by Chanta Rand
Amonmose reached beneath her long dress and touched the bare skin of her legs. His hands slid along the slender curves of her calves, and he marveled. His fingertips had a mind of their own as they continued their sensual exploration upward, gently stroking her smooth thighs. Her skin was softer than Chinese silk and he longed to put his lips where his hands had been.
In one swift moment, he pulled up her dress, exposing her creamy thighs and her long, shapely legs. Such perfection. His hungry eyes traveled the length of her body from her delicate ankles along her thighs to her womanhood. He heard his own sharp intake of breath loudly.
Kama’s eyes flew open, and she met Amonmose’s stare with a questioning gaze.
“You are not shaved,” he whispered softly.
She remained quiet, but her pained expression spoke volumes.
“You are…you are natural.” He paused. “I was not expecting…”
Kama quickly pushed her dress down and struggled to her feet. “I cannot believe you have the audacity to mock me,” she accused.
“Kama, wait. Do not leave, please. Accept my apologies.” Amonmose stood up and reached for her. “This is a first for me. In Egypt, the custom is—”
“I know your customs! And they are not the Nubian way! You want to own me and possess me, yet you know nothing about me!”
“The women I’ve known…”
“The women? Precisely how many women have you been with?” she spat.
Amonmose visibly bristled. “That has nothing to do with us. You are the only woman I desire. I meant no harm with my careless words. I was simply…caught off guard.”
Kama glared at him, her black eyes flashing with anger. “That makes two of us!”
Amonmose watched her storm off. His arms had just held the most bewitching creature he’d ever laid eyes upon, and now…. As he watched her retreating back, he felt his chest tighten in pain. It was the same unwelcome anguish he had felt when his father died: loneliness. It was better to be alone, unaware of your emptiness, than to feel the shape of it in fresh wounds.
For all the might of a Pharaoh, he stood powerless as Kama slipped between the trees and vanished. He would give her some time alone. It was the best thing for both of them. The next time he took her in his arms, he would be better prepared. And heaven help her, because there would be no stopping him then.
Chapter Seven
“Kama, in case you were wondering, it is still your turn. It has been your turn for the past several minutes,” Dyzet said with a hint of a smile.
Kama sat, staring at the pieces of the Senet game. “It is easy for you to gloat. You always win.”
“That’s true. But the least you could do is give me the honor of a proper competition. Where are you today? Because you are definitely not here with me.”
Dyzet was right, of course. Her mind was not on the game. She could think of nothing except Amonmose. It was so embarrassing. It had been a week since their encounter in the garden, but it was still fresh in her mind. He’d shown her passion she’d never known. His kisses had left her breathless. His touch had left her defenseless. His gaze had melted her resolve like wax.
She relived that day over and over again in her mind. Each time she remembered how he touched her, her heart raced and her body responded with a will of its own. Even now, the place between her thighs burned just thinking of him. She could not escape him, even in her dreams. Each night, she was tormented by fantasies of him. She felt ashamed of the way her body responded to him, and more ashamed because she wanted to feel his touch again. If only he had not ruined the moment. She did not know what to think now. Had he grown tired of her already? Was he keeping his distance on purpose? She had no experience in this area. All she knew was that she felt miserable.
“What troubles you?” Dyzet asked.
Kama hesitated. For a brief moment, she thought of confiding in her. But how to put this anguish to words? She pretended to study the Senet board instead. “I am trying to devise a method to best you.”
Dyzet shook her head. “If only it were that simple. I think there is something else.”
Kama sighed impatiently. “Must you always try to find hidden meanings in the words people say?”
Dyzet leaned forward and rested her chin in the palms of her hands. “No, I merely try to find hidden meanings in the words you say.”
“Well, there is nothing to find. I am simply concentrating on the game, trying to find my strategy.”
Dyzet smiled. “Which game? The one you are playing with me or the one you are playing with the Pharaoh?”
Kama jerked her head up and looked into Dyzet’s dark eyes. “I am afraid I have already lost that game.”
