Page 58 of Gift of Dragons


Font Size:  

She had always wanted to travel. To explore new lands and go on adventures. But her status never allowed it. Her gender restricted her freedom further.

In fact, her presence on the expedition was a secret known only to the one hundred and fifty men who accompanied her on this trip. She had rumors spread throughout the royal court that she was visiting various building projects across Egypt instead, or attending to duties at her many temples.

Ahmed, Shai’s Second in Command, stayed behind to exert control over the Palace with ample guards, including the support of Heba’s military generals. Sitre In would keep an eye on the women and send her reports of goings on at court through messenger pigeons. Heba kept a few on board the ships to send missives back.

Here, surrounded by only the people she trusted, whom she knew to be loyal to herself, Senenmut and Shai, she felt like she breathed fresh air for the first time since her father yet lived. She even dressed to fit in with the men, donning similar tunics, belts and sandals, forgoing her elaborate wigs and face paint.

With the sun on her cheeks and the wind in her short, unruly hair, she felt utterly and wonderfullyfree.

“…Green gold of Emu, cinnamon wood, Khesyt wood, Ihmut-incense, sonter-incense…” her royal steward went on.

Heba nodded at intervals to appear as if she was listening. But really, she was admiring the carved muscles of Shai’s back, shoulders and arms.

And when the breeze blew just so…

There.

His hard, masculine buttocks could be seen beneath his tunic as the back flap lifted up.

Heba was absolutely obsessed with those perfect twin globes. She wanted to bite them. Squeeze them. Then soothe the small hurts with lazy licks and kisses. She wished often that she’d spent more time worshipping themthat night.

Worshippinghim.

If only…

“…golden apes, purple monkeys, three-headed dogs, pink elephants and flying panthers…”

Heba nodded sagely, a lusty smile curving her lips as her eyes remained glued to Shai’s magnificent form.

The steward released a long-suffering sigh beside her.

It was the sudden cessation of his droning speech and the sound of papyrus rolling that made Heba finally glance his way.

“Hmm?” she murmured.

“Have you come to the end of the king of Punt’s numerous offerings?”

“No, my Queen,” the steward intoned, “I have merely tired of being so thoroughly ignored.”

Her brows elevated as she turned to face Senenmut fully, giving him the attention she should have before.

“Apologies, Senen. My thoughts were… elsewhere.”

The middle-aged man quirked his mouth in a wry curve.

“Indeed. It is clear where your attention lies.”

He slid his eyes toward Shai, who was now conferring with one of his head guards, arms folded across his massive chest, legs braced apart. He took to sailing as if he was born to it. No seasickness and absolute balance at all times.

Heba was certain that there was nothing that man wasn’t exceptional at.

“Mmm,” she hummed, getting fixated again on her favorite subject.

“If I may…”

At Senenmut’s pause, clearly awaiting her permission to continue, Heba refocused on him and gave a nod of consent.

“My Queen, I have known you all your life,” the shrewd official began.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com