Rome, 183AD, fourth day before the Kalends of July.

When Athenais woke up, she found herself alone and victim of a terrible headache. She looked around her, at the quiet of the room and for a moment she thought she just had a long dream, a nightmare turned into beautiful fantasy. But then she lightened the lamp and noticed the head imprint on the pillow next to hers, the clothes scattered on the floor. It had not been a dream. Publius had really died and Maximus had really made love to her, as the slight soreness between her legs confirmed.

But where was he? Athenais wondered, stretching her neck to see if he was in the bathroom. He was not. Why was he not here with her? Was he regretting what they had done? She did not remember everything had happened the evening before, but she knew how she had pleaded and begged Maximus to make love to her. She had arrived to the point of caressing him intimately, arousing him- a man who, she suspected, had not had a woman since his wife had died and perhaps long before that. Probably he had not been able to resist her advances, his body too needy for his mind to control it, and it made her feel as if she had somehow abused him. Most men would probably be happy to be 'abused' in such a way, but Maximus was not most men. Athenais had always known he was different and she could not bear the thought of having forced him to betray his wife's memory. Tears of shame and grief welled up in her eyes, transforming that brief, beautiful moment of pleasure and relief she had experienced in his arms, into something ugly and sordid, which had to be forgotten as soon as possible. But first she had to apologize to Maximus and hope he would forgive her.

Tired and unwilling to face again a world where her son was dead and where she might have just offended beyond repair the man she loved, Athenais stood up and went to her bathroom. She washed, dressed and combed her hair without the help of her maid, losing herself in those familiar, methodical movements, trying not to think about the pain that threatened to break her heart. In the end, when she was ready, Athenais took a deep breath, left the safe harbour of her room and went to search for Maximus.

She found him in the garden, and she sighed in relief, for a part of her had been fearing he was gone away. He was kneeling near a flower bed, pulling away weeds and dried leaves. He was working with meticulousness and great care and she suspected he too was losing himself in familiar gestures, just as she had done earlier, perhaps to think better, perhaps to keep certain thoughts at bay.

Suddenly Maximus became aware someone was looking at him and turned his head, quickly rising to his feet as he saw it was her. 

"Athenais," he greeted her with that deep voice of his, brushing his hands against his tunic to clean them from the dirt. He did not walk closer to her, but remained where he was, staring at her, his fists now clenching and unclenching at his sides.

"He is nervous," she thought, as she stared back at him, musing, despite herself, that he looked even more handsome now that she knew how soft and warm was his skin, how passionate were his kisses.

Finally Maximus broke the silence and asked gently, "Are you well?"

"Yes, I am- as much as I can be." He nodded. "And you?" He seemed surprised by the question. "I am- I am referring to what happening last night." She found the courage to say, "I hope- I hope I did not offend you with my behaviour."

Maximus' eyes widened in understanding, then he shook his head. "No, you did not... offend me... I-" his voice broke and he lowered his head to look at his sandals.

Athenais took some tentative steps in his direction, her hands twisting the fabric of her dress. "Then - then you think we can forget what happened?"

Maximus' head whipped up. "Is it what you wish?"

She nodded. "Yes. I don't want this... mistake to cause a strain between us. You- you are my friend and I don't want to lose you."

Maximus covered the few feet still between them, and stopped in front of her, looking deeply into her tear-filled eyes. "Don't cry, Sweetheart, you will never lose me. I will be here for you for as long as you need me." Maximus forced a smile that gradually grew in warmth as he saw her reply to it. Then he opened his arms in invitation.

Athenais lost no time in accepting it, and pressed her body against his, hugging him.

"I love you," she thought, as she breathed in his manly scent and felt his arms wrap around her. "I love you, and I will need you for the rest of my life."

Later that day, Maximus left the villa for another walk in town. He wanted to familiarize himself with Rome's layout in case the moment arrived for him to lead his army down its streets. But, as he moved along roads and squares, he knew that was not the only reason that had pushed him to go out. He had needed to leave the villa and Athenais' nearness for a while, to ponder what had happened the night before and earlier that morning.

Maximus was feeling ashamed by his actions. By how he had taken advantage of a pain-stricken woman and by how he had let her take all the blame for what had happened. He should have told her it was not her fault, but his, for it was clear that she had not been in her right mind, while he... he had liked every minute of their joining and woken up in the morning with a mighty arousal, burning with the desire to claim her again. It had been fortunate Athenais had continued to sleep while he slipped away from her bed and her room, sparing him even more embarrassment and shame than he was already feeling. Maximus could not forgive himself for having been weak and letting his lust overcome him, but he knew it was not too late to apologize to Athenais and thus hope to assuage his guilt. She had made clear she wanted to forget their 'mistake' and he would respect her desire, for he cared for her and did not want to risk ruining their friendship. But even after all his reasoning and his decision to comply with her wishes, Maximus could not help but remember how good it had been to be inside Athenais. How good it had been to share pleasure with her and listen to her cry out his name in fulfilment.

And how painful it had been to hear her call that beautiful experience 'a mistake'.

Maximus was still mulling over the matter when he saw a familiar figure proceeding alone amongst the throng that crowded the roads near the Colosseum.

"Quintus!" He thought surprised, "What is he doing here without an escort?" 

A sudden idea crossed his mind: what if he was able to show Marcus Aurelius' act to his former second in command? Perhaps Quintus would side with him if he knew why he had refused Commodus' hand that night in Germania, and that would be useful to avoid future bloodshed? It was a daring, even crazy, plan but worth a try. In truth he had toyed with the idea since the moment he had heard Lucilla speak about the malcontent between the Praetorians, and this was the right occasion to put in practice.

"But what if Quintus refuses?" an inner voice said, as Maximus pulled forward the hood of his cape to better cover his face and he proceeded in pursuit. There was no hint of hesitation to give an answer to that question. Maximus knew what would happen if Quintus refused: he would do what he needed to do. The destiny of Rome was too important.

It was not easy to keep up with the Praetorian, although his black uniform and plumed helmet were very recognizable, for he had an advantage over Maximus. The people moved away from his path, out of fear and respect, while his pursuer had to push and elbow his way. However Maximus did not let him escape and few minutes later both men entered the Trajan's Thermae, the big public baths built over the ruins of the infamous Golden House of Nero.

