In Veritas Memento
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All aspects of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena are owned by Steven De Knight and Starz. This is for pure entertainment value alone.
This story takes place after the episode Missio, yet it veers completely into an A/U after the events of that episode. I am a huge fan of the series Spartacus; however, my favorite character is Gannicus. This is his story.
Warnings: M for a reason. This story is much like the show. It contains bad words and smut! If that is not your cup of tea, turn back now. Although, if cussing and nude scenes offend, are you sure you're a fan of Spartacus?! ;) Hehehe. Kidding. Anyhow, you've been warned.
Pairings: There are multiple pairings, and Gannicus has more than one partner in this story, however, Gannicus/Melitta is endgame. If reading Gannicus with multiple pairings offends you, again, turn back now.
Chapter 21: vinum et musica laetificant cor: Wine and music gladden the heart.
Half an amphora of wine later…
Gannicus had unburdened himself and told Diona the entire story, including his most recent discussion with Melitta earlier. "I know not what to do. Knowing she feels for me as I do her…" He shook his head, torn, conflicted and utterly lost on how to proceed now that he knew she loved him.
"Would you take her as your woman if given the opportunity?"
He sighed. "I want to swear I would never hurt Oenomaus, yet in truth, I cannot. I desire her above all else, and in this, I fear I would put my own needs above those of my brother's." He glanced at her under heavy brows. "Pride does not follow my statement, Diona. Now you see why I instruct you to avoid men of my kind. A man who would steal his brother's wife is a man who is obviously lacking honor."
"Falling in love does not make you dishonorable, Gannicus."
"But what of desires that would have me betray a man I love dearly? Does that not make me a man without moral compass?"
"You said yourself you fight your feelings for Melitta every day. A dishonorable man would give no such fight, he would simply take what he coveted, giving no thought to who was harmed in the process." She paused and then added, "especially when tender regard is reciprocated."
Realizing he had placed Melitta in a perilous position by admitting the truth to Diona, Gannicus hastened to remind her to keep his secrets. "Diona you must never repeat what we have spoken of here. Not even to Naevia."
"I would never betray you. No one will ever hear the words broken between us today. I swear it."
Relieved, Gannicus relaxed into his pillow again. "Gratitude," he said, taking a sip of wine. "To speak of such things would cause Melitta heartache and I would never wish that upon her."
They both fell silent for a moment. Gannicus pondering the wisdom of revealing all, while Diona quietly debated the wisdom of asking what she really desired to know. They had never truly finished the conversation earlier as to why he was refusing to claim her properly as his own. Considering the stories regarding Gannicus and his lust for carnal pleasures, Diona had to believe it was only her he did not wish to bed a second time.
Finally, after another cup of wine, she worked up the courage to hesitantly bring about the topic on her mind. "You speak of your dishonorable nature, yet, by your very refusal to use me for your own purpose speaks of honorable intent."
Gannicus ran a hand through his hair. She was making this difficult for him to continue to deny baser urges. "I am trying to be honorable, Diona," he said on a sigh. "I have not always succeeded."
"I do not believe it is your reprobate nature that keeps you from making me yours," she told him. "Is it your love for Melitta?"
He let out a sigh. "Melitta has no bearing on my decision." he said, refilling her cup again. "Except in urging me to seek your warmth as means to distract. And I refuse to use you so rudely. Not anymore."
"But you have not used me! You saved me," she replied immediately. Gannicus made a scoffing sound in response to her words and Diona paused, a puzzled frown marring her brow. "Do you truly not see it?"
He rolled his eyes heavenward and gave a sarcastic laugh. "I provided an orgasm at the command of a lecherous group of Romans. How, by the Gods, is that saving you?"
"Before your touch, I prayed to the Gods every night that the next man I was forced to lie with would end my pain by taking my life."
