After the Fall(7)
Then Gigi spotted three women wearing togas and tugged on Magnus’s sleeve. “Do you know them? Are they senators’ wives?”
Magnus laughed. “No, women don’t wear togas unless they’re prostitutes. It is their way of flaunting Roman law, for only male citizens may legally wear the toga.”
“So, you’re saying you don’t know them?” Gigi teased.
He winked at her and she went back to gawking. People haggled with shopkeepers or filled water jugs from fountains, while others begged for alms or ate where they stood. She even saw one couple having sex in broad daylight under the archway of a building.
Gigi grabbed Magnus’s arm, but he was already watching. “In public?”
“Ah, perhaps she is but an impulsive lass, giving him a gift this day,” he replied, laughing. “Here is my Rome, in all its grime and glory.”
Their party moved on, past an area Gigi recognized — barely — as the Forum. It was stunning to view it whole, not in the tumbledown state she was used to seeing. Soon, the sun dipped behind a building, but up ahead the Coliseum still gleamed, its marbled walls catching the last rays of sunshine. Huge. Breathtaking.
Magnus nudged her and pointed. “That is the Palatine Hill, where we’re headed, and on its summit is the great palace where Placidia resides.”
More exquisite marble, columns, and balconies, pinked by sunset.
Gigi nodded and smiled. She was excited to see Placidia after so many months, and the prospect of spending a night in luxury with Magnus was tantalizing. She could hardly wait.
Chapter 4
The Visigoths would soon arrive!
Placidia stood in the Garden Room of the House of Livia, awaiting King Alaric’s ambassadors. The last light of day filtered through a trio of lunette windows, illuminating the walls and their ancient frescos with a pearly glow. She loved this room with its lush depictions of Livia’s country garden, the walls painted with garlands, fruit trees, and birds. It was one of the true glories of Rome, revered since the time of Livia and her husband, Emperor Augustus, and lovingly cared for by their successors.
Placidia could sense their presence still, and knew she must protect Rome as they had done. She had to find a way to convince the Visigoths, make them understand this great city should never be destroyed. She bowed her head, praying to God she would find the words to save her people, her world.
A tap at the door, and she nervously looked up as her nurse stepped into the room, holding a jewelry box.
“Ah, your gown is exquisite in this light! You look beautiful, dearest,” Elpidia gushed. “That shade of green matches this emerald necklace perfectly.”
“My favorite color.”
“For good reason. Please turn around and I’ll put it on you.”
Smiling, Placidia touched her chignon, then gathered stray tendrils away from her neck and waited until Elpidia was done.
“There is still time to get bracelets and earrings, Placidia. I fear you look too plain with but one necklace. A princess of the Empire should glitter in gold and gems.”
“This is quite enough. I am not here as a bauble on the emperor’s arm.” Placidia adjusted her necklace, gorgeously decorated with alternating emerald prisms and gold beads. She glanced in the mirror, moving her head ever so slightly until the image was clearer, and was pleased by her look. “Tonight, I am Rome. Elegant, powerful, worthy of honor.”
“Glorious,” Elpidia added. “You, my dear, should be empress and not — ”
“Shush, those are treasonous words!” Placidia shuddered.
“Domina?” Leontius tapped on the door. “Your guests have arrived.”
Placidia’s heart thumped, and she glanced at Elpidia. “Show them in, Leontius.”
He opened the door and Senator Attalus entered with a tall, bearded man, who bowed low before her, then raised his eyes to meet hers.
The barbarian was so handsome! Placidia could hardly breathe and labored to keep her expression calm and welcoming.
“O, most noble Placidia,” she heard Attalus intoning, “may I introduce Athaulf, brother-in-law to King Alaric and second-in-command of the Visigoths.”
Placidia stared. Athaulf’s beautiful eyes were hazel with flecks of emerald-green, so radiant, so full of life and humor and, and … passion! Tremors, like little shock waves, tore through her body, leaving her flushed and weak. He looked as surprised as she, and his gaze bore into her, holding her fast, refusing to let go.