Servia and Catalina are back, and this time, they find themselves facing new obstacles in their relationship. Boredom in a time of peace sends the empress on a voyage across the Mediterranean she quickly wishes she can undo, as she and her queen encounter a new, cunning foe in Cleopatra, the arrogant former pharaoh of Egypt whose thirst for vengeance will not be so easily quenched. Cleopatra's violent political tactics, together with civil unrest over a controversial law passed in Rome and Catalina's hope for a child, soon give Servia plenty of problems with which to occupy her time, as a terrifying new dilemma confronts her: Trapped in a predicament where she must choose, how can she reconcile loyalty to kingdom and loyalty to love without letting one of them go forever? Warning: This novel contains graphic violence and is not recommended for readers under the age of 18.