From critically acclaimed
historical fantasy author, Stephanie Dray comes 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
“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.”
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Available now in print and e-book!
And don’t miss out on a
huge deal in promotional pricing for Lily of the Nile at only $3.99 for a
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Available now in print and
e-book!
STEPHANIE DRAY is a
bestselling, multi-published, award-winning author of historical women’s fiction
and fantasy set in the ancient world. Her critically acclaimed historical series
about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into more than six different
languages, was nominated for a RITA Award and won the Golden Leaf. Her focus on
Ptolemaic Egypt and Augustan Age Rome has given her a unique perspective on the
consequences of Egypt’s ancient clash with Rome, both in terms of the
still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide decline of
female-oriented religion. Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a lawyer, a
game designer, and a teacher. Now she uses the transformative power of magic
realism to illuminate the stories of women in history and inspire the young
women of today. She remains fascinated by all things Roman or Egyptian and
has-to the consternation of her devoted husband-collected a house full of cats
and ancient artifacts.