Quintus Aemilius Laetus, the Prefect of the Praetorium, made his entry into the thermae with the idea of taking a long bath and spending some time away from the imperial palace and its dark lord. The more time passed, the more Quintus wondered how Marcus Aurelius could have generated such an immoral offspring, and how was possible a man so wise could have allowed that being to succeed him on the throne. Why had he ended the long honoured tradition of adopting his heir, choosing him from the most worthy men of the empire?

"But perhaps he wanted to do it, but his son killed him before he could do it..." said a voice inside him, and he silenced it at once. Quintus was a follower of the Stoic philosophy, which predicated the acceptance of events that could not be changed and absolute obedience to the emperor's orders. Those precepts had been easy to follow when Marcus Aurelius was on the throne, but now Commodus had the power, Quintus found it more and more difficult to do his job without rebelling. Since the day he had proclaimed himself Caesar, Commodus had done nothing but kill, waste money and destroy everything his father had done, and the Prefect did not know when and if he would stop.

Sighing, Quintus entered in a cubicle and began to disrobe. As he was doing so a thought crossed his mind, "Thanks the gods, I have no family...at least I will be only one to suffer when I lose Commodus' favour." The Praetorian frowned as he folded his clothes. From where had that idea come? Then he understood. "Maximus," he thought with pain. Not for the first time his former general and friend's image returned to torture him. Quintus tried to push away the memory of that last night in Germania and for the umpteenth time he wondered if he had done the right thing obeying Commodus and condemning Maximus to death, or if he had committed a terrible mistake. He had sworn to serve Rome, but Rome was not the emperor, as recited the tattoo on his arm, the tattoo that till a short time before he had always showed with pride. But now...Quintus cursed under his breath and pushed away those thoughts with anger: it was useless to cry over spilt milk, and he had gone to the baths to relax, not to torture himself with 'ifs', 'buts' and 'maybes'.

He took a linen towel, put it on his left arm and moved to leave the cubicle, but as soon as he put out his head, a large hand imposed on his chest and roughly pushed him back.

Quintus saw red with rage. "Hey! What are you doing?" he shouted, "Who are you?" The hooded man in front of him stood silent, his face barely visible in the half-darkness of the little room.

"Do you know who I am?" the Praetorian thundered, but again he got no answer.

'So be it,' Quintus thought, 'you asked for it.' With a rapid move the reached out to grab the gladius he had left on a stool, but he was not able to complete the gesture: a shifting in the air, an iron grip on his wrist, a violent push and Quintus found himself pressed against the wall, a dagger grazing the skin of his throat.

"I would not do it, Quintus," hissed the stranger.

The Prefect's eyes widened. He knew that voice well, it still echoed in his memories and nightmares. But the man it belonged to had died - hadn't he? He had never seen his body and the men sent to execute him had never returned, officially killed in a barbarian raid. Was it possible-?

Quintus swallowed hard and whispered hesitantly, "Maximus?"

The hand gripping the dagger did not move, while his aggressor used the other to push down his hood and Quintus found himself face to face with his general.

Maximus' gaze was hard, cold as that of an avenging spirit and Quintus believed his moment had arrived. He did not even think about asking for mercy or begging for pardon, not after he had learned what had been done to the general's family. Thus he pronounced a brief prayer to the gods, threw his head back, baring his throat, then waited for the slice that would end his life... but when the blade finally moved, he felt no pain.

"Look at me, Quintus," ordered Maximus.

Quintus obeyed and fixed his eyes on his general. Maximus had loosened the grip on his neck and the arm with the dagger was now stretched along his side.

The two men stared at each other for a while, each studying the other, then Quintus asked, "What are you doing here, Maximus?"  'You are not here to kill me, so what do you want?' his tone seemed to say.

Never leaving the Praetorian's gaze, Maximus searched under his tunic and took out two pieces of papyrus. "Read them," he commanded.

Quintus looked at him surprised, but did not argue. The light was scarce inside the cubicle, but enough for his eyes to run quickly over the letter and the document Maximus has given him. There was no doubt for him they were authentic; he knew Marcus Aurelius' calligraphy and seals very well. And he knew Maximus was too honest ever to fake something like that.

"My gods," he murmured desperate, feeling the blood leave his face, "what have I done?"

"What you thought was your duty," replied Maximus, taking the pieces of papyrus and putting them away with great care.

Quintus looked at him utterly shocked. Was it possible that Maximus could put away all the pain he had caused him by simply attributing his actions to duty?

"What will you do now that you know?" The Praetorian stared at his former commander, confused. "I am going to carry out Marcus Aurelius' wishes and avenge my family. What will you do? Will you help me or try to stop me?"

Quintus snapped to attention. "I will help you."

"And your oath to the emperor?"

"I promised to serve Rome," said the prefect with pride, touching the SPQR on his shoulder. "I have already made one mistake; I won't commit another."

Maximus stared at him in silence for a long while, then his lips widened in a smile. "Thank you my friend," he murmured, grabbing his hand.

Quintus smiled back, but a part of him was not yet able to believe his general could forgive him so easily. Thus he again tried to apologize, "Maximus, I am sorry... I did not know..."

"Quintus, stop it, please. I know you were obeying your orders... and I was carrying out mine."

"You knew, then? You already knew Marcus Aurelius had chosen you."

"Yes, he told me the morning of the day he died. Commodus killed him before he could make the news public."

"Yes..." commented Quintus, now completely convinced of the youth's guilt. "What do you plan to do?"

"I am going to make this act known to the Senate, then I will seize power," replied Maximus with the decision.

"The Felix Legion is camped in Ostia... If you like I can help you to sneak out of the city without anyone knowing it."

Maximus nodded. "Thank you. On the Kalends of July I will meet one of the senators. If everything goes as predicted, the plan will be put in motion within a few days."

"All right. I will try to meet you that night. Where can I find you?"

"I am living in Antonia Athenais' villa on the Esquiline Hill."

Quintus nodded. "I know where it is. The Augusta Lucilla visited her few days ago and should return- Hey, one moment! Does she also know about Marcus Aurelius' wishes?"

"She does."

Quintus laughed briefly and seeing Maximus look at him with confusion, he explained. "Commodus wants me to escort Lucilla when she returns to visit her friend on the Kalends on July. This morning I told the Augusta and she was not pleased at all by my presence. Now I understand why."

