Dancer of the Nile (Gods of Egypt) (25 page)

***

When she came to again, cool twilight had fallen, and a soft breeze whispered through the open door of the tent. Oil lamps provided gentle illumination. The remnants of a barely touched meal sat ignored on a table close to the bed. Kamin perched on a stool by her bedside, holding her hand in a loose but comforting grip. He wore a heavy gold signet ring, a falcon set with diamond eyes flying under a complicated cartouche. Deep in thought, he studied a papyrus in his other hand.

He’s tired.
Nima watched him for a minute, heart aching with love tempered by the loss of her dreams of a simple life together. Confirming the doctor’s tale, Kamin was in a general’s uniform, crisp, white, pleated kilt edged in gold, cinched with a broad leather belt inlaid with more gold, jewels set in the buckle. He wore a leopard skin over the kilt. Leather straps crossed his broad, muscular chest, and the golden falcon badge of Pharaoh’s Own Regiment gleamed in the center. His black and gold
nemes
headcloth had been laid aside, on the foot of her cot, along with the golden flail of an officer. She hardly recognized this imposing person as the man she had journeyed with, danced for, and made love to.

His head came up as she shifted on the hard mattress. He inhaled sharply, eyes sparkling, the little crinkles appearing around them as he grinned and tossed the scroll on the foot of the bed so he could take both of her hands in his. “At last you’re awake. I feared the obsequious doctor was lying to me.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the tender concern on his face, and for a moment she couldn’t speak for the lump in her throat. She licked her dry lips. “Thank you for rescuing me, my lord.”

Pressing a kiss into her palm, he searched her face. “What is this sudden formality? I’m still Kamin to you—”

“But not exactly an ordinary soldier.” She gestured at the
nemes
and the golden flail. “You command armies, don’t you?”

“Well, yes, sometimes, but I don’t see what my rank has to do with the love between us.” He reached out to wipe away a tear on her cheek with his callused thumb. “Are you in pain? I can get the doctor—”

She shook her head, swiping at her eyes. “No, the pain is bearable, and the doctor—”

“Is unbearable. I know,” Kamin joked. “But he was trained in Thebes and is the best we have. Only the highest-quality care for you, beloved.”

Swallowing hard, Nima tried again to explain her reservations to him. “My lord, I—I dance in
taverns
—”

“And trained as a thief and an assassin.” He kissed her hand, but his eyes never left her face, lines of worry on his. “Boredom won’t be an issue, I know for a certainty.” He rubbed his flat stomach with the other hand. “And I’ll eat well, once you instruct my estate’s cooks in your knowledge. We’ll have to discuss limits on the use of the more exotic herbs, however.”

She refused to be sidetracked by his gentle teasing. “You’re Pharaoh’s cousin. You can’t marry someone like me. I’d bring ridicule and disgrace to your house. You have to marry a grand lady of the court.”

“The foolish doctor talks entirely too much.” Frowning, Kamin rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s treading on thin ground with me, skilled physician or not. I can marry whoever I choose, and it pleases me to marry you.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you, as you might recall. I went through hell when I realized you‘d left me at the oasis to draw Amarkash off. Had Horus himself not stood in my way, I’d have come after you then. I bargained with the god, so I could have time to bring the army to your rescue.”

“You bargained with a Great One on my behalf?” Dizziness swamped her at the mere idea. Encountering Horus in falcon form had been frightening enough for her.
And Kamin took such a risk for me!
“How did you dare?”

Tenderly, her lover pushed the tangled hair from her face, stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “I once told you if I was fighting for you, I could do anything.”

She coughed a little, her throat scratchy and dry. “But to argue with Horus—”

“Well, I couldn’t argue one woman’s life was more important than the fate of Egypt. Admitting the fact to the god tore a hole in my heart.” Kamin rose to pour her a mug of water, coming to sit on his stool again, raising her to drink, supporting her with one rock-solid arm behind her back.

She sipped gratefully, conscious of his immense strength and how careful he was with her. “The safety of the Black Lands matters more than either you or I. So, on what point did you negotiate?”

