Lion Head Mesa tearstain

but i do desire it.

the thought nearly leapt from her lips. the strength of him so close soothed the girl. but his words did not.

tamar was horrified. shocked. disappointment raced through her, and fear suddenly for arsenio and his safety within this palace.

"then we must not," she managed. she must find a man not within akashingo. she must learn these things from him and speak nothing of arsenio. she must not even dare to lay with him and say it was another. pharaoh would know.

"i also do not know — what the queen wishes me to know."

if she sought sihaya, she might also turn pharaoh's gaze and thereby spare the crimson guard.

tamar lay her head upon his chest. "you will think badly of me after."