Mists of Palenque
1 primary work • 4 total works
Book 1
Pakal ascends to the throne as his mother the prior ruler, Sak K’uk, selects his wife, Lalak is overwhelmed by the sophisticated society and complex protocols of the royal court. Sak K’uk, determined to keep Lalak from displacing her in Pakal's affections, confers an official name showing she views the girl as little more than a breeder: Tz’aabk’u Ahau, the Accumulator of Lords.
Lalak struggles to learn her role and prove her worth, puzzled by her mother-in-law’s hostility and her husband’s aloofness. She soon learns he is in love another, banished by his mother. Pakal is kind but distant as Lalak endeavors to win his heart while agonizing over repeated miscarriages. Brought to crisis, she confronts her mother-in-law and husband, discovers her inner strength, and unleashes hidden powers.
She is destined to play a pivotal role in Pakal’s mission to restore the city's spiritual portal, destroyed by enemy attack. Mastering sexual alchemy, she brings the immense creative force of sacred union to rebuild the portal to the Gods. But first Pakal must come to view his wife in a new light. Only then can they secure the dynasty and transform the kingdom into the creative vortex of the Classic Maya world.
"Readers are brought along for a journey filled with every imaginable emotion in the course of a heroine’s lifetime. As a result, a world that is stunningly beautiful and complete without ours—but intractably connected—surges through the pages of the book." – Reader Views
She was born to serve the Goddess Ix Chel. But K'inuuw Mat is destined to continue the Palenque (Lakam Ha) dynasty by marriage to Tiwol, fourth son of famous ruler Pakal. Trained in prophetic arts, she uses scrying to foresee the face of the man with whom she will bear the dynastic heir—but it is not her husband's image. She is shocked upon arriving at Palenque to recognize that face as her husband's older brother, Kan Bahlam. They are immediately attracted, sharing deep interest in astronomy. Though she resists, the magnetic force of their attraction propels them into forbidden embraces, until Kan Bahlam designs a bold plan that would solve his inability to produce a son—if he can gain his brother's cooperation.
Set in the splendor of Lakam Ha's artistic and scientific zenith, royal family conflicts and ambitions play out in a tapestry of brilliant Mayan accomplishments in calendars, astronomy, architecture, arts, and secret language codes that will astound people centuries later. As K'inuuw Mat contends with explosive emotions, she must answer the Goddess' mandate to preserve Mayan culture for future generations. Her passion with Kan Bahlam leads to a pale daughter and bold son who carry this out as their civilization begins the decline and eventual collapse her prophetic vision foresees.
One great cycle rolls into the next . . .
Contemporary Mexican archeologist Francesca and her partner Charlie, a British linguist, venture into Chiapas jungles to a remote Maya village, seeking to unravel her grandmother's secrets. The hostile village shaman holds the key, but refuses to share with outsiders the scandal that leads to foreign blood and ancient Palenque lineages. Only by re-claiming her own shamanic heritage can Francesca learn the truth of who she is, and bring her dynasty into the present.