Chapter 12
Meritaten shivered. The thought of Smenkhkare made her nauseous. She saw more of him everyday and less of Kevinkare.
She knew Kevinkare was avoiding her. When she sneaked out to see him, his servants would not admit her. Once she fought her into the house only to be stopped by Nefret. She’d been understanding, Meritaten remembered, but Kevinkare had still refused to see her.
Sitting at her window, Meritaten closed her eyes and offered up a prayer to Hathor over her plight.
The door opened to reveal Akhenaten’s slight form. He walked over and embraced is daughter.
“Tomorrow, everything will be finished,” he told her.
Meritaten smiled weakly. “I know Smenkhkare will make you happy as Nefertiti and I once were.” He sighed as he sat down next to her.
“Do you miss Mother?” Meritaten inquired.
Akhenaten smiled as happy memories flooded his mind and then immediately frowned. “Not a day goes by that I don’t. I only wish I knew what I’d done wrong to have forced her to turn against me like that.
“But I have you and your sister,” he went on.
“And Kiya,” Meritaten offered, watching his reaction.
His frown deepened. He murmured, “Yes, of course. I have Kiya and Smenkhkare...” He stood up. ”Well, tomorrow you and Smenkhkare will be wed and the future rulers of Egypt.” With that, Akhenaten left.
Meritaten couldn’t fight the tears that were creeping up on her. She gave in and wept herself to sleep.
*******
The next day, Kevinkare went to court. Not because he wanted to, but he still had his job and his duty to The Cause. He needed to learn the latest news on the search for Nefret, but he was certain that the trail was cold. Besides, Meritaten’s betrothal to the co-regent was much more interesting to gossip about.
Kevinkare performed his duties to the palace staff with extra care while extracting as much useful information as possible. Well, it was supposed to be useful. All that came out of their mouths concerned the princess’s marriage that would take place later that very day.
Kevinkare kept his best face on and eased in the more relevant question, “What about the queen’s handmaiden, er, the mistress of her household--Nefertiti’s that is?” All responses were along the lines of: “Oh, she got away through a window... or so they say.”
As Kevinkare finished up with his last patient, he met Alexhotep in the hallway.
Alexhotep gave his friend a reassuring pat on the back. “It’ll be all right, I know it.” He smiled and continued on his way because several people were heading their way.
Kevinkare found his feet taking him away. He didn’t know where he was going, and he felt slightly delirious. He then found himself directly in front of the princess’s quarters.
His eyes widened, and he knew he had to get out of there.
Alexhotep appeared from nowhere and pulled him into the shadows.
“What are you doing?” Kevinkare snapped.
“Shaving your behind,” Alexhotep hissed. “Besides, I’m doing my job. I have nothing better to do other than follow you, and it’s my assignment anyway, but I make up false reports as to who lives with you and where you go... or went at night.”
Kevinkare sighed softly.
“Smenkhkare won’t be around for long,” Alexhotep consoled his friend.
“How do you know that?”
“He’s a stiff supporter of Aten, and if we do follow through with the plot, why would we put another Aten fanatic on the throne?”
“Well, Brianamun’s going to have to think about that, won’t he?”
“Yes... Enough of this here of all places. Kevinkare, get yourself under control. You knew the risks when you started your little affair. It would never have lasted.”
Kevinkare sighed once more. Alexhotep was right. He nodded.
“Now get out of here so I can follow you.” Alexhotep grinned as Kevinkare went along his way. He loved his job.
******
In Egypt, there is no ceremony for marriage. There can be a party if the bride and groom wish for there to be. Marriage is only when the couple moves in together indefinitely, and divorce is when they move out. Simple.
Smenkhkare wished for a gigantic celebration for his wedding to Meritaten. Thus, she was primped and pampered. Her black hair was braided. Perfumed, made up, and dressed like a goddess, Meritaten was led to the palace garden where the party would take place.
Anyone who was anyone would be there. All the nobles and courtiers... If someone didn’t accept the invitation it would be a great insult.
Meritaten knew Kevinkare would be there...
She was brought to the Window of Appearance where Akhenaten, Kiya, and Smenkhkare were waiting.
