Sorry if this chapter seems rushed – I'm leaving for the airport in 15 minutes! I'll be back in two weeks with a new fanfiction to tantalize you all! Subscribe and please review! Thanks!

Chapter Twelve

The ludus slept soundly; the only noise wafting to Melitta's ears was the voice of her husband, describing victory against Nonus, the first man he ever faced in the arena. He never felt such abandon with words; among his gladiator brothers, he would sit and listen, offering few comments to command attention. Melitta seemed enthralled by every word, peering at him with curious eyes. She wants to know me, he thought, emotions and observations pouring from his mouth. They sat opposite each other on his cot, sipping wine and sharing a bowl of olives with a comfortable ease. Their third night passed quickly in conversation and laughter as the preceding nights - Melitta found Oenomaus as a child, shy yet eager to speak, dealing his emotions and morals in absolutes. She rested her cheek upon her hand and stifled a yawn.

"It seems I am boring you half to death, aren't I?" Oenomaus asked with a snicker.

Melitta laughed, a sound that Oenomaus grew to crave as he toiled in training, and batted his arm. "No! Domina tends to her duties with a renewed force; the day was trying. You are engaging, Oenomaus. Blessed with a pleasing voice."

He smiled and pulled the blanket over their legs to fend off the night's chill. "You have a voice that would coax Jupiter from his perch. Enough of my prattle. You have told me nothing of yourself."

Melitta nodded as she drank; the wine begged her sleep but Oenomaus made the first request of his wife and she would not deny him. "My life lacks excitement compared to your storied history. I was bought for my Domina, much like you were for young Batiatus… I recall my mother. A Lusitanian slave in the home of a Roman senator. I think I resemble her... she was more beautiful." Melitta closed her eyes as she spoke, summoning a hazy portrait of the woman who gave her life. Oenomaus touched her arm softly, urging her to continue. "I do not know the reason, but I was taken from her arms as a girl and sold to Gallus. We traveled often, until permanent residence was established in Tarracina. We lived there many years in a quiet, uneventful existence. After good Gallus passed, Domina insisted we return toCapua." She smiled at Oenomaus, attempting to mask the pain from resurfacing wounds long forgotten; she decided against sharing her friendship with Rufus. That pain she kept hidden, sometimes even from herself. "And here I am."

Oenomaus smiled back sympathetically. "I have heard of Tarracina's beauty. Do you prefer it toCapua?"

She thought of all the marvelous and terrible things she witnessed since her return – losing a friend, gaining a husband. "Tarracina was pleasant, but... dull." Her body heaved from physical and emotional exhaustion, and she looked pleadingly at Oenomaus. "I would share more, but-"

"Say nothing; you speak with eyes half closed!" They shared another laugh of many as he unrolled his pallet and settled in to catch the few hours of sleep remaining. He looked over at Melitta, who rolled over to face him with a shy smile. "Good night... my wife."

The words warmed her and she blushed, still embarrassed by the kind attention. "Good night, husband."

Melitta's mind wandered constantly to thoughts of Oenomaus as she stood by Lucretia, who tirelessly wrote invitations to women associated with her new home. Father instructed her to learn proper decorum from these older, complacent women. She hoped to aid the ludus in her meetings, despite Titus' strict instructions to the contrary – "Men dealt in business, women the home".

A young slave whose name yet escaped Melitta entered the room timidly. "Domina, you have a visitor."

Lucretia quickly smoothed her dress and glanced around the slave to see her guest. "Who... Mother! Oh, Mother!" Lucretia threw her arms around her mother, surprised at her own exuberance. "How I have missed you!" The truth of her words shook her bones; despite the ill will her mother seemed to bear toward her, Lucretia yet loved her.

"And I, you, my child." Gratiana kissed her daughter's cheek with a tight mouth. "Melitta... how do you fare in your new home?"

Lucretia ignored the coldness and presented Melitta to her mother proudly. "She is newly married, Mother. Gifted to the champion Oenomaus." Lucretia smiled, hoping to elicit a pleasing response from Gratiana.

Gratiana ran her hand over the girl's head in a benevolent gesture. "My blessings. Bring some wine, will you? To celebrate." Melitta ducked her head and happily exited the room, glad to avoid witnessing any friction between the two women of Gallus. "I come bearing news. I leave for Tarracina."

