Chapter 4
A strange, creaking sound from the door made him startle up from his cot. It was still night, and the soft light from the moon was the only light that filled his barren, dark cell. Endymion's eyes narrowed in caution as he kept his gaze glued to the heavy wooden door, his entire muscles tense and ready to be called to action if needed. The heavy door opened with a creaking sound, and the young Thracian forced himself to quickly lie back onto his cot, pretending to sleep.
Let them come. Let them think he was fast asleep. They would soon come face to face with an unpleasant surprise.
He waited patiently with his eyes closed, but ears and body on alert while he listened to muffled steps on the stony ground that slowly drew closer to where he was lying. He cracked one eye open – not enough for the other person to notice that he was awake, but still enough to detect the shadow that was now hovering directly above him. It was when the figure slowly reached out one hand in the direction of his face that he called his body to action. Quicker than the shadows of the night, Endymion grabbed the person's wrist with his right hand and held it tightly. The other person let out a startled gasp and lost balance, causing the figure to tumble down onto the man. Endymion's brows shot up in surprise as he stared into pools of azure and silver. He slowly sat up with the small woman now in his lap, his hand still wrapped tightly around the beauty's wrists.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered, his face a world of both confusion and awe.
Serenity stared at him for a moment, before her lips curled into a sweet smile.
She shifted in his lap so that both of her legs were on either sides of his body. Endymion couldn't do more than stare at her as she slowly lifted her hand to let her fingers gently roam the line of his sharp jaw line.
"I needed to see you." was all she breathed in response while pressing her small body more firmly against his defined frame. Endymion swallowed hard as he stared into the beauty's big eyes, the blue of them darkened with something he recognized very well as lust and desire.
"You shouldn't be here." he said, the tone of his voice low and husky while the darkness of his eyes spoke of another truth.
She didn't say a word, just smiled, while her fingers gently wrapped around his hand to slowly lead him to the top of her blue-colored over-cloak. They never lost eye-contact as his fingers opened the strings that held the material together. Like glistering water, the cloak fell from her soft white shoulders and pooled around her on the cot. Endymion couldn't help the low, feral groan that formed deep inside his throat as he took in the vision before him. Serenity was clothed in a satin-dress of a light blue color, with a low neckline and two slits on either side – leaving her long, slender legs bare to his hungry view.
Endymion's hand settled onto her lower back, pressing her further against his lower parts, while earning a small gasp from the beauty in his arms. His other hand quickly shot up to take hold of her chin, keeping her in place as he stared at her with hungry, dark eyes.
"You really…" he said, his voice low and dangerous as he drew her closer, his lips almost touching hers. "… really …" his grip on her lower back tightened as he pushed her even further against his groins. "… shouldn't be here."
He then crushed his lips against hers, swallowing her helpless moan as he kissed her with all the passion and gusto his body had to offer. Their tongues danced with heated fever as his searching hands roamed her body – hungry and desperate to touch all of her divine body at once. He growled deeply in manly appreciation as Serenity's arms flew around his neck, pulling him closer as her body moved in tune with their desire. Her long legs tightened their hold around his waist as he got up from the cot to carry her across the room – their lips never parting. The blonde beauty let out a startled gasp as her back hit the door, but her surprise was soon forgotten when Endymion pressed the engorged prove of his desire against her hot core. She threw her head back at the sensation, and her arms wrapped tightly around the Thracian as if seeking for support. Endymion couldn't help the mischievous smirk on his lips as he noticed how desperate the godlike creature clung to his frame. His fingers dug deeply into the pale flesh of her rear as he let his mouth travel along her elegant neck. Serenity let out small whimpers as he alternately sucked and bit into her soft skin for the most primeval part of him urged him in a feverish, almost manic manner to mark his possession.
Yes, she was his. His own little goddess – Salus in flesh and blood, sent to him from the Gods to be his salvation. He was a willing slave to her smile, to her scent, her body.
Her body… Endymion groaned in low approval as Serenity's small body trembled with anticipation and desire, helpless and trapped against his cell's door as he devoured her with his mouth and body. His right hand pulled down one strap of her dress, the man feverish in his attempt to reveal more of her delicious skin. His eyes darkened as more and more of her sweet breasts was revealed, and he didn't waste a second before he bent down to place hot, open-mouthed kisses onto both delicious hills. His lips found the place right above her heart, and he couldn't help but gently bite the skin there.