Dyzet reached over and clasped Kama’s hand. “On the contrary, I don’t think you realize the extent of your success. You may have arrived here a captive, but I believe it is you who has captivated the Pharaoh. He has gone to the trouble of providing you with your own suite, fine clothing, a chambermaid to assist you, and access to his personal physician. You have free reign of the palace and the garden. And he has practically given you everything you could desire. It seems to me that you are not only winning the game, but you have created all the rules as well.”
Kama pulled her hand away and stood up. “The Pharaoh is not the only one who has given,” she said softly.
“What you need is a little diversion,” Dyzet said. “You must not sit here lifeless as an empty seashell. Accompany my sisters and me to the annual festival being held on the morrow. It will give you a change of scenery. Besides,” she added, “my sisters are eager to meet you, though I do not know why. I have already told them your beauty will render them speechless.”
Kama smiled wanly. “You are too kind, as always. Tell me about this festival.”
Dyzet clapped her hands in excitement. “Each year, Thebes hosts the Festival. The finest athletes from Egypt come to compete. There are a dozen sports including wrestling, javelin throwing, long distance running, knife throwing, chariot racing, horseback riding and weight lifting. This year, the winners from each category will be awarded a sack of ten gold coins, which has been graciously supplied by the palace.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“Yes, quite! I am surprised at the large sum. It is equal to a few months’ wages for some people. I have heard that Hai Meri, the Pharaoh’s royal treasurer, hates giving money away. He guards the royal coffers like a cheetah protecting her cubs.”
“Indeed? Is the man really such a miser?”
“Oh, yes. It is rumored he is so tight-fisted that when he farts, gold dust comes out!”
Kama could not stop the spontaneous laughter that escaped her lips.
Dyzet smiled and continued on. “The money is not the only reason men compete. Some do it for bragging rights and respect. I truly believe that someday athletes from all over the world shall come to Thebes to compete. That would be a spectacular sight indeed.”
“Yes it would,” Kama agreed.
“Good. Then it is settled! You shall go with us on the morrow.”
Kama hesitated. “It sounds lively, but I do not feel like enduring the company of others. I think I am better served by spending time with myself.”
“Nonsense. Nobody wants to spend time with themselves if they can help it!”
Kama thought back to the words Amonmose had spoken in the garden. A man who is not comfortable spending time alone with himself cannot expect others to desire his company. Was he somewhere spending time with himself? Did he think of her as often as she thought of him? Kama sighed. “I shall be fine by myself.”
Dyzet looked disappointed but shrugged. “If that is your wish, I respect it. But, I had hoped you would be there to see the Pharaoh’s performance.”
Kama’s heart skipped a beat. “Will he be there?”
Dyzet dropped her gaze and took her time studying the pieces on the Senet board. “Of course,” she finally answered. “He will be there. He competes in the archery contest ea
ch year. And he always wins. He’s been practicing nonstop for the past few days. When his focus is this great, no one sees him until the day of the event.” She selected a game piece and moved it forward two squares. “There!” she proclaimed. “It is your move.”
Kama returned to the table and sat down. She was certain Dyzet’s words held a double meaning, but she did not comment. She’d made up her mind. “Dyzet, I think I will accompany you and your sisters to the Festival, after all.”
Dyzet flashed her a wide smile. “You shall not regret it.”
Nadesh paced angrily back and forth. “This is the worst possible time to have the Festival,” he said.
“It is held at the same time each year,” Meketen replied.
“Yes, I know; but the timing is all wrong. Perhaps we could delay it for a few months.”
Amonmose stifled a yawn. Nadesh had a tendency to be melodramatic at times. They were adjourning their weekly scheduled meeting, and as usual, Nadesh was dragging his heels toward the end. Meketen and Hai were seated comfortably, stretched out in their chairs like water buffalo after a full meal. Amonmose held his patience. Lately, it seemed these meetings lasted unnecessarily long.
“Nadesh, why are you so agitated?” he asked.
