Read Dancer of the Nile (Gods of Egypt) for Free Online

falling beam at the doorway. She staggered a few more steps, drawing in deep, gasping breaths of the cool night air as she fell to her knees. Suddenly, she was seized from behind by a laughing Hyksos soldier, who lifted her like a child and spun her to face him.
    “We expected you’d come out eventually, rather than burn to death, dancer,” he jeered, mouth next to her lips as he pawed at her scorched linen dress, ripping the neckline and exposing her breasts.  
    Screaming, Nima clawed his face with her nails. A second man crowded behind her, his aroused cock pressing urgently against her bottom, his hands raising her dress past her thighs, while the first soldier caressed her. The two men were forcing her to the ground despite her terrified resistance, other soldiers gathering to participate, touching her, restraining her. Her vision was going black. Thunder crashed as the inn fell—
    No, it was a steady heartbeat under her ear, strong arms holding her reassuringly, not groping. She was pressed to a broad chest, a soothing voice murmuring soft words to her in crisp Egyptian, not growling Hyksos. Trying to calm her breathing, she let the words pour over her shattered nerves while the immediate terror of the dream receded.
    “Easy, easy, shh, Nima, you’re here with me now. No harm will come to you, I promise. Wake up, shake off the dream world. Open your eyes, see you’re safe. Remember, we escaped together? I promised no harm would come to you.”
    Nima concentrated on the deep, reassuring voice promising protection, drawing her out of the nightmare. Taking a shuddering breath, she opened her eyes, realizing she was safe in Kamin’s arms.
     
    Relieved to see her emerging from the grip of the nightmare, he loosened his embrace the moment she made a slight movement to put distance between them. Gently, he stroked his hand through her hair, rubbed her back in circles. Shudders racked her body.
      “You were screaming so loud your throat must be raw,” he said. “I couldn’t wake you.”
    “I was in the flames, the inn burning. And then the men attacking me—” She caught her breath on a huge sob.
    Gods, what an ordeal she’s been through. Kamin quelled his automatic response to her, his desire for her, which was nigh impossible with her sitting across his thighs. But she wouldn’t wake up no matter what I did, she was fighting the terrors of the dream so desperately. “I’m sorry you had to go through the ordeal. I wish I’d been there to defend you.”
    An edge of hysteria sharpened her laugh. “Amarkash came and reprimanded the soldiers, made them stop before they’d done more than frighten and bruise me. He said they had their orders, to treat me as untouchable, meant for someone else.”
    “For himself,” Kamin said with fury, grinding his teeth. “The bastard.”
    She shook her head. “No, he didn’t assault me either, thank the gods. He—he enjoyed inflicting pain. He enjoyed tying me up each night, describing awful things his general was going to do to me when we reached their fortress, but he didn’t go any further.”
    “His general?” Kamin’s brow was furrowed. “He kidnapped you for someone else?” Odd behavior, even for a Hyksos.  
    Wiping away a few lingering tears, Nima sniffed. “Apparently, the Hyksos had been to the village before, and several others in the area, and had seen me dance. My family travels through the Shield of Egypt province giving shows.”
    Nodding, Kamin said, “The Hyksos have been studying this nome. I can easily believe they traveled the province in disguise to gain information on their targets before attacking.”
    Nima blotted the moisture on her face with her sleeve. “Well, this general apparently gave strict orders I was to be captured at all costs and brought to him. Untouched.”
    She took a deep breath, holding it as Kamin tilted her face gently, studying the faded bruises. Anger flared hot in his gut. “Among other unfortunate things, he