Maximus smiled too, then turned serious once more. "Now it's better I go. I don't want to be recognized."

"Right." Quintus watched his general cover his head with the hood then, before the other turned to leave, he tapped his chest with his right fist and exclaimed, "Strength and honour."

"Strength and honour," was the prompt reply before Maximus disappeared from the cubicle.

Once he was gone, Quintus practically fell onto the stool, staring into empty space for several minutes. Then he let out a long sigh. "Immortal gods, thank you for listening to my prayers," he thought, before going to the pools with a satisfied smile: for the first time in years the future no longer looked so dark.

Rome, 183AD, the Kalends of July.

The day dawned sunny and very hot causing Maximus and Athenais to spend it cloistered inside the relatively cool house, as time seemed to move more slowly than usual.

In the past few days, things had returned to normal between the pair, the 'incident' apparently forgotten. After the emotional breakdown of that first day, Athenais' grief had been deep but composed. Maximus had tried to be near her when she needed to talk, and to let her be by herself when she needed to stay alone. She asked him to participate with her in the brief, but poignant ceremony during which she had moved Publius' figurine from the central area of her shrine, to the background, transforming him from a person needing protection, to another ancestor or god to pray to get protection and advice. Then they had prayed together, asking together their beloved's blessing. Athenais had found comfort in the awareness Maximus really understood what she was going through and his words of support came straight from his heart, but it pained her to not be able to tell him what she truly felt for him. He continued to call her 'friend' or 'sweetheart', but she longed to hear him call her 'love'...

Finally, as sun began its slow descent beyond the hills, Lucilla entered the villa, officially to spend some time with her father's freedwoman and reassure herself about her friend's health. The Augusta entered the library followed only by Quintus, who had told the rest of her escort to spend the time at a nearby tavern.

Maximus and Athenais went to receive their guests, offering them something to drink and exchanging small talk as they waited for Gracchus' arrival. 

They did not have to wait long for less than half an hour later, the Senator joined the little group. He was a white-haired, white-bearded man with a distinguished look. He frowned when he entered the triclinium and his eyes paused on Quintus.

"Everything is fine," Lucilla hurried to reassure him, then took him by the elbow and led him in front of Maximus. "Let me introduce to you General Maximus Decimus Meridius."

The man's eyes widened in surprise: he had never met the General, but had heard many tales about his victorious campaigns against the barbarians in the North.

"General."

"Senator Gracchus." The two men bowed their heads in salute.

"Forgive me, General, but I thought you were dead."

"I should have been."

There was a moment of uneasy silence, as the various occupants of the room seemed to appraise the others, finally broken by Maximus' decisive tone.

"Senator, we need your help to summon an extraordinary Senate meeting."

Gracchus' eyebrows arched. "May I know why?"

Maximus replied by handing him the act with which Marcus Aurelius had nominated him Protector of Rome.

The senator read the document, first quickly, then with more attention, then raised his eyes to meet the general's. "Are you going to keep faith with this act?"

"Yes." Was the curt response.

Gracchus turned to look at Lucilla and Quintus and read a similar determination on their faces. "What's your plan?"

"The Senate must know about this document... Do you think the other senators will side with us?"

Gracchus nodded. "Most of them will do." He smiled bitterly, "Many of us are already dead-men if Commodus continues to reign. As for the others," and he looked pointedly to Athenais, whom he knew had been Falco's lover, "I know their names and will avoid telling them too much about the meeting I will summon for... What do you think about the day of the Nones? Is it agreeable for you?"

Lucilla, Maximus and Quintus exchanged a glance, before the general turned to face Gracchus. "Yes, it is better to act soon, before Commodus might suspect something."

"All right. I will do so. And you, General, what will you do in the meantime?"

"I will go to Ostia to try to fetch my army."

"What?!" snapped the old politician, "Why do you need the army?"

"To keep order in the city, and to keep Commodus from fleeing." Maximus answered calmly.

"That's true," interjected Quintus, "we need the Felix Legion for I don't know how many of my men will obey my orders and how many will instead remain faithful to Caesar."

Gracchus stared hard into Maximus' blue eyes, wondering uselessly if the man in front of him was but another potential tyrant, but then pushed the thought away. Marcus Aurelius had trusted him; his daughter trusted him- he had no other choice but trust him too. "So be it. Everything is settled."

The tension lowered in the library now that everything had been decided and the time of acting approached. Athenais then broke the amicable silence, "How will the mob react? They love Commodus."

"But they love to have their bellies full more," replied Lucilla, "We have already begun to spread the news that Commodus is selling what remains of Rome's grain reserves to pay for this second round of games. Today, at the Colosseum, he was greeted by some cries of protest. When Maximus is in power, we will make some donation of grain to the populace and everything will be quiet."

Gracchus nodded, lost in thought. "Yes, certainly. However everything will be easier if some kind of tie existed between the General and Marcus Aurelius."

"Is that document not enough?" asked Quintus.

The senator smiled, "Most of the mob cannot read, Prefect, nor they are able to recognize the imperial seals. I am sure that, had he lived long enough, Marcus Aurelius would adopt the General, thus making him his son and legitimate heir."

Maximus looked at him surprised, "Do you really think so?"

"Yes; any smart politician would do so, and the late Caesar was very smart."

"But Commodus killed him before he had a chance to do it..." Lucilla commented coldly.

"Well," began Gracchus, "Truth to tell, there is a way..."

All the others turned to look at him, and one of them, Athenais, shivered in dread, for she understood where the senator was going. Moreover, she was surprised Lucilla, who was such clever politician had not surmised it by herself.

"If the Augusta Lucilla and the General marry, that would legalize his rise to power in the mob's eyes."

"What?" Maximus whispered in shock.

"A marriage between the two of you will show unequivocally that she approves your actions."

