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 32: memores acti prudentes future: Mindful of things done, aware of things to come.

After Melitta left Diona in the atrium, she made her way to the kitchens to confront Seraphina. The beautiful body slave was a gentle soul and was not one for violence, but the way she felt presently… she was certain she could beat Seraphina bloody and not feel the slightest guilt. The woman was a viper to do something so terrible to both Gannicus and the child, and Melitta was not going to allow her to get away with it.

Seraphina smiled when Melita first entered the kitchen, until she noticed the angered expression upon the face of the generally sweet wife of Oenomaus.

Due to Melitta's favored position as personal body slave to the Domina of the house, she held a certain rank amongst the slaves. She rarely used it to her advantage; she did this evening when she turned to other slave helping Seraphina with the numerous pots and pans from the evening meal. "A moment, Cora," Melitta said to the young woman. "I would have words with Seraphina in private."

Her words, although spoken politely, were not posed as a question.

The girl bobbed her head. "Yes, Melitta," she replied and quickly exited the room.

As soon as Cora left, Melitta rounded on the older woman, fire in her dark eyes. "You had no fucking right to tell him what you did about the boy!" she spat, anger radiating off her in waves. "What you have done is beyond cruel, it is evil! Not only to Gannicus, but to Kleos, as well. You have robbed the boy of his father and allowed Gannicus to believe the child dead for six years! How could you do such a horrible thing?"

Hatred overwhelmed her desire to accommodate Melitta and Seraphina did not back down. "Gannicus deserves that and more," the older slave insisted, lifting her chin. "He killed my daughter. He will rot in Tartarus for his sins!"

Melitta rolled her eyes at the woman's hysterics. "Aurelia killed herself, Seraphina. You know this."

"That shit eater used her shamelessly before callously throwing her aside for his newest flavor for the week! He ripped my Aurelia's heart from chest, absenting mind when he broke her heart," Seraphina snapped, her bitterness evident. "Protect him, if that is what you desire, Melitta, but Gannicus drove Aurelia off that cliff as certain as if he pushed her with own hands!"

"You are rewriting history to suit your skewed memory of events," Melita refuted, stunned the woman had such a distorted view of the actions surrounding her daughter's fall from grace. "Aurelia chased Gannicus, Seraphina. I was there and bore witness to her single-minded pursuit of him. She plotted and schemed to have him within her embrace, as well as her body. It was beyond reason and sanity. You lay blame entirely upon Gannicus while negating the role Aurelia played in her own fate."

"How can you say she pursued him? That she plotted and schemed? She was an innocent when he defiled her, Melitta!"

Melitta shook her head. "Aurelia was many things, but she was not innocent. I am sorry, Seraphina, I had no desire to bring harm to you, but it is time you hear the truth. Even as an untouched, your daughter was firm of purpose when she decided she wanted Gannicus."

"As if that was fucking chore!" the woman spat. "That boy shared cock with any woman who spread thighs!"

"Yes, he did," Melitta admitted. "Gannicus was careless in the choosing of his lovers then, but he was not intentionally cruel. When he realized Aurelia wanted him as husband, he distanced himself, broke honest words with her and explained he did not share her affections. But she would not hear it. She continued her plan to seduce him, despite his words stating he did not want a wife."

"Because she was in love with the charming fool!"

"No, she confused love for lust. Moreover, when Gannicus explained as much to her, she determined to seek her own desires above all others in her quest to win him back, uncaring who she used or hurt in her plan to drive him back to her arms through jealousy or trickery."

"What do you mean?"

Melitta sighed. She truly did not wish to hurt Seraphina. Her tender heart detested causing pain to others, but the woman refused to see the truth; Melitta was determined her blindness would end this night.

"She used his cell mate, Duratius to get close to Gannicus again, and by offering herself to him, she hoped Gannicus would come upon them and react with jealousy, thus proving his love for her."

The kitchen slave's eyes widened, and her face reddened in anger. "Lies fall from your lips, Melitta! How can you accuse her of such vile acts?!"

"I speak no false tongue. I was present and heard the tale from both Duratius and Gannicus' lips when your daughter attempted to force Gannicus' hand by telling Dominus he seduced her and filled her belly with child. Your daughter designed circumstance for Gannicus to catch her with Duratius, except, he did not do as she desired, and instead of jealousy he offered apologies for interrupting."

