Kleopatra by Karen Essex

Author:Karen Essex [ESSEX, KAREN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780446559614
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2009-05-30T04:00:00+00:00

“Here is what I think of your choice of husband, eunuch.” Berenike stepped aside. Three of her women dropped the strangled corpse of Seleucus, the Syrian bastard prince, at Meleager’s feet. The young Arsinoe stood next to her tall sister, laughing at the spectacle. The astonished eunuch beheld the dead man, his neck purple and bruised, his head dangling loosely from the rest of his body, his lifeless face contorted in surprise and agony.

“Did you really expect the queen of Egypt to accept this saltfish-monger?”

“You have known him three days. How is it that you believe you can murder whomever you do not like?”

“I am exercising the ancient right of queens to choose and even to murder their husbands.” Berenike laughed, her grin a radiant half-moon. “I remember all your lessons, Meleager. As you taught me, in the days before Theseus disrupted the natural order, the Greek queens of old selected a new king every year, sacrificing the old one up to the goddess for the fertility of the soil. 1 simply sacrificed this one a little early.”

The little girl Arsinoe radiated the same lustrous smile in the direction of the eunuch, as beautiful as Berenike’s, though more chilling in the younger face.

“Those are ancient myths, Your Majesty,” he replied, careful not to stare too long into the dead man’s eyes, for it made him shudder. “Not instructions for the living.”

“Then you should have made that more clear in your lessons,” she said triumphantly. “Please rid us of the body,” she continued. “And never forget that I make my own policies. I have chosen my husband. He is Archelaus of Pontus, whom I met when I last visited that country. He is brave, he commands a large army, and he is handsome beyond compare.”

Archelaus of Pontus? How could this dazzling girl’s judgment be so demented?

“But Your Majesty, he is the illegitimate son of Mithridates, the enemy of Rome. Have you forgotten that one hundred of your most esteemed countrymen are in Rome at present petitioning the senate on your behalf? What will the Romans think when they hear It you married the offspring of the man with whom they were at war for three generations?”

“They are not paid to think.”

Meleager tried to modulate his voice. “I must urge you to choose another Syrian. The Roman Gabinius is soon to be rewarded governorship of Syria. He may wish to be involved in your selection of husband.”

“He will be denied that privilege. I have already told you my position on the matter. I expect Archelaus within the month. Please make arrangements for the accommodations for his men.”

Berenike stepped over the body of Seleucus, turning her back on him so fast that her dress fluttered behind. The three women followed, leaving the corpse of the dead prince for Meleager. Little Arsinoe—how old was she now? Seven?—skipped behind the mad queen and her cutthroat entourage.

It had all been done so sloppily. He himself had planned the disposal of the queen and the philosopher. After

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