After the Fall(31)
“Oh, my dear Gigi, how you and these lovely children have suffered!” The princess took a moment to gather her thoughts, then squeezed the children’s hands reassuringly. “We’ve heard some news of your people within the last week, and I want to reassure you your parents are very much alive and causing the emperor no end of problems.” Theo grinned at this, to which Placidia added, “I shall do whatever I can to find them and reunite you. I’ll take good care of you until then. You may trust me in that.”
The children looked relieved, then gratefully followed Elpidia when she returned with a servant carrying a tray of food.
Placidia rose and stared at Gigi. “Where is Magnus?” she asked, her tone hushed, as if she feared hearing the worst.
“I don’t know. I don’t know where he is.” Gigi’s resolve started to crumble, her shoulders to tremble. A huge lump formed in her throat, threatening to burst. “If he’s alive — oh, God, I don’t even know that much — he surely thinks — they all must think — we died in the fire.”
Placidia held her close, letting her cry at last.
• • •
Standing beside Placidia, Gigi watched Theodoric and Berga idle in the palace’s main atrium. Happily sprinkling food into an ornate, marble fishpond, the children were carefree, with no idea why they’d been summoned.
She, on the other hand, trembled with nerves. They had just received news the Visigoths had ridden on Rome, furious over Honorius’s ongoing deceit. They’d made a point of not harming the city this time, but they had demanded an audience with Placidia without any of the usual back and forth of envoys, so neither party had any idea what or who awaited them.
Glancing toward the entry, Gigi hoped with all her heart Magnus would be among the delegation. Placidia was silent, her gaze fixed on the doorway, and Gigi knew she was nearly faint at the possibility of seeing Athaulf again.
In an effort to steady herself, Gigi took several deep breaths. It was certain the Visigoths would find unexpected joy today. Would Placidia? Would she?
Leontius entered the atrium and bowed. “They have arrived.”
Placidia lifted her chin. “Show them in.”
“Children,” Gigi called. “Come and stand by me — now — hurry!”
They scrambled to obey, taking her hands, and waiting. Footsteps approached, and Gigi’s breathing grew shallow, tears of anticipation pricking at her eyes. “Please,” she whispered. “Please — ”
“Mama! Papa!” the children suddenly screamed in unison, rushing across the hallway as their parents cried out in disbelief.
Beside her, Placidia remained motionless, breathless, as she and Athaulf gazed at one another. Gigi didn’t move, either, not even to brush away her tears.
Magnus wasn’t with them.
• • •
Darkness was falling. Placidia paced the study, clasping and unclasping her hands as Persis and Elpidia hovered nearby, lighting candles.
Frowning, Placidia knew what she was about to do could seal her fate forever, cutting her off from everything she’d ever known. But she didn’t care, at least not enough to change her mind.
After the delays brought on by the joyous reunion, King Alaric had pronounced his terms. He declared his control over the Western Empire. He appointed Senator Attalus “Augustus” over Rome. As for Honorius, his status was undecided, and Placidia didn’t know whether he would be allowed to rule as a co-emperor, or be deposed. His future, everyone’s future, and the fate of the Empire, were now in the king’s hands.
Attalus would run everything, with Alaric’s direction. Meanwhile, Alaric had taken the title of magister militum, something he’d sought ever since Stilicho’s death, and there was also talk of land grants. But, for now, Rome’s grain supply in Africa had to be secured for the new government. The Visigoths would still have to wait for their land.
And Magnus — such horror! After the briefest moment of relief at the news of his survival, Gigi was devastated by the tales that had sent him abroad on a fruitless quest. Placidia knew she was heartsick, knew she should go to her friend, but she was compelled, for the moment, to follow another path.
Standing near the door, one eyebrow cocked in disapproval, Elpidia cleared her throat and opened the door to Athaulf when he arrived. She bowed and left the room, dragging a staring Persis with her.
He was here at last! Placidia swallowed, then gazed at Athaulf for several moments. Standing in his presence, she was amazed anew, for he was the embodiment of male beauty, his features sheer perfection, his stance noble, his shoulders broad. And his eyes! They were mesmerizing, flickering golden brown, then green, dazzling in the candlelight.