The Empress Irini
1 primary work • 3 total works
Book 2
The second book in The Empress Irini Series, charting the extraordinary rise to power of Irini of Athens.
Irini’s conniving mother-in-law, her five jealous step-brothers, and her own husband, Co-Emperor Leon, threaten Irini’s safety in Constantinople. She summons Abbess Thekla, her knife-wielding friend, to bring her sharp wits and courage to get Irini safely through childbirth in the Great Palace. Thekla owes Irini her life and thus her loyalty but she is staggered by Irini’s powerful ambitions which far exceed being docile wife and mother. Can Thekla survive Irini’s vengeful nature and the bloody aftermath of Irini’s ruthless ambition?
More from the Empress Irini Series
Betrothal and Betrayal
Seizing Power
The third book in The Empress Irini Series, charting the extraordinary rise to power of Irini of Athens.
Constantine’s father dies unexpectedly, making Constantine emperor at age nine with Irini as Regent. Abbess Thekla’s loyalty to Irini shifts to Constantine as she watches Irini block his authority and keep the power herself. Irini makes Constantine wed the disliked Maria, prevents the Senate from naming him Emperor in his own right at age 18, and imprisons him when he tries to stop her henchmen from amassing wealth and power. Constantine’s army friends free him, arrest her, and raise him to the throne. Resourceful as ever, Irini will not be thwarted. Can Thekla prevent them from murdering each other?
More from the Empress Irini Series
Betrothal and Betrayal
Poison is a Woman’s Weapon
The fourth book in The Empress Irini Series, charting the extraordinary rise to power of Irini of Athens.
In the final book, Irini returns to the throne. She tricks Constantine into divorcing Maria and exiles her and Constantine’s two daughters to Abbess Thekla’s island convent where Maria goes mad. Irini misleads Constantine into taking revenge on the soldiers who arrested her and the empire erupts into civil war, army against army, Irini against Constantine. Fearing for her life, Irini traps Constantine, wounding his eyes, but Thekla rescues him. Irini is finally empress in her own right. But will Thekla help her hold the throne?
More from the Empress Irini Series
Betrothal and Betrayal
Poison is a Woman’s Weapon
Seizing Power