The Song of the Bee-Eater (The Desert Queen Book 4) Read online

  “Today, my son, Smenkhkare, first born of my sons and son of the Great Queen Nefertiti, I bestow upon you the honor of co-regent. Rise now and be crowned.” The crowd gasped at the astonishing news. The effect gave me great pleasure.

  Smenkhkare raised his eyes to me; they were wide and filled with surprise. I smiled at him, and the servant came quickly to my side. The boy journeyed up the steps and knelt again, this time at my feet. He whispered, “You honor me beyond my worthiness, Father.”

  “You are my son and indeed worthy. Rise now, Smenkhkare, co-regent of Upper and Lower Egypt. Let Egypt look upon you and all your splendor.” The boy breathed hard once and rose with his chin held high. With a determined look, he faced the crowd and accepted their applause and cheers. Ipy removed herself from the throne beside me, with the help of Saho, and I led Smenkhkare to the vacant seat. “Forever as one we are, father and son, obedient to the Aten for eternity.”

  As he took his throne he said in response, “For eternity, my father and pharaoh. Obedient to the Aten.” The crowd roared, tears on their faces, and even Nefertiti applauded joyfully. Did she not understand that she would never again sit upon the Great Throne of Egypt? I gripped the carved handgrips on my throne and glared at her. The mother of my children, the stealer of my heart. The cheers of my court did not gladden my soul. I rose and raised my hands in the sign of the Aten. I blessed the people as was my custom during these formal affairs. Let them cheer for my son. I was tired of them. All of them. All I wanted to do was disappear, perhaps lose myself in worship to the Aten. Yes, I would become one with the Aten. I needed none of these mortals; I would be one with my god.

  Despite my desire to avoid her face, I was to be denied. “Please, Akhenaten. Wait. We must talk.” Nefertiti shuffled behind me. She wore all gold today; the color always suited her, unlike Ipy.

  “What now?” I waved my attendants away and faced the woman I had once loved with all my soul, all my being.

  “Thank you for what you have done. Appointing Smenkhkare as co-regent is a wise move. He is worthy of your trust.”

  I smirked at her. “So you acknowledge that I outplayed you? You thought you would steal my son’s love?”

  “What? Never would I do such a thing. I want only the best for our children, all of them. And…I love you, Akhenaten. I have not stopped loving you, even though it has been many moons since you have come to see me. Or come to my bed. It’s not too late, my husband. We can fix whatever is broken between us. We are young still.”

  “Not so young, I think. I hear you can no longer bear children.”

  She drew back, the hurt in her eyes plain. “Who would say such a thing? It is not true.” Her eyes shimmered with tears, but they did not melt my heart. I’d seen tears before. “And why would you believe such lies? Why have you not come to me to ask me yourself? I know you blame me for the death of our daughter, but I too feel the loss. She was my child too, husband.”

  Ignoring the pain in her voice I said, “A wife who can no longer bear children is of no use to a Pharaoh—or a god.”

  Her carefully painted green eyes widened at my words. “What are you saying? Do you plan to declare yourself a god now? Why would you do such a thing? That goes against everything we’ve believed in—everything we’ve worked for! Would you abandon all that you’ve done? You remember what you said, Akhenaten. Freedom to choose, freedom to worship. Those were your words. By doing this you’d be no better than the priests of Amun.” She touched my arm, and her hand felt cool. Her words stung, but I let her touch me. I missed her touch. Over the past months, my heart had traveled too far away from her, too far to go back now. “Please, speak to me, my love. I feel as if someone has poisoned your mind against me. We are one, are we not?” I could smell her scent, a blend of sweet cinnamon, white lotus and something else that was indefinable. Only she wore this scent, and it drove me mad.

  “We were once.”

  Her jaw quivered as she whispered, “Where did we go wrong, Akhenaten? What happened? I must know.”

  I stepped closer to her, closed my eyes and breathed her in one last time. Yes, one last time. Then I would banish her from my sight and my heart forever. “The bastard child, Aperel and of course, your Red Lands lover, Alexio. How often you spoke his name while you slept in my bed.”

  “What?” She gasped in surprise.

