Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 30: Lockdown

Maximus. Has. Escaped.

Where did he go? Who else went with him? Was he coming back?

Father usually had an answer to every question, but not today. A part of me was relieved to hear it was not Barbarius who vanished again. But a part of me feared the one that did get away. Because of Maximus and his father, we had to bury our grandfather in the fields. And even though Gaius awaited his impending execution, his son's disappearance meant this "war" was never truly over. And it was only a matter of time before he resurfaced.

***

'It is time to say goodbye to the old era and welcome the start of a new one.'

Father's last words to me in the chariot echoed in my head in the days to come. It echoed inside my head every time Father reminded me not to leave our residence without a sentinel guard close by. Even Barbarius, who was residing in the villa, was asked not to leave beyond the villa gates. Father said it was for our "protection." But why did it feel like I was being punished?

But no matter how much Father restricted my movements, I could not escape the grief in the walls that enclosed me. Even in the tablinum, the marble bust of Grandfather would stare at me from the top wooden shelf when my gaze would wander from my instructor's perpetual frown, which he often wore. And then, without warning, a flood of memories would come surging, and I would have to blink away the tears.

Anias must have noticed when my mind would wander because he would strike the table with his rod, forcing me to rub my eyes and sit up straight. According to Anias, my excuses for "idleness" were running out.

My only respite from my instructor's voice and the summer heat was taking a dip in our private baths before resurfacing from the cool waters for a fresh meal. Most days, I would eat alone in silence, except on the day Apollus came to join me during the afternoon break.

He uttered a brief greeting before plopping onto the pillows across from me. I clutched my grapes on my porcelain plate while glaring at him.

He plastered an uneasy grin. "Sorry to offend." He got up to move. "Is it too soon to take Grandfather's seat at the table?"

I bit into the grape, letting the juices skirt into my mouth.

"I know. I know. I am being thoughtless ... I just hate that his seat remains unoccupied next to Father."

You always wanted the best seat at the table!

"You would think the mourning period would be over, considering it has been a week since we buried him," he continued between bites of his bread. "But it is much harder to put timelines on things like grief. I am certain you would agree."

I nodded.

In a more subdued voice, he added, "I still miss him, too, Troy. I want him back as much as you do...But he would say the living still have to live."

I reached for my cup when I heard a loud sigh from my brother. "The silence kills me sometimes in here."

"You are free to go, unlike some of us. Converse freely with whoever you choose."

Apollus rolled his eyes. "I know that! But it is quite frustrating to come home and not have anyone here you can talk to. I feel like most days, I am talking to a wall. Like everyone is here, but I am speaking to their statue."

I sighed. I did not realize how much the stifling silences were bothering Apollus. Most of his words flew over my head.

"Sometimes I feel you are not even listening!" he said, scoffing.

I put my plate down. "I am listening."

"Good!" he muttered as he stabbed the meaty part of his baked fish with a knife.