Her words chilled him to the bone and his eyes widened at her frightening admission. "I am sorry…"
"Do not be," she interrupted, with a shake of her head. "I no longer wish for such a fate. I have experienced pleasure in an act that once held only brutality. As consequence, I no longer loathe all men on sight alone. That is your doing, Gannicus. It was by your design that I was treated gently, not the Romans. They cared not how you completed task demanded of you, only that you saw it through to completion and they received the proper pound of flesh in entertainment value."
Deeply touched, Gannicus cupped the side of her face with his hand. "My only regret is that I did not ask for you sooner."
She rubbed her cheek along his palm. "Strike it from mind. It was not by your hand that I was mistreated," she told him softly, slowly inching closer to him.
He ran his thumb along her plump bottom lip. "How in the name of Jupiter have you stayed so pure of heart in this world of shit we live in?"
"I am not pure," Diona whispered and, on impulse, she leaned in and kissed him.
Surprised, Gannicus did not respond at first, but the timid touch of her tongue against his lips had him instinctively opening for her, allowing her to deepen the kiss and explore his mouth with the same innocent abandon she had shown before. He recalled how sweetly she had responded to him. How raw her passion was due to lack of experience, it both excited and made him want to push her as far away from him as possible. Their kisses became increasingly bold and Gannicus began to (once again) entertain the idea of making her his in truth. He was painfully hard, Batiatus had given him permission, and there was no doubt Diona wanted him as well. He could not save her from himself if she refused to be saved, could he? He placed his hand flat on her belly and slid it upwards to palm her breast. She moaned deeply, and he gave a soft growl in return. He wanted to forget his catastrophic love for Melitta. He wanted to simply enjoy fucking again! And he had enjoyed it with Diona. The memory of how she came alive under his tutelage excited him beyond measure and he wanted to proceed further with instruction. In fact, he very much wanted to do so presently.
'Fuck Octavia', he thought, she would not dictate where he put his cock. However, on the heels of that thought came an image of the Roman gleefully having Diona tortured. The horrible picture in his head quickly quelled the urge to rebel, and it was with tremendous effort, Gannicus regained wit and pulled away from her. He was in a terrible state as he moved over on the bed a few inches and put some distance between them. He regretted losing control when he took note of her appearance. Her hair was mussed, her face was rosy and flushed, and her nipples were like pebbles poking through her dress. She was as aroused as he was, perhaps in worse condition considering she was new to passion.
He banged the back of his head lightly against the stone wall of his cell. "Fuck the Gods!" he muttered softly as he took a few deep breaths to regain control of his raging libido.
"Gannicus, what is wrong?"
Her words sounded so confused and Gannicus felt the weight of guilt settle on him. He had said he was saving her from men of his kind, but that was not the whole of it. In truth, he could not have her, despite desiring her. Octavia had him by the cock, literally, and he should not lead Diona on in any manner.
"Apologies, Diona. I—" He cleared his throat, which suddenly felt as dry as the sands of the arena. "We cannot do this," he said gruffly and downed yet another glass of wine to ease his parched throat.
Diona's face fell at his rejection. He had seemed so intent a moment ago. "Why?" she asked softly, "What did I do wrong? Do you not find me…attractive?"
He nearly choked on his wine. Was the girl mad? "Diona, you did nothing wrong. You are perfect and one of the comeliest women I have ever laid eyes on," he told her quite frankly and she blushed profusely under his scrutiny and praise. "Trust me, it has nothing to do with your beauty or my desire for you."
"Then what stays hand?" When Gannicus did not answer right away, her eyes widened, and she looked ill as a terrible thought occurred which could explain his rejection. When she next spoke her voice was small, timid almost. "Is it because I was used as whore and you see me as unworthy?"
Gannicus' jaw fell open with shock that she would think such a thing. "No!" he refuted quickly.
He cursed under his breath. This was going so wrong. His intent was to ease her shame not add to it!
"Diona, listen to me," he said, taking her hand in his. "My refusal to take you to my bed has nothing to do with you being misused. There is no shame in acts absent choice. That was a misfortune forced upon you and I bear you no judgement."
