I prepared a plate for myself as well and sat next to her, nibbling on the bread as I spoke. It seemed that bread had always been a comfort food for me.This was no soft loaf of Hawaiian sweet bread, but it would do.
There was no small talk as we waited.Both Cleopatra and I were too immersed in thought to speak.She was thinking of the supposed plot to kill her and I was simply wondering what to do now.I absolutely hated it when I came to impasse.I didn’t know what Annen had been doing in the banquet hall and I certainly didn’t know why Tehran was trying to drag him away.It was intriguing.And worrisome.I needed to speak to him ASAP.
I swirled the last mouthful of dark red shedeh around in the bottom of the golden chalice before swallowing it, enjoying the rich wine.As Macy, I had not even sipped an alcoholic beverage yet.I never felt the need, even though Jenn was always sneaking gin from her dad’s liquor cabinet for weekend parties. And gin smells disgusting so I’ve never even been tempted.
Tonight, I found the wine to be… okay.Sort of bitter, actually, and not something I would write home about although I did feel my cheeks flushing nicely as I drank it.I imagined that the color was becoming.
There was a soft knock at Cleopatra’s doors and we rose to greet Iras. Tall, slender and Nubian, she glided into the room, her dark skin glistening in the muted light of the candles.She had not been feeling well this week and had been recovering in her chambers, not wanting to expose the queen to illness.
Dressed in a simple cotton frock, she looked much better than the last time I had seen her….which was when we committed suicide with Cleopatra. And to be honest, death doesn’t become anyone.I realized that my two thousand year old memories had not done her justice.She was beautiful as her deep brown eyes flashed in the light.She knelt in front of Cleopatra, her dark skin gleaming.
“My queen,”she murmured, keeping her eyes to the floor.Unlike me, she was never insolent.She was wonderfully calm and perfectly deferent, in all things.I honestly don’t know how she did it.
But then again, she had not been raised with Cleopatra as I had.Cleopatra and I had known each other since we were girls.
“Iras, please stand, love. I’ve told you that you do not need to kneel when we are alone,”Cleopatra admonished lightly.“I hope you are feeling better.There is a task that we need you to perform- it is of a delicate nature.I can trust no one but you.”
Iras nodded solemnly as she rose from the floor, her white shift fluttering in the night breeze.Her deep, mahogany skin appeared even darker against the light fabric.She was surrounded by the thick scent of amber. It suited her.
“What is it you require of me, my queen?”
Her low voice was as smooth as velvet. As I stared at her in fascination, everything about her reminded me of warm, melted dark chocolate.
“I require that you steal quietly into the Serapis temple and locate the priest Annen. I believe that he is hiding from Antony and General Hasani. I am only guessing, of course, but I think that he will be hiding himself in the labyrinth beneath the temple in which he serves.”
When Cleopatra mentioned Hasani’s name, Iras’ gaze flickered briefly to me, her dark eyes curious, before returning to the queen as Cleopatra continued. It was common knowledge that Hasani and I had been together since we were teenagers. If it hadn’t been for my position with the queen, we would have married long ago.
“You must attempt to find him before Antony and Hasani do.We are afraid that he won’t come out if they are there and he might possess knowledge that I need.Upon finding Annen, give him the message that I need to speak with him.That it is vitally important.Can you do this for me, Iras?”Cleopatra’s face was perfectly calm and smooth- no one but me would have known that internally, she was a mess.
Iras nodded smoothly.“Of course, your highness.I will leave right now.”
She quickly disappeared into the corridors as quietly as she had come in, leaving Cleopatra and I to stare at each other wordlessly.
“I hope she finds him,”I finally said, walking to the open balcony doors.
I was at a loss to say anything else. The air smelled delicious as the night jasmine released the scent from their blooms into the breeze and I inhaled deeply as I watched the pathways below the palace for signs of Hasani and Antony.
“So do I,”Cleopatra answered as she stripped off her wig and began brushing her long brown hair.Seated at her vanity, she curled her slender legs around the elegant padded stool that she was sitting upon.
Feeling restless, I paced back inside and crossed the room to her.I dipped a cloth into a basin of water and wiped away her make-up, leaving her face shiny and clean.Freshly combed, her long hair fell softly onto her shoulders and spilled down her back and she looked no older than a teenager.
“You are never more beautiful than when you allow your natural beauty to show, my love.”
Cleopatra and I both turned in surprise at Marc Antony’s voice.His large body filled the doorway of her bedchamber as he observed the queen’s night-time beauty rituals with interest.
“But then, I’m sure you know that.”
He smiled tiredly at his wife and crossed the room, placing his large hands on her shoulders as he bent to kiss the top of her head.
“We could not find the priest,”Antony muttered dejectedly as he dropped heavily into a chaise lounge next to Cleopatra.“There are hundreds of hidden passageways throughout the city.It will be very difficult to search through them all.And we’ve got the pressing Roman problem, as well.Things always seem to happen at once, do they not?”
Cleopatra gazed at him softly, before walking to where he reclined, her hips swaying gently.She knelt in front of him and rested her head against his henna-tattooed chest.
“It will all work out, my love.Do not trouble yourself.”
“Cleopatra, don’t be naïve. There are things that even you cannot simply wish away.”Antony muttered morosely.Cleopatra looked up at me.
“Charmian… I can manage for the rest of the evening.You may leave.”