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"What was the issue with him, my love?"he murmured huskily into my hair"Is there a proble that I had to conceal things froht as well call a spade a spadeI was lying Sort ofI only had a feeling that Tehran was up to no goodI just didn’t know exactly what he was up toEither way, a Keeper’s ‘feelings’ should definitely be heeded

"No, no probleer- not after what Pothinus did"To e and stiltedWhen Hasani spoke, I gathered from his tone that he had heard it, as well

"Yet he is not Pothinus, my sweetHe has been here for two years since his lanced up to find Hasani staring down at me in puzzlementMy words almost tripped on each other as I rushed to fix it

"I knowBut I can’t help but feel that he souided ambitions to de-throne Cleopatra He was certainly a loyal servant to the eunuch I question his loyalty now- I can’t explain itIt’s just a feeling that I haveThere is no reason to have hi uiltI absolutely hated lying to hiently down at ht from the torch above us illuminated his handsome bronzed face

"Shall I escort you to the queen’s cha trouble today And just in case you feel the need to terminate anyone else, I should be there for your protection"I s the way his hard ertips

"I would be proud to have you as an escort, General,"I answered for up at him"Just in case I need to fire anyone else, of course"

He s up and I felt roeak as I remembered hoe had spent the afternoonI quickly pushed the fluttery feelings out of my mind I couldn’t think about that now

As alked the reh the darkened, hushed halls, I si of his arth that exuded from his every poreI was disappointed e arrived at Cleopatra’s carved golden doors far too quickly

"I will leave you here, my ladyBut I will see you at dinner"His dark eyes sparkled as he bent to kiss my lips softly"Try to stay out of trouble"

I closedhim closer

"Wanton woainst "You will need to be patient and wait until tonight"

He pulled away and walked on, glancing sideways at me impishly as he passedI stood still and watched hi the distinct lope of his stride before quietly entering Cleopatra’s cha absently at the city belowThe stars had coentle Alexandrian night breeze caressed our skinTorches had been lit in the streets and the rich golden glow froe wordlessly, exa, hed"Only of everything"

"That is quite a lot to think of, Cleopatra,"I answered lightly, although I completely understood

Ever sincehad swirled non-stop in my head, as well I couldn’t stop it, no matter how hard I tried

"Thank you for today, by the way"I turned to her again "It was nice to spend quiet time with Hasani… with all of the stress that we’ve been shouldering of late"I glanced at Cleopatra to find her sly

"Somehow, I doubt your afternoon was quiet, love,"she hed

"I see that you’re still offering no detailsAnd that’s fine,"she grinned impishly"I know you will spill it eventuallyYou’re horrible at keeping secretsShall I dress for dinner?"

She didn’t wait for ood, because she didn’t notice my snort when she announced that I was horrible at secret-keepingMy ht as well be Secret

She strolled to her ar, turquoise shift with an elaborate embroidered belt and tossed the that she earing

I helped her dress and then sat her in front of me as I wound her hair into a coil to be concealed by her elaborate black wigAs I worked, I decided to casually ers deftly continued to tuck her hair underneath the wig’s cap as I spoke,sure no errant tendrils escapedCleopatra was used to this ritual and sat patiently while I worked over her

"I saw Tehran a few o"

I didn’t elaborate, just waited calmly for her certain questionsShe had never trusted him eitherShe spun quickly around, her face frozen with anxiety

"And?"

"He was in a corner, whispering with a house-servantHe seeitatedI decided we didn’t need his antics here any longerI er required his services since his master was dead"