AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, mercy, lord,” she entreated. Her arse was on fire and the heat went deep into her flesh to her very core, where to her shame it coaxed other sensations into being, including a strange buzz she’d never felt before in her sex. “Please, Commander, I can’t take any more.” She bit on her lip and absorbed the smacks. She probably could, but Felix was right, it had to appear she was suffering badly.
“I don’t care,” Atticus snarled from across the room. “Keep at it, gladiator. She’s not even close to fainting.”
Felix paused. He rested his hand on an arse cheek and squeezed. “Seems to me she is sufficiently punished.”
Atticus snapped his fingers impatiently. “Yes, yes, her ass is red hot, but I want it black and blue. I want to hear her scream.”
“You agreed, sir, that I should choose the extent of her punishment.” Felix spoke with a great authority. Did he call out to the crowds for their support when he fought? Was that how he won them to his side?
Atticus growled. “I agreed but only to see you make her suffer.”
“You wanted to entertain me, and I have been.” Felix’s hand drifted along her furrow and down between her folds. The chains clanged against the stone floor as her feet rose up onto their tiptoes. He lingered and used his fingertips to probe. She gasped. For a moment the discomfort in her bottom was supplanted by something quite different, almost delightful. The tingle shot along her spine and her nipples felt as if a magical hand had pinched them.
“She stole food of little value.” Felix skated his fingers back along her furrow and rested his palm once more on her ass cheek. The weight of his hand reassured her this time. “And I have dealt with the matter, don’t you agree?” he asked with calm determination.
Atticus sprang to his feet. “She is a thief. She can’t be trusted.” His shadow loomed over the floor next to her head. If it wasn’t for Felix’s arm around her waist, she’d have been scrambling away.
Rufus rose, too. “Perhaps then, you might consider selling her to us?”
Felix released his grip and she slid onto her knees by his side. She panted, not daring to speak. Owned by a gladiator? Would it be possible? She peeped out from under the locks of her hair. Rufus and Felix were staring at each other, possibly communicating in some secret manner, because they ignored Atticus’s laughter.
“Buy her? You couldn’t afford her.” The commander returned to his seat, still chuckling, but satisfied at least that the punishment was complete.
“I want her,” Rufus said quietly, not taking his eyes of his companion.
She snatched a sharp intake of breath and quickly lowered her eyes as Rufus looked down at her. He wanted her!
Felix reached out and ran his fingers through her hair before tipping her chin up. “She might have some uses for us. I need a kitchen girl, amongst other things.”
A cryptic comment, but she could make a guess that it had something to do with hot-blooded lust. What other reason did they need? The base need for fucking was strong in men. Since she’d not grieved for her late husband—a spineless old man with no wit—she longed to feel true passion. A gladiator fought for his life. He must be the embodiment of that life force if he survived so many fights unscathed. If he spilled his seed inside her, she would be brought back to life and perhaps even blessed with children. It had to be worth the risk.
The pain in her bottom was swept to one side at the idea of leaving Atticus and finding a new home with not one, but two gladiators.
“Then,” said Rufus slowly, “it’s decided. We shall take her with us.”
She tensed, listening as Felix haggled with the belligerent Atticus. He was asking for more than twice her original price. Felix knocked him down, then hesitated. Another glance at Rufus.
“You know I’m right,” Rufus said. “She’s perfect for what you want.”
Felix gave his final offer and Atticus took it.
She’d been sold again.
“Release her from these chains. Find her fresh clothes,” Felix ordered the guard with the key to her shackles.
He draped his fur-lined cloak over her shoulders and helped her to her feet. “You’re mine now.” He steadied her, before brushing her hair out of her face. “Pretty girl,” he murmured in her native tongue. “I shall have to be patient to find out if you will bring me fortune.”
r /> She didn’t understand. She probably wasn’t meant to. She remained a slave girl.
As the guard led her away to the servants’ quarters, she turned. Rufus was smiling. It filled her with confidence knowing she was with him.
Chapter Five
Rufus lifted Bethan onto the front of his horse. She made no complaints, which, given the state of her ass, was admirable. He patted the horse’s flank, whispering in her flicking ear. The mare would have to bear a heavier load than usual. Felix had relieved him of some of his baggage to lighten the load. He also had the gold coin hidden beneath his saddle. Grasping a handful of horse’s mane, he leapt onto the saddle behind Bethan.
She was shivering. The early start promised by Felix meant a cold one. The sun was barely above the horizon and the wind had picked up in the night. She settled against his chest. With her slender frame, she fitted snugly between his arms. She’d found stockings to wear, which she needed, and an extra shawl, but neither were sufficient to stop her rubbing her hands together and blowing on them. Rufus drew his cloak around them both and tucked it under her chin.
“Thank you,” she said.
