Sarah Mac’s Reviews > The Lady Serena > Status Update

'"That's how I think of you, Serena. The untouchable vestal." She tried to speak, but he went on rashly, blurting it out. "Jorum is nothing. I could kill him. But only when I pretend he is the noble Praetorian prefect."' ....Lycon is a convicted felon. He's also the real hero of this book, whereas Tigellinus is a tool who's never around. I share your contempt, Lycon. :P

'There were minutes--or rather seconds, for she was basically a levelheaded woman--when Serena hardly cared whether anyone heard her declarations of love. She had never been in love before. The marvel of it was something she wanted yo shout to the world.' ....Levelheaded? As if. They will BURY YOU ALIVE, woman! Sorry, but no peen is worth that. 🙄

"Don't be afraid, carissima. We can't always take what we'd give our souls to have. Because to take it would destroy you. Still..." He smiled. "I can dream about it. And do. More often than you would think. Next time you close your eyes in that cold, virginal bed of yours, dream of me assaulting your maidenhead. I assure you, I've dreamed of it often enough."

'The second vigili stepped aside. "I'm afraid he didn't parry my thrust, Excellency." At the same time, the assassin collapsed like a sack of chick-peas, held up only momentarily by the first vigili's sword under his chin. Then his body fell in a bloody heap.' ....Oops. Philip won't be learning any state secrets from that dude. :P

'No one had told the girl that if the flame did blow out through one cause or another, such a fact would be publicly denied by even the most holy of the Vestals, the flame relighted, & no one the wiser except the inattentive young novice. One must be practical. This was a lesson Serena had learned during the long years of her service to the beloved hearth goddess & to Rome.'