Free Bound: Slave to the Pharaoh by Chera Zade Page A

around in the light breeze. I watched my half-brothers and sisters play in the clear blue pool on the other side of the garden. Slaves swept and mopped the white and gray marble floors that bordered the greenery.
    White stone columns held up the soaring ceilings of the palace. I gazed into the open wings of the building, one of which led to my quarters. Tears filled my eyes as I looked upon everything I had known my entire life.
    I tried to picture Egypt. Nothing came to mind. I tried to remember any description of Egypt. My heart sank. If only I hadn’t been so involved with myself and my own flighty life.  The realization that I’d never had a care about anyone but myself now hit me full force.
    How would I manage? As a stranger, they’d probably look down on me. The muscles in my chest tightened. I didn’t care. I’d hold my head up with pride. My jaw clenched, and I sat up straight as I pictured myself at the Pharaoh’s palace.
    I thought back on my father’s conversation. They sounded worried. Did Egypt pose such a serious threat to us? I couldn’t deny that Egypt was a faraway land that was powerful, wealthy and to be feared. My lips tightened.
    Maybe I could be an ambassador of sorts. If I went to Egypt, and relations improved between our countries, then there was a purpose for my going there. A small smile grew on my lips. My heart lightened. I had to be a good woman and please the Pharaoh so he would look with favor upon my people.
    Getting up, I left the pond in a different frame of mind. I knew what I had to do.

 
    Chapter 2
     
    The celebrations began two days ago. The whole country was celebrating my wedding to the Pharaoh. My handmaidens had dressed me in fine silks. A gold chain clipped in my nose and trailed to the back of the veil I wore. Hands adjusted my flowing dress that showed a hint of cleavage. The women tittered and made lewd jokes about the wedding night. That was still far away. I’d leave for Egypt in one week, and the journey would take three weeks.
    I tried to picture the Pharaoh and how he might look. No one in my circle had ever met the Pharaoh, so I had no description. I imagined his appearance.
    He was handsome, with dark eyes that saw into my soul. A muscular chest and arms filled out his body. My heart fluttered at the picture I was conjuring up, and a heat grew between my legs.
    I turned my attention back to the present. Someone made a joke about male members and everybody laughed.
    “What is it like?  The first night,” I ventured to ask.
    Silence filled the room.
    Someone coughed, and another maiden cleared her throat. “Well milady, it is a wonderful thing.” She smiled. “The first time is the worst, but then it gets better.”
    “What am I supposed to do?”
    The woman flushed. “You don’t have to do anything. He will do most of the work.” Every-one giggled.
    We left for the celebration. I sat next to my father’s throne. He gazed at me. “You have never looked more beautiful. You remind me so much of your mother.”
    The smile on my face was tainted by the pain in my heart at those words. “My mother passed away when I was a child. Do you still remember her?”
    A picture of her loving expression came to mind. I blinked back tears.
    He nodded. “Don’t tell Siti, but I still think often of your mother.”
    I glanced at the woman who had taken my mother’s place. I would not miss her when I left here. She was probably glad to see me go too. I was too much of a reminder of her former rival.
    The dancing troupe entered the room, and I focused my attention on them.
    When the celebrations died down, I headed back to my quarters. I’d be glad to get into bed. My feet padded on the cool marble floor. My handmaiden helped me get undressed and ready for bed. I crawled under the light cover, grateful for the cool night air.
    I lay in bed for long hours, but I could not sleep. Finally, I got up and headed to the garden. As I slipped along the hallway, I passed a