Chapter 9
It was one of those moments that felt like an eternity, but only lasted several moments.
Abruptly, Brianamun pulled away. “Nefret, I’m sorry. I can’t do this now. I have my duty to Amun and the priesthood. The gods know I’ve already betrayed them enough without actually... um... Well, you know...”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, turning her back to him.
It was an awkward, quiet moment.
Brianamun sighed and glanced at Nefret. A surge of emotion flooded up through him. He knew he could wait for her. It wasn’t that he wanted to wait, but his loyalty to the gods was something that always had to be kept in mind. He’d be patient if only he knew that she would wait for him as well.
“Damn the rules,” Brianamun grumbled, kissing Nefret again and enfolding her in his arms.
******
Aneski leaned her head back against the wooden headrest. In Nubia, at least the beds were more comfortable. She hit the headrest off the bed and laid her head on the flat surface.
Lazily, she glanced at the sun dial beside the window. It was the hottest part of the day. Having been sent to Egypt on business, she’d been ignored thus far. The darned Greek hadn’t even returned to her with what she was supposed to do for The Cause.
All Aneski did was sit at home all day and wait, and she was anything but patient. She wanted to get down to business so she could return to Nubia as soon as possible. The hot, exotic land held a place deep in her heart; the love of that land was deep inside all Nubians.
Bored as she was, she hadn’t dressed for the day. She was in a plain white dress with no makeup and her hair hadn’t been done.
The head of her household entered to see her reclining in bed. His only reference to it was in his amused demeanor: the arched, cynical eyebrow, the slight curl of his lip, and relaxed stance.
“You have a visitor, my lady.”
“Who?”
“He didn’t give his name.”
Aneski sighed. “I’ll meet him in the living room.”
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and waited a moment for her head to clear.
Then she made her way toward the designated room. She immediately saw the tall, broad-shouldered frame of Nickathor.
“Do you have a job for me... finally?” Aneski asked.
Nickathor turned around and smiled a half-smile. “I’m sorry to tell you this--”
“What?”
“I just got word back from Thebes. It says that Brianaten, er, has his hands full taking care of our runaway and can’t direct any new members of The Cause. His directions are to remain alert, but if the time comes for action, then we will contact you.”
“So I came all this way for nothing?”
“I wouldn’t say nothing,” Nickathor said mysteriously.
Aneski rolled her eyes. “What am I supposed to do while I’m here?”
Nickathor leaned over and whispered, “Get a job.” Louder, he laughed, “That’s what normal people do.”
Aneski sighed. “Here I am staying in a large mansion, and I need to get a job?”
Nickathor grinned broadly.
“How else would you make money? Or you could work the land you have, have a servant take it to the market, and earn money that way.”
Aneski raised her eyebrows. “So I become a farmer?”
“A wealthy farmer. Well, I’ll see you sometime soon.”
Aneski rolled her eyes heavenward and was glad to see him leave.
*******
Kevinkare slipped through the secret passage into Meritaten’s room. It looked empty. No lamps burned, and darkness had claimed the room.
He saw a lump of something thrown upon the bed.
Slowly, Kevinkare moved over toward it, as stealthily as a cat.
“Meritaten?” he whispered.
He was greeted by the figure on the bed raising its head.
He sat down on the edge of the bed. “What’s going on, Merit?”
Tears stained her face, and she buried her head against his chest.
Not knowing what else to do, Kevinkare could only comfort her. He had no idea what had happened, and he was extremely confused.
When Meritaten had gotten herself under control, she straightened up and looked him in the eyes. “Kevinkare, don’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“How could you not have heard?”
“Heard what, Meritaten?” He didn’t like this kind of suspense. Something had obviously hurt her, and he wanted to deal with whoever had done it personally.
“My father... He’s named a co-regent, Smenkhkare...” She sniffed and made the effort to continue, “Father has... He’s marrying me off to Smenkhkare,” she blurted out.
Kevinkare stared at her. “Re... really?”
Meritaten nodded as the tears overflowed again.
Kevinkare took her in his arms and held her, his own grief overcoming him as a tear slipped down his cheek.
“When?” he asked.
“As soon as possible.”
“Where will you live?”
“In Smenkhkare’s personal palace.”
“Wh... what about us?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“I don’t want to lose you, Meritaten.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
Kevinkare kissed her soft hair. He had no idea what they were going to do.
********
Howymose stood in the presence of Akhenaten, Smenkhkare, and Kiya.
The Pharaoh, his co-regent (which is when the Pharaoh shares his throne with someone), and the Great Royal Wife were watching Howymose with sharp, thorough eyes.
“I need you to record the text for a marriage scarab,” Akhenaten told Howymose.
“Whose, Majesty?”
“Smenkhkare here and Princess Meritaten.”
Howymose couldn’t hide the started look from flooding his features.
Howymose glanced at Smenkhkare. He’d heard of the behind-the-scenes man before, but he had never seen the man who’d reportedly become so close to the king. Smenkhkare was young, younger than Howymose was himself. He looked about twenty, perhaps. He was the dashing Pharaoh type that Akhenaten wasn’t himself. He looked strong and courageous, handsome too. Yet his ego shone through. Smenkhkare held the second highest position in the entire Two Lands, and he knew it.
Akhenaten dictated the text and sent Howymose on his way. Howymose hurried from the room. He could have handled Akhenaten’s lazy glances, but Kiya and Smenkhkare were too much for him. They watched his every move as though they suspected him of conspiring against them.
Howymose approached Alexhotep.
“Where are you off to?” Howymose asked.
“To see His Majesty.”
“Be careful. I don’t like Smenkhkare or Kiya,” he whispered.
“I’ll watch myself.”
The two friends passed on.