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Xerxes
Walking into my tent, I call for my woman, expecting her to jump into my arms the moment she hears me but my arms are left empty. I frown, turning when I hear a movement and I’m expecting it to be her but instead it’s Djoser.
“What are you doing in here?” I growl, clenching my fists but he does a deep bow.
“Only came because your female called for me.” He gestures at the computer. “She needed help with the internet.”
“Did it work?” I ask but Djoser shakes his head and my eyes roam around the tent.
“Where is she now?”
“Sleeping. She withdrew early.”
I start tugging at my robes. “Then I will join her.”
“Sire!” Djoser snaps, giving me a look full of submission. “She said she was tired. Could barely keep her eyes open. It’s your full right to disturb her but...”
I nod because he’s got a point. I wouldn’t want to disrupt her sleep. And I’ve been keeping her awake for most nights so it’s no wonder she withdrew. I have a great appetite and she has worked hard to satisfy it. My lips curl when I think of her face in my bed, twisted with ecstasy and the way her body moves when I touch her in certain places. I’ve already learned her preferences, already know she loves it when I claim her before she’s fully ready, both of us loving the surprise of the tightness and that grin on my face widens.
“Something funny, sire?” Djoser asks with suspicion and I scowl at him.
“Don’t you have somewhere you need to be? Why aren’t you helping the other men with the horses? You know a sandstorm’s coming.”
Djoser nods. “Just wanted to make sure everything is alright with you.” His eyes sharpen. “I’ve been worrying.”
“About what?” I grit between my teeth and pour myself a glass of araq. Sitting down on a chair of mine, I take a sip and the anise taste explodes in my mouth. Djoser moves around, coming to stand behind me.
“You haven’t been yourself lately,” he says and I raise my brows. “I worry the woman is having a bigger effect on you than what’s appropriate.”
Ignoring him, I mutter, “I decide what’s appropriate.”
Letting out a hissing breath, Djoser adds, “Sire, you’ve barely left your tent ever since she came here.” I tense when his hands move to rub my shoulders. “You neglect your duties, the men are confused. I am confused.”
I shrug off Djoser’s massage in annoyance and he should know better than to put his hands on me. I don’t like anyone’s touch, except Kenna’s. “Any moment spent with her is one moment worth to me more than you can ever imagine.” I grind my jaw because in a way, I don’t blame my men. They have never allowed themselves to fully rejoice in a woman. And neither had I. Not until now.
“But she is not our equal,” Djoser hisses. “She is notyourequal. Sire, you are worthy. A king of sand, a creature of magnificence.” His eyes shudder. “I tremble in fear and wonder in your presence...”
“Silence,” I grit. “I’ve had enough of you. Go tend to your own duties before you complain about me overlooking mine.“ Brushing Djoser off, I put down the glass and get up, deciding to join Kenna in bed. I won’t wake her up, just lie beside her and stroke her...
Something twists inside of me when I notice she’s not there, a wave of dread falling over me and I prowl out to Djoser. “You lied to me,” I snarl as fury brims in me. “Where the fuck is she?”
Giving me a slow glance, Djoser straightens. “She left. I told her about our customs and her fragile, little mind couldn’t handle it. She ran when I told her she’d been used by you. Ran like a little coward, unable to accept the fierce nature of you...”
He trails off when my fist meets with his jaw. Furious, I grab him around his throat, lifting him with one hand until his legs dangle and he’s choking.
“How was it?” he spits, frothing. “Making love to her? Did she satisfy you? Was it worth it choosing her over your men! Over me!”
My body fills with rage. “You will pay for what you’ve done,” I whisper and I know my eyes are deranged. He sent Kenna out into that desert, knowing a storm is coming and that she wouldn’t survive it. Knowing that she could be pregnant with my heir.
“You will pay for what you’ve done!” I bellow and Djoser laughs hysterically in between chokes. Taking out my dagger, I drop him in the air before slicing his neck and he falls to the ground. Blood splatters and dragging a ragged breath, I turn, running out of the tent, searching for a nimble figure and then I see her, struggling on one of the sand dunes.
“Kenna!” I yell and her body straightens, tightening into an arrow and she turns her head around. Even from a distance I can see the grief in her and I nearly crumble, ready to crawl and kiss the ground beneath her if it’ll make her stay. When I start running toward her, she twitches and I growl in anger when she’s about to get away from me. “Woman!” I bellow and I throw the dagger.
It catches the edge of Kenna’s robe, piercing it into the sand and she squeals, falling to her knees. She’s busy trying to get loose when I reach her and she looks up at me with trembling lips. I pull her to me in relief but I’m greeted with her fists.
“You said I shine brighter than the moon!” she cries as her eyes storm. “You said I shine brighter than a thousand burning jewels. But it was all lie!”