"Endymion…" Serenity sighed, her voice filled with both pleasure and warning. "Don't."
But Endymion simply tightened his grip on her while pushing his straining member rhythmically against her hot core. Serenity let out a sweet moan at the sensation, and her head wiggled from one side to the other as she couldn't feel more than the hardness against her sweet spot. Endymion smirked in quiet triumph knowing he had successfully distracted her with his actions. His mouth returned to the spot just above her heart, and he enforced his thrusts against her core the moment he sucked hard on her skin there. Serenity's moan of pleasure and pain filled the air while Endymion continued to visibly mark her as his. It was the only thought that was running through his desire-filled head: mine!
He heard Serenity's soft pleas for him to stop, but he wouldn't – he couldn't.
"Endymion, please." she whimpered. "Please, he will see."
It was something that made his world turn black with madness, and he bit down even harder onto her skin. Serenity cried out, but she didn't push him away – too caught up was she in the whirlwind of pleasure and lust that the young Thracian was causing her to feel. Delicate hands took hold of his head, pushing him gently bit determinedly away from her skin. Endymion watched with a smug smirk on his face as Serenity's gaze looked down onto the mark that he had just created on her flawless skin.
His mark, his sign of possession.
His.
"What have you done?" she whispered in slight horror as she looked back up again to meet his triumphant gaze. "He will see, he will know!"
But Endymion simply pressed her more firmly against the door behind her, both hands framing her beautiful face as he held her in place. He stared deeply into her eyes, the blueness of his orbs dark with fierce determination and lust. He then captured her mouth with his, drawing her into a long, passionate kiss. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers and inhaled deeply.
"Let him."
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Endymion let out a shocked gasp as he shot up from his cot. His skin was covered in light sweat, and his heart pounded furiously against his rib cage. He closed his eyes then and buried his face in both hands, trying to calm his rushing pulse.
What was wrong with him?
Since he had first met her several nights ago, she had started to occupy his every thought. She lingered in his mind when he was training with the others, and now she was even haunting – no, taunting him with her presence in his dreams. He had tried – oh Gods, had he tried to forget about her… to comply with Artemis' word of advice. But it seemed the more he fought thoughts about her, the more did they come back with full force.
Endymion groaned helplessly into his hands as his mind wandered back to the delicious scenes of his dreams. There was no use denying that he desired her – he doubted that any man would feel any different. She was the epitome of temptation. With plush, kissable rosy lips, big blue eyes that sparkled like the diamonds in the sky, and a body that would make any man fall to his knees before her. But it was not only her obvious beauty that almost drove him insane with desire. It was the aura of innocence that surrounded her – the way she had blushed when he had caught her looking at him, the way she moved her sensuous body without having the slightest clue what she was doing to him, and probably to every man that crossed her path. He hadn't seen her since their encounter the other night, but he knew that she was watching him during his training sessions with Artemis and the other men – he could feel her eyes hot on his skin. Endymion had more than once absentmindedly stared up to the marble balcony in the hope of catching sight of silver hair or blue eyes. But he had never seen her – and it was slowly driving him insane. It was wrong – even deadly wrong to let his mind drift. All of his mind, all of his concentration should only be focused on the upcoming fights in the arena that would decide on his life or death. He should overcome this fruitless infatuation, this doomed distraction that would with certainty not only cost his life, but his sister's as well.
He sighed and let the back of his head rest against the cold wall behind him.
Raye… the thought of his sister made his heart clench with guilt. He would gladly give his life, only to know that she was safe. Then why was he allowing his mind to wander? Why wasn't he doing anything in his power to try to escape and to save her? His eyes moved towards the heavily locked door that sealed his drab prison. The sight caused a grim frown to appear on his face. Escape, let alone freedom were nothing but foolish cravings behind these thick walls. He was trained to become a gladiator – any Dominus' prized and at the same time dangerous possession. They were often told that they were more than common slaves. Endymion couldn't help but let out a bitter scoff at that. Of course they were more than slaves. Their victorious fights, their winnings and earnings in the arena added up to the Dominus' fortune – helped him to gain the Roman's favor and admiration. Any other slaves were replaceable, but not gladiators. The Dominus invested profitably in their skills and lives – but not because he regarded them as something close to people, but rather as better dairy cows, necessary tools in order to secure his wealth and position.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Endymion let out another sigh and he shook his head.
It was no surprise the Dominus would guard them as fiercely as he did. Gladiators were skilled killers, murderers who took lives without blinking an eye. It would be a fateful mistake not to have a close eye on them.
