Read Online Naughty Bits 2 by Megan Hart, Saskia Walker, Charlotte Featherstone, Portia Da Costa, Cathryn Fox, Lilli Feisty, Elliot Mabeuse, Jenesi Ash - Free Book Online

emptying himself into her, and she knew then something of what the gods must surely know, and Tia the girl became Tia the woman once and for all time.
    The captain had been good to her and gentle, but she saw in the way he quickly gathered himself up to go that she’d surprised him, shocked him even. He left her alone and lonely, though by no means sorry for what she’d done. And she’d been curious ever since, certain that the gods were involved in this kind of love between a man and a woman, but not sure just how, and aching to find out. She didn’t dare ask her brother—he’d never understand—but Tia knew the gods had touched her that day and she wanted to know more. She burned to know more.
    Kheneb took her arm and they began walking down the street, the bodyguards falling in behind them. She could tell her brother had been cautious in choosing the number of his retinue. This was a delicate mission, and he obviously wanted to be impressive but not intimidating. He had mentioned takingsedan chairs—hence the four guards—but decided against it. Walking was more egalitarian, and they didn’t have far to go.
    â€œStand erect, child. Don’t slump like a sack of barley,” he said, stopping to push on her shoulders. “Straighten your back. You want pride, little sister. You’re a lovely girl, Tianefhet, and you must learn to be proud of yourself, especially tonight. This is truly a remarkable offer.”
    â€œYes, my brother.” She drew herself up and stood erect, and Kheneb looked away uneasily as her breasts came into prominence.
    She did feel proud, but along with the pride was fear, even a mild dread. She knew and loved the gods of her Egypt, but this strange goddess was no one she knew, and she had the vague feeling of betraying her people. It didn’t help that Kheneb was uncharacteristically nervous, as well. It was very much unlike him.
    They turned a corner and came out into a plaza of food sellers. The yeasty smell of beer and the aroma of grilled fish was in the air, mingled with the earthy smell of the river carried in on the warm and fitful breeze.
    â€œNow tell me once again,” Kheneb said, deftly plucking a fresh fig from a fruit vendor’s table as they walked past. The vendor looked up in reproach, but seeing that Kheneb was a priest, he lowered his eyes and said nothing. “What is the goddess’s name?”
    â€œKheneb, really—”
    â€œNow, now. Answer me, little sister. We want no mistakes, no slips of the tongue.”
    Tia sighed. They walked in the middle of the street now, and she was aware of the stares of both men and women, some who knew her, others who didn’t, but all wondering what this special occasion might be that a fine lady walked in the street with a high priest and an armed escort.
    â€œHer name is Astarte, my brother, though her worshippers often just call her the Great Lady.”
    â€œAnd who is she?”
    â€œShe is a goddess of the Mitanni, the hairy people of the east,” Tia said, remembering to keep her back erect as they walked. “She is a goddess of love and war, and some would call her Isis, but she is not Isis.”
    â€œJust leave Isis out of this,” Kheneb said testily. “This goddess is the same as Hathor. Anyone can see that. That’s what this is all about—to show that this Astarte is Hathor, the Mistress of Joy, the Golden One.”
    â€œYes, my brother,” Tia said gravely. She knew how he felt about competing goddesses and had said it partly to tease him and distract him from his nervousness. “But how one goddess can embody both love and the violence of war, I’m afraid I won’t ever understand.”
    â€œUnderstanding will come with time, once you’re accepted into the temple,” Kheneb said. “And that’s what we must concentrate on now. I do hope you will keep in mind what an honor this is, Tia, and