Desert Prince

by Constance O'Banyon

  “I am sorry if you thought you had to bring him because of me. You should have believed me when I told you no one knew I sought out Uriah.”

  Julian shifted his weight and moved away from her. “I want to tell you where we are going so you will know what to expect.”

  Sabinah gave him her full attention.

  “This villa is located near the village of Akhetaten. Have you ever heard of this place?”

  “Nay. I have not.”

  “The house and lands belonged to the man who raised my mother, and he left them to her, as well as the villa in Alexandria where Uriah lives.”

  “I have heard your mother was adopted and that Ptolemy XII was her blood father.”

  They both were silent for a moment, thinking how the blood tie to the royal house was affecting the Tausrat family.

  “This villa is my family’s largest holding, stretching through the desert to the Nile. Few people know of it because my mother turned it into a wild animal reserve, and she does not want the curious to disturb the animals.”

  “Is it safe to believe the Romans do not know of this place? If they did, they could very well be waiting for you when you arrive.”

  “If Vergilius was aware of my mother’s villa, he would already have confiscated it, and we know he has not.”

  Sabinah considered his words, then a smile curved her mouth. “What is to be my fate—will you feed me to one of your big cats?”

  Julian reached out and touched a strand of hair that had blown across her cheek, a smile touching his lips. “That would be a waste. I believe nothing as drastic as that will happen to you.”

  When he would have withdrawn his hand, she caught it in hers. “Please believe I would never betray you.”

  Julian searched her face. “There is too much at stake to take you at your word.”

  “I am a true and loyal Egyptian. I would never betray one of my own.”

  He glanced toward the sky and then back at her. “I would like to believe you, but I will need solid proof.”

  Her hand fell away from his, and she fought against burning tears. “When you decide, let me know. As I told you before, I went to Uriah’s house to warn him you were in danger.” She met his gaze. “I owe you a debt because of my family’s wrongdoings. Make me your slave, I shall not complain. Do what you will with me.”

  For the first time she heard humor in his tone. “Shall I put you to scrubbing floors or working in the fields?”

  Her gaze was earnest. “I will do either.”

  “Your fate has yet to be decided.”

  Sabinah watched as he turned away. He could not be blamed for being cautious. The Tausrat family had lived under a death sentence for years, and Octavian, or Augustus, as he liked to be known, would probably never rescind his orders. But it still hurt that Julian did not believe her.

  Her gaze collided with the Badari guard’s, and she saw mistrust in those dark eyes. Aching inside, she sought the refuge of her mat, pulling down the curtains so no one could see her.

  After that day Julian no longer went near Sabinah. Her meals were served by a guard who kept his gaze averted. She noticed all the men on the boat treated her as if she were a leper; even the rough-looking boatmen avoided her. No one spoke to her, but once she did see the captain of the boat looking at her with something akin to sympathy.

  It seemed hotter than usual as Sabinah pushed the mosquito net aside and stepped to the railing. On the land side of the boat, she watched Julian remove the hood from his hawk and launch it into the sky. The hawk circled, dipped, and disappeared from sight.

  In the distance Sabinah could see the beginning of the desert. Sand swept across the barren land, and she found the sight exhilarating. She had always loved the desert—she supposed because she had always associated it with Julian and his wild tribesmen.

  Sabinah leaned closer and rested her elbows on the railing. There was something magical and exciting in the way the sand swept up to enormous dunes. This land was ageless, as old as time itself. She wondered what mysteries of the desert Julian could share with her if only things were different.

  Sabinah was startled when the captain yelled out an order and the sails were quickly lowered. The current took the boat closer to shore until it came to rest beside a large dock that jutted out over the water.

  They had arrived at their destination.

  On one side of the river lay the beckoning desert, and on the side where they were docked, fields of grain and grape vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see.

  She spun around to find Julian staring at her.

  “Are you ready to go ashore?”

  She met his gaze. “Have I a choice?”

  Julian said nothing as he took her elbow and led her forward, but Sabinah could feel the unrest in him, and wondered at the reason for it.

  Glancing up, she saw the muscle tighten in his jaw when he stared down at her. For a long moment he looked into her eyes, then he abruptly turned and stared into the distance.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Uriah was placed on a litter and carefully carried down the gangplank by two boatmen, then gently hoisted into a cart. Next the horses were led ashore. The Badari warrior who had been guarding Sabinah motioned for her to follow him down the ramp, where Julian waited to place her on the same mare she had ridden before.

  The weather was cool, so Sabinah removed her headdress, wanting to feel the wind in her hair. They rode past cattle with long hooked horns, grazing on the green grass close to the river. Goats and sheep were being shepherded toward an enclosure, to be sheared. Sabinah glanced at the workers that were toiling in the fields, noticing how they dropped what they were doing and rushed forward, welcoming Julian with enthusiasm.

  Sabinah heard Julian inquire about one woman’s children, and another’s father. There was genuine happiness on the workers’ faces, and the scene made her smile. Julian was obviously well loved by those who served him.

  She glanced at him. “These people are not of your Badari tribe?”

  “Nay. These people you see here were my mother’s slaves. When her adopted father passed from this world, she gave them their freedom.”

