Page 70 of Thawed Gladiator: Varro

“You look very handsome,” she says, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “How are you feeling?”

I hesitate, then decide on honesty. “Overwhelmed,” I admit. “Everything is so… different. The lights, the sounds, even the scent on the air.” I pause, a familiar doubt creeping in. “Laura, are you sure I’m not holding you back? This is your world, and I’m just… stumbling through it.”

Her eyes soften, filled with an emotion that makes my chest tighten. “Oh, Varro,” she murmurs. “You’re not holding me back. You’re my adventure, my link to a world I’ve only read about in books. I love you more than anything.”

Her words soothe my fears, at least for now. I lean in, savoring the closeness, the scent of her perfume mingling with the aroma of our meal.

As we eat, Laura gently guides me through the unfamiliar utensils and dishes. Each new taste is a discovery, a small delight in this world of wonders. But nothing compares to the joy of watching Laura’s face light up as she describes how she yearns to fly across the world to meet her family, her passion for her work, and her dreams for our future.

“Oh, my God.” Laura moans and rolls her eyes, doing such a good imitation of how she expresses her pleasure in bed that people at nearby tables turn to stare. It doesn’t seem to bother her; she simply crams another bite of steak in her mouth and moans again. When she finally swallows, she reaches across the table to grip my hand. “After half a year of seal meat, rabbits and fish stew, that was amazing.”

“You make me wonder what you enjoy more, steak or… my sword of flesh.”

She pops another bite in her mouth and says, “Toss up.” After she swallows, she flashes me a brilliant smile and amends, “Not really.”

“You’re a terrible tease… and beautiful.” I smile at her and she returns it, her eyes shining with love. I glance out the window atthe glittering cityscape. “The electric lights all over town remind me of how much time has passed.”

“Yes. We have so much yet to explore. I wish we could spend the next few years visiting a dozen places on Earth. There’s so much we both need to see. It’s just that we need to find the helicopter, retrieve the gold, and locate the other half of theFortuna. What if, by some double-triple-quadruple miracle, another of your comrades is in a block of ice somewhere else in that trench?”

My system jolts as though I’m struck by lightning. “Do you think that’s possible? There were eleven other gladiators on the ship, along with Zakur, the swarthy Phoenician captain. Plus, there was Sulla, the Romanludusmaster who made our lives a living hell.”

“A year ago, if you’d asked me if I’d ever find theFortuna, I would have said no—if I was being honest. I knew it was simply a pipe dream. Six months ago, if you’d asked me if a two-thousand-year-old man could be resurrected from the dead, I would have called you crazy. Today? Anything is possible. Our love is the proof.” She beams at me with so much affection it rocks me to the core.

In this moment, despite the chaos and confusion swirling around us, I feel a sense of peace. The future may be uncertain, filled with marvels and challenges I can’t begin to comprehend.

As we make our way back to our temporary home, I steal glances at the woman beside me. Her patience seems endless, her love a constant in the midst of all this change.

I may not understand this strange future, with its flashing lights and miraculous devices. But I understand love. And as long as Laura and I have each other, I know we’ll find our way.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Laura

Varro is exploring the vast musical catalog of the last two thousand years. Right now, our hotel room is filled with a pounding techno beat. In a moment, there’s no way of knowing if his playlist will dish up harpsichord music from the Renaissance or Zydeco’s lively accordion beats that practically transport you to Louisiana.

I try to ignore my lover’s musical choices as I pore over nautical charts and weather reports. Organizing a diving expedition is no small feat, especially when trying to keep it under wraps. But after everything we’ve been through, I’m determined to find closure—for myself, for Garrison, for the families of his crew, and for Varro.

Speaking of Varro, I glance at him. He’s sitting on the bed, his back against the headboard, his feet peddling in time to the music, and his brow furrowed in concentration as he navigates a tablet. It still amazes me how quickly he’s adapting to modern technology—in a language not his own. Sure, there are moments of frustration, but his determination never wavers.

“How’s it going over there, gladiator?” I ask, stretching my arms above my head to work the kink out of my shoulders.

He looks up, a small smile playing on his lips. “I think I’m getting the hang of this… Google? It’s like having the greatest library in the world at your fingertips.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “That’s a pretty accurate description. I’ll have to teach you about Internet safety, the dark web, and viruses, but that’s for another day.”

As I turn back to my work, I feel Varro’s gaze on me. “Laura,” he says softly, “are you sure about this expedition? What if you find the flying machine on the ocean floor, find the bodies…?”

Pushing away from the desk, I move to sit beside him on the bed. “I’m trying to prepare myself for that,” I admit, taking his hand in mine. “But it’s something I need to do. For closure, you know? Garrison left me to die on that island. Maybe it was divine justice that he never made it back, but I’d be as bad as him if I left him at the bottom of the sea.”

I brush my knuckles down his cheek. It’s as though I can’t go more than a few minutes without the reassuring feel of his skin against mine.

“I’ll be honest, I want to find the gold. You earned it with blood, sweat, and fighting for your life. The money would be great, not only for me, but I think it might afford you a cushion from the rest of the world when you need to hide. When I have a moment to breathe, I’ll talk to an attorney—” He cocks his head, an unspoken signal that he doesn’t know a word. “Anadvocatus, and put the money in a trust to make sure you have access to it no matter what happens.”

Although I’ve broached the subject before, I add, “Don’t underestimate how hard this might be on you when news of your existence goes viral.”

He nods, understanding in his eyes. “And you,Dulcis. You might need to hide, too, right? And I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.”

His words warm me from the inside out. Despite all the challenges we’ve faced—all we still face—Varro’s unwavering support is my constant.

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