The Falcon Rises (The Desert Queen Book 2) Read online

  “Nefertiti. Drink this. It will clear your head.” Seeing my visitor, she froze and bowed to him immediately.

  “I can explain,” I said quickly, trying not to vomit in the queen’s presence.

  She did not wait for my explanation. “Pharaoh! I did not know you were here. You honor me with your presence.”

  My heart thundered. “Pharaoh? What are you talking about?” I pushed my hair out of my face to get a better look. This could not be true, could it? As a wave of dizziness struck me, I clutched the low stone wall tighter.

  “Tadukhipa. Is my new sister drunk? I will take that,” he said, still amused. He reached for the cup, but the queen drew her hand back, sloshing the wine on the clean white stone beneath her.

  “No, Majesty. Let me get you a fresh cup. You need not drink after us.” Her eyes were wide, and I could see she had caught her breath. It was as I suspected!

  Not used to being refused, he said, “Give me the cup, Kiya.” With faux confidence, and trying not to react to the insult, she passed him the drink. I watched as he sniffed the contents and looked at her suspiciously. He held it to his lips, and she stiffened. “Is that juniper I smell? No, I cannot drink juniper. Here, you drink it.” He passed it back to the queen, and she did as he commanded. Her face became unreadable as she stood holding the empty cup. He waited for a few seconds and then said to me, “Come, Nefertiti. Walk with me.” My head and stomach were still revolting against me, but I managed to place my hand upon his and together we left the wretched party.

  “I think she poisoned me.”

  “No. If she had, you would be dead already. However, I would not put it past her to make you sick. Most people do get sick on juniper wine when they first drink it. I suppose if you were to believe my mother, Tadukhipa might do that. Just to embarrass you before her court.”

  I nodded, thankful that I would not die, no matter how miserable I felt. “I feel sick, Majesty. I am sorry.”

  “The best way to reverse the effects of juniper wine is to walk.”

  After a brief pause I accepted his hand again and did my best to keep up with him. “You are Amenhotep. I thought you were a gardener.”

  “And that is what I wanted you to think. I had to know you for myself, Nefertiti. A man cannot always rely solely upon his mother’s word. However, she was not wrong. And it is true that I enjoy the act of planting and bringing forth a harvest from the ground, but I do not share that knowledge with many people.”

  “Wait. Your mother was not wrong about what?”

  “Wrong about you. You are both brave and lovely.”

  I did not understand completely what he was talking about, for my head was still foggy and my mind screamed that I was walking with the Pharaoh of Egypt. I had expected him to be completely different. Pharaohs were cruel—they were distant kings, untouchable by their people or by anyone—but Amenhotep was not so. He was real and available and a friend. On his arm I glided down the last of the steps, and we walked out into an area of the palace I had not yet explored. My stomach still swirled in turmoil, but I did not slow my pace.

  “What is this place? I have never been here before.”

  “I would imagine not. It is the Great Wife’s private gardens. She rarely comes here anymore since my father left for the life beyond.”

  The dark trees gave off a fragrance I had never smelled before. I breathed it in and found it helped clear my mind somewhat.

  “That is frankincense you smell. It is the scent of kings. Did you know that?”

  I shook my head and smiled as best I could.

  There were white stones under our feet, and birds chirped at us as they settled down for the night. The sun had set, but there was still much light in the walled gardens. “Why did you let me believe you were a gardener?”

  “As I said, I wanted to know who you were.” Finally, we sat together on a bench under a cluster of palms. He removed his headdress, and I could see close-cropped black hair. And although he did not wear as much kohl as some, he was very much an Egyptian. “I have not stopped thinking about our conversation, about this Shining Man you saw. I have to tell you the truth. I have seen him too.”

  I could not hide my surprise. “Truly? When? What did he say?”

  “He told me that he was the Giver of Life, that he was in everything, that he was the breath we breathe, the life within us. He promised me that he would help me rule my kingdom and that he would guide me throughout my life.”

  “If you trusted him,” I added, remembering what the Shining Man had told me.

