It was almost midnight when he arrived at the Temple. He'd changed out of the ceremonial robes of the Senate and was clad in a short white tunic. The candlelight danced over his face, throwing his features into shadow. He held his sword lightly at his side, the blade covered in blood, evidence of the ferocity with which it had been used.

Octavia turned from the shrine as he approached, his boots thudding loudly on the polished marble floor. He looked tired, she noticed, but his usual arrogant façade was in place, hiding whatever real emotions lay beneath the surface.

"Priestess." He said, inclining his head slightly. "Radiant as ever."

"Your Highness." She responded, an edge of sarcasm creeping into her voice.

He laughed then, the sound echoing of the walls. "Not anymore. The Emperor is dead, didn't you know?"

"I heard rumours. They say you were attacked in the Senate." Octavia spread her hands and shrugged. "Yet here you stand."

"I live a charmed life."

"You dishonour yourself by killing servants of the Gods." She said softly, .her gaze dropping to his weapon.

Candlelight danced along the blade as he brought it up, the point resting lightly against her throat. Octavia lifted her chin and licked dry lips nervously. "You dare speak to me of dishonour?" He hissed through clenched teeth. "You who plotted with my enemies against me?"

Octavia flinched as he twisted the blade slightly. Blood tricked down her throat, drops of it falling onto her robes.

"I should cut your throat right now and have done with it."

"Then why don't you? You've killed everyone else."

With a sigh of frustration, Julius dropped the blade and pulled her against him, his mouth covering hers.. His kiss was slow and deep, the taste of wine and dust still clinging to his lips. " How could I?" He whispered. "You are my love."

Octavia looked up him, and bile rose in the back of her throat at the memory of the nights they'd spent together. His betrayal was like an open wound.

"You never loved me "."she spat back at him. "You used me to betray everything I believed in and worst of all you made me believe it was for the greater good."

"So you plotted with Cassius and the others to have me killed? And what was to be your reward? Will you be the next emperor's whore?" Julius sneered. "Or perhaps you are already."

Octavia flinched as he raised his hand, mentally preparing herself for the attack, but it never came. The air around them grew still and hot as if the desert sun filled the temple. Beads of sweat tricked down her back and every breath felt like fire in her lungs.

"What's happening?" Julius grunted, his voice suddenly strained.

Octavia blinked back the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. 'I'm sorry Julius. She whispered. Julius stared at her in stunned silence as reality began to dawn. He had underestimated her. She hadn't been trying to kill him that was Cassius's meddling. She had something much worse in mind. As though conjured by his thoughts the Covens High Priestess stepped into the room, her usually serene face distorted by fear and loathing. She placed a wrinkled hand on Octavia's shoulder and began a low chant. Pain seared through his body and he sank to his knees.

"You brought this upon yourself Julius. You were meant to be the empires saviour; instead you became its destroyer. I could not stand by and let you destroy my world".

The howl of rage that came from him was more animal than human, "You will pay for this" he swore, "You and everyone you love." He stuggled to rise but was held by the chanting of the Priestess and the love of his life.

Octavia stepped forward and placed her hands on his chest, her fingers splaying over his heart. "I bind you Julius. For a thousand times a thousand years, I bind you from your powers." She pressed her lips to his forehead and brought her mouth close to his ear. "I'm sorry."

She turned her back on him, leaving him kneeling alone on the floor.

You'll pay for this. He thought. If it takes me a hundred lifetimes I will make you pay..