By now, the gladiators had pretty much settled on their favorites. Brutus had come in with his friends a few more times for his free smoothie, even letting Antonius have one. But I hadn't seen Ignatius for a few days—not since the Liberalia games. Not that I was complaining.

  It was early afternoon and Felix was here, ready to taste the very last smoothie from the Wall of Honor. I handed him the Lucius.

  "Okay, here you go. Last one. This one has—"

  He held up his hand. "Hold. Let me guess. Hopefully this has all been enough practice."

  Amused, I crossed my arms and shifted my weight. "Alright then. Tell me what you think is in it."

  "Watermelon."

  I nodded.

  He stroked his trimmed beard thoughtfully. "I taste mint with the yogurt. And citron."

  "You got most of them. Just two ingredients missing," I said and he looked quite pleased with himself. "What if I told you one of them is beet?"

  My father's face fell. "Is it really?"

  A bark of laughter escaped me and I shook my head. "No, no. It's not. I promise. Just raspberries and hemp seeds."

  A look of relief passed over his face. His intense dislike for the plant would have been comical if I also didn't hate it. No matter how healthy it was supposed to be, something about it just tasted like bitter dirt and I wasn't going to punish myself like that.

  “Oh, one more thing.” I turned away briefly to retrieve something. "Hold out your hand.”

  He did so dutifully. I placed a ring in his palm and he blinked at it in surprise, holding it up for a closer inspection.

  "I know it's nothing in comparison, but I wanted you to have a reminder of how much you mean to me. For this and for everything else…and that I love you, Father. I'm really glad I found you and that you wanted me too."

  The ring was gold, with a patterned frame around smooth, white quartz. The goddess Angerona was carved into the stone in counter-relief, her finger pressed to her lips.

  "I prayed that the goddess who takes away pain and sorrow could watch over you. Just like you did to protect me all these years." I paused, feeling self-conscious about my words. "That's what being a true son of Aeterna means to me. I don't need statues or scrolls or any debate to tell me because I already see it in you…you know?"

  I trailed off somewhat awkwardly, my words suddenly ridiculous to my own ears. Felix slipped it onto his right thumb and his eyes glistened. He cleared his throat but didn't speak. Just stood there, rubbing his other thumb over the carved face.

  "Do you like it?"

  When he nodded, I stepped closer, pressing my hand to his bearded cheek. It felt damp and I wiped it away, unable to hold back a smile. This reaction was unexpected.

  "I think I'm the one who needs to spoil you more," I teased.

  “Max…” he began. He never called me that. Clearing his throat, he let out a rough chuckle before squeezing me tightly, resting his cheek on my head. "Little one. You always have my love. Thank you."

  Just then, I saw Quintus and I nearly laughed. Of course he walked in when Felix called me that again. The others walked in behind him and I raised an eyebrow as Felix released me.

  "Is everyone going to be training in here today?"

  Praxedes strode forward and lounged on a bench, rubbing her reddened knuckles. She was barely limping anymore. "We heard you had some ideas for us. And because it gives me an excuse to be around you." She licked her lips.

  "Well, I'm not going to do that," the retired gladiatrix said as she sat beside her. "Anyway, I've got nothing better to do. I'm making them carry rocks until they drop."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Caelum groaned. "Just don't actually make them drop. Please, Corinna. I'll have you know that I'm still dealing with far too many injuries after Liberalia. And it's not just the gladiators."

  "Oh?" I asked curiously.

  He put a hand to his brow, pressing on the temples. "I'll let you guess what happens when men drink after watching other men fight."

  I scoffed. "So what Sat and I used to do? Sounds like they all have a skill issue."

  "Well, something tells me the two of you also didn't think you could actually beat trained gladiators either. Well, perhaps maybe you could, Max."

  At that, they all turned to look at me and I froze. I glanced at Felix but he just stood there, drinking his smoothie. And then at Corvus, but he just chuckled.

  "I'll tell you that's not one of the ideas I had. I'm not about to fight all of you. I'll save you the trouble now by telling you I'm going to lose. No need to consult the gods either."

