Page 6 of Over the Emerald Valley
“How do you want him?” asked Abasi.
Solon cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
Abasi gestured to Temaj, who stood silently as if he didn’t mind two men discussing him as if he weren’t there. “How do you want him dressed? Done up? What are your preferences?”
“Oh. Nothing,” said Solon.
Temaj startled and bestowed on him a glower that would send a dog’s tail sticking between its legs.
Abasi gave a hearty laugh, then another forceful slap to his back, as if he didn’t know his strength. At least Solon had braced for it this time. But why that glower from Temaj? And why the laughter from the viceroy?
“Off with you both. Temaj to prepare, and you”—Abasi pinched his nose and looked at Solon—“to the bath. Can’t have you soiling my property, can I?”
Temaj spun and stalked from the room with one of Abasi’s guards on his heels.
Solon, baffled by the entire exchange, was merely eager to leave. “A bath would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.”
“Kiya,” Abasi called to a serving girl. “Show our guest to his rooms, please.”
She curtsied before them, her gaze never leaving the marble floor. “Yes, sir. This way.”
Relieved to be well fed and leaving, Solon followed the girl from the banquet hall, all the while wondering what he’d done to earn Temaj’s ire so quickly.
CHAPTER3
Solon
The palace consistedof a maze of sprawling hallways, making Solon glad to have a guide. Kiya led him to a well-appointed set of rooms, informed him the bath was prepared, and took her leave with a graceful bow.
Inside, he found his trunk had already been delivered. A sizable sitting room with plush lounges and chairs, a thick wool carpet, and more lamps than he could count opened to the bedchamber. The second room, also massive, held a wide bed, two chests, a desk, and another collection of one too many lamps.
Through an arched passage stood the bath—a large stone basin filled to the brim with steaming water heated by smaller, red-hot stones within. Such luxury. Dipping fingers into the water to test the temperature, Solon let out a sigh of pleasure.
He unlaced and kicked off his sandals, then stripped away his tunic. A cloud of dust burst from the leather as he discarded it to the floor.
Solon sank into the tub, dunked his head beneath the surface, and held his breath. There were benefits to being rich after all.
After he washed, he lingered until the water began to cool, then with a heady sigh, exited the tub to dress. He had no idea when Temaj would arrive, and he didn’t want to be naked and sopping wet when that happened. The man was a temptation, but Solon didn’t intend to give in. With any luck, the slave would be keen on a night off.
Solon tugged on a simple wraparound skirt, donned a robe, and settled in to wait. It was too early to write a message to Horemheb, as he’d yet to learn anything of importance. News of his arrival would reach the pharaoh soon enough, whether or not he sent a missive. Horemheb had eyes everywhere in Egypt.
A knock sparked an excited flutter of anticipation Solon immediately tamped down. He rose and opened the door.
Across the threshold stood Temaj—naked—looking pissed as a feral cat caught in a rainstorm. A guard stood at his side, clinging rudely to his elbow.
Temaj tried to shake the man off, but to no avail. “Let me in. This is embarrassing.”
Solon backed out of the way so Temaj could enter, casting a glance at the guard. “Why is he nude?”
“I can speak for myself.” Temaj stalked into the room, ridding himself of the guard’s hold. “I’m naked at your request,General”—the way he snarled the title made it sound suspiciously like an insult—“and you may have gotten a good laugh out of Abasi, but you won’t receive as much from me.”
Solon pulled off his robe and handed it to Temaj, taking great care to look the man in the eye rather than ogle his beautifully lithe body. “I made no such request.”
“Don’t lie.” Temaj shrugged on the borrowed robe. “I was standing right there when you made it.”
“But I didn’t.” And who was this indignant slave to suggest otherwise?
“Careful,” said the guard. “He’s feisty and a known troublemaker.”