The young man quickly got up from his cot when the heavy wooden door was pushed open. Endymion's entire body tensed with anticipation when a Roman soldier entered the small cell.
"The Dominus is asking for you presence." the man ordered in a cold voice while his eyes mirrored the obvious disgust he felt for the prisoner.
Endymion pressed his lips tightly together. Being summoned by the Dominus never meant anything good, as much was certain. But he would not show any signs of fear or defeat – it simply wasn't in his nature to do so. Therefore, he glared darkly at the Roman solider before offering a tight nod. A wave of satisfaction flooded his body as he saw the Roman tense up a little under his gaze, and he couldn't help the small smirk that formed on his lips.
"Lead the way." Endymion said, his chin lifted and his spine straight as he followed the Roman solider upstairs to the core of the villa.
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Diamond let his fingers slowly trace the rim of his wine-filled goblet as he stared out onto the small garden that belonged to the villa. There was a small fountain in the middle with sparkling cool water surrounding the marble statue of Venus herself. Colorful flowers were adorning the path of warm stones that lead through the small garden, portraying a picture of pure natural beauty that the goddess Flora's skillful hands must have created in a moment of divine afflatus. But it was the three women sitting on the edge of the fountain that were holding Diamond's entire attention. They were laughing and giggling as they spoke with each other, and happy, shiny smiles were the beautiful accessory on their faces as their delicate fingers were busy creating small chains of flowers. The brown-haired Greek woman was clothed in a modest green dress with golden embroidery on it, and her long curly hair was made up in a high ponytail that gracefully fell down her bare back. Next to her, a blonde was sitting, clothed in a similar dress that only differed in color – orange like the setting sun on a warm summer's eve. She was very attractive, that one. With waves of golden hair that spilled down her slender frame, and with dark blue eyes that always seemed to sparkle with a mixture of mischief and joy. Diamond titled his head a little to the left as he watched her a moment longer. She reminded him of her. Under different circumstances, he would have certainly taken her to his bed. But she would be nothing more than a desperate distraction, a beautiful but pointless replacement for the other woman who was sitting with them.
His indigo eyes narrowed on the shiny beauty with sparkling silver hair, clothed in a sleeveless sea silk dress of a dark blue color. It was plain, modest even compared to the heavily embroidered dresses the fashionable women in the Capital wore. But oh… how beautiful she looked in it – as if Neptune had created a dress of the deepest water and silky waves to dress her in. A tender smile formed on Diamond's lips as he watched Serenity laugh at something the Greek slave-girl had said. Her face shone with joy and innocence whenever she smiled – it was what would capture any men's imagination in a minimum of time. And it was what he loved most about her – more than he probably should.
"Dominus." Saphir startled him out of his thoughts, and he reluctantly forced himself to move his eyes away from the garden to turn around.
"The Thracian is here." his body slave informed him dutifully, his posture firm and straight as always.
Diamond let out an almost exhausted sigh and waved one hand gracefully through the air.
"Bring him in."
Saphir curtly nodded his head in understanding and left the room to follow his Dominus' orders. Shortly after, he returned with the Thracian and a Roman soldier in tow.
Diamond confidently strode into the center of the spacious room, his head slightly titled to one side as he eyed the other man with curiosity. The Thracian had his eyes deferentially downcast as instructed beforehand, but Diamond also didn't miss the man's tense posture, his clenched fingers and the straight spine. The white-haired man smirked a little at that. The Thracian was a wild one, raw and untamed. Diamond motioned Saphir and the Roman soldier to step back a little as he approached. He slowly circled the Thracian while his indigo eyes inspected the man before him closely.
"What is your name, Thracian?" he then asked.
"Endymion, Dominus." the Thracian replied after a moment of tensed silence, his voice deep and powerful.
Diamond made an approving sound deep within his throat as he took some more moments to inspect the man's physique.
"A good name, a strong name. It would be fitting for a glorious gladiator – a legend even. Men would succumb to you only by hearing that name." Diamond then said and stepped away from him.
Endymion lifted his gaze to return the Dominus' gaze with a deep, almost angered frown on his face.
"I do not know much about the glory of gladiators, Dominus." he replied while his blue eyes were alive with resistance. "But I believe it is not the name that determines what a man becomes."
Diamond's thin lips curled up into an amused smile as he watched the man's defiant posture over the rim of his golden goblet.
