He didn’t love her; Gaius wanted Isca for her money.
She wrapped her arms around her body as she choked back sobs. All she’d ever been was a fortune to him. Isca was seeing the real Gaius, and it was destroying her dream. Well, so be it.
“Go,” she ordered as she felt the Sin raise its head. It sensed Isca’s pain and weakness and prodded at her. Isca shoved it down and lifted her chin.
Gaius watched her carefully, seeking to understand if she meant her words.
“I said, leave. Go to your whore.” With those harsh words, Isca fled.
???
“You shouldn’t be here,” Valeria whispered as we stood in a corner.
“I need to witness this,” Isca replied.
Deep inside her, anger grew, feeding her Sin and her hate. The rumours had filtered through the city of Gaius and Praejecta’s betrothal. Isca was watching Praejecta as she preened on the emperor’s dais. Justinian lounged on his throne, paying no attention to her or anything else.
Finally, Gaius arrived and headed to clasp his fist to his chest before Justinian. The emperor peered up and smiled.
“At last, my friend,” he boomed, and everyone quieted down. “Friends and countrymen, I wish to announce a blessing indeed. My niece Praejecta and my legate Gaius will be wed in quattuordecim dies[3].”
Praejecta’s gaze swept the floor and found Isca. She seemed triumphant as others turned to look at her, pity in their eyes. Isca stood tall; nobody would know how this was breaking her inside. She’d sought love and lost it to a cheap whore who couldn’t keep her legs shut.
A strong hand wrapped around her waist, and Isca stiffened. Who dared touch her so familiarly? Ready to tear someone to shreds, she gazed into the golden eyes of Leonidas. He smiled down at her as whispers broke out.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered as Leonidas dropped his head to hers.
“Proving nobody fucks with my sister, although these mortals won’t know that,” Leonidas replied.
A smile crossed Isca’s lips as she guessed her brother was about to cause mayhem. Leonidas tucked her arm into his and began making his way to the dais.
“That’s Leonidas Midas,” a man whispered, and before they even reached the emperor, everyone knew he was in the room.
“Pius Felix Augustus[4],” Leonidas said.
“Leonidas Midas! Fair greeting, what brings you to my court?” Justinian asked, sitting up.
“I heard rumour of a lovely and fair maiden. I came to discover the truth and found her,” Leonidas announced.
“Isca?” Justinian said, looking shocked.
“Are you saying you don’t think she’s one of the most beautiful women alive?” Leonidas challenged.
Out of the corner of Isca’s eye, she saw Gaius straighten and stare at them. Praejecta was also gaping in astonishment.
“Of course, Isca is favoured at my court for her beauty, intelligence, and wit,” Justinian scrambled.
Isca barely hid a smile. Nobody wished to upset the incredibly wealthy and famous hero, Leonidas. Leonidas was known for his exploits in battle, which earned him his heroic status, and for his ability to make money. In fact, it was rumoured he was wealthier than the emperor.
“Yes, a man who throws away a pearl as valuable as Isca for a mere tarnished piece of silver is an imbecile,” Leonidas said, staring straight at Gaius. Beside him, Praejecta bristled. She recognised the insult.
“Indeed. Who’d cast aside a woman like Isca? Only a fool,” Justinian agreed, and whispers surged through the room. Justinian had just unknowingly insulted his legate, and Gaius seemed furious.
“Maybe Isca isn’t such a valuable pearl but rather a deceptive version of one,” Praejecta said. Gasps abounded at the blatant insult, and Justinian looked unamused.
“Perhaps a woman with such scandalous relationships as yours should know her place and keep her mouth shut. Everyone here recognises who and what you are.” Leonidas slapped back immediately.
Anger built in Isca as she stared at Praejecta’s face. Isca was more beautiful, there was no doubt, but Praejecta was pretty.