Maximus shook his head. Gracchus' reasoning was clear even for a novice like him. It was practical and easy to accomplish. But despite everything he could not accept it: he had sworn to realize Marcus Aurelius' last wishes, but this was too much! How could he betray his wife by marrying another woman? He knew it would be only a political manoeuvre, but nevertheless... "Definitely not!" a voice shouted inside him. "Don't lie to yourself, General! You would marry Lucilla without much problem if it was a mere political thing. You would not like it, but you would do it for Rome...But the truth is another. You are in love and you cannot bear to be married to another woman, whatever the nature of your joining is." Maximus sucked in his breath, shocked by that sudden, incredible revelation. He loved Athenais. It was more than lust, more than simple friendship. It was the same kind of overwhelming feeling he had experienced only with Selene. The kind of feeling he had thought he would never feel again and instead... His eyes moved to stare at Athenais. She was standing in a corner of the room and looked very sad. Why? Was she afraid he would marry Lucilla and leave her alone with her pain? "You must not be afraid, my love, I will never leave you," he thought, fighting the desire to cross the room, sweep her into his arms and somehow push her sorrow away.

"General?"

"Maximus?"

"Are you all right?"

Three voices intruded on his reverie and Maximus realized with a start that he had been lost in thought for quite a while. He blinked his eyes and found the others were all looking at him, some with worry, some with expectation. Maximus cleared his throat, "Forgive me, I was thinking about the marriage suggestion."

"And?" asked Senator Gracchus, as both Lucilla and Athenais held their breath, although hoping for different responses.

"And my answer is no. I would not do it. Marcus Aurelius' act and the Senate's support will have to be enough."

"I see." Gracchus' did not look very pleased, but accepted his decision without discussing. He had seen how determined the general looked, and he knew nothing he could say would make him change his mind. He sighed, before adding, "I think it is time we call an end to this meeting. Night has already fallen and it is better the Augusta returns to the Palace before her paranoid brother suspects something."

"Yes," said Lucilla, gesturing to Quintus, "It is time to go." 

The Prefect nodded and without much more words, the guests left the library, accompanied by Athenais, while Maximus remained behind, still trying to cope with what he had just learnt about himself.

Athenais returned to the library after seeing her guests out. She looked for Maximus, but he was no longer there.

Where is he gone? she wondered. She wanted to talk with him and try to convince him about the wisdom of marrying Lucilla, as much as the idea of seeing him wed with another woman pained her. A part of Athenais had rejoiced when Maximus had refused Gracchus' suggestion so emphatically, but she knew as well as the others that he was throwing away a great chance for support and for his own good, and the good of Rome, she felt compelled to try again.

Led by impulse, Athenais walked straight to the garden - his favourite part of her villa - and found him walking back and forth, obviously lost in thought. She watched him for a while, then called softly, "Maximus?"

He stopped his pacing and turned his head to look at her, "Yes?"

She walked to him and asked, "Do you think it was wise to refuse to marry Lucilla? It is the wisest political move you could make at this point. You- you threw away a great advantage." Athenais fell silent, afraid to have been too bold, telling such great man he had been wrong.

But Maximus was not angry. He rubbed his beard, from his jaw to his neck and said, "I know." He sighed, "I know you are right. But still I can't do it."

"Why?" she enquired, before she could stop herself, curious about the tone he had used.

"Because I believe love has to be the reason that pushes a man and a woman to marry. I know that here in Rome and in the empire in general love often counts for nothing in the choice of a partner, but is not so for me. I have grown up with the example of my parents always in front of me. They married out of love, so much that my grandfather disinherited my father and they had to start their married life in a little rented room, living only with my mother's small dowry until he was able to find a way to make money. They led a hard life for many years, but never regretted their decision."

Maximus smiled at the memory, "I know many would laugh at me and call me naïve, but I could never marry a woman without loving her." His smile was so sweet it made him look like a little boy and Athenais' heart beat a faster at the sight of it. But, for a reason she could not understand, she felt compelled to insist. "You loved Lucilla once... perhaps, with time, that feeling could return..."

Maximus shook his head. "No, our affair ended a long time ago. A lifetime ago, you might even say, and it cannot be rekindled... for my heart belongs to another woman."

Athenais looked at her feet, once again feeling guilty for having forced her attention and needs on him. "I understand," she finally said raising her head, but the love she felt for him, her desire to see him happy for she thought he had already suffered enough, made her add, "Don't you think your wife would wish to see you find happiness again?"

Maximus stared straight at her eyes, "I am sure Selene would wish so. And in fact I was not referring to her when I said I am in love with another woman."

"Oh." Athenais swallowed hard, mortified to have intruded his private affairs, for having dared to presume too much. "Forgive me. I should have thought twice before speaking." She took a deep breath. "Now I wish you good night; it has been a long day and I am tired." It was a lie, but Athenais wanted to leave as soon as she could. She turned to go, but his voice stopped her.

"Athenais, wait!"

She heard him walk till he was right behind her, and she could almost sense the warmth emanating from his body. 

"Don't you want to know the name of the woman who healed and then stole my heart?" Maximus' tone was husky and she shivered upon hearing it. "You are shaking," he added, "Are you cold?" And his breath tickled her neck. He was so close...

"No..."

"Then why are you trembling?"

"I-I..."

Maximus' hands rested on her shoulders and she almost jumped at the feel of his broad palms. He gently turned her around. "What are you afraid of? Me?" 

She shook her head.

"You must not fear me. I would never hurt you. I love you, you know?" Maximus was staring intently at her, thus he saw how her eyes widened in disbelief and hope.

"What- what did you say?"

"That I love you. I realized it this evening, when Gracchus told me to marry Lucilla and I understood  that I could not..."

"Just like it was for me with Senator Gaius..." Maximus tilted his head, curious. "He asked me to go into the garden with him. I knew he did not want to talk with me- and I could not bear to think about a man that was not you touching and kissing me...," Athenais blushed, "It was then I became aware I loved you."

It was Maximus' turn to be stunned, before his face widened in the most beautiful, joyous smile she had ever seen. The smile she had always longed to see- and it was all for her.

"Oh Maximus!" Athenais exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck, letting go of all her control and restraint, crying and laughing with joy. Maximus hugged her back and swirled her around, his booming laugh echoing in the still night, both of them forgetting the dangers lying ahead and basking in their new found happiness.

When he finally put her down, Maximus did it slowly, making her slide along his body. Athenais felt his hardness poke at her belly and it made her shiver with desire. It had never been like this with Falco, and it was completely different from what she had felt a few days before with Maximus. That evening Athenais had acted on pure instinct, driven by the basic unconscious need to couple, to produce another child and somehow fill the void Publius' death had left in her. Now instead she was in full control of her emotions and she wanted Maximus to satisfy an equally powerful but totally different need. Athenais shivered again.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"Yes... warm me, Maximus... Make love to me," she whispered into his ear, before kissing the spot on his neck just behind the jaw.

