Chapter 2: The Fifth Bride of pharaoh
Gwen dreaded turning around as Sobek came out of hiding. Gwen could already see the impish grin on the unruly royal's face.
"What was that about?" Sobek could barely wait to question Gwen about the forbidden encounter.
"Nothing," Gwen spoke quietly as she continued to watch the handsome stranger shrink into the distance.
As the niece of a king, Gwen lived as little more than a pawn in a game of politics. Soon she would be wed, not for love, but for sake of Gods and country. Gwen could only hope her future husband would stir up a modicum of the passion the slave did in one twinkle of his stormy blue eyes.
Sobek giggled. "I hid from my brother's slaves to keep from being recognized, and I find you batting your eyelashes at one."
Gwen felt a sudden rush of embarrassment over her unladylike behavior. "I did no such thing. I merely showed respect for a timeless tradition."
Sobek teased, "out of all the banquets, balls, and gatherings I've never seen you look at any man the way you looked at that servant."
"He is a slave and likely a eunuch," Gwen sternly reminded her. "My fleeting glances were from pity, not passion. Men being mutilated and forced to work without wages sickens me."
Sobek pointed with a toothy grin. "That slave boy is marching to your palace. At last, I agree with you. We should be getting back."
Gwen's mind raced and her mouth went dry at the thought. He was in chains. I assumed he was going to the auction, not my home! I was never supposed to see him again.
It seemed Qetesh, Goddess of sacred pleasures, had cast an enchantment over the love-struck kingdom of Nubia. There were lovers kissing and caressing at every turn.
Gwen felt guilt at the erotic tingle that swept through her as she made her way back to her palace. Royal ladies were supposed to be stoic and reserved... weren't they? At the very least, a proper lady should be fearful right now, but for some reason Gwen was unafraid as she weaved a staggered line through the lovefest. For the first time in ages, she felt human. Deep down she knew her brief meeting with the gorgeous slave was to blame for this. She unconsciously searched for Arthur amidst the intertwining bodies, and scolded herself promptly for doing so.
"Oh my Gods!" Sobek shrieked and quickened her pace.
Gwen laughed. "Serves you right for insisting upon staying at the celebration this late. I warned you about the drunkards, and the fights, and the debauchery."
"Did you see…"
"Yes" Gwen chuckled.
"And the…"
"Yes, I saw that too." Gwen assured the traumatized princess, "we're almost there."
No one bothered Gwen and Sobek. It was clear they didn't want to be a part of this insanity, but Gwen had to admit, if only to herself, that the presence of her fellow adolescents running wild was stimulating on a primal level. She kept picturing herself waiting in a darkened alcove for the slave boy and the sins they would commit in each other's arms.
Arthur and his slave brethren reached the bathhouse at the center of Nubia. Arthur hesitantly entered the steaming chamber. He felt shy and self-conscious in front of the female bath attendants.
His bather, a quirky young woman, assured him, "it's alright. I've seen it all."
Arthur was undressed and checked for lice, before being thoroughly bathed and groomed. The attendants left the slaves to soak. The girls would return when it was time to rub oil and eyeliner on Pharaoh's houseboys. Arthur enjoyed the steaming bath. During his travel, he was only provided a bowl of water, a washcloth, and a sliver of soap. This was no match for the desert sun. Arthur lathered his locks with soap, and rubbed bubbles all over his body.
His thoughts drifted to the lovely and peculiar girl at the festival. Tonight, he'd met a woman who showed genuine concern for him and not only that but interest too. This woman made him feel human again. He hadn't been permitted to bathe in weeks and she didn't flinch away or show disgust. I removed my hands from her, not just out of duty, but embarrassment of the condition I was in, mortification of what Pharaoh reduced me to. I, a filthy slave, rightfully took my hands from her and rather than relief, her eyes shone with a glint of disappointment. He laid his head back on the rim of the tub with a fleeting irrational hope that she worked in the palace that he was visiting. What a wonderful world it would be if we served under the same roof for just a week.
