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.
Chapter 49:amor fati: Love of fate
Gannicus' Cell:
Melitta lay in the cradle of his arms, her head on his chest, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. She was utterly drained and spent. "I am pleasantly numb," she said smiling.
"As am I," Gannicus replied.
She brought him peace. He let out a contented sigh as he absently ran his fingers up and down her arm and shoulder. He was calm, relaxed and happy to have her next to him, within his embrace. She curled into him, bringing her leg higher upon his thigh and he glanced down to where their feet were entwined, her dainty toes rubbed against the bottom of his foot and he laughed breathlessly, his foot twitching away from hers.
At his sudden movement, Melitta's brow shot up. "Are you ticklish?"
"No," he denied, shaking his head before she even finished thought, unnerved by the wicked glint in her dark eyes.
She chuckled. "You lie," she accused playfully and to test her theory she wiggled her fingers against his side.
Gannicus jerked away from her with a short bark of uncontrolled laughter. "Stop!" he gasped, when she continued her assault on his person. "Fine. Yes, I am ticklish." With his admission he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her and capturing her marauding hands within his own. "Leave me be you heartless woman!"
She giggled but allowed him to hold her still. "I never knew you were ticklish."
He gave her a mock scowl. "It is not a thing a gladiator would advertise."
"I find the trait quite adorable."
His charming grin appeared, causing a slight crinkling around his eyes. "Then I shall endeavor to allow the indulgence of your strange infatuation." He wriggled his brows. "Especially since you have indulged mine this night."
"So cocky," she said, giving a dramatic roll of her eyes.
He bucked his hips and winked. "Another trait you find pleasing."
She refrained from commenting as she stretched languorously next to him on his bed, reaching for her wine; Gannicus' arms tightened around her. "Where do you go?"
She inclined her head to the glass. "I would have wine."
He relaxed his hold. "Apologies, I worried you were to leave."
Melitta took a sip before setting the empty glass aside and coming back to his embrace. "I am in no hurry to remove myself from your arms," she confessed, smiling when he pulled her back to him and squeezed her tight while laying tender kisses upon her brow.
Melitta returned his affections by placing a loving kiss upon his chest, above his heart. "You have captured my heart. If given choice, I would never leave," she told him, resting her cheek where she'd placed her lips.
Overwhelmed by the feelings she stirred within his breast, Gannicus put his finger under her chin and tilted her face upward. "Dwi'n caru ti," he murmured softly, brushing her mouth with his own, gently tasting her. (1)
They kissed for several long moments before Melitta pulled back to look upon him. His words were in a language she had never heard him speak. "What is the meaning of 'doo-een carrie tea'?"
"It is 'I love you' in my native tongue," he told her, a small faraway smile curving his lips. "I have not spoken it in so long, it nearly stands foreign to me now."
"It is beautiful." She kissed him again and then repeated his words back to him.
Hearing words of love from his ancestral language spoken in Melitta's soft voice made his breath catch. Gannicus captured her face in his hands. "You are the rarest of women, Melitta. I am unworthy of you."
"Gannicus, you are worthy," she told him as she rolled over onto her stomach. "We are flawed, yes, but we are each worthy of being loved."
He had no words to describe how she affected him, but the emotion in his eyes said it all.
Melitta gave him a gentle smile as she folded her arms upon his hard-muscled chest and rested her chin there. "You can recall your native tongue?"
He nodded. "Much of it, but I have spoken Roman for so long, my own does not flow as natural as it once did." He ran his hands up and down her naked back. "You do not?"
"A little," she said. "I was but a small child when my tribe was raided by the Romans; barely in my sixth year. My words were not yet developed."
"Where are your people from?"
When she raised a brow at his sudden curiosity, he shrugged. "I realize there is much about you I do not know," he told her, pouring them each another glass of wine. He took a healthy swallow while handing her the other cup. "I find myself full of questions that beg answering."
Melitta sat up in bed and tucked the sheet under her arms while Gannicus placed a pillow behind her back, fluffing it for more comfort. "I am from Hispania, off the Iberian Peninsula," she said, sipping her wine.
He scrunched up the other pillow and placed it behind his back. "What do you remember of your homeland?" he asked, leaning back against the folded pillow.
