Here it is! The finale chapter of Blood and Sand! I hope you enjoy it! (=

Chapter Sixteen: Epilogue

For the first time since I'd arrived I felt the first wave of relief. The wind was blowing, wafting the smell of the trees to me, filling my senses, and clearing my mind. Rushing across the courtyard as silently as possible, I clambered up into the branches of a tree. All I had to do was get over the wall and then I'd be free. My need to escape was all I could feel, everything else was just background noise. My hand was on the top of the wall when my hair was grabbed. I attempted to keep my grip on the wall but I was too weak, being tugged and thrown to the ground. Putting my hand on the back of my head, I looked up to seem my master. For a moment I was afraid that I'd see anger in Paulus's face, but there was no anger, only calmness. Yanking me to my feet, he led me back inside, throwing me to the floor. Staring at the floor from my stomach, I listened as he circled me.

"Why do you keep doing this?" He asked. "That's twice this week."

"I don't like you forcing yourself on me." I told him. "It makes me afraid and makes me do things I shouldn't."

He stopped circling before he straddled me, flipping me onto my back. "I'll stop when you start to like it." He said only his tone was now filled with fury, making ice flow through my veins.

Struggling against him, he pulled my dress up, his hard cock running the length of my thigh. Shoving him away from me, it gave me only a moment's reprieve before he was on top of me again. Still struggling, he thrust himself up inside of me, making me yell out. Continuing to thrust deeper and deeper inside of me, I screamed when I felt myself tear, warmth slowly starting to move underneath me. When he finally pulled free, he stood, yelling for water and a rag. When it came he cleaned himself before setting it down next to me, demanding that I clean the floor. Doing as I was told, I cleaned the blood, only I was still actively bleeding, droplets dripping every so often, infuriating him all the more. Clasping my thighs together, I tried to control the bleeding long enough for him to be satisfied.

When he finally led me back to my room, my thighs were sticky with drying blood. Antonia came in long enough to give me a bowl of water and another cloth before she quickly left. Taking it, the cold water felt wonderful against my wounded flesh. Cleaning myself as best I could, I made sure the blood had stopped before I changed and once again left to return to my master. It didn't matter what I did or what he did, as soon as it was over I was always required to clean myself and return to him. It was dinner time and I made sure he was well satisfied. I was standing, watching his every move, when Felix appeared with a message on a tray, a fresh cut circling from the front of his shoulder to the back. Frowning at him sadly, a moment later I was struck across the cheekbone, another blow entering my abdomen once I was down. He missed nothing these days. Getting to my feet, I watched him step up to Felix, cutting him along his bicep. The poor man didn't even flinch. Dipping my chin, I shut my eyes, afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes from falling on the wound that I had just caused.

Days passed without any more incidents. I had learned my lesson, but I couldn't help taking note of everything around me, knowing that I'd have to be ready if I ever tried to leave again. But it seemed that Paulus knew I was planning something. I needed days to regain my strength and then I would see what happened. However, one day he caught me looking at the entrance doors, delivering me my worst beating yet. I couldn't look at anything without being punished for it. Soon, I looked like a walking bruise. Felix used to come with fresh cuts but those had stopped so I knew I had no allies in this house. Cassia was as vindictive as Felix had said, anything I said or did was immediately reported and I was punished for it. But no matter what I did, Paulus always came calling with his voice of chocolate and, despite my struggling, would bed me and be on his way. This was what my life had become. Doing my masters bidding in the middle of raping and beatings. Being fed little, I may have been Paulus's new favored toy but I was quickly losing my will. Sooner or later I'd either have to comply fully or die. The latter being the most desirable.

Sitting in the corner of the small room I occupied, the coldness of the floor was a comfort to my heated and wounded body. I thought I had planned it perfectly. Making sure no one knew anything; I had managed to once again make it to the courtyard, up a tree, and then had finally made it over the wall. I had made it out of the villa and I took no pause before I ran for my life. Ran as fast as I could, attempting to free myself from the horrors of the beautiful villa. Only it was too soon when I heard the sound of hooves racing after me, getting louder and louder. Before I could find a safe place to hide, I could hear him closing in behind me, tears streaming as I realized that I had once again failed. I'd failed and had no idea what was going to happen to me. In the next moment he gripped me, pulling me into the saddle with him. Without a word he returned to the villa, throwing me from the horses back before dragging me into the house. For a long moment he was silent and still, and then he came at me with more force than he had ever before. The walls echoing my screams, the shadows of thrashing and tearing rising up the walls. No one was there to help me. I was all alone. Alone. When he had finished, he dragged me to this small room, chaining me to the floor. That's where I now sat. I'd been here ever since with no food or water, using a corner to relieve myself so I wouldn't sit in my own waste. I'd gone from one hell to another. Only this one was worse. I was treated like a dog, calling upon me whenever he wanted, doing whatever he wanted for however long be wanted to. If anyone laid eyes on me you'd think me a corpse. I was no better than one. I was more bruise than flesh; my cunt overused and bloodied; my hair unkempt and dirty. I didn't think even I would recognize myself if I saw my reflection. I was nothing now. Nothing but a toy used by an insane man.

