Gladiator of Rome (#1 in Gladiator Series)

Chapter 15

 Chapter 15

"Eat," Empress Pompeia gave a slight gesture of her hand as a group of servants suddenly knelt before him lifting a silver tray above their heads, offering him food. 

Artorius noticed that the Empress wasn't making a move for the food but the look in her eyes told him that she was not to be tested. Unsure of why he had been summoned to her private bedchamber at this time of evening he gathered up a slice of seeded bread that crumbled in his hand slightly. His mouth was salivating just thinking about the food at his disposal but he kept himself in check as he turned back to the Empress, who seemed impressed that he had obeyed her.

"You fought well in the arena today," Pompeia waved the servants away as she settled herself back into the cushions, working the sash around her waist loose until her silk robe parted to reveal a long slither of ivory flesh. Artorius kept his eyes averted as she kicked her bare leg out from under the robe and let out a deep sigh of longing.

"I am grateful to the emperor for holding the games." Artorius bowed his head.

"Urgh!" Pompeia rolled her eyes as she stretched her arm out behind her, the empty chalice in her hand dangling expectantly from her fingertips. A moment later a servant girl came running forward to refill it. The terror in the young girl's eyes showed Artorius exactly what Pompeia would do to her if she took too long. But every lord and lady beat their slaves. It was common practice, so Artorius did not press the matter.

"My brother," Pompeia groaned as she lifted the cup back to her rose lips, "is a dull old sod who does not know the difference between ruling over an empire and ruling over a herd of cattle."

Artorius did not respond. If such words left his mouth he would be strung up in the courtyard at dawn.

"You spoke of Krista," Artorius turned back to the topic at the forefront of his mind. Krista would not tell him and became aggravated when he asked so he became afraid of what deal Pompeia had enforced upon her for his freedom from the dungeons.

"Aah, Krista" Pompeia let her head fall back against the pillow, her white blonde hair fanning out behind her, "Glorious Krista!" Pompeia extended her arm into the air like someone cheering in the stands of the arena might do but Artorius could tell that the sound of Krista's name annoyed her, as if she was sick of hearing it. 

Artorius placed his bread to the side when Pompeia suddenly turned and pressed the length of her warm body against his. The water on her body soaked through the silk robe causing it to stick to her like a second skin. Artorius tried not to react whilst Pompeia remained there, her ice blue eyes searching Artorius's with a sudden clarity and determination he did not know she possessed after the ingestion of so much wine.

"You care for her," Pompeia sat up a little as she pressed her face closer, her eyes seeming to find something on his face which told her this. "Of course you do," She leant back against the furniture, her voice amused but also not surprised, "No man would take a public beating for someone they did not care about."

"I know-" Artorius caught his breath when Pompeia reached out her hand and started to lightly run her fingertips up his arm and across his bare chest.

"Hmm? What do you know?" Pompeia smirked as she enjoyed playing with him. Her chalice somehow found its way to the floor and she was now torturing him with both hands.

"I know she made a deal with you to get me out of the dungeon," Artorius said quickly, turning to look at Pompeia and clasped her exploring hand in his, "Whatever she has promised you, I'll do it. I implore you to release her from her debt."