New Rome

49. The Sacrifice

Gnaeus ran as fast as she could.

"Move! Move!" She barked at students in her way. Her heart thundered in her chest but she didn't stop. She burst into the cafeteria – her gaze wild and searching.

"Gnaeus?" Kaze called questioningly, seeing her dramatic entrance. He abandoned his food tray and headed briskly for her. "What has-"

"The Imperator has summoned Arly! She's being taken to New Rome as we speak."

Kaze's blood ran cold.

"For what purpose?"

Gnaeus shook her head, indicating that she didn't know, and clutched the stabbing pain in her side.

"That they would not say. But she was not allowed pause to pack nor was she told the length of her visit. It was done suddenly and the task was performed by Pallas."

"The imperator's most trusted servant..."

Kaze backed away, his startled gaze on the ground as he tried to think. Was it happening, just as he'd feared? Was Arly about to be married off? Arly was at her grandfather's mercy – would she be able to argue her case? Would the Imperator even listen?

"Where are you going?!" Gnaeus called after him, watching Kaze race toward the doors.

"I have to go to her!" He dodged past a cluster of students and was swiftly out of view. Gnaeus nodded her head, satisfied. Kaze would find a way to save Arly – she was sure of it.

**

Arly stood in the chariot's bathing compartment – dressed only in a towel. The chariot turned to take a sharp corner and Arly shuffled her feet, keeping her balance. She stared ahead at her reflection in the mirror. Her wet hair was dishevelled, already frizzing as it dried, and her ears stuck out between the limp tendrils. She swallowed nervously.

She'd hoped to look into the mirror and see an adult, someone who would know what to do and say. Somebody brave and composed. But all she saw was knobbly knees and awkward elbows. When she was with Kaze, she felt older – she felt confident. She felt like the young woman she wanted to be. But now, shivering, standing pigeon-toed on the cold tiles – she felt like a tall child.

"Princess," Pallas' voice came from the other side of the door. "We'll be arriving soon."

"I need to dress still. I'll be quick." She called out to him – her voice wobbling despite her efforts. She cleared her throat. Pallas' footsteps faded away as he returned to the lounging compartment.

Instead of immediately rushing to get dressed, Arly lingered a while – staring hard into her own gaze. "I won't be another Julia." She told her reflection. I won't be sacrificed.

                          Pallas exited the chariot first. They weren't at the main entrance for the Castle of Red – instead security had let them pull up inside the Castle's walls. The chariot's hub had been attached to the Crimson Corridor – a direct link to the Imperator's private quarters. Arly tripped over the lip of the chariot and fell into Pallas, her head smacking his back.

Pallas turned quickly and caught her.

"Apologies," Arly flushed, embarrassed. She'd been too caught up in her thoughts.