Softly and steadily, the moon cast its pale light on the city of the seven hills, the pulsating, never-still heart of the world. On one of the smaller balconies of the Palatine's most splendid and impressive villa stood a slender figure. Her hands rested indecisively on the parapet, her long hair and clothes, foreign to her, fluttered softly in the balmy late summer breeze as she gazed thoughtfully down at this city that evoked so many mixed feelings in her. For not a day had passed since her arrival in the eternal city without a small, malevolent voice whispering in her mind that she did not belong here and could never truly become a part of this strange world.
Her fair curls shone white in the cold moonlight and as if in a trance she brushed a strand from her face. It was only here that she had to realise how special her hair was. For what had seemed so natural to her in her homeland stood out all too clearly here. She was a stranger in this city and she would like to believe that it was the will of the gods that they had found each other back home.
But this city intimidated her. It was not only because of its size or its overwhelming beauty, which was supposed to represent the power of this city to the outside world. She was afraid of these people who were so different from her own people. In her homeland he had warned her that they were from different worlds, but she had neither wanted nor been able to believe him. But here in this place she had had to realise how little she knew of the world beyond the borders of her people's territory.
Already in the land of her ancestors he had explained to her why he had to return to his homeland and she had only grown to love him more for the devotion, love and sense of duty he felt for his country. He was a man who was willing to sacrifice whatever was asked of him for his country. How could she not love him for that when her people were guided by the same principles? How could she have guessed that his world would be beyond the limits of her imagination?
His friend had warned her that his whole life had been predestined from birth, confirming what she had already known deep in her heart. Even when their eyes had first met, she had sensed that this man was destined for something great. Only how great his destiny actually was, she could never have imagined. Until she had seen how he had almost broken under the burden his name placed on him. Just the thought of choosing between his fatherland and her brought him to the brink of despair and it pained her that she was causing him so much grief. Surely it would have been easier to stay in the land of her ancestors and deny this city. But he was not a man to run away from his destiny and even if he was not ready to take on this task now, he would be ready when the moment arrived that his father's death would herald.
Suddenly two warm, strong arms wrapped around her tender middle and pulled her against a muscular chest. Instantly her misgivings melted away and her doubts evaporated. This was her only home, her refuge, her rock. His arms. Only with him did she feel this familiarity and safety. Only with him did she feel free and alive. How could she long for her home when her heart desired only him? What did she care that one mistake in this strange city could mean her death as long as he was by her side?
Her heart had known from their first meeting that it had always been he whom the gods held in store for her.
For even though she seemed so far from her homeland and his people so alien to her, how could she ever leave him? She firmly believed that the gods gave each person a very specific destiny. He was her destiny and she would do anything to lighten the burden on his shoulders.