Pharaoh's Desire

by Chanta Rand

  Kama was silent for a moment. ”My uncle and my cousin are dead, yet I am still alive as the object of affection for the man who killed them. How can that be right? How can you not be ashamed?”

  “Kama, listen to me.” Mutema took Kama’s hands and squeezed them hard. “Wars are fought every day. Women lose husbands, lovers, brothers, fathers, and children in battle all the time. Amonmose cannot bring Akahmen and Satati back from the dead. but I believe he is sincere in his devotion to you. Right now, that is all that matters.

  Kama absorbed her mother’s words, and for the next few hours, the two reminisced about their lives before and after the fire. They cried and laughed, then cried some more, until Mutema was too tired to speak and they both agreed to get some sleep.

  Amonmose stretched his aching muscles, exhausted but pleased that Mutema was finally here. He hadn’t been sure she would accompany him back to Thebes. Like Kama, she had a fiery vitality and a bold streak of willfulness. Mutema’s obstinacy barely bubbled beneath her polished exterior; Kama wore her emotions more like a banner. That was what had attracted him to her in the first place. If she had been an agreeable maiden, she would never have made such a fuss that night in Aswan, and he would have never noticed her. Never would have had his spirit drawn so far into another. He smiled to himself. It seemed they were perfectly matched.“What makes you smile so?”

  Amonmose was so deep in thought he had not heard Kama enter the room. The sight of her made his heart stop. He’d missed her more than he’d ever thought possible. The novelty should have worn off, but each time he saw her, he wanted her as badly as the last.

  “Your beauty,” he said simply.

  Kama’s eyes wandered the length of his tall frame. “I was thinking the same of you,” she said.

  He laughed and shook his head. “A man cannot be described so. It is reserved for women and jewelry.”

  Kama shrugged. “When a man has a face such as yours, sun-kissed skin, and a body fashioned by the gods it, there is no other word for him.”

  He gave her a smoldering look, his amber eyes darkening. “You flatter me.”

  She walked slowly toward him, then leaned over and traced the outline of his mouth with her finger. “It is you who flatters me, Pharaoh. Each time you possess my body and fan the flames of my passion, you flatter me. You have charmed me completely. And I am honored to be the object of your desire.”

  Amonmose felt his manhood harden. Kama had never spoken like this. He kissed her hard, stroking her tongue with his. As he lifted her up and swept her into his arms, she gasped, letting her hands linger at the back of his neck as he set her down on the bed.

  Amonmose hovered over her, gazing into her dark eyes as he brushed his palms over the soft curves of her body. Her thighs were firm, but yielding. “Never leave my side,” his thick voice whispered.

  “Never.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  As the first fingers of dawn silently stretched across the sky, a royal page from the palace summoned Nadesh from his deep sleep. The young boy bore the full brunt of Nadesh’s foul temper, cowering away from the lashes of his insults. What could be so pressing that it could not wait until after breakfast? .

  When he arrived in the Great Room, Nadesh found Hai smiling most agreeably, his fat cheeks healthy with color. He’d bet money that the royal treasurer had not skipped his morning meal.

  “What is this about?” Nadesh asked.

  Hai shook his head, confused. “I thought you were going to tell me.”

  Nadesh scowled. “Who called this meeting?”

  “I did,” Meketen answered as he entered the room. His long robe fluttered around him as if he’d been blown in by a strong gust of wind. Following on his heels was a young man not more than twenty years of age.

  “For what purpose?” Hai asked.

  Meketen looked at the young man who accompanied him. “An emissary from Giza has come bearing a message.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “It is news we’ve been dreading.”

  Three pairs of eyes focused on the messenger. His voice was high pitched and nervous as he spoke. “I have come to ask for help,” he pleaded. “Our villages are being ravaged by the Hyksos. Their leader, Kyan, has formed an alliance with a Nubian prince named Nabutu. They are gaining momentum and recruiting men from each town they storm through.” The messenger paused. “Our men have no choice but to be recruited. You must give your loyalty or your life when the Hyksos army comes to town. Soon, they will take over Memphis and eventually...” If left unstopped, the invaders would eventually conquer Thebes.

