Nilus took another gulp and then smashed down the goblet. ‘Philippos is handsome, with a beautiful daughter, whereas I have no children. You all know it – now that Isobel is marrying the king of Xanthos, I am almost certain to lose the election.’

The idea filled him with panic. As first consul he could station guards where he pleased, but what about when he could no longer command the city’s soldiers?

Nilus swept his gaze over his companions while he waited for someone to speak, finally reaching forward and slapping a sausage into some bread.

Seated across from him, Leon ate a series of sea urchins, one after the other, speaking with his mouth full. ‘You’re missing out, Anneas. These cost two silver pieces each.’

Nilus’s scowl deepened. How would he afford to host these banquets? His friends would desert him. His guards would leave.

‘Don’t worry, First Consul,’ Anneas said, looking down his long nose. ‘Philippos’s proposals don’t meet the approval of everyone. He plans to institute a land tax and to extend the moratorium on slavery. Both are unpopular with the nobles.’

‘Like you, eh, Anneas?’ gray-bearded Harod said. ‘Not everyone owns a thousand acres.’

Anneas spread his hands. ‘How do you like paying wages to slaves?’

Leon shrugged. ‘There will always be another election,’ he said. ‘And then another. And another.’

‘Have you never heard of something called mortality?’ Anneas snorted.

‘We are not here to talk about other elections,’ Nilus snapped. ‘We’re here to talk about this election.’ The three consuls all leaned back, eyes wide as he brought silence to the room. ‘My father always said that once a loser, always a loser.’

‘A wise man, your father,’ Harod said, nodding sagely.

‘Shame about the son,’ Leon quipped.

‘You are a fool. Do you realize that?’ Harod glared at the little man.

‘Enough!’ Anneas growled at them. He turned back to Nilus. ‘Surely Philippos has a weakness? What about his daughter? I hear she was so eager to become queen that she threw herself at young Dion.’

‘Bah,’ Nilus said, reaching for some more hard cheese.

‘First Consul?’

A new voice interrupted Nilus just as he filled his mouth and began chewing. Swallowing quickly, he turned to see Eudora, one of his younger and more attractive servants, hovering uncertainly. A slender woman with auburn hair and wide hips, she unfortunately wasn’t as good in bed as she was to look at.

He grimaced as he gulped down the brittle cheese. If he hadn’t had guests, he would have taken her to task; he could have choked.

‘It is late, and I need to go to my mother. May I leave?’

‘I remember,’ Nilus said. ‘Go.’ He nodded at the door and the soldiers made way for her.

He reached for more cheese and frowned.

There had to be something he could do . . .

‘Tastes awful,’ the old woman muttered, talking around a mouthful of mush.