Chapter Eight
Death is too bright, I thought to myself as I struggled to take in the warm golden glow of the room. The air was warm but dry. The subtle scent of rose swam in the air. Roses and strawberries.
I blinked repeatedly, gathering my bearings. How many thousands of miles had I marched? I couldn’t feel my feet, but I figured it was because they had fallen off somewhere along the route.
Above me a white ceiling stretched as far as I could see. I sat slightly, expecting my body to ache and sting at the movement, but strangely my body was fluid as though I’d never even taken part in the death march.
I stopped when the white sheet covering me—the only thing covering me—slipped slightly and revealed my chest. Yawning, I tried to hold in my stretch as I clutched at the cotton material tighter.
“I promised the Emperor a goddess.” I knew the voice without having to seek it out in the corner of the room.
The Mage.
“I can’t take you into Rome looking like a ruffian scrap I’ve found on the streets.”
I glanced in her direction. Her black cloak was removed, her dress beneath the colour of a fast river. It seemed to move as water might. A magical sight. Clearly, I was still ill from my desperate walk.
I glanced around. The room was large and airy, and exactly how I imagined a Roman villa would look. Large ceramic jugs were lined on a low table next to me. Bright plates of copper held sumptuous fruit.
“Does it matter how I look if I am attending him unwillingly?”
Her lips quirked at my question. “Believe me, you will want to look your best. His Eminence, the Emperor, does not like to look upon things that are not pleasing to the eye.”
“Why are you taking me to him? You are the same as me. I can feel it, or I know it. So why are you on this awful path?” I stop myself from asking what it is I do to her that makes her kill her own child in two thousand years’ time.
“Because he wants more than I can give him.” Her dark gaze swept over my face. “Perhaps more than I want to give him. Or, maybe it’s the simple fact I’m not the one he wants. I never have been.”
I watched her carefully, looking for any tell, any sign of her weakness. “Or maybe you want what he wants but know he will be the way you will get it.”
She paused, leaning back in her chair, and steepling her fingers together. “Either way, your position is precarious.”
“You could take me now. Help me access my full potential, keep me to yourself.”
“And at what price?” She tilted her head as though she were honestly contemplating it. “No. This is the path we are on.”
“Why does he want me? Why has he looked of me through so many other girls?”
Her lips curved slightly. “I see Augustus has been twittering like a little bird. That man is no end of problems.” Part of me didn’t doubt her statement; his words rang in my head still as clear as day—however, his soft whisper in my ear, and his arms as they swept me up spoke deeper down. I ignored them—it was the only sensible thing to do.
“Aeuralia, Blandina.” The Mage stood, her voice calling out into the large room. Her dress really did shimmer like water as she walked. I watched almost mesmerised. How was that even possible?
Two girls in simple white shifts sprung forward.
“Clean Mae and make her suitable for her future.” Her dark silver gaze stole over me before she turned. “Ensure she looks as warm and as sumptuous as spring itself.”
Her command made no sense to me, but I didn’t have time to puzzle over it. One of the girls stepped forward, her hand lifting to my face. She smiled, warm and reassuring as she cupped my cheek.
“Maia,” she whispered but I shook my head.
“No, just Mae.”
I held in a startled breath as she leant in and kissed my cheek, feeling a gentle warm pressure of her lips.
Okay. That was uncomfortable.
“Come.” She gestured me up and I clutched onto my white sheet for all it was worth. The two girls giggled as they led me forward and I gasped in amazement as they led me to a huge pit in the floor filled with water. The scent of rose was strong, and it warmed me from the inside out, relaxing me as they encouraged me to step into the warm water. I let go of the sheet as they tugged at it, submerging myself into the warm water. It seeped against my body, luxury after weeks of laborious destitution. The girl Aurelia pushed at my head guiding me under the water. I hesitated at first until her eyes met mine.
“Heal.” It was a simple request and the pull of the water eased my apprehension. I slid under, holding my breath as I submerged within the depths. Under the surface I could see how big the pool was, deep steps wrapped around every side. It was warm though, sensuous almost. I stayed under until I could no longer hold my breath and then burst back through the surface, my heart lifting almost with the splash of the water.
Both the women giggled and whispered together, too low for me to catch. I held in a squeal as they set at me with large sponges of rough loofah and began to brush at my skin in round circles. I tried my best to cover my breasts and duck from their advancing strokes but swiftly realised it would be over quicker if I just stood still. When they were satisfied I was clean, and were nodding happily away and chattering in their singsong talk, they pulled me from the water.
I refused to shrink away when they anointed my skin from top to toe with rose-scented oil, and