"Yes..." Maximus groaned in response, bending down and scooping her into his arms. They negotiated the trip to her room with some difficulty for, all caught in kissing and caressing, Maximus almost stumbled into a low pot he had not seen. That caused them to look at each other, burst into laughter, and continue to her bedroom, paying more attention to where they were going.

Once inside the chamber, they returned to their previous activities without wasting a single instant. But as desirous as they were, they both decided to take it slowly, to calmly savour the moment. Their hands were gentle as they undressed each other, caressing and exploring the flesh they had just exposed, loving it with their hands and lips.

Athenais was amazed by how soft the skin of Maximus' chest was. It seemed almost odd it could be so delicate, stretched as it was over hard, well-developed muscles that spoke of his strength and the warrior Maximus was. Then she stopped her caresses and raised her head to look at Maximus, expecting him to take the lead. He did and, starting from her forehead, he kissed and licked every inch of her skin, reserving more attention to all those spots that made her sigh in pleasure or hold her breath in expectation. What would he do next? For several, sublime minutes Maximus' hot tongue trailed a path of fire down her body, to her toes and back, as his hands caressed the spots where his mouth was not, causing a trembling to begin deep in her body. She needed him inside her. Now.

"Maximus," she moaned, and he raised his head to look at her from his kneeling position, his eyes shining in the scarce light.

"Yes?"

"Let's lie down..." She looked longingly at the bed.

Maximus smiled softly and shook his head, "Not yet, my love..." He stood up, took her by the hand and, to her utter confusion, led her to the wall, making her lean her back against it. He then knelt down, beginning again his slow, delicious torture. But this time, after kissing her belly, he did not move down her legs as before, but pointed straight to the nest of curls at the apex of her thighs. At the feel of his breath on her moist, most private parts, Athenais startled and her hands flew to cover herself. "What- what are you doing?" she stammered, her eyes wide.

"I am going to love you." Maximus answered, trying to pry her hands away.

"With- with your mouth?"

"Yes... don't you like it?"

She blushed furiously. "Men do not put their mouths there... It is not right...It is not good..."

Maximus' eyebrow arched in surprise, then understanding dawned in his eyes. "Who told you so? Falco?" he asked, his hands softly caressing her buttocks then running down and doing the same to the back of her knees, trying to relax her.

Athenais nodded quickly, still flaming red. "Once I- I asked him to use his mouth...as he wanted me to do on him...but he refused. He said it is not right for men to put their mouths there."

"Well, I am not Falco," Maximus winked at her and Athenais suddenly smiled. 

"No, you certainly are not him." She relaxed and he used that moment to remove her hands.

She tensed again and he asked, "Do you trust me?"

Athenais looked deeply into his eye, saw the sincerity in them. "Of course I trust you."

"Then let me love you as you deserve to be loved." A quick nod and his lips were again on her, first kissing her belly, then lower and lower, while purposeful hands caressed the inside of her thighs

He stopped for a moment to softly blow over her curls, damp with the increasing proof of her desire. And when Athenais softly moaned and arched her back against the wall, he grabbed one of her calves, lifted her leg and hooked it over his shoulder and used a callused fingertip to delineate the length of the slick, sensitive folds of her flesh making her moan louder. With a secretive smile of pure male satisfaction, Maximus replaced the touch of his finger with that of his tongue...

Soon the room was filled only by her moans and little whimpers as Maximus' tongue slid across her centre and teased slow circles around her bud. Her hips rocked against his face, her pleasure quickly increasing as his lips joined his tongue, gently sucking at her. Athenais' eyes had remained tightly shut all during the sweet torture but at the startling sensation of being taken into his mouth, they snapped open- only to find herself directly looking into the full length polished mirror set on the opposite wall. And the sight that greeted her brought extra heat to her already aroused being: Maximus' naked, powerful body kneeling between her spread thighs, his tanned skin a vivid contrast against the pale, female leg draped over his shoulder.

Athenais grabbed Maximus' head and pressed it to her needy core. "Please," she begged, and he obliged her, his hot, wide tongue sliding a last time against her swollen bud, sending her over the edge. She cried out aloud, delicious waves of pleasure coursing along her body. Her legs shook and her knees gave out, but Maximus was quick to take her in his arms and gently sit her on the low bed, hugging her and whispering sweet nonsense in her ears until she regained her breath and calmed down. Then he tilted her head and kissed her with urgency, his tongue thrusting deeply into her mouth, and she got a taste of herself.

"Athenais," Maximus groaned against her neck, his engorged manhood throbbing with desire and need. 

"I am here, my love," she replied, and slid over the mattress, to come to sit on the very edge of the bed, spreading her legs, and stretching her hands behind her back for leverage. "Come, Maximus... fill me."

Enflamed by her hoarse voice, Maximus rose to his knees, grabbed her waist, and then, rolling his hips up, he took her. They moaned together, heads thrown back, backs arched, at the feel of each other. Athenais' muscles clamped around his hard length as he began to move, first slowly, then faster and harder into her, as her hips rocked to meet his every thrust. On and on they went, his erection caressing every pleasure point inside her as his rhythm increased, her inner muscles tightening around him with insistence. In the end they could resist the pull of their bodies no longer, and they came. First Athenais, crying out aloud, as her orgasm crashed in overwhelming waves, then Maximus, roaring with passion as his entire body shuddered and his seed erupted into her welcoming sheath.

Athenais' arms gave out, and she fell back on the bed, exhausted, as Maximus' upper body collapsed over her, his arms around her torso, their bodies still intimately joined. They remained in that position until their heartbeats slowed down, then Maximus crawled on the bed to lie beside her.

"Are you all right?" he murmured, raising on his elbow, pushing a lock of her sweaty hair behind her ear.

"Yes..." Athenais whispered, turning to look at his face, raising a still trembling hand to caress his bearded cheek. "I never thought it could be so beautiful..."

Maximus smiled, and capturing her hand, he took it to his mouth, where he kissed each of her fingers. Then he wrapped an arm around her back and helped her to slide up the bed, until they could rest their heads on the soft pillows.

The night was very warm, the air still, and Maximus and Athenais fell asleep atop the bedcovers, happy and sated in each other's arms.

