“We did it once. Saving that boy from death or a tortured life made us realize what it meant to have power. It wasn’t given to us by the gods to stomp on the rest of the world. It was given to us to give grace and mercy and kindness to those less fortunate in their circumstances.”
I wondered at this Roman noble lady, another one defying my understanding of these people while I’d lived in Rome. I realized I had a narrow view living in Valerius’s house.
“Titus and I knew that the gods had joined us for a greater purpose, beyond our love for one another.” She stepped closer, her expression earnest. “Tofreeas many as we could.”
Emotion thickened my throat. I’d thought this woman’s physical beauty was remarkable. But it was the beauty of her soul that made her truly lovely.
“You said Titus was your mate?”
She smiled softly. “Our dragons chose one another. We were divinely meant to be together.”
“I have heard of such a thing,” I told her. “Humans choose their own soulmates.”
“Do they?” she asked, her lips quirking in a mysterious smile. “Though I’m a dragon, I have seen many humans find their soulmates, destined by the gods.”
“How can anyone know what the gods want?”
“When you sense them in your life, you know.”
Knowing my magic made me feel touched by the gods, I thought there was some truth to that.
“Well,” I added confidently. “I chose mine. Jardani. He is dead now. Like your Titus.”
“I am sorry for your loss.” I could tell that she meant it by her expression. “But I believe the gods choose mates for humans as well. I do not think you will live this life without a destined love.”
Frowning, I added, “You do not know me. You cannot know that.”
“I suppose not. But I’ve always had a touch of premonition.”
“You have the sight?” I asked eagerly, adding quickly, “My grandmother had it.”
“Did she?” She smiled again. “That’s remarkable. I have only the smallest spark. I can sometimes read truths of people.”
I stared, wondering about this noblewoman of Rome, touched by Minerva as my bunica was. As I was.
“What truth do you read in me?”
Her green eyes brightened, then she reached out and touched the back of my hand, her fingernails extending into black claws. The sizzle of magic slipped over my skin like a warm breath. Her pale skin darkened with the outline of black scales.
“You may not be a dragon, Lela, but you are transforming. Thereis magic in you.” She closed her eyes. “Bright magic. It will become brighter still. I also see a journey and reunion.”
She opened her eyes, blinking away tears that had pooled there.
“What is it?” I asked. “What else did you see?”
“It isn’t what I saw. It’s what I felt.” Her expression brightened suddenly. “Come with me.”
A journey. Just like Euphemia had said. And a reunion? As I followed Fausta through her home, I wondered if the reunion would be with Trajan. A fluttering of hope buoyed me up that we would be reunited.
I’d dreamed of him last night. Of his tenderness, of the sorrow in his gaze as he whisperedgoodbyeagainst my lips.
Fausta led me into an opulent room that could only be her bedchamber. By the time we reached it, all signs of her dragon had retreated back inside her.
The bed was draped in creamy silks and white cushions. There were multiple settees and chairs covered in embroidered gold fabrics. There was a giant wooden wardrobe with the carvings of a goddess in half-skin, her naiads surrounding her. The craftsmanship was extraordinary.
“Is that Minerva?” I asked.
“Juno, actually.” She laughed. “Titus had this one made for me. He’d always called me his queen, so I should have a queen’s wardrobe.”