"Then what does, Thracian?" he asked with a smirk on his face. "Are you a religious man who thinks we are mere pawns in a game that serves the Gods' amusement? Or do you rather follow a more earthly philosophy and believe that it is our heritage that binds us to our destiny?"
"I do not care much for the Gods." Endymion replied with dark eyes. "Nor do I think that the random locus of one's birth makes us better or worse than other people. I believe that a man carries his fate in his own hands. The Gods or heritage might or might not make things harder. But at the end, it is our own decisions that spin the threads of fate and life."
Given the cheerful chuckle that left the Dominus' lips, Endymion had given an answer that had pleased Diamond greatly.
"Ah…" he sighed with a smirk in the Thracian's direction. "You already speak like a true gladiator."
Endymion bit something inside his mouth to prevent himself from answering. He knew it would be unwise to disagree with the Dominus. Diamond might seem and sound like a friendly, almost sympathetic man – but something deep within him told Endymion that the Dominus' temper was just as unstable as the wind at high see.
"You do not seem to agree, Thracian." the Dominus amused chuckle made Endymion's body tense up. He covered his emotions with a mask of indifference as he met Diamond's probing gaze.
Before he was able to answer though, Diamond lifted one hand to indicate him to remain silent.
"No need to deny." The Dominus sighed and shrugged his shoulders in almost indifference. "I can see it in your eyes. They are full of fierce longing for a life outside these walls. Is this why you so openly refuse to become a part of the brotherhood? Why you felt the need to attack one of my most skilled titans?"
Endymion clenched his jaw before he answered.
"My attack against Malachite wasn't aimed at defying you, Dominus." he said in a steady voice. "I owe you my life."
Diamond's eyes narrowed a little at that, and for the briefest of moments, they filled with a coldness that chilled the blood in Endymion's veins.
"It was not my voice that so desperately begged to spare your life, Thracian." The Dominus replied lowly, his face stoic as he spoke.
The briefest moment of hostility vanished in the blink of an eye though, and was replaced by an almost bored look.
"Even though I have to admit that you are a skilled fighter on the training ground. You are good, Thracian. But not that good." Diamond sighed and walked towards a marble table to refill his goblet with rich wine.
"Honestly, I do not bother about whether or not you care for the brotherhood." he continued matter-of-factly. "Not every gladiator fights in order to belong to the brotherhood one day. But every man needs some kind of incentive."
He casually leant against the table, his arms crossed before his chest as he stared at Endymion with a thoughtful look on his pale face.
"What is it that you desire, I wonder?" Diamond mused with genuine interest on his face. "What could spark your interest enough so that you become the glorious gladiator I want you to be?"
Endymion kept his face void of any emotions as he answered.
"I have no need for glory on the arena sand." he said determinedly. "I am honest by saying that I have never asked to become a gladiator. But I will follow the commands of this house for it is the reason why I'm still breathing – and I will honor your wishes until my debt is repaid."
Diamond titled his head to one side and stared at the Thracian for long moments of silence. His gaze then moved towards where Saphir and the Roman soldier were silently waiting.
"Remove yourselves." he said with a dismissive motion of his hand. "I want to talk to him in private."
"Dominus." The Roman soldier urged with a slight wave of warning in his voice. "It would be unwise to be left alone with him."
Diamond arched one silver brow at the man, his indigo eyes cold as he answered.
"What is wise or unwise is for me to decide and for you to respect, solider." he said in a calm voice that didn't quite disguise the underlying icy command.
Both men looked ready to protest, their eyes darting warily between Endymion and Diamond.
"I do not wish to repeat myself." Diamond harshly said, the tone in his cold voice making both men to immediately bow their heads in obedience.
"Forgiveness, Dominus." the young slave and Roman guard whispered in unison before they quickly backed out.
Diamond glared at the spot where both had just vanished a moment longer, before his gaze refocused on Endymion who was still standing motionlessly in the center of the room. Now it was the Thracian's turn to stare at the Dominus with a mixture of curiosity and wariness shining in his eyes. Sure, he didn't have a weapon on him, but Endymion's hands were not bound – it would be far too easy to attack the Dominus and kill him barehanded. Diamond was a tall man who was well-built, and Endymion assumed that he, too, was far from being inexperienced in the art of fighting. There was no doubt that he was able to defend himself if necessary. And still, his almost thoughtless and careless abandonment of protection surprised Endymion. After all, he was a skilled fighter, had killed almost 15 men all alone in Thrace, and almost an equal amount in the arena. Why would Diamond so carelessly put himself in harm's way?
