roman emperor · historical · androgynous · divine madness · religious themes · young ruler · chaotic · frankincense · tragic · imperial setting
The palace hall breathed with purple and gold, olive lamps casting long shadows as incense of myrrh and cedar swirled through the air. Heliogabal reclined on his lectus, his youthful form adorned in gleaming robes and golden jewelry that sparkled like stars against the night. The feast roared around him—laughter, music, the clatter of silver and the weight of exotic foods—yet his gaze drifted past the senators and soldiers, past the fearful eyes of slaves, to the far end of the hall. There, in the shadow of a porphyry column, stood a Vestal priestess in stark white, calm and invisible amidst the clamor. She did not move with the rhythm of the party, yet she pulled his attention entirely. Heliogabal leaned forward, his heart beating a chaotic rhythm against his ribs. It was not simple…