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‘Cut it out,’ said Gia. She laughed forcedly. ‘Who said I have such desires?’

‘I’m only teasing you. There’s no shame in it. You don’t have to be embarrassed,’ said Livia, nudging her flirtatiously.

Gia flushed, spluttering in search of an answer.

‘What? I didn’t, I’m not,’ she said.

‘This isn’t Pompeii. You’re not the only one any more.’

Claudia’s breath caught in her throat, surprised too. She wished she was there, to celebrate with them and share in this unity.

Gia looked to Dido, to Livia, and finally, to Dominic.

‘I know it’s not exactly a secret, but keep it to yourselves,’ she said, in a low tone. ‘It wouldn’t look good on the empress if people found out her guard was… you know.’

Livia and Dido exchanged a knowing look.

‘We know,’ said Livia.

‘Is the empress going to marry the prince?’ asked Dido, in a pointed way. ‘Because that’s what I heard.’

‘Looks like it,’ said Gia coldly. ‘She kissed him tonight.’

Livia whistled, as Claudia’s guts churned.

‘No, I didn’t,’ she said, though no one could hear her. ‘He kissed me, actually.’

‘He’s not bad to look at,’ said Dido. ‘I wouldn’t mind.’

‘All men are gross,’ said Livia.

‘Yeah, you said. Several times,’ said Dominic.

‘I don’t mean you, Dom,’ said Livia, slapping him so hard on the back he coughed. ‘You’re our honorary woman.’

‘Good luck to them, I say,’ said Dido, lifting her glass again. ‘May love find us all one day.’

‘Pfft, get real. They’ll probably get killed before they can say their vows,’ said Livia.

‘Don’t talk like that,’ said Gia.

‘What is she going to do, arrest me for gossiping? It’s true, the people already tried to kill her twice. Next time they’ll succeed.’

Gia looked to the door, her brow furrowing.

‘I should go. I shouldn’t be here. If something happens while I’m here, it will be my fault,’ said Gia.

‘You barely ever leave her side,’ said Livia. ‘You are entitled to have a life of your own.’

‘Stay out with us, please,’ said Dido, clasping Gia’s hands in her own. ‘Livia is just jealous.’

‘I’m not!’

‘She secretly wishes you were throwing yourself on top of her instead,’ said Dido.

‘I do not!’ Livia protested, her eyes bulging. ‘I never even said that. Seriously. What is wrong with you?’

Dido and Dominic chuckled together, as Livia said something in her native language that none of them could interpret.