Page 94

‘Shit. He’ll be upset I didn’t tell him myself,’ said Gia. ‘I dread to have that conversation.’

Claudia felt hot and flustered, boiling and roiling at the surface. She gestured in irritation, as if flicking away a fly.

‘I have no one on my side but you,’ she said.

Gia looked at her and sighed, as if she too were in pain.

‘That’s not true,’ she said. ‘You have Rectina and Pliny, and… the Cult of Diana.’

‘How can they help me win against a prince? Against that prince, in particular? Have you seen him?’

‘I have, and I can only hope I don’t have to fight him.’

‘I would still bet on you every time.’

‘That’s because you love me,’ said Gia.

‘It’s true. I am very biased.’

They fell silent, drawn into each other’s eyes.

‘Should I call for the guard?’ said Gia.

‘Wait,’ said Claudia, holding up one hand. ‘Let me consider it.’

She looked up at the curia, past the statue of Pompey that had been installed and removed a dozen times. It felt like a fitting setting to the unfolding drama. Cloaked in shadows and illuminated by the moon, she could feel the presence of a historical spirit, of so much fear and so much pride… It humbled her.

‘This was where Caesar was betrayed, right here,’ said Claudia.

Gia gazed at her a moment, trying to discern her meaning.

‘You want to kill him?’

‘Let us not go that far,’ said Claudia. ‘Not yet, anyway.’

‘You’re afraid the same will happen to you?’ Gia tried again.

Claudia nodded.

‘Pliny says men are more likely to kill when they’re afraid. If I try to have the prince held prisoner, he might panic and do something in desperation – like a wild animal caught in a trap – whether he’s guilty or not. We shall sit on this discovery, for now.’

‘And say nothing?’ said Gia.

‘For now.’

‘That is what we did after the Pantheon, and here we are.’

Maybe Claudia was being too cautious. Maybe she needed to be as ruthless as a man. Her father would’ve had the prince arrested and imprisoned. Her brother would’ve had him severed at the neck. But something inside her told her to halt, to tread carefully, that all was not as it appeared. She would first consult with Minerva’s shield; to seek the guidance of the goddess before taking action. She would wait before doing anything drastic.

Her decision could start a war.

12. WHAT CANNOT BE UNSEEN

That evening, Claudia retired to her rooms alone to consult with Minerva’s goddess-eye shield. Gia had gone to speak with Cassius, though she’d first ensured that Claudia would be protected by twice as many guards as usual, knowing that the prince might be plotting his next move.

Princess the lynx curled up on her bed, stretching as if she’d always lived there. Claudia watched her cautiously for a while, waiting until her eyes began to droop.

The cat wore a leather collar with a pearl-studded pendant on it, which resembled the necklace the prince had given her.