After the way he taunted me with her death, some part of me would enjoy it very much.
The spectators would love it. They’d chant and scream and cheer as this man choked on his own blood.
But I won’t let this place turn me into a monster. One day soon, I’ll look my brothers in the eyes as they stand in front of me. And when that moment arrives, my hands will be as clean as this place will allow.
Maximus’s pulse thunders against my hand. I can’t see his face, but slowly, his shoulders slump as the realization sinks in.
The crowd screams.
My name.They’re screaming my name. I want to flinch away from it, but I know better.
Slowly, the emperor stands, walking to the front of his pulvinar. He leans over the gilded railing, staring down at us as if he is a god deciding our worth.
A man prowls toward him. Rorrik.
My hands begin to shake, and I move the blade farther from Maximus’s jugular.
This would be an easy way for Rorrik to get rid of me. One word in his father’s ear, and that thumb will turn down for both Maximus and me.
Rorrik smiles wickedly, his eyes meeting mine. And then he steps back, leaving the emperor to his decision.
“You didn’t finish the kill,” the emperor addresses me, his voice echoing through the arena.
An enforcer waves his hand toward me, and when I speak my voice is just as loud.
“No, Dominus.” I swallow, bowing my head. “When it comes to the lives of your loyal subjects, I leave such decisions up to you.”
Maximus stiffens. I still can’t see his face, but from his slow exhale, he knows what I’m doing.
Reminding the emperor of Maximus’s loyalty in the hopes that he allows him to live.
The emperor watches us for a long moment. A baby wails, the sound abruptly cut off.
Slowly, he lifts his hand. I barely breathe.
His thumb points to the sky, and Maximus’s shoulders slump. I remove my blade, and he slowly gets to his good foot, bowing his head to the emperor.
The arena seems to tilt around me, but I inhale deeply, lifting my head as we walk toward the exit.
Leon is the first person I see, his face white, lips thinned. I know that expression.
Pure, unfiltered rage.
Maximus’s limp slows, and I can’t blame him. Leon is already striding toward us, and even unarmed, he looks like he wants to kill us both.
“What. Was. That.”
I hunch my shoulders. He’s not talking about the win. Or sparing Maximus’s life. He’s talking about the way I was lost in the past. Lost enough that I almost bled out right next to …
Shame floods over me, and when I don’t speak, Leon turns and stalks away.
Maximus lets out a low whistle behind us. “That was …”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Your back is covered with blood,” he points out.
I cut my eyes to him. “You don’t say.”
