Gladiator Read Free

her. Tell me,” she said, walking up to him, “have you gained her trust?” She ran her finger up his chest and to his chin.
    “I don’t know. You’d have to ask her.”
    “She seems to be sleeping well enough. Did you seduce her?” Veronica asked stiffly.
    “I’m a Gladiator. I don’t have to seduce anyone.”
    “Oh, you don’t?” Veronica said, her lip curling upward. “Then however did you manage to bed me?”
    “My Queen, you were the easiest of all.”
    She made to strike him, but he caught her wrist with one hand and grabbed her by the throat with the other. “Veronica we know each other well enough to know this has nothing to do with love, don’t we?”
    She groaned. “If only you weren’t so below my station. We would rule the world.”
    He threw her to the bed and said, “You and your ilk disgust me.”
    “Darling, lust and power have nothing to do with love, and everything to do with the spoils of war. No stop pouting and come join me.”
    “Tell me who ordered my wife’s death and my children’s enslavement.”
    Veronica pouted. “Are we really going to play that game again tonight? I was hoping after a kill you would be amped up for me.”
    “Go fuck yourself tonight, Veronica. Or, rather, remember that you said your husband wants you in his bed tonight. Your sister ,” Tristan said, “is asleep there. Look. She’s likely to wake up any moment. Do you really want her to see you make an exhibition of yourself?”
    Veronica’s eyes went dark green and she sat straight up. “You will not speak to me in that tone.”
    “I will speak to you any way I like. You and your father may have enslaved me for your enjoyment, but I will not dance like the mindless puppet you think I am.”
    “Is this about the traitor I put in your cell?”
    “No. This is about my life and how your family ended it.”
    Veronica sidled up against him. “Oh sweetie, you have no idea how bad your life could really be...” He stiffened and glared at her. She clicked her fingers.
    “Just ask her.”
    The door to his cell opened and two guards marched in and grabbed Alexandra. Startled, she woke up and began to chant and weep, her eyes glowing defiant amber. The men froze.
    “She’s harmless. Cover her head again and return her to the Inquisition Room.”
    He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. His every instinct told him if he let her go to that room she wouldn’t survive this time. The chanting got louder. Veronica went white, put her hands up to her throat, and began to gasp for air.
    Tristan charged the guards. He grabbed Alexandra and pulled her toward him, ripping the bag off her head. Her eyes were burning bright. He looked at Veronica. “Order her release, Veronica. Now.” The color came back to Veronica’s face while he held the guards back with his sword.
    “Release her!”
    Veronica laughed as the light dimmed in the Healer’s eyes and she went limp in Tristan’s arms. He carried her back to the corner and covered her with a blanket.
    “Funny, Tristan, I didn’t think you had in you.” Veronica simpered.
    “You didn’t think I had what?”
    “The ability to feel for someone. For what it’s worth, she’s to fight Lucilla tomorrow in the ring. And as you can see, she’s no Gladiator.”
    Veronica came up to him. “I thought you of all the Gladiators might spare me the trouble of martyring her, but it seems you have a fatal flaw. You care about the weak.”
    “Let me be her Second.”
    Veronica squealed in laughter. “Seriously? Two women will die instead of one. You’re more twisted than I thought.”
    “What happens if I die?”
    Veronica raised an eyebrow. “We’ll deal with that complication if it happens. But you’re the best of the best so I doubt that’s something I’ll have to worry about right now. Come with me, Guards! Have fun with her, Tristan. Knowing you’re suffering she may martyr herself.”
    Before she left, Veronica kissed him. When he didn’t respond, she