Livia Drusilla loses everything in the Civil War as her father and husband find themselves defeated and forced into exile.

When an amnesty is declared, a pregnant Livia returns to Rome to rebuild her family fortunes and save her friend.

Eleven years on, Livia is married to the powerful Gaius, and is pregnant again. Yet, she does not feel entirely secure.

Gaius' illness causes a political crisis and reveals the weakness of Livia's position without him, a problem she must solve.

Livia has no choice but to eliminate Marcellus, who plans to kill her sons and exile her when he assumes Gaius' position.

As Gaius' rivals taste blood in the water, Livia must outwit both them and her husband if the family is to be kept together.

As Livia tells her sons about their role in her Mission, the truth behind her part in Marcellus' death threatens to come out.