Chapter 12Nubia, 332 B.C.
At first, Alexander had wondered if he would ever leave this place. Now he was beginning to wonder if he would ever want to. His was a restless soul, and beyond him, he knew, was the final conquest of an empire that was his in all but name. But here in the palace of the Candace—if not yet her arms—he had found contentment. And contentment was proving most seductive.
Early on, he had sent word to his men outside the gate, whom he knew were being well cared for in a white pavilion the Candace had specially constructed for them, that he had not been molested and was not to be disturbed. The last thing he wanted was his generals—eager to demonstrate a loyalty that belied their satisfaction with his confinement—to storm the gates and disturb his idylls. By day he too