"I remember it was beautiful," she said, her eyes sparkling. "The sand on the beaches was pale and soft, with water from the Oceana so blue and clear you could see the colorful fish swimming within. My tribe, the Lusitani, were warriors, hunters and fisherman. We hunted wild pigs and goat, but mainly we lived off the sea." (2)
A soft smile curled her lush lips as she spoke of her family. "My mother and I used to hunt for sea shells after a storm and she would make the most incredible jewelry for our tribe from the shells we'd find. My father used to call her his 'beleza'." (3)
Gannicus was enthralled. He cupped her cheek, committing to memory her radiance in the moment. "Your language is beautiful," he murmured. "What does that mean?"
"I believe it stands for beauty," Melitta replied. "My mother was indeed a beautiful woman…"
"That is no surprise," he said, his grin lighting up his face and crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Her daughter is the most enchanting creature I have ever laid gaze upon."
She chuckled. "You flatter after you have had your way with me. It must be in love."
Her words were said teasingly, but Gannicus' grin faded to an expression of intensity Melitta rarely saw in him. "Every beat of my heart is for you," he told her, staring into her eyes with such raw emotion it caused Melitta's heart to pound as well. "I would face Jupiter himself if it would allow me to have you for my own."
Tears came to her eyes. "If only it were that simple," she said and kissed his lips gently. "Unfortunately, we are not free to make that choice for ourselves. Which is why I had to see you tonight. We are for Rome tomorrow and I know not when I will have opportunity to break words or even see you once we arrive at that woman's domus." Melitta made a face. "I am certain she will have you occupied—"
He placed a finger over her lips to stop whatever she was about to say. "Please," he said, shaking his head. "I have no idea how I am going to manage having to lay with her again. It turns stomach. I cannot think of her presently."
"Gannicus, you will do what you must. In this, you are stripped of choice. As am I."
"I know, but can we not spoil this moment with words of such a serious nature. I desire to leave the reality of our circumstance outside these walls. Just for tonight."
After a moment, Melitta relaxed with a sigh and smiled. "I am of a similar mind." She brushed his hair back from his face. "So handsome," she marveled. He smiled, and she leaned in to kiss him. "Let us forget obstacles in path and just for tonight you are the handsome gladiator who has won my favor after grueling battle upon the sands…"
He chuckled, enjoying her idea. "And you are the beautiful slave who has captured my heart. Whose freedom I fight for with every victory."
"And that is our only concerns…" she said softly, leaning her forehead against his.
"It is," he said, lacing their fingers together.
They stayed that way for several seconds, basking in the freedom to simply be together and admit their love, even if it was for such a brief moment in time.
Finally, Gannicus urged her to continue her tale. "You were speaking of your mother's beauty…"
Melitta's leaned back into him. Her gaze focused on the wall of his cell, but as she spoke, her eyes took on a dreamy expression that captivated the gladiator. "My parents were deeply in love. I remember their laughter most of all and the shared glances…" She flushed, and gave him a side-eyed look, "which now take on new meaning."
He chuckled at her pinkening cheeks. "There is no embarrassment in desirous looks between lovers. I can relate. If your mother was even half as bewitching as you, your father would've needed eyes torn from skull to remove gaze from such beauty."
"Your tongue bends poetic tonight."
His grin was filthy. "My tongue—"
She clapped her hand over his mouth, halting what she was certain was going to be a ribald comment. "Will hold thought until I have finished my tale."
He grinned behind her hand, but when she did not remove hold, he eventually nodded and she released her grip over his mouth. "You were speaking of your father," he said, his expression innocent, as if he had not been about to cause her blush to deepen further.
She sipped her wine, a small smile curling her lush lips. "My father was a big man—well, at least he appeared large to a little girl who idolized him. I remember he had long, dark, curly hair that I used to braid for him with beads and shells. He also had many tribal tattoos along his chest and arms and wore a necklace made of teeth around his neck…"
"Teeth?" Gannicus exclaimed, his eyes widening. "Were your people cannibals?"
She giggled. "They were shark teeth, not human, Gannicus."
"Oh," he said, and then frowned. "What is a shark?"
"It is a fierce fish creature with sharp teeth that lives in the ocean," Melitta explained, briefly describing what a shark looked like to him.
"It sounds like the monsters my elder sister used to speak of to keep me out of the water," he said with a smirk.
"They were a part of my people's culture," she said.
"In what manner?" Gannicus asked, intrigued.