  “Yet they remain to work the land.”

  “Yes, they remain,” he agreed.

  By the time they reached the house, twilight had fallen, and Sabinah could just make out the sprawling limestone structure with its red-tiled roof. There were women in the outer courtyard milking goats, and children gleefully laughing while they chased squawking geese.

  The door to the house slowly swung wide, and a tall woman came forth beaming with happiness. “Young master, you are here at last. How glad I am to welcome you home.”

  Servants bearing torches met them, bowing and smiling at Julian, proclaiming their happiness that one of the family had finally returned. While Julian greeted the house servants, the Badari rode toward the stables, except the two who assisted Uriah from the cart and escorted him into the house. Many of the servants looked at Sabinah with curious smiles.

  On entering the house, she saw nothing ornamental about the entrance hall. The walls were white with painted scenes of the Nile River flanked by date palms and reed grass. There was a corridor that led off to her right where Sabinah imagined the bedchambers were located, and to her left she smelled the scent of garlic cooking, no doubt in the kitchen.

  “Sabinah,” Julian said, nodding at the woman who had greeted them, “this is our house mistress, Kadar, who will see to your needs.” The woman was thin and tall, her dark eyes keen. Her gray hair was held away from her face by an ivory comb, her gown was of nubby brown linen. She bowed to Sabinah and then turned away, clapping her hands and sending the other servants scattering to resume their duties.

  Julian took Sabinah’s elbow, leading her forward. “I will show you to your chamber so I can explain some things to you.” He took a lantern from a low table, and dancing circles of light reflected off the walls. They passed several doors, stopping before one at t
he end of the corridor.

  “This is the bedchamber my mother occupied as a child. There is a small bathing chamber through the door to the left. I believe you will be comfortable here.”

  “Aye,” she said, looking about her with interest. “I am sure I shall.” The scenes on the walls in this chamber depicted wildcats: lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

  Seeing where Sabinah’s attention was directed, Julian said, “My mother’s passion was training big cats. You will hear the cats from time to time, but have no fear. They are kept caged.”

  Sabinah examined the chamber with interest. The bed was covered with white linen, and there was netting that could be lowered, no doubt as protection against flying insects. An artfully carved ebony desk occupied a corner of the room, and a long bench stood beneath the window. A trunk was positioned at the end of the bed.

  “This must have been a pleasant place to grow up.”

  “My mother was happy here. When I was a child, I begged her to teach me to train the big cats. But by then, she spent most of her time in Alexandria or with the Badari.”

  “This chamber does not feel as if it was ever vacated.”

  “Kadar had my mother’s instructions to keep the house always in readiness. I did not know she continued to do so after we left Egypt.” He shook his head, grasping Sabinah’s shoulders and turning her to face him. “You do understand I must tell her you are a prisoner.”

  “I understand.”

  “Should you take it into your head to leave, let me warn you there is nowhere to go. You know there is no escape by the river. The desert is vast and dangerous. Even if you were to venture as far as the village of Akhetaten, no one there would give you aid.”

  “I had not planned to go anywhere.”

  “As soon as I find out how your family is taking your disappearance, I shall pass the word on to you.”

  “Am I to remain here the rest of my life, however long that is?”

  Julian looked away from her. “Having you here is something I had not planned on; I have not thought past this day. For the moment, make yourself comfortable. Should you need anything, ask Kadar.” He moved to the door. “I must see to Uriah’s comfort, and there are important matters that require my attention.”

  “Am I free to explore the villa and surrounding lands?”

  “Of course.”

  “Julian.”

  He glanced back at her.

  “Can you tell me if your family is safe?”

  He looked startled for a moment, then replied, “They are. But do not ask me where to find them.”

  “I have always suspected they went to Bal Forea.”

  Retracing his steps, Julian grabbed her so quickly she had no time to react. “Do not ever say that again. Not here, not anywhere!” he said angrily, giving her a shake.

  Sabinah could feel the hard muscles of his body, and she raised her head to look up at him. “Had I told anyone of my suspicions, would not Bal Forea already have been attacked by Rome?”

  For a long moment he stared down at her. Sabinah did not dare move when he lowered his head, his mouth touching hers. His arms tightened about her, and she felt the world tremble. Glorious feelings curled through her body, and she moved closer to him, sighing.

  Julian dragged his mouth from hers and quickly shoved her away. “So you are not so different from your stepsister, no matter how you would deny the comparison.”

  Sabinah flinched as if he had struck her. Sadly, she watched him stalk toward the door and close it behind him. She touched her mouth and lowered her head. When it came to him, she had no resistance—perhaps he was right, and she was not so different from Bastet.

  Had he wanted more than a kiss from her, she would not have denied him.

  “Julian,” she whispered, “you have nothing to fear from me. I would give my life to save yours.”

  Julian went directly to Uriah’s bedchamber. The old man was asleep, so Julian watched him for a moment to make sure his breathing was even. He loved that dear old man and hoped he had not suffered from the arduous voyage.

