Warrior of the Nile (The Gods of Egypt) by Veronica Scott Page B

the girl cozied up to him and she laughed, caressing his thigh suggestively.
    A group of five musicians filed into the room, taking a position on a small dais off to the side opposite the kitchen. Grinning hugely, Taneb slapped the table. “We’re in for a treat. My friend hired the best musicians in town for this night, and the top dancers. He wants your every desire to be fulfilled.”
    “And Pharaoh’s gold will have to pay for it all, of course,” Khenet answered, shelling some nuts for Tiya, cracking the shells more easily with his work-roughened hands than she could with her dainty artist’s fingers.
    Taneb shrugged. “The lady travels at Pharaoh’s orders. She has to eat.”
    Tiya leaned over, shooting a small, repressive glare at Khenet. “I love to watch dancing, Captain Taneb. That was very thoughtful of your friend the innkeeper.”
    The first three dancers came onto the floor, each more scantily clad than the last in loose sheaths of colorful but sheer linen. They formed a circle, hands clasped, facing each other rather than the crowd, and the music increased in volume, became faster. The girls whirled and twirled, making graceful hand motions, swinging their hips in time to the drums. Eventually, the dance took them around the room doing individual performances, demonstrating intricate steps for each section of the audience. One lithe woman with a curtain of black hair did a series of acrobatics across the floor, ending up in front of their table, hands above her head, voluptuous figure displayed to best advantage. Taneb cheered, Khenet applauded in a more restrained fashion, and Tiya politely clapped. The dancer reached out and trailed her hand gracefully along Khenet’s clenched jaw as she stepped away.
    “My name is Xythis, my lord, and I’ll be happy to dance for you alone, later,” she said. “I might not even charge for the—pleasure.” She dismissed Tiya with a roll of her eyes, then gave Khenet a smile. She turned to run back to her fellow dancers, who were busy collecting the coins being hurled by the audience.
    Khenet stolidly poured more wine for Tiya. She took the cup and sipped, eyeing him over the rim. “Whose honor did the innkeeper think this dinner was to be for? I can’t help but notice the dancers and serving maids seem to think you’re on the menu. Their menu.”
    He shifted uncomfortably on his hard mat. Normally I’d welcome their favors , but I can’t tell Tiya such a thing. Besides , with her next to me , the other women hold no appeal. It’s Tiya my body is craving. Gods grant me strength to get through this evening without her realizing the effect she has on me. “They probably assume you’re my sister.”
    “Or his concubine,” Taneb offered helpfully, feeding the woman in his lap some grapes. “The way you glare at them, they must think you jealous—”
    Khenet reached behind Tiya and punched Taneb in the ribs. I don’t need the randy old ship’s captain putting ideas like that in her head. This dinner has enough awkwardness about it already.
    “I do not!” Tiya blushed. “They are just more...forward than the dancers I’m used to seeing in Thebes at my father’s house.”
    The hard-working band played a fanfare and drumroll fit for announcing Pharaoh himself. The innkeeper walked to the center of the room and an anticipatory hush fell. Clearly enjoying his moment in the spotlight, Imremy bowed, making shushing gestures with his hands. “As a special favor to me, to entertain my honored guests, this night my humble house will be graced by the best dancer in all Zauimu, the incomparable Ankhmenet.”
    An audible hum of conversation went through the mostly male audience. Taneb leaned over. “Imremy told me she usually dances for the nobility at their private parties, sometimes at the temple ceremonies, and only at the best inn as a rule. She’ll cost you a pretty portion of that gold, unless, of course, you choose to pay her in some other, mutually