Daughter of Siena, Marina Fiorato

The Palio

Siena's famously dangerous and hard-fought horse race. 

But for two women watching, far more than the coveted prize is at stake.  For beautiful Pia of the Tolomei, the Palio is her last hope of escaping a violent marriage.  For Violante de' Medici, isolated in her palace, it mars the start of what her enemies intend to be her last month as Siena's ruler.  

The trumpets sound.  And into the piazza rides an unknown horseman.  What he does during the race will not only change the lives of Pia and Violante, but alter the course of the Medici dynasty itself.