“When dancing, you need to accentuate your femininity more.
That’s the point of those moves.”
“I’m a warrior,
not a hooker, Lucia,” protested Zenobia.
“It’s pretty
difficult to seduce a man by grabbing a sword and acting like you are going to
kill him!”
“I’m not convinced
of that,” she contended.
Lucia was
incredulous. “The voice of experience speaking?” she replied cynically.
“Exactly how many men have you seduced, Zenobia?”
“That is not the
point!” Then she thought of recent rejections; two potential suitors had even
refused to kiss her. Maybe it was the point.
“I have been hired
by Saladir to turn you into a voluptuous, seductive woman. I was not told why,
but he said that you are an ally and that it was important. You have all the
tools to be great at this. Why do you want to fight me?”
Because this is stupid, that’s why! she
wanted to say. She forced herself to be realistic. “I guess, Lucia, on some
level it offends me that I have to do this.”
“Yes,” Lucia
nodded. “I do understand. However, it is the natural order of things. But do
you know, Zenobia, that this is a game and that it can be really fun to win it!
Maybe you should try to view it that way.”
“You’ll have to
explain that to me.”
“Come, sit. We are
due for a break anyway.” They were alone in one of the larger tents, so they
each grabbed a cushion. “No wine while practicing. Water and fruit only.” While
they sipped water and nibbled, Lucia began, “Here is the game: To achieve what
you want while at the same time the other side, in this case a man, doesn't even fully realize it!”
“Tell me more.”
“Of course, the
man needs to feel that he won. It’s your job to make him feel that way.”
“It’s no secret
what men want,” Zenobia said.
“So simple, eh?
Saladir told me that you hunt. What would you rather kill, a rabbit or a boar?”
Zenobia shrugged.
“A boar, obviously.” What was the point of this?
“Obviously? Why? I
think rabbit tastes better.”
Zenobia smiled
now, recalling how close she had come to dying in the thickets along the Nile when the boar attacked her. “All right. It’s more
satisfying to kill the boar because it is a tougher kill, more dangerous.”
“Exactly!” She
drew the word out slowly. “Many men are like that with a woman – the tougher
the conquest, the more they enjoy it. Your job is to entice the man, make him
feel you are desirable, worth capturing.”
Zenobia shook her
head. She’s right, I am inexperienced.
Lucia studied her
pupil. “A real hunter relishes the challenge! The more elusive and dangerous
the prey is, the greater the thrill of the kill.” Lucia was quiet for a moment
as she realized something. “That’s what this is all about, isn't it? You’re
hunting for a kill! And not just any kill. You are after the most dangerous
prey of all!”
Zenobia – Birth of a Legend
is a 2012 IPPY award winner in Historical Fiction.
Russ Wallace is offering a free ARC of
book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend
to a lucky winner. Purchase book one, Zenobia - Birth of a Legend at Changing Hands Bookstore,Located
at 6428 S McClintock Dr. Tempe, AZ 85283. *Send us a copy of
the receipt and we will enter your name in a raffle that will be
drawn on November 1st 2012. Please include your email address so we
can let you know if you have won. (*you can mail us a copy of your CHB receipt
to: 530 E. Hunt Hwy Ste 103- 199, San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 or take a picture of
CHB receipt and email it to us at geodepress@gmail.com)
