Page 36

The prefect sets the inkpot on the table, then unfurls the papyrus. My eyes devour the marriage document, noting the lines and lines of indecipherable text written on it. It looks a little different than the one I saw earlier today, but my heart still pounds at the sight of it.

Stepping forward, Nero dips the reed pen into the ink and writes his name at the bottom of the parchment. “Sarmatian,” he says, still holding the wedding document in place, “do you write as well as speak Latin?”

In response, Memnon steps forward and takes the reed pen from the emperor. Turning the papyrus to face us, Memnon places a bracing hand on the document and writes his name in Latin.

Nero grunts after the king is finished. “Not bad for a barbarian.”

Memnon turns to me and holds out the reed pen.

I stay rooted in place, even as my pulse gallops away. I traded one marriage for another. The fact that it is with a man I have loved for many moons does not matter to my nerves at the moment.

That, however, is only partly why I hesitate.

I don’t know how to write, I admit.

Memnon’s expression gentles, the shift causing my insides to tighten.Then we’ll do it together, he says.

I swallow, then nod.Okay.

Tentatively, I take the pen from Memnon and turn to the papyrus before us, ignoring how my hand trembles. I sense Nero and Agrippina watching me, and my cheeks flush at their attention.

Moving behind me, Memnon reaches out and wraps his hand around mine. I can feel his heat and the way his much larger body molds against mine. I’m so distracted by it that I nearly miss the moment he dips the pen in my hand into the inkwell.

“If the girl is illiterate, any marking will do,” Nero says.

“I want all who read this to know my wife’s name,” Memnon says.

“Very well,” Nero says, turning back to his mother and muttering something under his breath.

Slowly we’ll do this, Memnon instructs.R-O-X…He goes letter by letter, naming each one as we write them. Though the letters look a little shaky, eventually my Sarmatian name appears on the paper.

Next to my ear, Memnon lets out a sharp exhale, and I can feel his shock down our connection as he stares at the parchment.

We’re married, little witch.

“Well, there it is,” Nero says. “You’re…” His eyes unfocus, and my gut twists at his conflicted expression. He blinks. “I almost forgot—thevows.” To Memnon, he says, “To complete the ceremony, you must say your vows. Sarmatian, they are quite simple. All you have to say is ‘Where you are,’ and your woman will finish the rest.”

Memnon moves to my side and takes the reed pen, setting it on the table. Then he grasps my clammy hands, turning me to face him.

For the first time since I entered this room, I fully face him. I would be lying if I said Memnon no longer looks terrifying. Everything about him, starting with his wicked scar, seems to elicit fear. But his eyes are soft and oddly devoted as they look at me, and his thumb strokes the skin of my hand in a disarmingly comforting way, and I can feel his earnest intention.

Memnon doesn’t wait for preamble. “Where you are,” he begins.

Despite my nerves and the pounding of my heart, I give his hands a squeeze.Cannot believe I’m doing this.“There I am.”

Now, we are married.

My heart still thunders, and my skin feels like lightning dances along it. Across from me, Memnon smiles so big, it seems to reach every corner of his face, and it transforms him from a menace into something else entirely. At the sight, my blood heats and my lower belly clenches.

He ducks his head after a moment, as though to hide his earnestness. That, somehow, only makes him more endearing.

“Congratulations,” Nero says. “I give your union my personal blessing. May it be long and prosperous.” After a moment, he glances at Agrippina. “Don’t you agree, mother?” he says, clearly goading her.

Agrippina couldn’t appear to care less. Her eyes are still a little clouded and distant and her face is empty of expression.

Nero frowns, seemingly annoyed at even her tepidness. Facing us again, he says, “There are gladiatorial games later today. In honor of your nuptials, you will attend as my guests.”

“That is very benevolent of you—” Memnon begins.