Brushing my hair gently, she pulled sections from the front into a knot in the back, intertwining thin gold cords with the stands, and allowing the rest to flow freely down my back.By the time she was finished, I did look beautiful.
And sad. My grief and apprehension were painted on my face for the world to see. Cleopatra appraised my appearance and sighed.
“Smile, my love,”she whispered into my ear.“We are going to eat, dance, laugh and love tonight.And we will enjoy it.”
I was pretty sure that I could trick myself into enjoying the evening. I would just have to block out the events of tomorrow.But could I enjoy it enough to last for two thousand years?I gulped hard, trying to swallow the enormous hard lump that had once again formed in my throat.I guess all I could do was try.I rose from my seat and followed Cleopatra through the elaborate halls to dinner.
Standing in the banquet doorway, I gazed upon the feast.Table after table was loaded with roasted pheasant, succulent baked fish, glazed sweet potatoes, bread, figs, dates, nuts, fruit and honey.Rows of oil lamps adorned each table, lighting the room with soft, flickering light.Dancers danced, flutes played and everyone in this room was merry, even though they knew that tomorrow, Octavian would arrive.Perhaps they were merry because of that very thing.He hadn’t arrived yet.
It didn’t take long for me to locate Hasani.His handsome face appeared to seriously contemplate something Antony had said.And then Antony slapped his shoulder and laughed hard, a rippling belly laugh.Hasani’s beautiful dazzling smile stretched wide and I couldn’t help but smile, too.And at just that moment, he looked up and saw Cleopatra and I lingering in the doorway.He stood immediately, a sign of courtesy even though we were across the room.
God, I loved that man.Love flooded every cell in my body and I felt physically ill at the thought of never seeing him again.I wanted to run to him, shoving aside everyone who stood in my way, and hold onto him for dear life.
“Charmian?”Cleopatra prompted, tugging on my arm.“Let us celebrate.”
I nodded solemnly and let her pull me into the festivities.As we made our way through the swarming mass of people, I kept my eyes on Hasani’s bronzed face.He was the beacon that pulled me across the room.I couldn’t get to him soon enough, although I didn’t shove anyone.
Stepping to his side, I folded into his arms.He bent his head and kissed the top of mine, whispering “You look lovely tonight, my sweet.”
I gave him my best demure look.“Thank you,”I replied lightly.
As we mingled with the visitors around us, he kept one hand on my back at all times, his warmth searing into my skin. It served to remind me that right now, he was still vibrant and alive. I refused to let my mind think about tomorrow.
Throughout dinner, he stroked my leg or my back and I found myself missing his touch whenever he removed his hand to eat.As he spoke with Antony, I watched the curve of his strong jawline, the way the candlelight flickered against his face, the way his eyes seemed to melt into mine.
Dinner had never taken longer.
If I had a watch, I would have been watching it, counting down the minutes. Obviously, I didn’t have one because they hadn’t even been invented yet.We still used sundials and those were worthless after the sun went down.
So I just pasted a smile onto my face and patiently spoke with everyone around me.Inside, though, I was just thinking come on, come on, come on.I shouldn’t have been wishing my limited minutes away, but I couldn’t help it.I was living for the moment when I could finally get him alone.
And finally, it was time.Cleopatra stood and excused herself, along with Antony.Judging from the knowing smile on his face, it was clear that Antony had definite plans on how they were going to spend their evening.One of his massive arms kept her clenched tightly to his side, making her appear as fragile as a china doll.Cleopatra looked at me, her face an odd combination of sadness and anticipation.
“Charmian, my love, I won’t be needing your services tonight.I will see you in the morning,”she looked at me pointedly.Her way of giving me the night with Hasani, while she still gave herself a chance to say goodbye in the morning.
“Yes, my queen,”I agreed quietly.“At morning’s light.Enjoy your evening.”
“I plan to,”she murmured as Antony released his grip and held out his arm.
She took it and together they wove their way through the swarming crowd to the hall- every inch the regal queen and her consort. They exuded confidence and strength, even though they were painfully aware that Egypt would fall tomorrow.
Even Antony, full of swagger and arrogance, knew.It was inevitable. Yet, they both kept their chins up and their brave faces on.I desperately wished that the history books could see what I was seeing right now.
I watched them disappear before turning to Hasani.I found him staring down at me in anticipation.
“Are you ready to retire also, my lady?”he asked knowingly, tracing my collarbone lightly with his thumb.
“Hmm.I don’t know.I had my heart set on watching the dancers for a while longer,”I teased, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him close.
“I think not, my love,”he replied huskily.“I find that I am quite tired.And I have a big day tomorrow.”
I swallowed hard as a sudden pain pierced my heart.Yes, he did have a big day tomorrow. No matter how hard I tried to block it out, it kept coming back. Tick, tick, tick.Our time together was slipping away.His hourglass was running out.
“Okay, my warrior,”I smiled weakly, trying not to let him see my distress.“We should retire so that you can rest.”