“The quest is completed and we are free.” Kashe’s words kindled the flames sweeping through Tira’s body. Relief, joy and need coalesced. Her mouth met his and fire flowed from him to match what she felt. She pressed her body closer. Even through the cloth of the robes they wore she felt his erection. Molten plasma filled with the incandescence found in the earth’s core flowed through her veins. The pulsing pressure demanded fulfillment.
Even as desire exploded the irony of their situation struck. They stood in a small cave lacking the room to stretch on the ground so flesh could move on flesh. There was room enough in the unfinished tomb but she had no desire for an audience.
She broke the kiss. Kashe’s hands pressed her against his body. The rasp of their breathing rose in quick erratic gasps. “We’ve done the impossible. I need to complete the victory,” she said.
He stroked her face with one hand. “We should return to the cave and make plans to leave the Valley.”
“I know.”
He groaned. “We should but desire floods my senses and washes away all thoughts of anything but you.”
She caressed his nape. “We must dampen the fire that blazes this night lest we harm our friends.”
“My heart, I want you, but not here.” The ground is hard and the rocks are sharp.”
She brushed her lips over his. “There are other ways to find release.”
“And so there are.” His tongue played along the seam of her mouth.
Tira opened to his invading tongue. She pressed closer and felt his erection grow hard against her belly. Wave after wave of molten heat engulfed her. His scent grew stronger and melded with the aroma of her need. She slid her tongue into his mouth to savor the flavor of him. His taste and his scent strengthened until she felt drunk on his essence.
Kashe groaned. “I need you.”
The whisper of his breath flowed over her face. Her breasts felt heavy and the pulsing in her lower abdomen grew so intense she felt she would explode like an erupting volcano. A moan rose from her chest and joined the guttural sounds he made. Kashe’s tongue pleasured her mouth. His hands massaged her shoulders, her back, and her rear.
Knowledge burned into her thoughts. She wanted Kashe for more than shared passion. She wanted a life with him. Did he feel the same? How could she be sure her love would complete him? While her mouth and tongue played over his, her thoughts twisted and turned. Fear and desire collided.
Customs were different in this land than in her time and place. Polygamy was accepted in the ancient Egypt she’d studied. Was it the custom here? Though Kashe’s father had just one wife there were other women in the household. Any of the female servants or slaves could be a concubine. Tira tensed. She couldn’t tolerate life in a women’s court or bear the thought of sharing Kashe with another woman.
Her body stiffened. Until she knew the answers to soothe her doubts she couldn’t express her love no matter how much she yearned to be in his arms.
“What’s wrong?” His voice rasped her tense nerves.
“Will you take other women?”
He grasped her shoulders. “You have my heart. Why would I desire another? We are a perfect match.” He touched her lips with a finger. “Why do you ask?”
She sought for words to explain. There was so much she couldn’t say. “I come from a far land. I never knew about women’s courts until Pian said he would keep me in his.”
Kashe lightened his hold. “That is my brother’s way, not mine. I have no need for more than one wife.” He drew her closer. “In the Two Lands there are men who take several women. Not all men do. The last pharaoh had several wives who were used to bind men’s loyalties or to insure treaties.”
Tira’s tension ebbed. She gazed into his eyes. Even in the dim light what she saw pleased her. “You have my heart and all that I am.”
She pulled her robe over her head. After removing her breast band and kilt she folded them atop the robe. She turned and saw Kashe. He was nude and magnificent, a dark shadow illuminated by the moonlight entering the cave. She moved to him and ran her hands over his chest. His firm pecs and solid abs made her tingle.
"My heart,” he growled.
Her body responded to the word that brought a sense of wonder. For the first time in her memory she felt desired and wanted. She touched his face. When she traced his lips he drew a finger into his mouth.
Moments later their lips joined in eager exploration. Hands stroked and explored. She ran her tongue over his. With quick caresses she slid her fingers over his chest. She lifted her mouth from his and moved her tongue over his chin to lave his neck. The sounds he made vibrated through her body raising her need for him.
Her lips moved down his body. She went to her knees and opened her lips over his erect penis. She cupped his scrotum and lightly massaged.
He growled. “Tira, enough. Go slow or this will end without your pleasure.”
She eased him from her mouth. He lifted her and pressed her against the rough stone of the wall. “Kashe.” His name flowed on a whisper.
“Allow me to taste you as you have savored me.” He cupped her breasts and ran his tongue over her nipples. The slight roughness made her shiver with anticipation. He paused. “I wish we had a bed with saucer lamps to reveal our faces to each other.”
His touch sent tendrils of flame coiling to her belly. He bent his head and used his tongue, teeth and mouth to pleasure her.
Tira began to thrust her hips. He caught her around the waist and continued his explorations. He caressed her inner thighs and touched her secret places. His mouth followed his hands. His tongue darted in lightning flicks and raised currents of fire to flood her body.
“Take me,” she cried. “I need you inside.” The words tore from her lips.
“Yes.” He rose and pulled her into a firm embrace.
“Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t.” His mouth met hers in a deep open mouth kiss.
Tira slid her arms around his neck. He pushed one leg between hers and she rode his firm thigh. The burn spread until her body shook with need. Kashe bent his knees and raised one of her legs. She felt his erection slide into her and she sighed with relief. She lifted her other leg and clasped both behind his back.
Kashe growled. “Move.” He grasped her buttocks and helped her maintain a steady movement.
She burned. “Soon. Soon.” She tightened her inner muscles. A shout formed and erupted.
Kashe’s mouth covered hers. He swallowed her cries. Lava spurted along her skin and heated every cell of her body. Pressure edged toward pain. Together they moved in a fierce search for completion.
Kashe pressed her back against the cave wall. With a final thrust he shot into her. The sounds he uttered could be words. Tira felt as though she would burst. Her climax followed in a rush. Tears spilled over her cheeks. She slid her legs to the ground and leaned against him. “I love you.”
“You are my heart.” He cradled her against him. His penis stirred.
She delighted in knowing he wanted her again. She sighed. “Now and forever you are mine.”
“As you are mine.” His tongue pressed into her mouth.
Tira surrendered to the rising passion. Would their life together be bound by this intense need for each other?
A piercing scream startled her. Tira jumped. “That was Merin.”
Bast Ka yowled. Horu Ka’s shrill calls rose above the feline’s cries. Kashe ran to the opening. “Trouble. We must go.” He stooped to leave the cave.
"Not yet.”
“We’re needed.”
“Put on your clothes. You’ll need your knife and mace.” She tossed him his kilt and the robe. She carried the belt and weapons to him.
Kashe belted his kilt in place and pulled the robe over his head. “Hurry. I’ll meet you at the tomb.”
“What about the symbols? We can’t leave the crown in the open.” As she spoke she donned her breast band, kilt and the robe.
“See to them. Hide the crown and leave them. Your fighting skills may be needed.” He dashed away.
Tira was torn between grabbing the symbols and following him or hiding them. In his haste he could have been seen. She peered outside and stared at the shadows. Kashe’s flight seemed to have gone unnoticed. She returned inside. The scent of their lovemaking permeated the air.
She moved the stones and fitted the crown behind them. If she carried the symbols to the tomb she would have no way to defend herself. After drawing a deep breath she built the wall higher by a few rocks.
Bast Ka appeared. The cat tugged on Tira’s robe as if urging her to hurry. She slipped from the cave. After learning what had happened at the hiding place she would return and retrieve the results of the quest.