Since the whole Quraysh debacle ended, I have been working on rebuilding and establishing security in the territory. There was a need for security forces that lived and acted like tent dwelling people. Upon my suggestion, Commander Kahir told me that he would look into it himself. He told me that if this suggestion worked, it would have my name on it. The pharaoh loves it when merit is on its doer, commander Kahir says.
To be frank, I want to leave. The sexual fame is too much for me. I was happy with my women in the capital. I don't really need all this extra drama. There is nothing in it for me except some children I will probably never see.
Zaliki picked up a grape and pushed it into my mouth.
" What are you thinking about, Master?"
I smiled and pinched her cheek. She's so cute.
" I'm a little bit homesick. I can't wait to get back home."
She felt a bit apprehensive about that. I can see that in her face. The moment I leave for home is the moment she will leave hers forever. I smiled at her.
" You can't be home forever. It's a big world out there. You have to go out there and be in that world. That's what living is."
She smiled and put her head on my shoulder. I reassured her by stroking her back.
On a different note, my meditation has been more fruitful lately. I've been advancing far faster than before. Since Apep changed my body, the meditation has been a breeze.
The beastliness that is endemic to such change is paid in full by the endless number of women that go under me. They are keeping me sane.
The world became more vibrant. Ever since I changed, my mood changed too. I don't get worried as much anymore. I used to calculate a lot in my head before interacting with somebody. Now, I just talk to them directly. It's as if I've been gripped by an inexplicable boldness. It's truly fascinating. I never knew such a mood was possible. Yet here I am. Bolder and happier than ever.
Aisha pov
My darling went to war, and I'm alone in this house with the other girls he decided to embrace. No matter. He is a cut above the rest of the useless men out there. Where other men failed, Nazhotep pulled his weight. He did it every time. He was the one who saved me, avenged me, and even freed me. I was content being his slave, serving every need of such a hunk. Yet he is wise. He freed me so I could taste the sweetness of freedom. And I did. Oh, I did.
First of all, money. I have money at my disposal. I gave a beggar some money to do a little dance the other day. He did. With money, I'm in control.
My mentor, priestess Suheila, approached me one week into my man's sortie to the desert.
"Asenath, good news. I found a great man for you. He is from the noble family of Shamam. His name is Yahub Shamam."
This bitch.
"I already have a man, and I love him very much. Why would I want this Yahub Shamam person? He sounds like he is just a random dumbass. My man killed my enemies and freed me. Who is this Yahub Shamam? He is a nobody."
Something behind the wall made a noise. Suheila glanced back momentarily, and her face contorted with hatred. This bitch felt entitled to my body. She thought she could pimp me out in her own leisure.
"Girl, don't be stupid. Do you think it is easy to be a part of the Shamam clan? Do you think you have become something just because you have a high-quality arcane heart? You are nothing! Do you hear me? You are nothing!"
She is hyperventilating and glancing behind her with terror. I smirked. I was right in goading Nazhotep into giving me a child. When a woman momentarily becomes outside the protection of a man, dogs start to come sniffing.
"I'm already with a child. My man is a man among men. He couldn't be compared to the random men you'll see on the streets. It's even less so with some soft, noble born men. Such a man lacks manliness. They are far less manly than my Nazhotep. He killed my father, my brother, and my nephew after conquering me. Tell me, how is this Yahub Shamam person supposed to compare? Is he going to revive my father, who sold me to slavery? Is he going to revive my brother, who beat me black and blue, just to kill him again?
Is this noble born loser even good in bed? My man is a god in bed. Why would I leave the superior man to be with the inferior man? How does it make sense? Don't come to me with such nonsense, Priestess Suheila."
I feel so rattled I could slap a bitch.
"Now, if you excuse me, I want to leave. All of a sudden, I feel a bit low on morale. Someone just went ahead and ruined my day."
I gave that bitch a spiteful look. I hope she felt it. I want her to feel bad for putting me through this.
"My answer is no."
I stormed out of her room. I came to see her about the glyphs pregnant priestesses need to use. My friends told me that I should get one unless I want the baby to die because of the energy it can't handle. She should've let me know once she knew I was pregnant, but she decided to risk me getting stillborn. She didn't tell me for the sake of this Yahub Shamam person. She is hoping that I lose the child, that Nazhotep leaves me somehow, and that she will be free to pimp me out again.
She made an enemy out of me today.
Suheila Pov
That girl, Aisha, doesn't know what's good for her. Why are young girls like this? Why are they so intent on ruining their lives? She even made a child with a low-quality arcane heart who had trash. My heart breaks.
"You could come in, Yahub."
That man of noble blood walked in on my call. The Shamam clan is one of the most powerful clans in the capital. This eleventh son failed to find a noble girl he could share his life with. The next best thing is having a girl with a superior arcane heart.
Yahub walked in. To be honest, he looks like a mouth breather. His eyes slant slightly downward, and his chin isn't prominent at all. His posture is pathetic, and like Asenath said, he has no success to his name except his pedigree.
"Don't worry, oh noble Yahub. She will come around. I can assure you that." I'm rubbing my hands together. I hope this man is pleased with me. I need herbs from his family to break through to the next realm.
The greasy-haired man replied with a nasal voice:
"I'm looking forward to it. You may not know this, but when I want something, I get it. Do you understand?"
What the fuck is that supposed to mean? What is this loser going to do? He is an order of magnitude weaker than me. This little dweeb can't do shit by himself. All he has on me is the resources his clan could give me. I rubbed my hands together and smiled again. You need to know how to smile to make it in this world.
"Yes, sir, I understand."
Yahub grinned, satisfied with my answer.
" I'm expecting good news. Don't disappoint me."
Alright, I'm getting really annoyed now.
"Yes, sir, I won't disappoint you."
Yahub left the room. I swear, if I didn't need the herb, I would've never associated with this stupid piece of sh*t. He even pitched a tent down there. What a fucking sleazebag!
I left my room and made my way to the slums. In the slums, there is a district that every person who pursues power knows. I went and found the man with the scorpion tattoo on his face.
"I would like to do business with you."
The man opened the bag. I offered it to him and inspected the golden sand inside. He nodded and invited me to an underground passage. My medium quality arcane heart truly is a curse. If I had a superior one like that Asenath girl, breakthroughs would be far easier. I would have plenty of energy to spare for glyph shifting.
Sigh. A girl could dream. Well, I can use her for my advancement since she is my disciple, and she gains access to endless resources as a member of the Shamam clan. Everyone wins. Except for that Nazhotep guy.
At the end of the underground passage, there was a man sitting in the shadows.
"I would like to hire your services. I want a person gone. His name is Nazhotep.