Pharaoh Read Online Free Page B

had thought it would be easy; she was sure of this. He had just defeated
     Pompey and was confident of his invincibility. But he had underestimated the Alexandrian hatred for all things Roman, the
     old Greek and Egyptian pride that the city’s citizens still carried in their very veins. They did not lay down their arms
     for the exalted Roman general. Far from it.
    Now Caesar and his men were virtually barricaded inside the palace walls, so angered was the mob at his presence. Yet he did
     not act at all like a prisoner.
    “General, I am unclear over certain issues. Are you at war with my brother or not?”
    “Why no, of course not. I’m a friend to the Crown, as is all of Rome. I’ve told you: I came to Alexandria merely to chase
     down my former ally and old friend, Pompey, whom I had had the unfortunate task of defeating in Greece. I did not even wish
     to be at war with Pompey, but it seemed that no one could agree on whose policies would predominate in Rome. I came here to
     reconcile with Pompey, to bring him back to Rome and to his senses, and to make him see that the greedy senators who had incited
     him to go to war with me were acting in self-interest, rather than in the interests of either Pompey
or
myself.
    “But your brother’s eunuch, Pothinus, had already taken care of the issue for me. Upon my arrival, he presented me with Pompey’s
     head.” Caesar turned away as if to hide his sadness from Kleopatra.
    “I may be at war with Pothinus,” he said, as if working out the scenario for himself. “I may be at war with your brother’s
     army but not your brother. We shall see what unfolds in the coming days.”
    How could a man be so casual about war? she wondered. Perhaps it was from a lifetime of waging it. And yet he seemed equally
     calm and dispassionate about everything, even those things that usually provoked the extreme emotions-debate, negotiation,
     money, sex.
    They were interrupted by a knock. One of Caesar’s men entered, not the least bit embarrassed to disturb the morning intimacy
     between their commander and the queen of Egypt. How often did they come upon such a scene? she wondered.
    “Sir, so sorry to disturb you, but the boy king is speaking to an assembly of malcontents at the palace gates. He’s torn off
     his crown and thrown it into the crowd. He is shouting all sorts of insults about the queen. He’s getting them all whipped
     up out there. Shall we remove him?”
    “No, no,” Caesar said wearily. “Give us a moment. I’ll fetch him myself and bring him in.”
    “We can handle it, sir,” said the soldier.
    “Yes, but I’ve got a way with him,” said Caesar. “Besides, I shall make a little speech to the mob. I’ll tell them their queen
     is back, and that Caesar shall ensure peace in their kingdom.”
    “Have the wine sellers discount their wares to the crowd,” Kleopatra suggested, remembering her father’s old ploy for placating
     his people.
    “Excellent,” Caesar replied.
    “As you wish,” the soldier said. Bowing courteously to Kleopatra but not meeting her eye, he left.
    “My brother has always been a nuisance,” Kleopatra said, leaning on her elbow.
    “I imagine he has,” Caesar replied. “Not to worry. He shall be made to understand.”
    “General?”
    “You may call me Caesar, my darling young queen, and I shall call you Kleopatra.”
    “Caesar. Do be careful.”
    “Never worry over me,” he said, waving his long fingers in the air, fanning away her concerns. “It isn’t necessary. No one
     shall be hurt. At least not yet.”

    How cunning and stupidity could so seamlessly coexist in the same body, Kleopatra did not know. For here was her old adversary,
     the eunuch Pothinus, white lead rubbed into his wrinkled skin to make him appear both young and fair. His technique had failed
     on both fronts, and now his small dark eyes peered out from the perimeter of the thick circle of kohl and at the young queen,
     who did not shrink from his