Read Online Gladiator Bear's Battle (Shift In Time 1) by Anya Nowlan - Free Book Online
Authors: Anya Nowlan
Tags: Suspense, adventure, Romance, Historical, Paranormal, Adult, Action, supernatural, Short-Story, Gladiator, Erotic, bwwm, warrior, Shifter, werebear, Violence, Princess, Sacrifice, Mate, Forever Love, maiden, slave girl, Anicent Rome, Egyptian Royalty, Arenas, Victory, Forgotten Souls
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line with the other gladiators. Whenever she felt like screaming, she would just glance his way and take a deep breath. After that, she could keep going for another minute.
Until the panic set in again.
She was standing by the wall with Lucia as the esteemed guests were pouring into the villa. Kiya recognized a few of them—powerful men who ran Macavia and were known for their opulent taste. The room was lit with countless candles and torches, but the setting sun cast a red glow about the scene before Kiya that made her uneasy. Normal life in the villa had come to a grinding halt. Everything and everyone was focused on delivering the perfect evening.
There were high-class entertainers set in different corners of the large room. Two musicians were playing their instruments, filling the air with soft tunes. Three dancers were winding their bodies to the music, the hungry eyes of men constantly on them. Giggling women were finding laps to perch on, making themselves awfully cozy with the visitors. Some of them Kiya recognized—the same women that were sometimes brought in for the gladiators, but others were new to her. Most of them were well dressed, wearing fine linens and glinting jewelry.
Only the best for the Senators, Kiya thought wryly.
Her hands were shaking around the heavy wine jug. Every now and then, when she noticed someone’s goblet running empty, she would walk to them and fill it again and then quickly return to her place by the wall. Her theory was that the less she was seen, the better. But, of course, she knew that this could not last for long.
The best gladiators the ludus had to offer were lined up in the center of the room, forming a circle that faced out. They had been covered in golden oils, making their bodies gleam and shine in the flickering light. Erden looked like a man amongst boys. Most of the gladiators were well-known to Kiya, but she also spied Davida in the lineup, the same man that had attacked Erden and who Erden had nearly killed.
They were being displayed like pieces of art. The room was littered with guards as well, there to keep the unarmed gladiators in check. Julius Augustinus had truly gone all out to show his guests the true reach and width of his wealth and the treats that the villa had to hold.
There weren’t any women along with the visiting Senators and local nobility. All of the wives and daughters had been left at home, and that was the single most troubling sign of the night. Only Aelia Fausta was still in the crowd, making pleasant conversation with some of the younger visiting nobles. She stood out in the crowd of the finely dressed—but still obviously paid—women as the single example of true regal poise. Kiya knew that this would not matter much for the night. Her father would have her leave when the right time came and neither Kiya nor any of the other handmaidens could hope for the protection of their mistress.
Kiya’s last beacon of hope—that Aurelius Clavius would not join the evening—was dashed when the doors leading to the banquet hall were pushed open and he emerged. His hands were raised as if he was greeting his loyal subjects, and Julius Augustinus rushed to his side to welcome him into the villa.
“Is that him?” Lucia asked.
Kiya could simply nod, a clump clogging up her throat and making it impossible to speak. She saw Erden glance at him as well and his usually hard facial lines constricted even further. He must have recognized the man from the descriptions Kiya had given him. His hand balled into a fist for a moment, but he released it quickly as a guard took a step toward him, sharp eyes noticing the small gesture.
“Aurelius Clavius! We were waiting for you! So glad you could join us! Gods truly bless us with a magnificent night,” Julius Augustinus said, simpering like a fool.
“I felt it necessary to be fashionably late, so all the lesser goods could be consumed and I could expect only the best,” he said, chuckling as he
Until the panic set in again.
She was standing by the wall with Lucia as the esteemed guests were pouring into the villa. Kiya recognized a few of them—powerful men who ran Macavia and were known for their opulent taste. The room was lit with countless candles and torches, but the setting sun cast a red glow about the scene before Kiya that made her uneasy. Normal life in the villa had come to a grinding halt. Everything and everyone was focused on delivering the perfect evening.
There were high-class entertainers set in different corners of the large room. Two musicians were playing their instruments, filling the air with soft tunes. Three dancers were winding their bodies to the music, the hungry eyes of men constantly on them. Giggling women were finding laps to perch on, making themselves awfully cozy with the visitors. Some of them Kiya recognized—the same women that were sometimes brought in for the gladiators, but others were new to her. Most of them were well dressed, wearing fine linens and glinting jewelry.
Only the best for the Senators, Kiya thought wryly.
Her hands were shaking around the heavy wine jug. Every now and then, when she noticed someone’s goblet running empty, she would walk to them and fill it again and then quickly return to her place by the wall. Her theory was that the less she was seen, the better. But, of course, she knew that this could not last for long.
The best gladiators the ludus had to offer were lined up in the center of the room, forming a circle that faced out. They had been covered in golden oils, making their bodies gleam and shine in the flickering light. Erden looked like a man amongst boys. Most of the gladiators were well-known to Kiya, but she also spied Davida in the lineup, the same man that had attacked Erden and who Erden had nearly killed.
They were being displayed like pieces of art. The room was littered with guards as well, there to keep the unarmed gladiators in check. Julius Augustinus had truly gone all out to show his guests the true reach and width of his wealth and the treats that the villa had to hold.
There weren’t any women along with the visiting Senators and local nobility. All of the wives and daughters had been left at home, and that was the single most troubling sign of the night. Only Aelia Fausta was still in the crowd, making pleasant conversation with some of the younger visiting nobles. She stood out in the crowd of the finely dressed—but still obviously paid—women as the single example of true regal poise. Kiya knew that this would not matter much for the night. Her father would have her leave when the right time came and neither Kiya nor any of the other handmaidens could hope for the protection of their mistress.
Kiya’s last beacon of hope—that Aurelius Clavius would not join the evening—was dashed when the doors leading to the banquet hall were pushed open and he emerged. His hands were raised as if he was greeting his loyal subjects, and Julius Augustinus rushed to his side to welcome him into the villa.
“Is that him?” Lucia asked.
Kiya could simply nod, a clump clogging up her throat and making it impossible to speak. She saw Erden glance at him as well and his usually hard facial lines constricted even further. He must have recognized the man from the descriptions Kiya had given him. His hand balled into a fist for a moment, but he released it quickly as a guard took a step toward him, sharp eyes noticing the small gesture.
“Aurelius Clavius! We were waiting for you! So glad you could join us! Gods truly bless us with a magnificent night,” Julius Augustinus said, simpering like a fool.
“I felt it necessary to be fashionably late, so all the lesser goods could be consumed and I could expect only the best,” he said, chuckling as he
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