The Emperor's Champion by Ayaana Noman

In the heart of Rome, where blood spills as freely as wine, a gladiator rises from the sands of the arena, a man forged in battle and bound by chains-until he is granted his freedom. But liberty comes at a price. Torn from the only life he has ever known, he is thrust into the treacherous world of politics, betrayal, and whispered conspiracies. The emperor himself names him a champion, not of the games, but of the throne-a blade in the shadows, a shield against unseen enemies.

Yet even the strongest warrior is not immune to fate. As he navigates a world far deadlier than the arena, he finds himself drawn to a woman he can never have-the emperor's betrothed, a senator's daughter trapped in a gilded cage. Their love is forbidden, their choices limited, and the walls closing in.

But in Rome, loyalty is a currency, and betrayal is inevitable. As enemies sharpen their knives and the empire teeters on the edge of chaos, one question remains: when the final blow falls, will he be the one holding the blade-or the one bleeding out on the marble floor?

A gripping tale of power, sacrifice, and the weight of destiny, The Emperor's Champion is a brutal yet hauntingly beautiful story of a man who was never meant to survive.