In the week he had been in Rome, he and Fausta had spent every possible moment together and his desire for her had risen to a point where he could hardly think of anything else. The thought of not seeing her again was like an eclipse, shutting out the sight of the sun. But he also knew that if he went against her father’s order and met her again however innocently, for they had hardly spoken of love to each other yet Maximian would demand that Diocletian break him. And the Emperor of the East was too much of a soldier to pardon one who did not obey the command of a superior officer.
While he was staring hopelessly at the wall, Dacius came in from a tour of duty. The centurion removed his crested helmet, hung it carefully on a peg, poured himself a goblet of wine and drank it before he spoke.
Mount Vesuvius erupted
“You look like Mount Vesuvius erupted on you,” he said finally.
“Aren’t you supposed to be spending the afternoon with Lady Fausta?”
“I just came from the presence of the Emperor Maximian. He ordered me never to see her again.”
“The other officers and I have been wagering on when the axe would be wielded. So today was the day?”
“But why? We love each other.”
“Love has little to do with royal marriages. You should know that.”
“I am not royal, or ever will be.”
“If Maximian could be sure of that, you might be welcomed into the family with open arms, instead of being cast into what I believe the Christians call the ‘outer darkness.’”
“Am I a pariah, then? Or a leper to be avoided?”
“You are the strong son of a strong father and the grandson, once or twice removed I forget which of a great emperor,” Dacius told him. “What better credentials could you have to become ruler of the Roman Empire?”
Constantine managed a wry smile. “Well at least I have two supporters for my candidacy you and Fausta.”
“The girl has more sense than her father and Maxentius put together. If they had any, they would ally you with themselves and, when Diocletian abdicates, the three of you and Constantius could divide the Empire between you, leaving out Galerius and his lackeys Licinius, Daia and Severus no, not Severus; he’s only an honest soldier who obeys orders.”
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