Goddess, Spellbound

by Masters, Cate

  More than their bodies bound together. They linked heart to heart and soul to soul. When her tongue met his skin, he wanted her to consume him. Split him apart and then make him whole again.

  In a fevered rush, he loosed himself upon her. She took him higher than he’d ever gone before. Together, they leapt off the pinnacle and soared in a mind-reeling whirl.

  He locked her in his embrace, buried himself in her sweet scent. Moved inside her long after he’d gone soft, not wanting the moment to end. She had brought him to a sacred place he thought he’d never find—real love.

  Kissing his cheek, she stroked his head and back. “Hey.”

  Still giving herself to him. Her spirit had endless generosity. Her very gentleness had cracked his hard shell, and now he was stranded in unfamiliar territory. The aftermath. No hard slap to the rear to dismiss him, but gentle caresses that ensnared him more securely than any chains ever could. Being bound to her was a heaven he’d never dared hope for, and wished for her to experience the same.

  He shifted to his side and pulled her close. “Hey.”

  Her lazy grin widened as she tilted her head back against the pillow. “That. Was. Incredible.”

  “Even better, actually.” Was this really him, the tough warrior, speaking like a lovesick youth? The Excellent One might have rejected it, but Iker—David—cherished it. Nothing could be more right.

  A laugh, and then she stared at him with a kind of sadness.

  “What?” Had he done something wrong? Already? He was new to this. He’d need time to learn how to treat her as she wished, as she deserved.

  “I just…” She shook her head and cast down her eyes.

  “No, tell me.” He couldn’t bear not to know her thoughts.

  A sigh, and she focused on his collar bone as she traced it with her finger. “I was so afraid that once we finished the ceremony, you’d follow her.” Meeting his gaze, she bit her lip.

  He resisted the urge to bite it too. “Follow who? The queen pharaoh?”

  “Yes, because your mission had ended.”

  The tension left his body in a heavy breath. “I would not have followed her willingly.”

  “You wanted to stay behind?” Hope in her voice matched the look on her face.

  “Yes.” He stopped short of saying, with you. He was still too raw, too exposed. If she rejected him now, it might mortally wound him.

  Instead, she leaned closer to kiss him, watching him with wide eyes all the while. Their mouths met in a languorous slide, at once entrancing and exciting. Such a pleasure to kiss like this—had he known before, he would have begun kissing her earlier.

  The luxury of their warm embrace lulled them both, and she dozed off. He contented himself with holding her. At dawn, he could no longer lay there, wide awake, so he went to the kitchen and stared at the coffee machine. She loved coffee. How hard could it be to prepare? After interpreting the markings on the carafe and the machine, he pressed the On button. Burbling sounded, and the scent of rich coffee filled the kitchen.

  A creak, and soft footsteps padded near. Hair disheveled, she shuffled in and yawned. “You made coffee?” Her scratchy voice made her more adorable.

  “I tried.” The machine’s gurgle ended, then a hiss. He removed two mugs from the cabinet and poured. “Are you brave enough to drink some?”

  She grinned. “Smells a bit like high test, but yes please.” She sipped, then coughed. “Whoo. Delicious.” She raised her cup in cheers.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  “When we weren’t otherwise occupied, yes. Fantastic.” She pressed her lips to his. “Better than I have in a long time. You?”

  “I cannot remember when I have slept so well.” Never, with another person. He’d always preferred his separate space. But even in sleep, he craved the warmth of her body against his. Needed to touch her, to know she was with him.

  “Good. That makes me happy.”

  “And I.” So freely, he admitted it. The need to guard his thoughts and feelings no longer restrained him. Another reason to be happy.

  “Can we go out today? Explore the city?”

  “I would like that very much.” Thebes had been his home, but was no more. Luxor stood in its place. He needed to re-learn its streets and its people, so he could become one of them.

  A squeal, and she laughed. “I’m so excited. I feel like a real archaeologist.”

  So many aspirations for one woman. Her excitement for her dreams pleased him, and reminded him of his own dreams as a boy. To become a great architect, to construct impressive structures that would outlast the desert winds, and restore the city with new life. His parents had done their best to arrange an apprenticeship, but when his father fell ill, he had done the right thing and joined the military instead. He’d become an expert at the strategies of war. Even after the conflicts had ended, he’d put the knowledge to use as an advisor to the queen pharaoh.

  What skills could he use in this new world? He had money, yes, but nothing else of value to offer anyone. She would soon grow bored with him and his old, useless ways.

  He gulped coffee, the bitter taste burning his tongue.

  ****

  Sanura lifted Cleopatra, circling her ankles. “Are my babies hungry?” And why had Iker become sullen so fast? To give him space, she went about the business of feeding the cats.

  He went to the terrace and gazed out over the waking city, solemn and pensive. Lost in thought? Or just lost?

  Had she gotten in over her head? Men were hard enough to figure out, but a man from 1400 B.C. might prove impossible.

  She poured another cup of coffee for fortification, and strolled to join him. “If you’d rather do something else today…”

  “I already said we would go out.”

  Spoken like a true soldier. Yikes. “I know, but you didn’t seem very enthusiastic.”

