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Claudia nudged Gia awake.

‘Wake up,’ she whispered. ‘Someone’s at the door.’

‘What’s going on?’ said Gia, still groggy from the night before.

‘It’s Marcellus,’ she said. ‘He’s back.’

Gia grunted unhappily in response.

‘Just a minute!’ Claudia called.

Though her secret was out and she’d vowed not to hide herself any more, she instinctively drew the curtains, hiding Gia from view.

Better to be safe than sorry.

‘I’m coming!’

When Claudia opened the door, it wasn’t just her handmaids waiting for her but also Damocles, Rectina and a group of guards, all displaying different shades of alarm on their faces.

‘I know. My cousin has returned. I have seen… and heard.’

She winced as another horn blared.

‘He found the missing legion and brought them home,’ said Damocles. ‘We did not expect Marcellus to return for weeks.’

‘All of them? How?’

‘We don’t know the details yet,’ said Rectina, ‘but there is something of the divine about it.’

Claudia cursed, anticipating what might come next.

‘I’ll be right with you, just let me get dressed.’

‘Shall I help you, Empress?’ said Nadira.

Claudia looked furtively at the curtains. They rustled, indicating that she wasn’t alone, but then Princess jumped down, gave a sleepy growl and wound around Nadira’s legs.

‘No, that’s fine,’ said Claudia. ‘I can do it myself.’

‘Yes, Empress. I’ll go and fix this sweet baby some breakfast.’

‘Please call Marcellus to the throne room, Damocles.’

Claudia shut the door and leaned against it, closing her eyes as her mind raced. When she opened them again, Gia had parted the curtains and was waiting to meet her gaze.

‘We have to get up,’ said Claudia.

‘Must we?’

‘I’m afraid so, my lover.’

A loud horn sounded, startling Gia into a sitting position.

‘Okay, okay.’

‘If I’m still empress by tonight, I’ll issue a decree for a longer lie-in,’ said Claudia, kissing her.

Gia leaned into it, pulling her closer, but there was no time.