Ostia, 183AD, three days before the Nones of July.

The horse ran swiftly on the paved road enlightened by the moonlight, his rider's cloak waving in the stilly air.

Maximus had no problems leaving Rome, helped as promised by Quintus, who had made sure the Porta Ostiensis would remain without guards for ten minutes. The two men had met earlier what morning at the baths, where the Praetorian had assured his former commander that Gracchus had been able to organize the Senate meeting for the Nones. Now it was time for Maximus to collect his army.

As he ran toward Ostia, the Spaniard tried to think only of what he had to do, but more than once Athenais' image intruded into his mind. The past few days had been Elysium on Earth. He and Athenais had loved, talked with each other and made many plans for a future together. Maximus had felt a sense of belonging he had thought lost forever but, as happy as he was, he knew he had first to kill Commodus to make possible for those plans to become reality. As long as the murderer of his family lived, he would not be able to leave his past completely behind and really start the new life that stretched in front of him like the road he was covering. He was determined to not fail, the stakes was too high.

Lost as he was in his musings, Maximus was almost surprised when he saw the first buildings of Ostia appear along the road. He reined in the horse and began to look around for the landmarks Quintus had mentioned in his directions to find the Felix Legion camp.

The young man stopped under the tree and let himself fall on the grass, resting his back against the trunk and crossing his arms over his chest. He let out a long sigh: he was dog tired, and yet he was not able to sleep. His gaze rested on the orderly rows of tents and barracks that surrounded him: the camp seemed asleep, but Cicero knew it was only apparent calm. All he would have to do was enter one of the barracks to feel the tension existing between the soldiers, a tension that, he feared, would soon explode in some kind revolt.

Cicero whistled aloud and soon Ares arrived to lick his scarred face. The young man caressed the wolf and sighed again: since General Maximus had been dragged away and executed, his life, and those of the other soldiers had changed, and not for good. The commander succeeding Maximus had been an incompetent, the son of a senator who had never put a foot outside Italy, who had not be able to deal with legionaries hardened by many battles and that had led the legion to its first ever defeat. It had been a good thing the fool had died on the battle field - while he was trying to escape - for the troops would have killed him if he survived. The next commander had been as bad as his predecessor. He had not even tried to win the love and the esteem of the army, or at least their respect, but he limited himself to maintain discipline thanks to the fear of terrible punishments. But Cicero knew it would not last long. Suddenly Ares pricked his ears and sniffed the air, before barking with excitement and running away. Cicero frowned but did not move. "He probably sniffed a fox," he thought and returned to his musings. However, when he decided to return to his quarters and make another attempt to sleep, he was surprised that Ares did not answer to his whistle.

Where is he? Cicero cursed under his breath and went to search for the dog. Since they were not in a war zone but in safe Italy, the camp was not surrounded by the usual high fence, and a small forest bordered it. The soldier had taken just few steps when he saw something that made him stop at once: Ares, all intent, licking a crouching man's face, and whimpering as if he were a little puppy. It was an extraordinary sight: Ares had been trained to fight and he did not trust easily; the only people he had ever licked with such transport were himself and his master, General Maximus.

In that precise moment the wolf sniffed his presence and turned to look in his direction, an action imitated by the stranger. As the man's face became visible, Cicero barely suffocated the shout of amazement and joy that threatened to escape him. "General" he exclaimed, running to his former master.

"Cicero, my friend!" They embraced with warmth.

"I thought you were dead!"

"Close." Maximus then told his manservant what had happened to him. 

Cicero listened in horrified silence, then asked, "Are you come to summon us?"

"Yes- if you want to come. I cannot force anyone to follow me."

"There will be no need, General. You just have to give the order and we will follow you to Hades and back."

Maximus smiled, touched by that show of loyalty. "Is Valerius still here?"

"Luckily, yes. He had decided to retire when the news spread that Commodus had you executed, but then changed his mind and stayed behind to keep the troops calm, and he is still here. Among other things, he has also saved my life, taking me as his manservant and protecting me."

Maximus nodded: he had always known the sense of duty that animated the infantry commander.

"Can you take me to him?"

"Of course."

Crossing the camp without being noticed proved impossible for Maximus for, despite the fact three years had elapsed since the soldiers had seen their general, his shape was so familiar, he soon found himself surrounded by his men. They all wanted to touch him, to ascertain he was not a vision, and after they did, their enthusiasm rose to the point it was difficult to keep them quiet.

When Maximus finally reached Valerius' tent, he found the burly officer already up and dressed. The two men exchanged a bear hug, then the infantry commander asked, "We are at your command, General. Just tell us what you want us to do."

Maximus nodded and asked him to summon the other centurions, for he needed to talk with all of them. Valerius did so, and soon his tent was full of hardened soldiers, all of them happy to see their general, all of them ready to follow him anywhere. Maximus explained the circumstances of  is disappearance, then read them Marcus Aurelius' letter, for the official document had been trusted to Senator's Gracchus' hands. "I intend to make his last wishes become reality," he concluded, "But I need your help to do so. Will you follow me?"

There was no hesitation among the officers; they knew about the reciprocal esteem and love that had tied Maximus to the late Caesar, and they also wanted to avenge the defeat their legion had suffered because of Commodus and his inept generals.

In few minutes squads were organized to find and isolate the legion's actual commander and the few men loyal to him. Once they were safely locked into one of the barracks, Maximus summoned his officers again and told them his plan. "Senator Gracchus has called an extraordinary Senate meeting for the day of the Nones, which Commodus will attend. With the exception of Gracchus himself and the Augusta Lucilla, nobody knows the reason of the summons is to give a public reading of Marcus Aurelius' will. It will be our duty to make sure Commodus does not escape. We also might be forced to keep order in the city."

"And fight against the Praetorians," added Valerius who, as many legionaries, had no sympathy for the imperial body-guards.

"I hope it will not be so," replied Maximus, "Quintus is on our side and assured me most of his men will follow him. Commodus is not loved even by the people that should protect him." He grimaced meaningfully. "Now let's get our rest, the next few days will be very hard."

The officers nodded, saluted and left the tent. Maximus stayed there with Valerius and Cicero, who told him, "General, please follow me: I will show you where I arranged your bed."

Maximus smiled, saluted Valerius and followed his former manservant to another tent. "My friend," he said, admiring the place, "you are priceless."