  “Yes,” he said with a surprised laugh. He rose to his feet and took me by the hands. Looking into my face tenderly, more tenderly than any man ever had, he asked, “Will you come with me?”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I am going on a spiritual journey. I want to find the home of the Shining Man, as you call him. I call him the Aten. I want to find his home and then build him a temple worthy of him. There are no temples to the Aten here; the gods of Amun and Ra own this city. I dream of a new home, a new Egypt. I want all my people, even my slaves, to experience the love and peace that the Shining Man brings. The great Aten deserves the praise of all Egypt. Come with me…” and then he added in a low voice, “and be my queen.”

  Perhaps it was the wine or his words. Maybe it was the Shining Man. I do not know. I do know that was the night I fell in love with Amenhotep. That was the night everything changed.

  In my mind’s eye I remembered my dream, the dream of running through a darkened city of stone, a child running behind me.

  Smenkhkare!

  I would never forget the child’s eyes—the eyes of my son. And I was seeing them now. They were the eyes of Amenhotep.

  Still under the influence of the juniper wine I whispered, “I have seen my future, and it is you.” With a happy smile he put his hands under my chin and tilted my face to him. He kissed me, and the kiss was a promise. A promise of a friend who would walk beside me on this unusual path, the path determined by the Shining Man.

  A few hours ago he had been the gardener. Now I would spend my life with him. For him I would abandon all others.

  I was now the Queen of Egypt.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blue Scarab—Ayn

  Nefret had departed the city with Pharaoh, leaving me behind without an explanation. No matter to me—I was burning for Ramose. When I was not crying. Motherhood had weakened my emotions to the point I could not trust myself to speak to anyone for fear that I would snarl at them like a beast or weep at the friendliest word.

  I would be lying if I did not acknowledge that I was hurt by Nefret’s slight, but then again I was only a servant now. Perhaps I should go home. At least there I would be free.

  When Nefret returned to her chambers after Kiya’s banquet she was quiet—quieter than usual, and she spent a lot of time staring out the window at the stars. There were no longing looks toward home. Normally she would have told me everything, but that night she remained mute.

  The following day, before she departed, I went to the kitchens to find food for the two of us. The palace was abuzz with the news—Nefertiti would be queen. I returned with a bowl of food, some fresh fruit, bread and cheese and barely got through the door before I asked her if the rumors were true. I need not have bothered. Servants began pouring into her chambers, sent by Pharaoh himself. Some carried fine clothing, others jeweled chests containing more jewels. This was all the proof I needed. With excitement Nefret—no, Nefertiti—welcomed them and opened all her treasures.

  Sullenly I watched it all. Naturally my mind went to Ramose. It had become more difficult to see him. When I visited the training grounds now he was never there, or if he was, he was too busy to come to the gate to let me in. Yesterday I went to the practice field but was turned away.

  Today I was determined to see him—my situation was becoming more desperate, and if Ramose did not agree to help me, then I would have to find somewhere else to take my seclusion
. The last thing I wanted to do was return to my tribe with an Egyptian child. I knew I would not be welcome there despite Nefret’s recommendations or influence. Children were cruel, even Meshwesh children. No, my son, for I was sure it would be a son, needed to be with his father, the General of Egypt. I had to make Ramose understand—I had to show him how important it was. In the flurry of activity in Nefertiti’s chamber, I left easily enough. I wandered around until she left and then I turned toward Ramose’s barrack house where I worked during the day training young soldiers and developing plans for Pharaoh’s campaigns, which Ramose complained were too few of late.

  As I turned into the brick building, a familiar soldier spotted me and disappeared into the inner offices. So much for surprising Ramose. I waited patiently outside the barracks—it was not wise for a woman to walk in unattended even though the men there knew who I was. I was pregnant, but I was still strong and could handle myself if necessary. At least that is what I told myself. As I hoped, Ramose walked out to greet me. Before he could send me away I said, “I must see you. If I don’t, I will have to leave.”