Nadesh stopped pacing momentarily. “The Festival is a threat to our security,” he said. “Thebes will be vulnerable to attacks from outsiders who will use this occasion as an opportunity to scrutinize the city and exploit its weaknesses. It will be impossible to keep track of all these unknown visitors.”
Hai nodded. “I concur. Also, as a participant in the archery contest, you will be an easy target. I wonder if it is wise for you to compete.”
Amonmose stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. “I am no coward,” he stated. “I will take part again this year. My presence builds the morale of the citizens. This city cannot be in a constant state of alarm. There is a time for waging war, and there is a time for peace and entertainment. The Festival will proceed as planned. Now, are there any other issues before we adjourn?”
Meketen stood up. “Yes, Sire. There is the matter of your impending wedding.”
Amonmose gave him a stern look. “Have you taken leave of your senses? There is no impending wedding.”
“Respectfully, there should be a wedding,” Meketen replied. “Instead of having the Festival, we should be having a marriage feast. It is time you took a bride.”
Amonmose held up a hand in protest. “Now is not the time for this discussion.”
But Meketen pressed on. “You speak of peace and prosperity. What better way to demonstrate this than by marrying? You can forge an alliance by marrying a princess. The Syrians would be a good place to start. Princess Lenia is a beautiful.”
“No,” Amonmose shook his head.
“Or choose someone local,” Nadesh offered. “There are many desirable noblewomen. Someone already familiar with our customs would be perfect.”
“You could have your pick, Pharaoh. There must be someone of interest,” Hai said.
“Just say the word,” Nadesh said, “and we shall have the ceremony arranged.”
Amonmose’s heart raced in his chest, as his advisors closed in on him like a swarm of bees. His head swirled from the incessant buzzing of their voices.
“Silence!” he shouted.
Amonmose stared at the astonished faces of the three men. He had another reason for wanting to participate in the contest, and struggled to keep it secret against his heart. He hoped it would give him an opportunity to get his mind off Kama. He had been plagued by thoughts of her since she ran from the garden days ago. He could still smell her, taste her, feel her delicate hands upon him.
Just last night he had the most erotic dream of her. She lay in his arms, stroking and caressing him, pressing hot, sensual kisses all over his body. Unable to deny himself any longer, he playfully grabbed her and flipped her onto her back. She licked her lips seductively with the tip of her tongue and begged him to make love to her. He spread her smooth thighs apart and lowered himself onto her. At the precise moment he was prepared to mount her, she turned into a serpent and slithered away. When he awoke, he found himself reaching into the empty air for her. His linens were damp with sweat, and his manhood was hard as granite. He’d dreamed of her every night since their last encounter.
He needed the distraction of this festival. He was the most powerful man in Egypt, yet he felt helpless when it came to her. And no,w, his advisors wanted him to agree to an arranged marriage? Impossible.
Amonmose’s voice was slow and deliberate when he spoke, looking at each of his aides in turn. “I appreciate your concerns, and I understand that you have the best interests of this kingdom at heart. However, my interests lay not in matrimony right now. I am going to focus on the archery competition, and when I am ready to take a wife, you will be the first ones to know of it.”
The three men watched Amonmose depart from the room. Once he was out of earshot, Nadesh turned to the others. “He is not himself.”
“It is the Nubian woman,” Meketen said with a grimace.
“No,” Hai countered. “His mind is focused on the contest.”
“Don’t be a fool, Hai!” Meketen hissed. “He’s been like this for months. It has nothing to do with the contest.”
“How do you know?” Hai spat his words. “Can you read his mind?” He crossed his pudgy arms over his chest.
“The palace gossips report he is ‘incurably fascinated’ with her.”
“So?” Hai scoffed and waved dismissively. “No woman has held the Pharaoh’s attention for long. This one will be no exception. Let it pass, and he will back to normal.”
Meketen narrowed his eyes and looked to Nadesh instead. “We have to get his thoughts away from that woman.”
“I agree. Amonmose should be concentrating on finding a wife instead of obsessing over his Nubian captive.”
“He has taken foreign women to his bed before,” Hai said with a shrug..