  Hai spoke first. “We should speak with the Pharaoh immediately.”

  “Where is Amonmose?” Nadesh asked.

  “He is resting in his chambers,” Meketen answered.

  Nadesh scowled. “After speaking with the emissary, he did not think it prudent to attend this meeting?”

  “He does not know the emissary is here. I elected not to disturb him. I decided perhaps we should discuss a course of action first.”

  “I think we should send a page to retrieve him,” Hai said.

  Nadesh sneered. “He is undoubtedly preoccupied with his Nubian consort. He will not be happy about going into battle again so soon.

  Meketen spoke. “As the Council of Advisors, it is our task to recommend an immediate course of action—even if the pharaoh may not like it. We must ensure Egypt does not fall to foreign rulers.” He gave the other men a dark look. “The last time that happened, it nearly crippled us. The question now, is not what are we going to do, but when are we going to do it?”

  “I agree,” Nadesh said. “We cannot allow the Hyksos to advance closer to our capital. Defending our own borders will not be enough to secure our safety. We must take our troops all the way to Avaris and crush them once and for all.”

  Hai frowned. “What you propose is suicide, Nadesh. At last count, their army far outnumbered ours.”

  “They are large in number but small in strength. Their soldiers are captives and unskilled laborers who’ve been forced into joining their ranks. Most of the men are only fighting under threats and coercion. They will have little enthusiasm and even less allegiance. Our forces, on the other hand, are made up of men who gladly volunteer for the glory of battle. They are dedicated to serving this government. They are happy and well rewarded, and they would lay down their lives to protect Egypt.”

  “They are dedicated to serving the Pharaoh.” Hai corrected. “We would be unable to inspire this so called dedication without the involvement of Amonmose. The men gladly volunteer to follow him into battle.”

  Nadesh sighed in annoyance. “Yes. Fine. We cannot wage such a war without him. In fact”—he stroked his long mustache—“this might be just what we need to help Amonmose regain his focus. Lately, he has rushed through all of our meetings, neglected his temple duties, and shut himself in his chambers for hours on end. Now, he will be preoccupied with war instead of that Nubian woman.”

  “Especially when he learns Prince Nabutu is involved,” Meketen said. “ It would be quickest to follow the Nile to Hermopolis, one hundred miles south of Avaris. It is a major city, and the Hyksos will definitely invade it.” He smiled, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “It will be the perfect ambush.”

  Amonmose watched Kama’s face as she slept. He could gaze upon her endlessly and never tire of it, but today was not the day to do so. He felt ill tidings in the air, an inexplicable heaviness in his heart. He was not a believer in superstition, but he always trusted his intuition, and today, something told him that things were amiss. Even at his side, Kama felt distant, somehow fleeting.

  He softly traced the outline of her lush lips with his forefinger and smiled when she stirred. He grazed his fingers along her cheek, and Kama’s eyelids drifted open. Amonmose found himself gazing into her sparkling, onyx-colored eyes. The sunlight peeped through the drapes and danced on her face. They both stared at each other, grinning happily. He’d returned from his jour
ney four days ago, and she’d practically had his undivided attention ever since. It hardly seemed possible, but he’d grown even fonder of her in those few days. Even their lovemaking had changed. Kama had been sensuous and giving before, but now, he felt as if she poured every piece of herself into the act. It was hard to believe she was the same woman who stared defiantly at him the night of the fire.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “For what?”

  “For bringing my mother here. For wanting my happiness.”

  He caressed her cheek in slow circles. “You have thanked me every day for the last four days.” His finger strayed down her chin, past the hollow of her throat, and finally settled between her cleavage. “And you have shown me your appreciation for the past four days. Your energy is boundless.”

  She snuggled against his chest. “Are you afraid I will rob you of all your strength?”