  He took me by the elbow, led me into his office and ordered his men to leave. They followed his orders, and only a few cast me sidelong looks. A few months ago they would have been beaten for even looking in my direction. That was not so anymore. I kept my head held high and did not show them the shame they hoped to see on my face. I was a Meshwesh warrior, not some camp follower. I loved Ramose—yes, this was love. I had given myself to him freely, and I felt no shame in it.

  Was he going to help me, or should I leave? That was the question. I was not afraid of him, for I knew he would never harm me, but he could be cruel with his words. And as my heart had been quite tender of late, I did not want to engage in a painful discourse. I need not have worried because his lips were upon mine. His right hand kneaded my tender breast, and his left hand went around my waist. I kissed him back, welcoming the warmth and taste of his lips. My desire for him rose as it always did, but my mind would not allow me to surrender without knowing first what he intended.

  “Listen to me first.” I resisted his embrace, and my lover did not hold me. “What about my son? From what I am told, I cannot stay in the palace in this condition. I will have to leave, Ramose—leave with your child—unless you help me.”

  “What are you asking me?”

  “Do you want me to stay?”

  Ramose was never a man who enjoyed talking about his feelings. That I knew. Yet I had to know. I was not so good a lover that I could read his mind. He would have to talk to me.

  “I think I have a solution if you will hear me out.”

  “Very well.”

  “You know that my wife and I cannot have children. That is plain to me now, but perhaps the gods found another way to bring my son to me.”

  “Yes, they have,” I said with a smile. Feeling a surge of love for him, I reached for his hand and placed it on my belly. “See? There he is, moving and kicking already. A strong boy—just like his father.”

  Ramose’s dark eyes displayed his emotions perfectly. He did want this child—more than I had first thought. I began to feel hopeful again. He had not cast me off—not yet!

  Gently he rubbed my shoulders and said to me in a serious tone, “Ayn, you must give the child to me. My wife and I can raise him as our own. She is willing to do this—I have spoken to her already, although it was difficult to do so. Inhapi understands the ways of the world, and she is willing to accept my son, but…”

  I could hardly believe my ears. “But what?”

  “After today, I cannot see you again. What was between us is no more. That is the price. I am sure you agree it will be worth it.”

  I stepped back, nearly falling over a pile of empty beer pots. “What? Give up my son? To Inhapi?”

  “Stop before you harm yourself,” he said gently as he reached for me. “I am not asking you anything unreasonable. It is done all the time here. The gods chose you to be the mother of my son, but surely you knew that I would never put away Inhapi. Nor can I deny her this request. She has been a good and patient wife to me.”

  “Good and patient? I would not use those words to describe her. Nor would you, until this day. How can you ask this of me? Do you not know that I love you? I have given you my body and been your lover these many months. Why tell me this now?”

  “Calm yourself. We never spoke of love, you and I. We were two warriors who battered against each other and found some comfort in one another’s arms. I admit that I care for you—care for our son—but this can never be anything more than that.”

  Never would I have imagined such words would fall from his lips!

  I felt as if I were being smothered. I had to get away—out of his presence. I walked toward the door, but Ramose blocked me. “I have to know your answer, Ayn. If you do not agree to this, you will have nowhere to go. Inhapi will see to it that you are turned out of the palace. She has powerful friends, my wife.”

  “And you? The mighty General of Egypt? You are powerless to stop her? That is what you want me to believe? Curious turn of events, Ramose. I wish I had known from the beginning how weak you truly are.” To my utter surprise, the man I had loved so fully slapped me savagely. I fell to the ground immediately, and blood filled my mouth.

  I did not stay down for long. “You hit me again—touch me again—and I will kill you.” He did not try to stop me again, nor did he strike me. I left the barracks and practically ran back to the palace. The many faces I encountered were a blur to me. They were strangers, and as I ran realization dawned on me. I needed to go home. I could not stay here; there was nothing for me in Egypt. I must leave, even if it meant losing myself in the desert.

