He moved to where he could watch the men. No one approached the cliff he and Tira had climbed last night. A group halted at the place where the double crown and the nest of serpents lay beyond the entrance to a tomb. One of the priests climbed to the ledge and vanished.
Kashe tensed. He and Tira had been unable to close the stone slab to seal the entrance. Would the man follow the tunnel and discover the double crown?
Tira rose and grasped his arm. “What should we do?”
“Wait.”
A scream echoed from the rocks. The priest reappeared on the ledge. He stumbled and fell to the ground. His companions gathered close and then backed away. They pelted the body with rocks. Loud cries accompanied their retreat.
Tira met Kashe’s gaze. “I think they found a snake.”
He nodded. “I pray they killed the serpent. We don’t want to encounter one when we go for the crown.”
“Do you think he saw the symbol and told the others?”
Kashe shrugged. “I don’t think he was gone long enough for that and I think he was dead when he fell. Even if he lived there wasn’t time for him to speak. The way they ran makes me believe they don’t know,”
Tira’s grasp on his arm tightened. “I believe we can reach the crown through the opening in the dome. We can go tonight. We will tell Merin and Namose to pack and be gone before morning.”
“Absolutely not. Have you forgotten the jaguas have made the ledge above the tomb their resting place? They would shred us to pieces.”
“Not if Bast Ka is with us.”
“How can you be sure they will obey the sacred cat?” Kashe rose. “Why do you feel the need to take risky chances?”
She looked into his eyes. “Danger lurks and comes closer every moment we remain here. The priests have been studying this area of the cliffs.”
“Do they come close enough to see the tunnel?”
“Not yet. If we obtain the crown tonight we can be on the way to Tebes tomorrow.”
“For that trip we need a barge. I plan to meet Tuten tonight. He’ll tell me the name of the one he has found and bring more supplies.”
“Then I’ll take Merin and Namose while you go to him.”
“Why?”
“They’re restless. I fear they’ll try to explore on their own.”
“Isn’t he teaching her how to read and write? That should keep them occupied.”
She released a loud snort. “They can’t do that for hour after hour or practice fighting either. What if they venture into the Valley alone?”
Kashe pulled her to her feet. “They know the dangers. Tuten will arrive tonight. He can take charge of them. He’ll bring the poison. We’ll dose the snakes tomorrow night, wait several days, get the crown and be on our way.”
Tira sighed. “I want a bath, cooked food and to sleep in a bed. I’d even welcome warm beer.”
He laughed. “What other kind is there? Don’t you think I want the same things? Be patient.”
She pushed past him. “I pray no trouble comes from your stubborn delay.”
He spun her to face him. “Are you blessed with foresight or is desire fueling your words?”
She jerked free. “Maybe both. All I know is the longer we remain so close to the temple and the priests of Aken Re the more my unease grows.”
Kashe followed her into the inner chamber. He studied her scowling face. Would she heed his words? What she wanted to do was dangerous. He couldn’t believe one small cat, though sacred, could control the jaguas. He sought his blanket and slept.
When he woke he saw Tira curled beside Bast Ka. Merin and Namose also slept. Kashe left the chamber and paused on the ledge. A surge of impatience pushed him to leave and hurry to meet Tuten. The moment the first notes of the nightly chant began he climbed to the ground.
Horu Ka flew ahead. “Horru. Horru.” The hawk’s cries urged Kashe to hurry. As the moon rose the avian continued to lead the way.
By the time the moon was high Kashe saw his friend. Tuten lugged a large leather water sack and his bundle. He staggered. Kashe ran to the older man’s side and took the water. “Do you think you’re a camel? I told you not to bring water.”
Tuten slumped on the ground. He sucked in deep breaths of air with a rasping sound. He leaned against a boulder. “There are two sacks of food back that way. Been moving the supplies by stages all day.”
Kashe hunkered beside his friend. The man’s skin had an ashy hue. Did Tuten ail or did the moonlight cause the coloring. “Did you bring the poison?”