"You speak pretty words but offer no valid reason for your rejection," she said, her voice choked with bitter embarrassment and tears. "Having borne witness to your appetites in the past, I can only assume I did not please you or you do not find me pretty enough to bed if not commanded to do so."
Frustrated, Gannicus took her hand and placed it on his lap. "Can you feel that?" he said huskily, pressing her palm against the erection he had suffered since she had sat on his bed and told him he was the only man to stir desire within her. She gasped when she felt the thick hardness there. Her gaze shot to his and, embarrassed, she tried to remove her hand, but he kept it there, ensuring she was well-aware of how ready he was to have her under him. "Does that feel like I do not find you desirable?"
Diona shook her head. "No," she admitted, lowering her gaze.
With his lust undeniable, Gannicus promptly returned her hand to her own lap. "My words are not empty praise, nor do I speak falsely regarding my reasoning. I do believe you deserve better than me, however, as I have just proven by nearly fucking you into my mattress. That is not all that stops me. I do not take you because I am not free to do so. There is another woman—"
Understanding dawned and Diona was relieved his rejection was not her personally. "You speak of the blonde Roman that comes to the villa to see Domina's guest but summons you instead?"
He heaved a huge sigh. Were all the slaves in the villa aware of his fucking business? "Her name is Octavia."
Diona knew very well who she was. She and Naevia avoided her if possible because the woman was cruel and frightening. "I know of her," Diona murmured. "Naevia and I had to clean up the mess she left behind the day after her you and I…um…"
"Fucked gloriously," he supplied with a wink.
She sputtered on her wine and blushed crimson at his words; Gannicus chuckled and teased, "You desire to fuck me, yet you cannot break words on subject?" He shook his head. "What a paradox you are."
Her brow shot up. "Did you just insult me?"
He shook his head. "No," he said, laughing. "I promise I did not."
Gannicus picked up the amphora of wine and frowned when he realized it was empty.
"Did we drink the entire amphora?" Diona asked, wide eyed.
He grinned. "You had three cups. I had six, perhaps seven. I would say I drank the majority. Do not worry though," he said, getting up from the bed and crossing his cell to where he had a seemingly endless supply thanks to Octavia, "I have more," he said, retrieving another jug.
He resumed his seat and refilled their cups.
Diona took a sip and sighed. "This is delicious," she said, her smile a bit inebriated as the wine started to go to her head. "I have never had drink before, but I recognize the amphora. This is Falernian. How is it you have so much of it?"
The reminder of Octavia caused him to scowl. "How do you think?"
"The Roman woman," Diona surmised. "Apologies," she said, noting his frown.
"None required. It is this woman," he said wearily, running a hand through his hair. "She is obsessed. She smothers me and demands control over my life. It frustrates beyond all imagining."
Diona scooted further onto the bed and settled herself next to his outstretched legs. "She is very beautiful."
Gannicus made a scoffing sound. "That is merely the skin she wears. In her heart she is a cruel, selfish bitch, Diona. Unhinged with jealousy. I ask that you steer clear of her."
"Is she really that crazed?"
"She is," he replied, leaning forward, his face serious. "She was not happy when I asked for you. You cleaned up the results of her temper over event. If she suspected I desired you, she would crucify you. And I do not mean that as figure of speech." He gently took her chin in hand. "Heed my words. Do not give her cause to mete out punishment. This woman would have you stripped naked and nailed to a cross before my eyes to ensure lesson learned and never forgotten."
He watched as dawning fear finally reared its head and let her go with a sigh. "Now you see why I cannot find pleasure within you?"
She nodded. "Gratitude for protecting me, despite being placed in difficult position in the doing of it."
He shrugged. "I cannot save myself from being forced into the role of whore, but I would save you."
Her eyes widened at hearing him call himself such a word. "You said there was no shame when forced into acts absent choice."
He gave a wry smile at her using his own words against him. "I did."
She took one of his hands in both of hers. "Do such words of wisdom not apply to your circumstance as well?" She gave him a gentle smile. "Why are you calling yourself a whore but allowing me the label of slave absent choice?"