"One of the sacred rituals in becoming a Lusitani warrior involved doing battle with a shark."
"That is madness!"
She laughed softly at his horrified expression. "Perhaps, yet it was part of a warrior's trial. To receive blessing from the Gods, a warrior would take his craft out to sea and return with the jaws of the striped beast galeocerdo (4) He would then make a necklace of its teeth and wear it as proof he had passed his test and was worthy to become warrior for the tribe."
His brow raised in question. "Galeocerdo?"
"A true monster of a shark. Bigger than even the largest warrior with stripes along its massive body. It's jaws so powerful it could snap bone with one bite."
"Did you ever lay gaze on one of these creatures for yourself?" He breathed, fascinated with her tale.
She nodded. "I was bitten by a shark once."
"Truly?" he asked, the tinge of fear and awe in his voice made her smile.
She shook her head at him. "The arena does not frighten, but sharks, which live in an ocean you will never see, have you wide eyed?"
"In the arena I am every man's equal," he explained. "In water the shark is certain victor. I am not a fan of the odds."
"You have valid point," she admitted.
"Where were you bitten?" He asked, his eyes roaming her perfect form. She had no blemishes that he could see, much less horribly disfiguring scars that such a creature would leave upon the flesh.
Melitta turned sideways and placed her leg in his lap. "Do you see that scar?" she asked and pointed to a gash along the back of her calf, just above her heel.
He peered closer. The tiny flaw was faint but visible when looking for it. He took hold of her delicate ankle and turned it gently, so he could study the jagged white scar about two inches long. "It is as if cut by ragged blade," he noted.
"That is where a shark bit me when I was a young girl barely five. Their teeth are sharp like swords."
Gannicus sucked in a sharp breath, unconsciously rubbing her scar with his thumb as if soothing it. "You swam with creatures who possess swords for teeth and can snap bone with their jaws!?"
She put her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles at his expression. He looked terrified for her. "I did not swim with galeocerdo, Gannicus. It was a much smaller shark," she said, her smile growing wider when he did not look soothed.
"Were it's teeth sharp as blades?" She nodded, and he made a "aha" sound. "Then it was still a killer," he said firmly, still holding her ankle. "Why were you in the water with such monsters?"
Melitta gently pulled her leg from his grasp and resumed her position curled up at his side. "It was during my first fishing exorcise with my father," she explained.
His eyes widened again. "Your father allowed you to swim with these creatures?"
"We were not swimming, we were fishing," she said. When he was going to further question her, she arched a brow at him and asked, "Do you wish to hear the story or do you not?" Gannicus immediately quieted down and she patted him on the cheek, teasingly. "Where was I?"
He took her hand from cheek and kissed her palm. "You were fishing with your father…"
"Yes," she said, placing a hand on his thigh as if soothing him as she went on. "I was excited he was taking the time to teach me. I had speared a fish for the first time, but I had not yet secured it properly when I called for my father to come see my prize." She chuckled softly. "Of course, wounded fish was wriggling at the end of spear under the water… Unfortunately, before worthy catch could be viewed, the shark arrived to take prize from me. However, it forgot fish…"
Gannicus was both fascinated and disturbed by her tale. "And, took a bite of you instead?"
She nodded. "It was my own fault. I was instructed to raise my catch from the water, but I did not. I learned valuable lesson." She let out a soft sigh. "They were happy times." Her lustrous eyes teared up, and Gannicus put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. "Before the Romans came and destroyed our village."
"You do not have to speak of it, Melitta," he told her, cuddling her close and rubbing small circles along her naked back. "I am well aware what the Romans do when they raid an enemy camp."
She continued on as if she had not heard him. Her voice sad, husky. "They killed everyone. Men, women…even the children were slaughtered if they resisted." She wiped at her tears and it broke his heart to see such sorrow in her eyes. "I was one of the only survivors," she told him quietly.
Gannicus could relate. He did not ask of her family. It was obvious by her words and expression her family had perished.
"Because I was so young," she whispered. "I was left untouched…others from my village were not as lucky."
He recognized the grievous frown marring her brow as she spoke, she wore a similar expression when Diona was violated. Knowing Romans as he did, he was certain the women of her village suffered greatly. He was truly grateful Melitta had been spared. Some children were not. It sickened him.
"When I was brought to Capua, I was sold as house slave to Titus, who later gave me to Lucretia as body slave." She fell silent and Gannicus did not break the silence. He simply held her and allowed her a moment to gather herself.
