The Emperor's Daughter

Chapter Seventeen: Caius

A finer bride had never before graced the city. Aurelia was beautiful, swathed in a red veil that covered a wreath of roses. Watching her though Caius knew no sadder bride had graced the city before...well maybe his own possible bride. He didn't know who they'd be forcing him to marry if Aurelia picked the bride, but whoever she was, she was unlikely to be happy being forced to marry him.

Swinging the sword in his hand he waited, feeling rather prickly, as if his skin was too tight. Whichever door she chose he knew it wouldn't make either of them happy. And once she did make her choice, he knew she'd be whisked away to her own wedding and to a life that did not include him.

He sighed staring at the royal family. Avitus was absent; Cato and the Emperor must have been able to keep the secret Aurelia having lain with Caius from him. That might have made Caius pleased at one time; smug and definitely entertained, but now knowing Aurelia would have to live everyday of her life with the man, the man who hired someone to assault her...Caius wanted badly to throw the sword in his hand into the gallery the royal family watched from.

Were Caius given the choice, he thought he'd pick the lion. A wife wasn't such a dreaded thought, but it seemed selfish to yank a poor woman into his life where he was likely to die in the west and leave her alone and widowed to defend for herself.

The lion at least would get a meal out of Caius' sacrifice.

Spread throughout the arena were his fellow gladiators. They were playing guard in case he tried to run, not that there was anywhere to run. Evander was still grinning at him, the blood now dried on his chin. His words echoed in Caius' head, making it tempting to hit him again.

"Make the emperor's daughter moan like a whore too? Or did you just steal the jewelry off her bare breasts. I can imagine how soft that skin is after just touching her arms outside the goddesses' temple."

Caius hadn't been unable to keep himself from defending Aurelia's honor. Had anyone else heard Evander, he too would be punished.

Romilius was to the right of were Caius stood while Lucius was to the left. Neither seemed to believe Caius stole from the emperor's daughter. They made eye contact with him –unlike the other gladiators that Caius had known for years. Well, that was the curse of the arena; it made enemies of friends quickly.

It was subtle, not as bold, but Caius still caught it from first Romilius, than Lucius.

"Ave Caius," they mouthed. "Morituri te salutant."

Hail to Caius, we who are about to die salute you.

It was only Caius with death hanging over his head, but he appreciated the gesture. He nodded a slight head to them both and directed his face to Aurelia.

The emperor was saying something to her, something that had her stiffen. She knew which door was which. Caius wondered abstractedly which door she'd choose. Would she chose his death, or spare him?

He knew she didn't understand the honor of dying in the arena. He also knew she was a beautiful woman, use to being admired and wouldn't enjoy seeing him with another.

He wasn't sure how to feel about what she chose for him. He also wasn't sure whether to believe her when she chose. If she chose and announced she was sparing him, would he face the door expecting a bride only to be attacked by a lion? Or if she chose and announced he was to fulfill his desire to die in the arena, would he face the door and be surprised by a woman? He didn't know. He only knew his fate was in her hands and he'd have to face it regardless of what was behind the door.

He saw her take a shaky breath, the veil fluttering around her and pointed at one of the doors.

Bowing low to her, he took one last look at her and turned to his destiny.