Cicero smiled, then took Maximus' hand, pressed something into his palm, and walked away quickly, feeling that his General would need to stay alone in the moment that would follow.

Maximus watched him walk away, then lowered his eyes to look at his hand. The room started to spin when he saw the small leather pouch, and he hastened to reach the nearest chair before dropping to sit on it. Then, almost with reverence, he opened the pouch and took out Selene and Marcus' figurines. His eyes filled with tears as he examined and caressed those little faces with his fingertips. "Your deaths will be avenged soon, my loves, and the two of you will be able to live in peace in Elysium."

Maximus kissed both the figurines, then walked to the bed and stretched on it, falling asleep with the little wood pieces pressed against his heart, and his dreams were filled by images of his loves: Marcus, Selene and Athenais - his past and his future.

Rome, 183AD, the Nones of July. 

"By the gods!" Commodus' furious voice echoed in the imperial palace. "I swear this is the last time that haughty old man dares to give orders to me!"

"Calm down, brother," Lucilla tried to soothe him, even if she was more nervous than he.

"Ah no, sister. This time Gracchus surpassed any limit: to summon a Senate meeting so suddenly and then pretend I approve it!"

"It is his right as decanus, Commodus."

"For not much longer. I have decided, Lucilla, it is time to disband the Senate. Falco agrees too. The mob loves me, they will follow me." Commodus smiled cruelly, "It will be interesting to see how those mouldy old men will react to losing all their privileges... No more reserved places at the theatres and the circus, higher taxes- I am sure that for many of them this will be more shocking that losing their office!" The Emperor laughed, and put an arm around his sister's shoulder, whispering in her ear. "You will see how well we will do, you and I, alone, leading the empire."

Lucilla forced a smile and, as nonchalantly as possible, she freed herself from his arm. "I am sure it will be so, Commodus."

Her brother nodded and changed the subject, "Where is Lucius?"

"He is with Athenais. She took him to Tibur. He wanted to see Hadrian's villa, while she needs to be cheered up. She just discovered her son is dead." In reality, Athenais and Lucius were hiding on the Albans Hill, in Quintus' villa, ready to flee in case something was wrong.

"I see." Commodus did not seem to be too pleased by the news, but the Praetorian commander's arrival attracted his attention.

"Caesar," Quintus saluted him with a bow, "the Senate is ready and waiting for you."

Commodus nodded and marched out the room, anxious to be done with it, never noticing the meaningful glance Lucilla and Quintus exchanged.

Commodus stormed inside the Senate hall, silencing at once the clamour that reigned in there. The senators bowed to him, and Caesar advanced to the centre of the room, where his chair was. Quintus and Lucilla followed him closely.

"So Gracchus," Commodus began, "What is so important to summon an unscheduled meeting?"

No one answered.

"Where are you, Gracchus? Are you hiding?" The Emperor asked with disdain.

Senator Gaius stepped forward. "Caesar, Senator Gracchus has yet to arrive."

"He is late? How does he dare to be late?! Does he think I have time to waste?" Commodus was furious but his outburst was interrupted by a Praetorian's sudden arrival.

"Caesar!" he exclaimed panting, "an army has broken into the city and is marching this way!"

"WHAT!?" exploded Commodus as chaos erupted into the room. 

"Are they barbarians?"  asked Gaius. Only three years before such a question would be a complete idiocy, for the Northern frontier was too well guarded to even imagine a barbarian army could arrive as far as Rome, but things had since Commodus' rise to the power, and nothing was as certain as it used to be.

"No sir, it is one of our legions. The Felix, to be precise."

Cold sweat bathed Commodus' forehead upon hearing the legion's name. It was Maximus' army and he knew those men had never forgiven him for ordering their commander's execution.

"Quintus!" he squeaked, his voice betraying his fear, while from outside the wind carried the sound on several horses trotting on the paved roads of Rome.

"Caesar?"

"Tell your men to prepare for a possible attack, then ask those soldiers what they want."

The Prefect nodded and ran out of the Senate hall.

"Sister," Commodus said, his hand reaching out, "stay near me."

Lucilla came to his side and took his hand, as her body remained tense, ready to free herself, in case it should be necessary.

Soon the rhythmic clip-clop of the hooves became louder and nearer, until it suddenly ceased. The occupants of the Senate hall looked at each other, exchanging questioning, concerned glances.

It that precise moment Senator Gracchus made his entry. "Caesar, Augusta Lucilla, my illustrious colleagues, please forgive my delay."

"Gracchus!" roared Commodus, "Have you something to do with that army's presence in town?"

"Indeed I have, Caesar," the old politician replied calmly.

Commodus let go of Lucilla's hand - and she used that moment to put distance between her and her brother - and approached the other man.

"I hope for your neck you have a good explanation for all of this."

Gracchus nodded, "You have been very clear, Caesar. Now, if I can have some silence, I have something to read."

Commodus made an ironic gesture with his hand, then sat in his chair. Gracchus walked to the centre of the room and said, " Conscript Fathers, I pray you to listen with attention, for what I am going to read are the last wishes of our Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, which just arrived in my hands."

Commodus paled upon hearing his father's name, but before he could do or say anything, Gracchus began to read. Silence had fallen on the room and his voice sounded loud and clear:

I, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, Caesar and Emperor of Rome, Patres patriae,  hereby order with this document that upon my death my place as the guide of the empire will be taken by Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Army of the North and General of the Felix legions.

To him I confer with this act the title of Protector of Rome, which he may hold for as long as he wishes. It will be for him to transform Rome from the empire back to a republic.....

When he finished, Commodus, who had barely kept himself under control till that moment, burst out, "That document is false!"

"No, Caesar," commented Gracchus dryly, "It is authentic. Antonia Athenais, your father's trusted freedwoman saw him write it with her own eyes and I examined and verified his seals and signature."

"And so? It is authentic, yes, but what do you plan to do with it? General Maximus is dead and you will soon follow his fate." Commodus was seething with rage, "You and everyone who dare to oppose me."

"I would not be so sure, Highness," a deep, rumbling voice called from behind his back.

Commodus whirled on his heels and found himself face to face with General Maximus Decimus Meridius. He tried to speak but shock and fear took away his voice. His lips moved without making any sound as his wide eyes took note of his hated enemy standing in front of him, three years after he had believed him written off for good.

