Forbidden

Chapter 8

The sacred, linen veil was placed upon Aeliana's tumbling waves of hair. The Princess stared ahead with her hands folded together while her maids secured her religious garb. The outfit consisted of a floor length, light gown made of the finest material. Unlike most gowns however, this one had sleeves covering Aeliana's arms. Her mother feared others would be able to see the gnarly, tough scars covering the Princess' arms and shoulders.

Blandina, the older of the two moved back from Aeliana and admired her work with a long face. "Blandina, you are making even me nervous. Stop that." Aeliana was looking at the maid through the mirror set in front of her, and the servant looked up with a gaunt expression. "Forgive me, Princess."

The young lady raised her hand and grasped the maid's small, warm one. "Where will you be? You two must hide. The palace will be a target." The maid in question nodded "Your brother arranged a safe house for us, we shall be safe. But, you Princess." She shook her head "You must lock those Temple doors. Please." Aeliana brokenly nodded and squeezed the maid's hand.

The older woman had become a very close companion to Aeliana, maybe her only friend she really had. So when the centurions finally reached Aeliana's door, wishing to escort her to the Temple, she stood and wrapped Blandina in a tight embrace. It was quickly returned, before the girl was pushed toward and out of the door.

The two soldiers quickly walked her to the main hall of the palace, where her family was waiting and saying farewells to Caius. She stood away from her sobbing mother and remorseful sisters, but Caius called her forward. Quickly, Aeliana walked into her sibling's embrace. "You pray for our kingdom, sister. And for your army. We are counting upon you for our safety." He jested, and held her at an arm's length "But in case I do not come back-" "No." Aeliana broke from her brother's arms "No Caius. You will come back, you must."

The General shook his head at his sister, and turned towards his father knowing that arguments with Aeliana would never end well for him. A tap on her shoulder made Aeliana turn, and she immediately regretted it, for it was her own betrothed. He stood tall, and strong in the gleaming armour. "You must be strong for us, love. Do not cry, hold your head up high and wait for your men to return."

The princess fought against her own will, trying not to roll her eyes and walk away. "I promise, I will." She said instead, and bit against her tongue when he pulled her against himself. His armour was biting into her abdomen and she found herself worming out of his embrace. He glared at her before Caius called him to the entrance. Terentius nodded, but quickly placed a lingering kiss on Aeliana's cheek. After the men left, Aeliana found herself wiping his saliva off of her cheek and grimacing.

Unfortunately, her mother had her black eyes trained on Aeliana and gasped when she saw her daughter acting so foolishly. "The man is about to put himself in the middle of a death match and you have the audacity to dishonour him in such a way?! My Gods, get this insolent child out of my sight I just cannot handle it! One child, out and sacrificing himself while the other is making fun at her country! Come girls," Her mother had started to sob, again. She grabbed Mariana and Sabina by the arms and trailed them after herself. "Go, and pray for your own self Aeliana! Oh Venus! Why.."

This time, Aeliana did roll her eyes and her father gave her a disapproving glare. "Forgive me, Father." He shook his head and followed after what was left of his family. "Princess, come. We must be getting you to the Temple and quickly. The men fight at noon." Aeliana nodded and followed the two young men out into the hot Roman sun.

*****

The temple of Venus was alight with the blazing sun shining down, yet empty. Sacremental smoke was drifting through the atmosphere and Aeliana was looking about for the mysterious and foreign Priestess who seemed to know everything about her.