Page 68 of House of Serpents and Slaves

"Come back tomorrow night," Tarshi panted, his thrusts becoming erratic. "Promise me."

"I... I can't," I gasped, even as my body clenched around him.

"Tell me you don't want this," he challenged, his breath hot against my ear. "Tell me you don't crave my touch as much as I crave yours."

I moaned, unable to deny the truth in his words. My body sang with pleasure, every nerve ending alive and crackling with electricity. "Tarshi," I gasped, feeling my climax building rapidly.

"Promise me," he insisted, his movements becoming more frantic. "Promise you'll come back."

I was teetering on the edge, my body trembling with the effort of holding back. "Yes," I finally cried out, my voice barely more than a whimper. "Yes, I'll come back. I promise."

As soon as the words left my mouth, Tarshi redoubled his efforts. His fingers worked furiously against my clit as he pounded into me, the sound of our coupling echoing off the stone walls. I buried my face in my arms, muffling my scream as I came again, my muscles clenching around him tightly as the waves of pleasure flooded my body.

Tarshi followed moments later, his grip on my hips tightening as he thrust deeply one final time. I felt the warmth of his release inside me, his body shuddering against mine as he came. We stayed like that for a moment, both of us panting heavily, before Tarshi slowly withdrew.

I winced slightly as he slipped out of me, my body already aching from our vigorous activities. Tarshi's hands were gentle as he helped me sit up, pulling me against his chest.

“Will you come back?” he asked.

I nodded, even as a part of me screamed that this was madness. "I promised, didn't I?"

Tarshi's smile returned, brighter this time. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "Thank you," he murmured against my mouth.

The sound of footsteps in the distance made us both freeze. My heart raced as I quickly adjusted my clothing, trying to make myself look presentable.

"You need to go," Tarshi said urgently.

I scrambled to my feet, wincing at the soreness between my legs. Tarshi watched me with concern, his eyes darting to the cell door.

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

I nodded, smoothing down my shift. "I'll be fine. I just need to move quickly."

The footsteps were getting closer. I could hear the jingle of keys and the low murmur of voices. My heart pounded in my chest as I grabbed my medical supplies.

"Livia," Tarshi said urgently, reaching for my hand. "Be careful."

I squeezed his fingers, allowing myself one last moment of connection. "I will. Rest now. I'll be back to check your wounds tomorrow."

With a final glance at Tarshi, I slipped out of the cell, locking it behind me. I forced myself to walk quietly down the corridor, praying to every god I knew that I wouldn't run into the guards. My legs felt unsteady, and I could feel the evidence of our coupling on my thighs. Near the entrance to the cells was a large storage room, and I opened the door quietly, slipping inside and pulling the door to, but not closed. The door to the cells swung open, and I heard the guards enter, chatting quietly. I froze, waiting for them to pass. Their footsteps ambled slowly down the corridor, but finally I heard them pass through the otherdoor at the end, and I let out my breath. I slipped out of the store room, and then out into the main part of the ludus, making my way quickly to my room.

As I slipped into my room, I leaned against the door, my heart still pounding. The reality of what I'd just done crashed over me like a wave. I'd risked everything - my position, my plans for revenge, possibly even my life - for a few moments of pleasure with a man I barely knew. And yet, as I closed my eyes, all I could see was Tarshi's face as he slid inside me, and I knew without a doubt that I would go back again.

21

Isat on my narrow bed while Octavia fussed with my armor straps, her fingers working with practiced efficiency. The familiar scent of leather oil and metal filled our small room as morning light filtered through the high window.

"It's too soon," she muttered, yanking a strap tighter than necessary. "Your head-"

"Is fine." I caught her hand before she could strangle me with my own armor. "The physician cleared me yesterday."

"The physician is an old drunk who'd clear a corpse for combat if Drusus paid him enough." She jerked her hand free andresumed her work, though gentler this time. "You’re too pale and there’s dark circles under your eyes. You’re not sleeping properly. And I've seen how you wince when you turn too quickly."

"Then I won't turn quickly." I tried to keep my tone light, but Octavia's scowl only deepened.

"You joke, but one day..." Her voice caught. She busied herself with my greaves, head bowed so her dark curls fell forward to hide her face. "One day I'll be washing blood from your armor and it won't be someone else's. And they're letting that Talfen beast back in training tomorrow too. As if we need more dangers in the yard."

My stomach clenched at her words, though I kept my face carefully neutral. It was true, I hadn’t been sleeping much. I’d spent twelve days sneaking down to the animal pens to care for Tarshi’s wounds, and for the last four nights, I’d stayed much longer, unable to deny the powerful bond there was between us any longer. His fingers only had to brush my skin to set my whole body aflame for him, and though he’d started with no experience, he was definitely a fast learner. Heat rose in my face and in my lower belly at the memory, and I turned my head away so Octavia wouldn’t see it.

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