  He gathered her in his arms. “Never. Being with you fortifies me. With you by my side, I am undefeatable.”

  She lowered her eyes at his response. This was a side of Kama he’d never seen. They had verbally sparred in the past, and she was always prepared with a quick barb.

  “I have a present for you,” he told her.

  “But you have already given me the greatest gift!”

  Amonmose swung his legs over the edge of the bed, and Kama propped herself up on her elbows to admire him. He retrieved a large sword from the corner of the room. In one smooth flourish, he unsheathed it and presented it to her.

  Kama marveled. “The craftsmanship is excellent,” she murmured. “Of course, I expect no less from a Pharaoh.” She carefully stroked the polished, sharp blade with her fingers. He watched her as she studied the sword’s design. At last, her eyes widened in astonishment. There, on the hilt for the entire world to see, was her name carved intricately among the gold hoops and precious stones.

  She gasped. “It’s stunning!”

  “I am glad you approve. Now, wherever I go, I will carry you with me.”

  She gazed at him and spoke softly. “You honor me by doing this.”

  Her sincerity lit fires in his body. “Kama, you have crept inside my heart and touched my soul like no other. The day I met you, I had hoped to possess your body, but it is you who has possessed me.” He laid the sword aside and pulled her close. “What I did, I did because I love you. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my days with you.”

  Tears threatened to spill from her dark eyes.

  Amonmose laughed nervously. “Kama?” His heart pounded. “Is being married to me such a horrible thought?”

  Kama laid her head against his chest, returning his warm embrace. “These are tears of joy,” she said. “After my capture, I vowed to hate you, but I could not. I fell prey to you, to your silken caresses. And I fell in love. I never imagined you would feel the same way. I never expected to be your wife.”

  Amonmose chuckled. “Respectable men and women cannot continue to commit illicit acts of fornication forever. I want you to be my queen. I have already spoken with your mother,” he added, “and she has already agreed to my terms.”

  Kama gasped. “Terms!” But she was smiling and playfully punched his chest. “You are a pompous, overbearing brute!”

  He grabbed her fists and pulled her closer. “And yet, you love this brute, remember?”

  For answer, she draped her arms around his neck and pulled him against her tempting mouth. Her kiss was deep and intense, starting a raging fire inside him that demanded to be quenched.

  Hours later, a royal page informed Amonmose that his advisors were holding an urgent meeting and requested his presence.

  Amonmose stormed into his audience chamber. “There had better be a good reason that my adviors are summoning me!” he roared.

  Meketen cleared his throat. “Sire, an emissary from Giza arrived this morning to report that their borders are being attacked by the Hyksos. They have stormed through Lower Egypt, pillaging every city in their path. They have forced the men to join their ranks. Right now, their leader, Kyan, is making his way toward Memphis, along with the forces of Prince Nabutu.”

  Amonmose stood solid and cold as stone as he listened to the news. His face betrayed nothing, but hatred and revenge bubbled like a tempest in his gut. It was rumored that his father had been killed by a Hyksos assassin.

  Nearly one hundred years ago, the Hyksos were successful in defeating some of Egypt’s weaker kings. Those kings had allowed the gradual immigration of an increasingly larger Hyksos population until ultimately, Egypt was overcome by the foreigners.

  “I do not think I need to remind you of their deadliness,” Meketen spoke up. They are a threat to our very existence. If we travel by boat, we can cut them off in Hermopolis and slaughter their army before the soldiers get to Memphis.”

  Amonmose did not take much convincing. As soon as he heard the word Hyksos, he’d made up his mind for war. Centered in the eastern Nile Delta and Middle Upper Egypt, the Hyksos kingdom had been a continual threat to Thebes. In the past, other Theban rulers had been willing to share territory with the Hyksos, but that was the past. Their leniency had led to an influx of foreign power and ultimately war. Amonmose did not intend to repeat history, and he would never bow down and pay tribute to those mongrels.

  “Assemble the soldiers immediately.”