Melitta reminded herself of the terrible lie Seraphina told Gannicus, and that gave her the impetus to finish the sordid story. "It could have ended there, an awkward, yet manageable situation that would have quickly faded from memory. But, Aurelia would not allow it. Gannicus' heart was not bruised, but his ego was; your daughter realized this and, in her determination to have him returned to her arms, no matter the consequence, she invited him to join her and Duratius, expressing her desire to bed them both simultaneously."

"Stop. I do not want to hear any more!"

"I would leave off, if I could, but time has come for brutal truths. It was Aurelia's own manipulation that brought her complicity into the light. I know you recall as well as I do the acts that led to her becoming enceinte with Gannicus' babe; destructive and beyond sense of reason. It was this that caused Dominus to pass harsh judgement upon her."

"Because he believed his shit eating gladiator over my daughter. That is why."

"Again, you distort history in favor of preserving false image. Search heart and feel bitter truth in my words. You were present for much of it."

Melitta paused, recalling the pandemonium within the ludus at that time. Imani, a Nubian slave who claimed to be a priestess in her village, had shared a room with Aurelia (much like Diona did with Naevia) and the two had become very close. Imani had given aid to Aurelia in her quest to entrap Gannicus by creating a powerful narcotic that, if ingested, would cause a man to become excited and aroused. Through her work in the kitchens, Aurelia added the drug to the men's porridge and served it to the gladiators in their morning meal. Within days, every gladiator in the barracks had become inflamed. It did not take long for them to begin turning on each other. Brother assaulting brother became commonplace. For nearly a month, Aurelia drugged the gladiators, so she could have sex with Gannicus and become pregnant. It had caused much damage; several brothers even died that month. Titus had been enraged, yet he could not devise what was causing such an affliction because every man within the barracks had the same symptoms, even Oenomaus. Melitta had never had cause to be frightened of her husband; during that month, he had scared her so terribly on one visit, Domina gave her leave to not visit him again until they discovered what was causing the men to lose mind.

"Gannicus ruined her! If it were not for him, Dominus would not have leveled punishment upon Aurelia."

"Your daughter sought her own ruin!"

Seraphina's blindness to Aurelia's faults irritated. The woman simply refused to listen to reason, much as her daughter years earlier. Melitta knew her next words would cause Seraphina shame, but her sympathy for Gannicus' predicament, as well as her need for the truth to finally be heard, overwhelmed her sympathy for Seraphina sensibilities.

"She used manipulation to secure a place in Gannicus' bed and, to further her desire to possess him, she very nearly destroyed the entire ludus when she corrupted the gladiator's porridge in her bid to seduce him! You are aware of circumstance, Seraphina, as you were present when Aurelia confessed after Titus threatened to have Imani crucified." Melitta resisted the urge to shake sense into the woman. "She was fortunate she was not beaten to death for endangering every gladiator in this ludus! If you recall, Imani, for her part, was sold after the incident. And, Titus was of a mind to see Aurelia far from this ludus as well, it was her being with child that stayed hand. It did not, however, ease fury or disappointment, which is why she received withering sentence to a life as whore. It had nothing to do with Gannicus, except in that he was the focus of her lustful obsession."

Seraphina pointed her wrinkled finger at the younger woman, bitter hatred making her eyes wild. "A convenient story. One Aurelia is unable to defend against. You break these words now because you have spread legs and become infatuated with the man's cock yourself, Melitta!"

Melitta gasped and her face paled. The kernel of truth in the woman's words regarding her infatuation for Gannicus took some of the wind from her sails momentarily.

Seraphina cackled. "Oh yes, I've heard the rumors that you and Gannicus were forced to fuck for Roman pleasure, but I did not give them credence…until now." She poked a wrinkled finger at the beautiful body slave contemptuously. "I will not see my daughter's memory brought to ruin or Kleos corrupted because you have debased yourself into becoming the man-whore's favored cunt of the week!"