Lucretia crossed her arms in an attempt to control the tumult of emotions so suddenly aroused. Leaving? "When?"

Gratiana edged closer to the door, sensing Lucretia's change in emotion. "This very night. I have convinced Marcella to join me, promising bored virile young men and rich widowers for her sport." Gratiana put on an air of annoyance, as if the conversation was hindering her busy schedule.

Lucretia moved toward her mother, her face contorted by disappointment and anger. "But why now? Why so soon?" She grasped her mother's arm desperately. "While I ensconce myself inCapua, why do you leave me?"

Gratiana shrugged off her daughter's hand; she dreaded the strength of Lucretia's touch. "Because I fear you, Lucretia. I am afraid of you. A mother should not fear her child and yet your very presence threatens my life."

Lucretia softened her expression, reaching her arms out to her mother for an embrace. "You have nothing to fear from me, Mother. I have achieved my goal-"

"Until when?" Gratiana snapped, pushing Lucretia away. "Until the next goal presents itself? Your hands are forever stretched to the sky while your feet are fixed on the lowly ground. You will always want more and will never achieve satisfaction. And if I witness your schemes, then I am as culpable as you are." Gratiana gathered herself, breathing deeply. "I should leave. Here." She turned abruptly on her heel after tossing a small sack at her daughter. Lucretia rushed after Gratiana.

"Mother, wait!" She pleaded, loathe to part from another woman upon whom she could depend.

Gratiana paused, but did not turn to look upon her daughter's face. In her confusion, Lucretia dropped the bag, spilling her mother's collection of adornments. "Strangest thing the Gods have ever placed in the bosom of a woman... Even through all this shit, my Lucretia, I have always loved you." She walked away, a pool of jewels forming at Lucretia's feet.

Melitta looked upon the different seals, wondering which meant what, when her eyes fell upon a jug of Dominus' honeyed wine. She glanced about, and, seeing no one, tipped the jug to her lips when a rustle beyond the bars of the ludus made her jump. "You have a bad habit of startling me; I nearly dropped the jug!"

Gannicus smirked and her anger disappeared. How can one man's charisma have such an effect? "Having a taste, are you? Care to share?"

Melitta returned the expression and relaxed her demeanor. "No! I should replace it; the wine was bought especially for Dominus and any missing drops will be noticed. However…" She lifted another jug, one with a recurring label, and quickly took a sip.

"Spare me a few!" Gannicus demanded with a laugh, and when she handed him the wine, their fingers brushed.

Melitta's cheeks grew red and she quickly withdrew her hand. "Gannicus, about-"

"Oh, it is cast from mind." Gannicus said, waving his hand dismissively. "The folly of youth."

Melitta looked at his jovial face closely. "So easily?"

His smile disappeared and he lowered his gaze. "No... With much difficulty." Her heart ached at his response, to see a man so beautiful exhibit such torment. "Oenomaus is a good man. He is the best man I know."

"I know of his value." She said, sitting upon a shelf, momentarily forgetting her duties. She had no one else in the world to share her thoughts. "Then why do I yet hesitate?"

Gannicus sympathized with the girl, though he usually suppressed his frustration with life as a slave but in moment such as this, the realization had an acrid taste. "Oenomaus never says or does anything if not completely sincere. He will be a good husband… and is deserving of a good wife." The moment he spoke the words, he realized the unquestionable truth – Oenomaus was deserving of Melitta. He was not.

Melitta took the jug from Gannicus' hands, careful not to touch his skin. He spoke the truth, she admitted to herself. Oenomaus deserved a wife who will return his love and his honesty. She said a quick prayer to the Gods for the ability to be that woman. She looked at Gannicus, feeling yet a twinge of longing for the man. "Where are we, then?"

Gannicus laughed and shook his head, the movements seeming forced and rehearsed. "Melitta, I am a man of many tastes! I could never…" The façade proved too much to bear and his face shrunk to a small smile. "This man I remind you of… Your friend. Did you love him?"

Melitta smiled back, substituting the bitter longing in her heart with a sweet fondness, an emotion she reserved for her copper-haired Rufus. "Yes. As a friend."

He offered his hand through the bars, seeing Melitta for the first time as only Oenomaus' wife. "Then may I be deserving of such love?"

