I couldn't believe the ridiculously extravagant feast before us. Turning, I saw him watching me with an inordinately pleased look on his face. It tugged my heartstrings.

  "You could feast like this every day," Felix reminded me.

  "And have it become no longer special over time? No, this is much better," I reassured him, looping an arm around his. "Watch."

  Gladiators began trickling in, their expressions breaking into shock and amazement. They slowly moved about while muttering in disbelief. It was as if they were afraid to touch it. They looked toward us—at Felix—with a strange mixture of hope and trepidation. He only grunted and nodded his head. All hesitation vanished and excited shouts and laughter filled the air as they dove in. We stood watched the feasting.

  His face was calm, but I could see his jaw clench. Candlelight flickered bright against his eyes. "I should have done this a long time ago. Thank you, little one."

  I pecked his cheek. "Hopefully you’ll still thank me after they start drinking!"

  Using a crate, I distributed glasses among the tables and set down amphorae of passum. The strong raisin wine would go well with the rich food. By the time I finished, my stomach growled from all the smells.

  "Max!" Tiberius waved me over. "Get off your feet now and eat before it's all gone."

  Tossing the crate aside, I joined them. "Don't need to tell me twice."

  I dug in, more than content with watching the room and listening. Corvus was next to his sister and I could see part of the bandages peeking from the neckline of his tunic. Corinna was gesticulating wildly, holding an entire table—including Flavia—enraptured, her swears were as colorful as the peacock feather.

  Returning my attention to the table, I inhaled another mouthful. More than ever, I was tempted to take Felix up on his offer. Half afraid he could hear my thoughts, I glanced around and spotted him talking with Ignatius.

  "Tiber, what can you tell me about that one?" I asked, gesturing with my wine.

  "Why? Are you interested?"

  I choked. "I'm interested in what his problem with me is."

  "All you need to know is that he looks up to your father,” he chuckled. “A lot. And he's a promising new gladiator."

  So it was jealousy. "That's stupid," I muttered into my drink. "What does he plan to do anyway? Adopt Felix as his father?"

  Tiberius patted my back sympathetically. "Boys with something to prove are often stupid indeed. I was the same way, once."

  I waved if off. The atmosphere and the wine were far too pleasant to stay annoyed. "So, tell me about your family. What's your daughter like? I'm not giving her that doll back, by the way."

  "Alba?" His eyes lit up. "She's about same age now as when you and I met. And such a bundle of energy that sometimes even I can't keep up."

  "Maybe you should have her train alongside you one day to tire her out," I joked.

  His green eyes crinkled. "Ovidia would like the break, I'm sure. But I'm afraid it would only create a monster child."

  By now, the feasting had slowed slightly. Stomachs were full and the chatter grew louder as mouths were less occupied.

  A tattooed arm passed by me and I looked up. "Quintus!"

  The man paused, sliding his narrow dark eyes down to mine and I grinned.

  "You're not leaving yet, are you?"

  "...No."

  But I caught the hesitation and my shoulders drooped. "Oh. I was going to ask you to sit, but I don't want to keep you."

  Quintus leaned his head back slightly before shrugging and sat down.

  "Did you at least enjoy the feast?"

  His mouth quirked to the side. "Can't say I've ever had food this good before."

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  I took another sip and propped my head on my chin. "I'll admit there were moments where I was afraid, but you were completely right about the fight."

  "Of course I was."

  “Then..." I paused, swirling the wine in the cup. "Then what happens when the omens are not in your favor, Quintus?"

  A slow exhale left him, his hand gripping the charm hanging from his neck. "Then I make sure to use it to my advantage. Otherwise it's just my time and there's nothing I can do about it."

  I bit my lip, trying to parse out the first thing he said, but the buzz in my mind was a little too strong. I'd have to think about it later.

  His eyes drifted up to the top of my head. "That's a lot of flowers."

  Suddenly, I remembered Praxedes and Ursus's antics. My hand flew up to my hair and I spun around to find them and glare. Ursus met my eyes and winked.

  "That shit. Coleos meos morde," I swore under my breath. My cheeks burned in embarrassment. "They can bite my fucking balls."

