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Chapter Thirty-Six

D amian

“There’s a place I want to show you,” Sarah says the next morning, her eyes alight with excitement. “A sacred pool where the ancients performed purification rituals. Most outsiders don’t even know it exists.”

Maya raises an eyebrow at me. We’ve spent the morning in peaceful meditation, watching the sun paint the red rocks in ever-changing patterns. The dawn’s stillness feels tranquil after yesterday’s ecstatic dancing.

“It’s about an hour’s hike,” Sarah continues. “But worth every step.”

The path winds through narrow canyons where ancient painted handprints still mark the walls. Sarah points out medicinal plants along the way, her knowledge reminding me of the herbalists who once served Rome’s temples. Maya absorbs every detail, her natural curiosity shining through.

“Here,” Sarah says finally, leading us around a bend that opens into a hidden grotto. A waterfall feeds a deep pool of startlingly blue water that seems to glow with an inner light, while natural stone ledges provide perfect seating. “The water comes from an underground spring. Grandfather says it’s older than time itself.”

She produces a small bag of what looks like crushed herbs. “For purification,” she explains, sprinkling some on the water’s surface. The scent reminds me of temple incense, but wilder, more primal. “I’ll leave you to the spirits’ care. Just follow the canyon back when you’re ready to return.”

After she leaves, Maya and I exchange glances. The pool’s surface ripples invitingly, catching sunlight that filters between the canyon walls.

“It’s so perfect it almost seems unreal,” Maya says, trailing her fingers through the water. “Like something from a dream.”

The water’s touch sends a wave of anticipation through my skin—not cold despite coming from underground but charged with some subtle energy that raises the fine hairs on my arms. We shed our clothes in silence, the growing closeness between us dissolving Maya’s last hesitations.

The sunlight streaming through the jagged canyon peaks bathes her in golden radiance as she stands before me, unashamed in her nakedness. My breath catches at the vision she presents—her warrior’s body, both powerful and achingly feminine, lean muscle flowing in curves that make my hands ache to trace them. The cool morning air makes her nipples pucker into tight buds, the sight sending heat coursing through my veins.

Maya steps into the pool with a fighter’s confident grace, but her gaze never leaves mine. The invitation is unmistakable, drawing me forward as surely as if she’d spoken. When she rises to the surface, water cascades down her body, making her skin gleam like polished bronze. Each droplet catches the light like liquid diamonds against her tan skin. Her wet hair clings to her shoulders, framing her face in dark tendrils that accentuate the sharp intelligence in her eyes.

I follow her in, the water embracing me like a lover’s touch. All the aches from my long sleep and weeks of training, any remaining tension of our frantic flight, seem to dissolve. Maya floats nearby, her hair spreading around her head like a dark halo, water running in rivulets down her mounded breasts.

“I never thought I could feel this peaceful,” she murmurs. “Especially after everything that’s happened…”

Into my arms she comes, fingers twining behind my neck. Her skin glides against mine, the water turning every touch into liquid heat. Her kiss? It tastes of sweet water and desert air—wild, fresh, unforgettable.

Time loses meaning as we explore each other with unhurried touches. Every caress feels amplified by the charged water, every kiss deeper than any we’ve shared before.

I want to plunge into her, to bring her to the heights of physical joy along with our profound connection, but it seems too big a step with all that’s happening around us.

What if I get her pregnant with my child? The thought blasts through me as I realize that would put her and the babe directly in the sights of the men who are hunting me. I care for her too much to make her a target.

We float together in peaceful silence as sunlight paints shifting patterns on the canyon walls. I ease toward her in the pool and draw her back against my chest, my arms encircling her waist as we gaze up at the slice of sky visible between the canyon walls.

“You are more beautiful than any goddess Rome ever worshipped,” I whisper against her hair, letting her hear the reverence in my voice. She rewards me with a full-body shiver despite the warm air. Neither of us feels any urge to leave this sanctuary.

“Tell me more about your mother. I’ve been wanting to ask since you told me she gave you Tyche’s coin.”