Melitta tried to hide a smile as she turned away and started back up the stairs. "No!"

Melitta ran into the main hall with the wine, but Domina and her mother were absent. She walked into Lucretia's chambers, searching for her Domina. Lucretia sat at the looking glass, wiping tears from her face. "Domina?" Melitta whispered, approaching the woman with caution.

"What took you so fucking long?" Lucretia snapped, attempting to compose herself. She stifled a sob in her handkerchief as Melitta knelt by her side. "My mother is gone… Gaia is gone… who can I depend on now? Who can I turn to with my troubles?"

Melitta offered her Domina a sip of wine, which Lucretia took greedily. "If I may speak freely… Dominus loves you and it seems he would do anything to please you. Perhaps you can depend on him?"

Lucretia smiled at the girl's naïveté and placed a hand on her cheek. "Oh, Melitta. You should share your thoughts with your husband, but not all of them. Never divulge all of them. A man can never grasp the depths of a woman's heart. Remember that." The words went straight into Melitta; she would never speak of her feelings for Rufus or Gannicus. Those memories would remain locked inside her until the day she died; even then, she prayed the Gods would forever wipe them away, leaving a clean and untarnished soul. "At least I have you, Melitta. My heart is restored." Melitta smiled at her Domina, who stood from her place with purpose. "Prepare me for evening meal and go to the ludus; I would reward your kind words with more time with your husband." Lucretia winked. "Spend your moments wisely."

Oenomaus returned to his cell freshly bathed after a day of difficult training; Doctore seemed to work the men to the bone to compensate for their carefree days of wedding celebrations. He was surprised to find his wife sitting pensively upon his cot. "Melitta! What good fortune. Uff, the day I've had…"

She watched him pour two cups of wine, a practiced gesture that began their nightlong discussions. He offered her a cup with an open smile, and she heard Gannicus' words in her head. The best man I know. She could not move for fear of disappointing her husband; I am imperfect. Her flaws could cause him discomfort or disgust; she could not bear his hatred.

"Melitta?" Oenomaus asked with concern. Despite the tension in her limbs, she stood and walked toward him, placing her arms around his neck. She put her head upon his shoulder; he was frozen by her sudden embrace, cups still in hand.

"Can I not inspire you to move?" She asked, lifting her face to meet his eyes. He looked into her beautiful face and tossed the cups aside, the earthenware shattering against the floor as he hugged her tightly, consuming her mouth. He trailed kisses along her neck and shoulders then lifted her to his cot. He laid her down and as he continued to kiss her, she quickly shrugged off her dress.

"Melitta… are you certain you are ready?" He asked, surprised by her lust. He distracted himself from the sight of the curves of her naked body; if she refused him, he would force himself to pull away.

"Oenomaus… our entire lives stretch before us. We have years to explore each other's hearts." She fumbled at his subligaria, unfamiliar as she was with the garment. "I want now, more than anything, to see satisfaction upon my husband's face." She ran her hands over his body, still slick from the baths. Her touch quickened his breath, yet he still hovered above her in hesitation. "I want to please you."

Oenomaus needed no further persuasion; he ran his hands over her body and kissed her to the point of bruising. She groaned with excitement. He pulled her hips toward him and slid slowly into her. She gasped in pain and he withdrew; the sound alarmed him. Oenomaus lifted her above him and carefully placed her legs around his hips. "Slowly… just as much as you can bear." He instructed, relishing the sight of her body from the new angle. She obeyed, lowering herself on top of him until the pain returned, then pulling back. Slowly, she allowed him deeper and deeper inside her; he held her waist and she could feel his hands tense with pleasure when she moved.

She whispered his name, looking down upon her husband. He looked up at her with such love; she felt as if she owned the world. She quickened her rhythm, relishing the changes in his face. She cried out, this time in ecstasy, and he moaned in response.

Later, she watched him slumber; his features softened as he quietly snored. She turned and placed his arm around her. He fits, she realized. Inside me and around me. We fit. She felt content for the first time in her life; she felt as if she belonged in Oenomaus' arms. And yet, from some hidden corner of her mind, she wondered where Gannicus was.

"Quintus!"