"Well, my love, have we learned our lesson yet?" Paulus asked as he stepped into the room.

As afraid as I was, I felt as if there was nothing left I could lose. The only thing I had left of worth was my life and in this moment even that weighed little. "I will never make this easier for you." I told him. "You might as well kill me."

"Do you not cherish your own life?" He asked as he bent down in front of me.

"No." I told him.

"What of your lost love? Would he want you to forfeit your life out of stubbornness?" He asked.

Varro.

My love.

"He'd rather I die than be tortured and raped by a deranged Roman." I replied coldly, spitting in his face.

Wiping it away, he backhanded me, reopening the cuts that already littered my lips. From there he straddled me, positioning himself before he paused. "I will force his memory from you."

"You can do what you want to my body but you will never tame me. Nor will you ever take my memories. They give me strength you'll never know." I stated coldly.

His eyes seemed to glow with anger and he thrust himself inside of me. Biting my cheek to keep from yelling out, I let him finish, moving away from him when he finally dismounted me, cowering in a corner. He stood and looked down at me.

"I don't know why you make this so difficult." He said flatly.

"I don't know why you insist on forcing yourself upon me." I retorted. "If you had been kind I would have been loyal and we wouldn't have had any trouble. If you had been kind I would have willingly joined you in bed simply to make you happy and to show my appreciation for your kindness." I told him honestly.

"You love another. When would you ever have willingly come to my bed?" He asked.

"It would have taken time." I told him. "But I used to be known as loyal. I would have been loyal if you had simply shown compassion."

"You are too outspoken." He stated.

"I know." I replied.

"I've never met a slave like you before." He said kneeling in front of me.

"And you never will again." I stated with a raised brow.

"I will enjoy taming you." He grinned evilly.

"I've already told you. I will not be tamed." I said leaning toward him.

"We'll see about that."

Gripping my ankle he attempted to pull me from the corner I was in. Fighting, I managed to kick him in the face, making blood start to stream from his nose. He forgot his need to mount me again and started to beat me instead. Blows to my arms and legs as I protected my head and abdomen. When he was winded he stopped, spitting on me before turning and leaving the room.

Waking to commotion in the villa, fear once again encompassed me. Three times in the same day was even a lot for him. He usually kept his visits to twice a day, sometimes every other, letting me recover before coming again. Making it more enjoyable for him. Moving to the corner, I couldn't help the shaking that started to set in as I waited for him to appear. Then I heard yelling. Something that was not normal for the villa. There were other slaves and a handful of guards but I hadn't had interaction with them in weeks. Only when a shadow appeared against the drape, the shape was different. The drape was slowly moved aside and a figure stepped in. Now tears filled my eyes, swiftly streaming down my face. The man in front of me was one I knew. For a moment I dared to believe that this hell was over. Dared to hope that I had been saved.

Tears filled my eyes as he swiftly moved toward me. Kneeling down, he took my head in his hands, looking at me with worry and fear. "Lea."

"Caius." I whispered. "How?" I asked now with a smile on my face.

"I'll explain later." He smiled.

Nodding, he opened his arms to me. Gently leaning forward, I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted me into his arms, a painful cry escaping my lips. Swiftly taking me from the room, we moved through the villa, the doors coming closer, my freedom awaiting me. As we passed the pool in the entrance, I saw Paulus lying in it, the water turning red from his blood. Cassia lay next to him, shuddering breaths escaping her as she died, her hand clasped over his. I didn't feel sorry for them. They deserved everything they had gotten. As we left the villa I saw Felix with Nona, helping her into a carriage, Antonia standing next to them. She smiled at me as I was brought to another carriage, Caius cradling me against his chest as he stepped inside and took a seat.

"I have you, Lea." He told me gently, wrapping his arms around me as I lay across his lap. "Nothing is going to happen to you."

"Gratitude." I whispered. "I thought I was going to die in there."

"I'd never let that happen." He whispered back.

"Gratitude." I whispered again before unconsciousness took me.

