Pharaoh's Desire (21 page)

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 journey 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.”