“Then, allow me, Majesty. It would be mypleasure to assist you.”
Gasping, she raised her gaze to his. Loveshone from every line of his face as he reached out a hand toher.
“Aye,” she whispered, taking his hand. “Aye,Senemut.”
He pulled her gently to her feet. “First, wemust remove what remains of your poor gown,” he said as he swiftlyand efficiently unfastened it, allowing the ragged linen to drop tothe floor at her feet.
She stood silent, holding her head high,though her cheeks flamed with color. She heard the sharp intake ofhis breath as his gaze swept over her body.
“By Amun, you are the most beautiful woman Ihave ever seen,” he breathed.
He scooped her up into his arms, and at thatpoint, she was ready to go with him wherever he chose to take her.But instead of her bed, he deposited her gently in the tub.
The water was lukewarm and blissfully clean.She closed her eyes as Senemut poured dipper after dipper of waterover her head. Then, he slowly massaged her hair and body with hisstrong, sensitive hands. A comforting, numbing heat flooded throughher like strong wine.
At last he pulled her to an upright positionand helped her out of the tub, then gently stroked her body drywith linen towels. Hattie could scarcely keep her eyes open as helifted her again into his arms and carried her to the bed.
“I am sorry, Senemut,” she mumbled, trying tokeep her eyes open. “You deserve more, but I am so tired.”
He pulled the sheet up over her and smoothedher hair off her forehead, then lay down on the floor next to herbed. “Sleep, little one,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing.“I am here to keep you safe. Sleep.”
Hattie sighed, curled up and dropped quicklyinto merciful slumber.
* * *
Senemut tossed and turned on the hard floorbeside Hattie’s bed. She had been asleep for hours, but he lay wideawake. Her delicate fragrance drifted down to him as the gentlesound of her breathing enveloped him. He groaned. Hori was right—hewas helplessly in love with her. How had it happened? Hatshepsuthad never meant more to Senemut than any other member of the royalfamily—someone to command his actions, not his heart. But since herhusband’s death, she had changed. She was more decisive, moreforthright, more sure of herself. It made her a better ruler. Italso made her exceedingly seductive.
He turned over and sighed. Regardless of howalluring she was, Hatshepsut was the regent and ruler of all Egypt,and he was but a common-born man. She had elevated him to aposition of great authority, and she relied on his advice. Bothwere great honors, greater than he dared hope. But that in no wayimplied she desired his love. And even if she did… Senemut held hishead in his hands. That way lay madness. For surely, to consummatesuch a love was to risk the wrath of all Egypt, and beyond that,the wrath of the gods.
A faint sound roused him from his feverishthoughts. Frowning, he rose swiftly, ready to face whatever enemyappeared. The sound came again. It was Hattie, moaning in hersleep, harsh lines of fear etched into her face. “Nay,” shegroaned, tossing and turning. “Please, do not…”
“Shh, little one,” Senemut whispered, bendingover her and stroking her hair. “Sleep, now. All is well.” Hewatched her face relax. She sighed, then turned over and fell againinto a deep sleep.
Caressing her hair one last time, he stareddown at her now-peaceful face. His heart contracted painfully.Great Amun, how could he endure one more hour without folding herslender body in his arms, kissing her irresistible lips, professinghis eternal love? Yet, how could he do any of those things andlive? Clenching his jaw, he moved quietly away from the bed. It wasalmost dawn, and the camp would be stirring soon. For both theirsakes, it was best that no one find him sleeping next toHatshepsut’s bed.
CHAPTER 12
Hattie awakened the next morning stiff andsore, but strangely at peace. She opened her eyes slowly. Senemutwas gone. She seemed to remember him whispering something aboutkeeping watch outside once the sun rose.
The bathtub was still in place. She arosefrom the bed and splashed some water on her face, then reached intoa trunk for a fresh gown. She was struggling to fasten it whenSenemut entered without ceremony.
He took in the scene at a glance and strodeto her side. “Let me help you, Hattie.” Swiftly, he fastened thegown over her left shoulder. “Did you sleep well?”
“Aye, I did.” Hattie blushed. “Thank you foryour help last night, and for saving my life. I fear I gave youpoor recompense.”
Senemut reached out and touched her cheeklightly with his fingertips. “You were most merciful on thebattlefield yesterday. Your soldiers can speak of nothingelse.”
“It was certainly the least I could do,considering I sent them into the slaughter,” she mumbled.
“Aye, well, that is the nature of battle.” Heshrugged. “Are you ready? Snefru has been holding the leader of theNubians, as you requested. Will you sentence him now?”
Hattie sighed. “Aye. Of course. Bring him tomy tent.”
Senemut left, and shortly returned. Snefrufollowed close at his heels, dragging a nearly naked Nubian warriorbehind him, trussed up in shackles like a runaway slave.
“Majesty…” Snefru cuffed the prisoner andforced him to his knees. “This…this jackal is the leader of the rebels. What is Your Majesty’spleasure? Shall I have the royal archers put him to death? Ormayhap Your Majesty would like to return him home to Egypt, andhang him by his heels outside the palace walls for all to see whatbecomes of those who rise up against pharaoh.”
“Be silent.” She waved her hand at Snefru,and then turned her attention to the prisoner. “You, there, what isyour name?”
The man raised his head. Bruises covered hisdark face; one eye had swollen almost shut. Cuts and scrapescovered his muscular torso, and a long gash ran the length of oneforearm. Obviously, he had personally led his soldiers into combat.She saw fear shining from his eyes, but also a great deal of pride.He clenched his jaw tightly shut and said nothing, flexing hisstrong arms against the chains that bound him.
“Remove his chains,”