The sound of Titus' voice boomed through the villa and Lucretia watched with lament as her husband rushed to answer his father's call. She hated how Quintus became so small in front of Titus, when the man should tower over the Gods. Titus presented his son with papers, thrusting them into the man's chest. "Your wife squanders coin as if possessed by Mercury. Drapes, clothes, invitations for meals. How will we maintain this ludus with such expenditure?"

Lucretia stepped in to Quintus' defense, quelling her hatred for Titus with words. "Apologies, Father. I only presumed to assume my duties and provide my new home with adornment worthy of its stature; I may have overstepped."

Titus took a deep breath to control his temper, remembering the fact that though this woman was not of his choosing, she was still a lady of the house of Batiatus. "Lucretia, you must understand the limitations of this house. We cannot afford such extravagance. Even as we are graced with the Gods' favor." Quintus looked up in anticipation. "Tullis arrives fromRomeand wishes to survey the ludi ofCapua. We must show this ludus offers more than one great gladiator." He smiled teasingly at Melitta, who seemed to glow with happiness at the mention of her husband's accomplishment. "No matter how exalted the man may be!"

Quintus seized opportunity; his father allowed him to choose new recruits one year ago and yet none of his men were offered prominence in the games when the ludus was employed. "What of the new men? Martinus? Nerva?" He mentioned nonchalantly before finally offering the man he truly deemed worthy. "Gannicus?"

"Gannicus?" Titus pondered and motioned to one of the guards. "Allow me examination and I will form my decision."

The guards brought Gannicus to the main hall; he seemed as if he barely slept the night before. Melitta pitied him as Titus scrutinized his every sinew. "Hm… The man is puny, weak thighs and tired eyes. I truly hope this was a jest, Quintus." Titus tapped Gannicus' shoulders to test their strength; Gannicus could barely hold himself upright. "Your judgment cannot be so flawed. We will present Barca. He is of an impressive form. Melitta, see Gannicus back to the ludus." Titus sneered dismissively at the man as Melitta led him away. She wanted to see her new friend cheered, so she decided to mock him – Rufus always responded to her teasing with laughter.

"Oh, poor, poor Gannicus. Weak thighs?" She looked down at his legs with feigned pity.

"Ha! Every female slave in this ludus would beg to differ." Gannicus said defiantly, puffing his chest forward with pride. He knew why she teased and was grateful for the distraction.

"If that is so, then why do all beg to never return to them?" Melitta responded with an arched brow as she pushed him slightly through the bars.

Gannicus heard unfamiliar bounding laughter from inside the ludus; he never heard Oenomaus laugh so openly. "Oenomaus, do you hear how your wife ridicules me?"

The man approached and leaned against the bars; Melitta leaned on him, their shoulders touching in a united front. "I applaud her. Someone should, lest your lofty opinion of yourself carry you into the wind!"

Gannicus rolled his eyes but thought to himself: perhaps this friendship can be borne. Perhaps that brief shared moment was just foolish youth. "I would prefer enemies to such friends!" He yelled as he walked away, happily defeated. Melitta stole a quick kiss from Oenomaus, looking back at him tenderly before hurrying back to the villa.

Lucretia fumed in silence as Titus reprimanded his son, who assumed his usual position: fists clenched, eyes lowered, jaw tight. "Quintus, I instruct and instruct you, yet you still defy me and veer off course with your own ambitions and to your own detriment. You do not possess the ability to properly handle a mature situation and must be schooled until such time that you are capable of handling this ludus." When Quintus did not respond, Lucretia spoke up, her heart aching for the man she loved. Even with Petronia gone, the man's potential remained stifled.

"Of course Father is correct; he has years of experience as a lanista and must be held as example. But, Father." Lucretia said, placing her hands on the man's shoulders and easing him onto a chaise. He mumbled futile protest but allowed her the kind gesture. "Have you not strained under such demands?" She sat beside him, offering him a cool wet washcloth to wipe his face. Quintus watched on in amazement as his wife dismissed the gladiators in one motion and called to another slave with the next. "You should recover your strength, Father. Melitta." Lucretia beckoned and displayed a dazzling smile to her family - one of dutiful wife and respectful daughter-in-law, a smile untainted by past tragedies and abandonment, a smile full of dreams and hopes for a bountiful life of infinite possibilities. "Fetch the honeyed wine."