Accepting the mug since she was done with the water, he set it on the wicker table. “I asked him to intervene, to delay Amarkash on the road.”

"Oh,” she said, understanding now. “We had endless problems on the trip. Horses died, wheels fell off the chariots, we were overrun by not one but two sandstorms. The soldiers grumbled I was a witch. The priest of Qemtusheb was convinced I had some power, and then the problems the battalion experienced made everyone a believer.”

“I don’t think the gods are subtle when they play games with human affairs.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “When we stormed their fortress and I saw you stretched on the altar, the damned priest with his knife poised—”Unable to speak, he passed a hand over his face. Nima glimpsed the depth of his raw emotion, betrayed by the gleam of moisture in his eyes. Kamin straightened, rolling his shoulders, jaw clenched. “I would have sought death myself, in battle, if you had died. I would have slaughtered every Hyksos in the fortress, starting with Amarkash, until one of them slew me." He flashed the brash grin Nima loved so much. “Well, I did kill him, by the way, and took pleasure in doing so. But had you died, you’d have been properly avenged, I promise.”

Pride made her heart beat faster. “So romantic.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

He grunted. “Well, I don’t know about that, but I’ll not live without you.” He placed her hand over his heart, his eyes staring directly into hers. “My heart beats for you.”

“Definitely romantic,” she murmured, drawing him closer for a long kiss.

When the embrace ended, he squared his shoulders, meeting her eyes resolutely. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you more about myself while we were on the run. I understand you might be angry with me.”

“It’s all right. I’m sure you had good reasons.” Smiling, Nima squeezed his hand. “You apologized to me at the caravan, remember? I understood the situation. Not about your glorious title perhaps, but the need for discretion.”

“We had more important concerns at the time than my lineage.” He raised an eyebrow, and she nodded. “You did point out yourself the less you knew of me and my mission the better, should you be recaptured. I’d determined to claim you as my bride anyway, once I’d gotten you to safety and could do some proper wooing. Get you used to my titles.”

“Titles? More than one?” she asked in dismay, the dizziness threatening to return. “The doctor said you were related to Pharaoh.”

He shrugged. “I was afraid if I came out with the information too soon you’d raise barriers between us.” Pointing a finger at her accusingly, he grinned. “As you tried to do a few minutes ago, with your needless qualms about your background. Your none-too-charitable opinion of the nobility came through loud and clear when we first conversed after our escape."

 
“You—you’re not anything like the nobles I've met before.”

“I should hope not.” He leaned forward, framed her face tenderly, his rough soldier’s hands gentle on her skin, his hazel eyes narrowed, serious. “Let us be clear now—I want you to be my wife, lady of my estates, mistress of my house, mother of my children. I don’t care about anything in your past, not one thing. We start
our
story from the moment you risked bringing water to a fellow prisoner.”

She sucked in a breath to protest.

Holding up one hand for silence, he tilted his head. “I respect your past. I’d never deny any of your experiences. Everything you’ve gone through made you the incredible woman you are, the woman I love, but I’ll allow nothing to come between
us
.”

I can see how he commands armies. Who could stand against such force of will and personality?
Her heart beat faster at the vehemence of his declaration. “All well and good here in the desert, but our stations in life are too far apart for you to—”

Shaking his head, Kamin cut her off, but he was grinning ear to ear now. “Somehow I expected this to come up as your next objection. My old friend and battle comrade Nomarch Tiy-Ineb-Menhet commands this army. Together, we sent a recommendation to Pharaoh asking him to award gold of valor to you for your role in the successful rout of the invasion in Shield province.”

“Gold of valor? For me?” Nima could hardly voice the questions.
Only the bravest, the best in the military, receive such awards.

 
“I thought you’d be pleased. You earned it. You’ll be the only woman at Court, or anywhere in Egypt, with such honors to her name. Pharaoh may decide you’re too good for the likes of
me
, sweetheart.” From his broad smile, clearly he didn’t believe his own warning. “Gold of valor places you above any woman in the Black Lands, save for the queen and one or two high priestesses. If you decided you didn’t love me, still you’d have wealth and status and never have to dance for anyone ever again. I don’t want you to feel coerced into accepting my proposal of marriage. You—you have choices.”
 

