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She disappeared outside, as Claudia tried once more to focus on the script in front of her.

After several failed attempts at concentration, Gia returned and made a face that immediately put Claudia’s nerves on edge.

‘What?’ she said.

‘It’s nothing,’ said Gia. ‘Just some protestors.’

‘Protestors? What are they protesting?’

‘You’re not going to like it.’

‘Show me.’

Claudia followed her out to the balcony. A crowd of thousands had formed in the Forum, chanting furiously and holding makeshift banners, screaming about the missing legion. Their cloaked, toga-clad bodies formed a thick, bristling mob, while the torches they held cast dark shadows on their grimacing faces.

‘Where are our men?’ they raged.

‘Where is the Eighth Legion?’

‘Never trust a woman to do a man’s job.’

‘Empress of Lesbos!’

‘Get her out! Get the bitch out!’

But the crowd was not just men. There were women there, too: angry sisters and wives and mothers, all wondering where their loved ones had gone and what Claudia planned to do about it.

A troop of soldiers had been sent to manage the situation, but a couple of the praetorians were conversing with the protesters, joining in as if they were on the same side, laughing as they beheld the offensive signs and scrolls that ridiculed her.

There it was again: PRINCESS SAPPHO.

EMPRESS OF LESBOS.

‘Of course it would be my fault,’ said Claudia. ‘I didn’t even send the men there! I will pray to the goddesses and make offerings tonight but what more can I do?’

‘It is just part of ruling the world, I fear,’ said Gia. ‘No matter what you do, you will never please them all.’

The roaring of the angry crowd grew louder as another legion of guards appeared on horseback.

‘What if the people revolt and set the city on fire?’ said Claudia.

‘The goddesses will watch the world for now. They came to your aid before, I’m sure they will again,’ said Gia.

Claudia paused, uncertain.

‘Come on, it’s getting late,’ Gia pushed. ‘You need to eat, and rest. I’ll cook you something.’

She touched the small of Claudia’s back and Claudia felt herself growing into her, towards her, like a flower facing the sun.

‘Really?’ she said, instantly distracted from her melancholy. ‘You would cook for me?’

‘I can’t promise it will good, but it will be edible… probably.’

Claudia relented, warmth spreading through her body.

‘I’d like that, very much.’

They crept into the palace kitchen, abandoned after dark. Claudia clumsily attempted to assist, and Gia conjured up a meal that was far more delicious than it was burned.