She was quickly asleep, her even breathing a warm puff against his bare chest. He held her protectively, enjoying her softness, her scent of hyacinth. He would, he suspected, miss her a great deal more than she would miss him, for everything she was to do while he was gone was new to her and she looked forward to it with enthusiasm. Indeed, he wondered if she would miss him at all. For a brief moment he regretted marrying such an intelligent and independent woman; but then he had known what she was like, and still he had wanted her. He wanted her now. The world was full of compliant bodies, but interesting women were a rarity. Whenever she surrendered to him he felt a sense of victory. It was never with others the way it was with her. He smiled at his fancies. It was really very simple, Odenathus thought. He loved her.

5

"Do not hide behind false piety with me, Publius Cato!"

"Your Majesty misunderstands me," came the oily reply.

"I misunderstand nothing, Publius Cato."

"The emperor has shown us the direction to take. Do you say he is wrong?"

The collective intake of breath was quite audible. Be careful, Longinus mouthed at Zenobia. Her nod was barely perceptible. "The emperor is correct in all things, Publius Cato. If he persecutes the Christians in Rome then surely in Rome they deserve it; but here in Palmyra our few Christians are honest citizens who obey our laws and meet their obligations promptly. I suspect that your zeal for a persecution stems from the fact that you owe a rather large debt to Paulus Quintus, the merchant, who by coincidence is a Christian."

"The goods he sold me were inferior!"

"Then it is a matter for the courts, isn't it, Publius Cato?"

"The court ruled yesterday, Majesty," Zenobia's secretary said.

"Did it?" Zenobia was more than aware of the verdict, but she wanted the rest of the council to know, too. "And what was the court's decision, Longinus?"

"The court ruled in favor of Paulus Quintus, Majesty. The goods were not shoddy, as claimed by Publius Cato. He was ordered to pay Paulus Quintus for the merchandise."

"I see." The look Zenobia sent the rest of her councillors was one of patient tolerance. "Is there anyone else here who feels that the Christians are a danger to this government, or to the city itself? I will listen to anyone who wishes to speak."

Eloquent silence followed. Publius Cato rose angrily from his seat and made for the door.

"This council is not dismissed!" Zenobia's voice was icy.

"I will not stay here and be insulted by a woman!"

"That a woman bore you, Publius Cato, is certainly not a point in our favor," Zenobia replied, "but if you leave this chamber without my permission you will forever be dismissed from the council. I am Queen of Palmyra, and / will be Queen." She smiled faintly. "Come now, Publius Cato. You have given many years to this government, and have rendered it valuable service on any number of occasions. I can understand your desire for revenge, but whatever is between you and Paulus Quintus, you must not bring your wishes for vengeance into our government. When you have calmed down you will see that I am right. Come now, and sit. We have much business to dispose of before I dismiss you all."

Two other councillors had gotten up, and now spoke urgently and softly to Publius Cato, who, red-faced, shook his head in the negative.

"You can do no more, Majesty," Longinus said. "The man is impossible."

"It would be better not to make enemies."

"Whether he returns to his seat or not he will be your enemy. At least you have made a public attempt at reconciliation. If he is rash enough to leave, he will look the churl he is, and you may appoint one of your own people."

"And if he returns? What then?" She cocked her head to one side.

"He will attempt to block everything you do, for he is a petty man," Longinus replied. Then his eyes widened slightly and he said gleefully,"The gods have heard my prayers! The fool is leaving!"

Zenobia's face was regretful, but she gained immediate sympathy from everyone in the room. "I mourn the loss of Publius Cato," she said, "but if I did not serve the interests of Palmyra first, I could not serve the interests of Palmyra at all." For a moment she looked saddened, then her gray eyes grew bright and alert again. "With Publius Cato's departure we lack a quorum. Unless I immediately appoint someone to take his place we must disband; and there is so much to be done. I do not feel we can afford to lose the time. Are there any objections to my appointing, at least temporarily, Cassius Longinus, my secretary, to fill the place left by Publius Cato? Although he has been away several years, he is a native son of this city."

"I can see no impediment to such an appointment," said Marius Gracchus, the eldest and senior member of the council. After a brief moment all the others nodded their heads in agreement. "It is settled then, Majesty. Welcome Dionysius Cassius Longinus. You are not the first member of your family to serve this council. I remember your illustrious grandfather quite well."


***

Several hours later, after the council had been dismissed, Longinus said to his mistress, "I am not sure that you did not plan that whole thing."

"Actually, I did not expect Publius Cato to resign his post, but when he did it was only natural that I appoint you in his place, and I'm sure Odenathus will approve my choice, Longinus."

"You do not know me."

Zenobia turned her gray eyes on him, and smiled faintly. "I know you, Longinus. When we first met I instantly knew the kind of man you are-intelligent, honest and shrewd. You will be loyal to me, and therefore to Palmyra."

"You have neglected to say that I prefer men for lovers," Longinus replied wickedly.

Zenobia laughed. "Have you ever made love to a woman, Longinus? But you need not tell me. I shall grant that your private life be your own." Her eyes sparkled mischievously at him, and he was forced to laugh with her.

"I suspect that you are not going to be an easy person to work with, Majesty."

"Why, Longinus, I am simply a woman," she answered with mock humility. Longinus arched an elegant eyebrow in amusement, but Zenobia chose to ignore him, and continued, "You are to escort me to Antonius Porcius's wedding tomorrow. Be here in the hour before dawn."