  Quintus snorted with a wry expression and Ursus crossed his arms in disappointment. "Well, that's a shame, Max. I looked forward to dancing with you."

  "You'd be better off dancing with your shadow," I said, rolling my eyes. "You'd probably enjoy that more anyway."

  Flavia snickered from where she sat, as poised as ever. "You beat me to the joke."

  "Anyways, I'll make you something to drink first. I'm feeling generous today."

  "Did something happen?"

  "As a matter of fact, Tiber, yes." I nodded at Felix who had joined the group to sit. "He just finished tasting all the smoothies and gave his approval. Well, except for one."

  The tall gladiator leaned back and grinned, running his fingers through his blond hair before lacing them behind his head. "Ah, what a dutiful father. If only my own daughter cared about my opinion."

  "Eh, don't feel bad. Because she doesn't care about anyone's opinion," Corinna said with a cackle.

  I gave him a pointed look. "I guarantee you that she's like that because she feels safe. That means you're a good dad."

  Tiberius's eyes crinkled and a faint blush appeared.

  "I've tasted chocolate and honey, but I don't think I've seen anything sweeter than this." Ursus joked, clapping him on the back before looking at the twins. "Max isn't wrong, though. We all remember how the two of you were in your first year here."

  Praxedes squawked in indignation and slapped a hand over her face while her brother grinned, one eye squinting a little more than the other. “Don't remind me,” she groaned.

  “I learned patience with my daughter. And it paid off,” Felix said.

  Corvus peered over his shoulder. "Was this what smelled like citrus and mint the other day?"

  Stretching out his legs, Caelum closed his tired eyes. A faint stubble had built up on his dark skin. "Why don't you make all of us that, then?” he said to me. “I'm sure it'll be easier for you too."

  "If Tiber is all about precision, then you're all about efficiency," Quintus said with a faint smirk.

  "If you were me, then you would be too." The medic cracked an eye open at him. "In fact you are, based on the way you fight."

  They continued to chat as I worked on their drinks. There were only a few other patrons in the courtyard, but while they whispered excitedly amongst themselves, most didn't approach the gladiators.

  I looked over the group. It had been just about a month since I opened Invictus Shakes, and I almost couldn't believe that I'd gone from admiring them from afar to considering them friends. Although I guess it was bound to happen since I usually saw them at some point nearly every single day.

  Using a crate, I brought the smoothies over and set it on the table.

  "Alright," I said. "The other day, Sat and I were thinking about what else I could do with Invictus Shakes now that I'm pretty much settled in."

  Praxedes clapped her hands together. "I can't believe it's only been a month! Felix kept a precious gem like you away from us for far too long. But I don't blame him, since anyone would go crazy over you." She lifted her chin with a sly smile. The gladiatrix looked every bit a snake, ready to strike.

  Not to be outdone, Ursus leaned forward. As if anticipating the next words out of his mouth, Felix let out a long-suffering sigh and held up his hand like a shield.

  "Please, there are children present," Flavia said serenely. "And fathers."

  "Bah!" Corinna cackled, slapping her hand down on the table. "You don't open your mouth much, girl. But when you do, it's always gold. But for the love of the gods, Max, continue. Before they start up again."

  I grinned. Soon, I'd make them shut up and it would be worth every cringy moment. "We had a couple ideas that were more about you all. For example, you used the courtyard to arrange an event for your fans to come and see you? You could set it up however you want, and limit the people who can come in here.

  Tiberius frowned in thought. "That could work."

  "And something more fun." I leaned my hands on the table. "Maybe once a week or once a month, on the rest day everyone shares, there could be a get together in the morning. There'd be food, especially since Sat and her family are bakers. Or even for a game night."

  They perked up at the mention of food when, without warning, the sound of trumpets filled the air. I stiffened. There was no source to the music echoing all of Aeterna. It was something that had happened only once before, over six months ago.

  Sandals slapping against stone grew closer and Saturnia skidded around the corner, breathing hard. "I...I really should...train..with you guys," she gasped in bursts.

  “Sat?” I stood uncertainly. “Why are you here?”

  "There's a...there's a new territory in Aeterna."