Teen Ink

Epilogue The Marble Tomb

“She will pay.” Megabyzus said in tight voice. “She will pay for killing her.” He turned away from the sight of the tomb, workers all around it, finishing it.
Accalia sobbed into her black robes. For a month, the people of Ephesus had worn nothing but black in honor of the slain princess, the Queen of Egypt. “At least she knew she was loved, here and everywhere.”
“I can’t believe she’s gone. She was right there,” He choked out, pointing to column, “right there, playing with the children.”
Both knew what happened last night. Arsinoe had been praying to her gods, where her handmaidens left her. Soldiers had appeared out of the gloom, converging on her. She had tried to run, but had nowhere to run to. The soldiers ran to her. She started shrieking, loud enough to wake the gods. By the time the alarm had sounded, she was dead, lying on the steps of the temple, her body covered in the blood.
“Oh Artemis, protect this tomb. Guard it against all who seek to destroy and desecrate it, and help Arsinoe’s name be remembered forever.” Accalia prayed.
“It seems like yesterday I was calling her my Queen.” Megabyzus remembered. “Was it really years ago?”
“It seems like yesterday she arrived.” Accalia whispered. “I watched her grow up here. I watched her turn into a woman here.”
“She will pay.” Echoed Megabyzus.