  I touched her face with my hand and stroked her jaw for a moment before I clenched her throat. She did not fight me. “You thought I didn’t know, but I knew. I always knew. I forgave you because you were young and foolish. But then you took Aperel to your bed. I saw you two talking, your heads bent together, conspiring against me. You cannot deny it, Desert Queen.”

  “I do deny it!” she said in a hoarse whisper. Smacking my hand furiously, she took her life in her hands. My guards stepped closer, but I waved them away. “Aperel never betrayed you, and you murdered him. It’s as if I do not know you at all! Since I’ve been your wife I have been true to you, husband. Yes! I was true while you took more wives and concubines. You have openly shamed me with your dalliances and liaisons, yet I’ve said nothing! I hoped you would come to your senses and remember who we are, what we hoped to do.”

  “How dare you speak to me about shame? You shame me by bringing the deceiver’s child into my court, practically nursing him at your breast. Have you no shame?”

  “Kames? Can’t you even say his name?”

  “You knew I didn’t want him here, yet you claimed him, you made him our son. The bastard son of my disobedient general and his Meshwesh whore! It is because of him that Sitamen is dead! And you made him our son. What do you care about shaming our house?”

  “He was a child! I didn’t kill Sitamen—the priests did. And you let them!”

  Fury rose in me like the River Nile, and I slapped her across her face. It immediately left a vicious palm print on her pale skin. Although she clapped a hand over it, she did not back down.

  “Go ahead! You can kill me too! That would solve everything, wouldn’t it? You could raise up a new queen, one who would simper and roll over like a dog whenever you spoke. I promise you this, husband. She does not have your best in mind.”

  “What do you know? If it’s Ipy you speak of, you must know I have always loved her. I loved her long before I laid eyes on you,” I lied through gritted teeth. “Long before my mother paraded you before me like a foreign prize. It is time to do what is right for Egypt, Nefertiti.”

  Swinging her robes behind her she said, “From this day forward, I am no longer Nefertiti. I am Nefret. Kill me now if you like or kill me later. It is no matter to me. I see now that my husband, the great Akhenaten, is dead.”

  I flinched at her declaration. It was a grievous sin to speak of death so loosely, especially in reference to a pharaoh. It was as if she had declared a death sentence over me. The others around us hissed their disapproval, but she did not seem to notice.

  She spun on her heel and left me gaping after her. As she walked away I had the curious sensation that I’d witnessed this before. In a dream, perhaps. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew one thing.

  I would never see her again.

  Chapter Eight

  A Golden Son—Tadukhipa

  A portly steward led me into my chambers, as if I’d forgotten where they were, and I frowned thinking of what I would tell the Hittite king about this newest turn of events. My father was dead, and my uncle now ruled, but that would not help me. Long ago I had been given a task, and I had failed. After all these years Akhenaten was no closer to elevating me than he had been at the beginning of our marriage.

  They should have listened to me and killed the red-haired witch while they had the chance. I dismissed the steward and sat at the table while I watched my scribe set up his pens and papyrus. Of course, one of my husband’s court was attending this meeting so I could not express my true heart in any of these matters. He would report whatever I wrote, as was the tradition, but venting my frustration would not help m
e. No one helped Tadukhipa. I always helped myself.

  But at long last I would have some measure of revenge on this court. That I had decided. I could not leave this world or face an ousting by Ipy without exacting my revenge on the Old Queen. Even now my faithful servant was procuring my method of torture for use against my old rival. This would certainly close the lid on her sarcophagus. To my surprise, my husband Akhenaten came to see me. His scribe and I rose and bowed ourselves before him, and I waited until he spoke my name. It had been the longest of times since I’d had a visit from him. I was both delighted and terrified, for according to the recent reports his moods were very changeable as of late.

  “Wife, forgive my intrusion,” he said in his smooth, deep voice.

  “Never say it. You are always welcome here, lord and pharaoh. Please allow me to pour wine for you.” He nodded and took my vacant seat. “Go, scribe. You are not needed now,” I said in a pleasant yet stern voice. With my own hands I poured the cup, sipped it and passed it to him. He also sipped the wine but then extended his arms to me.

