“She also told me she wouldn’t treat me differently than the other girls.”
“Perhaps her perspective has altered.” Thalestris put a fingertip on the damp wood of the door, tracing the faint remains of the stain. “Or perhaps she would take the same course of action with any one of her charges.”
“And do you agree with her?” I challenged. “About sending me back to the ludus?”
“The decision is hers to make, not mine,” she said. “But no. I would send you back into the arena. You can’t win the fight—whatever fight you face—by running from it. But think on this: It would break the Lanista’s heart if she were to lose her beloved sister.” She gazed at me steadily with her dark, unblinking eyes. “Believe me. I know.”
With that, she nodded at me and glided off down the hall. I stood there for a long time after she’d gone, staring at the wet pink rag in my hands and wondering what to do next.
? ? ?
I skipped the evening meal, preferring to brood alone in my room. Of course, Elka wasn’t having any of it, and she insisted on keeping me company while I fumed and paced. When there was a knock on my door I opened it, surprised to see Nyx standing there.
“What do you want?” I asked.
She glanced over her shoulder and then stepped inside, closing the door behind her. “I wanted to see if you were all right.”
“Oh. Of course you did,” I snapped. “And I deeply appreciate your obviously genuine concern. Now get out.”
“Wait.” Nyx shook her head. “That business with the crow? It wasn’t me.”
To my surprise, I could tell from her expression that she was actually telling the truth. Suddenly, I felt exhaustion wash over me. The animosity just became too much effort. I sighed and sat down on the bed.
“I know it wasn’t you,” I said, raking a hand through my hair. “Elka already vouched for you.”
Nyx glanced at Elka, who shrugged.
“I just wonder who it was and what they think they’re trying to prove.”
“If I knew, I’d tell you.”
At that, Elka snorted.
“I would.” Nyx crossed her arms. “Look, I know I’m not nice. But I don’t resort to dirty tricks, and I don’t respect anyone who does. I fight hard and I fight well, and sometimes it’s hard for me to admit when somebody else does too.” She looked at me through narrowed eyes. “The Fury? I don’t know that I could’ve beaten her.”
“I’m not sure I did.”
“You did. It was a good fight. An honorable fight.” Nyx took another step into the room, her expression turning rueful. “I mean it. And for the first time since I’ve been at the ludus, I have someone pushing me to be a better fighter. Even if it kills me to admit it . . . I’ve needed that.” She held out her hand. “We can still be rivals, but I want us to be friends too.”
I hesitated. How would Nyx react if I told her that she no longer had to compete against me—that Sorcha was withdrawing me from the Victory challenge? I decided, considering everything she’d just said, that it might not be the right moment to enlighten her.
I stood and clasped Nyx’s wrist.
She smiled and said, “Good. Listen, I have a patron here in Rome, a wealthy equestrian lady. She sent me word of revels taking place tonight.”
“Revels?”
“A party. A big one. Very lavish, very exclusive, full of other rich patricians looking to spend money on pretty young fighters.”
“I already have a patron,” I said, careful not to name Charon.
“I noticed.” Nyx pointed at Elka. “But you don’t. And you could do better than Ajani’s castoffs.”
Elka lifted a shoulder. “I’m not fussy.”
Nyx turned to me. “Come on, Fallon. We’re all on edge after today. We deserve a bit of fun!”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Did the Lanista gave you permission to go?”
She grinned. Wickedly.
I felt an answering grin spread across my face.
The domus we were lodged in was similar to the ludus compound in that we weren’t locked into our sleeping cells at night. But neither were we exactly free to wander the streets of Rome at will, and getting caught doing so would, I was sure, bear consequences. Nyx didn’t seem to think it would be a problem.
“It’ll be fun,” she said.
“I’ll go if Elka does,” I said.
Elka blinked at me, but Nyx just grinned.
“Fine by me,” she said. “I invited Lydia too. She could use some new kit, and she knows how to behave around men. But you have to be quick and change. Put on something nice. Fancy. Meet me down by the laundry scullery as soon as you can. Don’t get caught. And don’t tell any of the other girls!”
And then she was gone.
I plucked at the hem of my plain tunic. “Something nice?”
“Fancy?” Elka was dressed the same way as I was.