Counted With the Stars Read Online Free Page A

craftsman more skilled.” He clapped Eben on the shoulder. “I would not trade Eben for all the artisans in Pharaoh’s workshop.”
    Eben shifted in his seat and returned to sanding the drum with long, swift strokes. Had he also created the rose lyre that had caught my eye last year? I did not remember seeing him at that time, but then again, I had barely regarded Salima with more than a passing glance when I was her mistress.
    A rush of longing for her quiet presence by my side seized me. Salima had been the only steadfast companion in my life not driven by greed. The look in her dark eyes as she bade me farewell that day had told me she’d considered me more than a mistress. She had loved me, in spite of my selfishness.
    â€œWill you be purchasing today?” The shop owner’s thick brows shot skyward in anticipation of a sale. “Perhaps for the young master?”
    Liat’s round eyes pleaded with me. If only I could purchase such a treasure—for him, or for myself.
    â€œThank you, no. We must return to the villa.” I placed the instrument back on the table, and my hands immediately missed its weight.
    The shop owner shrugged and turned away, all friendliness erased in the absence of a profitable transaction.
    At my urging, Liat hopped off his stool and waved. “That was fun, Eben.”
    The man winked at Liat, and a corner of his full mouthturned up the tiniest bit. I nodded at him in thanks, but he diverted his green-gray eyes back to his task and ignored my gesture with an air of dismissal.
    Hopefully Tekurah would never have need of a musical instrument. I’d be glad to not have to deal with such a rude man again—no matter that the lyre he’d crafted was one of the most beautiful things I had ever held in my hands. Yet somehow, with or without the uncivilized beard, there was something about his face and his stormy eyes that intrigued me.
    Wrapping both children’s hands in my iron grip, I quickly walked toward the villa.
    Liat tugged the other way, begging, “Can’t we go down to the canal first? Please?”
    â€œAnd lose you again? No. There are thousands of people down there.”
    Sefora added to the pleading. “We promise to stay right next to you. I swear by the sun and moon and all the stars.”
    I looked back and forth between the two of them, hesitating. Letting out a noisy breath, I dropped my shoulders. “Oh, all right. Only—” I cut off their loud rejoicing. “Only if you both keep what happened today quiet. Your mother will not be pleased with me. We must keep it secret. Understand?”
    They nodded with wide eyes, and I prayed to the gods that the children would hold to their promise. Tekurah needed little provocation to berate me.
    I jogged the trade road with the children, hoping that the pleasures of the day would overtake their memory of the few breathless minutes Liat had been lost.
    Hundreds of papyrus boats glutted the wide canal. We stood at the back of the crowd but found a high spot where we could see Ra being loaded onto a huge cedar boat. The vessel sparkled with gold and shining white electrum. A hundred soldiers in full regalia stood at attention upon each shore of the canal,ready to heave the enormous boat and its precious cargo down to the Nile by rope. Children splashed in the water, laughing and wrestling, wading through the masses of floating lotuses and lilies thrown by revelers.
    When the barge finally floated around a curve on the canal and toward the main body of the Nile, I told the children we must return to the villa.
    Liat dragged his feet and pouted. “I wish Mother and Father were not having this banquet tonight.”
    â€œDo you not enjoy the feasts?” I squeezed his hand.
    â€œI don’t like going to bed while everyone is still having fun. And I hate wigs. Mother always makes me wear a wig when we have guests.” He scratched his head at the memory. A