  “I am weary.”

  After admitting he’d slept well? Or did he mean, weary of her already? “If you need to rest, or do something on your own, we can wait.”

  He pierced her with a hard look. “Do you not want to spend time with me?”

  “Yes, but I’m not going to ask you to do something you don’t want to. Then neither of us will have fun.”

  “Fun.” He smirked, not in a teasing way.

  “Yes. The stuff people like to do in downtime.” This was supposed to be a vacation, dammit. “I’ve worked really hard, and I would like to have a little fun now.” The statement seemed contradictory to her loud voice, but his behavior confused her.

  “Fine. Have fun.” He waved, dismissive and angry.

  Wait, alone? Or with him? “So should I go out by myself?”

  “Did I not say I would go?” He huffed. “Why must you be so difficult? Are all modern females so stubborn?”

  “I’m not being difficult. You’re being evasive.” What the hell was his problem? He might as well get used to living in this century. “And yes, in certain circumstances, I can be stubborn.”

  He lifted a hand. “Tell me what I must do to change those circumstances.”

  He was less passive-aggressive now, at least. “It’s beyond your power.”

  “Of what power do you speak?”

  Oh good lord, could she tell him? She wasn’t even certain she knew herself. Everything had happened so fast. Only last week, he had been a lifeless mummy inside a glass display. Now, he was larger than life, and the impact he’d had on her life, she’d carry with her forever. “The power of the heart.”

  His brow furrowed in that adorable way of his. “I do not understand.”

  Only one way to do this. Straight up, no games. “The first time I saw you, my heart recognized you. Even though you were a lifeless mummy”—had it even been possible?—“I think I loved you already.” Her throat tightened, so she took a deep breath. “But I don’t want you to stay with me out of some misplaced obligation.”

  Turning, he stroked her arms. “Sanura.”

  These sudden mo
od changes might give her whiplash. “You need to adapt to this age. This isn’t Thebes, and there are no more pharaohs or slaves.” How daunting such a future must seem to him. She could ease his worries, if he’d let her.

  He heaved a breath. “I know.”

  “No more goddesses, either. Usually.” Yesterday had been a rare exception.

  “I understand.”

  “If we’re going to make this relationship work…” In case he wanted to argue about the fact they technically had no relationship, she paused a half-second, stomach tightening. He waited silently, so she went on. “Then we need to be honest with each other.”

  He pursed his lips.

  Was that a yes? “I can’t know what you want unless you tell me. You need to share your feelings.” She’d have to find a way to pry open those tight lips.

  “I have been under your spell since I first saw you. I love you.”

  The air thinned. Maybe sparkled a little. Sanura might have floated up had he not held her. “What?” Had she heard him right?

  “I. Love. You.” He spoke slowly and deliberately.

  She also could have done a happy dance, but didn’t want to leave his embrace.

  “I shall live out my days in this strange world,” he said with the solemnity of a vow. “By your side, so long as you will have me.”

  Words failed her. Have him? She could never get enough of him. She wanted to shout her joy from the balcony.

  A distant ding, then a thump at the door. They fell silent and both tensed as they turned toward the front entrance.

  “One of the cats?” he whispered.

  She shook her head. “Someone’s in the foyer.”

  Another ding. “The elevator.” Leaving already? That didn’t make sense. Unless… “Oh no. What if they left a bomb or something?”

  He strode inside the flat with stealth and speed, reaching the door in seconds. Easing it open, he peered out.

  After hovering at the terrace entryway, she snuck inside the apartment and cradled Ramses. No one and nothing there, that she could see.

  He bent and picked something up, then circled the small foyer and returned. “Only this. From what I can tell, nothing dangerous.” He flipped it open and shook.

  She slumped in relief. “A newspaper.” Whose pages fluttered to the floor. As she bent to gather them up, an ad caught her eye. She rose. “Hey, look.”

  “What?” He padded up behind her.

  “The annual celebration of Bastet.” She found the front page and checked the date. “They’re holding the festival tonight. I bet that’s the special event Mrs. Allgood mentioned.”

  “We should go.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking.” She dropped the newspaper and leaned against him. “Sounds like fun.”

  He encircled his arms around her and kissed her neck. “You are going to spoil me.”

  She grinned. “I hope so.” As much as he’d already spoiled her.

  “But you must be patient with me. I have much to learn, including how to have fun.”

  She twisted in his embrace to face him. “I have complete faith in you.” She hoped the words boosted his spirits as much as they had helped her when he spoke them.

  A genuine, beautiful smile lit his face. “You are teaching me to dream again.”

  “Dreams are very important, Excellent One.”

  He grew serious as he gazed into her eyes. “Do not call me that. My name is David.”

  A surge of emotion kept her from answering right away. From Iker to David in one day—he’d already made great progress. “Okay, David. What do you want to do until the festival?”

  He pressed soft kisses all over her face. “Perhaps we could go back to bed.”

  “Mm, and then take a bath.” Something she hadn’t stopped dreaming about since seeing that great big tub.

  “Wherever you wish me to worship you, I will do so gladly.”

  She turned serious. “No, not worship. I’m not a goddess, I’m a woman. Flesh and blood.”

