Keeper of the Flame Read Online Free Page B

moment. He was fair and handsome, with a fastidiousness of appearance that pleased her. Cleopatra moved to her knees, then stood. She found that her height nearly matched his own, though he was tall. She stood before him, hands at her sides, palms damp. “I am Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt.”
    He said nothing, only studied her hair, her face, her lips . . . then all of her.
    He was lighter of skin than she expected. But the eyes, oh, the eyes were dark as basalt. His hair was beginning to thin, and in his vanity he combed it forward. Even in soldier’s dress he exuded a cultured elegance.
    And then he laughed. Deep and rich. Not the nervous laugh of an interloper, nor the ingratiating laugh of a politician. The full and hearty laugh of a soldier, greatly amused by the woman who stood before him.
    She said nothing, only lifted her chin and smiled into his eyes. He grew serious, and she felt something pass between them. Something heady. Dangerous.
    “I requested audience with you and your brother tomorrow.” He took a step backward and retreated to the cedarwood desk her father kept at the side of his sumptuous room. He leaned over an unrolled scroll, as if too busy to deal with her.
    She narrowed her eyes, preparing for battle.
    “I am not foolish enough to walk into the palace in the daylight with my enemy’s soldiers and supporters lining the streets.”
    He looked up and nodded once. “Very well, you were perhaps wise to be cautious. And you are here now.” He motioned to the soldiers. “Take her to a room and post a guard.” To her he said, “In the morning we will conduct our business.”
    “In the morning my brother will fill your ears with lies and empty promises.” She shrugged. “But perhaps you do not care for the truth. I have heard that Romans are not very intelligent.”
    Cleopatra thought she detected the hint of a smile, but then his brows furrowed as though she were a disrespectful child. I am no child, Caesar.
    He propped his fists on the desk and leaned forward. “So you would try to fill my ears with your own lies first, I suppose. Before your brother has his chance?”
    She licked her lips and eyed him through lowered lashes. “I seek only to help Caesar understand the situation. Egypt is a complicated land, and family squabbles can be difficult.” She pointed to an amphorae and cups on a side table, beside a window where gold silk window coverings billowed with the breezes from the sea. “A shared cup of wine, some small conversation, and then I will leave you to your sleep.”
    Caesar straightened, then came from behind the desk to stand before her again. She could feel his breath on her and lifted her eyes to face him fully.
    He did not take his eyes from hers but spoke to the guards. “Leave us. I will see to her myself.”
    “General? She might intend harm—”
    “Leave us!”
    She heard the clink of armor retreating and half-turned her head to Apollodorus. “That is all. You have served me well this night. I will call for you soon.”
    He bowed from the room and closed the door, and then they were alone.
    Alone.
    She turned back, unable to take her eyes from her jeweled sandals, her mouth suddenly dry.
    He lifted her chin with his fingers, and her heart raced ahead of her, as though it knew that the battle had begun. She felt a flush begin at the base of her neck and sweep upward with a wave of heat. Focus, Cleo. This is not part of the plan.
    “Now you are quiet? I send them away as you wished, and you have nothing more to say?”
    “Wine,” she whispered. Anything to break the connection between them.
    He half-smiled as though he could read her thoughts. “Of course.”
    He moved away, and she exhaled and took a step backward, collecting herself.
    Her father’s quarters were unchanged since she had left, with his varied tastes in Greek and Egyptian furnishings sprawled through the large front room, and extending back to his bed chamber, only dimly lit now by a small oil lamp