After a few moments, the emptiness had left her gaze and curiosity had replaced it as she turned attention upon him. "What of you?" she asked, biting her lip in a manner Gannicus found distracting. "I know nothing of your past before you came to this ludus."
He refilled his glass and topped hers off, and then, because he could not help himself, he leaned forward and kissed her. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark and smoky with desire. "When you bite your bottom lip…it causes blood to rise."
"Then I will see it removed from teeth until you have told me of your past," she promised, her eyes shining with avid curiosity.
Gannicus sighed. "I'm afraid I do not have the happy memories you do of your homeland," he admitted, setting the amphora of wine back on his bed side table.
"Are they too painful to share?" she asked, fluffing the pillow behind her back again to get more comfortable.
He shook his head. "I have not spoken of it before."
She took a sip of her wine. "I would like to hear it; if you are willing?"
He nodded, taking a drink from his own glass before beginning his story. "I hail from the Cantiaci Clan of Britannia. (5) As Batiatus likes to brag, I am Celtic, but the Celts are not one people as Romans are. There are many tribes and clans who spend much of their existence fighting with one another," he told her, taking her hand in his and interlocking their fingers. "My father was Chieftain of the Cantiaci and had much responsibility. My brother was much older than I and stood by his side since I was a boy. I was not close with either of them until I was old enough to stand as warrior."
"What of your mother?" Melitta asked, squeezing his hand gently as comfort.
"My mother was a warrior in her own right. She cared for me as best she could, but it was my elder sister who raised me. She was ten years my senior and stood more mother than sibling."
She chuckled softly. "That explains much."
"Your meaning?" he asked, his brow raised.
"You were the babe of your family, with parents who were often absent. An older sister as caretaker gives reason behind arrogant swagger. I wager you were rarely punished for misbehavior."
His face lit up as he chuckled huskily. "You would win that bet," he admitted. "My sister had not the heart to lay hand on me and would say I could charm the bees into giving up their honey with my smile." He tried to maintain a straight face, but his lips twitched as he added, "I confess to using her words to my advantage."
"I stand correct," Melitta said, her own smile breaking upon her face as she imagined a young Gannicus using honeyed words and engaging grin to convince an older sister into allowing him to run wild.
"Surely your life could not have been fighting the entire time. Did your father not play games with you?" she asked, enjoying the delicious wine Gannicus had, although she preferred not to think of who supplied it.
"War games. And that was merely to ensure I was properly trained to take up sword for my clan."
"How old were you when you became a warrior?"
He was quiet for a moment as if recalling past memories. "My uncle began training me with swords upon my fifth year I believe."
Her eyes grew huge. "Fifth year!" she gasped. "But, you could not have been much bigger than a sword yourself at such a tender age!"
He chuckled. "My swords were of a size for me." Her brow arched as if questioning such a thing and he shrugged in response. "It is the Celtic way," he said. "Fighting and claiming new land from rival clans came first for my people. It was what we lived for. Children were expected to fight, and weapons were forged for even the youngest among us."
"And that is when you first saw battle, at your fifth year of life?" She looked horrified at the idea.
"No. At that age, I defended our hillfort if raided, as was expected of me," he clarified, "but I did not see true battle until after I became a man in my thirteenth year. That is when my father told me it was time to put swords to purpose and welcomed me into his embrace as true Cantiaci warrior."
"And what made him think you were a man at such a tender age?" As soon as she saw the slow grin appear upon handsome face, she knew what he was going to say. "You cannot mean you had your first woman at just thirteen years?"
His grin widened. "I found better use for smile than charming bees," he told her, wriggling his brows.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Gannicus…" she chided. "You're impossible."
"What?" he said, defending himself. "War was our way of life. We traveled from battle to battle never settling at one hillfort for more than a year—two at the most, Melitta. The girls who followed our clan and took me to their furs offered distraction from the blood, piss and shit of endless fighting and death!"
His use of boastful jests, wine and women to keep people at a distance and hide from reality now made perfect sense to her. "Apologies," she told him, running her hand along his jaw. "It was not my intent to judge."
"There are no need for apologies." He sighed. "It is who I am," he said softly. "My father put blade to hand in fifth year of life, Melitta. He set me to purpose with it at thirteen. My hand has not been absent one since. I found happiness where I could." He glanced down at her. "I still do."