  Amonmose returned to his chambers agitated. Kama watched him open his large wardrobe and pull out his armor, and a wave of despair washed over her. He was leaving again. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach as she stood by the window waiting to hear it from his lips.

  “Those who are responsible for my father’s death have now threatened my kingdom,” he told her. “If I do not stop them now, they will never be stopped. I must prepare for battle,” he said simply.

  They stood staring at each other like two long-lost lovers.

  “Why must you go?” Kama asked. “Why can’t you send your soldiers and your generals?” Selfish tears welled in her eyes.

  Amonmose approached her and tenderly held her face, wiping the tear tracks with his thumbs. “Kama, I love you, and I would do anything to protect you. But, I also love Egypt. As Pharaoh, it is my duty to protect the citizens from harm. I have never asked anyone to do what I am not willing to do myself. Only cowards send other men to fight their battles. I ride beside my soldiers to show them that I have as much at stake as they do. They know we are all fighting for the same purpose. I believe in them, and they believe in me.” He softly stroked her tear-stained cheeks. “I wish you could believe in me.”

  She looked at him through moist eyes. “I do believe in you.”

  “Then believe that we are destined to be together, and upon my return, I shall make you my queen.”

  Kama nodded, too choked up to speak.

  “I must go,” he insisted. He kissed her, lingering over her bottom lip, and then turned to leave. “And Kama”—he cast her a determined look over his shoulder—“I will return for you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Amonmose stood staring stoically at the blackened sky on the shores of Hermopolis. Eyes that had just days before been molten hot with desire, were now hard as stone as he sat deep in thought. He and one thousand of his soldiers had boarded a fleet in hopes of cutting off the Hyksos in Hermopolis. Amonmose’s men were docked in the harbor, waiting quietly.

  It was the dead of night. Amonmose would permit his men a few hours of rest, and then they would surprise the enemy before dawn. It had been months since the last skirmish, and many of the men were anxious for some action. When they weren’t fighting, the soldiers were patrolling the city streets of Thebes, guarding the palace walls, farming their lands, and tending to cattle and sheep. Tonight, some of them would die protecting the land they loved.

  As Amonmose inspected his armor, Nadesh approached, a familiar blood lust in his eyes. Amonmose shared his sentiments. He would avenge his father’s death and eliminate the threat of the barbarous Hyksos forever
.

  “Are you certain it’s wise to wear that body armor?” Nadesh asked.

  Amonmose smirked. “The Hyksos have some sophisticated weaponry, including scale mail, metal helmets, and daggers. I want to be well-equipped to handle them.”

  “A man wearing armor will stand out as someone of importance. You’ll be an easy target,” Nadesh countered.

  Amonmose pondered the words of his grand vizier. It wasn’t uncommon for warring armies to kidnap and torture leaders. If he were identified as pharaoh, the Hyksos would definitely have an advantage. The capture of his crown by opposing forces would symbolize the complete and total surrender of the Egyptian Pharaoh. He must never allow that.

  “Perhaps you are right, Nadesh,” he said, patting his shoulder. “I will dispense with the armor this time. Now, let us review our strategy.”

  As Amonmose removed his armor, Nadesh confirmed their plan of action. “We will have one hundred chariots, each manned by two soldiers: a driver with a sword and shield and an archer armed with a bow and arrow. We will send fifty chariots from the east and the other fifty from the south. The remaining eight hundred men will be infantry soldiers. We’ll catch the Hyksos’s undisciplined soldiers by surprise. They will be totally unprepared to deal with our men.”

  “Good.”

  “And I have instructed the men to seize any valuables they can find.”

  “Let us not have a repeat of Aswan,” Amonmose said. “Remember who our enemy is. It is not innocent women and children.”

  “The soldiers are not to pillage?” Nadesh asked. Collecting booty was the best part of going to battle. Being the victor automatically gave the men rights to plunder. Nadesh had seen some soldiers so entranced by looting that they didn’t even bother pursuing the enemy. But this army was disciplined and only allowed to plunder after certain victory had been achieved.