"There is no need for me to fear you, Thracian." Diamond said with a smirk on his face as if he had heard Endymion's thoughts. "You are an honest man – something I highly value and reward. I do not belief that you will attack a man that you have pledged allegiance to only moments ago."
He then let out a low chuckle, his eyes darkening with an almost dangerous gleam.
"You should know however that growing up in a Ludus comes along with a certain familiarity with regard to the Gladiatorial arts." he said while his dark gaze was firmly fixed on Endymion. "I am no stranger to killing another man if I feel…" he paused there a moment and let his hand fly through the air as if in search for the right word.
"… threatened." Diamond finished pointedly.
There was tenseness in his voice that filled the air around them with unmistakable warning. There was no doubt that Diamond would not waste much thought on killing him if Endymion would tried anything. There also was no doubt that the Dominus of this house had killed his fair share of men.
Endymion silently returned Diamond's hard gaze until he gave a tight nod.
By seeing the Thracian's wordless sign of compliance, the white-haired man's posture relaxed a little and his face split into another amused smile.
"Now that this is settled..." Diamond drawled and extended both hands in an almost inviting manner. "Tell me, Thracian. If it's not glory in the arena I can tempt you with, what else could serve as an inspiration for you to fight for?"
Endymion remained silent at the question. There was only thing he truly yearned for – something that the Dominus would never grant him.
"Nothing at all, Thracian, mh?" Diamond asked slowly and approached him with thoughtful eyes. "No money, no treasures, no women to warm your bed?"
Diamond stopped only inches before the other man, his eyes searching Endymion's facial expression with interest.
"A victorious gladiator can have the finest creatures this world has to offer, Thracian." The Dominus whispered seductively. "Nymphs with soft skin and delicious curves, eager to fulfill their hero's every wish. Is it not something to fight for?"
Endymion stared at Diamond for a moment longer before he shook his head.
"There is only one woman worth fighting for." he said, and the thought of her made his heart clench painfully in his chest. "But she is lost to me."
Diamond's brows rose in interest.
"Ah… I see." he whispered with a mischievous smirk. "Cupid has already pierced your heart. A wife back home your heart and loins long to return to then?"
Diamond stepped back a little and eyed the other man with a highly amused expression on his face. The grin on his face vanished though, when Endymion once again shook his head to negate the Dominus' assumption.
Endymion's eyes filled with remorse and guilt as he moved his head to the window that opened eastwards – the cardinal direction where he knew his homeland lay.
"Not a wife." he murmured and the fingers on either side of his body balled to fists. "But a sister that I failed to protect."
Out of the corners of his eyes, Endymion noticed how the Dominus' movements stilled, and he was surprised to see the compassionate expression when he looked back at him.
"I was told that you killed the Praetor's men while protecting her." the white-haired man said, his face now absent of any amusement. "What happened to her?"
Endymion swallowed hard at the memory before he answered with a mixture of furious desperation and self-hate resonating in his voice.
"I do not know." he said, and as the truth of his words hit him, a thick lump in his throat formed that almost choked him. "The Praetor took her, probably to sell her into slavery."
There was a long moment of silence stretching out between them. Endymion watched as Diamond stepped to a sun-filled window, his eyes firmly fixed onto something outside.
"I know only too well how it feels to be parted from the one you hold most dear." Diamond suddenly said with softness in his voice that didn't quite seem to match the person he had been only moments before.
Reluctantly, Endymion stepped forward to take the place next to Diamond at the window. His eyes widened in both surprise and fascination as he spotted what the Dominus had so intently been looking at. A small, colorful garden lay beneath them, with blossoming flowers, humming bees, and a small fountain in the middle. It was a beautiful sight, but not as beautiful as the woman who was sitting in the middle of the garden, the one that had been haunting his dreams for the past days. She was sitting at the stony edge of the small fountain, surrounded by the brown-haired and blonde women who never seemed to leave her side. All three of them wore small chains of blue and violet flowers around their wrists and ankles, and Endymion's heart almost burst with inexplicable joy as her laughter suddenly filled the air as her blonde companion put a flowery crown onto her silvery head.
Serenity.
"It's the truest of loves." Diamond next to him whispered lowly. "The love between a brother and his sister."
