Author's note: This is a Klaroline historical AU inspired by Julia Aurelia Zenobia, the third century Queen of Palmyra (modern Syria) during her capture by Roman Emperor Lucius Domitius Aurelianus (Aurelian). Queen Caroline was captured by the Romans as a war prize for Emperor Niklaus, and is not especially receptive to his ill-timed flirtations.

Also, great news — I have the sequel to this chapter ready and will be posting it tomorrow (April 24) — happy reading!


"When my enemies stop hissing, I shall know I'm slipping."
― Maria Callas


She wore murder in her eyes and Emperor Niklaus was mesmerized. The warrior Queen of Palmyra bravely stared him down, fists clenched in rage, and the emperor was certain she'd gladly chew his throat to slake her thirst. What a magnificent creature the gods had fashioned. He ascended the polished marble stairs, royal cloak swirling about his ankles, and he paused to admire her empty throne of carved shell and stone. With an impish grin, he slowly lowered himself into the seat of power, taking great pleasure in the untamed fury that took possession of her lovely face. "A queen kneels before me," he proclaimed, lips curling into a triumphant smirk.

It was rumored that Cleopatra VII and Dido of Carthage were her ancestors, and Caroline's regal bearing radiated the kind of power that made Niklaus believe it to be so. Raising his arms wide, he addressed his loyal soldiers as well as what remained of the queen's crumbling court. "So, this is the mighty warrior queen who had caused such an uproar among my people that I was compelled to condemn her to proscription." A brilliant tactician, Caroline had led her armies into countless battles, conquering numerous Roman provinces and cleverly cutting off trade routes from others until even the most fortified of lands began to fear her.

Her defiant gaze surprised him — others who had been condemned to proscription would weep and wail as they pled for their lives — but not Caroline. She continued to kneel with her wrists shackled in golden chains, but she wore no shame. Instead, she proudly stared him down, cold calculation in her formidable gaze.

"But fear not — I have decided to grant you mercy. You will live out the rest of your days in my court." A small uproar echoed throughout the war-torn chamber as those gathered murmured in surprise. The emperor was not known for his leniency — especially with his enemies. Niklaus raised an eyebrow, vexed that her expression did not change. He rewarded her with her life and still she did not deign to speak? Insolent woman.

Gray eyes suddenly alight with mischief, he fell upon a truth that surely would set her tongue ablaze. "Such a clever mind you possess, my lady. Surely you're curious as to how, despite your inventive schemes, your empire is suddenly within my grasp?" He cast his gaze carelessly about the remains of her court, pleased to see that they carried the fear and awe that their fallen queen lacked.

Ah, now that captured Caroline's attention, he noted with a smug smile. Her blue eyes narrowed as she seemed to coldly evaluate her people, some that surely had served her well for years. He appreciated a pragmatic leader whose loyalty was...malleable when the occasion demanded it.

He gestured toward the terrified handmaiden and revealed, "That meek mouse approached one of my lowly centurions and traded her queen's secrets for her own comforts."

The uproar was even more glorious that Niklaus could've anticipated. Despite the weight of her golden chains, Caroline still leapt to her feet, nimbly pulling a dagger from the belt of one of his Praetorian Guardsmen's belts, advancing on the wailing handmaiden and messily putting blade to flesh before his men could drag the feral creature away.

While the rest of those gathered shrieked and uselessly quivered at the violence, the warrior queen was stone-faced once more, even as she clutched the traitor's bloody scalp in her fingers. As Caroline absently twisted the long, dark hair, he couldn't help but wonder if she was envisioning a makeshift laqueus with which to strangle her foes. To strangle him, perhaps?

He paused in his admiration to consider his Praetorian Guardsmen. They were the elite, most highly trained among his legions, and yet Caroline had seized one of their weapons and killed a prisoner under their watchful eye — while in chains. His woman was marvelously deadly.


The triumphal parade through the streets of Rome was just as lavish as Emperor Niklaus had commanded. The gleeful hordes lined the streets and balconies, showering the grand procession with laurel wreaths, garlands and rose petals. The emperor basked in the glory of his people's praise as they celebrated the courage of his soldiers and his legendary military prowess. Truly his kingdom had found favor with the gods. He was carried atop an enormous gleaming ivory litter, lounging on a bejeweled couch of sumptuous fabrics, and just outside the gossamer curtains, he spied his war prize in golden chains.