  Turning away, Julian left the chamber. Moments later he made his way to the pens where the big cats were kept. The enclosures were huge, with shade trees and man-made ponds for the cats to drink from. All the animals there were old, some perhaps even dying. But his mother had realized they would not survive in the wild because they had always been fed cooked meat and had no knowledge of how to hunt for food.

  He reached through the fence and rubbed the ear of a toothless lioness. The animals were given the best of care, and would reside in the enclosure until the last one died; then the fences would be torn down.

  He leaned his forehead against a wooden post. Sabinah’s lips had been like a potion, enticing him to take more, and still more. On the voyage he had purposely kept his distance from her because she stirred within him feelings he did not want to awaken.

  He frowned. When he had accused her of being like Bastet, it had wounded her deeply. In truth, there was an innocence about Sabinah, while Bastet’s seductions had been calculated. In the past, Bastet had always found a reason for him to be alone with her. She would pull him behind a bush, sneak into a shed or a shadowy alcove. She had rubbed her body against his, making him ache for her. She had allowed him to touch her breasts, and even go lower, but when he was almost mindless with desire, she would pull away. He had been so young then, believing he had loved Bastet. Now the thought of her turned his stomach.

  When he had left Egypt, Sabinah had been a mere child, and he had not been much older. Now she was so beautiful it hurt him to look at her.

  Was she innocent?

  Or did she only pretend to be?

  His fists closed at his sides. This yearning he had for Sabinah went deeper than what he had felt for the faithless Bastet. His flesh was hot, his heart restless. Closing his eyes, he tried not to think how he wanted to bury himself in Sabinah’s sweet body.

  Angrily Julian shook his head. He would not give in to that temptation.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sabinah’s thoughts always seemed darkest at night when doubts plagued her mind, stealing sleep. Restlessly turning onto her stomach, she gazed out the window, watching the moonlight and shadows in the courtyard. Her mind conjured up her stepmother, and dark thoughts beset her. What if her message had created a firestorm, and Trisella had ask Vergilius to help search for her? Sabinah had forgotten that her father’s will specified that Trisella could only occupy the house as long as she cared for his daughter.

  The night seemed endless, but at last her eyelids felt heavy, and she was drifting to sleep when she heard something that snapped her awake; although the stable was a good distance from the house, she recognized the sounds of mounted horsemen arriving at the villa. She tensed until she heard voices speaking in a language she did not understand, probably Badari.

  When the first streaks of dawn filtered into the bedchamber, Sabinah was still awake. Wearily she yawned, stretching. Clasping her arms behind her head, she studied the room that had belonged to Lady Danaë. Was this the place where Julian’s mother had dreamed of growing up and meeting a man she would love? She had married the most noble man in all Egypt when she had been about Sabinah’s own age.

  There was nothing in the room that reminded Sabinah of Julian’s mother except the animals painted on the walls. She did see some deep scratch marks near the window, possibly made by one of the big cats Lady Danaë had trained.

  There was a stirring at the door, and Sabinah sat up as a young servant entered with a tray of food. The girl was younger than Sabinah, and her long hair hung down her back to her waist. She was shy and kept her head lowered.

  “Is the master at home?” Sabinah asked.

  “I do not know, mistress. I work in the kitchen with my mother and have not seen him this day.”

  “What is your name?”

  The young girl placed the tray of food across Sabinah’s lap. “I am called Tanita, mistress.”

&n
bsp; “Tanita, have you always lived here?”

  “Aye, mistress. As has my mother, and her mother before her.”

  “I have always lived in Alexandria. I should have liked to live here where people grow their own food, and there is no noise like we have in Alexandria.”

  “I have never been away from this villa. I would be frightened to leave my mother.”

  Sabinah glanced down at the creamy yellow cheese on her tray and could not resist taking a bite. It was so fresh it melted in her mouth. She took a sip of goat’s milk that was thick with cream.

  The young girl looked uneasy, as if she had never served food before. “Will there be anything else, mistress?”

  Sabinah paused with a chunk of cheese halfway to her mouth. “I am content. Thank you.”

  “I am to tell you if there is anything you want, you have only to ask.” Tanita moved silently about the chamber, tidying as she went.

  Sabinah watched the young girl move toward the door, her bare feet making no sound. After she finished the cheese, she ate a small cluster of grapes and two figs. Content for the moment, she lay back against the plump cushion.

  She did not know what she was expected to do with her time. Julian had said she could leave the house, but she was not familiar with the surroundings and hesitated to venture forth.

  Throwing the coverlet aside, she swung her legs off the bed and slid her feet into her sandals. Going through an arched doorway, she found a marvelous bath. It had been too dark the night before for her to appreciate the mosaic pool. Though she was accustomed to Isadad tending to her needs, Sabinah managed very well to disrobe without her. She climbed down the three steps and went into the pool. There was a basket filled with sweet-smelling oils, and she worked them into her skin. Going underwater, she rinsed her hair.

  At home, her bath was much smaller, and the pool was barely large enough to stand up in. She lounged peacefully in the sumptuousness of the aromatic water. At last, when her skin looked as wrinkled as an overripe plum, she climbed up the steps, wrapping herself in a thick linen cloth. Entering the bedchamber, Sabinah found the bed had been made, and a clean linen gown and a gold belt had been laid across the coverlet.