Trusted Bond

they were not familiar, they were mine. I chuckled when
    I saw the boxers. I had not worn anything but briefs since I was old
    enough to choose, but it didn‘t matter. Just the novelty of having
    underwear made me so happy I almost broke down. And it was stupid, but
    I was really close to going right out of my mind.
    After I ran from the room back to where I had woken up, I went
    immediately to the bathroom to shower. I stood under the water until it ran
    Trusted Bond

    121

    cold, and when I finally stepped out and wiped away the steam from the
    mirror, I didn‘t recognize the person looking back at me. There were dark
    circles under my eyes, my face was gaunt, my eyes flat, and my throat and
    collarbone were blotchy with purple and yellow bruises. Farther down
    were cuts and tears and scrapes. I drew back, not wanting to inspect
    myself any further.
    The amenities on the sink—deodorant, lotion, lip balm—seemed
    trivial, but to me, after being filthy and covered in blood, they were like
    the grail. Brushing my hair was a religious experience. Feeling the bristles
    on my scalp was soothing; I ran the length of it until the silky slide was
    like water running through my fingers. When I tugged on the light cotton
    pants, I didn‘t have to fight them, and once buttoned, they slid down low
    on my hips. I had lost weight, having moved from lean to just plain
    skinny. Logan‘s mother would never stop cooking for me once I got home.
    Just from taking a shower, standing for so long, I was tired. After
    pulling the midnight blue cotton gallibaya over my head, I adjusted the
    length, making sure it fell properly without bunching, and then finally left
    the bathroom. I ended up staggering out to the bedroom and flopping
    down onto the chaise at the end of the enormous bed.
    ―Reah.‖
    The man from earlier was leaning against the doorframe that led
    from the bedroom out to the pool. When I had gone into the shower it was
    dusk, but now it was after twilight, the sky the deep royal blue that it
    became right before it turned black.
    ―I had the patio lit so we could dine outdoors.‖
    There were lanterns floating in the pool and many more lit in all
    corners of the private grotto. They were burning oil instead of kerosene,
    and the smell reminded me of honey and sandalwood and amber. It was
    exotic and comforting at the same time.
    ―Are you ready to eat?‖
    I was. ―Yes, please.‖
    ―Follow me.‖
    The table he led me to was small but big enough for the two of us
    and the trays of shish-kabobs, jasmine rice, and mounds of fruit. He
    poured ice water into a large goblet for me and smiled as I drank it.
    ―Do you know who I am?‖
    122

    Mary Calmes

    Everything was fuzzy for a moment as my stomach rolled with
    hunger. After seeing Roshan Tabir, there was only one man he could be.
    ―You‘re master of Sobek, the semel-aten of the tribe of Rahotep.‖
    His smile made his eyes glow. ―I am, yes. Do you know my name?‖
    ―Ammon El Masry,‖ I answered.
    ―Excellent.‖
    I released a quivering breath as I gently, carefully, so I wouldn‘t
    spill, put down my water goblet. I could feel myself shaking.
    ―Do you know how many reahs I have met in my lifetime?‖
    ―No.‖
    ―I have met two. One other and you.‖ He smiled slowly, his eyes
    never leaving mine.
    The smile was not warm. It was predatory and cold.
    ―Were you aware that the law says that the second you were
    discovered to be a reah you were supposed to be brought before me?‖
    I did know. All reahs were to be ―presented‖ to the semel-aten in
    Sobek, but as the tribe I had belonged to had called for my blood the
    moment my true nature was revealed, I had not ever had time to ask about
    it. ―I thought I was, but I wasn‘t sure.‖
    He nodded. ―Every reah comes to Sobek to see the semel-aten in
    hopes that they are his mate first.‖ He clipped his words. ―This practice
    dates back to the time of the pharaohs. Always, without fail, every reah
    comes to Sobek.‖
    He sounded annoyed.
    ―And if the reah is not the mate of the semel-aten then, if the semel-
    aten wills it, he may decree that the reah in question becomes his wosret.‖
    Consort . Wosret was consort, and not something I would ever be.
    ―But that would make no sense in my case,‖ I clarified for both our
    benefits.
    ―No, it would not,‖ he agreed after a moment. ―But I understand that
    your semel, your mate, had never been with a man before meeting you.‖
    I forced a