Lome smiled softly. “Yes, but I would prefer to speak with you.” Once again, his words were in Greek. Eshe kept herself from reacting, but Nebet placed a hand against her chest, touched by the sentiment.
“Lome tells me he is attending the Theatre this evening.”
Eshe stilled at her father’s words before she moved her narrowing eyes to the stranger. Did he now?
“The Theatre?” Nebet promptly questioned, drawing attention away from her sister’s lack of response. “Oh, I love the Theatre. The stories, costumes and characters… They all sound so fun! Don’t they Eshe?” She turned to the younger sister.
“You have never been?” Lome asked Nebet, preventing Eshe’s response.
She shook her head. “Not to the Grecian Theatre, but I have seen local actors perform plays in the market or on busy streets. I find them very entertaining.”
Lome imparted another beaming smile upon her sister before moving his torso to face her father, peering deep into his eyes. “Would it be incredibly impertinent, sir, if I offered to escort your two daughters to the play tonight? I must confess, my brother and I could use the companionship. I promise to keep them safe and be nothing but gentlemanly towards them while they are in my presence.”
Lome’s request surprised Eshe. Despite what she said at the stream, he still attempted to arrange for her to accompany him to the play. She may want to see a Grecian play, but she did not know what she would do if subjected to his handsome face for an entire evening. She could very well lose her wits and do something foolish.
Eshe forced her worries aside. She knew her father’s impending reply. The patriarch would never let his daughters attend an event with men unaccompanied, but he especially would not allow them to go off with a stranger… a Greek stranger.
Theshan knew the truth of his wife’s infidelity. Though he forgave her, the older man would never forgive the Greek villain who seduced his wife and then left her brokenhearted. There was no way he would not cast those negative feelings on the young man before him.
That is why her father’s next words completely shocked Eshe.
“I don’t see why not.”
Eshe’s jaw fell open. She gaped at the ill man sitting in front of her.
He must be delusional with fever.
“Truly?” Nebet asked her father, the excitement practically sparking off her skin. “We can go?”
“I know how much you and Eshe have longed to go to the Theatre,” her father stated. “I would not deny you the opportunity.”
Nebet released a small squeal and quickly walked towards her father to give him an appreciative embrace. “Thank you, Father.” Still weak, Theshan could only offer a light pat on her back in return.
Eshe remained standing by the door, not fully believing what occurred before her eyes. She must be dreaming. What was her father thinking?
“Wonderful,” Lome stood from his chair and reached around Nebet to shake the man’s hand. “I shall return later this evening to escort your daughters into the city.”
Lome turned on his heel and gave Eshe a quick wink. She could only stare, speechless and dumfounded. “See you soon.”
And with that, he was gone.
5
The temperature cooled as the evening approached. Eshe leaned against the front wall of the brick home, reveling in the fresh air. She used the cool sensation to soothe her heated skin and release the bundle of nerves trapped in her stomach. Lome would arrive at any moment, and Eshe still wasn’t sure how she should act once the Greek arrived to escort her and Nebet to the Theatre.
She was debating between unreserved enjoyment or strict inhibition when she spotted a figure walking up the dirt road. She squinted and her heart gave a thump when she realized the approaching person was Ani.
Eshe pushed off the brick, straightened her spine and smoothed out her sheath dress. Nebet convinced her to don the fine attire for the play that evening. The blue linen ensemble was the nicest piece of clothing Eshe owned. If Ani’s expression as he approached was any indication, the stylish dress did not go unnoticed.
“Eshe?” Her name sounded like a question on his lips, as if he did not recognize her.
She held up a hand in greeting. “Ani.” Eshe willed strength into her voice.
“You look… nice.”
Eshe blushed, silently hoping the eye makeup Nebet insisted she apply was not overdone. Eshe loved how the bright colors appeared against her sister’s fine eyes, but the younger sister thought she looked like a clown when she looked at her reflection.
“Thank you.”