The woman's words sent fear and rage racing through Melitta simultaneously. Aurelia had nearly brought down the ludus years earlier, Seraphina could complete the task should she repeat her words to the wrong party. Reacting on roiling emotions, Melitta marched up to the older woman and slapped her across the face. Seraphina's hand flew to her face and she backed away from the younger woman, shock evident on her weathered face, Melitta was a gentle, compassionate soul, Seraphina had never seen her so angry. Melitta advanced after Seraphina, backing the woman into a corner of the kitchen, intent on instilling enough fear into the woman's breast that she never spoke of such things again.

"Gannicus is champion of this house, as well as Capua," Melitta said softly, trying to maintain her empathy, yet finding it difficult in the face of Seraphina's cruelty and reckless words. "He is poised to deliver Rome to Batiatus' grasp as well. What, think you, would happen should your words reach the ears of my husband and he attacked Gannicus, the gladiator set to make Batiatus' dreams of glory, reality?"

Melitta did not like threatening the woman, but in this, she had no choice. Seraphina must keep rumors to herself. This time it was Seraphina's face that turned white and Melitta trembled as well as she drove home her point. "I imagine being sold would be a blessing in such a circumstance considering Batiatus' taste for revenge."

Tears filled the old kitchen slave's eyes. "You threaten my very existence to save him, Melitta?"

She sounded wounded and, despite her anger with her, Melitta's tender heart bled for Seraphina, but the woman could not be allowed to continue her unreasonable hatred of Gannicus nor could she be permitted to spread the rumors she had heard; the consequences would be disastrous.

"Gannicus is not in need of saving, you are!" Melitta cried, taking the woman's hands in her own. "I am sorry I had to speak such terrible truths regarding Aurelia. I did not wish it so, but I caution you, Seraphina, hold tongue regarding matters that do not concern you. Your daughter's lust for Gannicus was her undoing. Do not allow hatred to direct you towards similar fate."

Melitta turned to leave but paused in the doorway. "Gannicus has been made aware Kleos is his son. Seraphina, I beg of you, do not stand in the way of him getting to know the boy. Take this opportunity to mend fences and see bitterness put aside or be driven to ruin by it."

With that she exited the room, sending a silent prayer to the Gods that the woman heeded words and would cause no further trouble.

*8*

Gannicus was in the eating area having his evening meal with Barca, Duratius, Rhaskos and the new gladius, Pietros. Batiatus' gladiators were again successful in the arena in Nola, so Gannicus decided to share some of his good Falernian wine with the men to celebrate their victories, as well as to offer apologies for taking out his temper on them of late. They had nearly finished a second amphora and the gladiators were a bit drunk when young Pietros had joined them. Barca, who became far more jovial when the young gladius took up position with the group, was standing between the tables acting out the scene from the feast a couple of months past for Pietros' benefit.

"And the woman screeched, "Get fucking hands off me!" slapping at our champion here as if he were demon from underworld snatching her to the pits!" Gannicus snorted at that description but did not interrupt; Barca was having far too much fun in the telling of the tale. "And then the guards were running at him, clubs drawn…" Barca mimicked guards lumbering with arms raised, "and Gannicus was…" He slapped his palms to his cheeks, eyes and mouth wide with mock fright. "Fuck the Gods! Please Octavia, save me!" he cried in a ridiculously high voice.

Barca's audience burst into laughter at his antics. Gannicus was chucking as well even as he rolled his eyes at the Beast's impersonation of him. "Lies fall from lips like shit from ass," he said with a smirk. "I did no such thing."

Barca grinned. "Agreed, it was a shit yourself moment, brother." He saluted Gannicus with his cup and downed the contents before resuming his seat behind Pietros, not quite touching the young man, but close enough to let interest be known.

Gannicus picked up the amphora. "There was no shitting," he insisted, pouring Barca some more, as well as topping off any others that were half empty. "But perhaps my knees wobbled a bit," he admitted ruefully, causing another round of laughter. He set the jug down, picked up his glass and took a healthy swallow, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Barca looked doubtful. "I think you did, brother. In fact, did you not return to cell promptly afterward?" He gave Gannicus a look of sympathy. "Did you need to change your subligaria?" he asked, smirking.

