Greatwater Lake seventy-ninth

pharaoh had cultivated his devotion so strongly that senmut managed not quite to flinch; the muscles all along his jaws tensed with the effort, rippling in a feral way as teeth flickered.

he chided himself. but he had not given ground to the wild woman, and this at least could be noted. "you could kill me," he said agreeably. "and then your head would be mounted at our gates until you were only bones. you would be hunted, and endlessly."

let her at last, and truly, recognize her disadvantage.

"your time comes soon. you say you will not bow to a desert man."

the emerald eyes shone; "but you will lie with one."

he wanted to hear it.