Ani finished his last steps and stopped not two feet away from Eshe. His gaze was admiring as it trailed her body from head to toe.
She shifted her stance. “Are you here to speak with my father?” She felt the need to break the loaded silence which settled between them.
Ani’s shoulders stiffened. He shook his head as if coming out of a daze. “Yes. I-I came to speak with him about the surplus delivered to me yesterday.”
“Is everything alright?” Eshe did not miss his sudden interest with the ground. “Did the sales go through?”
Ani ran a hand through his thick, black hair. “Not quite.”
Her childhood friend proceeded to explain how many of the family’s typical buyers were suddenly uninterested in the discounted surplus crops. Not one of them provided a reason other than simple disinterest.
The information shocked Eshe. “Are there other interested parties?”
Ani’s lips formed a thin line. “I am making inquiries.”
Eshe’s mind whirled with alternative plans the Akil family might adopt to save money. Once harvest ended, perhaps they could reduce the field hand numbers. She hated to deprive a man of income, but he could be rehired next season. If they didn’t sacrifice now, there might not be a next season for the family.
“I have several promising leads. I hope to find a buyer by the end of the week,” Ani added, as if he could sense her turmoil.
Not wishing to burden Ani with her worry, Eshe nodded and managed a weak, unconvincing smile. “We will make do. My family and I appreciate your help, as always.”
It was the young man’s turn to blush. “Of course. I do what I can.”
“And we are forever grateful. You are truly a genuine and admirable friend, Ani.”
Her friend looked positively uncomfortable with Eshe’s words. Ani was unable to maintain eye contact before he changed the subject. “Are you attending an event this evening?”
Eshe followed his gaze as he looked pointedly at her dress. “Yes,” she replied. “Nebet and I are going to a play in town.”
“Really? With your family?”
She swallowed. “No. With… acquaintances.”
“Do I know them?”
Eshe shook her head. “I do not believe so. They are visitors to Alexandria. Greeks.”
“Indeed?” If she didn’t have Ani’s attention before, she did now.
“I believe you spoke with one of them yesterday. He found my coin purse.”
Ani’s back stiffened. The reaction told Eshe he definitely remembered the attractive man who asked after her at the market. “You are going to the Theatre with that man?”
“His name is Lome,” she replied. “And yes. Nebet and I are accompanying him and his brother to the Theatre.”
Even if she was the high artisan of Alexandria, Eshe doubted she could recreate the complete disbelief which crossed Ani’s face. He stared at her, blinking. “Will there be a chaperone?” he choked out the question.
Eshe did not enjoy causing Ani discomfort, but she would not lie to him. “No.”
All color faded from his cheeks. “What on Earth would possess your father to allow you and your sister to take such a risk? Who are these men?”
“Nebet and I will take care,” she tried to assure him. “We are not so foolish as to approach the evening without caution.”
His worries were not so easily alleviated. The frown dee
pened. “Who are they?” he asked again.
“I told you,” Eshe looked away from his inquisitive gaze. “They are Greeks visiting Alexandria. The one who returned my purse made a worthy impression with father. He and his brother are attempting to make friends in their new city. Their intentions seem honorable.”
Ani scoffed. “They are strangers.”
“Even so, Father has approved the venture. So I do not believe there is anything more to discuss.” Ani physically recoiled from her cold tone as if the words slapped him from two feet away.
Though Eshe knew Ani’s reaction and questioning stemmed from concern, she did not appreciate the disapproval coming off him in waves. She, too, thought her father’s lack of hesitation odd, but she could not find a way to politely decline the foreigner’s offer without causing great offense. So, she would attend the play. Eshe and Nebet would go with the strangers to the Theatre and experience something she wished to do for a very long time.
An uncomfortable silence settled between them.
Eshe watched Ani’s face and the range of emotion passing behind his eyes. The most prominent one was worry. Her childhood friend worried over Eshe and her sister venturing into the vast city with strangers.