Music enchanted every corner of the party. Delicious spicy aromas swam throughout the grand ballroom. Serving girls with trays of food and pitchers of wine whirled around the palace doting on Africa's elite.
The only royal not in attendance was Gwen's cousin, Elyan, Crowned Prince of Nubia. She wasn't surprised by his absence. Elyan was a battle-hardened warrior with no interest in politics.
Gwen sat at the long banquet table at the right hand of King Myron. The finest fabrics wrapped her curves like a hug, and she sparkled with expensive jewels. King Myron, brother of Gwen's departed father, was a man of great stature. A crown of gold and precious gems sat atop his shaved head.
Myron sternly whispered, "for heaven's sake, would it kill you to smile, girl?"
Gwen replied with the same melancholy stare, "would you smile if you were being sold to the highest bidder?"
His hand instinctively flinched to hit her. It wouldn't have been the first time, but several nobles were watching. The party was far too loud for their conversation to be overheard, but Myron was still reluctant to prove his niece's insolence in front of the very men he yearned to wed her to. Gwen sighed as his hand gently caressed her cheek.
"Do you think I'm that stupid," Myron whispered with a cunning grin.
"Yes" Gwen smirked.
"You are trying to bait me into striking you so that you appear too strong willed and insolent to beguile your suitors. You will be married for the good of Nubia."
"And what of love? Uncle Myron, I'm your blood."
Myron rolled his eyes. "I'll shed my blood and more for the glory of Nubia."
Gwen rose from her elegant armchair at the right hand of the king. With a grit of her teeth, she walked out on the balcony to visit her pet falcon. Gwen pulled a flute from her waistband and played a melody. The notes called to the predatory bird. She slipped on a sturdy leather glove that extended to her elbow. The falcon swooped in on swift wings, shrieking as it flew. With grace and precision, it landed on her gloved arm.
As Gwen doted on the stunning creature, her mind drifted to the boy she had encountered at the festival. Perhaps Sobek was merely teasing when she said the servant belonged to her brother. The slave's destination must have been elsewhere. I haven't seen him here. Her chest fluttered with a confusing mixture of relief and disappointment.
Gwen's skin crawled at the sensation of a man's hands upon her. She spun in his arms, not surprised to find the bane of her existence.
Gwen backed away with her bird. "Pharaoh Helios, as long as this palace is my home and you are a guest here I will thank you not to touch me."
He reluctantly pulled his hands back, amused and intrigued by the tone she had taken with him. "As you wish, fair princess. I recall a time when you were positively smitten with me."
"That was before you had four wives," Gwen dutifully reminded him.
Pharaoh Helios was a brown skin, mountain of muscles, wearing a very ornate kilt. His limbs and neck were adorned with shining gold accents. The most extravagant part of his wardrobe was his striped nemes headdress. It had two large flaps, which hung down behind the ears and in front of both shoulders. This cloth was held fast by a band of solid gold, the fierce head of a cobra jutting off the front of it.
Gwen had never been so forceful with a man, especially one of his rank, but it seemed every time Pharaoh was in her presence he would find a way to grope her or rub against her. It seemed he expected to be able to snap his fingers and watch her drape herself across his lap.
The hawk shrieked and caught Pharaoh's attention. "My word, is that a genuine African attack bird? They are next to impossible to come by."
Gwen assured him with a pleasant smile, "Sasha was given to me by my father. Unless you yearn to know what she's capable of you should take your hand off of me."
Pharaoh removed his palm from her posterior. He thought he'd be able to distract her with talk of predatory birds and loosen her up with flattery but it seemed no amount of boasting about his riches, his power, or even the size of his… weapon was going to woo this stubborn princess of Nubia. She would have to be broken. The only woman who had ever denied him became his greatest obsession.
Pharaoh bid her farewell and rejoined King Myron and other men of power. They discussed politics, war, and territories.
