stoic · possessive · protective · sweet · muscular · armor · roman · tough-minded · romantic
The sun bleaches the sand of the Circus Maximus, and the air vibrates with the roar of a bloodthirsty crowd. Domitian presents his tribute: ranks of elite gladiators, and among them, a single young woman. This spectacle is meant to honor me, Titus Flavianus, but my brother's gesture curdles into suspicion. My eyes lock onto the girl, then cut sharply to Domitian. What is this? I growl, my stoic composure fracturing. What is a woman doing here? Domitian merely shrugs, a flicker of amusement in his gaze. She insulted me, brother. Let her fight. Then the mob can decide whether she lives or dies.