Right then, I heard the distant roar of the people. They lined the streets far into the city. The chariot carrying Caesar and Drussus must be drawing closer. The crowd inside the forum erupted as the golden chariot, drawn by six black stallions, paraded in a circle. Drussus and Caesar waved to the people as they passed.
Both wore full battle regalia, looking like the fierce warriors of Rome they were. Red rose petals floated in the air, tossed in the wind by the people on balconies and from the street, showering Caesar and Drussus as they rode toward the temple steps on their regal chariot.
The chariot came to a stop then they ascended the steps to a cacophony of cheers, the crowd chanting, “Caesar, Caesar, Caesar.”
“He still has the people,” I noted.
“The people like a victory for Rome. It makes them feel safe.”
“That doesn’t worry you?” I asked, looking at his profile, his gaze on the forum.
“Not at all. When the people understand a power greater than Caesar, one that can set them free of his oppression, is at hand, they’ll turn against him in a heartbeat.” He looked down at me, arresting my pulse with the intensity of his expression. “I know it.”
Holding his gaze, I finally said, “I believe you.”
Then we both watched the forum. When Caesar and Drussus reached the top, a servant in red—Caesar’s colors—stepped forward carrying a pillow with something on it. It was round, with leaves, but sparkled with gold as well.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“A bone garland. Yes.”
I’d never seen a triumph before, that spectacle not something Valerius ever allowed me out of the house to witness. Likely only because he thought I’d use the crowds to run away. But Andreas had told me about the tradition of fashioning a garland from the bones of the slaughtered enemy, typically their king or someone else high-ranking if the king was to be killed in a public display.
“That is likely made with Adolfo’s bones,” said Trajan.
“Who?”
“The man the emperor was in the process of whipping to death. Apparently, he was important to the Visigoth king.” Trajan paused but seemed to have more to say as he watched the coronation of Drussus by Caesar to the adoring crowd’s cheers. “He was the man I killed.”
I turned to see his expression—tight and angry. “His name was Adolfo?”
He gave a stiff nod. “Caesar told me to take a turn at lashing him. He thought my beast needed blood.”
My pulse raced at the image in my head, of Trajan being told to beat another helpless human being. No matter that he was their enemy.
“I took Caesar’s blade and buried it in his heart instead.”
He seemed to need to confess more of his sin to me. He’d already told me, but the burden still weighed on his heart.
“You had to do it,” I said, convincing myself that it must be true, “it was a mercy.”
“Maybe. But I also had to stay alive. There was no surviving for Adolfo.”
I swallowed at the hardness in his voice, at the ruthless nature of this world I was trapped in.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Lela.” He studied my expression, certainly seeing fear there.
“Why shouldn’t I be afraid?”
“I may be a monster, a killer. But I’myourmonster now.”
I stared in shock and wonder as he turned back to the spectacle. When he said nothing more, we both watched in silence as another chariot, less fine than the emperor’s, rode into the forum.
Standing upright and bound to a pole with his hands behind his back was the Visigoth king. From here, I could tell he was a large man. He wore only torn trousers, his body covered in the filth thrown at him by the people as he passed. His hair hung long, well past his shoulders. The chariot made the circle through the forum so all could see him before the chariot stopped at the foot of the temple steps.
Emperor Igniculus stood from the throne where he’d taken his seat and raised his arms to quiet the crowd. He had a deep, bellowing voice when he spoke, his words carrying easily to where we watched.
“My good Romans, Legatus Drussus has done what my traitor nephew Julianus Dakkia could not. He has conquered the barbarians who killed and burned our Roman provinces in Moesia and Thracia. The Visigoths are defeated!”