The request surprises me, but the words come easily. I tell her about my mother’s grace, her quiet strength, how she served as Tyche’s priestess before marrying my father. How she taught me that fate’s wheel turns for all men, but how we face its turnings defines us.

Maya listens as we float on our backs in the water, watching the clouds, our hands linked. Occasionally, she asks questions that show her genuine interest in understanding my past. In return, she shares stories of her own mother—lost too young to illness, but remembered with fierce love.

I tell her about my father, about all he taught me that has saved my sanity and possibly my life. She eases closer as I tell her of losing my mother and sister, and how I went from a scholar to a gladiator-slave in the span of a few days.

She needn’t say a word. I know she traveled with me on the emotional journey as I told her of my past. Finally, she breaks her silence and simply says, “I ache for you, Damian.” She turns to me and pauses until our gazes meet. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through and truly regret the pain I’ve caused. I’m glad you have me now, and I hope I can make you happy.”

Her simple words hit me as powerfully as a barbarian’s war hammer. She apologized again and wants to make me happy. She’s right. I have her now.

“I wish the same, Fortis .” The nickname is perfect. It means strong. Her wide, lazy smile tells me she enjoys having something special, this pet name, between us. For the briefest moment, I picture us together decades from now. Her hair graying, pleats at the corners of her eyes. Yet, she’ll still look at me as she does now, and I’ll still be imagining new ways to tell her of my affection.

The sun has moved and has almost crested the edge of the rocks by the time we finally leave the pool, our skin wrinkled but our spirits lighter. The day has been a respite, with our cares far away and our connection growing stronger.

Suddenly, the mild emotions of the moment leap to something different. Perhaps it’s the spark of something in her eye, the way the soft expression on her face changes to something more focused, perhaps even desperate.

Is it that her gaze flashes to my phallus that makes it harden? Or was it already hardening when it caught her attention? It doesn’t matter. That we both want each other is clear, obvious, immediate.

Maya spreads out the colorful handwoven blanket we brought, the fabric vibrant against the red earth.

We’re both still standing, water sluicing off our bodies, when her gaze pierces me and she whispers, “I’m not ready to leave this place yet. Are you?”

For a brief moment, I forget we’re fugitives, that danger stalks us at every turn. Here, in this hidden sanctuary, time itself seems suspended. I answer her, my voice low and steady. “No. This space seems the perfect place to…” I don’t want to say it out loud, don’t want to pressure her.

“The perfect place to give you pleasure, Damian? The perfect place to show you how important you are to me? To give, expecting nothing in return? Just as you have given to me.”

Maya slowly lowers herself to her knees on the blanket, her gaze never leaving mine. The sight of her kneeling before me, looking at me with that intoxicating blend of affection and raw desire, sends a surge of heat coursing through my body.

She reaches up, her fingers tracing the ridges of my abdomen, following the path of a water droplet as it trails down my skin.

“You’re like a statue,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. “Carved by the hands of the gods themselves.”

Her words are like a lightning strike to my chest. No woman has looked at me, has touched me, like this.

Reaching down, I cup her cheek in my hand. She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed briefly before she looks up at me again, her gaze intense.

“ Dominus ,” she whispers, the word sending a jolt through me. This is her, giving me power, giving me control. Accentuated by me towering over her in this isolated, sacred place.

I slide my hand into her hair, gripping it, gentle but firm. Her breath hitches, her pupils dilating with desire. I can see the rapid pulsebeat at her throat, matching the pounding of my own.

“Maya,” I murmur, my voice rough with need. “You don’t have to—”

She cuts me off, her voice steady and sure. “I want to, Damian. I want to taste you, to feel you in my mouth, to make you explode in ecstasy.”

Her words send a wave of heat through me. I tighten my grip on her hair, tilting her head back slightly. She gasps, her lips parting, inviting.

Leaning down, I capture her mouth in a fierce kiss. She moans against my lips, her hands gripping my hips, pulling me closer. I can feel her breasts, still wet from the pool, pressing against my legs. The sensation sends another surge of desire through me.

