not yours, and all of it is accessible to me and may I further remind you that it is you, not me, who requires suitable accommodation. You are after all my guest.”
Both men stood and stared at her flabbergasted. She had one hand on her hip. Caesar wanted to laugh again but chose not to. Instead he smiled.
“Thank you for reminding me Queen Cleopatra. I am honoured to be your guest.”
“That’s better. Apollodorus you may go. I will sleep in my own bed tonight.”
“Yes my Queen.”
The door closed quietly. Now they were alone. Cleopatra poured herself some wine. She looked at the Roman.
“It’s perfectly safe,” he said.
She took a sip. Still angry at the arrogance of men. Julius watched her. He
could see her buttocks through the sheer material of her dress as she moved.
’I really do desire her’ he was thinking. She suddenly smiled at him and he knew he wanted her.
“We’ve gotten off to a bad start haven’t we?” she said.
“My dear it’s just not simple for me to make you sole ruler. However if you could explain to me why you and your brother have fallen out it may help your cause.”
He pulled up a chair for her and sat himself. She came round the chair and straightened her dress as she sat giving him a tantalising flash of her inner thighs, which he found very erotic. She sat and placed her hands in her lap.
“Where do you want me to start?”
“In the beginning.”
“Very well. Do you wish me to be brief?”
“You can be as brief or as long winded as you like so long as you are accurate. I assume you’ll begin with the founding of this city. I should very much like to visit the tomb of Alexander the great.”
“I will take you on a personal guided tour Caesar. How about tomorrow morning?”
“Splendid. Now please begin.”
She took a deep breath and began.
“Alexander of Macedon, King, son of Phillip II and Olympias, known to the rest of the world as the ’Great’ came here to Egypt in the winter two hundred and thirty years before you were born….”
“You know when I was born?”
“I know a lot about you Caesar. More than you can imagine. I have done my homework.”
“So it seems. And I must learn as much about you as I can. If I am to help you that is.”
“Egypt watched the events unfold. First Turkey, then Syria and the great and ancient city of Tyre was destroyed and then Gaza. When he appeared on the banks of the Nile Egypt offered no resistance. Alexandria was just a narrow piece of land, coastal land, to the west of the Nile. He took string and sticks and laid out his new city Alexandria. So early in his career he wanted to spread the Hellenistic ideal, its culture, its civilisation. He didn’t stay long enough to see what it would become though. He left for Siwa, an oasis in the desert, to consult the oracle there, where Alexander claimed his father lived.”
Caesar was fascinated. He felt goose bumps on his arms as he thought about
the great King. He concentrated on the young Queen and found himself drifting. Her lips were full and sensual. The way her tongue touched her teeth as she spoke. He found it very arousing.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Of course.”
She continued telling the tale but he now found himself too distracted to listen anymore.
“I’m sorry Cleopatra I’m not listening as much as I’m enjoying you telling the tale. I’m rather tired and it is very late.”
She got up out of her seat. He rose too and now they were standing very close. Caesar was surrounded by her femininity. His heart was pounding. For a second he was tempted to kiss her. He wasn’t sure as to how she would react. He decided to kiss the back of her hand instead. He expected her to pull away after the kiss but she held his hand and her touch was warm. Then the moment passed.
“Do you intend to hold my hand forever Caesar?”
They both smiled. His was one of embarrassment.
“Guards,” he called.
The door opened instantly.
“Escort the Queen to her bedroom.”
Eight guards waited for her in the corridor.
She was about to leave then she suddenly reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
“Are you sure you wouldn‘t like me to stay?” she asked.
“Good night queen Cleopatra.”
She joined the guards in the corridor and they closed in around her as the door closed. Their footsteps receded into the distance. Caesar