The Purple Shadow A Historical Short Story by Ceri Clark A mother., a crown, a betrayal that shook an empire. In 8th-century Constantinople, Empress Irene rules the Byzantine Empire alongside her son, Constantine VI. But as he pushes for power and defies her authority, a deadly struggle for control begins—one that ends with a shocking act of violence that really happened. Based on true historical events, The Purple Shadow tells the haunting story of the first woman to rule the Roman Empire in her own name—and the terrible price she paid to keep the throne. Featuring palace intrigue, religious conflict, political ambition, and one of history's most chilling betrayals, this is historical fiction at its most gripping. She gave birth to an emperor. Then she took his eyes.