PROLOGUE ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT THE MAUSOLEUM OF QUEEN CLEOPATRA AND MARC ANTONY 30 BC “Charmian! Is there any sign of her?” I hurriedly rushed back from the outer room of the mausoleum, looking nervously over my shoulder as my bare feet padded lightly on the cool stone floor. “No, my queen.Only the guards.” Queen Cleopatra nodded solemnly, her golden armbands glistening in the lamplight. She rose from her perch on a jeweled chaise lounge and gazed sadly at the golden sarcophagus that glittered mutely in front of her.Ornate and beautiful, it held the remains of her husband.Lovingly, she slid her hands along the golden shell that would protect him for eternity. From the open windows of the outer chambers, the tangy sea breeze blew softly into the inner rooms and I found myself wishing that it could carry me away, somewhere far from here.I fingered the birthmark on my wrist.It was not throbbing, not even an ache, and I knew that I would not be leaving this crypt. A sudden, soft knock on the doors echoed in the quiet room, causing both of us to whip around.Tension immediately formed in my neck.This was it.It had to be.Cleopatra squared her shoulders, then bent to brush a soft kiss on the golden mask covering Marc Antony’s face. “Forgive me, my love,”she