“Pouch is on my belt.” He rubbed his hand over his chest. “We need to fetch the rest.”
“Rest. There’s no hurry.”
Tuten pushed to his feet. “Sooner begin sooner done. When we reach your lair I’ll sleep.”
Kashe followed the older man along a twisting path among the boulders. At the sacks he hefted both. When they reached the water they paused for a short time. Kashe lifted the heavy leather sack and one containing supplies leaving the lighter one for his friend. Slowly they made their way toward the unfinished tomb.
Tuten’s heavy breathing troubled Kashe. He feared the older man had become ill. What had he done to earn the friendship of a man willing to risk his life to help?
After a short rest near the rocks they needed to climb to reach the ledge Kashe carried the large water bag and the two with food to the chamber. Tuten followed and slumped on the ground.
Light from a single saucer lamp showed Merin and Namose remained asleep. Tira was missing. Kashe shook his brother to wake him. “Where is Tira?”
The youth shook his head. “How would I know? I’ve been asleep.”
Kashe groaned. “Why would she take off?”
“What do you mean?”
Merin sat up. “What’s wrong?”
Kashe turned to Tuten. “Give me the poison. I’m going after her.”
Tuten handed Kashe a small leather pouch. “Be careful. You’ll need to add water. Take care not to breathe the powder. Why did Tira run off?”
“Impatience. She wants to reach the crown from above. I fear she’s put herself in danger.”
“Should I go with you?” Tuten rubbed his chest.
Kashe heard a harsh note in the older man’s breathing. Was there anything he could do? Would Tira know? He tucked the poison in his belt. “One will be enough. Watch the camp and rest.”
“Be cautious,” Tuten said. “There are bands of men among the graves. Two groups passed my hiding place.”
“I’ve met some of them.” Kashe thrust his mace in his belt beside the knife. He hurried through the tunnel. He heard Tuten tell the others to return to sleep.
Kashe slipped among the boulders until he reached the place where the crown lay. He skirted the body of the dead priest and saw the remains of a crushed serpent. He climbed to the first ledge. When he looked up he saw Tira standing beside one of the jaguas. He whispered her name. Though the huge beast seemed no threat to her he couldn’t hide a thrill of anxiety.
“I’m here. We can reach the crown and end the quest tonight.” Her voice vibrated with eagerness.
When he began the climb one of the large felines growled. Kashe froze. Bast Ka yowled. Horu Ka hovered above the beast. The jagua backed away. Kashe pulled himself onto the ledge. He eyed the huge felines warily. They appeared alert. Though he felt safe he couldn’t keep a catch from his breath or still the rapid beating of his heart. “Just how do you plan to retrieve the crown?”
She grinned. “Come and look.” She pointed to the opening in the rock. “This is the way.”
Kashe knelt and studied the opening and what lay below. The plinth was at least four feet below where they were. The wreath of serpents wound around the base. Had the man who had hidden the symbols freed the reptiles to protect the crown? He saw what appeared to be bones against the wall near the entrance and wondered if the hider had caused his own death. “Just how do you plan to reach the symbol?”
“With your help. Hold
my legs while I lower myself into the hole and grab the crown.”
“And your dislike of heights? Won’t you be frightened? What if you drop the crown?”
“I won’t.” She shrugged. “I trust you to hold me. I must be the one since I could never pull you to safety.”
He pulled the pouch from his belt. “Tuten brought me this. If I mix the powder in here with water and pour it into the hole, the serpents will die. Tomorrow or the next day we can come for the symbol.”
“What if the priests return and learn the serpents are dead?”
“Why would they do that?”
“They search for treasure.”
“I know that.”
“There is another problem. What if all the snakes don’t die?”
He couldn’t answer that question but her way troubled him. What if his hold on her legs slipped? What if one of the serpents managed to climb the plinth? “I still think using the poison is the best way.”