Endymion furrowed his brow at the tone in the Dominus' voice. He reluctantly tore his eyes away from the goddess in the garden and turned his head to look at Diamond. The white-haired man wore a strange expression on his face as his indigo eyes were glued on his sister. An almost pained smile played around the corners of his mouth as he watched her, and Endymion couldn't help but feel something close to anger boiling in his veins as he spotted the possessive look on Diamond's face.
"It is our task to protect them." Diamond continued as he kept staring at Serenity and her friends. "To cherish and love them in a way no other will ever be able to. To save them from the evil in this world."
Endymion bit something inside his mouth as he looked at the Dominus, his eyes steadily filling with heat. It was not what the Dominus said, for Endymion himself was a fierce protector of his sister. But it was how he said it and the way he looked at the beauty that somehow caused something to stir with annoyance within Endymion's body. Seeing Diamond's reaction so closely, Endymion was now more certain than ever that there was something deeper than brotherly affection seething hotly beneath the Dominus' cold appearance. Endymion was quick to mask his irritation and the spark of anger when Diamond finally tore his eyes away from his sister. The Dominus let out an almost exhausted sigh and turned back around to walk further into the room. Endymion couldn't help but move his gaze back to where Serenity was sitting, and the briefest of smiles appeared on his stoic face when he watched her beautiful carefreeness a blissful moment longer.
"Do you think your sister is still alive." he then heard Diamond ask and turned around to meet his serious gaze.
"With all my heart." Endymion replied without thinking a second thought while his eyes shone with wild certainty.
Diamond nodded his head with content approval. He moved to where Endymion was standing and placed his hand on his right shoulder, squeezing tightly.
"Then I will help you find her." he said, and the look in his eyes mirrored the fierce determination that was sounding in his voice.
"You… you would help me? How?" Endymion couldn't help but ask in irritation, which earned an amused chuckle to escape the Dominus' lips.
Diamond offered him a mischievous grin and spread his arms wide.
"Fight for me and earn her freedom." he declared in an almost ceremonial way. "With every victory in the arena, you will get some money. I could use it to engage one of my servants to look for your sister's whereabouts. And if your performances in the arena please me when we find her, I will buy her free from whatever dusky and horrible place the Praetor has sent her to."
Endymion's eyes narrowed to slits, and for the first time in what felt like forever, hope was gleaming in his grim heart.
"Then I will even challenge Pluto and his creatures from the Orcus to a fight if it is what it takes to bring my sister back." Endymion growled through clenched teeth, his blue eyes now almost black with wild determination.
A triumphant grin spread across Diamond's face, and he nodded his approval.
"So be it."
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His mind whirled in circles as the Dominus finally dismissed him and ordered him go and train for the upcoming fight in two days. Endymion still couldn't quite believe what had happened, what the Dominus had offered. His heart felt as light as thistledown as he followed the guard through the spacious villa.
Could it be possible? Could it be possible to win his sister's freedom through death and blood? He would rescue her, he would save her from this dreadful fate she was trapped in. As soon as she would be here with him, they would find a way to escape this place. Together.
He was so deep in thought and overwhelmed by the possibilities that he didn't notice when a women hurriedly turned her corner. A happy giggle escaped her rosy lips as she threw a glance over her shoulder, and mischief sparkled in her blue eyes as she didn't spot the women that were chasing her. She faintly heard a man's warning, but the moment she realized that she was running straight into a group of men, it was already too late. Her run came to an abrupt stop when she collided against a firm human wall.
Endymion was not too gently pulled out of his deep musings when something small and soft suddenly ran against him. Normally, the impact wouldn't have managed to sweep him off his feet. Unfortunately, however, the small bundle that had crashed against him had caught him in surprise, and made him lose his footing. Out of instinct, he wrapped his arms around the figure that had collided against him and both tumbled to the floor. Endymion groaned as his back hit the stony floor beneath him, but the pain was quickly forgotten when the scent of roses and vanilla was suddenly surrounding him and bewitching his senses. He opened his eyes, and his hands tightened their hold a little around the woman who was currently lying on top of him. Familiar blue eyes stared back at him, and the rosy lips that had filled many dreams since he had last seen them were slightly ajar as if caught in a silent scream. Her silver hair fell down onto his face and body, tickling his nose a little with its softness. Endymion couldn't help but smirk at her as he noticed the flabbergasted expression on her beautiful face.
"We really should stop meeting like this." he almost purred, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
A blush quickly illuminated her cheeks, causing the smirk on Endymion's face to broaden.
