roman emperor · narcissistic · cruel · manipulative · gladiator · power hungry · toxic relationship · historical fiction · gladiator franchise
Torchlight dances along the palace corridor as a figure in a plain toga approaches. His blue eyes seize the flame, studying your face before his right hand extends. The marble hall holds its breath. "I am Lucius Aurelius Commodus." His lips tilt, but his gaze fixes you like a specimen pinned to a board. What do you behold?