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“Everyone should visit the Diluvion,” Sophia said. “Have you seen it yet, Anna?”

“Only from afar.”

She looked shocked. “Your Grace, we should rectify this right away. I’d be delighted to take Anna on a trip there myself, in the company of my daughters. It would do them good to see it again.”

“Perhaps this is something we should discuss further, my dear, before proceeding,” Georgios said sharply.

She ignored him. “In fact, I plan to see the temple again with friends from out of town. They arrive tomorrow. Perhaps you’ve heard of the family, Anna, being from Hierion yourself. Clemens Fabius is well known there, a Baro with a large villa and lands. I know his wife very well. His two young daughters are lovely. They’ve been raised beautifully and are very devout. The whole family serves Gurgexenes faithfully. Oh, and Your Grace, he’s an explorer like yourself. In fact, just last year he made a famous discovery. Something to do with an old warrior called Arcadius the Mighty.”

Sebastianus put his cup down slowly. His clear blue eye met mine.

AFTER DINNER, WE drifted out into the garden to talk and drink light fruit wine. Clouds covered the moon, and the courtyard was lit only by the lanterns that hung from the edge of the second-story walkway. There were shadows everywhere. As I moved, I felt a heavy hand on the small of my back. It was Georgios.

“You are such an enchanting creature,” he whispered. “I don’t know what arrangement my cousin has made with the Imperator to have you here, but when it comes to an end, I will inquire about having a turn myself.”

I froze. “Sir, I have no idea what you mean. I have never even seen the Imperator.”

He gripped my wrist and turned it over to reveal the small letter C tattooed there. He cleared his throat. “Have it your way. We’ll say no more about it for now.” He hurried ahead to sit beside his daughters in the garden.

I remained at the edge of the courtyard in a shadow, leaning against a column. Georgios’s proposition angered and embarrassed me, but it also reminded me of something that had prickled at the corner of my mind since I heard it mentioned earlier. Could it be true that the Imperator had Corlivo courtesans living with him?

“Anna, where are you?” Sebastianus called. “Come here and sit with us.”

I crossed the garden and dropped stiffly into an empty chair beside him. His stern profile was a shadow in the glow of the lantern light.

“Anna is studying with my old tutor, Cassius,” Sebastianus said. “She’s already read half my library.”

“Our daughters are tutored by Solon Philoponus, the theologian,” Sophia said. “I want the girls to have a proper education, grounded in the right principles.”

“I’ve heard his lectures on the waters of the human soul,” Sebastianus said. “Truly illuminating.”

The sarcasm in his words was like a sharp blade, but Sophia didn’t seem to notice.

“I’m afraid it’s time for us to go,” Georgios said.

“Please come see us at our home, Your Grace,” Sophia said. “Agatha would love to play the kithara for you. Perhaps while Clemens Fabius and his family are here.”

Sebastianus nodded in a pantomime of graciousness. “That would be absolutely delightful.”

I curtsied without meeting anyone’s eye. The entire evening had left a sour taste in my mouth.

Georgios’s silent coachman was suddenly beside us with cloaks, and the guests took their leave.

xiv

I WAS ALONE IN THE DARK GARDEN. KLAUDIA HAD gone, and Sebastianus and Don were seeing Georgios’s family into their carriage. I wished they had never come here. I burned with shame at the memory of the man’s hand on my back. I ran my thumb over the shape inked on the inside of my wrist. I hadn’t thought about the mark in weeks.

After a while Don returned. “Seb wants you to join him in the thermae.”

“I’d rather sit here for a while.”

“I’ll join you.” He dragged over a chair. His height and breadth made the furniture seem oddly fragile. I had a sudden memory of him moving like a careful giant through the beds of the infirmary at Casa Caligine. Kyra. Her rib cage rising and falling.

He pulled out a flask and passed it to me.

“What is it?”

“Strong mead. Clears out the senses. I have a feeling you could use some.”