“At least let me try.” She knelt and leaned into the opening. Kashe grabbed her legs above the ankles. As she moved down he walked forward. A few stones fell over the lip and clattered on the chamber floor. The serpents stirred. One coiled and began to stretch. Its mouth opened to expose long fangs. Kashe sent a prayer to every god he could name. He cried to Horu, Bast and Toth. He spoke the names of the minor gods.
“Got it,” Tira said. “Pull me up fast.”
Kashe edged backwards. Tira’s body emerged. Finally she was on her feet. The crown glittered in the moonlight. Now what, he wondered. He pulled the pouch of poison from his belt. Instead of adding water he dropped the pouch into the chamber.
Tira laughed. “We have the symbols. We must go for the crook and the flail. When we return to the tomb we can wake the others and leave.”
His soft laughter joined hers. Before long they would reach Tebes. He climbed from the ledge and helped her to the ground. They hurried to the cave where the other symbols were hidden. Once inside she set the crown on a boulder.
Kashe pulled her into an embrace. “The quest is completed and we are free.”
Chapter 23
“The quest is completed and we are free.” Kashe’s words kindled the flames sweeping through Tira’s body. Relief, joy and need coalesced. Her mouth met his and fire flowed from him to match what she felt. She pressed her body closer. Even through the cloth of the robes they wore she felt his erection. Molten plasma filled with the incandescence found in the earth’s core flowed through her veins. The pulsing pressure demanded fulfillment.
Even as desire exploded the irony of their situation struck. They stood in a small cave lacking the room to stretch on the ground so flesh could move on flesh. There was room enough in the unfinished tomb but she had no desire for an audience.
She broke the kiss. Kashe’s hands pressed her against his body. The rasp of their breathing rose in quick erratic gasps. “We’ve done the impossible. I need to complete the victory,” she said.
He stroked her face with one hand. “We should return to the cave and make plans to leave the Valley.”
“I know.”
He groaned. “We should but desire floods my senses and washes away all thoughts of anything but you.”
She caressed his nape. “We must dampen the fire that blazes this night lest we harm our friends.”
“My heart, I want you, but not here.” The ground is hard and the rocks are sharp.”
She brushed her lips over his. “There are other ways to find release.”
“And so there are.” His tongue played along the seam of her mouth.
Tira opened to his invading tongue. She pressed closer and felt his erection grow hard against her belly. Wave after wave of molten heat engulfed her. His scent grew stronger and melded with the aroma of her need. She slid her tongue into his mouth to savor the flavor of him. His taste and his scent strengthened until she felt drunk on his essence.
Kashe groaned. “I need you.”
The whisper of his breath flowed over her face. Her breasts felt heavy and the pulsing in her lower abdomen grew so intense she felt she would explode like an erupting volcano. A moan rose from her chest and joined the guttural sounds he made. Kashe’s tongue pleasured her mouth. His hands massaged her shoulders, her back, and her rear.
Knowledge burned into her thoughts. She wanted Kashe for more than shared passion. She wanted a life with him. Did he feel the same? How could she be sure her love would complete him? While her mouth and tongue played over his, her thoughts twisted and turned. Fear and desire collided.
Customs were different in this land than in her time and place. Polygamy was accepted in the ancient Egypt she’d studied. Was it the custom here? Though Kashe’s father had just one wife there were other women in the household. Any of the female servants or slaves could be a concubine. Tira tensed. She couldn’t tolerate life in a women’s court or bear the thought of sharing Kashe with another woman.
Her body stiffened. Until she knew the answers to soothe her doubts she couldn’t express her love no matter how much she yearned to be in his arms.
“What’s wrong?” His voice rasped her tense nerves.
“Will you take other women?”
He grasped her shoulders. “You have my heart. Why would I desire another? We are a perfect match.” He touched her lips with a finger. “Why do you ask?”
She sought for words to explain. There was so much she couldn’t say. “I come from a far land. I never knew about women’s courts until Pian said he would keep me in his.”
