Secrets in the Sand by Lauren Lee Merewether

Author:Lauren Lee Merewether [Merewether, Lauren Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781087298511
Published: 2019-08-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The Time of New Allies

A caravan arrived from the Hittites accepting an alliance and bringing gifts of jewels and medicine to Egypt. It had been three years since Nefertiti had sent the offer of alliance under Pharaoh Akhenaten’s name. General Paaten, Master of Pharaoh’s Horses, Ay, and Commander Horemheb all three agreed this was still what was best for Egypt, since Egypt’s allies had all but stopped trading with them.

Nefertiti accepted their caravan, then mumbled to herself, “Three years . . . better late than never.”

“The treasury at least is growing again,” her daughter, Ankhesenpaaten, said as she came from the shadows to her mother. “Though I hate it to be at the generosity of our enemy.”

“Ankhesenpaaten—” Nefertiti motioned for her to approach. “The treasury grows because of the portion we receive from the priesthood of Amun as well.”

“Mother . . . may I ask you something without you becoming angry?” Ankhesenpaaten tilted her head and swung her arms behind her back. Her long, thin body swayed in the gentle breeze of the throne room. Beads of sweat trickled down her brow as she stepped into the sunlight. The throne room’s roof sat partially covered; even decrees from Pharaohs still took time to implement. Her shallow breathing followed the rhythm of her racing pulse.

Nefertiti cocked a half-grin. “Of course, my sweet one.”

Her mother had always called her the sweet one; she didn’t know why.

“Mut and I were speaking the other day—”

“What did Mut say?” Nefertiti’s stern voice equaled the straight edge of her back.

“Mother!” Ankhesenpaaten threw her hands at her sides. “You promised you wouldn’t become angry.”

Nefertiti held up her hand. “Please, continue.”

Ankhesenpaaten lowered her chin. She didn’t want to confront her mother outright with her suspicions regarding the strange night Nefertiti had come to her, quickly followed by the death of Meritaten, so she began with Mut just as she had rehearsed. “Mut told me you were sad . . .”

“Why wouldn’t I be sad, daughter? Meritaten was killed. Meketaten, Neferneferure, and Setepenre were all taken by the plague—royal wife Kiya as well. My husband . . .”—Nefertiti drew in a sharp breath and closed her eyes momentarily—“journeys to the afterlife. Our country, although making strides back to greatness, almost bore the burden of poverty. There are many things that make me sad. One day, if you are to be Pharaoh as myself, or even chief royal wife or Coregent, you too will see sadness, and then you will understand.”

Ankhesenpaaten drew nearer to her mother. “But, Mother, they were my father and my husband. My sisters. Have I not lost too?”

Here is my leading question. I cannot turn back now, she thought as her fingers trembled.

“Your smile is elusive. Mut tells me you talk as if you see the end. Are you not happy that you and Nefe and myself are still among the living?”

“Of course I am, my sweet one,” Nefertiti said, and she jumped up and threw her arms around Ankhesenpaaten. She acted as if she

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