dals barely making a sound against the polished stone. The weight of the night still clung to her skin, the scent

she th

she could react. Neferet tensed, instinct kicking in as she turne

e

e patrolling guards. The torchlight flickered against his sharp features, accentuating the pressure in

e demanded, voice low bu

e, exhaling sharply. "Sinc

started sneaking out in the dea

e call in the city, but she refused to l

, exasperated breat

ses in her tunic from where she'd hastily changed. He knew her too well-kn

e see you?

r head. "Not any

way his fingers rolled into a fist. "Damn it, Neferet, d

tilting her chin up

with unsaid emotions. Seti was

command armies with cold efficiency. But now, standing so close

he edge of her sleeve, as if he want

ossible not to c

not like this. For a moment, she hesitated-then,

, you st

t it didn't quite reach his eyes.

arely. "And yet, you n

d before stepping back. "Go b

m, her heart pounding for reasons that

_

rh and burning oils condensed the air, mingling with the tension that had already settled over the room. Golden torchligh

arded the assembly with heavy-lidded eyes. Age and the weight of rulership had

s swaying with the motion. She could feel Rahotep's gaze searing i

ning, daughter," the Pharaoh remarked, hi

hesitation. "I was attendin

s that, no doubt, requir

ovoke. "Or was it mere recklessness that led our nobl

ess, then perhaps I take after those who hoard gr

strike. The Pharaoh's brow lifted slightly, inte

forward, his hands clenched at his s

t sharp as a blade. "Was it my father's will that the grain shipments

is temper fraying at the edg

oug

nd, silence fell. He leaned forward, eyes gazing between his daughter an

ot have discord taint my court. The matter of the grain shall

e did not miss the way Rahotep's fists tightened at his s

shift in

h sacred symbols, stepped forward, staff in hand. His

the gods themselves. "A great omen has been revealed in the temple of Amun. T

is nose, his expression impas

on the throne, the gods demand retribution. To restore harmony,

fore-some dismissed, others shaping the course of the kingdom. Nefere

entail?" the Pharaoh as

ss must be purified in the waters of the sacred lake, w

wned. "The goddess o

be made to Amun, the hidden one, to secure his guidance, and..." He hesitated

ease spread th

urrowed. "The god of st

" the priest answered. "And it must be

is fingers drummed against the armrest of hi

he High Priest said solemnl

vier with the wei

ior's

nod. "Very well, the r

-this was power, woven into the very fabric of their rule, a

d on her heel and walked out, the battle was n

_

the wax seal of the parchment Kiya had given her. The symbol

thoughts. She turned swiftly, heart racing-only

e

m fluid as a shadow, he smelled of leather and desert winds, his bro

d your father's quest

temples. "Rahotep tried to

mirked

ed him that h

s head. "You always know

lose. "Disappearing in the city, provoking

rtbeat thrummed at his nearness

t her wrist before settling at her waist.

ere to temper it?" she

his grip tightening

om, no politics, no gods demandi

of longing and restraint finally broken. Neferet melted into him, her hands gr

ing, bodies molding together as

gerous, but

them had ever