Waking to gentle caressing, a pit fell in my stomach and I shot up, moving away from the touch. Only when I looked at who it was it was Caius. Relaxing, I moved away from the edge of the bed, leaning back against the headboard. He smiled at me with concern, keeping his hands to himself. Reaching my hand up, I gently ran my fingers down his cheek, speaking with difficulty, "I thought it a dream."

"It was real." He smiled, tentatively taking my hand, placing a kiss against its palm when I didn't pull away.

Taking a glass of water, he helped me, gently pouring a small amount of water into my mouth. Once my mouth and throat got a taste, I gripped the cup as tightly as I could, Caius still helping me as I guzzled it, some spilled from the sides but I couldn't stop. It had been days maybe even weeks since I was able to quench my thirst. It tasted so good.

"How did you find me?" I asked when the water was gone, my voice stronger.

"It took time." He sighed.

"Did you ask my Domina?" I frowned. He looked at me sadly. Something had happened. Varro. "What is it?" I asked. He remained silent. "Please, Caius." I said leaning toward him.

"Slowly." He told me putting his hand gently on my back, only a twinge of pain noticeable.

"Caius." I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "Please tell me."

He sighed, gently running his fingers through my hair. "There was a rebellion." He said and paused. I remained silent, waiting for him to go on, my heart skipping a beat. "Spartacus and the other gladiators rebelled against your masters, killing both of them and over a dozen high class Romans." He finally continued. "They freed themselves, leaving the ludus and disappearing into the countryside. No one knows where they are. Though they appear and kill more Romans every day, leaving messages in their chests or with body parts. Spartacus is quiet creative."

"Varro?" I asked.

"Is he the one you love?" He asked with a slight frown.

"Yes." I replied quickly. "What do you know of him?"

"Nothing." He stated. "Spartacus's name is the only one I've heard on people's tongues."

Standing, I still felt weak, one knee throbbing horribly making me limp as I paced back and forth. "Where were they the last time you heard?"

"You shouldn't be up." He said moving to me, putting his hands on my arms. "You're not well."

"I'm well enough." I frowned at him. "Where are they?"

He sighed, his jaw tightening before he replied, "They're everywhere. No one can pinpoint their location."

"I need to go." I told him, gently pushing him away from me before I moved toward the door.

"Lea, wait." He said gently taking my arm. "You just woke. You need to heal before we start looking for the Rebels."

"We?" I asked him with a frown. "You're going to help me?"

"I have no more love for Romans than you do." He replied. "I do not wish to live this way forever."

"Having slaves?" I asked gently.

He sighed again, rubbing my arms as he averted his eyes. "Yes. No human life is more important than any other."

"Okay." I nodded, allowing him to lead me back to bed, piling the pillows to prop me up. "It's probably for the best."

"How do you fare?" He asked worriedly as he sat on the edge of the bed next to me.

"I don't know." I replied as I slipped my hand into his. "Comforted." I smiled at him.

"I was afraid I wouldn't find you alive." He confessed with furrowed brows.

"I wouldn't have lasted much longer." I told him. "If he had come back again I don't think I would have survived." He averted his eyes again, pain in his expression. "How am I?" I asked. "How long have I been asleep?"

"You're doing much better." He told me. "You've been asleep for over a week. There was much healing to be done."

"Am I whole?" I asked, feeling as if there was something he wasn't telling me.

He frowned before putting his hand on the other side of me to brace himself so he could look me straight on. Taking a moment to just look at me he finally answered, "There was significant damage from the aggressive way he entered you. It appears that he tore you and then continued to do so every time after. There was a small infection that my medicus was concerned about but we've managed to keep it at bay. However, he thinks there will be a heavy amount of scarring which will make conceiving difficult if not impossible." He finished.

Nodding at him, I took in the information. Scoffing, I smiled at him, "There goes my dream of blond haired, blue eyed babies running around."

"It's not certain." He told me gently.

Nodding again, I removed a pillow, and hunkered down. "I'm tired."

"Rest." He smiled putting his hand on my thigh. "I hope sleep will help."

"Me too." I replied and shut my eyes, tears brimming.

When I woke next, there were several voices in the room. I heard my name more than once before I finally cracked my eyes open. I didn't want to wake up. Not yet. I still felt drained and exhausted.

"I will protect her from anything or anyone that comes for her." I heard Caius say. "I am Roman. I have the power to protect her. How can you ask me to just let her go join the Rebels? They will be destroyed. It's only a matter of time. I will not let her be destroyed with them."

"You freed us." Felix's voice replied. "We cannot repay you enough for that but even we wish to join Spartacus and his cause. It's something we believe in and something needs to be done about the slavery in this land. I wish to join and fight against the likes of you. No offense intended toward you. For as I said, you freed us."