Gwen made her escape to the other side of the party. She stood next to Sobek, who was like the sister Gwen always wished she had. Sobek nabbed two goblets of wine from a circling servant.
She passed one to Gwen and whispered, "to your left."
Gwen lowered the wine chalice from her lips and gazed across the floor. There stood Arthur doting on a bride of Pharaoh. Gwen ordered her eyes to look away but they betrayed her, greedily drinking up the vision of him. His homespun breeches hung dangerously low on his hips. His twinkle blue eyes captivated her, and those lips… my Gods those lips that were full and pouty for a man and possessed the soft pink of a spring bud.
Gwen realized that Osiris must have taken the slaves to the city bathhouse first, and that's what took them so long to arrive. In the enchanting light of the ballroom Arthur's skin glowed milky white. He was definitely from some foreign land, most likely taken as a child like so many others.
All of the color drained from Arthur's face as he locked eyes with Gwen. His palms grew moist and his heart pounded against his ribcage. She is dressed in formal attire, a high ranking noble, likely a princess! This is not what I had in mind when I wished for her to have a position here! I'll be lucky if I'm not lashed for my earlier actions!
Sobek smirked, as she witnessed the awkward horrified stare between them. "Arthur is a magnificent specimen. Isn't he?"
"What… I um… I hadn't noticed," Gwen stammered.
Sobek gave her a disbelieving look. "He can't stop gazing at you."
"Well I wish he would stop," Gwen said, a little embarrassed.
Sobek wasn't a simpleton. She could tell her friend was captivated by the slave boy and he was equally smitten with her. "You are sacrificing everything for Myron and Nubia."
Gwen gave the respectable political response, "it is my duty and an honor."
"It's unfair," Sobek protested. "How many pieces of yourself will you allow Emperor Myron to rip from you? Do you want the only man you share your company with to be the arrogant pig Myron barters you to? If this slave fascinates you then talk to him."
"Sobek!" Gwen whisper/yelled.
Sobek, as usual, was out of line but her words stung with undeniable truth.
Gwen quietly whispered before making an exit, "I think it would be best if I avoid this Arthur for the remainder of your stay."
Gwen fled like the room was on fire. She was charging back to her chamber when trumpets sounded at the banquet. This signified a major announcement was to be made. King Myron beckoned Gwen, who dutifully hastened to his side.
Scattered conversations filtered to a hush as King Myron stood before the crowd to make his speech. "After much consideration, I have chosen a match for my niece, Gwen, Princess of Nubia. I am elated to inform you she will secure our alliance with Egypt by becoming the fifth bride of Pharaoh Helios."
Gwen's jaw dropped. She felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. He'd knocked the wind out of her.
"Gwen," Myron whispered sternly. "Clap. You're embarrassing me."
Gwen couldn't breathe let alone clap. When at last she caught her breath, she willed her petrified arms to move in feeble applause. Myron continued talking about an alliance between the kingdoms as well as disputed lands and other things, but Gwen couldn't hear a word of it. She watched his lips move but it was as if they made no sound. She was in a trance. The only words repeating in her disbelieving mind:
"Betrothal…"
"Betrothal…"
"Betrothal…"
At last Myron finished the wedding announcements and the crowd congregated over wine and finger foods with subtle music playing in the background.
"One moment please," Gwen said.
"Of course," Myron released her without complaint.
Gwen fled her uncle's presence, unable to believe what was happening. The sale was complete. There was no turning back. She had been bartered to an emperor with a collection of women. Sobek, equally horrified, thought about going after Gwen but knew it would make matters worse.
Gwen stormed in Pharaoh's direction. She weaved through the party on a mission. It was inappropriate, even deadly, to approach an emperor without first being summoned or announced. At the moment Gwen didn't give a damn about formalities and court etiquette.
Egyptian guards drew weapons, ready to strike her down. Nubian guards took up arms to defend their princess. A union forged in the name of peace, now teetered on the brink of war and bloodshed…