Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 31: Two-Edged Heart

I had two choices.

On the left side of the bed lay an ivory-white toga, its pristine hue catching the soft glow of the flickering oil lamp. On the right, a white toga with a crimson hem and delicate gold trimmings glinted in the dim light. I exhaled softly, feeling the weight of the garment, before gently placing it beside its untouched counterpart on the crisp linen bedsheet.

"I like the one on the right... if it helps you decide."

I turned around to meet Cornelia's steady gaze in the darkness of dawn.

"I like it too..." I sighed. "But it is a shame I must wear it for such a solemn occasion."

She frowned. "I thought they could not find his body."

I shook my head. "Father says the execution will go on as planned."

Cornelia bit down on her lip, "Maybe his body will turn up in time."

They only have a few hours of daylight to salvage the body before then!

The last person to know of Maximus' whereabouts was Athena. And now he was gone, leaving her to pay for his sins. I hope Priscilla does not come. That way, at least, I could avoid looking her in the eyes and telling her there was nothing I could do to help her friend.

Cornelia nodded, as if understanding the unspoken dread that loomed in the air. "Does the prince not have a choice but to stay home?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "I am afraid that is one thing I do not get to choose."

***

The air was dry and hot, with only a crisp breeze to cool the sweat and oil dripping from my brow. I trudged along, falling behind the marching sentinels who took their positions around the marble rostra and the wooden platform beside it.

The remaining sentinels marched ahead of me to their places around the wooden platform, like ants marching to secure their crumb. I scoured the crowd of men and women assembled at the Forum, searching for my brothers, only to be met by the watchful gaze of strangers as Cornelius escorted me past the hundreds of onlookers.

He kept his eyes forward, but he directed his next words at me.

"Prince Troy. You still have time to join your family," Cornelius stated.

My gaze drifted to the rostra where Father and another sentinel stood. Joining them on the stage were Apollus and Barbarius. Each one giving plenty of space between the other. "Thank you, but I will stay behind," I answered.

A smirk found its way onto his lips before gesturing me to the front of the crowd. "I will tell them when we get done here, you wanted the best view in the audience."

I gulped. What am I supposed to say to that? The best thing I could do was nod and say nothing.

Without warning, horns blared from both sides of me, drowning out the din of voices.

Father took a step forward, leaving my two brothers in his shadow. "Citizen of Aegea. We welcome you today."

Without thinking, Cornelius bowed, ushering the hundreds of men and women around us to mimic his gesture. I stood unsure of whether I was exempt or not from this formality.

"Let the reckoning begin! Bring forth the prisoner!"

A hush fell over the crowd as they gawked at the prisoner emerging from the House of Detention wearing a tunic that looked more like sackcloth. His shapeless form, blinded by the black hood pulled over his head, shuffled along to the burly guard who marched him to his death. I saw many sentinels, but this one leading the way looked familiar. Then I remembered why. He was the Executioner in my dream. This is happening.