
"Why did you saved me?" he almost whispered, his voice low as he slowly approached her. "A man you did not know, a traitor sentenced to death for his actions? Why did you stand up for someone like that?"
He could hear her breath hitch when he stopped only inches before her, but she didn't back away. The warm wind around them caught strands of her silver hair, making it float gracefully through the air as he waited for her response. The scent of roses and vanilla filled his nose – something purely sweet and feminine that called out for him. Her blue eyes were locked with his, and he saw the turmoil of different emotions to wash through them.
It was when he saw determination settle onto her face that she answered.
"It wasn't a traitor I saved that day." she stated firmly, the blue of her eyes shining with steadfast resolve. "But a good man with a good heart. Fated to carry his life in his own hands."
Endymion's mouth opened a little at her words and at the strength she proudly held within. What kind of creature was she, he wondered? A fragile beauty on the outside, but strong and determined in character.
A goddess among mortals.
His body acted on his own accord as he lifted one hand tentatively, longing to feel her, to touch her again. She didn't retreat. She just stared at him, her eyes filled with strength and determination, calling out for him like no other woman before her had.
But just before his fingertips touched her face, a stern voice from the shadows interrupted them.
"Domina." it stated firmly, and Endymion whirled around to see Artemis emerging from the shadows of the villa.
His mouth was set into a grim line as he looked at them, his brows raised as he stared at the beauty. Serenity immediately took a step away from Endymion, her eyes filling with guilt as she met the Doctore's reproachful gaze.
"What are you doing here?"
"Forgiveness, Artemis." she softly said. "Sleep didn't come and I was in need for fresh air."
Artemis stared at her for some moments of tensed silence and let his gaze wander down her sand-covered and disheveled appearance. His scrutinizing stare made Serenity bite her lower lip and she averted her eyes.
"The training area is no place for walks at night. Something especially you should know, Domina." Artemis said, his voice strict, but Endymion also didn't miss the hint of concern as he spoke to her.
"Go back inside the villa now. Make sure to never enter the training area without protection again, or I will have to inform the Dominus. Both of them."
Serenity lifted her eyes to look at Artemis with shocked eyes. When Artemis didn't say anything else, her eyes caught Endymion's. There was concern on her face as she looked at him, and the man knew that it was rather for him than for her. She had already opened her mouth to say something, probably to defend him, but was immediately interrupted by Artemis before she was able to voice a single word.
"Goodnight, Domina." Artemis said, the tone of his voice filled with authority which left no room for any protests.
Serenity let out a defeated sigh and nodded her head.
She was just about to turn around to head back inside the villa when she halted for a moment to look straight at Endymion.
"Good night." he heard her soft whisper, and his heart fluttered in his chest as he detected the smallest of smiles on her lips.
He stared after her until she disappeared into the shadows of the villa.
"Endymion!" Artemis' voice sounded dark and portentous from behind him.
Reluctantly, Endymion turned around, ready to face whatever punishment would await him.
Artemis stared at him for while with an unreadable expression on his face before he spoke.
"Go back to the palus." The Doctore said, his expression never changing. "There is still some time left 'til the sun arises."
"Doctore?" Endymion asked with confusion on his face.
Artemis stared at him for almost endless moments, his green eyes shining with different emotions that Endymion couldn't quite place.
Artemis then turned around, his spine straight as he addressed Endymion who kept staring at his back.
"Concentrate on your training to gain glory in the arena." Artemis said lowly. "It would be unwise to occupy your thoughts with other desires."
He left without another word.
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Notes
Thank you so much for your reviews, favs and follows!
I am truly happy about the great response and that you like what I'm creating!
I hope you enjoyed their first meeting!
J