Page 126

‘I already do. Every moment of my life is a lie.’

He didn’t elaborate, leaving the words to hang between them.

‘We have no choice,’ he said at last. ‘You need me, and I need you. You must choose between your duty as a ruler, and your lover. Marcellus will soon return from Britannia. Your answer, is it yes, or no?’

‘You must give me time. I need time to think about it.’

The prince admired her a moment, then nodded.

‘Three days,’ he said. ‘You have three days to decide.’

‘And if I say no?’

‘Then we must be enemies.’

‘I see. It’s like that, is it?’

‘I do not wish it; I have grown fond of you, Claudia Caesaria. But I must put my people first. Protect them. For now, let me give you a small token of my affection.’

‘Another gift?’ she said.

‘A kiss,’ he said.

Grudgingly, Claudia turned her face slightly, offering her cheek.

Before she knew what was happening, the prince leaned down to brush her lips with his.

She froze, not returning the gesture, but not moving away either. He pulled her closer. His lips were much colder than Gia’s, not as soft or sweet. It was a nothing kind of kiss, but she feared being visibly rude, so she smiled as if it was pleasant.

Finally, thankfully, he broke away.

It was, despite her long history of flirting, Claudia’s first kiss with a man, and it was a dry husk. It was the kiss of two people who were biologically incompatible.

She knew then that she did not, could never, desire him. That she could spend her whole life with him, bear his children, even bury him, and she would never love him.

She would never love him like she loved Gia right now.

She was like Sappho, after all.

‘That was… wonderful,’ said the prince.

‘Yes, magical,’ said Claudia.

‘My heart is stirring… in flight.’

‘And mine, mine is also… flying,’ she lied.

They stood in silence, as the prince reached for her hand. He tried to entwine their fingers together but they didn’t fit right, clashing together uncomfortably.

‘You have three days to make your choice,’ he said. ‘I hope your answer will be yes, my empress.’

Darius bowed once more and retreated to his rooms.

Claudia remained behind alone, staring at her reflection in the pond as her whole life washed over her.

She told herself that all was not lost. She had changed the future before by coming to power against all odds, and she could do so again. She would do it again. She would not let Marcellus usurp her, and she would not marry Darius under duress.

She would find another way.