Chapter Text
CHANGE OF HEART
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within the story; they all belong to the creative minds of Renaissance Pictures and Starz. I did borrow dialogue and scenes from the show
A/N: Here it is! Chapter one is all set and ready to go. I'm trying not to rely too heavily on scenes from the show but I feel as though they are very important to how these characters developed. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
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CHAPTER ONE: TWISTED WEB
FIVE YEARS LATER......
A lot can change when given to time, Lucretia reflects as she lounges in a chair in a guest room. Gannicus lost position of Champion to Crixus and was sold to Tullius. Her plan for vengeance was achieved but at a cost. While Quintus was away, she came clean to Titus about what she had been doing to him for years, poisoning his cherished honeyed wine. She had just given him a cup with a lethal dosage within it and he choked to death on his own blood before her very eyes. She couldn't have been happier.
The happiness was short lived, as she strolled from his chamber and saw Gannicus carrying Melitta's lifeless body. Shock coursed through her veins as she raced to them and asked what happened. Gannicus told her it was the wine Melitta drank and that's when she realized the consequences of her actions. A life for a life. She lost someone she respected that night. She made sure the secret stayed buried, not even Quintus knows what happened that night. Gaia's death was also avenged due to her adding the poison to the wine Tullius brought as a gift. Quintus, Oenomaus, and Gannicus saw to it that he would never draw breath again.
She and Quintus had a higher status and had more wealth, but not nearly as much as they desired. They've put so much work into the gladiators and it still isn't enough. People of higher status still look down upon them like they were covered in shit. She sighs as she shifts to get more comfortable, while glancing at the guard that is standing at the door. Sometimes I wish they would just piss off, she muses to herself, knowing that can never be. Quintus wouldn't allow that as he assures that it’s for her safety. He left the villa to travel to town so he could wage coin in hopes of gaining more, something she doesn’t exactly agree with. Quintus allows her tongue to move freely but even she realizes there are limits when voicing her thoughts.
Her thoughts then turn to the Champion of Capua; Crixus. His victories have continued to give them a steady flow of coin and he has proven himself worthy of that title. Even though she has continued to lie with Crixus, she still has not bared a child. My womb must be cursed, she thinks sadly to herself.
She banishes all thoughts from her head as the doors to the guest room opened, revealing Naevia and Crixus being escorted by a guard. She walks to them and stands directly in front of Crixus. She lets her eyes travel over him, taking in his short brown hair and strong jaw. His well-defined chest glistens in the sunlight streaming in from the window and his muscles ripple with every slight movement he makes. She nods to Naevia and the guards. "Leave. Naevia, see to it that a bath is prepared for when I am finished."
"Yes, Domina,” she says and follows the guards out of the room.
The doors are barely closed before Crixus seizes her wrists and pins her roughly into the wall, kissing her passionately. He holds her wrists with one hand while the other pulls down the front of her dress exposing her round breasts for his enjoyment. He gropes a breast in his hand, gently caressing it as he breaks the kiss and moves his lips to her neck. Lucretia tilts her head slightly to give him better access and closes her eyes with a sigh of pleasure, relishing the feeling of his lips upon her neck. "I've missed you," she says with a smile.
"I've missed you too," he says between kisses on her neck. He removes his hand from her breast and brings it up to cup her cheek. “It’s been at least a moon since we last met. It drives me mad when I can't see your bright smile or feel your flesh upon mine," he confesses as he looks into her cool, blue eyes.
"I'm sorry we've had to wait so long. Quintus has to be occupied elsewhere in order for us to meet. Now, we must make up for the time lost,” she says fervently as she captures his lips fiercely, lightly biting his bottom lip. He responds by lifting her up into his arms and she squeals in delight at being carried. He walks over to the bed and lays her down, covering her body with his own. "I'll see to it that time is not wasted," he says as he presses his lips to hers in a bruising kiss.
She and Crixus have been romantically involved for three years now. What started out as a means to an end, ended up as something more. Somewhere along the way, they began to have feelings for one another. It's been an ongoing struggle with her heart for she still loves Quintus and yet she loves Crixus. They keep up the appearance that they forged all those years ago: he is just a slave that she is using. Not many know of their dealings, just a few guards, Naevia, and unfortunately Barca, for he figured it out. However, none know about their feelings for one another. They don't know that sometimes they just sit and talk, holding each other. They don't know about the fast beating of the heart when one is near the other or the passion that engulfs them when they join together. It's their little secret.
The following day finds Lucretia and Quintus sitting in the balcony of the arena with the senator, Solonius, and Glaber and his wife, Illithya, to watch the games. They watch as Solonius' men crush each Thracian captive, one by one. At last, the last man walks into the arena, facing the gladiator awaiting him, with determination. Suddenly, the gates open and reveal three more gladiators walking into the arena to take position. The crowd immediately begins to boo, showing their disagreement at the odds. Glaber assures the senator that the Thracian has served a huge dishonor to Rome by causing a large desertion and the senator allows the fight to continue. Lucretia looks on as the Thracian is losing the battle. The gladiators have managed to get him to the ground and greatly wound him. She turns her head, disinterested now that the fight is over. She begins to ask Quintus a question when, suddenly, the Thracian rises from the ground like a raging bull and strikes the gladiator completely through to the hilt of his sword. The crowd is sent into a frenzy at the bloodshed as he takes down each gladiator. By the end of the carnage, they demand that he live. Glaber wants him dead and the senator doesn't believe it to be a sound idea. Just as the argument was growing in volume, Quintus speaks up and offers to buy the man, much to her surprise.