"Because, sweet Diona, I get paid for my services, as you can see," he said, waving an arm at all the new acquirements he had in his cell. "That is the definition of the word whore."
Diona shook her head in disagreement. "I do not see all these gifts as means to purchase your body, Gannicus. Despite being hailed as a God of the Arena, you are still but a slave, and she could simply take that." His attention perked up at her words. "To me all these things are an effort to purchase your heart, not your…um…" She licked her suddenly dry lips as she floundered to say the word.
"Cock," he supplied with a smirk. She was refreshingly sweet. "Again, you blush. How is it, you cannot say the word, yet you wish to play with it?" he teased.
Her face flushed an even darker shade of red. "You are a terrible flirt," she told him. "Stop or I am going to start thinking of getting you naked again," she said and then clapped a hand over her mouth as if to physically halt her words.
Gannicus threw back his head and laughed. "Do not threaten me with fun time, Diona," he said, still chuckling. He shut his eyes for a moment as he disassembled her words relating to Octavia's motives in his brain. "Now, hold tongue for a moment while I think on the sound words of advice you impart."
He used to believe that as a slave the burden of conscience was removed, and yet, recently, he had begun shouldering the weight of choices that were not of his making. Why? He supposed it was due to the feelings he now had for Melitta and the guilt they caused, however, in truth, he would have never slept with her had he not been forced to do so. The emotional ties that developed afterwards were not of his will or hers. They were a result of a choice never made willingly. Whether he was given gifts or a beating to ensure his compliance, the truth of the matter is he had no choice. Diona's words regarding Octavia's motives made sense as well. He knew the woman was in love or falling in love. Using her wealth to try and buy those feelings in return would be such a Roman thing to do believing all people behaved as they did and craved riches and rewards. It was as if he had seen the light after being in the dark and Gannicus felt a huge weight lifted from shoulders.
He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Gratitude, Diona. Your words offer relief from burden of shame and guilt and are well received."
"I am glad. I know there are terrible things that happen in this house…" She shuddered and grimaced at a memory Gannicus was sure he did not want to hear about. "But we survive. You saved me. I wished to die and now I do not. I believe someone will save you too. I wish it could be me," she told him, squeezing the hand she still held between her own.
Her words offered him much comfort. "You have helped more than you know," he said. "For months I have been laboring under the guilt of my feelings for Melitta. Detesting myself for allowing them to grow as they have, but you have reminded me that as a slave I did not willingly choose this. I did not seek her out until after being subjugated to a will not my own."
Diona nodded. "Is true. It is not your conscience that should be burdened here, Gannicus. Nor Melitta's. It is the Romans who forced the act upon you who bear the blame. Loving her was not a choice. It is the result. You must acquit yourself and Melitta."
"I am not without blame.," he admitted softly, taking account for his own actions of late. He might not have chosen to fall in love with Melitta but telling her of that love was entirely on him, and he knew it. "My fault lies in acting upon those emotions," he said, "And that is a burden I must live with. However, I will no longer accept responsibility for their creation. Nor do I see my cock as solely responsible for Octavia showering me with all these things any longer. Your evaluation of her motives has helped me to view my situation in a different light. And that is tremendous relief." He offered her a small smile. "So, you see, in your own way, you have saved me too."
"I will pray to the Gods for a solution to your circumstance."
Touched by her offer, yet unable to believe in Gods who had led him to present situation, he gave her a wry smile, his skepticism obvious. "I appreciate your prayers, yet I do not see the Gods answering them on my behalf."
"I do. I told you, I once begged the Gods to end my life, and while that did not happen, in their way they answered." At his raised brow, she clarified. "You did not take my life, you changed it…for the better." Her smile was tender and utterly infatuated as she placed his hand on her cheek. "In this, the Gods answered my prayers," she told him, turning her head and placing a soft kiss on his palm.
