Excerpt from Warrior of the Nile The Goddess Appears

Sharing an excerpt today from my newly released paranormal romance, set in Ancient Egypt. Here's the story, followed by the excerpt:

Egypt, 1500 BCE

Lady Tiya is bound to the service of the goddess Nephthys, who plans to sacrifice Tiya’s body to protect Egypt from an ancient terror. She embarks to meet her grim fate alone but for the hardened warrior Khenet, who is fated to die at her side. Tiya’s dreams of love and family now seem impossible, and Khenet, who is the last of his line, knows his culture will die with him. Struggling with the high cost of Nephthys’s demands, both resolve to remain loyal.

Neither expects the passion that flowers when Tiya’s quiet courage and ethereal beauty meet Khenet’s firm strength and resolve. On a boat down the Nile, their two lonely souls find in each other a reason to live. But time is short and trust elusive.

Without the willing sacrifice of Tiya and Khenet, a great evil will return to Egypt. How could the gods demand their deaths when they’ve only just begun to live?

This scene comes early in the novel, right after Tiya is designated to be the one to accompany Khenet and they meet the goddess for the first time, in her temple at Thebes:

Khenet felt a breeze swirl around him, emanating from the closed door. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the bronze pins holding the bolts on the door to the innermost sanctum slowly turning. As he watched, one fell to the floor with a crash, followed a moment later by the other. The door drifted open very slightly, light blazing through the narrow opening and at the sides.

“The goddess is present,” said the high priest, clutching his staff so hard his knuckles went white. “Everyone is dismissed and may leave the inner sanctum, except for Lady Tiya and Pharaoh’s representative.”

Tiya’s father came to brush a kiss on her cheek before rejoining his impatient young wife and her brother, and then they too left. Khenet saw that although Tiya didn’t gaze after them, she did hastily wipe away a tear.

Murmuring prayers of praise and thanksgiving, the other priests filed out of the room. Khenet approached and offered Tiya his help in leaving the dais. “Allow me.”

She rested her fingers on his hand just long enough to keep her balance before snatching her hand back.

Marching up the stairs to the door of the innermost sanctum, Tiya held herself tall and dignified. He restrained a sigh. If she’s as haughty and rude as all her kind, this will be a long journey. But the other woman was sure to drive me to distraction with her interminable weeping, should Nephthys have selected her.

The high priest regarded them solemnly. “We go to meet the goddess. Nephthys wishes to assess both her Daughter and the guardian.”

“I’m ready,” Khenet said, fists clenched.

Tiya just nodded.

After checking to see that everyone else had left the chamber, the priest walked to the partially open doors and flung the gilded panels wide open. Light streamed out and Khenet heard the buzzing of wasps, as if he were about to step into a hive of the angry creatures. Tiya shrank back a little, took a deep breath, and followed the priest.

Not knowing what he expected, having been in the innermost sanctum of a temple only once, as a boy swearing allegiance to Horus, Khenet sized up the room as he crossed the threshold. A ten foot tall statue of the goddess dominated the space, with her arms out to the sides, palms up, her proud face carved as if she were challenging anyone foolish enough to enter her domain. The sculptor had depicted Nephthys wearing a pleated sheath that barely covered her ample curves,

and the entire statue had been covered in gold, which gleamed in the unearthly light the goddess herself was providing. A rich collar of turquoise, coral and lapis lay across the statue’s chest, matching earrings affixed to the shell-like ears. The strong scent of the lotus threatened to choke Khenet.

“The goddess is present,” whispered the priest, going to his knees, arms crossed over his chest, head down.

Tiya muttered a little prayer and knelt, copying the man’s pose.

Khenet planted his feet well apart, in a fighter’s stance, and remained standing. I’m here in Pharaoh’s place and he wouldn’t kneel to any goddess. Besides, I swear no fealty to Nephthys.

“Humility and obeisance are the safe choices in the presence of the Great Ones.” Where the statue had been, Nephthys herself now stood on the pedestal in front of them, taller than Khenet, wrapped in black robes and gray mist. Her black wig was adorned with golden and emerald beads, crowned with an ebony headdress proclaiming her name in one stark cartouche. Flickers of red shimmered in the air surrounding her, bringing the heat of the desert furnace. His ears rang with a  muted buzzing sound as if a hive full of wasps flew all around the small sanctuary. Nephthys pointed her index finger at him, two great ruby rings on her hand winking like the fire she could summon at will.

Khenet felt sheer stubbornness sweep over him at her words. “I’m here on behalf of Pharaoh, Great One.” The hidden purple bead on his bracelet burned against

his skin, the small pain steadying him as he braced for punishment.

But Nephthys surprised him, throwing her head back and laughing. “I see Nat-re-Akhte has chosen his minion well. You are strong, well suited to accomplish the task I assigned to him.”

BUY LINKS: Amazon  for kindle and audiobook  Carina Press      Barnes & Noble

Magic, Intrigue and Paranormal Romance in Ancient Egypt

I'm really excited about my upcoming new release from Carina Press - WARRIOR OF THE NILE, set in 1550 BCE. This is my second novel in the Gods of Egypt paranormal romance series, and is available for preorder at Amazon now. The ebook will be released on September 16th and here's the story:

Lady Tiya is bound to the service of the goddess Nephthys, who plans to sacrifice Tiya’s body to protect Egypt from an ancient terror. She embarks to meet her grim fate alone but for the hardened warrior Khenet, who is fated to die at her side. Tiya’s dreams of love and family now seem impossible, and Khenet, who is the last of his line, knows his culture will die with him. Struggling with the high cost of Nephthys’s demands, both resolve to remain loyal.

Neither expects the passion that flowers when Tiya’s quiet courage and ethereal beauty meet Khenet’s firm strength and resolve. On a boat down the Nile, their two lonely souls find in each other a reason to live. But time is short and trust elusive.

