Pharaoh's Desire (12 page)

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 each 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 meddling 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.