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‘So what if you do? It’s not her business.’

‘If Marcellus should learn of it, I’m sure he’d rush to inform the Senate. Fortunately, my cousin hasn’t yet dragged himself out of his pit. If he were to miss the meeting, I might actually succeed.’

‘Then go – go and get ready. We’ll go to the Curia early, so you can meet the people and show the Senate how serious you are,’ said Gia. ‘I’ll gather the others. Strength in numbers, right?’

Claudia quickly washed and changed back into her gold and red robes, hastily combing her hair before donning the crown she had taken from her dead brother’s head. There was still a spot of blood on one of the golden leaves, but she put it on anyway.

It made her feel strong, as dangerous as she needed to be.

Gia stood in the doorway, looking distractingly heroic in her volcano-worn armour.

‘How do I look?’ asked Claudia.

‘Like the first empress of Rome,’ said Gia. ‘Better than me. I look like I’ve been in a fight with Jupiter himself.’

‘You are always perfect to me. But I will have the palace armourer repair or replace it. Only the finest armour for my finest warrior.’

They clasped hands on the staircase, their fingers lacing together in a brief, secret squeeze before they broke apart, seconds before they turned to meet their audience.

Downstairs, Cassius and Dominic stood with Athena, Claudia’s handmaidens, three guards and a gaggle of hangers-on, all of whom would accompany her on the walk to Senate House.

‘This is for you,’ said Athena, matter-of-factly, handing her a single wilted flower. ‘For luck.’

‘Thank you, Athena,’ said Claudia, tucking it into her crown.

Its petals hid the bloodspot.

‘I hope you become empress. Minerva is my favourite goddess. She’s your goddess too, isn’t she?’ said Athena. ‘Gia says you’ve met her.’

‘It’s true,’ said Claudia. ‘She comes to me in dreams. One day, I will tell you all about her.’

‘Would you really?’

‘Of course.’

Outside in the courtyard, a small group of women waited, all wearing dark robes that covered their hair. When Claudia and Gia approached, one of them ran in front of her, scattering petals from a basket.

‘We are blessed by the presence of the empress,’ said one, as another woman echoed her.

‘All hail the empress!’

‘We come to you on this historic day to pledge our allegiance,’ said the first woman, who had clearly designated herself as the group’s leader. ‘The imperial cult would not admit us. They believe only a man can be chosen by the gods to rule.’

‘We’ve formed our own cult of worship. Only women are permitted to join our ranks,’ said the second member.

Claudia bowed her head to them, pressing her hands together.

‘I’m grateful for your support. By the name of Minerva, I will do everything in my power to be worthy of you.’

‘The goddess has spoken!’

‘The empress shall be the protector of women and children!’

‘All hail Empress Claudia, first of her name.’

The cultists formed a train behind her, chanting and ringing bells as they crossed the Forum towards the Curia Julia.

It occurred to Claudia, just then, that she had another strength, an advantage that Marcellus lacked.