Continuing with my Ancient Egyptian paranormal romance WARRIOR OF THE NILE, I thought it might be time to let Khenet the Warrior speak. By the way, he’s Pharaoh’s adopted brother and boyhood companion, so he can be a bit more informal with Pharaoh in private than most people would dare to be. Also (because I can’t give you the entire novel here LOL), Pharaoh did tell Khenet he was asking for a volunteer.
Khenet touched the two braided leather bands on his left wrist, smoothing his fingers over the carved jade and carnelian beads woven into the worn black straps. “If I choose to accept the mission, have I your permission to evade death if possible?”
Pharaoh nodded. “Save the poor girl from Nephthys’s plots as well, if you can, as long as the nomarch and his black magic are thwarted. The safety of Egypt must be paramount, however.”
“I accept this duty, on three conditions.” Khenet was momentarily amazed at himself, dictating terms to Pharaoh, adopted brother or not
“Name them.”
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And the blurb for WARRIOR OF THE NILE (which is available for pre-order at Amazon ):
Egypt, 1500 BCE
Lady Tiya is bound to the service of the goddess Nephthys, who plans to sacrifice Tiya’s body to protect Egypt from an ancient terror. She embarks to meet her grim fate alone but for the hardened warrior Khenet, who is fated to die at her side. Tiya’s dreams of love and family now seem impossible, and Khenet, who is the last of his line, knows his culture will die with him. Struggling with the high cost of Nephthys’s demands, both resolve to remain loyal.
Neither expects the passion that flowers when Tiya’s quiet courage and ethereal beauty meet Khenet’s firm strength and resolve. On a boat down the Nile, their two lonely souls find in each other a reason to live. But time is short and trust elusive.
Without the willing sacrifice of Tiya and Khenet, a great evil will return to Egypt. How could the gods demand their deaths when they’ve only just begun to live?
Ooh, wonder what the three conditions are going to be? Fast paced, loved it.
Beautiful descriptions, and I can’t wait to hear what Khenet’s conditions are!
Another great snippet! I love the details about the band on his wrist! It makes it feel so real. 🙂
I *love* the title of this post! I could just picture this guy in full ancient Egyptian clothing saying “wait a minute, you expect me to DIE?!”
The excerpt is tense and definitely gives the sense that the stakes have been upped. You’ve created characters easy to care about. 🙂
I love this snippet. I so needed this ray of hope and I’m excited about learning more. 🙂
I agree–the descriptions are well done and I too am waiting to hear his conditions. Excellent snippet!
Oooh, intriguing! I like where this is going!
I’m loving this story. I can’t wait for more. Great job!
Safety of Egypt first – am sure that issue comes up later. I too love the bracelet and wonder what the terms will be
Oh, you are one for cliffhangers! I need to know the conditions! Awesome excerpt, Veronica! You seriously write the most interesting stories! 🙂
Can’t wait to find out the conditions! Great attention to detail, as well. Fascinating story…
Glad he has Pharaoh’s permission to live and save the lady if he can figure out how to do it without endangering Egypt.
This brings to mind one of the greatest stories told, Ben Hur… two childhood friends, more like brothers, from diverse social and political backgrounds thrust back together in adulthood… the makings of a truly good story.
I admire your writing, Veronica, and especially your ability to bring an ancient culture to life on your pages. Amazing snippet – thanks for sharing!
I’d like to know his conditions. Great detail in this snippet, too.
I really like that he’s strong enough to not follow the Pharoah blindly, but wiling to take on this task as a warrior. Nicely done, Veronica. I like him already. 🙂
It is nice to learn the intelligence of Khenet. Of course, to be adopted into the royal family, he would need to be exceptional. But wise, also of the Pharaoh to give him an option out. It will be interesting to see if the condition allow the Pharaoh to continue his benevolence at a critical time of ancient history. The conditions cannot put the Pharaoh at risk.
Great details, and I’m curious as to what the conditions are.
Well, he’s pretty brave to ask for conditions, hope his bravery pays off!
Cool story premise. I’m curious about the three conditions.
Excellent snippet, Veronica. Lovely description of the bracelet. Very clever of Khenet AND I really want to know what his conditions are. Looking forward to more.
Beautiful details and I love the confidence he has, despite being awed at himself.
I love your descriptive details and his sense of not-quite-being-awed by his brother the pharaoh.
Conditions! I want to know about the conditions!
As always, really appreciating the comments and feedback! I promise next week I’ll let Khenet present his conditions (hopefully I can get them into 8 sentences…). Then maybe the week after it’s high time you met Tiya, the lady involved.
GAH! I am so loving this story. It’s nice that Pharaoh has someone like Khenet. I have a feeling their purposes may diverge at some point…!
I love the description of his bracelets, and can’t wait to hear what his conditions for accepting the mission are.
Timely considering the breaking news. Good description and dialogue. Thanks.
Intriguing! Am very curious about the ‘poor girl’. Great 8! 😀
Really an amazing snippet and the book is definitely going on my TBR shelf, but are you missing a period after “adopted brother or not” or are my eyes just crapping out on me?
I’m so relieved Khenet isn’t accepting this assignment’s outcome lying down! He’s got a lot of spirit and that helps the reader cheer him on:)
Great snippet. I can’t wait to see what the conditions are.
Oh, Veronica. This is fabulous! You really bring that time alive. It’s amazing to read.
I like the turn this is taking, no more sure death but a maybe, that’s better than nothing.
Plus he manage to speak frankly with out Pharaoh. Awesome!
I want to know what the conditions are too.
I, like those before me, think you did a great job : ) More kudos to you!