"The hour before dawn?" He looked anguished. "I do not think my blood courses through my veins at such an hour, Majesty."

"I do not need your blood, Longmus, just your body," Zenobia answered drily.

"Well," he answered, "I think we shall make a handsome couple. Good night, Majesty."

Zenobia chuckled softly and poured herself some wine before seating herself in a chair. Thoughtfully she sipped the sweet red liquid. She had faced her first great challenge today, and she believed that she had acquitted herself quite well. As Longinus had said, whatever had happened Publius Cato would have been her enemy. By using his own weakness against him shehad removed him from the council and replaced him with one who would be loyal to Palmyra. She did not think Odenathus would disapprove her choice when he returned from his war.

Cassius Longinus. She smiled to herself. She liked him. He was a man of wit and culture, and, given his reputation, no one could accuse her of infidelity with him. She wondered briefly what made him prefer men over women as lovers, then shrugged. It mattered not, for he was already a friend, and she knew he would be a good servant of Palmyra. He was attractive,though: tall and lean, his gray hair close-cropped, his brown eyes lively and interested. His nose was long, and he had an intimidating way of looking down it that made most people nervous. Both his manners and his dress were elegant; his nature was generous, although he could become impatient with what he called the "general stupidity" of the populace. He was a tireless worker, she had discovered in the few months he had been with her, and this pleased her, for she disliked being idle, especially with her husband away.

A faint scratching at the door caught her attention, and she called, "Come in."

"I thought you might be lonely," Deliciae said, entering the room.

"I am glad for your company," Zenobia answered, although nothing was further from the truth. She had been enjoying her solitude.

"The council met almost the entire day-you must be exhausted."

"I thrive on hard work, Deliciae. Idleness is anathema to me."

"Is it true that you removed Publius Cato from the council? The city is abuzz with rumors."

"Already?" She was amused. "Publius Cato made an error in judgment when he attempted to use the government to pursue a personal grudge."

"Al-Zena says women do not belong in government."

"Al-Zena would quickly change her mind if Odenathus had left her as regent instead of me," Zenobia laughed. "Let us not speak of her, though, Deliciae. Instead, tell me how you spent your day."

"In idleness, Zenobia. The very idleness you so abhor. I spent most of my time beautifying myself, although for what or whom I do not know. I spent an hour with my sons, but alas, they are at an appalling age and speak only of weapons and horses."

"Are you happy, Deliciae?"

"No, but then what is there for me? I am Odenathus's concubine, although he has not used me as such in five years. I am the mother of sons who no longer need me. I have not the mind of weighty matters, as do you. I am as nothing."

"What do you want then?" Zenobia asked.

"If I tell you will you keep it a secret? I cannot have what I desire, but I can dream."

"I will keep it secret."

"I want a husband, Zenobia. Being a wife and a mother is what I am best suited for in this life. I know it is not possible, but still I dream."

"Why is it not possible? You have been beloved of a king, and should that king decide to reward your devotion by giving you to some worthy man as a wife, who is to tell him nay? If you wish it I will speak to Odenathus myself when he returns. You are still young enough to have more children."

"You would do that for me?" Deliciae's hopeful face brought Zenobia close to tears.

What a fool I have been! she thought. I have been so wrapped up in my own happiness that I did not see how miserable poor Deliciae has been. I shall never be a worthy queen if I can only speak of the people's needs, but do not see to them. "I will speak to the king, Deliciae, but once I have then you must be honest with him. I do not believe that you ever loved each other, but you have been friends. When I have paved the way for you, speak openly to Odenathus of your feelings."

"I am not sure I can, Zenobia."

"You must, Deliciae. In the end only you can gain your own happiness."

"What will happen to my sons if I leave the palace?"

"I do not know, Deliciae. However, I believe it would be best if they went with you rather than remain at the palace. They are as yet young, and need their mother." While they live here in the palace, thought Zenobia, Deliciae's sons are made to feel like royal princes, which they most certainly are not, and they also are old enough to be troublesome should anything happen to Odenathus. Indeed, for everyone's sake, Linos and Vermis would be better off elsewhere. She focused upon Deliciae again. "I will see that you are not separated from your sons, Deliciae. I could not bear it if I were separated from mine, and I understand a mother's feelings."

Deliciae fell to her knees and kissed the hem of Zenobia's gown. Her blue eyes were wet with tears. "Thank you, Majesty! Thank you!"

"Do not thank me yet, Deliciae. We have yet to speak to the king."

"He will listen to you," Deliciae said. "I know he will!"

"Come now," Zenobia said. "Join me for the evening meal. I must retire early, for tomorrow my friend, Julia Tullio, is to be married, and I have been invited for the augurs at dawn."


***

The next morning Zenobia wore a queenly flame-colored stola cinched with a wide gold belt inlaid with rubies and pearls. About her throat was a magnificent necklace of hundreds of small pearls and rubies that dangled from cobweb thin gold wires and glittered upon the pale-gold skin of her chest. Great barbaric ruby ovals hung from her ears. On her upper right arm was a golden snake with ruby eyes, and beneath it were a carved gold bangle and a smooth bangle of pink coral. On her left arm were three gold-wire bracelets, two studded with freshwater pearls flanking one encrusted with small rubies. Her slender fingers were dressed with but three rings, her wedding band, a great pink pearl, and a square-cut pink sapphire.