Poison is a Woman's Weapon: Empress Irini Series, Volume 2

A jealous mother-in-law and six conniving step-brothers watch Irini closely as she weds Emperor Leon. A year later, pregnant, Irini calls on Thekla, her knife-wielding friend and abbess of an imperial convent, to bring her sharp wits and courage to Constantinople and get Irini through childbirth and keep the heir to the throne alive. But Irini's powerful ambitions far exceed being docile wife and mother. Thekla complies with Irini's demand for absolute loyalty because she owes Irini her life. But can she overcome her qualms about Irini's vengeful nature and survive the bloody aftermath of Irini's ruthless ambition?