As if I could ever contemplate being with another man but Kamin.
She sat speechless for a heartbeat before tugging him to where she could kiss him on the lips without jarring her shoulder too much. Keeping her grip on his arm, she said, “You know I love you, and I’m honored to be your wife, if you’re sure.”

He nodded, his face growing serious again. “Will you mind living in Thebes? My primary estate lies there. I’m done with undercover missions all over Egypt. This was my last foray, and Pharaoh knows of my decision.”

“Giving adventure and intrigue up for me? What about your dread for living a safe life?” she teased a tiny bit, secure in his affections.
If Pharaoh himself approves of me, all the naysayers will be silenced. No one can criticize Kamin for marrying me. I bring the honors to his family name as my dowry.
Joy welled up inside her, making her pulse race.
Me, Nima no-name, of nowhere, with a golden dowry!

 
“No regrets,” Kamin said. “I’m facing forward, to life with you, a home, children, if the gods are kind. I’ll have a role to play at court, supporting Nat-re-Akhte as he rebuilds Egypt. He needs men he can trust at his side.” His tone turning contemplative, Kamin shrugged. “Different adventures than any I’ve ever sought before, but honorable, fulfilling nonetheless.”

“Everything I’ve ever wanted.” A warm feeling spread through her, a little rush of pleasure , laced with excitement.
 

“Yes, I think my plans for us cover the list you recited to me, the first night we sheltered in the sandstone cave.” He raised his eyebrows a little, tilting his head and smiling.

Does he remember all my foolish dreaming?
Nima felt her cheeks grow warm, knew she was blushing again
.
“The only thing I truly care about is that we’re together.”

“Always. “ He leaned closer, the mischievous glint in his eyes. “Of course, Pharaoh might ask me to do a small favor for him, a quick trip now and then.” He kissed her, his tongue tracing her lips until she parted them. Catching him by the neck with her good arm, she drew him closer. Caressing her breast through the nightgown, Kamin adjusted his position to mold her upper body to his. His hands touched the bandages on her shoulder, and he gentled his touch, pulling back with an effort and a frustrated groan. “Yet again we don’t have the right time and place. Thank the gods for the caravan where we had
one
moment of peace. Without their sanctuary for a single night of lovemaking, my frustration would know no bounds.”

“I’ll dance for you,” Nima promised agreeably. “As soon as I’m able.”

He hugged her, clearly mindful of not aggravating her wound. “And you’ll dance for no other, ever again.”

“Only you, I swear.” She held up a hand, palm against his chest. “On one condition.”

“Name the thing,” he commanded, trying and failing to keep a monumental frown on his face, belied by the twinkle in his hazel eyes.

“I must be properly rewarded for my skills,” she said demurely, fluttering her lashes. “My audience must demonstrate their appreciation. A dancer requires adulation.”

“Have no doubt, now or ever. I’d demonstrate my—appreciation—this moment if you weren’t injured.” He took her hand and pressed it against his cock, hard and hot under the kilt and loincloth. “The mere memory of your dance has an effect on me.”

She rubbed her hand along the impressive length of his shaft. “I heal quickly.”

“But we can’t lie together tonight,” Kamin said, removing her hand and kissing it. “The doctor was most emphatic, and I tend to accept his opinion on this point.” He studied her face in the lamplight. “You’re pale, bruised. “

She subsided, pouting a little and then smiling to show she wasn’t seriously upset. “How many days’ march is it to Tentaris?”

“Six or seven, depending whether the gods favor us. An army moves more slowly under the best conditions than you and I did.” Kamin gestured at the furnishings in the tent. “Too much gear, too many amenities.”

“We certainly had no amenities,” she agreed, making a one-handed attempt to adjust the shawl. “I think we walked in circles at times, despite the efforts of the falcons to direct us to the Nile.”