"Which makes me as much a Rebel as it does you." Caius stated.

"We must think about this logically, Felix." Antonia told him. "Lea is barely healed. She has weeks, maybe months, of healing to do. She is not ready to join a rebellion. Not to mention Nona. Where is she going to go if we all join Spartacus?"

"How long till she'll be ready to travel?" Felix asked. "For I'm not going without her."

"Weeks, Felix." Antonia stated. "She received far worse than any of us. She needs to heal if she is to fight. We all know that she is going to fight to get back to them and then fight for the cause. She personally knows Spartacus and many who fight with him. Crixus. Agron. She is a key element to this. For all we know they're searching for her as well as killing the Romans. Not to mention Varro. She'll do anything to return to him."

"They will look for me." I told them, stepping up behind them. "If Varro lives he will come for me."

"Even with the resources I have, it took me weeks to find you. It will take them twice as long on their own. We have time." Caius said gently.

"There is no time." I frowned at him. "Every moment spent away from them is me putting them in danger. If Varro still lives then he will stop at nothing till I am found. Whether that is dead or alive."

"How do you know that?" Antonia asked.

"Because he's the love of my life." I told her. "After everything we've been through, as long as there is hope, he will come for me." They all were looking at my sadly. "Is there something that no one is telling me?" I asked as my chest started to clench. "If something had happened to him you need to tell me now." They remained silent. "What has happened?"

"I know who Varro is." Caius told me.

"Okay." I frowned at him.

"His wife was recently killed. I'm not sure how sound of mind he is." He explained sadly.

"What?" I frowned, sitting on the edge of the bed. "How?"

"I don't know everything. All I know is that she was found on the road, beaten to the point of fatality, but was rescued by Spartacus."

"If she was rescued than how do you know she was fatally wounded?" I asked quickly.

"I saw her. There was no coming back. She was in horrible condition." Caius said sadly.

"The love of your life is married?" Antonia frowned.

"I didn't say it was perfect." I replied as I stood and started to pace. Stopping, I looked at Caius. "How did you know about Varro and his wife?" I asked. "I never mentioned him to you before you told me of the rebellion."

"I may have asked about you." He told me.

"I'm sure I should be flattered." I scoffed at him.

"I care about you." He said tentatively.

"I care about you too, Caius." I smiled gently. He smiled back with a slightly sad expression. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I offered the gratitude I had yet to give him, "Gratitude for everything you have done for me. Especially for freeing me."

"None needed." He said hugging me tightly.

"Not to ruin the moment but I'm still not fully healed." I told him as pain started to throb in my back.

"Apologies." He said releasing me quickly.

Smiling, I took a deep breath, trying not to straighten my back out too quickly. "Remind me never to be whipped again." They all laughed lightly at my poor joke. Though a moment later, the smile disappeared from my face and they all looked at me nervously. "May I have a moment?" I asked them.

"Of course." Felix said quickly, putting his hand on my arm as he placed a kiss against my cheek. Antonia embraced me lightly before she left, leaving Caius and I alone.

"Please." I frowned at him. He nodded before turning and leaving.

As soon as they were gone, I felt like I couldn't breathe. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I gripped it as I started to shake. Varro. Where was he? What was happening to him? Was he okay? What of Spartacus and Crixus and Naevia and Mira? Where was my family?

Putting my head in my hands, I started to cry, sobbing uncontrollably as I thought of the fate of my family. I was free of Paulus and yet I still felt like I was in prison. They were simply looking out for me and yet I couldn't feel happy about it. I was grateful to Caius. But I needed Varro. I needed him. I needed him and I had no idea where he was. He would look for me. He would look and he wouldn't stop until I was found. I needed to get out of here. I needed to find him. Standing, I started to pace, trying to get myself under control. So much had happened, how was I supposed to process it? Stopping, breathing hard, I screamed before flipping the table in the room. Swiping everything off every surface of the room before dropping to my knees still screaming, only now I was sobbing at the same time. Falling to the side, I wrapped myself in as tight a ball as I could, my arms wrapped around my head, sobbing and screaming as I processed everything that had happened to me. Everything that I'd been told. Though soon everything fell away.

Waking in the same ball I had been in, I slowly uncurled myself, sitting and leaning against the bed. My eyes felt thick and heavy. Taking a deep breath, I felt another wave of tears brim in my eyes. Shutting them, I pictured Varro's smiling face, taking solace in it. He had to be alive. He had to be okay. Even is his wife had been killed he would survive. He would come for me.

"Come for me." I whispered to myself. Then the door slowly opened and Caius stepped in. "I'm fine." I stated.