  “You must never forget who you are, Sanura. And I prefer to treat you like a goddess.”

  Prefer? Or was that what he was trained to do? “If this is going to work, we have to be equals.”

  “Equals.” He nodded. “I agree.”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “Once in awhile, I wouldn’t mind a little goddess treatment. Every woman needs some now and then. In fact, now would be good.” She smiled and led him back to the bedroom.

  When he stripped her, and his kisses anointed every inch of her, she exalted in his worship. So much better than in her dream.

  They passed a lazy day in bed, needing each other’s constant touch. When the sun passed overhead, she readied to go out and urged him to hurry. “The barge will be leaving soon.” The festival was only once a year. They could spend other nights at home.

  They walked to the banks of the Nile. No missing the barge headed to the festival—lights hung from the roof, and people aboard sang and drank.

  They stepped down from the dock and found a spot at the rail. The breeze blew her hair, and she gathered it to one side. He encircled his arm around her waist, kissed her bare shoulder. She entwined her fingers with his to remind herself she wasn’t dreaming. Was it possible to overdose on bliss? Become drunk on it?

  No dream, no alcohol buzz contained this high clarity. This heightened definition of every moment, happiness making itself known to her. Gifting love to her.

  Two weeks ago, she wouldn’t have believed such bliss possible. Now it saturated her, intoxicated and elevated her.

  The mood of the others on the boat perfectly matched hers. She didn’t know the lyrics, but didn’t need to. Each song exuded boundless joy. By the time the vessel pulled to the dock, she could no longer contain herself from conga-dancing off the boat.

  To her utter delight, he matched her step for step, his hands light on her hips. Not a trace of his former stiffness or formality. Grinning, she lifted her hands high and let the beat ripple through her. The others from the boat danced along with them. The loud music and raucous laughter of the festival-goers drew her closer. Cats trotted from all directions and followed them. Perfectly natural, as the festival honored their goddess, Bastet.

  People lined along the riverfront clapped and cheered at the procession. A few women tossed lewd comments toward them and lifted their colorful silken skirts.

  Sanura covered her laughing mouth. She called over her shoulder to him, “Just like Mardi Gras.” She caught his confused expression and kept dancing. She’d tell him later. They had that luxury now. No need to rush to explain.

  Soon they danced beneath strings of bright lights decorating the streets. In low-cut, short dresses of bright reds, yellows and blues, the women shook colorful rattles and gyrated to the rhythm. More cats flocked to the celebration.

  Chanting, “Bastet, Bastet,” people whirled around them in a circle.

  Sanura freed the last of her inhibitions and let her body move to the music. “This is amazing.” So much better than Mardi Gras.

  Not missing a beat, he smiled. “Amazing.”

  Oh, the man had moves. Hips swaying like liquid fire, shuffling but he hardly seemed to touch the ground, he was so light on his feet. His gaze never left hers, and the heat that sizzled along the invisible tether of lightning between them ignited her senses. From some bottomless source well beyond her, energy flowed up through her and surrounded her, encompassing him in a looping bind. One he met with a wicked grin, and the heat in his eyes glowed hotter.

  When the music slowed, he drew her into a tight embrace. “Do you like the festival?”

  “How could I not love a celebration of cats? And of Bastet, too.” She was both humbled and proud to call herself a descendant.

  “You have made the goddess proud.” He nodded toward the townspeople. “They seem to appreciate you, too.”

  Their stares had followed her all night. Rather than embarrassing her, their attention heightened her enjoyment. Locals like
d having her here. How cool was that?

  “Whether I’m related to Bastet or not, I do feel like a goddess.” She went up on tiptoe to kiss him, then eased away with a grin. “I finally like who I am.” The best gift of all, besides him. Especially now that she’d brought honor to the long line of women who’d sacrificed so much.

  “As you should.” His lips close to her ear, he added, “And I will shower my adoration upon you as long as you wish.”

  She looped her arms tighter around his neck. “Did I ever tell you how much I love long showers?”

  Mischief danced in his eyes. “You may have mentioned it earlier.”

  She gave a delicate shrug. “I can’t help it. Must be a side effect of the goddess thing, but I’m not going to be shy about telling you what I need.”

  “Good.” He grinned. “Nor will I.”

  Her breath welled in her chest, a mix of joy and excitement. “Such a beautiful night.”

  “Yes. The sun will soon rise. The festival draws to an end.”

  She wouldn’t be sad. She had so much else to celebrate. “I already can’t wait for next year’s. Can we walk home?”

  “Whenever you are ready.”

  Light had begun to rim the horizon, and dawn would blossom into day. In the dome above, brilliant stars lingered. “How about now? While a few stars still shine.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  So did ‘home’. She had finally found her place in the world. Now she wanted nothing more than for him to find something to make him happy—an occupation or a hobby, anything to fulfill him.

  They waved to the remaining revelers and bid them goodbye. After they cleared the city limits and walked in peaceful silence, she bumped her shoulder to his. “Tell me about your dreams. When you were a boy, what did you want to do when you grew up? Besides a warrior?”

  A sad smile crossed his face. “I joined the army after my parents died, not to fulfill a boyish dream.”