Her sweet kiss on his flesh made his cock twitch with renewed desire. She was so close and Gannicus' eyes were drawn to the shapely legs curled by her side. He vividly recalled how she felt wrapped around him as they fucked and… immediately struck the image from brain. They were once again becoming more intimate than was safe and he gently tugged his hand back and made certain to keep his eyes off her legs (and what was between) as he reached around her to grab to amphora of wine from the table beside his bed. He poured himself a new cup full. "Then I will but hope you still have the Gods' ear when you ask to have my circumstance annulled as well."
When he offered her more, Diona held out her cup and Gannicus dutifully refilled it to the brim.
She took a healthy sip. "Perhaps," she said, enjoying the pleasant effects of the wine, "the Gods will give the Roman woman a disease, one that requires her to give up fucking all together!"
It was such an outlandish thing to say, and said so sweetly, he coughed on the wine he was swallowing. "Fuck the Gods, you're a vengeful wench!" he crowed, laughing at the wickedness of such a thing. He shook his head deciding there was far more to Diona than what at first met the eye. "Remind me to never cause you grief, woman," he told her, giving her a look of mock horror and fear.
She flushed at his expression, but a small smile tugged at her lips at his playfulness. "What? I merely find a punishment befitting the crime," she told him, defending her verdict of Octavia.
"And I do not argue point, I simply ask if I ever give cause to be angry at me, at least allow me the chance to offer apologies before you start praying for me to lose any body parts I am quite fond of."
Her eyes went wide as saucers. "I would never!" she said, sputtering, until she saw his infectious grin and realized he was teasing her. She slapped his arm playfully. "You joke with me, but even if I wanted to do such a thing, I would not, for fear the whores of this ludus, all of whom still pine for the return of your attentions, would form a mob and crucify me!"
He laughed boisterously. "Now who jests?" He rolled his eyes at her comments. "Pine for my attentions…" It was ridiculous. He leaned his head back against the stone wall and turned to capture her gaze with his. "Surely they barely miss me."
His expression was teasing, and maybe it was the wine or perhaps it was Gannicus and his easy-going charm, but Diona relaxed against the wall too. She stretched her legs out next to his and teased him right back.
"Ha!" she said, giving him a small jab in his side with her elbow. "Not likely and I believe you know this. Do not seek to have me inflate what I am sure is an already over large ego!"
His eyes widened for a moment at her playful jab as well as her snappy reply, and then, he burst into another round of laughter, taken with this new side of her personality. "You accuse me of seeking compliments?" he asked, as if offended by the very idea.
"I accuse you of knowing women find you most pleasing in both face and form."
He exhaled a loud sigh and lamented, "I confess, it is a curse being blessed with so much to offer…"
She was taking a sip of her wine when he said that and snorted into her cup, causing her to cough and sputter. Gannicus chuckled at her response even as he patted her on the back to ease her choking.
She mock glared at him and he refilled her glass with a smirking offer of apologies for being the cause of her nearly choking to death. Their teasing went back and forth as they sipped wine and simply talked. It was something Gannicus had never done with a woman—except Melitta. Yet, he no longer had that with her. Something he dearly missed.
For Diona, it gave her a chance to stay close to him. He had saved her and in her eyes that made him a hero. This was a trait Gannicus did not believe he possessed, and yet, Diona believed him to be just that. It was humbling for the gladiator who had never given much thought to how others perceived him.
*8*
The feast was just beginning when Gannicus and Diona stumbled from his cell. The lanterns placed around the yard gave off a dim light, yet both were more than a little tipsy, and their steps towards the festivities were slow and unsteady.
"I am of great hunger," Diona said, words slurring a bit. Her stride was as wobbly as her speech and she nearly lost her balance as she made the mistake of taking eyes off putting one foot in front of the other to look to Gannicus. She let out a little yelp as she staggered into him. "Apologies," she said, gazing up at him and giggling as Gannicus caught her and kept her from falling.
Once she had found her footing again, he took her hand and placed it on his arm. "I think you best follow me," he told her, leaning down to whisper the words into her ear.
