"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 inevery 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, hepulled 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.
29
Iwatched Livia walk onto the sands ahead of me, my chest tightening at the way she moved. There was something different in her stride today, something dangerous. Her chin was lifted high, shoulders set with a defiance that made my hands clench around my sword hilt. She looked neither broken nor defeated, as I'd feared she might. Instead, she burned with a cold fury that both impressed and unsettled me.