Her heart ached for him and having such a life as a child. "Was your family captured by the Romans as well?" He shook his head but did not make comment. "Does it still cause such pain?"
"It was many years ago," he said. He was silent for several seconds and it looked as if he was not going to say anything else, but then began to tell the tale. "I had just celebrated my eighteenth year and our clan was embroiled in yet another war. This time it was the Trinovantes or perhaps it was the Catuvellauni clan. Truth is, I cannot recall, but I do remember it was after many hard days' worth of fighting our rivals that the Romans attacked our camp as the warriors slept." He sighed. "The only reason I yet draw breath is I was not present in camp at the time."
"Where were you?"
"I had snuck away to have moment of pleasure with a clan follower at the women's camp," he said. "It saved life and limb."
His expression was haunted, and he turned to her, holding her hand again, as if seeking comfort. Melitta gave it, raising their joined hands to her lips and kissing his knuckles in a soothing gesture.
"When I heard the screams, I took up my blade and rushed back to the warrior's encampment. Despite being badly outnumbered, exhausted and half asleep, our warriors put up a valiant fight," he said softly, his voice growing rough with emotion. "I jumped into the battle with my two swords just as I saw my father and my brother fall beneath a swarm of Romans. I did not know who the foreign soldiers were at the time, but quickly realized they fought very different than the clans did. They were more organized." (6) He took a sip of his wine, his face shuttered. "My father was killed in the attack, but my brother survived…they crucified him as warning to others who would fight back. I barely managed to escape."
"Oh Gannicus," she said, her heart aching for him.
He shrugged off her sympathy. "I did not mourn a father, Melitta—or a brother. I did not know either of them as such. They were brave warriors of my clan, and that is how I mourned them. Just as I'd mourn the loss of a brother."
Recognizing his defensive tactic, she did not press him. "You said you escaped. If that is so, how did you end up as prisoner?"
He hesitated, and a distinct look of sorrow washed over his features. Melitta had no desire to force him into reliving even more hurtful memories than those previously shared. "If you would rather not speak of it..." she began, but he shook his head.
"I would share all I am with you," he told her. "Even if it is difficult past. I would have you know it."
Melitta placed her other hand on their laced fingers and laid her head on his shoulder, offering him her silent comfort. He placed a kiss upon her brow as he drew her closer, accepting her welcome presence as he began speaking again.
"After the Romans attacked. I made for our hillfort where my mother and sister were. Except, while the warriors of our clan were being ambushed by the Romans, the Regnenses, another rival clan, took advantage of our tribe's downfall and attacked the Cantiaci women and children left behind."
He paused a moment, his throat working as he swallowed thickly, and she brought their joined hands to her lap, holding tightly, her expression pained.
"When I arrived home, they were all dead, my mother and sister had been butchered. As wife and daughter of the Chieftain their heads were placed on pikes at the entrance to our lands to announce my father's defeat."
Melitta pressed her face into his neck, kissing him there as distraction so he did not see the tears that had sprung to her eyes at his tragic story.
"The entire settlement was burnt to the ground," he went on sadly. "And the fucking Regnenses had taken the Cantiaci children, babes left motherless and fatherless after our clan was slaughtered and adopted them into their clan. The few warriors we had left were chased by the Regnenses right back towards the Romans still plundering the land behind us."
"And the Romans captured you then?"
"No. I managed to evade them for several days," he said with a smirk. "But when the Romans turned marauding eye upon the Regnenses, I joined the assault, eager to spill both Roman and Regnenses blood to avenge my family, especially my sister." He was silent a moment before he sighed. "I mourned her passing above all others." He finished off his wine and set his cup aside. "When the fight was over. The Romans stood victorious, yet they had suffered severe casualties and had to retreat back to their ships. I managed to survive yet again but was taken prisoner and sold on the battlefield to a Syrian slave trader traveling with the Romans."
"Is that when you were purchased by Titus?"
"No," he replied, shaking his head. "The Syrian sold me to a man who owned a brothel in Neapolis."
She gasped. His fear of being used as a whore suddenly explained. "You were sold to a brothel?"
"I was," he confirmed, "but I never made it to the establishment. The man who purchased me thought to sample my wares so to speak and when he tried to fuck me like a woman, I strangled the man with my bare hands!"
