The long-awaited
new tale based on the true story of Cleopatra's daughter.
After years of abuse as
the emperor’s captive in Rome, Cleopatra
Selene has found a safe harbor. No longer the pitiful orphaned daughter of the
despised Egyptian Whore, the twenty year old is now the most powerful queen in
the empire, ruling over the kingdom of Mauretania—an exotic land of enchanting
possibility where she intends to revive her dynasty. With her husband, King
Juba II and the magic of Isis that is her
birthright, Selene brings prosperity and peace to a kingdom thirsty for both.
But when Augustus Caesar jealously demands that Selene’s children be given over
to him to be fostered in Rome, she’s
drawn back into the web of imperial plots and intrigues that she vowed to leave
behind. Determined and resourceful, Selene must shield her loved ones from the
emperor’s wrath, all while vying with ruthless rivals like King Herod. Can she
find a way to overcome the threat to her marriage, her kingdom, her family, and
her faith? Or will she be the last of her line?
Read the Reviews
"This is a page-turner with every bit of entertainment you
could ask, but it also has some profound things to say about politics, greed,
relationships, family and love." ~New York Journal of
Books
"A stirring story of a proud, beautiful, intelligent woman
whom a 21st century reader can empathize with. Dray's crisp, lush prose brings
Selene and her world to life." ~RT Book Reviews
"The boldest, and most brilliant story arc Dray has
penned..." ~Modge Podge Reviews
"If you love historical fiction and magical realism, these
books are for you." ~A Bookish
Affair
Read an Excerpt
Below me, six black
Egyptian cobras dance on their tails, swaying. I watch their scaled hoods
spread wide like the uraeus on the crown of Egypt. Even from
this height, I'm paralyzed by the sight of the asps, their forked tongues
flickering out between deadly fangs. I don't notice that I'm gripping the
balustrade until my knuckles have gone white, all my effort concentrated upon
not swooning and falling to my death.
And I would swoon if I
were not so filled with rage. Someone has arranged for this. Someone who knows
what haunts me. Someone who wants to send me a message and make this occasion a
moment of dread. My husband, the king must know it, for he calls down,
"That's enough. We've seen enough of the snake charmer!"
There is commotion
below, some upset at having displeased us. Then Chryssa hisses, "Who could
think it a good idea to honor the daughter of Cleopatra by coaxing asps from
baskets of figs?"
The story the world
tells of my mother's suicide is that she cheated the emperor of his conquest by
plunging her hand into a basket where a venomous serpent lay in wait. A legend
only, some say, for the serpent was never found. But I was there. I brought her
that basket. She was the one bitten but the poison lingers in my blood to this
day. I can still remember the scent of figs in my nostrils, lush and sweet. The
dark god Anubis was embroidered into the woven reeds of the basket, the weight
of death heavy in my arms. I can still see my mother reach her hand into that
basket, surrendering her life so that her children might go on without her. And
I have gone on without her.
I have survived too
much to be terrorized by the emperor's agents or whoever else is responsible
for this.
If it is a message, a
warning from my enemies, I have already allowed them too much of a victory by
showing any reaction at all. So I adopt as serene a mask as possible. My
daughter blinks her big blue eyes, seeing past my facade. "Are you
frightened, Mother? They cannot bite us from there. The snakes are very far
away."
I get my legs under me,
bitterness on my tongue. "Oh, but they're never far enough away."
###
http://www.stephaniedray.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dotn.jpgAvailable
now in print and e-book!
And, for a limited time only, you can
pick up the first book in the series for only $3.99!
Available now in print and e-book!
No comments:
Post a Comment