She breaks the kiss, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Looking up at me, her eyes are filled with hunger and determination, almost a plea. It’s only after I give her a slight nod that she slowly leans forward, her lips parting as she takes me into her mouth.

The sensation is overwhelming—wet heat enveloping me, her tongue performing a dance of exquisite pleasure. A groan tears from my throat, my head falling back as my fingers tighten in her hair. She takes me deeper, her hands gripping my thighs, her nails leaving small crescents in my flesh that ground me in the moment.

Looking down at her, I watch as she takes me in and out of her mouth, her lips glistening, her gaze locked onto mine. It’s the most erotic sight I’ve ever seen. I can feel my control slipping.

Her hands explore my body, becoming less controlled, more desperate as she traces the lines of my muscles, the scars that tell stories of battles fought and won. Each touch sets my skin on fire; each movement of her mouth sends waves of pleasure crashing through me.

“Maya,” I groan, my voice hoarse with desire. “You feel so good.”

She hums in response, the vibration sending a shockwave of bliss through me. The sensations are almost too much, the intensity building like a storm ready to break. But I don’t want this to end yet. I want to draw out this moment, to savor every second of her touch, her mouth, and yes, her freely given submission.

I gently guide her head, setting a rhythm that she follows eagerly. Her breath comes in quick gasps through her nose, her gaze never leaving mine. The connection between us is charged, a dance of dominance and submission that feels as natural as breathing.

But as much as I want this to last, I can feel my body reaching its limit. The pressure builds, the heat intensifies, and I know I can’t hold back much longer. I tighten my grip in her hair, a silent warning, and she responds by taking me even deeper, her eyes encouraging me to let go.

“Maya,” I gasp, my body tensing as I reach the edge. She doesn’t pull back, instead, she tightens around me, one hand reaching between my legs to fondle my heavy colei . The sensation is overwhelming, and with a final groan, I let go, my body shuddering with release.

She stays with me, milking me through the peak and back down. For a timeless moment, I’m adrift in sensation—part of me diving into the river of time where past, present, and future flow together, while another part remains acutely aware of Maya’s continued attentions, drawing out each pulse of pleasure until I’m left trembling.

The pleasure bursts through me, part physical, yes, but also emotional because she’s been so generous with what she’s just given me so freely. As my body calms and my breath returns to normal, I’m overwhelmed by the depth of connection we’ve shared—something far beyond mere physical release.

Finally, her mouth softens, her hands gentle as I come back to myself. I release my grip on her hair, stroking her cheek softly, yet still she doesn’t pull back, as though she could stay with my phallus in her mouth until I allow her to move.

My hands roam as I help her up—her body, all silk and softness, curves echoing the beauty of Aphrodite. Each light touch draws a shiver, her breath stalling in response.

“You’re a gift, Maya.” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

Maya’s eyes flicker with appreciation as she leans into my touch, her body responding to my praise.

“Thank you, Damian,” she murmurs, her voice low and husky. “I’ve never felt so connected to another living soul.”

I help her stand and pull her close, my arms wrapping around her, holding her tight. We stand here for a moment, just breathing each other in, the water lapping nearby, the sun filtering down through the canyon walls.

“We’re warriors, Maya,” I say finally, my voice steady. “But sometimes, we need to remember there’s more to life than battle. That there’s beauty and peace to be found in the world, if we’re willing to seek it out.”

Maya nods, her eyes filled with understanding. “You’re right. I’ve been so focused on taking care of everyone around me, I’ve forgotten what it means to truly live.”

We stay in each other’s arms for a few more moments, basking in the peace of the sacred pool. Then, finally, I release her, my hand lingering on her cheek for just a moment longer.

I use the blanket to pat her dry, then ask if she wants my mouth on her.

“That was perfect, Damian. Perhaps tonight, in our little hut, but right now, I feel… complete.”

We leave the pool behind, our footsteps echoing through the canyon as we make our way back to the world outside. But for a little while, at least, we’ve found a moment of peace amid the storm. And that, I know, is something to cherish.