  I did not enter the front gates of the palace. I chose the side entrance, showing my face only to the palace guard stationed there. He let me pass, although he did look curious at my appearance. I clamped my mouth with my hand to prevent the blood from leaking out. By the time I made it to Nefret’s chambers I had a mouthful of blood, which I promptly spit into a nearby bowl. Then the tears came freely. I had no worries about snooping servants; since the new queen was absent, there was no one to spy on me. I could hardly believe my sad situation. I had always prided myself on being wiser than most women, stronger, more independent, and here I was in the same situation that stupid farm girls found themselves in every day.

  When I pledged myself to Nefret I had intended it to be for my whole life, but now I had to put my son first. I had to leave Thebes. For where, I did not know. All I had to do now was wait until she returned. I could not in good conscience leave her without speaking to her. I must thank her for all the things she had done for me. She trusted me when no one else would—indeed, I did not deserve such favor. I had been a fool for Pah, and now I was Ramose’s fool as well. I refused to be Inhapi’s fool too!

  I decided I would stay in Nefret’s chambers and steer clear of everyone until she returned. It could not be forever, could it? If she did tarry too long, I would simply have to leave. Ramose had made it clear that Inhapi would seek revenge if I did not agree to her terms.

  I lay on my bed, the tears gone. My mind swam with possibilities. I dreamed of my mother’s arms holding me, swinging me up into the air as she told me to fly, cradling me when I burned with fever. Oh, Mother…I miss you. How I miss your arms! In my dreams, I buried deep in them and lay my head upon her chest. I could hear her heart beating, feel the warmth of her skin, smell the scent of the garlic and onions from her kitchen.

  It was as if I felt her arms now. I shook myself and found a face hovering over me. Inhapi!

  She shook me awake, and I snatched myself from her grip.

  “Get up, whore! Get up now!”

  “What? What are you doing here? Who let you in?”

  Without hesitation she climbed over my bed and came after me with something evil and shiny flashing in her hands.

  “I gave you a chance. I gave you a chance. If you do not willingly give
me my child, I will cut it out of you.”

  “You are a madwoman, Inhapi! Leave now!” I threw the bowl of blood at her. It stained her dress and clattered on the floor.

  “Go ahead and scream. I hope someone does come. You are to be turned out, Meshwesh whore. Your Desert Queen will not help you now. And the true queen here, Tadukhipa, agrees with me. You and your red-haired friend have to go.”

  I surveyed the area. My weapons were in the closet, and I could easily kill Inhapi, even though she did not know it. If she did not cease her attack, she would find out. “I warn you, Inhapi. Do not test me. I have been fighting much longer than you, and I will hurt you.”

  “You can try, Ayn, but you may not find me so easy to hurt. I am Ramose’s wife, remember? I know about hurt.” She circled around the room. There was a small table nearby with a flat platter on it.

  Grabbing the platter with both hands, I warned her again. “Leave now or you will regret it.”

  “I could say the same to you. If you manage to make it out of this room alive, you had better run as fast as you can because you will never be free. Do you think you are the first, girl? No, you are not. And you will not be the last.”

  “Then why are you here? Should you not be talking with your husband?”

  She waved the knife at me stupidly, and I smoothly ducked her. I felt less worry now about the immediate danger, having seen firsthand her amateur style. She had no fighting skills, except those involving poison and gossip. I put the platter down and waited for her to swing again. She did, and I grabbed her wrist easily, shook it and watched the knife clatter to the ground. “Let go of me! Keep your filthy hands off me.”

  Feeling tired and frustrated, I whispered to her as I held her close to me. “Why? Your husband did not mind my filthy hands at all.” With a vicious scream she slammed her head into mine and punched me in the throat. Crumpling to the ground, gasping for air, I stared up at her in complete surprise. Then she fell on me, and the knife appeared again. She raised her hand above her head and brought it down as if I were an animal sacrifice and she an evil priestess. Grabbing her hands desperately as I wheezed for breath, I twisted the knife and in a clumsy move, she fell on the blade. It slid into her easily, and she collapsed beside me.