  Indeed, this is unusual.

  He held me close to him and kissed my cheek before releasing me. “I was pleased to see you in court today.”

  “Your invitation to attend honors me. I would never refuse an invitation from you, my lord.” I smiled sweetly and took a position next to him at the table. And yet you hardly summon me and didn’t blink when I asked to retire to the Royal Harem, away from you and your Desert Queen.

  “You could have refused, but you chose to honor my son Smenkhkare. It was a deed that did not go unnoticed. Is that hawk necklace worn in his honor?” As he smiled, the grooves around his mouth deepened. Yes, he was handsome still. Did I feel affection for him? Was it true? Did I actually love Akhenaten? No, that couldn’t be possible. I would never allow my heart to behave so foolishly. I suddenly felt old and unattractive. Perhaps I was.

  “Of course. What a handsome, intelligent young man! He will surely make an excellent regent. And I am sure his mother was pleased as well.” I couldn’t resist the dig, but Akhenaten did not take the bait. However, I saw a shadow pass over his handsome face. So the rumors are true! The Desert Queen has lost her power over him. Perhaps now he will do as he has always promised. He will make me Great Queen!

  “Although it is always pleasant to visit with you, I have a purpose for my visit today.”

  “Yes?” I said with great anticipation.

  “I have not forgotten my second son, Tutankhamen. I have been thinking of the future, Tadukhipa. He too is to be honored before Egypt. I have decided to make him the Hawk Prince, now that his brother is co-regent. He will serve as honorary regent during special events and when his older brother Smenkhkare is away from court. This is my desire.”

  “Then it shall be so.” I smiled politely, my heart sinking. So nothing for me, then?

  “I thought you would be pleased. He is a fine boy. A credit to my house. And he has your wit, although I say at times it is very sharp for one so young. I will announce this soon, but I wanted to tell you first so you could prepare the boy for his duties.”

  “He will no doubt be as deeply honored as I am by whatever honors you bestow upon him. Thank you for your kindness to our son, Akhenaten.” With a gulp he finished his drink and walked out of the room, pausing at the doorway as I called to him. “Please, husband. Come see me soon. My arms are hungry for you,” I said, feeling a rare measure of vulnerability. To my own surprise I meant those words. Without looking at me, he nodded once and left me alone.

  I twisted the edge of my gown and ran to my bed, collapsing in a heap. I screamed into my pillow, the frustration and anger welling up inside me. I beat the pillows with my fists but refused to cry. I gasped for air and finally rolled on my back. He honors my son but not me. Never me. I have nothing for all the emptiness. For all the loneliness. I have nothing. Even now when Nefertiti’s star falls, I have nothing.

  How tired I was of hearing her name and seeing their weird statues. It was as if the artists were portraying them as one being. Others could not see it, but I did. But apparently that wasn’t so anymore. Her image was no longer the object of every artist’s rendering. For that at least I was thankful. I dreamed of taking a chisel to her face, a hammer to the stonework, pounding it into dust. I hadn’t been alone in my shock and surprise. The entire court gasped when the new paintings appeared a few years ago. The portrayal of Akhenaten’s strong, masculine figure as an effeminate, misshapen monster had offended everyone. Surely this had been her idea, they whispered, and I agreed. The Desert Queen wanted nothing more than to destroy Akhenaten. What better way than to present him as a monster to his people?

  I slid my sandals on my feet, tidied my wig and went into the hall; a phalanx of servants fell in behind me. I’d chosen to wear pink this morning. Pink had been Tiye’s favorite color, before she lost her mind. I hated the color, but I wore it to offend her as I knew it would. In a few hours, when the night fell on Pharaoh’s city, Mure would fill the Old Queen’s chamber with bats. Oh, how she hated those creatures! I smiled at the idea. I had long planned to present her with such a surprise, but I had to wait until Akhenaten no longer cared so much for his mother. And indeed, now he did not. I couldn’t remember the last time he had visited her. That pleased me greatly.

  I prayed I would hear the screams all the way in my chamber. That would be an excellent turn of events.