The action caused his drunken world to tilt a bit and he tripped, nearly taking them both to the sands of the training yard. By sheer luck, they managed to stay on their feet, but as they looked at each other, they burst into hilarious laughter at their near miss.
"Follow you where?" Diona teased. "Face first into the sand?!"
Gannicus chuckled. "I know where I am going. It is my feet that are the problem."
"I think I have had a bit too much drink…" Diona said, closing one eye so that her vision would stop duplicating itself.
Gannicus reacted in mock horror. "Bite tongue. There is no such thing as too much drink!"
Diona's reply was a hiccup, which caused them both to burst into another round of laughter.
When they finally made it into the eating area, the men were gathered around the tables set up with the food offerings Batiatus had provided, piling as much of the special treats onto their plates as they could. Many of them would stop for a moment to clap him on the back or shake his hand in brotherhood before going back to fill their plates. Batiatus had really gone all out. The tables were laden with grilled dormice, pork and chicken, as well as several trays of asparagus, lentil, radishes, onion and garlic, some of the offerings were rare treats the gladiators had never tasted but were thoroughly enjoying. There was loaves of bread and a variety of cheeses, and to top it off, there was an enormous fruit platter laden down with fresh grapes, figs and apples, cherries and dates. To drink, Batiatus offered several barrels of wine, jugs of mulsum and Gannicus had even offered up a couple of amphoras of his treasured Falernian wine for the event.
The men were wild in their appreciation and Gannicus waited for the men to stop cheering, holding up an arm in recognition of their gratitude. "Dominus has provided us with a feast to rival the Gods' themselves and soon there will be women to satisfy your other hunger brothers." The men hooted and hollered and Gannicus grinned. "Let us pay tribute this night…" He picked up a cup of wine and handed it to Diona and then grabbed another for himself. He raised his cup in salute, watching as the men did the same. "For Auctus. A brother well missed." That quieted the room quickly as several, Barca and Crixus included, bowed their heads. "To Crixus…a brother who earned his brand in most honorable fashion, by giving one of our own the glorious death we all want—in the arena, upon the sands!"
That brought the cheers back and, as one, they all tipped their drinks in tribute. Several of the men— (Barca included) chanted Crixus's name and the muscular dark-haired gladiator held up his fist and nodded to Gannicus in gratitude.
Gannicus returned the favor to his newest brother before turning to the rest of his brethren. "Eat, drink and be merry tonight…the morning sun may bring our last fucking day and I would spend mine with my brothers'!"
Standing at the back of the eating area, Ashur and Dagan scowled when the champion neglected to mention them as new brothers. Dagan looked like he wanted to cause a scene, but Ashur placed a hand on his chest. "I caution of goodwill. If you value cock attached to balls, you will not challenge him. Gannicus is fucking dangerous. Do not allow obvious slight to absent from mind and memory result of his last bout. He fucking killed a man deemed un-killable. I have no desire to find myself at the wrong end of his swords."
Gannicus tossed an arm around Diona's shoulders and they made their way to the tables of food. Oenomaus was there, a smile upon his face, though it looked somewhat forced as he noticed Gannicus holding Diona and staggering along as they maneuvered around the eating area filling their plates high with the bounty Batiatus had offered.
When Gannicus and Diona had heaped their plates high with food, Oenomaus stepped forward, his arm extended. "The men are well pleased. You have done them and yourself a great honor tonight," he told Gannicus.
With his free hand holding his plate, Gannicus unwrapped his arm around Diona to clasp his brother's arm in salute. "They deserve it, as does Auctus's memory. Crixus, as well, for his showing while earning his brand." He immediately noticed Melitta's absence and commented on it. "Where is Melitta? She did not wish to join us tonight?"
Diona stiffened slightly by his side, but once again, Gannicus was unable to stop himself. He was positive Melitta was not in attendance tonight because of their words earlier.
"She is unwell but sends her regrets at not being able to share in your triumph."
