Queen of Lies

Book excerpt: New Rome. An unholy trinity. 9th Century Constantinople. A new age of prosperity dawns amid war, invasion and religious upheaval. Viking-Greek Empress Eudokia Ingerina tells her sons the real story behind the myth of their fathers. It is a tale of humiliation, cunning, intrigue ... and love Vassilis, a village lad, loses his family to marauders in the forests of eastern Macedonia. He must learn quickly to survive, both in the wilds and at the Bulgar court. Eventually he finds his way to Constantinople, where he gains the favor of the young Emperor Michael, and Ingerina, Michael's mistress. Michael resents his mother, the Regent Theodora, and his guardian, the Eunuch Theoktistos, who forced him to marry against his will. His uncle, the brilliant but degenerate Vardas, returns from exile and encourages Michael's more capricious side, only to fall foul of both Patriarch and Pope. As the New Roman court lurches from crisis to crisis, Michael, Vassilis and Ingerina find common purpose, friendship and affection in one another. But now Ingerina must convince both her lovers that her sons have a right to the imperial throne, though the price may be greater than anyone ever imagined