Read Pharaoh's Desire for Free Online Page B

begun succumbing to the sleeping elixir. She stretched out on the bed and quickly fell into what would probably be a peaceful slumber. Satisfied, Latmay tucked the small pouch of smelling salts back in his bag. He grinned to himself at the thought of this woman fainting at the Pharaoh’s feet. It was not usually the way women threw themselves at him
    Latmay checked Kama’s pulse again and found it much stronger now. She would live, even if she did not want to. He stared at her elegant features. With her comely face and young supple body, it was no wonder Amonmose was taken with her. Any man would be.
    In his youth, Latmay had been so busy studying medicine, he’d had no time for women. From the time he was seven years old, he could remember being fascinated with healing, and later, he dedicated himself to investigating the mystical powers of plants and other herbs. While most boys his age practiced being soldiers, he busied himself with homemade potions and apothecaries.
    He became an expert in embalming and could have made a successful living in that field. But, his ambition lay not in preserving the dead, but rather in giving hope to the living. Eventually he became a surgeon of such outstanding reputation that he was called into service by the Pharaoh—Amonmose’s father.
    Sadly, he’d been unable to save the Pharaoh so many years ago. The wounds were too serious, and Latmay had been called much too late. Sometimes, he wondered if the delay was intentional, but he’d learned not to question any decisions that were made by the royal advisors. It was dangerous for any man to put his nose into politics where it didn’t belong.
    Besides, who would he confide in? The same men who’d been advisors to Amonmose’s father were now advisors to Amonmose. There were hidden enemies everywhere and he could not take a chance on having his own life abruptly ended.
    Latmay left the room, memories heavy on his mind, and practically bumped into Amonmose, who was waiting outside as promised. “Sire—”
    “Well?”
    “She is fine now,” Latmay said, stepping back from the intensity of the Pharaoh’s concern. “Her fainting was probably a combination of her improper diet and a high level of stress. I advise bed rest and this.” He pulled a leather pouch from his bag. “It is a potion containing fish oil and gazelle hair. I will instruct the servants to add it to her food.”
    “Now, she will certainly refuse to eat.”
    Latmay chuckled. “It could not be worse than the tranquilizer I gave her. It contained oxen milk, crushed poppy seeds, and tortoise extract.”
    Amonmose rewarded him with a rare grin. “She will never let you near her again.”
    The physician smiled back. “I am but an old man. Maybe she’ll warm to your young face, instead. She needs rest however,” he admonished.
    Amonmose merely nodded. “I will let her sleep for now. She will need all of her strength for our next encounter.” With that, the Pharaoh turned and left.
    As he stared at Amonmose’s retreating back, Latmay wondered at this unexpected concern for a concubine.   He’d seen the effect the death of the Pharaoh’s parents had on him. Amunmose never let himself become too attached to anyone, especially a woman. He would admit, Kama was not like other women. She was defiant and captivating and beautiful. But was she capable of infiltrating the Pharaoh’s defenses? It remained to be seen.

 
    Dyzet reappeared a few days later. She breezed into Kama’s room wearing a hopeful smile, as if she’d never been absent. “I trust you are feeling better this morning,” she said cheerfully.
    Kama sat at her usual place by the window. She’d been alone for three days, and she’d had plenty of time to think about her circumstances. She realized Dyzet could be very useful to her. She already knew Dyzet’s father was one of the city mapmakers. If she could gain the girl’s confidence, maybe she would help her escape. She needed every ally she