Out of the ashes of Vesuvius emerges a woman who would one day be mistress to an empire so vast it spans two continents. Her journey is wrought with many trials, intrigue, and relationships which not only place her at odds against ambitious and calculating men, but also may lead to her death. Cursed from birth with a fate that will shape her destiny, Lucia, a powerful and beautiful woman, must face many challenges. She must find a balance between her own desires and those who would stop at nothing, even murder, to usurp her power. This is a coming of age novel steeped in a historical framework, filled with mystery, superstition, and vividly detailed characters, all set against an opulent and intellectual backdrop of the privileged class in 18th century Europe.