As Velia’s breathing slowed, so did his, and sleep soon took him.
11
WhenVeliawoke,shestared up at the plaster ceiling, confused. It seemed familiar, yet…the pattern of cracks spiderwebbing the ceiling wasn’t the one she’d memorized.
She sat up slowly. Her gaze caught on the lurid graffiti decorating the wall next to the bed.
The events of last night came back to her in a rush of wanton images and sensations. She was in Ferox’s room. A grin spread across her face as she recalled the pleasure they’d shared.
And today…today was the opening day of the games. Today, both Ferox and Achilles would fight.
Her smile evaporated. Nerves fluttered in her stomach.
She was alone; Ferox must have risen earlier to get ready. She wished he’d woken her before he left.
Velia swung her legs out of bed and rose to her feet—only to stiffen with a cry as a collection of aches and pains made themselves known.
Everythingbelow the waist hurt in one way or another. The muscles along the insides of her thighs ached. Her hips felt strained, overly stretched. And between her legs…those muscles had been exerted in a way she’d clearly become unaccustomed to after her period of abstinence.
She took a tottering step, wincing. She’d noticed no pain or discomfort last night. Indeed, her tumble with Ferox had been the best she’d ever had by a wide margin. But today, her body felt as if it had been run over by a chariot.
She clothed herself, then hobbled to her own room, where she changed into a fresh dress. As she did, her eye caught shadows of bruises along her hips. She sensed they’d perfectly match the span of Ferox’s hands.
Velia ran a finger over the marks. She rather liked them. She wasn’t the sort to tolerate being bruised by a man, but these marks had been doled out in passion, not violence, and she hadn’t even noticed at the time.
Once clothed, she combed her hair, braided it, then emerged into the outdoor area of the ludus, still walking gingerly.
It was nearly empty. A few men lingered in the shade on the other side of the training ground. Closer to Velia, Penthesilea sat in the sun, mending a rip in one of her tunics.
Lea glanced up when Velia approached.
“Has Ferox gone to the arena already? And Achilles?” Velia added hurriedly. Her novice, about to face his first fight, should be her primary concern today. Not Ferox.
Lea nodded. Her sharp brown eyes scanned Velia from head to toe, and a half-smile curved the corner of her mouth. “I didn’t think he had it in him,” she muttered, as if to herself.
“Excuse me?”
Lea arched an eyebrow. “You spent the night with Ferox last night.”
“I—I—” Heat rose to Velia’sface. “How did you know?”
Lea rolled her eyes. “If I hadn’t seen you two leaving the banquet together, the way you’re walking this morning would have told me everything I needed to know.”
Velia endeavored to stand up straighter. “What do you mean, the way I’m walking?”
“You’re waddling like a goose.” Lea snickered. “A goose that’s been thoroughly fucked.”
Velia glared at her, willing a witty retort to spring to mind. Her brain, however, deserted her. “I have to get to the arena.”
“Yes, you should get going,” Lea said. “At the rate you can walk, you’ll be lucky to get there by sunset.”
“Mind your own fucking business,” Velia rejoined, but the words had no heat to them. She and Ferox had, after all, left the banquet together in plain view of everyone. She shouldn’t have been surprised it caught Lea’s attention.
Velia set her jaw and shuffled out of the ludus. Thankfully, the arena was only a block from here, so she didn’t have far to walk. Worries about what the day might hold soon distracted her from her aches.
Was Achilles ready? Ferox had made a great deal of progress with him, but still, it had only been a few weeks. What if Achilles sustained an injury that put him out of action for months, costing her money for food, lodging, and medical treatment in the meantime?
She exhaled and sent up a fervent prayer to Fortuna, goddess of luck, to watch over Achilles.
