Page 29 of House of Serpents and Slaves (Empire of Vengeance #1)

28

I moved quietly through the dark corridors, my skin still tingling from Tarshi's touch, the scent of almond oil clinging to me like a lover's embrace. My body felt wonderfully loose, muscles relaxed in a way they rarely were, though a pleasant ache remained between my thighs. Above, the celebrations had begun to die down, leaving only scattered voices and occasional bursts of laughter echoing through the villa's halls.

My fingers traced the rough stone walls as I walked, using them to guide me through the darkness. The underground passages were poorly lit at the best of times, but at this hour most of the torches had burned low, leaving more shadow than light. It didn't matter - I knew these corridors by heart, could walk them blindfolded if needed. How many times had I made this journey, sneaking back from Tarshi's cell in the dead of night?

A smile played at my lips as I remembered his hands on my skin, the way he'd worked the tension from my body with such care, such tenderness. Tomorrow would bring whatever fate the gods had planned, but for now, I could hold onto this moment of peace, of-

"Well, well. What are you doing wandering around so freely at night, my little Livia?"

The voice cut through my thoughts like a knife, turning my blood to ice. I froze, every muscle tensing as Drusus emerged from the shadows ahead, blocking my path back to the villa. How had I not heard him? How had I been so careless, so lost in my own thoughts that I'd missed his presence?

He moved like a predator, each step deliberate, eating up the space between us. The torchlight caught his face at odd angles, deepening the shadows in his eyes, making them look almost black. Wine stained his lips dark, and his usually immaculate toga was slightly askew - he'd been drinking heavily at the celebrations.

"Dominus." I dropped my eyes, bowing my head in the proper show of deference, trying to slow my racing heart. "I was on my way back from the celebration."

"Were you now?" He moved closer still, forcing me to take a step back. My spine hit the cold stone wall - I hadn't even realized I was retreating. "Funny. I was looking for you in the dining hall after evenmeal. Wanted to congratulate you on a good fight. You were right, it appears you have multiple skills..." His eyes drifted down my thin tunic and I felt a flicker of panic. I couldn't let him know I'd been with Tarshi, but there wasn't much else in this part of the villa.

"I... I..." I faltered.

His hand came up and I flinched, but he only rested it on the stone wall next to my head as he leaned in, his nose brushing against my neck as he inhaled deeply. I turned my face away, fighting the urge to gag as his wine-soured breath washed over my skin.

"Sex," he practically purred the word. "Fresh sweat and oil and another man's seed. You reek of it, little Livia." Drusus' voice was thick with cruel amusement. "Been entertaining Marcus, have you? Getting a taste of your new master before he whisks you away to play farmer's wife?"

I swallowed hard, desperately trying to keep my face neutral. "No, Dominus. I haven't-"

"Don't lie to me, girl," he snarled, his hand suddenly gripping my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “The man is obsessed with you.”

“I…”

"Though I must say, I don't think you'll do well as a farmer's wife," Drusus continued, his voice low and mocking. "You like cock too much, don't you, my little Livia?"

His hand slid lower, grabbing my hand and pressing it against his cock through his tunic. I wanted to push him away, to run, but I knew better. No matter how much stronger I'd become, he still owned me.

I tried to turn away, but his grip held me in place. His body pressed closer, pinning me to the wall as his other hand began to roam, rough and possessive.

"If you're leaving with Marcus, I suppose I should take advantage of the time we have left," he murmured, his lips brushing my ear. "Come to my room. Now."

A sickening dread filled me as I realized what he intended. I wanted to refuse, to fight back, to run. I was stronger now, faster. I could probably best him in a fight. But the consequences... If I struck him, if I killed him, it wouldn't just be me who suffered. The other slaves would pay the price.

The realization hit me like a blow to the gut. No matter how strong or skilled I became, Drusus would always have this power over me. Over all of us. My shoulders slumped as the fight drained out of me.

"Yes, Dominus," I whispered, my voice hollow.

A cruel smile spread across Drusus' face. "Good girl," he purred. "But wait... I have a better idea." His eyes glinted maliciously in the torchlight. "I think we’ll send for Marcus. I want him to watch."

My stomach lurched. "What?"

"You heard me," Drusus sneered. His eyes glittered with malice in the dim torchlight. "What do you think, Livia? Shall we show him how eagerly you spread your legs for your master? I want him to see that you don't belong to him. Not yet. Maybe not ever. I may change my mind."

I felt sick. The thought of Marcus witnessing this... of being forced to participate in Drusus' twisted game... it was almost more than I could bear. But I knew I had no choice.

I felt the blood drain from my face. "Please, Dominus, I-"

"Silence," he hissed. My protest died on my lips as Drusus's grip tightened painfully on my arm. He dragged me down the corridor, his fingers digging into my flesh hard enough to bruise. I stumbled along beside him, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he must hear it.

As we neared his chambers, panic clawed at my throat. I wanted to scream, to fight, to run - but where could I go? Who would help me? The other slaves might sympathize, but they were just as powerless as I was. And the guards... they would only laugh and hold me down for their master's amusement.

Drusus shoved me through the doorway of his opulent bedchamber. I stumbled, catching myself on a nearby table as he barked orders at the pair of armed guards that stood outside his chamber. During the day his office was guarded, at night his quarters. Drusus knew he was feared and hated, and he took no chances.