"Domina!" the Roman guard called out in utter horror and hurriedly pulled the beauty off of Endymion. "Are you hurt?" he asked with concern on his face and in his eyes.
Serenity mutely shook her head no, but her eyes were still glued on the man on the floor.
"Thracian!" the Roman guard boomed with hatred in his voice. "Apologize!"
Endymion moved his gaze to look at the overfed guard and arched one brow at him.
"Guard, it was clearly my fault." Serenity said in a surprisingly determined voice before Endymion was able to retort. "I was too caught up in our game. I was not looking where I was going. It's me who needs to apologize, not the other way round."
Both men stared at her with surprise written across their faces.
"Domina." the Roman said with barely hidden confusion on his face. "He's a slave. You do not need to apologize to someone like him."
Endymion was surprised as he saw the fire burn brightly in her blue eyes as she shot a sharp glare in the guard's direction.
"It is my place to decide, guard, is it not?" she told him icily.
The guard shifted a little with discomfort, but eventually nodded his head dutifully.
The icy expression on Serenity's face melted away as quickly as snow on a warm day and spring, and she offered him a friendly smile instead.
"Good." she said and nodded her head. "Now go and tell my brother that the High Priestess wants to speak with him."
The guard's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly glanced at Endymion who was slowly getting back onto his feet.
"Forgiveness, Domina." the chubby man reluctantly said. "But I was ordered to bring him to the training area."
Endymion glared at him – clearly not liking how the guard talked about him as if he was not there.
"I will take him." Serenity said, once again surprising both men.
"He will not harm me within the walls of my own home." the beauty continued in a firm voice when the guard seemed to want to protest. "Now go. The High Priestess does not like to be kept waiting. Lita, Mina: please take him to Luna."
"Yes, Domina." a pair of female voices answered.
It was only then that Endymion noticed the two women that were standing slightly away from the scene. The blonde wore a mischievous smile on her face, while the Greek woman's eyes were alive with a mixture of furious disbelief and reproach as she met her Domina's gaze.
Endymion's eyes wandered back to where the guard was standing. His round mouth was still standing open in silent protest, while his pin-like eyes were glued on the house's Domina. Endymion felt that the guard was once again ready to protest, but before a single word could escape his mouth, Serenity's blonde body-slave had already tucked her arm into his, a beamy smile on her face.
"Oh it would be wonderful to spend some time with such a handsome man!" she chirped and giggled flirtingly. "Surely you have much to tell about life outside this villa's walls. I am dying to hear the wonders of this world from your lips. Wouldn't it be wonderful, Lita?"
Endymion arched one brow in disbelief how easily the blonde – Mina, as he recalled – seemed to wrap the guard around her little finger. But given the look on the guard's face, he was falling right into the woman's trap. The Greek, however, had her arms crossed before her chest, and her nose was crinkled as if in disgust as she observed the scene before her. Endymion then saw her roll her eyes and shake her head as if in disbelief of what she was doing. She then forced a happy smile onto her face and strode forward to tuck her arm into the guard's remaining arm.
"Quite delightful." she agreed with sweetness in her voice that betrayed the dark glare she was shooting at the blonde woman.
The guard let out a low chuckle, said something about the fact that he was always a man of duty, before he led both women away.
Endymion then turned around to face Serenity. She was gazing after the two women on either side of the guard's body with an amused smile on her pretty lips.
"That was hardly fair." he addressed her with a smirk and took a step closer to where she was standing. "No man can resist a beautiful woman – let alone two."
Serenity's eyes widened a little as he met his intent stare, and quickly turned around to hide the blush that was once again forming on her cheeks as she watched him approach.
"It is all a matter of self-discipline." she said with a shrug of her shoulders and started to walk down the long corridor that would eventually lead to the training grounds. "There is always a way to resist temptation."
Endymion chuckled as he quickly moved to catch up with her.
"That depends on the temptation, wouldn't you agree?" he told her in a low voice, his eyes darkening a little as the blush on Serenity's face deepened.
The beauty shot him an uncertain side-glance before she shook her head.
"I like to think it rather depends on a person's the strength of will." she replied casually, but couldn't quite hide the sudden hoarseness in her voice.
Endymion suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her way. Serenity let out a small gasp as she nearly bumped into his bare chest. She swallowed a little as her eyes followed the path from his chest up to his eyes. When she saw the smirk on his face, she forced a stoic expression onto her face, praying to every God that he wouldn't hear her frantically beating heart.