Gannicus forced a smile upon his face. "We will save her a plate then," he said quietly, guilt rising once again.
"I have one made for her," Oenomaus said, glancing behind him to the two plates of food sitting on an empty table.
"You do not stay for the celebration?" Gannicus asked.
"I would spend it with my wife. There is something troubling her mind and I would have her break words on it before night ends."
A chill raced up Gannicus's spine at his words and he swallowed thickly. 'He sincerely fucking hoped those words were not broken,' was his first thought, and then hated himself for being so selfish.
He nodded instead. If Oenomaus ever found out…he had no doubt the man would be out for his blood and deservedly so. "You will be missed, as is she," was all he could think to say considering he felt sick to his stomach and his heart was racing.
Oenomaus clasped arms with Gannicus again. "It is truly a good thing you have done here tonight. It solidifies the bonds of brotherhood. Enjoy your celebration. You deserve it," he said with a smile, making Gannicus feel even worse.
After Oenomaus had left, Diona and Gannicus took seats beside each other at an empty table near the back of the hall. As they began to eat, Gannicus began to sink into a funk, his mind drifting to Melitta. He was picking at his food where normally he had a hearty appetite and his companion noticed.
Diona placed her hand upon his shoulder to soothe him. "Do not torture yourself. You did not ask to love her."
"I never asked for any of this," he said softly.
"The heart has no logic or reason, Gannicus," she told him, pulling his head down and whispering so they would not be overheard by prying ears that might spread gossip. "It wants what it wants despite good cause to cease and desist. If you had not been forced to lie with her, would you have ever taken Melitta to your bed?"
He reared back and scowled. "No!" he exclaimed. He noticed several of his brother's turn to look at him after his heated response and lowered his voice. "May the fucking Goods strike me down, Diona, by my own design this would have never happened. Never!" he added vehemently.
Diona shushed him, warning him to "lower voice". "Exactly," she said quietly. "You would have never betrayed Oenomaus if not for Batiatus's direct command that you do so. Even now, your feelings for her are not intentional spite. They are merely beyond your control." As Gannicus pondered her words, Diona placed her hand on his jaw, her thumb stroking his chin soothingly. "You cannot ask the sun not to rise, nor make the flowers bloom in winter. It simply is. Like love. The Gods have their reasons for what we suffer. We must accept it as their will."
He stared down at her and smiled softly, stunned and humbled at her belief in the morality of his character—a gift he was certain he neither possessed nor deserved. "I am not sure where you get the faith to believe in Gods that abandoned you, nor to see something in me that I am uncertain is there, but it warms heart that you do, even when I do not," he told her sincerely.
She bumped his arm with her shoulder. "With that huge looking glass in your cell, how can you miss anything upon that handsome face of yours?!" she teased, trying to lighten his mood once again.
He recognized her attempt and left off his depressive musings, allowing her to cajole him into playful banter, despite his worries. He wriggled his brows. "Ah…the mirror. A wondrous thing. I have thoughts to securing the damned thing upon the ceiling above my bed." He grinned wickedly, when her eyes widened, and her face turned bright red. "Do you still find me an honorable man, Diona?" he asked, only half jesting.
"I think you are a man who enjoys teasing me."
He chuckled huskily and went back to digging in to his food. "Do you now call me a tease, Diona?"
She rolled her eyes and popped a grape in her mouth. "Are you never serious?"
"Only upon the sands," he said with a grin.
Just then Duratius plopped down across from them. "Gratitude brother," he said, setting his plate down that was loaded down with, it appeared, one of everything! "This is a fucking feast to end all feasts."
Gannicus poured him and Diona some more wine. "Enjoy yourself brother. You know Batiatus will not be affording such luxuries again soon."
Duratius glanced to Diona and wriggled his brows flirtatiously. "Sweet Diona, if you find yourself tired of this braggart know I have a warm spot in both my heart and my bed just for you." He grinned, meaning it as jest, but Gannicus' brows drew down and he pulled Diona closer to him.