"You! Fetch Marcus. Tell him I need to see him. Urgently."

One of the guards nodded and hurried off, while the other remained at his post. Drusus slammed the door shut, leaving us alone in his chambers. My eyes darted around, taking in the lavish furnishings, the enormous bed draped in rich fabrics. I’d spent many a night in here, resigned to my fate, but that was before. Before Marcus, before Tarshi, even before Septimus had kissed me. They had all made me feel something, something I hadn’t felt in years. They had made me feel like I mattered. I had revelled in the feeling, knowing I was wanted, cared for, but now it made this all the harder to endure.

"Strip," Drusus commanded, already fumbling with the fastenings of his own clothing.

I hesitated, my hands trembling as I reached for the thin straps of my tunic. Part of me wanted to refuse, to fight back, but I knew it would only make things worse. Slowly, I peeled the garment off, letting it pool at my feet.

Drusus's eyes raked over my body, hungry and possessive as he walked towards me.

“On your knees,” he ordered.

I moved woodenly, doing as he said, as he untied his loincloth and tossed it away.

"You're going to put on quite a show for Marcus," he sneered, grabbing hold of my hair. "Let's see if he still wants you when he sees what an eager little whore you really are."

I squeezed my eyes shut, praying to any god who might listen that Marcus wouldn't come, that something would delay him. But the gods were silent, as always. My heart sank as I heard Marcus' voice through the door.

"Dominus? You wanted to see me?"

Drusus yanked my head back by my hair, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes glittered with cruel anticipation.

"Perfect timing," he called out. "Come in, Marcus. I have something to show you."

The door creaked open. I kept my eyes downcast, shame and humiliation burning through me as Marcus entered. His sharp intake of breath told me the moment he saw us.

"What... what is this?" Marcus' voice was tight with barely controlled fury.

"Just reminding our little Livia who she truly belongs to," Drusus drawled.

Marcus's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. "You said she would be mine. This is not necessary. Release her at once."

"Oh, but it is necessary," Drusus purred, his fingers tightening in my hair. "You see, I'm not entirely convinced I want to part with my little Livia just yet. Perhaps we should renegotiate our arrangement."

The guards stepped closer, hands on their swords, and Marcus stood unarmed, dressed in nothing but a light tunic. Even a warrior such as him would have no chance if they turned on him. I could see the muscles in Marcus's neck straining as he fought to maintain his composure. His gaze met mine, and I saw a flicker of helplessness there that made my chest ache. We were both trapped, pawns in Drusus's cruel game.

Marcus's eyes blazed with fury, but he remained still, aware of the armed guards flanking him. His gaze flickered between me and Drusus, assessing the situation. I could see the tension in every line of his body, the way his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"This is madness," Marcus growled. "You gave your word. A deal was struck."

Drusus laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Oh come now, Marcus. I control the deal. Surely you know that. Power is what matters.” His grip in my hair tightened painfully. "And here, I hold all the power."

I kept my eyes lowered, shame and anger warring within me. Part of me wanted to fight, to lash out at Drusus, consequences be damned. But the larger part, the part that had learned survival over years of slavery, kept me frozen in place.

"Look at her, Marcus," Drusus taunted. "See how eagerly she kneels for her true master? This is what she is - a whore, nothing more. Did you really think you could make her into some farmer's wife?"

Marcus's jaw clenched. "Enough of this," he spat. "Name your price. Whatever you want, I'll pay it. Just... just let her go."

“You don’t seem to understand your position here, Marcus. Until I grant your freedom, I own you. There are no deals to be struck, because you belong to me.” He looked down at me, a cruel smile on his lips. “As does she. And right now, I don’t want anything from you, but I do want quite a lot from her. Her mouth, her pussy, her ass.”

Drusus looked back up at Marcus and grinned. “And you’re going to watch while I take it.”

My eyes flicked back to Marcus, my heart breaking at the rage and helplessness on his face. He lunged forward and I froze in terror as the guards reacted instantly, drawing their swords, one putting his blade to Marcus’ throat before he could take more than two steps. For a moment, I thought he would attack anyway, consequences be damned. But at the last second, he pulled up short, his entire body trembling with barely contained fury.

"You bastard," he snarled at Drusus. "I'll kill you for this."

Drusus merely laughed. "Empty threats, Marcus.”

His hand tightened in my hair, yanking my head back. I bit back a whimper, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing my pain. My eyes met Marcus's, and I saw the anguish there, the helpless rage. I wanted to tell him it was okay, that this wasn't his fault, but the words stuck in my throat.

"Open your mouth, little Livia," Drusus commanded, his voice thick with cruel anticipation. "Remind me what that talented tongue of yours can do."

"Please," I whispered, though I wasn't sure who I was begging - Drusus to stop, Marcus to look away, or the gods to strike us all dead and end this nightmare.

Drusus's hand slid down my neck, tightening painfully around my throat.

"Beg all you want, little Livia. It won't change anything. Now. Open your mouth, or I’ll have my guards open his throat."

I hesitated for a fraction of a second, my stomach roiling. But I knew I had no choice. Slowly, hating myself, hating Drusus, hating the entire world, I parted my lips, closed my eyes, and dreamed about vengeance.