of the trumpets Leo stepped forward and performed the ritual that began the festivities. As the mappa fluttered from his fingers, the stable doors of the Hippodrome burst open to allow the chariots in the first race to dash forth. The crowds screamed their encouragement to the four teams.
“Just look at that,” Flacilla fumed. “How dare Aspar and Basilicus bring their whores to our games!”
“The games are for everyone, my dear,” Justin Gabras replied, his eyes taking in Cailin avidly. What a magnificent creature, he thought. How I would like to have her in my power, even for just a few minutes.
“I do not think it right that the empire’s First Patrician flaunt his mistress so publicly,” Flacilla persisted.
“Oh, Flacilla,” Verina said with a light laugh, “your jealousy is astounding to behold, particularly given the fact neither you or Aspar could stand one another during your marriage.”
“That is not the point,” Flacilla replied. “Aspar should not be seen publicly with a woman of loose morals.”
“Is that why he was never seen with you, my dear?” her husband inquired drolly, and to Flacilla’s mortification, both Leo and Verina laughed.
She began to weep.
“Dear heaven!” Justin Gabras exclaimed. “May I be delivered from the overblown emotions of breeding women.” He pulled a white silk square from his robes and handed it to his wife. “Wipe your eyes, Flacilla, and do not make a complete fool of yourself.”
“You are expecting a child?” Verina was surprised, but then that would explain Flacilla’s expanding girth of late.
Flacilla nodded, and sniffled. “In four more months,” she admitted.
Congratulations were offered all around to Justin Gabras.
“It could be worse,” her husband pointed out. “What if the girl were Aspar’s wife, my dear? She would take precedence over you at court. In her present position she is quite harmless.”
Verina could not resist the temptation laid so neatly before her. She smiled with false sweetness. “I’m afraid that that is exactly what is to happen, my lord. The emperor and the patriarch have given their permission for Aspar to marry with Cailin Drusus.”
Flacilla paled. “You cannot allow it!” she gasped. “The creature is nothing more than a whore!”
“Oh, Flacilla,” Verina said calmly, “you distress yourself over nothing. The girl’s introduction to society here was unconventional, I will admit, but she was but a short time at Villa Maxima. Her background is better than either of ours. She conducts herself with a modesty that has even earned the commendation of your cousin, the patriarch. She will make Aspar an excellent wife and, believe me, in time the rest will be forgotten, particularly if you continue to cause such scandals as the one you caused last spring. You are a far bigger whore, and so are half the women in the court, than little Cailin Drusus.” The empress smiled and took a cup of wine offered by a servant.
Before Flacilla might reply, her husband pinched her arm sharply. “Be silent, you foolish woman,” he hissed at her. “It does not matter.”
“Not to you!” Flacilla snapped angrily. “I will never give precedence to that creature. Never!”
“Oh, Flacilla,” the empress said, “do not distress yourself. Look! The Greens have taken two races in a row this morning.” She turned to her husband. “You owe me a new gold necklace, my lord, and a bracelet too!”
“Ohhh, I hate her!” Flacilla murmured low. “How I wish I might wreak vengeance on her for her presumption.”
“Well, you cannot now, my dear,” her husband replied softly. “As Aspar’s mistress, she had a certain vulnerability, but as Aspar’s wife, Flacilla, she is inviolate. Look at her! Modest. Beautiful. Soon, I wager, she will become known for her good works. She will be a model mother, I have not a doubt. She has no fault that I can see. If she did, we might find a way to spoil Aspar’s happiness, but she does not. You will have to learn to live with the situation. I will not have you upsetting yourself unnecessarily, else you lose my child. If you do that, Flacilla, I will kill you with my bare hands. Do you understand me?”
“The child means that much to you, my lord?”
“Aye! I have never had a legitimate son,” he said.
“And me, my lord? Do I mean anything to you at all, other than as the brood mare who will bear your heir?”
“You are the only woman for me, Flacilla. I have told you that often enough, but if it pleases you to hear it again, very well. I never