Sneak Peek: Empress in Exile

Fulvia Plautilla was used to getting what she wanted. When her powerful father arranges for her to marry Caracalla, the eldest son of Rome’s Emperor, Plautilla thought she had won the ultimate prize. But it is Geta, his younger brother, who captures her heart…

As they embark on an illicit affair, Plautilla becomes caught up in a dangerous game between two warring brothers which threatens to risk her royal status, her family, and ultimately her life.

Septimius Severus strode in first. The emperor was tall, with olive skin and a full head of gray hair. His white toga was adorned with gold thread and the gold laurels in his hair gleamed. He seemed stern and nodded at the onlookers but did not smile. Julia Domna was next. The empress was also tall, with dark hair braided in an unusual arrangement framing her angular face. Her eyes were as black as a cobra’s, and I shrank a bit closer to Father at the sight of her. I knew she was a formidable presence in the court. Then I remembered her dismissive words to Mother and stood up a little straighter. She may be a force, but so was I.

Behind them, the two brothers. Antoninus was first. He had his mother’s coloring and his father’s curly locks, and he was on his way to growing a full beard. I noted the broad shoulders peeking out of his toga and the gold laurels in his curls, slightly less gilded than his father’s but no less impressive. He wore a scowl on his face and for some reason I thought of a boy mimicking a man, displaying emotions without truly understanding what they meant. I was so focused on the young Ceasar that I barely noticed Geta until he was almost in front of me.

For a moment, it was if the room plunged into shadow. I took a startled step forward, almost blocking Geta’s path. Father’s hand clamped me back in line, but Geta turned his head toward me and we locked eyes. Like Antoninus, his eyes were brown, but they were more honey-colored and had what looked like amber flames in them. Tiger eyes, I thought. His cheekbones were more delicate than his brother’s, his hands more slender. The laurels in his hair were silver instead of gold. He was clearly younger than Antoninus but had an expression of disdain that made him seem older.    

Geta nodded at me, and I bowed my head. He continued toward the grand chamber as the guests fell into line behind the royal entourage. Father spun me around and hissed harshly into my ear.

“What was that display? You shame me before we’ve even started!”

“I’m sorry Father, I was distracted—" I began.

“Foolish girl! We don’t have time for your nonsense! Thank the gods Antoninus was no longer present. Now gather yourself and do exactly as I say!” Father yanked me forward again.

“Yes, Father,” I sighed. I glanced back at the large lamp, but the flame burned steadily. What had just happened?