Glaber and the senator agree to this proposal, believing the man would not last long at the house of Batiatus. "What name does the man carry?" the senator asks.
"I never cared to ask," Glaber responds coldly. Quintus has just the right name for him.
"Spartacus." The senator announces that he will be granted life and the crowd begins to chant his name.
Later that night, Lucretia is standing near a bone-dry empty pool and looks up to the opening above it, praying for rain. "The pool is dry," she states as Quintus walks past her.
"Yes. We need rain."
"Money would also see it filled."
"We need that too," Quintus replies. Lucretia is beginning to become irritated.
"How fares your new pet?"
"He breathes," came the short reply. She cannot keep the irritation from lacing her words.
"His cost was enough for us to fill our pool for a month. You paid beyond the asking!” she fumes.
"I paid his worth, Lucretia." They walk into the bedroom and the slaves begin preparing them for bed. He shows a letter from Glaber, announcing his visitation to the villa in two days. Both grow excited from the thought of securing his patronage due to Quintus taking care of his problem in the form of Spartacus.
Quintus completes his undress and Lucretia notes, as she lounges on the bed, his growing erection. "Hmm. Desires well nudged," she says in a pleased tone.
"There's yet more stroking needed," he says as he begins to rub his hardening cock. Lucretia gives the slave nearby a look and she drops to her knees and begins servicing him. Naevia begins stroking her, prepping her for her husband. They begin to fantasize about what their lives will be like should they succeed in their plan. Lucretia pushes Naevia's hand away and stands and walks to Quintus, backing him against the wall as their tongues meet and fight for dominance. He spins her around, changing their positions. He fondles her breast as he kisses her neck while she moves against him, panting in delight. He kisses her deeply and pushes her leg up as he says, "May the Gods bless us with good fortune..." and swiftly enters her as she gasps in pleasure....
Desires sated, they dine on cheese and what little wine they have left. Lucretia only has one glass and leaves the rest to Quintus, who has worked up a thirst. They lie down and Quintus has passed out as soon as his head rest against the pillow. She waits for but a moment before slipping out of bed and walking out of the room, Naevia follows behind. She doesn't acknowledge the two guards by the doors as she turns to Naevia and whispers, "Fetch Crixus for me. Bring him to guest room as before."
"Yes, Domina." Naevia bows and turns to make her way to the ludus. Lucretia lets out a breath before continuing to the guest bedroom, one of the guards following behind. She moves to the window and looks to the stars as she awaits Crixus's arrival. Crixus was not expecting to see her so soon and was delighted when Naevia came for him in the ludus.
He steps into the room as Naevia closes the doors behind him. Lucretia turns from the window, facing him with a smile upon her lips as he walks to her and envelopes her within his arms. "Do not take words as complaint, but how did you manage to meet? Dominus is still present, is he not?" Lucretia lays her head against his chest and sighs deeply.
“Quintus filled his belly with wine. Sleep found him very quickly. I just wanted to set eyes upon you for I seek an ear to give voice to frustrations," she says as she pulls away from his embrace. As she turns, he notices the light scratches on her back and narrows his eyes, jealousy consuming him. She looks to him and notices where his gaze has fallen.
"Crixus..."she says as she turns back to him and wraps her arms around his neck and attempts to catch his eyes. He avoids her gaze and stares at the floor. “Look at me," she softly says and he does as requested with a sigh. "I thought you used to this by now.” She says quietly. “I'm his wife and have duties to fulfill."
He takes a deep breath and releases it before speaking. "I am. Just... Just the mere thought of anyone else touching you, even him, makes my blood boil like lava. I cannot remove thought from head." Lucretia begins to lightly stroke his face.
"I wish it didn't have to be this way, Crixus." He nods at her words and mentions that she wanted to unleash frustrations. She begins speaking as she releases him and paces the floor. "I still cannot fathom why Quintus bought that worthless, Thracian bastard!" she says furiously. “No water in the pool for a moon and this is what he does?" she shakes her head in disbelief. "Quintus calmed rage enough to tell me Glaber will visit in two days’ time. He wishes for us to gain favor with the man and I agree with him."
"Maybe the Thracian will prove himself worthy and begin to earn coin for the House of Batiatus," he suggests as he grabs her hand to stop her pacing.
"He brings nothing but sorrow. I can feel it deep within chest." He pulls her in for an intimate embrace and holds her tightly.
“You worry for nothing, Lucretia. The dog begins training tomorrow and Oenomaus will teach him to bend to the will of our Dominus and Domina." He leans down to press his lips against hers in a sweet kiss.
“Perhaps you’re right.” She says as she pulls her lips away and grabs his hand. “I must return to bed. I will see you soon,” she says while giving his hand a gentle squeeze. He squeezes back and releases her hand as he begins to exit the room, looking over his shoulder and throwing her a smile before opening the doors and sees Naevia waiting to escort him back to the ludus. Lucretia sends a silent prayer to the Gods, hoping that Spartacus will bring them great fortune and not misery as her gut feels. Prayer complete, she walks out of the room and makes her way back to her bedroom hoping she manages to find rest.