Grinning at Barca's ridiculous charge, Gannicus gave as good as he got. "I did return to my quarters, but I was not alone and…" He wriggled his brows, "it was not to change, brother, trust me."

"It was to plow pretty Roman cunt!" Rhaskos chimed in, causing the others to offer a chorus of whistles, laughter and cat-calls. Pietros lowered gaze, blushing, much to Barca's delight. The Beast handed the young man his wine to share. Pietros took it with a shy smile.

"And not an hour after the woman had nearly screamed the ludus down around your ears!" Duratius offered, grinning at his old cell mate.

Rhaskos finished off another cup of the expensive wine and the shaven headed gladiator gave Gannicus a look that was a mixture of disbelief and awe. "I would never have believed fucking tale had I not borne witness to it."

Gannicus shrugged. "What? You do not believe we were simply playing Tali?" He said the comment innocently, yet his grin was dirty, and the men broke into another fit of ribald laughter and comments about Gannicus making the Roman woman his whore.

"You forget, Gannicus," Duratius said as he tore a piece of his bread in half and popped it in his mouth. "I saw you leave with the wench," he added chewing around the words. He picked up his wine and rinsed the rest of the bread down before continuing. "Trust words, brothers…" He glanced around at the group gathered, "the woman no longer bore arrogant Roman visage when she exited our brother's cell. She looked ravaged! Lips swollen from cock, half her hair pinned this way and that, with the other half in tangled mess down back." He gave Gannicus a huge grin. "That must have been one violent game of Tali, you mad fuck, I would wager you are still digging hairpins from your bed!"

Everyone laughed, as did Gannicus. "Duratius speaks true," he said, over the laughter. "Just last night I found one when I stepped on the thing—stabbed me like tiny fucking sword!"

That set off yet another round of laughter, which died down abruptly when Crixus approached the table. The Gaul stood there awkwardly, still bearing the noticeable cuts and bruises from the contest with Gannicus just days past. The table was silent as the others waited to see how Gannicus would treat the man after Crixus had challenged him and got his ass firmly spanked as reward.

"Apologies, I seek no further quarrel," Crixus said by way of explanation.

Gannicus' brow raised. "Yet your presence states otherwise."

Crixus remained standing there, obviously wanting to mend situation. "I would break words, brother," the Gaul said.

Finally, Gannicus waved a hand at the seat opposite him. "Well don't just fucking stand there. Take a seat."

As one, the others relaxed. None of them wanted to see a rift between brothers.

Crixus quickly sat down. "I should not have challenged you," he said gruffly, his embarrassment plain. "It was premature. And cost me position in the games yesterday."

"Your cock grows larger than brain, Crixus," Gannicus replied, offering the Gaul a cup of wine.

Crixus accepted the offer, even though he rarely drank. "Gratitude," he said.

Gannicus shrugged in reply and took another drink from his cup.

"My failure was lesson learned, never to be repeated," Crixus said. "Gratitude for instruction."

Gannicus nodded. "You show promise, but victory favors care, Crixus. A few short months is not proper time to learn all Oenomaus has to teach," the blonde gladiator said. "Heed instruction and you will someday have your time as champion." He paused for a moment and then added with deadly seriousness. "But come at me again, by deed or sword, and see simple lesson become final instruction. I will not suffer you plotting behind fucking back."

"Only a fool persists in his faults," Crixus said. "I am no fool."

"You stand as brother," Gannicus replied, "but if you would plot like enemy, I will treat you as such."

Crixus gave a curt nod of understanding.

Desiring to ease the tension, Gannicus turned to the group, a teasing grin on face. "Did you know Romans hang great big cocks over their doors to bring luck and fertility?"

Varying degrees of skepticism and shock was his reply.

"Now whose lips spout lies like shit?" Barca scoffed.

Pietros was leaning back onto the gladiator's chest, and Gannicus was pleased to see a truly happy smile on Barca's face again; it had been too long.

"Tis truth," Gannicus insisted. "Upon the Gods, I saw one this big…" He held his hands a good foot apart, "hanging above Octavia's door in her villa!" He winked. "For a moment I thought she'd made model of my cock, so similar was it to my own in size."

The outrageous boast set the men to laughing again, even Crixus laughed, clearing not only the tension in the room, but the air between brothers as well.

