Last Man Standing

Chapter 30: Spring Cleaning

Shailene couldn't wait a moment longer to get her hands on me; as soon as her husband left, she called me to her private chambers. I was actually counting on her impatience. This gave me a chance to slip a note to Reegan.

While the rest of the gladiators worked on weapons training, Julius directed me through the now familiar hallways and doors towards the couple's private chambers.

I had Reegan's note tucked safely under a bandage fold around my chest. I could only hope that the sweat beading on my skin as a result of my nerves wouldn't wash away the words before she had a chance to read it.

Julius nodded at his two guards by her door, indicating that one of them was to knock.

"Send the boy in." Her order was polite but direct. I could tell that she was ready to play...

The guards opened the door but my legs refused to move. Julius pushed me in, swearing under his breath over the ridiculous situations his job put him in.

The door slammed shut behind me.

I searched the room as a deer scans the horizon for his predator. I knew Shailene was hiding in there somewhere, but she wanted me to sweat a little longer.

"Hello Marcus." Her voice purred from behind me.

I spun around to find her standing mere inches away. I jumped back to gain some distance.

"Hello Domina."

She raised her eyebrows with a smile and shook her finger at me playfully. "Ah, ah, Marcus, we have been through this before. Behind closed doors, you are to use my first name. It's more intimate that way."

"Yes, Shailene."

"Very good. Now come. You must be starving."

She grabbed me by the hand and led me towards a recliner. As soon as we were seated, she began to caress my arms.

As much as I wanted to protest and run from her sexual advances, I knew that I had to keep her happy if our escape plan were to stand a chance. The more upset I made her, the more likely she would use her guards to keep an eye on me.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"I would, thank you."

Shailene snapped her fingers together and the servant's door swung open. A woman I had never seen before walked through with a tray of cups and decanters. She was a frail woman with sad eyes and tired fingers, but she moved with such precision around the room. I could tell that she had been trapped here for far too long. Her frown lines and permanent scowl showed her cranky nature, but Shailene didn't seem bothered by her standoffish demeanor; she was accustomed to her handmaid's ways.

"Thank you, Tatiana."

So this was the infamous Tatiana. From what I'd heard, she was all bark and bite. With such a reputation, it was easy to understand why she was the head handmaid. A girl would be idiotic to disobey her.

"What would you like, my dear? We have a red wine, white, my husband's strongest ale..."

Was it normal for an adulterer to so casually throw her husband into the conversation? How did she expect to keep her victims at bay with the reminder of their Dominus?

She began to rub her hand along my inner thigh.

That was how...

I closed my legs to keep her from exploring anywhere else.

"Um, do you have water?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Are you sure you wouldn't like something stronger? It's a rare occasion when a gladiator gets the privilege to drink..."