Page 47 of Cleopatra

His fellow comrades laughed and I felt my face flush with rage. I was used to being a commodity of my nation. Like a jewel or an intricate piece of pottery.

But it was aspiration, not desire, that captivated my citizens.

This feeling was new and it sickened me. His gaze felt like swallowing oil and it churned my stomach.

I stepped backwards, away from the oppressive heat of him. But he matched my stride, his hand coming up to my waist to tug on the rope that tied my robes together.

My hood slipped down and the soldier chuckled, reaching for a strand of my hair. I stood frozen, my breathing so shallow it was almost as if I didn’t breathe at all.

His hand ran down my jaw towards the nape of my neck. “Caesar is not using his bed right now; I may as well make use of it.”

I wanted to scream, to shout, but my voice was caged, locked in place by the soldier’s lust.

I had been lucky until then, to never have had my sex used to imprison me. It is a lesson I will never forget: we will forever be our own weapons in the eyes of men.

“Is all well?”

The soldier turned towards the newcomer and I felt the walls of the cage fall away. I took in a long breath as blood rushed into my numb limbs.

“Your help is not required here,” the Roman said with a sneer.

I looked past him to see who had come to my aid. I nearly sobbed with relief when I saw who it was—Ahmose, the head of my royal guard.

He looked at me impassively, as if he didn’t recognise me. “Apprentice, your master is looking for you.”

I bobbed my head. “Yes, I must return to him.”

“And you, to your post,” Ahmose said to the Roman, who scowled in response.

I moved away from the guards, my pace quickening until I was nearly running.

Though the afternoon air was searing and dry, I welcomed the heat of it as my feet struck the tiles in the courtyard.

Ahmose was not far behind. I pulled my hood back up and whispered, “Thank you.”

“Pharaoh, you risk everything being here,” he replied under his breath. He did not look at me, instead lingering as if he were scanning the area during a patrol. “They are searching for you on the mainland.”

“I know. Tell me of Charmion.”

His eyes lit up at her name and I knew then that he shared the affection she held for him. Perhaps, after all of this, they will be wed.

“They have her in chains,” he said.

I let out a long breath of relief. “So, she lives.”

He nodded. “How can I help you?”

Ahmose had always been loyal, but I would not risk his devotion this way. “I do not want to entangle you in the roots of my plan. Only know that I fight for my throne.”

He inclined his head. “There are many who will fight with you, Pharaoh. Know we are ready when the time comes,” he said before striding away.

I felt heartened by his words. Perhaps my plan was less far-fetched than it had seemed.

I had to wait for the tide to go out before I could use the tunnel that led to my quarters, so I lingered by the shore, watching the happenings of the island. Roman soldiers kept their distance from the regiments of my brother’s army. The tension between them was palpable and it gave me hope that Caesar could be convinced to join my cause.

I knew a little of Caesar. He had been my father’s ally and friend. He was a great strategist and respected nobleman and had navigated Roman politics to become consul of the nation. But how would he react to my arriving in his quarters? I did not know, but with the tide finally retreating, I was about to find out.

I padded across the wet sand to the crag in the rock face that hid the tunnel to the underground cistern, and from there, the pathway to my rooms. With light steps and keen ears, I walked through the darkness until I reached the stone stairs that led to my chambers.