Eithne supposed it could have been worse. They were still alive and down in the dungeon now. Guisset had been removed a short time ago and they could hear his agonised screams which soon stopped. When he returned, bloody and barely able to stand, even she felt pity for the state of his poor feet.“They call it the bastinado,” he told her in his broken Ormondian.“Speak Frankish, if it helps,” she urged. “I understand both.”“Yes, don’t mind me.”How could she have forgotten about her companion?“Sorry, Rowanne.”“Now, if it were Norse, I could just about get by. Let me examine that head wound.”But the mercenary brushed her aside.“I bleed easily. It’s worse than it looks.”The Princess interpreted his words for their companion’s benefit. That was when Eithne realised her time of the month had come and gone without even a trickle. She gasped aloud, feeling slightly sick.“Stay strong,” Rowanne said, eyeing her with sympathy. Let them think her squeamish. It was better than the alterna

Eithne was trembling as she watched Brutus go toe to toe with Augustus. Even though the newcomer had managed to convince her mother they needn’t fight to the death, she had never witnessed bloodshed other than on the day of the invasion. And Clara was prone to sudden whims which could change their supposed fate at the drop of a hat. Or, in her mother's case, her drawers.She didn’t know where the thought had come from but it made her want to laugh, in spite of everything. That wouldn’t be prudent right now.Both gladiators appeared to be skilful, if wary of losing, and each blow was successfully parried, making her mother yawn. Eithne wondered where Ephron had disappeared to: was he in the tower in her place, keeping Edgar company? She had to keep reminding herself that wasn’t her brother.Did the Queen want no rival, imposter or not? Or perhaps she had her eye on one of the fresh batch of fighters.“Ulf could take both of these,” Rowanne muttered.“They’re trying not to lose,” she po

The three of them headed for Iain’s quarters and were admitted by an anxious-looking young woman who began to complain loudly that she’d been neglected. Xander raised an ironic brow but it seemed to be all part of an act designed to fool the neighbouring new recruits.“We can’t be sure who’s with us and who might report back to Clara,” the gladiator explained.“Hopefully, that will not be anything to worry about soon,” Drago said.Xander eyed him with disdain. “Losing faith in me, Will?”“Flora has been teaching me that it’s not good to tempt Fate.”“I see. Thinking of retiring to the countryside and devoting all your time to the Lord of the Rainbow instead of your commander?”“You know about the old ways?” Iain asked.“I make it my business to know as much as I can about each province. Where’s Eithne?”“First things first, Xander. You can’t just go wandering the corridors. People will recognise you and Will from before. But Flavius and his assigned woman can pay a visit to the new ch

“I vote we stay here for a bit while Xander takes Eithne down to Jocasta.”“Your sister’s here? Oh, how is she?”“A pain,” her captor said.“Why won’t you let go of my arm, messire?”“Because I don’t trust you.”“Don’t look so worried, Ava. We’ll make our escape in good time.”The girl shook her head. “It has to be now, Iain. I have a bad feeling.”But the conqueror wouldn't listen.Eithne suggested they enlist the help of some of the gladiators friendly to the cause. In truth, she was wondering about Becca and if she needed female companionship.That was how they ended up in Carl’s room. Oddly, Nero didn’t have a symbol on his door, though there were signs that something had been scratched out. It looked like a dagger. If that were her, she would have been incensed, too.Ava spoke then about what it was like to await a horrible fate, reinforcing what all of them already knew: they had to get away. She was open and frank, and Eithne admired her courage. Xander was philosophical about

Megan was having a difficult time of it, having been told she must serve the new arrival, Kurt of Germania. He wasn’t a gladiator, more of a battle commander, yet he had the build and more. She suspected it would be no contest should he enter the arena.It had been hard to betray Ava, but she had not disclosed anything else, even though she was aware of the reinforcements from Normandy. Manipulating the man mountain into rescuing the prickly princess from the tower had not been easy and she had paid for it with her body. They said you never forgot your first time or who it was with. This was one memory she definitely wouldn’t cherish.Kurt was a brutish lover and there was no pleasure, just discomfort and pain. She suspected he had his own agenda and that Clara should watch her back. If only that bitch’s days were numbered, it would all have been worth it.And now Alexander of the Franks was camped outside, biding his time until they starved. She really doubted it would come to that.