“I know exactly what I’m saying!” Her voice rose. “Do you think you know him better than me?”

“I’ve served him for six years. In the thick of battle—”

“Battle!” Flavia spat. “Who cares about battle? I’m his niece! Do you know what I’ve seen? I’ve seen him stab flies out of the air on a pen and watch them writhe until they die. I’ve seen him shoot arrows at slaves until they look like sea urchins. I’ve seen him condemn men without trial for the pleasure of watching them beg. He’s a hard man, my uncle; he’s hard and he’s cruel, and he’s cruelest of all to his women.”

Paulinus opened his mouth, but Flavia rushed on, her face flushed.

“Did you know the Empress used to smile once? Even laugh? Then Domitian got hold of her and she turned into a marble statue covered in emeralds. You played with Julia when you were children, but you just dismissed her as mad when the rumors started to fly. You didn’t get letters from her, letters getting thinner and thinner and more hopeless until when she finally died all you could do was be happy. And Thea—my God, you’re not the only one who’s served the Emperor for years! She’s served him, too, filled his bed and made his music and paid for it. She hides her son and she hides her scars, but when she’s alone she drains her blood into bowls and thinks about dying. Did you know that, Prefect? No, of course not. But I do, and not because she tells me. I know what to look for, because I’ve known Domitian all my life and I know what he thinks when he looks at people—and because now he’s looking at my sons!”

She burst into tears. Paulinus stood blank and open-mouthed.

“So as far as I’m concerned, if Thea wants a lover then she’s welcome to him!” Kohl ran down Flavia’s cheeks, and she angrily smeared it away. “If all she wants is to sit in a garden and talk to a man who loves her—a man who’s normal—then I’ll cover for her. I couldn’t do it for Julia, but I’ll do it for Thea. She’s earned it. And if you don’t see that, Paulinus Norbanus, then for God’s sake open your eyes!”

She rushed away, doubled over with sobs. Paulinus stared after her.

WHY didn’t you come back sooner? Three weeks -” “I’m watched, Arius. I didn’t dare make it sooner.”

“For twelve years I thought you were dead. Used to see you everywhere, like a ghost.”

“I did see you everywhere. In Vix.”

“I should have known—”

“I didn’t know myself until after I was sold.”

“I should have taken you away when I had the chance. Hauled you off over one shoulder like a proper barbarian.”

“You’re not a barbarian anymore.” Lightly. “You’re a gardener.”

“Not a very good one. All the grapes have a blight since I started tending them. But I wasn’t a very good barbarian, either, when I had you.”