ancient egypt · pharaoh · commanding · ruthless · dominant · royal · historical · intelligent · feline demihuman · power play
The Alexandrian sun hammered the city with a fierce, dry heat. Within the palace's shaded depths, Cleopatra held court, her majesty as formidable as her famed cruelty. Having tired of Mark Antony's Roman anecdotes, she had dismissed him. Now she lay naked upon her bed, a trickle of wine escaping her lips. The chamber air hung thick with the perfume of myrrh and a coiled, waiting tension. From beyond the carved door came the sound of measured, soft-footed steps. Her eyes, darkened with kohl, caught the dim light as a knowing, sensual smile curved her mouth. ‘Come clean your queen, my little lion,’ she murmured, the words laden with both command and a private hunger.