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"Hasani, I am afraid I need to steal your commanderCan you entertain Charmian in our absence?"

She didn’t wait for his answer, but looked pointedly atback toward the palace, leaving Hasani and I alone Her eyes plainly said You’re welcoift of alone-time with Hasani

I impatiently waited until Cleopatra and Antony were halfway up the stone staircase before I threwar, taut arms were free to wrap around ainstin the watery sand… I just buriedin his scentIt was unique to hiet drunk on it if I couldIf I could bottle it and take it back with me to Pasadena, I so would

"Hasani… I have hed

I pressed et as close as two people could possibly get The tops of ainst his as my arms tried to pull hihHe h, because he pulled away slightly, just enough that he could look at ht?"

He was clearly alar that he didn’t- soerousLittle did he know that was exactly the case, that his death was i between him and it

"I’m fine, my love,"I lied"I’ve just rin as he pulled hed as I realized his arirls were definitely ht add, this , my beauty"He bowed his head to kiss h for rily wanting ainWe never exhibited such affection in the daylight and certainly not in publicI was not CleopatraAs queen, she could defy convention and do as she pleasedAs her hand, I had to pretend to conforardless of how Cleopatra and I behaved in private

I glanced over uardsThey were purposely staring in concentration out at the sea, pretending to scan the horizon for signs of attack, but in actuality they were sieneral area that Hasani and I were standing in I appreciated their gesture

I pulled Hasani down by the neck and kissed hiently this timeIt had been two thousand years since I had felt his kissI wasn’t going to let a stupid rule of etiquette keep me fro fell to pieces

His large hands brushed across ainstto be the death of rowled playfully intohis hands overthe sound of his husky voice as it vibrated against my skinI tried to memorize the planes of his face, the sound of his voice, the feel of his handsThis was going to have to be enough and I wanted to re his hand tightly withinthe beachIf it were a nory rocks and weather beaten sand on the shore were beautiful, a perfect outline to the sparkling turquoise Mediterranean backdropI unsuccessfully tried to hed as he slowed down

"I’et sometimes that you are so small"

"I’ up at hiht ain; the playful, handsorin that I loved and I sucked my breath in as he pulled , I knew that I couldn’t bear to let hiainI wasn’t that strong I took no consolation in the fact that I would die, too… because it would be unbearable now that my memories had been cruelly unlockedI would remember his face for the rest of , it appears that we have the afternoon to ourselvesWhat shall we do to entertain ourselves?"Hasani asked, grinning his iain

He stroked the side of ain to kiss where he had touchedAfter he pulled away, I could still feel where his lips had been, and I touched the spot gently

"My love, I see shadows of fear on your facePlease do not worryAll will be well,"Hasani said, as concern flitted across his features

"The RohtAnd then it will be overYou will see… ill continue on as ere"He pulled both of ertips and I closedback my fear as hot tears formed behind my eyelids

"I love you, Hasani,"Ichest, trying to allow his strong voice to lullhi

I glanced sideways at Hasani as my heart overfloith love for himHe was ypt- it would always be so I sed a deep breath, thick with sea salt and continued walking, htly within his

CHAPTER SIX

I e Hasani alone as he dressed for the eveningI would need to assist Cleopatra as she readied for dinnerHer banquets were elaborate affairs every night and included acrobats, exotic dancers, fla else that struck the queen’s fancy Everything needed to be just so, including her appearance andlessCleopatra was known for being the epito wear, a long white linen tunic with thin straps and a sheer blue scarf hanging fronon, interwoven with delicate gold braidsIt had taken ed in my bed and observed When Neeilah applied my crimson lip stain, he had leaned forward and whispered in my ear that he could not wait to kiss it off and I had blushed as she giggled