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She found her way to the atrium, which was full of nude statues, open to the starry autumn skies. They were not the familiar gods, but scenes from older Greek mythology.

She recognized Achilles and Patroclus in their tragic embrace.

People like her had always existed, sometimes in the shadows, sometimes in the open. They were a part of history, and now she was a part of it. She was one of them.

Finally, she glimpsed Gia through the parting waves of people and time slowed, like she commanded its flow.

She hadn’t seen her yet.

Claudia was afraid that she might’ve fallen into Livia’s well-toned arms already, but she was just leaning against the wall nursing an empty chalice, staring into thin air.

She may have been the unhappiest person there.

As Claudia wove between the shiny marble bodies of the statues, headed in their direction, the others turned to spy her, close enough that they had no difficulty recognizing her.

‘Look who it is,’ said Dido, delighted.

‘I told you she was possessive,’ whispered Livia, clearly furious.

‘Claudia?’ said Gia, squinting as she sighted her.

‘I am Julia tonight,’ she said, holding one finger to her lips.

Gia stood upright, swaying slightly. She had the glaze-eyed look of a person who had drunk a great deal in a short time, which was finally catching up with her all at once.

‘What are you doing here?’ she said.

‘You left without a word.’

‘You removed me from duty. I don’t need your permission to leave the palace, do I?’

‘This is not about duty.’

‘Then what?’ asked Gia.

Claudia’s neck burned red as she dropped her eyes.

‘For you,’ said Claudia, quietly. ‘I am here for you.’

Gia bit down on her lip, shaking her head.

‘I saw… I saw you,’ she said. ‘You and the prince. He—’

‘You are angry and upset, I understand,’ said Claudia. ‘I would be too. I know what you think you saw but—’

‘How did you even find me?’ said Gia.

One moment later, the denarius dropped.

‘You watched through the shield again, didn’t you?’

‘I wanted to clear up any confusion. I was out of my mind, thinking that I couldn’t explain myself. I have so much to tell you. I promise, it wasn’t what it looked like.’

‘Oh, I’ve heard that one before,’ muttered Livia.

‘Shhh,’ hissed Dido.

‘My own eyes lied to me?’ said Gia.