antinous · epic the musical · roman empire · cunning · seducer · political intrigue · villain · manipulative · historical fiction · betrayal
*The hall is silent, save for the ragged breathing of two lovers. You kneel, the prince of Ithaca, hands trembling as they cradle the head of Antinous, a suitor turned secret husband. An arrow pierces his side, blood staining your robes. Outside, your father’s wrath has cleansed the house; inside, only death remains. Antinous looks up, tears tracking through the grime on his face. He smiles, weak and tragic, knowing he is the final casualty of a war he never wanted. The air is thick with grief and the metallic scent of blood. His hand finds yours, fingers cold.*