"What are you doing?" she asked him with a stern voice while lifting her chin in defiance. "We need to get you back to the training area."
The amused expression on Endymion's face faltered a little and was replaced by a look of plain curiosity when he titled his head to look at her.
"I can't figure you out." he said lowly, causing Serenity's brows to lift in surprise.
Her mind screamed at her to run, told her that it was not safe to be so close to him, begged her to remember that he was a man who had killed several Romans without thinking too much. But she simply couldn't find it within her to care. Like the last time they had met, there were different feelings pumping through her system: curiousness that yearned to be satisfied, vibrant excitement that begged to be assuaged, and a burning need, a desire to explore the forbidden dangerousness. But there was no fear.
"I have tried." he continued, and his lips turned into an almost pitiful half-smile. "The Gods above know that I have tried. But every time I think I know who you truly are, you show me another side of you."
Serenity shook her head a little in confusion as she stared up into his blue eyes. He was standing close – not close enough for her to lose her mind, but close enough to catch her breath. Even if she knew of a witty response to reply, she was certain that the words wouldn't be able to pass her lips. She stood frozen like a deer in view of a hunter, unable to move or even think when Endymion just stared at her as if she was a riddle to be solved.
"When I first saw you in the arena, I thought you'd be a temptation sent by the Gods to make me lose focus." he said, a small smile gracing his lips as he remembered the day. "But then, you turned out to be a divined creature of salvation – sent by whatever power to save my life. Since then, I've seen so many different faces on you – even though we haven't met more than twice. Innocent and shy one moment, powerful and determined the next."
He let out a soft laugh, his eyes glued to hers.
"What are you, I wonder?" Endymion whispered, and Serenity's heart almost burst with excitement as he lifted one finger to gently trace the line of her jaw. "Goddess or Domina? Salvation or temptation?"
A sudden noise in the distance that echoed through the dark hallways made both flinch in surprise and broke the strange moment between them. Endymion gave her a sad smile, and Serenity silently wondered if he had really hoped to receive an answer to his question.
He backed away a little, and Serenity let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.
"Forgiveness, Domina." he said with an apologetic smile on his face. "I have kept us both too long with thoughtless words. You should be outside with your friends, while I need to prepare myself for the upcoming fight in the arena."
"The Vulcanalia…" Serenity breathed, and her blue eyes filled with horror for the briefest of moments. "The festival to ward off wildfire. You will fight?"
Endymion let out a sigh before he spoke.
"The Dominus has seen fit to fight twenty at this year's Vulcanalia. And I will be one of them." he said, his face void of any emotion.
Serenity gasped in shock and shook her head vehemently.
"But it's too soon!" she panted. "Your wounds have barely healed! It is madness to let you fight in the arena. I will talk to my brother, he will…"
But Endymion silenced her with a determined shake of his head.
"It was my decision to fight, Domina." he said, earning a disbelieving look to appear on Serenity's face. "And I will enter the arena, no matter what."
"But why?" she whispered and shook her head in bitter confusion. "Why would you do this? Why not wait until you are fully healed and better trained?"
Endymion couldn't help the tender smile that entered his face when he stared down into her concerned face.
"Why would you be concerned about the life of a mere slave, Domina?" he said softly, his smile growing as he noticed the slight blush on her face.
"My reasons are well worth fighting for." Endymion continued. "But know that I intend to enter the arena in order to leave it as a shiny victor, not as a bloodied corpse."
Serenity cast her eyes downward, but nodded eventually.
"I must leave now." Endymion said after some more time of silence between them. "I thank you for your offer to take me back to the training grounds. But I would not wish for someone as beautiful as you to come near our prison of blood and death."
Serenity was ready to protest, but the words got caught somewhere in her throat when Endymion suddenly closed the gap between them and captured her lips with his.
The kiss only lasted a second, but it was enough for Serenity to catch her breath when Endymion retreated. There was a sly smile on his lips as his face slowly moved back away.
"I think you are both, Domina." he whispered while staring deep into her eyes. "Temptation and salvation."
With those words, he turned around and headed towards where the training area was.
"Serenity" she suddenly called out her name, making the man turn around with the slightest hint of surprise on his face. "Please call me Serenity."
His confused face then broke into the most beautiful expression she had ever seen.
"We will soon meet again … Serenity."
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Notes
Thank you so much for your kind words on this story :)
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I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter!
J