Kashe lightened his hold. “That is my brother’s way, not mine. I have no need for more than one wife.” He drew her closer. “In the Two Lands there are men who take several women. Not all men do. The last pharaoh had several wives who were used to bind men’s loyalties or to insure treaties.”
Tira’s tension ebbed. She gazed into his eyes. Even in the dim light what she saw pleased her. “You have my heart and all that I am.”
She pulled her robe over her head. After removing her breast band and kilt she folded them atop the robe. She turned and saw Kashe. He was nude and magnificent, a dark shadow illuminated by the moonlight entering the cave. She moved to him and ran her hands over his chest. His firm pecs and solid abs made her tingle.
"My heart,” he growled.
Her body responded to the word that brought a sense of wonder. For the first time in her memory she felt desired and wanted. She touched his face. When she traced his lips he drew a finger into his mouth.
Moments later their lips joined in eager exploration. Hands stroked and explored. She ran her tongue over his. With quick caresses she slid her fingers over his chest. She lifted her mouth from his and moved her tongue over his chin to lave his neck. The sounds he made vibrated through her body raising her need for him.
Her lips moved down his body. She went to her knees and opened her lips over his erect penis. She cupped his scrotum and lightly massaged.
He growled. “Tira, enough. Go slow or this will end without your pleasure.”
She eased him from her mouth. He lifted her and pressed her against the rough stone of the wall. “Kashe.” His name flowed on a whisper.
“Allow me to taste you as you have savored me.” He cupped her breasts and ran his tongue over her nipples. The slight roughness made her shiver with anticipation. He paused. “I wish we had a bed with saucer lamps to reveal our faces to each other.”
His touch sent tendrils of flame coiling to her belly. He bent his head and used his tongue, teeth and mouth to pleasure her.
Tira began to thrust her hips. He caught her around the waist and continued his explorations. He caressed her inner thighs and touched her secret places. His mouth followed his hands. His tongue darted in lightning flicks and raised currents of fire to flood her body.
“Take me,” she cried. “I need you inside.” The words tore from her lips.
“Yes.” He rose and pulled her into a firm embrace.
“Don’t leave me.”
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“I won’t.” His mouth met hers in a deep open mouth kiss.
Tira slid her arms around his neck. He pushed one leg between hers and she rode his firm thigh. The burn spread until her body shook with need. Kashe bent his knees and raised one of her legs. She felt his erection slide into her and she sighed with relief. She lifted her other leg and clasped both behind his back.
Kashe growled. “Move.” He grasped her buttocks and helped her maintain a steady movement.
She burned. “Soon. Soon.” She tightened her inner muscles. A shout formed and erupted.
Kashe’s mouth covered hers. He swallowed her cries. Lava spurted along her skin and heated every cell of her body. Pressure edged toward pain. Together they moved in a fierce search for completion.
Kashe pressed her back against the cave wall. With a final thrust he shot into her. The sounds he uttered could be words. Tira felt as though she would burst. Her climax followed in a rush. Tears spilled over her cheeks. She slid her legs to the ground and leaned against him. “I love you.”
“You are my heart.” He cradled her against him. His penis stirred.
She delighted in knowing he wanted her again. She sighed. “Now and forever you are mine.”
“As you are mine.” His tongue pressed into her mouth.
Tira surrendered to the rising passion. Would their life together be bound by this intense need for each other?
A piercing scream startled her. Tira jumped. “That was Merin.”
Bast Ka yowled. Horu Ka’s shrill calls rose above the feline’s cries. Kashe ran to the opening. “Trouble. We must go.” He stooped to leave the cave.
"Not yet.”
“We’re needed.”
“Put on your clothes. You’ll need your knife and mace.” She tossed him his kilt and the robe. She carried the belt and weapons to him.
Kashe belted his kilt in place and pulled the robe over his head. “Hurry. I’ll meet you at the tomb.”
“What about the symbols? We can’t leave the crown in the open.” As she spoke she donned her breast band, kilt and the robe.
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