Free Dancer of the Nile (Gods of Egypt) by Veronica Scott Page A

she put a hand up to help him untangle the ends of the fabric.
    A little alarm bell sounded in his head . Less than an hour ago, she hadn’t even wanted me to watch her bathe. And I’d resolved not to rush her, so what’s different now?
    Reluctantly, he ended the kiss to take a breath and slow them down, but Nima tugged at him. Exerting more force, but careful not to bruise her soft skin, he held her at arm’s length. She frowned, fingers locked onto his forearms. “Why are you hesitating?” she said, tilting her head.
    “Are you sure you want this right now? You want me to make love to you?” I can’t believe I’m asking this, but something’s not right.
    She glanced at the surroundings, let go of him and gathered the half-open cloak to cover more of her luminescent skin. “Don’t you desire me?”
    “More than anything, but–” She moved into his arms and resumed the kiss,   grasping his cock through the folds of kilt and loincloth with one hand. He groaned and broke the embrace off again. His soldier’s instincts were pricking at him harder and harder, like the point of a knife in the ribs. “Are you hungry?” he asked.
    “I was, but I haven’t been for a while now.” Eyebrows drawing together in a frown, Nima licked her lips. “Why aren’t I hungry? Why didn’t I pick any fruit? I was going to, but then the flowers caught my eye. Kamin—"
    A gazelle butted him in the small of his back. Keeping his hold on Nima, he half turned to find the herd gazing at him with large, expressive brown eyes as they moved into position flanking him.
    Yawning, Nima sank bonelessly to her knees, pulling her hand from his clasp as she did so. “I’m tired, and the perfume of these flowers is making me sleepy. Let me rest, then we can make love.”
    “No, don’t sleep.” He tugged her to her feet, one of the larger animals pushing its head under her arm to assist him. “We have to get out of here.”  
    This place is not for the likes of you.
    The voice rang in his head, but he saw only gazelles. Were they talking to him? Am I losing my mind?
    The quiet voices in his head continued to utter warnings.
    Stay too long, and you’ll never leave.
    Stay too long, and you’ll sleep the sleep of eternity.
    “Exactly what I’m afraid of,” he said out loud. Grimly, he put one arm around Nima’s waist and steered her toward the tiny black square in the distance. Forcing her to keep walking with him, Kamin narrowed his focus to the mouth of the tunnel leading to their world. His legs trembled; he felt exhausted for no reason. The short swim hadn’t worked his muscles to such a degree. A doe came up beside him, and he curled his free arm around her muscular neck, letting the animal provide him support while he coaxed a barely conscious Nima to remain on her feet. His arms were losing their strength.
    Nima slipped from his grasp, falling to the lawn and curling up like a beautiful caterpillar. Rolling his shoulders, Kamin took a deep breath. The gazelles waited. Bending, ignoring the spots of blackness flashing in front of his eyes, he picked her up so he could stagger forward. Two of the animals closed in on either side to keep him upright. Eyes fixed on the promise of the tunnel entrance in the distance, he took one step after another. Exhaustion ate at him. The muscles in his legs burned. He had the overwhelming desire to set Nima on the fragrant grass, spoon himself around her and forget his cares for a few hours. Why not a quick nap, a refreshing few minutes, then we'll resume our hike?  
    The gazelle on his left bumped his body hard, sending a reviving spike of energy through him. Stiffening his stance, Kamin kept moving. His peripheral vision was narrowing, as if he were falling asleep even while walking. Even though Kamin wasn’t easily intimidated by mortal foes or danger at any time, the idea of a living death here in the underworld sent fear prickling through his limbs,, generating another burst of welcome