Free Pharaoh's Desire by Chanta Rand Page B

orders for everyone to move aside. Meketen fingered his scarab beetle amulet and prayed loudly. The hunting dogs stood over the snake, yelping. The entire incident had happened in a heartbeat, but for Amonmose it seemed like an eternity. The spectators could not hear the loud pounding of blood in his ears. They could not see the beads of sweat across his back. All they saw was the brilliant metal flash of his sword. He accepted their praise with a weak smile. The gods were with him today.
    “Friends, I am fine,” he called out to everyone. “Hunting is my sport, and I’ve bested far bigger game that that!”
    Another cheer went up from the crowd.
    “Sire, what will you do with your trophy?” one of the men called out.
    Amonmose stared at the long snake now dead at his feet. The creature easily equaled the length of two men. “I shall have a pair of snake-skin sandals made for the noblemen on the hunt today.”
    This was met by more exuberant cheers. Several of the Pharaoh’s attendants came forward and dutifully carried the large serpent away.
    Baal stepped close and dropped his gaze to the ground. “Forgive me, Sire,” he whispered. “I should have been there to protect you. If you give me a chance to redeem myself, I shall never fail you again.”
    Amonmose brushed him off with a wave of his hand. “Do not be ridiculous. There was nothing you could have done. It happened much too quickly. However…” He lowered his voice. “I believe that serpent being here was no accident.”
    Baal’s eyes narrowed at the implication. “An attack?”
    Amonmose nodded. “Cobras are not uncommon here, but king cobras are indigenous to Asia. And most king cobras only eat other snakes. This one came straight for me. Something must have provoked it.”
    “Or someone .” Baal’s expression darkened.
    “Precisely. We must practice caution from now on.”
    “No harm shall befall you,” Baal vowed. “You know I will give my life for yours.”
    Amonmose gave his guard a wry smile. “You must stay alive so you can be my eyes when I cannot see.”
    Baal did not return his smile.
    Amonmose clapped the man on the arm. “I am not as easy to dispense with as some might think, Baal. But stay alert, I fear the worse is yet to come.”
     
    Kama shifted uneasily and glanced around the hunting party. Despite the thrill of the kill, the air had changed, and it was charged with an ominous mood. Amonmose had put on a brave front, but she knew there would be no more hunting today, despite his confident strides.
    She turned to Dyzet. “He could have been killed.”
    The girl smirked. “So you do care about him after all.”
    “No! I-I would hate for anyone to face death at the hands of a snake.” Kama said, lifting her chin defiantly.
    Dyzet sighed after a moment’s pause. “You are right. The Pharaoh could have easily been killed. I pray to the goddess Isis to protect Amonmose and keep him from harm. And I pray for your protection as well, Kama.”
    Kama felt her heart sink. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew she was safe only because she belonged to the Pharaoh. She remembered the lustful look in Nadesh’s eyes. If Amunmose perished, she had no one she could depend on to protect her.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Hours later, Amonmose sat still in a large chair in his chambers while Latmay examined him. The old doctor felt for a strong pulse, measured his body temperature, and tested his reflexes using a mallet made of dried animal tendons. “Your heart rate is still erratic,” Latmay observed. “Just as a precaution, I’m going to prepare you a compress of tobacco leaves soaked in calf’s blood.”
    “I’d sooner journey to the Netherworld than let you apply that,” Amonmose warned.
    “The compress should slow your heart beat and help it maintain a steady rhythm..”
    “Have you gone mad?” Amonmose demanded. “My heartbeat is strong and fast because I am a virile, healthy man!”. He jumped