Her heart tightened.
Before she could think on what she was doing, Eshe stepped forward and lightly placed her hands on Ani’s shoulders. She leaned forward and gently brushed her lips above the light shadow covering his cheeks.
She lingered for a moment before quickly dropping her arms and stepping back. Eshe’s offered a small smile. “Don’t worry, Ani. We will be alright.”
“I need to go inside, to check on Father,” she said before he could muster a reply. “Let us not tell him about the lost buyers. He will only grow anxious.”
Ani opened his mouth but promptly closed his lips tight. Eyes dazed, he managed a small nod in reply.
Eshe decided it was enough to allow her to exit the situation gracefully. She turned and walked through the front door. She chanced a glance over her shoulder to see Ani moving back down the dirt road, not looking back.
Despite his lack of attention, Eshe could have sworn she felt eyes on her before she shook away the feeling and closed the door behind her.
6
“I am pleased your father allowed you ladies to join me this evening,” Lome said over his shoulder. He picked up the sisters in a slender cart, the likes of which told of immense wealth and taste. Their escort sat on the front bench, maneuvering the crowded roads in the heart of Alexandria. Eshe and Nebet sat on the second bench, their arms occasionally touching as the cart jostled.
“I am too,” Nebet returned with an enthusiastic grin. The older girl could hardly sit still as they grew closer to the stone structure in the distance.
“And you Eshe?” Lome managed a look back at her.
“I am glad to finally see a play,” she stated with minimal inflection. The feat was not easily accomplished. Something about simply being near the man made Eshe’s mind cloudy, enticing her to say and do things uncharacteristic of her reserved nature. It took all her effort to not give in to the impulses.
Despite her lack of zeal, Lome appeared satisfied with her response. He turned back to focus on leading the horse, but maintained a steady conversation with Nebet. They spoke of a variety of topics, mainly aspects of life in Alexandria, neither one attempting to bring Eshe into their discussions. It was a relief.
Lome guided the cart to the side of their destination with ease. Handing the reins to an approaching boy, he hopped down from the bench and immediately appeared at Eshe’s side of the cart. He held up a hand, a slight smile teasing his lips. “May I?”
Eshe looked at the outstretched palm and back at his face. Amusement twinkled in his eyes. It was apparent her avoidance of him had not gone unnoticed. A part of Eshe was glad, she did not want Lome to think her behavior was a result of anything other than nervousness. She felt relieved to know she hadn’t offended him.
The other part of her, however, disliked the teasing expression he gave her.
With no other option available to her, Eshe looked down and placed her small, tan hand into Lome’s palm. The moment their skin touched, a sharp spark seemed to shoot straight into her body, up her arm, until the sensation landed in her chest. Eshe gasped. She moved to pull away, but Lome tightened his hold on her.
Shocked eyes met his calm, hazel gaze. If he felt the sensation, he gave no indication. Lome merely raised his eyebrows in question. Eshe forced herself to stand on shaky legs and allowed him to help her down. Once she landed firmly on the ground, Lome dropped her hand and turned to help Nebet.
Eshe looked around, rubbing her arm, the feeling still lingering throughout the limb. She watched as people from all social classes, both Egyptians and Greeks, approached the Theatre.
“Shall we?” Lome questioned, gesturing to the building once the cart was being safely led away.
“Should we wait for your brother?”
“He will meet us inside. Come,” Lome said to the pair as he extended an elbow to Nebet. “Let us find our seats.”
Nebet and Lome moved towards the entrance; Eshe followed. It was etiquette for the eldest daughter of a family to receive social graces above her younger sisters. Eshe reminded herself of the fact, refusing to acknowledge the pang of disappointment hitting her chest. What was wrong with her?
The group passed the entry pillars and moved through winding halls before entering the main area. The theatre was built in the Grecian style, almost like a coliseum except it was not a complete circle. The audience created a half circle surrounding an immense stage and orchestra on the ground level. The seats rose up and back the further you moved from the stage.