Without the willing sacrifice of Tiya and Khenet, a great evil will return to Egypt. How could the gods demand their deaths when they’ve only just begun to live?

*******************************************************

The book is set in the same time time frame as last year's PRIESTESS OF THE NILE, but the two books are standalone stories. I also have DANCER OF THE NILE coming in October, which is another adventure about the involvement of the Egyptian gods in the problems facing Pharaoh and his people.

Here's an excerpt from Chapter One to tempt you:

Khenet waited in Pharaoh’s private chambers eyeing the gilded chairs close by, pulled up to Pharaoh’s ebony table, but no one, not even him, would dare sit without the ruler’s express permission.

His head ached dully from the oppressive weather cursing the city. Unseasonal thunderstorms rumbling all night long had made sleep virtually impossible. And I had that damn dream again. Rubbing his forehead, he sighed. Talk about bad omens. The palace summons had come to the barracks that morning before he had even had time for breakfast. His stomach growled at him and he stiffened his spine. Whatever Pharaoh Nat-re-akhte needed him for, he was ready.  Too much leisure between battles wore on his nerves. 

            The door flew open and Pharaoh strode into the room, approaching Khenet. The ruler’s face was more care worn than it had been a year ago, a few gray strands prematurely darkening his short black hair, but the unusual green eyes were bright and sparkling as always. “My brother, it’s been too long since we spent time together.” They clasped arms, leaning in for a quick hug.

            “Not since we harried those Hyksos raiders from the neighboring province,” Khenet said, stepping back, eyeing the physical changes in Pharaoh’s appearance. The cares of ruling Egypt are starting to weigh on him, clearly.

Pharaoh picked a handful of dates from a golden platter and sank into his favorite lion-footed, ebony chair. Propping his bare feet on an ivory stool, he gestured at the ample spread of food on the table. “Will you have anything? Wine or beer, perhaps?”

            “Early for beer, my lord.” Reaching for a meat roll, Khenet shook his head.

            Pharaoh poured himself a goblet full and, perhaps sensing Khenet’s disapproval said, “Trust me, it’s necessary today. Sit.”

            Khenet glanced at the closed door across from him. Unusual informality, given that he sent for me. This is no casual chat.

            “We won’t be disturbed, don’t worry. But we also don’t have much time.” Having made the declaration, Pharaoh fell silent. As he sipped at the beer he frowned, as if the taste failed to please him. Sighing, he rubbed his forehead with one hand.

            One did not speak unless spoken to in the presence of the Living God, but everything else had been unusual today. Khenet and his pharaoh did not stand on much ceremony when they were alone. Time to find out what’s going on. “Your family is well?”

            “Fine. The queen and my boy are healthy, praise the gods.”  Pharaoh set the goblet down with a thump, splashing beer on the table, and leaned forward, green eyes narrowed. “I need a personal favor. A dangerous, complicated task lies before me and only the right man can carry it out.”

            Action at last. Khenet straightened. “My brother has but to name the thing, and I will undertake it.”

            Pharaoh shook his head, holding up one hand to forestall him. “Not so fast, I’m seeking a volunteer, not giving orders today. The fact that I’ve started my quest with you doesn’t mean you are required to accept the task. I had the Chief Scribe summon two other candidates, should you choose to pass on the assignment, but I won’t lie – you’re my first choice.” The monarch waited until Khenet nodded, then leaned forward over the table, lowering his voice. “What we speak of must not go beyond these walls because the Great Ones are involved.”

            A rush of adrenalin coursed through Khenet’s body and set his heart to racing. Becoming involved in anything directly related to the gods daunted even him. Pulling the nearest chair closer, he sat opposite Pharaoh then reached for the beer, suddenly needing a drink himself. “I give you my oath. No one’s hearing a word from me.”

            Nodding, Pharaoh took another long pull from his mug. “Let me set out the terms of the mission. The goddess Nephthys wants a woman escorted south to the Viper Nome, to marry the provincial ruler, Smenkhotep. The journey is to be by boat and chariot. I’m to supply a single bodyguard. No other soldiers, no retainers. Nephthys decrees that the man must be from my personal guard, must be someone close to me.”

            Considering the information, Khenet raised his mug and took a long drink. Odd indeed, from many aspects. He swallowed. “The Nome is not loyal to you. Yet you will do the Nomarch honor by sending him a bride?”

            Pharaoh grunted and toyed with a knife on the table, spinning it in lazy circles. “From what the goddess Nephthys told me last night, the Nomarch is as treacherous as the snakes which give his province its name. He worships the god of our enemies, Balal, and seeks to provide our foes a new foothold in Egypt. Apparently when the Usurper occupied my throne, she struck a deal with Smenkhotep, to send him a girl from one of the ancient Houses of Egypt, to help him somehow. I overthrew her before this wedding plan could go forward so no candidate was ever identified.”

            “And why is this issue arising now? The Usurper is dead. You’ve been on the throne for a year.”

            “According to the goddess, Smenkhotep practices black magic so powerful even the Great Ones can’t enter his realm. His plans are reaching some kind of climax and he still wants a Theban noblewoman of one particular lineage to marry. Nephthys intends to take over this girl’s body at the right moment and cross the border in secret, in human form.” Pharaoh frowned, his worry clear as he raked a hand through his hair.

            Khenet was shocked at the very notion of a goddess taking the body of even a willing priestess. Poor girl, loss of a home for one’s soul is worse than death. “To what purpose?”

            “It’s part of a larger plan ending in the Nomarch’s death…and the girl’s.” Staring across the table at Khenet, Pharaoh lifted the dagger and pointed the blade at him. “And the death of my envoy as well.”