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Claudia sat on the bed, unmoving. She told herself that it was smart, that she was a ruthless, cool-headed, cold-hearted leader now. She had put Rome ahead of her own wants and needs, like all good heroes. She had put Gia’s wellbeing first, even if that meant hurting her.

Hadn’t she?

She would kill a legion for her, if she had to.

She would go to war, if she had to.

But in the dark of the night, alone with the haunting shades of her father and brother, Claudia knew the truth.

She was a coward.

13. THE EMPRESS OF ALL WOMEN

Claudia had stayed awake all night, watching the shield and laying plans.

In the lonely hours before morning, her bed so cold and empty without Gia in it, she had come to several conclusions. If being empress meant making such large personal sacrifices, it had to be for good reason. It could not be in vain. She couldn’t live with herself, if she was a coward both in her heart and on the throne. She needed to be formidable again, like she was when the goddess Victoria came to her aid.

That gave her a grand idea, which grew and grew in the dark of the early morning, until it took over her.

Claudia found herself gripped by a delusional, wide-eyed kind of mania that enabled her to wash and dress, as if everything was normal. It filled her with false purpose and anxious energy that spilled over, making her hands shake.

Gia waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, wearing her uniform armour with a sword on her hip.

She looked momentarily flustered when she saw Claudia descending, before quickly recovering herself, plastering on a neutral, composed expression.

They didn’t speak until her handmaids drifted off to fetch her breakfast, while the guards retreated to the hall outside.

‘Did you sleep well?’ asked Claudia.

‘Not really,’ said Gia. ‘Those beds in the servants’ quarters aren’t very comfortable. Just saying.’

Claudia longed to touch her, to comfort her, but she feared it would only make things worse.

‘You?’ asked Gia, after a beat.

‘Terribly. I hated us sleeping apart,’ she said.

‘Your choice,’ said Gia. ‘I didn’t want it.’

‘It’s not what I want either. I hate that I’ve hurt you.’

Gia frowned and looked away.

‘Who said I was hurt?’

‘I’m going to do something a little drastic today,’ said Claudia, changing the subject.

‘I thought you wanted to lie low,’ said Gia.

‘This may just take the attention off us. Soon the people will not be talking about Empress Lesbionicus but the Empress of All Women.’

Gia cocked her head curiously, but before Claudia could respond, they were surrounded by advisors and guards and senators. She called Damocles and Hieronymus into the throne room, as Gia followed.

‘How can we be of service today, Empress?’ said Damocles.

The consul and her palace advisor gazed at her with apprehension, sensing both that she had something to say and that they wouldn’t like it.

‘I intend to issue a proclamation stating that women can join the army if they wish,’ she said, without introduction. ‘Starting next quarter.’