Read Online Shadows of the Nile by Jo Franklin - Free Book Online Page B

it upwards. He stroked her thighs, and then her stomach, and finally cupped one of her breasts. “You’re very warm,” he said suspiciously. “How did you manage that?”
    She was taken aback. He’d never touched her that way before. She’d always thought of him as her father even though there was no blood tie.
    She was about to tell him about the snake. Then she thought quickly. He’d hoped she would die. He was no longer to be trusted.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    He smiled down at her.
    â€œNever lie to me, Tadinanefer. I’ll always know, and I’ll punish you even more. You were a gift to me, and soon you’ll know what I’m going to do with you.” He pulled her up. “Cover yourself completely so no one can see anything of you, and follow me.”
    Scared, she obeyed him, quickly robing herself, following at his heels. She so wanted to feel the air and become part of life once more.
    When they arrived back home, Masika was waiting for her. She looked pale and stressed and put her arms out to Tadinanefer, but Ptah barked a command at her and her arms fell by her side.
    â€œYou know what to do, wife. Tadinanefer will be confined to her room with her new servant until I give further orders. No one but me will speak to her. If I’m disobeyed in any way I’ll punish her again. Is that understood?”
    Masika nodded dumbly. She led Tadinanefer to her room, where a servant awaited her. She was a strong woman and seemed to be twice as big as Tadinanefer.
    Masika left without saying a word, and Tadinanefer was held firmly by the woman as she was quickly undressed, washed and dried with a rough cloth, and pushed into her bed wearing nothing; all this was done with no words spoken. The door was closed firmly on her, and she lay feeling scared, hardly daring to move. She was very much alone.
    *
    Her imprisonment seemed to go on for days. She was allowed walks in the garden, but even then not one piece of her skin was allowed to catch the air because she was so heavily garmented in layers and layers of clothes. She spoke sometimes to herself to keep sane. Her only comfort was the thought of the snake which had kept her alive, and the dream of the man and woman with the gold hair.
    *
    At long last Ptah summoned her.
    â€œYou look very pale, Tadinanefer, not the beautiful girl you’re supposed to be. I’ll take you out. We’ll go together to see my tomb, now in the daylight, and I’ll show you just how beautiful it’s becoming – almost as beautiful as you.” He smiled at her. “When we come back, I’ll allow you to speak to your mother, if you’re good.”
    When they entered the tomb she could see how quickly it was taking shape. The walls were painted with scenes from Ptah’s life and showed him hunting and fishing. There was one of a party with naked serving girls, and the family dressed in their fine clothes and jewels. There was no record of her.
    She saw her previous servant’s boyfriend, and when Ptah was busy giving instructions she went quietly up to him, as if to look at his work.
    â€œI’m sorry about your girl,” she whispered. “I hope she wasn’t too badly whipped.”
    She got him to recognise her by showing him her pale hand beneath her clothing.
    â€œShe’s okay,” he breathed sideways. “She was sent off to be punished by my far cousin. He didn’t touch her. She’s with my aunt now. We’ll be married as soon as I finish here.”
    Tadinanefer moved off quickly. She felt enormous relief.
    â€œWhat do you think of my home for the afterlife?” Ptah asked her later.
    â€œIt’s very lovely. I like the paintings and the writings. I wish I could learn to write, then I could write something for you.”
    Ptah laughed.
    â€œWrite!” he mocked her. “Write – you! You belong to me. I control your life and I’ll control your