"What you don't have is fucking mind, Duratius!" To Diona's surprise, he wrapped an arm around her middle and pulled her into him. "She is mine," Gannicus all but growled, to the shock of Diona and Duratius, as Gannicus was never possessive about the women he bedded.
"Apologies," Duratius said sincerely, his slack jawed expression showing his surprise. "It was a jest, Gannicus."
Gannicus accepted the apology, shrugging off the incident with a grin, but kept his hand splayed upon Diona's flat belly, keeping her close.
As they watched the brothers eat, Gannicus was again stunned at the feast Batiatus had prepared for the men. The man was famously frugal; therefore, he had not expected much from him. However, Batiatus had surpassed all imagining with the vast amount of food and drink laid out for the celebration. Gannicus was surprised and well pleased. The happiness on his brothers' faces was well worth whatever would be asked of him for repayment of such reward.
"I cannot believe Batiatus delivered in the manner promised," he murmured.
Duratius used his bread to mop of some of the gravy from the dormice stew. "The Gods have blessed us for certain tonight." He glanced around. "Hopefully the women will get here soon, brother or you will definitely want to remove Diona back to yonder cell."
Gannicus nodded and saluted Duratius with his wine glass. "Words well received, brother."
Diona leaned back into Gannicus as she took a bite of one of the succulent pears she had on plate. "Batiatus must be pleased with you indeed to provide such enormous event."
He nudged her jokingly. "I am surprised the man is not here crowing to the rooftops about it."
Duratius' eyes suddenly went wide as he stared at the front of the dining hall. "Jupiter's fucking cock!" he breathed. "We have a goddess amongst us."
Gannicus glanced over his shoulder to see what Duratius was mumbling about, and his eyes about popped from skull. As if Gannicus' words called him forth, Batiatus sauntered into the dining hall and, to the blonde gladiator's utter shock, Octavia was with him. He glanced to Duratius and knew of whom the man spoke when he said goddess. Octavia. Gannicus had to admit, she did look like a goddess with her pale beauty, shimmering robes and jeweled clips in her hair. He was thunderstruck that she was before him—in the men's barracks! Not even Lucretia, who was Domina of the house, came to the barracks. It simply was never done.
The men all noticed her about the same time he did, and the general reaction was like Gannicus's. Shock and awe to see such a beautiful noble woman standing amongst them seemed prevalent, although a few more boisterous brothers whistled and howled instead, showing their appreciation for having such a comely woman in their midst.
Instantly sober, Gannicus was suddenly nervous. He had kept to his word and had not actually fucked Diona, yet he somehow felt as if he had been caught red-handed just the same due to his desire to do so earlier, as well as his present position with Diona nearly in lap. He got to his feet, not surprised when Diona moved away immediately, and met Octavia's gaze warily, as expected, her eyes were upon him, intense as always.
Batiatus raised his hands, quieting the men down. "Tonight, is a night of celebration," he said. "Gannicus has generously offered his reward for his showing in the Floralia to you—his brothers." The men cheered raucously turning to Gannicus again and calling his name. Quintus allowed them a moment before settling them again. "And I would also have you well rewarded for the sacrifices you are making while the House of Batiatus regains its place of prominence within the arena! Soon you will be littering the sands with the blood of our rivals, but until that day, I promise you…your sacrifice will not go unrewarded!"
The men all raised their fists and voices again, shouting Batiatus's name in a chant that shook the roof of the dining hall.
"As would our benefactor…" Batiatus went on with a smile. "I give you Octavia Severus, sponsor of our Champion and the woman who made this glorious celebration possible tonight."
Gannicus heard Duratius mutter behind him, "Fuck Pluto's ass! Are you sharing cock the noble woman, too, you greedy prick?"
Gannicus inwardly cringed as all his brothers finally had the face to go with his extra gifts. He would never hear the end of it, this he knew.
*8*
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I had someone tell me the story reads like a Spartacus episode! :D Best compliment ever! I am thrilled. Just what I am looking for. Click the button and let me know what you think. :)