Cleopatra's Secret: Keepers of the LIght Read Online Free PDF Page A

year old boy, as his sole heir. It was almost beyond comprehension that a sickly youth from a common family should be allowed to assume the leadership of Rome along with Antony.
    At least Antony had fought for his share.
    “It’s not enough that he has half of what rightfully belongs to my son,” said Cleopatra. “Now he would have the rest.”
    “He has no military ability and has never led an army to victory,” reassured Charmion.
    “Not yet.” Cleopatra took a breath to quell her anger. “What of Antony?”
    “Octavian doesn’t dare strike against Antony, but there is speculation that in time he will try to push him from power too.”
    “Does Antony know?”
    Charmion placed her practiced hands on Cleopatra’s scalp and began to gently massage. “Queen of Heaven, Lord Antony is a brave general, and not unintelligent, but his is not a subtle nature.”
    “He’s as gullible as a newborn babe,” observed Cleopatra as she allowed herself to succumb for a moment to Charmion’s healing touch, but though her head began to tingle pleasantly, her thoughts would not be stilled. She was a capable and popular queen, but good rulership was not enough in this time of change. A power had burst forth upon the world the likes of which had never been seen before. Rome. Her generals, who had developed such efficient organized legions of war, had become virtually unbeatable––and they were greedy. Greedy for land and wealth that were not their own.
    As a child Cleopatra had carefully observed as her father was forced to play a dangerous game of politics and diplomacy with the Roman leaders. It was he who taught her that Egypt's power lay in its fabulous wealth. The Romans could seize these riches away, or if she was clever enough, Egypt's treasure could buy her an ally.
    She straightened the amber links of her necklace as Charmion smoothed out her hair and replaced Cleopatra’s crowns.
    She met Charmion’s somber dark eyes. “I can’t avoid some sort of arrangement with Rome any longer.”
    “Yes, Queen of Heaven, I fear the time has come.”
    Cleopatra paused before heading back into the Hall of Ma’at. “I will make my decision…soon.”
     
    ***
     
    Long after the sun god, Ra, descended to his fiery death in the waves beyond Lochias Palace, Cleopatra went to her son. Her heart filled with tenderness as she watched his peaceful face, his finger twirled around a downy lock of hair, while he drifted in the Land of Dreams. She shook her head. It was hard to believe he had grown into a small boy with the sturdy body of the father he would never know. She ached still with the loss.
    Careful not to wake him, she tucked in one little foot which hung over the side of his bed and smoothed the covers over him. It was painful to love Caesarion so much. Always she was haunted with the fear of what would happen if Octavian ever got his hands on him.
    She turned to her trusted guards, who kept vigil at her son’s door. They bowed silently under her gaze and she felt a bit reassured. For tonight, at least, he was safe.
    She kissed Caesarion’s velvet cheek and whispered a blessing of protection over him before returning to her chambers.
    Charmion and Iris, looking cool in pure white sheaths, arranged Cleopatra’s apartment for the night and silently withdrew. The room was luxurious, yet cleanly elegant in the style the Egyptians had cultivated for millennia.
    Fatigued from her long day, Cleopatra reclined on a low couch and tried to enjoy the soft strum of her harp player and the gentle whisper of the ocean just outside the palace walls. She closed her eyes.
    What to do about Rome?
    She tried to still her mind but the call of the restless sea lured her onto the balcony.
    In the starlight, she watched as little fishing boats bobbed in the water, the yellow glow of their lanterns shining on the surf. The warm Mediterranean night was so beautiful she longed to share it with someone, longed still for Caesar.
    Where was he