*8*

Oenomaus and Melitta were in Titus' room sitting with the old man having a drink of wine and visiting the old man much like they used to before he left for Sicilia. Titus was telling a story and all three were laughing.

"It was to be your first showing in the arena…and that was the night Ulpius discovered storage of rats under your cot!" Titus said, laughing so hard he started to cough.

Melitta handed him his honeyed wine. "Gratitude," he said with warm regards, before taking a sip to ease throat.

"Storage of rats?" Melitta inquired, her brow raised. She glanced towards Oenomaus who lowered his head in embarrassment. "What is this? Why have I never heard this tale before?"

Oenomaus sighed. "Because it is one not worth repeating…" he said quietly.

"I disagree." Titus glanced to Melitta. "Before coming to this ludus, apparently Oenomaus' first master…what was the man's name?"

"Maalok," Oenomaus supplied with a frown. "A cruel man who lacked the decency to even feed his slaves properly."

Titus nodded. "He was a boorish brute for certain." The elder Dominus said, recalling how crudely the man had offered Oenomaus to him. He returned gaze to Melitta. "Your husband is clever though and he added to his food source through collecting the rats in his quarters."

"You were eating the rats?" Melitta asked, her face saddened at such a thing.

"When starving, you would be surprised what becomes appetizing," the Doctore said.

"Once I bought him, he was being fed properly, of course, but Oenomaus here could not quite give up his old habits, and the night before big contest, Ulpius stumbled upon his collection of dead rats strung together on a rope!" Titus started to chuckle. "Cause was unapparent at first…" The old man turned to Oenomaus. "Ulpius wanted you returned to the pits. Thank the Gods I did not listen. I discovered your fear of starvation…"

"And ensured I never went to bed hungry again," Oenomaus said, his smile warm and loving when setting gaze on the elder Batiatus.

"And, you became one of my greatest champions, Oenomaus; as well as dear friend." He patted the big man on the hand. "Best eight denarii I ever spent," he teased.

"Eight denarii?!" Melita exclaimed, eyes wide at the paltry sum.

Oenomaus again looked embarrassed. "I was more animal than man. Not worth much. It is here, at this ludus, I found my worth."

"Yes, you did. As well as love," he said his warm gaze going back and forth between his two slaves. "A match I am proud to have arranged."

Melitta set gaze on the old Dominus, and a sudden flare of anger ignited within her breast towards him, surprising her in its intensity. She had never found fault with him for deciding her fate, yet now, when she was faced with emotional upheaval due to falling in love with Gannicus, she found herself blaming him as equally as his son for her predicament. For the first time, Melitta wondered what her life would have been like had he not given her to Oenomaus and had instead allowed her to choose who she wanted to give heart and body to. She remembered her dream where Gannicus asked her that very thing. Would she have chosen Oenomaus if given choice between him and Gannicus? Not that it truly mattered as far as to change circumstance, she could not escape present and return to past. Yet her answer had weight regarding which man held heart in truest sense. Melitta was no longer positive she would have chosen her husband. Perhaps Gannicus was truly the love of her deepest heart.

Oenomaus took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "A blessing I cherish each day, Dominus."

Unable to stomach his tender regards presently, in light of her thoughts, Melitta withdrew her hand from his under the guise of retrieving her wine. "Speaking of blessings, it appears this sickness is finally abating." Melitta sighed. "With so many slaves confined to their quarters with illness, running the villa is exhausting," she said, preparing her excuse to leave. "I must return to my duties before I become plied with too much honeyed wine and find myself unable to complete tasks." She patted Titus' hand before getting to her feet. "Gratitude, Dominus."

Oenomaus started to stand, but she waved him off. "Stay," she told him, leaning down to brush a brief kiss across his cheek. "It is rare pleasure to share drink with dear company. I shall see you tomorrow. Good night," she said and quickly absented the room before her husband decided to walk with her.

Melitta was conflicted and did not desire to have to explain her mood to Oenomaus. It was best if he stayed and enjoyed his evening with Titus, plus, she truly did have much work to do. With that in mind, she set off to find Naevia and Diona.