The trio stood at the top of one walkway, gazing down at the stage. Eshe prepared herself for the long walk down to the general admittance section when Lome veered off not even halfway down the rock steps.
We are sitting in the prohedria?
The central seats provided the best view and acoustics of the stage and were often reserved for prominent members of society. She looked at her escort with curiosity. Who is this man?
Lome tilted his head, noticing her scrutiny. “Is everything alright?”
Eshe gave one nod before following Lome and her sister down the row. He gestured for Nebet to pass and sit to his left. He revealed the two seats to his right were for Eshe and his brother.
Not liking the fact she did not sit by Nebet, Eshe threw a worried look her way. She willed the older sister to object to the seating arrangement, but her sister did not notice. Nebet was too busy observing the scene around her. Resigned, Eshe sat and left one space between her and Lome.
People continued to fill in seats around them. Eshe watched the stage as workers moved props to prepare for the opening scene.
“Lome,” a masculine voice said above her head. Eshe looked up and beheld the second most attractive man she’d ever seen. It was the other man from the market, Lome’s brother.
“Des,” Lome stood from his seat. Eshe and Nebet mimicked the movement. “Please allow me to introduce Nebet and Eshe Akil.”
Kind, green eyes met her own. “Pleasure to meet you Eshe.” He looked at her sister. “Nebet.” Without another word, Des passed Eshe and gave his brother a quick embrace and exchanged greetings.
Through master maneuvering, Lome managed to sidestep Des and have him sit next to Nebet. Lome made himself comfortable in the spot next to Eshe. Her body froze.
“Would you prefer to sit next to Nebet?” Lome asked.
Eshe turned her face to him and noted his concern. The acknowledgement caused her to relax a bit. She resolved herself to stop being rude. “No,” she said. “I am content here.”
Lome’s answering smile threatened to steal all her air and never give it back. His lips continued to widen, and his skin seemed to glow. “I am happy to hear it.”
Unable to remain under the magnificent attention, Eshe turned back to the stage. From t
he corner of her eye, she noticed Lome do the same. Further along the edge of her vision, she noted Nebet speaking with Des.
“I hope your brother is harmless,” she said, still facing forward. Eshe did not miss the admiring stare Nebet bestowed upon the other brother when he first arrived.
Lome did not hesitate. “Rest assured, my brother has no noble or ill intentions toward your sister.”
Eshe couldn’t help it, she felt insulted on her sister’s behalf. She bristled in her chair.
The man beside her did not miss a single reaction. He held a breath, thinking carefully about his reply before he said, “I meant no offense.”
Eshe waved a dismissive hand. “No offense taken.” He did not believe her.
Lome leaned forward, rested his elbows on his legs and turned his neck to face her. Ever so slightly, his body shifted inches closer to her. Out of pride, Eshe refused to lean away. “Des is not… interested in women.”
Confused, Eshe blinked at him. Suddenly, it clicked. Her mouth fell open and she looked over his shoulders at Des. “Oh.” Des did not like women. Eshe had heard about men with his preference, but she never actually met one before. At least, she did not think she had.
Lome seemed to realize what she thought at the same moment and let out a bark of laughter. “No,” he nearly choked on his amusement. “I did not mean Des does not like women.”
Seeing her furrowed brow, he offered an explanation. Lome’s voice lowered. “Des lost someone recently. Someone he cared deeply for.”
“He would not wish for me to discuss it, but I wanted to assure you Nebet is in good hands. Des is still in mourning.” Lome’s own eyes dimmed with each word. “I believe he will not give romantic attention to anyone else for some time.”
Eshe’s eyes and suspicion immediately softened. “I am sorry.” She knew, too well given her young age, the pain and heartache of losing a loved one. Without thinking, she placed a consoling hand on Lome’s arm.
Enticed: An Immortal Chronicles Story Page 3
