The day that marked the return of the royal siblings was a fairly cloudy day, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of those awaiting for them to return. Particularly not of the two young children who stood on the steps to the palace, watching their mothers return to them in a chariot of their own while Commodus rode ahead with Candace. They paid little attention to the Senators that were squabbling over the politics near them. Perhaps, on a different day, Decimus might have been interested in what they had to say, but not now.
Gracchus laid a hand down on each of the boys' shoulders. "Go to your mothers, boys, that's what they'd like." He smiled as the boys raced down the steps as soon as their mothers began to climb the steps towards them.
Decimus reached his mother first, if only because she was already running towards him as well. He dove into her arms as soon as he was close enough to do, relishing in the feel of her arms wrapping around him tightly. "Mother." He tipped his head back to smile up at her. "Did you miss me?"
His question was rewarded with a fierce kiss to his cheek that made him squirm in her arms. "Of course I did! How could I not?"
Decimus beamed at her only to turn solemn as Commodus moved past him to the top of the steps. He leaned in close to his mother, speaking in hushed tones so that only she could hear him. "Mother, is it true that grandfather is dead? And that Uncle Commodus is now the new emperor?"
Decimus felt his mother stiffen for a moment, but then it passed and she was regarding him with serious eyes. "It is true, my son," she said. "And that means that you must treat him with all the respect you once treated your grandfather with. For he is Cesar now. Do you understand?"
"Of course I do, Mother," Decimus said. He felt a swell of pride at the smile his words brought to his mother's face.
"Good." Tessa pressed a final kiss to his forehead before taking his hand in hers and leading him up the steps into the palace. " Now why don't you tell me all the mischief that you and Lucius have gotten up to while we were away?"
Candace placed a hand on her sister's arm as Commodus approached Gracchus with a dark expression on his face, the sword moving away from his shoulders into a possibly threatening position.
Tessa understood the silent question that was being asked and moved forward to place a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Senator, my brother is very tired," She said. "He will surely need to rest before he can address these matters."
Commodus stood there for a moment, regarding his sister, before dipping his head in assent. "Indeed, I must rest," He said. He motioned for Candace to come to his side, which she did, slipping her hand into his as she left with him for his chambers.
Tessa cast a faint smile after her siblings, knowing that if anyone would be able to soothe Commodus now it would be Candace. She turned back to Gracchus with her hand outstretched. "Leave your list with me," She said. "Cesar will do all that Rome requires."
Gracchus handed the list over to her with a respectful bow of his head. "My lady, as always your lightest touch commands obedience."
Tessa responded to the praise with a gracious smile before leaving the Senate Chambers. She was weary of playing the game of politics. She just wanted to return to her chambers where Decimus was sure to be waiting for her, ready to distract her with some new story he had heard.
Commodus didn't start to rage until after Candace had helped him remove his ceremonial armor. "Who are they to lecture me?" He demanded.
"The Senate has its uses," Candace said.
"What uses?" Commodus grumbled. "All they do is talk. It should just be you and me and Rome."
Candace might not have been particularly fond of the Senate herself, but even she was shocked by Commodus's words. "Don't even think it!" She snapped. "There's always been a Senate!"
"Rome has changed," Commodus said. "It takes an emperor to rule an empire." He sunk into one of his throne like chairs with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Of course, but leave the people their…" Candace said.
"Illusions?" Commodus suggested.
"Traditions," Candace corrected.
"Our father's war against the barbarians," Commodus said. "He said it himself, it achieved nothing, but the people loved him."
"The people always love victories," Candace said.
"Why?" Commodus asked. "They didn't see the battles. What do they care about Germania?"
"They care about the greatness of Rome," Candace said.
"The greatness of Rome," Commodus repeated. "And what is that?"
Candace thought about her answer for a few moments before saying anything. "It's an idea. Greatness…greatness is a vision."
"Exactly," Commodus said. "A vision." He leaned forward in his chairs, his eyes locking with hers. "Don't you see, Candace? I'll give the people a vision of Rome and they'll love me for it. And they'll soon forget the tedious sermonizing of a few dry old men." Candace slid her hand into his as he held it out for her, allowing him to pull her down onto his lap. "I will give the people the greatest vision of their lives," He said.
Tessa peered down at her brother's miniature version of the Colosseum, ignoring the two Senators that were pacing around her chambers. She glanced up only after Gaius slammed the announcement that Commodus had circulated through Rome down on the table.
"Games," Gaius grumbled. "A hundred and fifty days of games."
"He's cleverer than I thought," Gracchus said.
"Clever," Gaius snorted. "The whole of Rome would be laughing at him if they weren't so afraid of what he would do to them for it."
"Fear and wonder," Tessa remarked. "It's a powerful combination."
"I think he knows what Rome is," Gaius said. "Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand of the coliseum. He'll bring them death—and they will love him for it."
Commodus hovered at the end of Tessa's bed, watching her sleep with her son nestled securely in her arms. The two of them seemed so peaceful, their faces cleared of any traces of stress in a way that made him envious of them. He wished that he were able to fall into slumber so easily, without being plagued by the nagging concerns that kept him awake.
He heard the sound of footsteps from behind him and he didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "They sleep so well because they're loved," He said.
Candace wound her arms through his with a sigh. "Come, brother, its late," She said. He allowed her to guide him back towards his chambers where she sorted through a collection of elixirs to make something to aid him. He wandered over to one of the tables, leaning against it as he watched her work.
"I will make Rome the wonder of the ages," He said. "That is what Gracchus and his friends don't understand. All my desires are splitting my head to pieces."
Candace gazed sympathetically at him as she wandered over to his side, trailing her fingers gently across his cheek. "Here, Commodus, drink this tonic," She said. "It should help you sleep."
Commodus took the vial from her, draining its contents in a single gulp before placing it down on the table. "I think the time is almost right," He said. "I could announce the dissolution of the Senate at the celebration to honor our father. Do you think I should? Are the people ready?"
Candace didn't answer him right away, her eyes flickering down to the vial that lay on the table before returning to his face. "I think you need your rest now," She said.
It wasn't what Commodus wanted to hear, yet it was the one that he had expected. He knew that his sister was still trying to come to terms with the death of their father and the changes that would come for her now that he was emperor. Still, he wished that she could understand the glory of what he had planned for the two of them! She was the only person able to help shape Rome under his vision. The people would have no reason not to support their love, particularly after they witnessed the way that Tessa championed their relationship.
He would have to make sure that his sister was compensated for her constant support. If only Maximus hadn't proved to be such a threat, then he could have given Tessa leave to marry him as a reward. Now he would have to think of some other way to repay her.
"Will you stay with me?" He asked.
"Still afraid of the dark, brother?" Candace asked.
"Still," Commodus replied. "Always." He watched his sister's expression soften, which gave him a spring of hope. He reached out to take her hands in his own, locking eyes with her. "Stay with me tonight?" He didn't care how desperate his voice sounded. He hadn't spelt with her at his side since their arrival in Germania. She had snubbed him in favor of Tessa on the way back to Rome and had avoided his bed ever since. It was horribly lonely not to sleep with her in his arms after he had done so for so long.
"That depends on what you want to do with me in your bed," Candace replied.
A sense of understanding washed over Commodus—so that was what was keeping her from his bed. "I shall do nothing," He murmured. "Nothing, except kiss you as I have always done." He could feel Candace relax under his hold and as he leaned in to claim her mouth with his own there was no trace of fear, only passion.