Her eyes about popped from head. "That is the man you spoke of earlier, is it not? When we discussed Varis," she added.
He nodded. "It is. I could not stomach a man using me in such a manner, which is why I was so relieved when Varis chose another option that night."
Melitta was in agreement. His aversion had been quite obvious. "How did you survive?" she asked, worrying her bottom lip. "Roman law states if a slave kills their master they, along with every other slave in the house, must be put to death."
"It was a good thing I was on a ship then," he told her with a shrug. "There was no Roman law."
"Yet, you still killed your master…"
"And four guards who tried to recapture me," he added.
"But how did you escape execution? Surely your captors wanted you punished for such an act?"
"They did," he admitted. "But there was a wealthy Roman on board…Leviticus. He found worth in me as gladiator and purchased me for two hundred denarii."
Again, her eyes widened. "A ridiculously high sum for an unproven man."
"But I was not unproven. He witnessed me kill four men in the fashion I have always fought. Lanistas call it dimachaeri. I had been fighting with two swords for years. It was as natural as breathing."
"Ah, he saw added value in you because of your unique fighting style."
"Apparently," he replied. "He paid the partner of the man I had killed and took me to his ludus in Pompeii where I learned the ways of the gladiator. Leviticus was a kind Dominus. He indulged me for certain," he said with a grin.
Melitta could not help but smile as well. "When are you not indulged?"
"You have denied me a time or two," he pointed out.
"And yet here I sit," she replied drolly. "Indulging you."
He chuckled. "And it is much appreciated," he told her, giving her an audacious wink.
She ignored his overconfident antics. "So, how did Titus come to attaining your papers if you had a Dominus who appreciated your talents in the arena?"
"I had just won my first match for his House in Pompeii when Leviticus died suddenly." He sighed. "His son did not desire to stand as lanista and sold his father's gladiators. That was when Titus purchased me." He glanced down at her. "And grateful I was, especially after laying gaze upon you my first day here."
"I well remember your first day at the ludus, Gannicus." She glanced up at him and chuckled. "Every female slave between their fifteenth and fiftieth year made excuse to come upon balcony to catch glimpse of the fine new recruit who looked so enticing in his subligaria!"
"What of you? I recall seeing you at the rail. Did you come to view me as well?"
"Are you fishing for compliments?"
He gave her his charm smile. "Would you indulge me if I were?"
"I have indulged you enough for one day," she replied, turning her nose up in the air at him playfully. "You are quite aware of your effect on women. You do not need me to me to stroke your ego." Her teasing smile belied her words.
He pulled her onto his chest. "I would have you save your stroking for a more pressing encumbrance other than my ego." He wriggled his brows at her. "Although equally as large," he added with a cocky grin.
She rolled her eyes at his arrogant words and opened her mouth to put him in his place when he suddenly flipped them over. Melitta's words came out as breathless giggle when she abruptly found herself upon her back with him hovering over her. "You are a bold woman to laugh at a gladiator."
She ran her fingers into his hair and her foot along the back of his muscled calf. "And it would take a bold woman to hold the heart of the Mighty Gannicus; would it not?"
He gazed down into her beautiful face. "It would," he agreed with a small nod and tender smile.
Melitta brought his head down. "Then I would be bold," she whispered into his ear, taking a small bite at the tender lobe, before turning his face to hers and kissing him deeply.
"You already are," he murmured against her lips as he hooked an arm under her knee and pressed forward, pushing into her slowly, inch by inch, he slid deep, filling her completely once again.
Within moments the only sounds heard within Gannicus' cell were soft moans, deep groans and the sound of flesh meeting flesh as the two lovers were swept away once more on a sizzling wave of passion that seemed to never end or lessen between them.
*8*
Hours later, Melitta lay curled up next to him, her head on his chest, one hand resting on his firm belly. She did not want to leave the warmth of his arms, but the hour was growing late. "I must go soon."
He tightened his hold on her. "I would see you remain within my embrace."
"It is not by choice that I must leave," Melitta whispered.
"How am I going to get through Rome? To assume the role of lover with Octavia again…" He placed a kiss on Melitta's head. "I cannot do it, Melitta. Not after sharing such a night with you. I desire no other in my arms."
She sat up, tucking the sheet around her. "We've discussed this, you must do as commanded, Gannicus," she told him. "Please do not put yourself in jeopardy…"
Gannicus sat up as well, his back against his cell wall. "My logic understands words, but my heart…" He grimaced. "It seizes at the thought of lying with her again."
