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“Tonight” was merely moments away, as the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, and the sky darkened to reveal the brilliance of stars.
And yet, “tonight” could not arrive fast enough to suit Heba.
The lead sailor informed her a few minutes later that they would continue voyaging throughout the night. The rowers would rest, but the current and wind still carried them in the right direction. They would stay aboard the ships to sleep.
Heba ate dried meat, fresh fruit, bread and cheese with the men. She sat with Senenmut and Pa-nahsy in their own corner while Shai was surrounded by his guards.
The warriors and sailors were in a good mood tonight, for masculine laughter rumbled frequently, as did a bit of singing accompanied by a well-played lute.
She couldn’t keep her gaze off of Shai as he methodically demolished his supper and downed his beer.
Her breath hitched as she watched the long, strong column of his throat move when he swallowed his drink. How the light from a small oil lamp caressed the angles and planes of his beautiful face, deepening the hollows of his cheeks and emphasizing the curves of his lips, surrounded by the prickly stubble of a day-old beard.
He didn’t shave as most Egyptian men did, out of vanity and also out of necessity to ward off critters that might crawl into any patch of hair. Not his beard, except just before this voyage, and not the silky long hair upon his head.
She loved his hairiness.
Shai was likely too godly and intimidating for common critters to infest, Heba thought wryly. Apart from scars from fights and battle, there were no other blemishes on his skin.
Well, perhaps she ought to look more closely and reconfirm her memories. And no better time to do it than tonight.
“I think I’ll head inside to take my rest,” she said, yawning wide and stretching for show.
“Good night to you, my Queen,” Pa-nahsy bid.
Senenmut caught her eye and winked one of his.
“Indeed. Sweet dreams, my Queen. May the sweetest of them all come true.”
The sly old devil.
She got up and made her way toward the enclosed chamber at the back of the ship, walking slowly as she passed by Shai’s group of men.
He met her gaze boldly, letting her see the heat in it. Clearly communicating his intent.
She gulped and shuffled her feet faster, practically running inside the windowless room and shutting the door.
For a few moments she simply stood there, leaning against the heavy wood. Her heart felt as if it would beat right out of her chest, and butterflies seemed to have taken roost inside her stomach.
But she didn’t let herself dally long. With practical efficiency, she lit an oil lamp, washed with fresh water from a jug and dabbed on a few drops of scented oil in strategic places. She brushed her teeth with mint, iris and pepper paste, then did her business in the convenient corner.
Naked, she slipped under a light quilt upon the spacious bed and wondered whether she was being too forward. After all, perhaps he didn’t have rutting in mind when he said he would “come to her tonight.” Perhaps all he wanted to do was cuddle and talk.
DidShai cuddle?
She’d never seen him hug anyone. Sometimes, he would put an arm around Thutmose when the boy did particularly well in training. But that was all.
Perhaps she would have to take initiative if she was to get what she wanted.
Though there were few people she could openly show affection for, she did hug them quite often. With Papa, Sitre In, Mutnofret and Ehab.
She would hug Shai too, if she could get her arms around him. His waist was narrow, but his back was magnificently broad. She would never be able to encircle—
The door creaked open just then, admitting Shai inside.
Heba froze utterly still, even holding her breath.
The sound of the door being bolted made her heart nigh leap from her chest.