“But this one is different.” Nadesh shook his head. “She is like a black widow spider that has ensnared him.” He shrugged. “I will confess, Kama is stunning, but no female is worth sacrificing a kingdom for.”
“Sacrificing a kingdom? Oh, come now,” Hai protested, “you are being melodramatic.”
“No, I am not. Since that woman arrived, Amonmose has not been the same ruler. He has been distracted from his duty to his country. A woman like that is dangerous. She could have him thinking with his heart instead of his head.”
“My sentiments exactly.” Meketen nodded in agreement. “So, what are we going to do about her?”
Nadesh gazed at the other man and stroked his thin mustache in thought. “Out of sight, out of mind?”
Hai jolted. “And just what are you suggesting?” he demanded in a high-pitched voice.
Nadesh gave Hai a hard look, letting a short silence build in the confines of the chamber. “I believe,” he said quietly and evenly, “we must rid ourselves of Kama. She has corrupted his thoughts. First this, and then who knows what other kind of influence she will have over him. As his trusted advisors, it is our job to protect him and this kingdom.
Hai pointed a long finger in Nadesh’s face. “I distinctly heard the Pharaoh say he does not want to choose a wife. Those are his words. And defiance of that would be treason.”
Nadesh pushed Hai’s hand aside. “This, Hai, is protecting our investment. Besides, he only thinks he does not want a wife. We have to convince him otherwise.”
Meketen arched an eyebrow. “And how do you propose we do that Nadesh? We cannot just rid ourselves of her. He will notice.”
Nadesh grinned. “No, we are not going to dispose of her. We are simply going to give her a little competition.” He glanced at the pudgy treasurer. “Have you a concern with that Hai?”
Hai relented. “I suppose not. But, I still feel you are meddling.”
Nadesh threw back his head and laughed. “And when have I not meddled? My me
ddling and maneuvering has been the reason both of you have kept your positions for so long. So, leave everything to me. I will take care of the Nubian woman once and for all.”
Chapter Eight
The day of the Festival was warm and sunny. The brilliant blue sky hung like a cloak of turquoise. Outside, vendors sold corn, roasted pig, duck, tankards of beer, and chunks of cheese. Kama and Dyzet arrived at the arena early and were fortunate to find a good seat, though it was a fortune in which Dyzet had a hand. The palace had its own seating area, and she had arranged for their presence in advance. The arena was a tall, circular structure, consisting of sixty rows of seats, which could easily seat five hundred people per row. The seats were perfectly arranged so everyone could view the events below.
Kama was pleased. She could see everything perfectly. Her bodyguard, Shu kept vigil a short distance away. She’d grown used to his omnipresence and she often forgot he was watching over her. Today, she was too excited to think of anything else but the Festival. Anticipation fluttered in her stomach at the thought of seeing Amonmose at last. She was filled with a mixture of fear, trepidation, and optimism. Fingers squeezing tight on the amulet around her neck, she paid silent homage to the goddess Pakhet, praying for courage and fortitude.
Whatever nervousness she felt abated with the arrival of Dyzet’s sisters. All four ladies were mirror images of each other. They all had the same cinnamon-colored skin and tiny, shapely figures, a full foot shorter than Kama herself. Each one had taken the time to adorn herself with kohl, emphasizing her wide, dark eyes. Kama knew also that it was the custom for Egyptian women to shave their heads and wear wigs. But Dyzet’s sisters had long, beautiful hair that looked so natural she could not determine if the locks were wigs or not. They were so busy chattering, they seemed not to notice her intense scrutiny.
It seemed as if the entire population of Egypt was present for the event. Everyone from farmers and soldiers to musicians and crafters had come. The nobles, draped in the finest clothes and fashionable jewelry, sat in their own section, quietly observing the arena below. Kama was dressed comfortably in a long, white sheath dress belted at the waist and brown leather sandals. As usual, she’d tied her long braids loosely in back. If anyone eyed her simple attire with scorn, she was oblivious. She was there for one reason, and her eyes remained glued to the arena floor in search of him.