  Quintus chuckled, but stopped my arm when I began to pluck the blossoms from my hair. "Max. I never said it looked bad." He reached up and pulled a couple out, placing them on the table. "There. A little neater."

  "Oh." I beamed again. "Thank you.”

  Nearby chatter floated over. “I don't know what could make tonight any better. Except maybe ending the day around a campfire with the wine,” someone exclaimed.

  Abruptly, Quintus grabbed a pitcher and poured water on the table. It was considered bad luck by many to mention fire when gathered together for a feat.

  “Oh, damn. Sorry, Quintus!” they shouted.

  He only gave a terse nod in return.

  I cleared my throat. “Uh, so, I've wanted to ask—although I'm sure you've been asked this countless times—do your tattoos have any special meaning outside of the arena? It's kind of unusual to have more than a few, if any at all."

  "They do. And they're personal."

  "Oh. I'm sorry."

  The corner of his mouth twitched again and he pointed to rippling lines that flowed down his right arm. "This one represents the Tiber River. I grew up along its banks."

  The river was on the opposite side of Romachia and it had been a long time since I'd been by there. I squinted, as if that would somehow help me see better. "They're wonderfully done."

  My hand raised the cup to my lips again, but it was empty. "Oops. I think it's time for the rosatum and the last of the food."

  Taking them from the smoothie counter, I handed off platters of honey cakes and fruit tarts. Jugs of rose wine followed and I savored the taste. But when I returned, Quintus was already gone.

  "That man always does his own thing," Tiberius said, nodding to the empty seat.

  I shrugged, already distracted. Laughter had roared across the room I looked up to see Felix throwing his head back while talking to Caelum. It made me feel both content and guilty. It wasn't often I saw him like that, and I feared it was partially because of worry over me.

  "Never thought I'd see him laugh like that," Corvus leaned in to say. "I'm all for your old man loosening up around us."

  I turned to face him. "Enjoying the feast?"

  "Who isn't? Although, it's just missing that fried fish..."

  "There's something right there," Tiberius said, pointing.

  "It's—” A burp interrupted. “—not the same," he sulked.

  I rolled my eyes. "Alright. Well, after that fight, are the two of you going to leave the barracks? You've got to have enough winnings by now."

  "Eh, we're used to them," Praxedes joined in. "It feels like home and they're a lot nicer than other ludii. But maybe we will later."

  "You both had really amazed me out there. Amazed everyone, actually. But how do you feel after? And I mean more than just...you know." My hand waved in their general direction.

  "They underestimated us, or at least one of them did." Corvus tipped back a jug to drink the rest.

  "Honestly, I keep reliving that moment." She chewed slowly. "Right before I got him. It was like staring at myself…something more than myself."

  Corvus squeezed his eyes shut. "All I know is that because we train against so many different weapons and styles, we were prepared. I'd no doubt we'd win. It was just a question of at what cost."

  "So being fearless of death wasn't enough then," I mused. "But I also think it's more than your training."

  "What, luck? The gods?"

  "No. Yourselves."

  "That makes no sense."

  "Well, I'm drunk," I mumbled.

  He laughed and then groaned, clutching his side. "Don't make me laugh, Max. Gods above, that hurts. Just like this noise and the light makes my head hurt. I can't tell if the wine is helping or not."

  "The only way to tell is to drink more wine," I said.

  “Oh, that's wise.” Corvus nodded, looking for more. I handed him my glass.

  The words had slurred slightly as my lips struggled to move properly. Everything floated. The sound of laughter in the air had stretched and slowed, and the candle flames blurred in my sight. I stood up, catching the edge of the table to steady myself. Tiberius half rose in concern, but I had already stumbled off towards Felix.

  "Can you...or someone...help me home?"

  Ursus and Corinna chuckled while Flavia grinned mischievously at me, holding out another drink. Caelum pushed it down.

  "Should I..." the big gladiator began.

  "No. I'll take her." My father caught my arm as the courtyard tilted away from me. "Make sure they wrap things up here soon and extinguish the candles. We can clean up tomorrow."

  Outside, the night air cleared my head a little bit, but not much. "You should have stayed,” I pouted. “It's nice to see you laugh like that. I'm glad you were willing to do this."

  Felix chuckled. "We will see how you feel about it in the morning, Maximilia."