Akhenaten smiled warmly at his daughter. He took her hand and Smenkhkare’s. He linked them together and held them above his head. The crowd cheered, and Meritaten fought to keep the tears back.
In the midst of the crowd, Kevinkare tried not to watch. He took a mug of beer and watched the people around him. He couldn’t focus on the “happy” newly-weds.
Kevinkare drowned his sorrows with beer, but just enough so that he didn’t get himself drunk. The last thing he needed was for him to go singing around the place and get in a brawl about Meritaten or The Cause.
Late into the night, Meritaten was led to Smenkhkare’s palace, and he was left to mingle for however long he wished until retiring for his wedding night.
Kevinkare was planning to leave. The alcohol was giving him a headache and he was craving slumber.
“Excuse me, Kevinkare...” an unfamiliar voice hailed him. Kevinkare turned around to see Smenkhkare smiling his unfriendly, monarch-smile at him. “My good man, how are you?”
“A little tipsy. I’m on my way home to sleep it off if you’ll excuse me.”
“Why don’t you stay and get to know your future monarch?”
“I’m sorry perhaps another day...”
By then a crowd had begun to form around them.
“Please, Kevinkare, I insist,” Smenkhkare stated with false charity through clenched teeth. The co-regent was blocking his exit so Kevinkare pushed past him and left.
Smenkhkare suspected something about him. He was going to have to be careful...
*******
A month passed. Kevinkare had retreated into himself, speaking as few words to as few people as possible.
Nefret was bored. She couldn’t leave the premises of her brother’s home. She received the few visitors that were allowed to know where she was with excitement.
It amused Nickathor, Howymose, and Alexhotep to see her running around like a hostess, considering her proud disposition.
One day, a new visitor came looking for “Mistress Nefret.”
He was brought to Kevinkare, who was expecting some type of soldier. Instead he was greeting by the worried Brianamun.
The two friends embraced.
“Did you serve well?” Kevinkare asked.
“I was too worried about Nefret, but thanks for the message. Where is she?”
“In the garden.” Kevinkare couldn’t help but smile as he saw Brianamun hurrying toward where his sister was. He used to be like that... Shaking himself from his bittersweet memories, he returned to his work.
Brianamun’s first glance of Nefret was her sitting beside the garden pool. It was picturesque: her raven hair glinting in the sunlight. Her turquoise eyes looked up, lighting up at the site of him.
She ran into his arms, and since he was off from the temple...
*******
Meritaten had to see Kevinkare. She’d put up with her husband for nearly a month, and she couldn’t do it any longer. She had to see Kevinkare.
One night, she was told that Smenkhkare would not need her. Thus, she threw on a cloak and sneaked out the secret passage.
She crept out into the night and through the streets. Eventually, she made it to the wall she had scaled so often in the past. This time, it took an effort to lift herself up; her body ached with every move.
The house was dark, but the window into Kevinkare's room seemed almost forbidding.
Gathering up what little courage she had left, Meritaten slipped in through the window. He could not through her out then...
He was curled up on his wooden bed, the thin sheet outlining his muscular body.
She made her way over and perched on the edge of the bed.
He shot up in his bed and stared at her. “Meritaten!” he cried.
She placed her hand over his lips. “Hush. No one must know I’m here.”
“I know that, but... why are you here?”
“I couldn’t stay away,” she stated, her eyes shyly cast downward.
“We mustn’t see one another. You’re married to the future king. This is treason.”
“What we had was always treason, Kevinkare! Why should it be any different now?”
“Because now you have a husband who will know if another has laid his hands upon you... I can’t, Meritaten.”
“Of course you cannot... Not now anyhow.”
He looked at her, an unspoken question in his blue-green eyes.
“Kevinkare, I did the test, and wheat sprouted.”
He looked like he was going to faint.
Meritaten hurried on, “I’m going to have a baby girl.”
Kevinkare took a deep breath and his eyes started to roll to the back of his head.
“Put your head between your knees!” she cried hurriedly.
He tried to obey. Once he had gotten himself under control, he turned to her and asked, “Whose is it?”