Caroline headed the lavish parade of prisoners and despite the jeering crowds, her regal bearing did not waver. She confidently stared down all who dared mark her as weak, conveying her power despite her fallen empire. She was a proud warrior and Niklaus was certain she yearned to set his imperial city ablaze. Enchanting creature. She paid no mind to the vast treasures of her conquered land that were on display all around her, from the elaborate bronze and marble statues; exotic textiles; and objects of gold, silver and ivory. Unfortunately, that meant she did not see one of his centurions slyly approach her from behind, crudely cutting off a handful of curls before Niklaus could bellow his protests.

The enraged emperor halted the parade, ordering his Praetorian Guardsmen to fetch Caroline to sit beside him. It was an unprecedented gesture to host an enemy leader within his personal litter, but Niklaus refused to see her dishonored. She scowled, perched as far away from him as the couch would allow. He resisted the urge to tenderly touch the ragged ends of her hair, knowing she would gnaw his fingers bloody with a song in her heart. "My apologies. I will see to it that my soldier is properly punished for his rude ways."

Blue eyes regarded him fiercely as she swore, "Retribution is mine to claim."

Amused, Niklaus held up his hands in mock surrender. "As you wish."

Caroline was somehow even more lovely as her scowl deepened. "Why do you care," she asked, suspicion coloring her tone as she pointedly clinked her golden chains before his bemused gaze.

Why indeed. Tales of her beauty had reached his ears long before he marched his armies toward the oasis city of Palmyra, but he'd assumed they'd been exaggerated to soothe the ego of a vacuous royal. He was quite mistaken. He first glimpsed her astride a Nisean warhorse, those beasts most prized in battle for their aggressive natures. Clothed in a simple rider's tunic, she confidently rode the fierce roan down the middle of her army, shouting commands with the ease of a trueborn leader. A fearless, ethereal beauty.

"It is said that you marched for miles on foot, leading your soldiers to victory in Cappadocia and Bithynia and that the conquered peoples became loyal to your cause," Niklaus blurted out, feeling his cheeks warm.

She looked startled by his words, biting her lip as she resolutely stared at her feet. Concerned that Caroline had been shamed by her ill-treatment, he gestured toward the side of her head where a handful of curls had been cruelly shorn by his soldier. "When we arrive at the palace, I'll send for my sister's prized ornatrix; she will fashion your hair in a manner befitting your station once again. Rebekah is most enchanted by the gold dust and silver pins currently in fashion."

Grabbing at the chopped edges with her shackled fists, she bit out, "I've no need for adornment; your soldier's clumsy blade could never change who I am." As her stony gaze found the parade once more, she hissed, "And my station is that of your slave."

It was as though his humours were out of balance. Frowning at the irksome pit in his gut, Niklaus attempted to soothe with, "I did not speak falsehoods in your court; you will be allowed to live out your life in luxury in Rome."

"As a slave. Your slave."

They sat in silence for many unpleasant moments. The emperor had not been made to feel so insignificant since his first few years in the legion. When she finally spoke again, he inwardly chastised himself over the relief he felt. He even fancied that her voice carried a hint of jest. "I was told that Roman baths were plentiful here —and yet your populous city carries a hearty stench. No wonder your grasping hands sought the fertile oasis of my lands."

He took the stinging rebuke in stride, a pleased grin on his face as he lightly reminded, "My city's famed legacy rises above such petty grievances. It is said that Rome was built by Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a wolf to imbue them with a strength that echoes throughout their descendants."

With an unimpressed huff, she retorted, "My city was founded by the jinn."

Caroline's prideful manner delighted Niklaus to no end, and he looked forward to hearing more of her boasts about Palmyra. He was momentarily distracted by the jubilant noise of his people celebrating just beyond the delicate curtains woven with gold. The emperor observed, "The well-made treasures of your lands have caused quite the stir. Your people's memory will live on here."

Caroline scoffed, her tone suddenly filled with righteous fury as she snapped, "My people would have preferred to live."

Niklaus wisely allowed them to ride in silence the rest of the way to the palace.