Free Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton Page B

and make an example of them. Replace the governor with one loyal to Egypt and keep an occupation force in Nubia until the dust settles.”
    Pennekheb nodded slowly, rubbing his chin. “I see you paid attention to at least some of my lectures.”
    “We should have another division standing by to deploy,” Hatshepsut said. “I doubt we’ll need the extra men, but perhaps if the Division of Thoth were ready?”
    “I’ll see to it.” Admiral Pennekheb looked at her with an expression that might have passed for awe. “If I were a much younger man, you’d not be safe from my suit,
Hemet
. I’ve rarely met a man with such a quick grasp of military maneuvers, much less a woman.” Hatshepsut smiled at his flattery; this man might prove a useful ally. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go speak to the commanders,” Pennekheb said. “The men of Horus will be able to move by morning.”
    “There are some maps of Nubia from the campaigns Osiris Tutmose led into the region a few years back,” Senenmut added as an afterthought as they watched Pennekheb shuffle away. “I’ll find the scrolls and deliver them to the commanders as well.”
    “Of course.” Hatshepsut nodded her approval as Senenmut turned to go. “Thank you for telling me about Thut,” she said quietly.
    Senenmut turned back to face her. The smile fell from his face. “I have the utmost respect for your brother, despite his shortcomings.”
    Hatshepsut shook her head. “Such behavior is inexcusable.”
    Senenmut sighed. “My father died while we were in Canaan. My mother and siblings would have been destitute if not for your brother’s generosity in providing for them.”
    That sounded like the Thut she knew, not the one who had cowered in his tent while Egypt’s blood was shed. “I’m sorry—I didn’t know.” Hatshepsut’s voice was low.
    “Your brother is a good man,” Senenmut assured her. “But we men all have our weaknesses.” His gaze caught hers, but she only chuckled.
    “And you possess more than your fair share of weaknesses,” Hatshepsut said.
    “Perhaps,
Hemet
.” Senenmut gave a hollow laugh, but the sound was cut short.
    “Hatshepsut.”
    Mensah stepped into the corridor, a smug smile on his face. “It’s been a long time.” His gaze traveled over her, lingering on her breasts and hips. “Too long.”
    She’d always loved the attention Mensah lavished upon her, but right now all she wanted to do was wipe the smirk from his face.
    “Senenmut,” she said, “this is Imhotep’s son, Mensah.”
    “I’m aware,” Senenmut said. “Your name means ‘third-born,’ correct?”
    Mensah crossed his arms over his bare chest. “I suppose my father ran out of names by the time I arrived.”
    “Indeed.” Senenmut raised an eyebrow at her. Hatshepsut knew from Thut that Senenmut was the eldest of six children, none of them named for their birth order. “I’ll leave you two to your discussion, then.”
    She held up a hand. “Wait a moment, Senenmut.” Beckoning to Mensah, she walked to the other end of the corridor, wishing they were farther from Senenmut. Mensah stood too close to her for propriety’s sake, but she refused to back into the whitewashed wall. “What are you doing?”
    “I’ve commissioned a statue in your honor,” Mensah said. “A work of art, for a work of art.”
    She would have laughed had his expression not been so sincere. “Stop it, Mensah. I don’t want a statue.”
    What she wanted was for him to leave. Now.
    “I haven’t seen you in months, Hatshepsut.” Mensah clasped her hand, but she shook him off. Over his shoulder, Senenmut perused a wall fresco of musicians and naked dancing girls, but every so often his gaze flicked in their direction. Mensah glanced his way, his lips tightening to a hard line. “What’s he doing here?”
    “Senenmut advises Thut.”
    “I don’t like the way he looks at you. Like he wants to devour you.” His lips softened. “That’s my job.”
    She sighed.