Warning: Minor sexual content. Nothing explicit.

****

Acacius' heart was heavy as he made the return journey home. He kept replaying the emperor's words over in his mind.

War was coming to Rome.

He dreaded telling Ana. Of course, there would be no keeping it from her. The moment she saw his face, she'd know something wasn't right. Acacius sighed as he spotted his villa, ahead, in the distance. His heart leapt as he thought of Ana being there to greet him.

Although Acacius knew that Ana had despised him for many months after he'd brought her here, she'd slowly warmed up to him and he realized with a jolt that he couldn't live without her.

Acacius rode through the gates, straight to the front entrance before dismounting and allowing the stable hand to care for his horse. Even before he reached the front door, it was thrown open and Ana stood there, looking like a goddess. She smiled, extending her hand to him.

Acacius smiled back, accepting her hand, kissing it and stepping inside, closing the door. Ana, as he knew she would, immediately registered the troubled look in his eyes.

"It was bad news, wasn't it?" Acacius nodded, knowing he couldn't hide the truth from her.

"War is coming to Rome." He said it simply, easily, although it couldn't have been farther from the truth. Ana's eyes widened.

"How...long?" Acacius shook his head, leading her upstairs to his quarters. He didn't wish to discuss this in front of the servants. He led Ana into his room, firmly shutting the door behind them and releasing Ana's hand as he began to pace.

"The emperor has been receiving some alarming reports from General Matthias, on the West Coast of Italy. Apparently some of our neighboring countries are growing rather...antsy, wanting blood repaid for blood."

Ana had no idea what Acacius was speaking about. She wasn't caught up in the political aspect of this Roman world. She only knew what Acacius shared, which wasn't much. Whenever she asked, he always told her it was dull and she needn't trouble herself with the details. Ana had a feeling that was about to change.

"He wasn't certain," Acacius said, his tone grave. "It could be weeks, months or.." Acacius paused, looking over at Ana. "Or merely..days. We don't know."

"Why are you sharing this with me?" Ana asked, aware of how strained her voice sounded.

"Because, the empire needs as many skilled fighters as possible," Acacius replied. The reality struck Ana dumb. She knew what Acacius was implying. She would be expected to fight.

Again.

****

Later that night, as Ana laid in her bed, she couldn't settle. She tossed and turned, knowing that war, once again, was right on her doorstep. She eventually gave up on sleep, slipping from her bed, grabbing her robe, putting it on and softly stealing away from the her room. She crept downstairs, in the dark, knowing she should have at least lit a candle to light her way.

As her foot hit the final step and the floor, she spotted a flickering light coming from the library. She headed in that direction, peeking inside and seeing Acacius studying some old maps. At her appearance, Acacius looked up. He smiled, beckoning her closer. Ana complied, standing beside him.

"You couldn't sleep, either?" Acacius shook his head.

"This talk of war, is going to drive us both mad," Ana said, reaching out to grip Acacius' shoulder. She massaged it, feeling him tense beneath her fingers.

"Perhaps." Acacius sighed. "I shouldn't have troubled you with the news." Ana gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"I would have guessed, eventually. Besides, I'm honored you chose to confide in me." Acacius chuckled, reaching up to pat her hand.

"You can read me too well. I can't seem to keep any secrets from you."

"You aren't very transparent," Ana agreed, moving to sit on the couch, tucking her feet beneath her. Acacius' eyes roamed her body, a desperate spark beginning in his belly.

Ana immediately recognized the fire in his eyes. He was restless and needing to release some of that energy. She lifted her arm, motioning him forward. Acacius needed no more prodding. The restlessness was driving him now. He wouldn't be deprived.

He practically fell upon Ana, grabbing her hips and hoisting her nearer. She didn't resist. Perhaps there was a part of her that needed this as much as Acacius did.

His lips connected with hers, passionate and fiery, his hands gripping tighter. Ana's breath hitched, as she grabbed on to Acacius' strong body, allowing him to take control.

He eased Ana on to her back, his entire body thrumming with need. A flash of guilt pierced his heart and Acacius drew back. Ana frowned, reaching up, tenderly cupping his cheek in her palm.

"What is it?"

"I..I feel like I'm..taking advantage of you." His voice was rough and Ana knew he was struggling with guilt. She grasped the front of his tunic, drawing him nearer, gently pressing her lips to his.

"You're not. I am willing, Acacius." His lips twitched as he laid his head upon her chest, allowing Ana's fingers to stroke his scalp. He sighed, his body finally relaxing. He raised his head, gazing into her eyes, his hands searching for her hips in the semi darkness of the room. Ana smiled.

"Go on, General," she said softly. Acacius needed no prodding now.

****

The sun was just peeking over the horizon the following morning when Ana awoke, still lying on the couch, Acacius, nestled up beside her. She smiled, studying his ruggedly handsome face. She always thought he appeared much more peaceful when he was asleep than when he was awake.

She shifted her body a little, realizing all that was covering her was Acacius' tunic. She groaned, hoping no one had peeked in here earlier and saw her in such a shameful manner. While the servants knew that Ana was the general's personal companion, it still made her squirm inside, imagining what they thought.

Acacius stirred as well. His eyes fluttered open and he smiled at Ana, reaching out and tracing a finger over her cheek.

"Good morning." His voice was still thick with sleep. Ana chuckled.

"It is indeed a good morning," she said. "However, I'm hardly decent and we're still downstairs, in the library."

Acacius groaned as well, the realization dawning on him as well. He struggled to a sitting position, shifting and leaning over to collect Ana's clothes from the floor, passing them to herself without a backwards glance. He kept his gaze trained forward while Ana dressed. She noticed how he often did this, allowing her some privacy after they'd had intimate relations.

Ana quickly slipped her own tunic over her head, pulling it down before nudging Acacius, giving him the signal that he could look now. This time, however, he simply stood and, slipped his own tunic on, exiting the room without another word to Ana.

She stood, stretching, walking around, getting some of the stiffness out of her joints from last night's activities. She recalled how...urgent Acacius had seemed. She assumed it was his uneasiness that was driving him, but Ana was beginning to think there was something more to it.

Ana slipped from the library herself and caught a whiff of eggs and tea being prepared. Her stomach rumbled and she headed for the kitchen. The cook looked up, bidding her good morning and asked if the general was waiting for his breakfast. Ana replied she wasn't certain. She realized she didn't know where Acacius had retreated to.

Ana left the kitchen, heading into the dining room, expecting to see Acacius, but the room was empty. Ana frowned, wandering towards the front entrance. She stopped short. Acacius was standing out front, holding a piece of parchment in his hands and scowling.

"Acacius?" He whipped around, the parchment slammed against his chest, as he continued scowling. He didn't address Ana. Instead he stalked past her, into the house. Ana stood there, bewildered. Whatever was in that letter, had Acacius clearly riled up.

And she was frightened of what it said because she knew Acacius was frightened as well, but would refuse to admit as much.