*8*

In his quarters, Gannicus began to pack up the board and bones. Once again, Diona had thoroughly beaten him at the game and he simply could not understand why he rarely came out the victor with her. "One day, I will have true answer regarding how you are so fucking lucky," he told her, pouring himself another glass of wine.

"You cast aspersions on my name rather than admit I am simply superior at rolling the bones."

He gave her a mock look of offended sensibilities. "I cast no aspersions. I seek only to protect all I have left after this latest victory of yours."

She smiled at him sweetly. "Your ego?"

He did enjoy her snappy replies. "I was going to say pride."

"Are they not one and the same?"

"And well earned," he returned with a wink as he got to his feet to put the game away. Reaching above his head to place the game on the shelf attached to the wall of his cell, he gave a low groan and winced as sore muscles from training stretched.

Diona noticed his pained expression and her laughter died. "Are you injured?"

He came back to the bed swinging his right arm and rubbing the shoulder with his left hand. "No, a strained muscle. Nothing to concern yourself with."

Diona frowned. "Why did you not have that rubbed out at the end of the day?"

Gannicus shrugged. He had skipped his massage the last few days. Seppukus had caught the illness going through the villa and the woman giving rub downs in his stead was a comely creature; Gannicus sought to avoid having her put hands on him.

"Gannicus?" she said, raising a brow.

"Since when is my shoulder your business, Diona? Are you to be my nursemaid as well as my conscience?" he said, flashing her a teasing smile.

Gannicus was deflecting, as he often did when trying to avoid subject. She accepted this when it came to personal decisions, such as accepting role as father to Kleos. That was a choice only he could make. But, when it came to his health, she was not having it.

"If need be. Then yes, consider me both."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I cannot break words regarding this with you," he told her.

She looked hurt. "You can have words with me regarding anything. You know this. Have I not proven I would never betray your trust?"

She had. Many times, in fact. He sighed. "It has not to do with trust. It—" He stopped, realizing she would keep pestering him until he spoke on the matter, therefore, he gave in and briefly explained his predicament regarding Octavia's departure and her having spies watching him. "The woman who gives the rub downs is attractive and I will become aroused." He grinned at her. "If I cannot have happy ending with my massage, I'd rather avoid it."

Diona's entire face and body flushed bright pink. Well, she had asked him to explain. She had only herself to blame for the embarrassment she was experiencing presently. She rolled her eyes at his cheeky reply. "Are you never serious?"

He winked. "I have told you, only in the arena."

"Gannicus, you cannot go without rub downs. You know better than to not take care of yourself."

"I cannot have Octavia receive further reports on my behavior either, Diona" he said with a frown. "She is well-aware I fucked another, as is. How she will react when I arrive in Rome is fucking mystery. I have no desire to add to my worries."

Her eyes bulged. "Does she know of you and I as well?"

He shook his head. "I do not believe so." He felt his face heat. "It was the slave girl giving me the rubdowns. The one I fucked. She was spy."

Diona rolled her eyes at that. "Proof men do not think with higher brain," she said.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed. "Your words cut deep tonight."

She sighed, debating the wisdom of what she was about to offer for a moment before making it. "Lay down. I will rub your shoulder for you. We both know you have the will to resist me if you are not drunk, so there will be no danger of discovery."

She had not meant her words to sound petulant, but as soon as they were broken she flushed even redder as he looked taken aback by her comment. "Apologies. It was not my intent to appear bitter."

He came back to the bed and sat down next to her. He took one of her hands in his. "Diona—"

"Gannicus," she said, interrupting what she was certain would be another lecture on why he had to refuse her. "On my word, I am not trying to seduce you. I merely offer to rub your shoulder, not your cock!"

Normally, that comment would have had him chuckling and returning it in kind, however, he did not smile. Instead, he appeared intense as he gazed into her eyes, still holding her hand.

Lust raced through hm. Part of him desired to toss her upon bed and simply fuck them both to amazing end. The other side of him knew he would only hurt her and refused to allow himself to go down a route that had already proven tragic. Diona deserved far better.

He ran his knuckle along her cheek. "And what happens, sweet Diona, if you lay hand on my body and I desire more than shoulder rub? What would you do then?"

*8*

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