I don’t have the opportunity to tell her in this moment, because her sisters cry out her name and in a rush of colors and garments, they surround her. Their voices fill my ears and I am pushed out of the way. Then, I hear male chuckles and I turn to look in their direction.
There standing in front of me are three of the most powerful leaders in the world, aside from myself. I have never seen them in person, never met them before, but I know that is who they are just by the way they stand and present themselves.
Walking toward them, I extend my arm and introduce myself. They each shake my hand, introducing themselves as Elias, Aaric, and Colton.
“I guess we’re all family,” Colton says with a grin on his lips.
“The four most powerful leaders in the world and we are all bound by sisters. If these aren’t the ultimate unions, I don’t know what could be,” Elias announces.
“How did you know to come here now?” I ask.
It is Aaric who clears his throat. “My seer, she had a vision.”
“As did Aeliana, my maga,” I say.
“Things are falling apart in Devilrise,” Colton admits. “We are having problems and I think that it is the prophecy.”
Nodding, I remember Aeliana telling me that there were problems arising. “Bunafi is not immune to issues as well, it is why when Aaric came to me, I agreed to come immediately. I can sense it in the air, there is something on the horizon,” Elias murmurs.
“We must meet all together and privately,” I suggest. “After you’ve all eaten and rested.”
Dipping my chin, I notice the small child nestled in both Elias’ and Aaric’s arms. I can’t help but think of what Aeliana has just told us, that we may not ever have one. It should matter to me, as the emperor, it should mean so much to me to have an heir. It does, but again, it does not.
The only heirs that I want are with Drucilla. If it does not happen for us, I will just name my successor. My legacy and name will live on, but I will not do such harm to my mulier as to create life with another, not when I know that it would ultimately break her in every way possible.
The large crowd is guided into the dining room where more food is brought out along with drinks. Drucilla smiles and speaks animatedly with her sisters. I watch from afar, soaking her in as she interacts with them.
“She is different with them, lighter, but also not herself,” Marcellus observes from beside me.
The men are chatting amongst themselves, their attention split between conversation, their wives, and their children. It is a houseful of people, of family, and I find that it makes me smile.
My father had many mistresses and many children, but the only ones who lived in this domum were me and Marcellus. It is good to see the domum full of laughter and love. After we’ve eaten, I turn to the men.
“Shall we discuss strategies, what we know, and the unknown together?” I ask.
Instantly, they turn to me, their lips twitching into a small smile. Strategies and war, these men know that well and I can tell that they are of the same breed as me. This will be a good match, the four of us, our countries uniting.
Perhaps the gods knew exactly what they were doing.
DRUCILLA
I am happy, bubbly even as I talk with my sisters, but inside I am dying a slow death. Aeliana sits a few seats down, but her words take up residence inside of my head and they do not leave.
Children.
A child of my own.
I never thought that I would have a problem conceiving and here I am, possibly never able to have one of my own.
Lifting my hand to my throat, I close my eyes for a moment as I attempt to catch my breath. What will happen between me and Tiberius if he cannot have his heir. He doesn’t just want boys, he needs them.
“Dru, can I talk to you?” Birdie asks.
Opening my eyes, I look over to her and give her a smile. She doesn’t smile back, instead she reaches for my hands and grips them tightly.
“You don’t talk to us. We don’t know what has happened the past few years, but I’m asking you now. What is wrong?”
Blinking away the tears that threaten to fall, I shake my head. “Nothing, I’m just happy to see my sisters again,” I say.
It’s the truth wrapped around a lie. If Birdie detects the lie, she doesn’t call me out on it, not that she would anyway.
“What happens now?” Sybilla asks.
We all look at each other, and nobody has an answer. Instead of guessing, I turn to face Aeliana.
“Tell us, what is happening now?” I ask.
Aeliana smiles, though it does not reach her eyes. “What happens now is anyone’s guess, but Diaboli is coming and we must accept that. Do any of you have control of your powers yet?” she asks.
Again, we silently look at each other. At least we’re all in the same boat on the powers thing. None of us knows what we’re doing or how to control it apparently. Aeliana laughs softly, shaking her head.
“Thankfully, I have had many years of practice with mine. But to be clear, you do not need to be in complete and total control of your powers to beat Diaboli. You just need to trust in the gods and do what you can. The rest will play out as the fates allow.”
“I really wish we all didn’t rely on fate so much,” Liv sighs. “The gods brought us here, they should have given us an instruction manual or something.”
Birdie giggles, but I can do nothing but watch my sisters. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve seen them,