  I strolled past the Great Queen’s chambers, not bothering to offer my greetings, and continued on into the smaller, less impressive rooms. I hoped to find Ipy and to find her alone. I was not disappointed. She stood immediately when she saw me, bowed angrily and then crossed her arms like a spoiled child who’d missed her evening treat. Ipy had plump arms and full breasts. It had been a long time since she’d been pregnant. Her daughters were old enough to marry now, and yet here she was again, having another one of Pharaoh’s children. It seemed so unfair.

  I had three children; Tutankhamen and Anuksunamen lived, but my third child died in my womb. I thought I would die then, so great had been the pain in my heart and my body. But I had lived. Lived long enough to see Ipy raised from the harem into the queen’s courts. Even though she was not yet a queen of Akhenaten, it was only a matter of time. Now I’d obviously caught her in the midst of a tantrum. She’d been throwing things about, having a fit. Without much interruption she continued.

  “He promised! He promised me!” The clanging of brass cups and breaking dishes filled the open space. Confused servants lingered back, unwilling to stop their mistress from destroying Pharaoh’s treasures.

  “Here now! Is there a war I have not been told about?” I asked her loudly with some amusement.

  “What are you doing here? Have you come to gloat?”

  “Why should I gloat over your disappointment, Ipy? It is nothing to me.”

  She pulled her hair from her face and straightened her back. She stalked toward me, her fists clenched. I did not act afraid. What would I fear? She might strike me. I hoped she did so that I could have her killed. To strike a queen of Egypt would mean her death. She remembered in time to save herself. “I ask again,” she said, baring her teeth at me, “why have you come?”

  “I came to offer you my friendship, Ipy. It seems you are in need of friends these days.”

  “What do you know about me, Queen Kiya?”

  My back prickled at hearing the old insult. “Call me what you will, but I have a crown on my head. What do you have, Ipy? Should I tell you the names they call you behind your back?”

  “What names?”

  Oh, how easy this is! She took the bait without being pushed!

  “Let’s see. I think I’ve heard ‘Ipy the Squint-Eyed’ most recently. It is true that you struggle to see, isn’t it? You do squint quite a bit. It is most unattractive.”

  She kicked a tall brass brazier. Luckily for her there were no coals inside, or else she would have caught herself on fire.

  “Shall I tell you wh
at they call you, then? Sister?”

  “You are no sister of mine, Ipy. You are not queen yet. But perhaps we can solve that problem. Perhaps I can speak to my husband for you.”

  That quieted her. “I don’t believe you would do that. Why would you?”

  “I don’t know why you don’t believe it. I do such things for my friends.”

  “I have heard about your friends, Tadukhipa. I have no need or desire for such friends.” Her intimation was clear. She referred to my Inhapi and the few who followed her. Fine! Let her mock me. Let her see what love in this court was all about.

  “Having me as an enemy would be a mistake, Ipy.” I rubbed the head of a gold lion as I glanced up at her. “A very big mistake. Why don’t we work together? You can have what you want; I can have what I want. It makes sense. That is how things work here. Those who advance must work with others. You must work with me, or else you will be left behind.”

  She snorted at me. “You mean you’ll be left behind. I have no doubt that Akhenaten will make me queen, perhaps even Great Queen. I do not need your help, Tadukhipa. You see I have done well for myself, and you have never helped me before. Why start now?” She did not wait for an answer but continued, her voice dropped in a mocking tone, “I know why. Because it is you who cannot accomplish your task. How long have you been a lowly queen? You let the outsider take your place, and now I will take hers and yours. Make no mistake, Queen Tadukhipa. I am not your friend. I will never be your friend. Now get out.”

  My servants gasped behind me. What a low, common woman to speak to me in such a way. I felt at my hip, but my blade was not there. Instead I grabbed her arms and pulled her to me. We were nose to nose, eye to eye. She grunted and twisted, but I was taller and too strong for her, despite her plump arms. I pinched them hard and growled in her face. “And now you will be no more, Ipy! You will be nothing! No one! You will be fortunate to go back to the harem from whence you came!” With a deliberate thrust of my knee into her swollen belly I released her. She dropped to the ground, and I stormed out of the room, calling my servants to me as I left.