When the caliph of al-Andalus, al-Hakim II, dies leaving an eleven-year-old boy as his heir, Queen Subh knows that her son is in danger--other members of the Omayyad court have their eyes on the throne.

Captured by slavers and brought to COrdoba as a child, Subh has risen to become the most powerful woman in the realm. A woman of great intelligence, beauty and ambition, she does not intend to let her enemies win. Now she must use those wits and beauty to ensure that her son comes to no harm and that she maintains her position. She sets up a Regency to rule in his place until the...