Maximus stared at Commodus without any fear, his eyes filled with all the hate he felt for the man in front of him. But there was no rage inside him, only determination to do what he must. The familiar weight of his armour on his back was reassuring, and all he felt was calm and focused as his hand caressed the hilt of his sword.

After a while, Commodus seemed to regain his control and he shouted, "Guards! Arrest him! He is a traitor!"

No one moved.

"Quintus!" screamed Caesar. 

The Prefect walked to Maximus' side. "Highness?"

Commodus understood what that word really meant and hissed, "Once a traitor, always a traitor, huh? I am amazed the General still trusts you." Quintus did not react.

The young man moved away from Maximus and started to pace back and forth in the room, gesturing with his arms, while the General never let him out of his sight.

"You won't truly try to take the power, uh? You know nothing about politics. These snakes will turn against you and more, the mob will never accept you. You will see, brother, soon you will have a nice revolt on your hands!" His eyes shone with madness.

"I don't believe, Caesar, that the populace lovse you so much," interjected Gracchus, "not after being informed about how you are selling what remains of Rome's grain reserves to pay for your games. Moreover, when the mob hears the Augusta Lucilla supports the general and considers marrying him, they will accept his rise to power without problems."

Commodus paled and turned to face Lucilla. "Sister...please...tell me is not true."

She stared into his eyes, "I am sorry, Commodus, but you forced me to this."

Caesar threw himself on Maximus, but Quintus caught him, "You! If was not enough you replaced me in my father's heart, you had take my sister away from me too!" Commodus crumbled onto his chair, apparently without any more strength, burdened by a weight too hard to bear. Quintus ordered two of his men to guard him.

Several senators, thinking everything was ended, broke the silence fallen in the room and began to talk among themselves. Others, bolder than the rest, moved closer to Maximus, trying to win the favour of Rome's new master. Helvius Falco was among the first to move, a greasy smile on his face.

Maximus did not like that confusion: he was not sure Commodus was really subdued and what happened next proved him right.

Quick as lighting he grabbed one of the Praetorians and cut his throat with a stiletto he had kept hidden in one sleeve. Then he jumped on Lucilla, pressing the blade against her neck.

"Let me out of here, or I kill her, I swear it!" he shouted, his eyes wild.

Lucilla looked in terror at Maximus and he stepped forward. "Let her go, she is not the one you want. It's me. You want to fight with me, don't you? You want to make me pay for what I did to you. Well, do it: I am here."

With a howl of rage Commodus pushed Lucilla violently away, making her fall at Maximus' feet. The Spaniard waited till she stood up and walked away, then commanded, "Quintus, give him your sword."

The Prefect was shocked, "Are you sure?" 

Maximus nodded: it was how it had to end. As long as Commodus lived there would never be peace for Rome, for Lucilla and Lucius and for himself. 

Commodus took the sword and started to circle his opponent; Maximus unsheathed his sword and waited till the younger man attacked and the fight began.

The swords clashed time and time again, emitting spark as the two men moved back and forth up and down the length of the room. The emperor knew that if he wanted to win, he had to push Maximus to commit some kind of mistake. Thus he tried to provoke him to make a hurried move.

"They told me your son squealed like a girl when they nailed him to the cross....And your wife moaned like a whore when they ravaged her again, and again, and again."

Maximus' eyes filled with tears at the thought of what his family must have suffered, but his military training was stronger than his rage. Commodus grimaced in disappointment and returned to attack with Maximus parrying each blow with ease, until, suddenly he slid on the large blood stain left by the praetorian Commodus had killed earlier. It was just a misstep but Caesar was quicker than him and his sword slashed him at the calf.

Maximus gritted his teeth at the sudden pain and Commodus smiled cruelly, "What is it, Maximus? Are you getting old?"

Maximus did not reply, but returned to attack, doubling his efforts. His leg ached, but the pain only increased his determination. A tempest of blows fell over Commodus and in the end his arms did not react fast enough: the gladius practically cut him in two, killing him at once.

Maximus stared at length at the body lying at his feet, then lowered his sword arm and his head, panting. 

It was ended.

An unnatural silence fell on the room, finally broken by Senator Gracchus' clear voice, "Hail Maximus, Protector of Rome."

Maximus raised his head while all the other senators repeated the salute and bowed in respect.

A cool hand brushed his cheek and his eyes met those of Lucilla, full of tears. But they were tears of joy and relief. Maximus pulled her into his arms and embraced her; probably it was not the most appropriate behaviour for his new position, but he did not care. He had avenged his family. He had avenged Marcus Aurelius. Athenais, Lucilla and Lucius were safe.

All the rest was dust and air.

EPILOGUE
Rome, 184AD, two days before the calends of September

Maximus Decimus Meridius was in the mausoleum of the Antonini, standing in front of Marcus Aurelius' tomb. He often went there when he needed to think or resolve some difficult question, but that day was there to communicate with his friend.

"Father," he murmured with emotion, "your dream is about to become reality. If everything goes as predicted, Rome will be again a republic starting from next year." Maximus smiled, imagining Marcus Aurelius' pleased smile.

As for himself, the Protector of Rome looked forward the end of his office, when he would be finally free to return to look after his estate in Hispania, returned to him along with other land in Italia that the Senate had decided to give him as reward. He would be a very busy man, and he was already making plans.

He heard steps coming from behind his back and his smile widened even more. He knew who it was even before a delicate arm wrapped around his waist.

"So, did you tell him everything is going fine?" Athenais asked, kissing his cheek.

"Yes," he simply said, putting an arm on her shoulders and pulling her closer to him. "What are you doing here?" 

"I went to visit Lucius and while returning home I saw your horse and some Praetorians waiting outside here, thus I decided to come and salute you." She smiled.

"Good idea. I love to receive visits... especially from you, my wife." They kissed for several minutes, then Athenais pulled away. "I must go now, little Maximus will be very hungry by the time I arrive at the villa."

Maximus smiled at the thought of his infant son screaming for food, then added, "Yes, it is better you go, or he will cry his lungs out."

Maximus took Athenais by the hand and led her outside the building, but not before they both turned around to stare at Marcus Aurelius' bust, thanking him for somehow bringing them together. And in the semi-darkness of the place, with the torch flames dancing over the marble features, it seemed like the late emperor smiled back at them.