"You're not fine." He replied as he knelt in front of me. "You're sitting on the floor looking defeated."

"I need to find him, Caius." I said meeting his eyes. "I'm awake. I've healed enough. I need to find him."

"We will." He nodded putting his hand against my face. "But we need to have a direction to go in. We need to try and find where they've been so we have something to go on. If we just disappear into the countryside we may never find them."

"I need them." I whispered. "I need him."

He nodded at me sadly, "I know."

Looking past him I whispered, "Varro."

"You need to rest." He said gently pulling me to my feet.

"I need him." I repeated as he gently laid me on the bed.

"Sleep." He told me.

"There's no time." I frowned though my eyes were already shut, my brows deeply furrowed.

"The more rest you get the sooner we can leave." He told me. Though I knew it was just to placate me. "Sleep."

Feeling him place a kiss against my forehead, I felt a wave of comfort, though there was only one face I saw. "Varro."

When I woke, I found Antonia sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling down at me. "You look much better."

"I hadn't realized I was looking poorly." I frowned at her.

"After tearing the room apart and breaking down, you were looking a bit rough." She grinned at me.

Taking her hand, I shut my eyes again, frowning, "I'm so tired."

"More rest is needed." She told me.

"No." I said opening my eyes. "I need to find Varro. I need to find my family."

"I know you do." She nodded. "But you will be no good to anyone if you don't take care of yourself." Tears welled and fell from my eyes. "We are going to help you." She said wiping the tears from my cheeks. "We are going to get you back to your love. But you need to get well. Get well for him." Nodding, I shut my eyes again, falling asleep as she gently trailed her fingers through my hair.

Once again sitting in the small room of Paulus' villa, I found myself once again covered in blood and dirt. I was cold and shaking, my body aching as if I had just been forced upon. The same commotion from the night I was rescued moved through the villa. A figure appeared on the other side of the drape, one I knew better than I knew myself. It moved aside and Varro stood before me in all his glory. He rushed to me, breaking the chain from my ankle before pulling me into his arms. No words were spoken, he simply kissed me passionately.

Sweeping me up into his arms he took me from the house of hell, the scene changing to a lavish bedroom. Laying me on the bed, he ran his hands along my body, my wounds healing wherever he touched. Grinning, I kissed him, wrapping him in my arms. Gripping his sides with my knees, I arched against him, asking for more. Kissing, meeting his eyes, it was like looking at a blue sky after a long rain. Clear and warm and welcoming. I loved him and all the love he held shown through his eyes. Deepening our kiss, he ran his hands up and down my body, his cock hard against my thigh. Arching against him again, he smiled before pushing himself up inside of me. Instead of pain warmth radiated through me, groaning with our lips touching. Rocking against me it seemed as if the warmth was intensifying, healing, a white light started to radiate from him. The faster we rocked the more intense it became. With one final thrust we locked lips as we both climaxed the light blinding as we melted into each other and everything fell away.

Opening my eyes, I couldn't help but smile. Feeling renewed, I knew that we would be reunited. We would be together again and everything would be right in the world as long as we were together. Deciding that I'd rested enough, I convinced Caius to take Felix and see what they could find out in town. While they were gone, Antonia saw me bathed tended to now that I was up and moving around. I had healed enough, better than I had expected. Though a few more days had passed since I woke the first time. Too much time had been wasted with healing. I could heal inside a carriage or atop a horse just as easily. When she was finished with me, we saw to Nona, thinking of what could be done with her so that she remained safe. Her mind was hardly her own and she would not last if we took her on the road with us. Now that I got to speak to her as much as I pleased I was even more sure of it. In the end I'd leave the decision up to her, hoping she could make one based on sense on her own.

There were things that needed to be taken care of before we could leave. It wasn't just me anymore. As much as I wished it, I knew that I could not leave these people behind. We were free and they wanted to find the Rebels as much as I did. I would take them with me. As long as we moved at my pace. Despite the condition of my body, I would push myself to the brink to return to my love. All the while Varro was the only thing I could think of. He would be devastated after his wife's passing. It sounded tragic, meaning he would blame himself for not being with her. However I didn't know the circumstances, but hoped he wasn't with her and that he was grieving somewhere safe and sound. Spartacus would look after him. He would always look after those he loved, despite the rebellion he had started. I just wished I knew where they were. I needed them. I needed Varro. I appreciated Caius and everything he'd done for me. I was free because of him. But my heart still beat for only one man. Varro. I would not rest until I found him. I would not rest until we were reunited. If there was anything worth fighting for it was this, and I was going to fight. Fight harder than I'd ever fought be before. Harder than anyone would think me capable of.

THE END