A shower of rose petals rained down on his dark head, on his armor, on his horse. Lia could sense no joy in him, only an obvious detachment that set him apart from Lentulus and other men. Not by a smile or a gesture did he acknowledge the adoring crowds. For all attention he paid them, he might have been riding alone.

"Look over here!" one of the women standing next to Lia shrieked. She jumped up and down, waving her arms in ecstasy. "Look!"

Fool, Lia thought. What are we to him?

At that moment, Gaius Flavius Varro Magnus inexplicably turned his head.

Their eyes met and held.