"As does mine. Think you I relish the thought of you making love—"
He snorted. "Bite fucking tongue!" He shook his head at her. "I will never make love to that woman, Melitta!" His eyes sparked with fire, his voice was strong, sure. "The only woman I have ever made love to is you."
She flushed in pleasure. "I can live with her having your body for a moment in time, as long as she has no part of your heart."
"She does not." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. He took her hand and turned it, so her palm was up. "You have my heart right here…" He kissed her palm. "You know this. This world has shown me nothing but shit and I never dreamed for it to be anything more. Until you." He placed her hand on his cheek and rubbed against it like a big cat, nearly purring in pleasure. "You are my dream, Melitta."
She placed her other hand on his jaw, cupping his handsome face in her palms. "You hold mine as well," she said, leaning in to him.
Their lips met and, when they both realized their night was coming to an end, desperate passions exploded anew. Gannicus growled softly as he tore the sheet from her body, needing to have her one more time before she would be torn from his arms. Melitta let out a small whimper and turned to face him as she straddled his lap, her hands on his shoulders while they kissed heatedly. Near frantic in her need to have him, she reached between them, gripped his shaft and guided him to where she wanted him most. Melitta moaned into his mouth as she gently sank down upon him, joining them as one more time. Their lovemaking was frenzied and, as their ardor grew, they clung to one another, vainly trying to hold on to the ecstasy being together gave them.
It was another hour before Melitta finally exited his cell and returned to her small room in the villa.
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Ok, hoped you enjoyed "Smut Fest Part Deux"! ;) I have had a few readers ask about Gannicus' backstory, and since the show never gave him one, I decided to fix their neglectful ways. Of course, some of my story is factual historically speaking, while others, I have stretched a bit. I have added footnotes here explaining each event. Personally, I like my spin on Gannicus' story and believe it suits who he is. Melitta's was just fun to add since she did not receive much history from the series either.
Again, gratitude for all the support you, the readers, are giving to this story. It truly inspires me! :)
*8*
Footnotes:
(1) The language Gannicus speaks here is Welsh. Many ancient Celts of Britania spoke a dead dialect called Brittonic, since Welsh is one of the oldest languages spoken in Great Britain, I have used it here.
(2) The Lusitani were an ancient Celt-Iberian tribe from the Iberian Peninsula of Hispania. They resisted Roman rule until the time of Emperor Augustus (29BC), despite their defeat in the final Lusitani War (155 BC to 139 BC) when they surrendered to Marcus Popillius Laenas after their leader Viriathus (180 BC-140BC) was betrayed and murdered in his sleep by three of his Tartessian allies. The region I have used here to describe Melitta's homeland is now coastal Spain and Portugal. Not much is known regarding how the Lusitani lived but they were definitely warriors and I would think they hunted and fished and that is my reference for Melitta's background.
(3) The language Melitta speaks here is Portuguese
(4) Galeocerdo cuvier is the scientific name for the Tiger shark, i.e.; its genus and species. . The trial regarding the shark is all my imagination. :)
(5) Historically, Gannicus is said to have been a Celt from Gaul, making him a French Celt. However, Dustin Clare is from Australia, which originated as a penal colony of Great Britain, therefore, I am taking creative license here and making him a Celt from Britania. The Cantiaci were an ancient Celtic tribe that occupied what is now Kent, Surrey and parts of East Sussex. I figured if the show can take a Gaulish gladiator named Casus and turn him into a Nubian Pirate, I have no qualms changing Gannicus from a Gaulish to Britton Celt. :) Another interesting historical fact that the show changed: It was actually Gannicus (not Crixus) that broke away from Spartacus (with the Gaul Casus) and was killed in action by Crassus, not crucified as the show depicted.
(6) The 1st recorded invasion of Britania is in 55 BC by Julius Caesar. It was unsuccesful and he led a second attempt in 54 BC. However, that does not mean there were not previous (unsuccessful) attempts, and for my story they did try at least once prior to Caesar's invasion. Since the Romans who killed Gannicus' family were defeated, it was a failed attempt; therefore, it stands to reason Rome may have taken some years to go back. Because Caesar's attempt was not entirely successful either, it took almost one hundred years for Emperor Claudius to invade Britain again in 43 AD.
