“Good idea.”
When the servant had scurried off, Rae hefted the jar into her hands, took a deep breath, and strode to the pharaoh’s quarters.
The two guards at the door gave her a strange look when she appeared, but when they saw her carrying the blue lotus jar, they waved her in.
The air inside the chamber was so thick with incense it made Rae’s eyes water. She glanced around the semidarkness, trying to get her bearings. The room was immense and loud and filled with flickering firelight.
And hot. By the gods, it’s hot.
Then she saw—reallysaw—what was going on.
A sea of hands, glistening skin, open mouths, dark hair tossed to the beat of drums. Women dressed in transparent linen shifts and revealing bead-net dresses and almost nothing at all, each holding blue cups in the shape of lotus flowers. Men in thigh-length schentis, chests heaving with barely controlled breath, lotus cups gripped in their hands, too, rested on couches andchairs and mats on the floor, their eyes dark with intensity. Couples danced to the music, their bodies so entangled that they appeared as a single insatiable creature.
Rae’s head swam. A rush of heat bloomed in her belly, making her feel simultaneously embarrassed and exhilarated. She stood rigid, the wine jar held in front of her like a shield, her mouth dry, unable to move, unable to tear her gaze from the scene.
Then she saw the pharaoh.
King Meryamun reclined in a cushioned, low-backed chair, chatting amiably with another man, who sat opposite him. Half a dozen women attended to them both, bringing trays of fruit and rubbing their feet and shoulders with oils. With a jolt, Rae recognized the woman rubbing the pharaoh’s feet. As if sensing that she was being watched, the woman turned. When she saw Rae standing there, her heavy-lidded seduction turned to fury.
What are you doing here?Tam mouthed.
Rae’s heart began to race.This was a mistake. I should never have come. I have to leave before—
“Who is that?”
The king had noticed her.
“Ah! Nefermaat’s pet, come to play?” he called out. “I don’t remember inviting you, but seeing as you’ve brought more of my special wine, I’ll allow it.” He beckoned her forward, and Rae had no choice but to obey. She approached them, skirting dancing girls and couples on the floor as she went.
“Get her a cup, will you?” King Meryamun said to Tam. “If she’s to join the party, she must do so properly.”
Tam bowed her head and handed Rae a lotus cup. Nervously, Rae poured herself wine from the jug she was carrying.
“Go on,” he said. “You’re late. You’ll have to catch up with the rest of us.”
The king watched as she lifted the cup to her lips. Rae hadnever had wine before. Was it supposed to smell like flowers? Eager to stop being the center of attention, she gulped it down as quickly as she could.
Meryamun licked his lips. “Good. Have another and then you can attend to my friend here. Wouldn’t you like a rub from this great strapping girl, Harsi?”
The other man glanced up at her but said nothing.
While she gulped down another cup of wine, Rae took notice of Harsi’s unusually long schenti and green sash, of his square jaw and deep brown face.He’s not Khetaran. Tashan, maybe?She’d seen similar sashes on men riding boats downriver from Khetara’s southern border.But why does he look like he’s been in a street fight?Even in the dim firelight, she could see the skin beneath one of Harsi’s eyes was swollen and purpling and the knuckles of both hands were riddled with cuts.
The pharaoh grinned, toothy and dangerous. “Now, don’t be boring, my prince. Don’t you like the party? I threw it just for you. To get your mind off the unfortunate loss of your companions.” He nodded at Rae.
Mute with helpless rage, Rae sank to her knees, took the Tashan’s foot into her hand, and began massaging it.
“See? Isn’t that nice?” Meryamun said.
Harsi stared at him but didn’t reply.
Meryamun rose from his chair and approached, as languid as a panther. Watching him, Rae began to feel lightheaded.What was in that wine?
The young king sauntered behind Harsi’s chair and bent over him, hands on the Tashan’s shoulders, lips at his ear.
“You want to kill me, don’t you?” Meryamun murmured, soft and sensual. “You’d like to put a knife in me, or even better, wrap your fingers around my throat and squeeze. I don’t blame you. Revenge is infinitely more satisfying than a foot massage.”He glanced down at Rae and tutted. “The lioness doesn’t look like she’s enjoying it any more than you are. Though I can’t imagine why—you’re quite the handsome specimen. Not good enough for my sister, but then, who is?
“I must say, I was quite disappointed when my men failed to find her with you. I would have been forced to punish her severely, but at least I’d have her back. Where is that girl?”
