Every Last Kiss, Final Copy, June 30, 2011 by Courtney Cole

     
          “You uppity whore!” he hissed into my face, his breath rancid.  “What gives you the right to command me?”
          I tried to pull free from his grasp, but he only held tighter, his fingers cutting into the soft flesh of my arm.  His expression was absolutely venomous and I scanned the hallway for help.  There was no one and I felt the first stirrings of fear. This was not Pasadena.  He could actually kill me.
          “You know that I speak for Cleopatra in household matters at the Palace.  I have told you to leave, now unhand me and leave,” I said sharply.  “If you do not, I will scream and guards will come running.  You will be thrown into prison.  Is that what you want?”
          Unexpectedly, the deep timbre of Hasani’s voice came from behind me, deathly lethal.
          “If you wish to keep your hand, remove it from the lady’s arm.”
          He was so quiet as he walked that I had not even heard him approach, but I had never been happier to hear his voice. Relief flooded through me as Tehran’s face changed immediately into an unreadable mask and he quickly released my arm.  He appeared unaffected by Hasani’s tone, although I could tell that it had shaken him. 
          “It is simply a misunderstanding, General.  I think we’ve had a miscommunication.  The lady seems inclined to believe that our great queen would want me gone from here, even though it is my greatest wish to serve her.”
          “The lady has clearly spoken her wishes and you know that she speaks for our queen. Leave now and don’t return.” 
          Hasani’s voice was still icily calm and he had not moved a muscle from his stance behind me, but the veiled threat was apparent in his tone.  He was not bluffing.  I could see from Tehran’s face that he heard that, as well.  He stepped backward away from me. 
          “As you wish,” he replied simply.  “Please give my greatest regards to our kind queen.”
          I nodded silently as he spun and stalked away.  I watched him disappear into the shadows before turning to Hasani, sagging against him in relief.  He was dressed in the thin white loin-cloth and bare chest of Egyptian tradition.  Only the bronze carved collar signified his elevated position of General in the Royal Guard.  His muscles rippled as he encircled me within his strong arms and I laid my cheek against the warmth of his skin. 
          “What was the issue with him, my love?” he murmured huskily into my hair.  “Is there a problem?” 
            I closed my eyes wearily, hating that I had to conceal things from him. Hating that I had to lie.   I might as well call a spade a spade.  I was lying.  Sort of.  I only had a feeling that Tehran was up to no good.  I just didn’t know exactly what he was up to.  Either way, a Keeper’s ‘feelings’ should definitely be heeded.
          “No, no problem.  I just don’t think he should be here any longer- not after what Pothinus did.”  To me, my voice sounded strange and stilted.  When Hasani spoke, I gathered from his tone that he had heard it, as well.
          “Yet he is not Pothinus, my sweet.  He has been here for two years since his master’s death without incident.” 
          I glanced up to find Hasani staring down at me in puzzlement.  My words almost tripped on each other as I rushed to fix it.
          “I know.  But I can’t help but feel that he somehow shared in Pothinus’ misguided ambitions to de-throne Cleopatra. He was certainly a loyal servant to the eunuch. I question his loyalty now- I can’t explain it.  It’s just a feeling that I have.  There is no reason to have him remain here, at any rate.” 
          Hasani nodded, accepting my brief explanation and I felt a rush of relief mixed with guilt.  I absolutely hated lying to him.  He smiled gently down at me and my heart melted as the