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Each hall emptied into another with no rhyme or reason. Her eyes widened in surprise at the opulence. Even the walls were engraved with ivory and gold inlay, depicting scenes of royal life, hunting, and chariot races. Ebony and teak wood sculptures lined the long halls. Ornately carved bronze and gold mirrors flanked her on all sides.
    She looked at her reflection in one of the mirrors. She appeared calm and cool. No one would guess that only days before she had fled from a devastating fire, lost most of her family members, and barely escaped being raped by barbaric savages. She felt a rush of sadness at the memories, but no tears came. It was just as well. Tears were no use to her anyway. She had to use her brains and not her emotions to secure her freedom.
    She kept walking, determined to explore the rest of the passageways. Gigantic stone torches lit each end, casting a brilliant glow over everything. When she reached the end of the corridor, she saw it opened into a magnificent receiving room filled with rows of marble stools. In the center of the room was a large platform raised several inches off the intricately tiled floor. Just beyond the platform sat a solid gold chair encrusted with precious, colored gemstones. The arms of the chair were shaped like animal limbs, and the ends formed lion’s claws.
    She marveled at the exquisite display of turquoise, coral, and onyx. Mesmerized by the strength and power it exuded, she tentatively reached forward and stroked the chair’s hard surface. It was cool to the touch.
    This chair could belong to only one person. A sarcastic smirk crossed Kama’s lips. The Pharaoh must be a vainglorious ruler to liken himself to a lion. Either that or a man with a sense of humor. She doubted it was the latter.
    “This is where I hold court,” a voice called out behind her. “Are you here to be judged?”
    Kama whirled around. Even though he stood in the shadows, she could tell it was the Pharaoh by his masterful stance. He was an impressive figure, draped in a long, blue, pleated tunic and elaborate sandals. A majestic gold headpiece adorned with lapis lazuli and red coral stones covered his head. He wore thick gold bracelets on both arms and a bronze Ankh on his neck. The brilliance of the metal complimented his darkly tanned skin. His handsome features appeared stoic, but his eyes seemed to burn with a wild heat. He did indeed remind her of a lion, fierce and strong.
    She felt her hands instinctively drop to her sides. Once steady fingers now trembled in the presence of her captor. Her heart hammered in her chest, as her eyes roamed muscled body. He was the same as she remembered. Tall. Intimidating. Handsome. So, he’d finally come to lay claim to his prize, to show her what her intended place in his kingdom was. That must have been the reason Dyzet had not shown herself today.
    She’d both dreaded and anticipated the moment she would come face to face with him again. She’d stewed in her own anger, outraged that he had the audacity to make her his prisoner. She’d prayed to the gods to give her courage and refused all food so she could keep her mind sharp and her hatred strong. Now, she finally had the confrontation she’d been anticipating. Her heart raced with the speed of a thousand chariots. But for some reason, she was not nearly as prepared as she thought she would be. Her head pounded. She wanted to say something, but as her lips parted for air, her lungs suddenly deflated. She took a step back and wavered, woozy. The Pharaoh suddenly blurred before her eyes.   She blinked rapidly, trying to control the distorted image. Kama frowned at his furrowed brow and then swooned, crumpling to the ground.
     
    Amonmose’s quick reflexes allowed him to catch Kama before she fell. He heard his own sharp intake of breath loudly as she collapsed against him. He’d never held anything tighter in his life. He stared at the ripe beauty in his arms. Her parted lips beckoned him like a