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Kevinkare returned as promised. Meritaten jumped up when she saw him. “Sit down!” Kevinkare ordered.
0 She complied. “You don’t know how boring this is. You can’t mean to keep me locked up here like a prisoner.”
“If that’s what it takes to make your foot well: yes.”
She sighed, hating to be cooped up inside one room hour after hour for who-knows-how-long. It was even worse because she couldn’t move around. Kevinkare stood awkwardly by the door. “You don’t have to stay there like that,” Meritaten said, giggling. “Come on in.”
Slowly, Kevinkare walked over and took a seat on a papyrus mat before her. “Is your foot, uh, feeling okay?”
“Do you only talk the trade?”
“Well, no, I, um...”
Both unexpectedly shy, they averted their eyes from each other. A servant entered. “Her Majesty has come to see you, Your Highness.” Kevinkare stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. Meritaten bit her lip, but she knew she could not do anything to change whatever her mother wished to do. Nefertiti swept in. She stopped in her tracks at seeing Kevinkare. Regaining her composure, she nodded her greeting to him. Kevinkare bowed.
Nefertiti addressed him. “I need to speak to you privately.”
“As you wish, my queen.” Kevinkare turned to Meritaten. “I’ll be back to check on your foot tomorrow, Your Highness.”
He followed Nefertiti to her audience chamber. There he found his sister going through paperwork. Nefret looked up as they entered and grinned from ear to ear.
“Your sister already knows what I’m about to tell you.” Nefertiti lowered her voice. “I am not what you think I am.”
Kevinkare looked confused.
“I am not the loyal follower of Aten that my husband and my people think I am. I was forced into this marriage by my father who is now a prominent official in my husband’s court.”
“Ay...” Kevinkare murmured aloud.
“Yes, that’s him. My husband’s strange ideas are foreign to me, and I don’t share them as I once did. When I was young, I blinded by visions of a new world that we’d rule jointly--a world of harmony. I fell in love with the Amenhotep, as he was once called, and out of love with Akhenaten. He told me that one particular god, Aten, had favored his father and himself. But he became fanatical. I couldn’t do anything to stop him because he did become Pharaoh. I was powerless against him. The gods will be angry with me for supporting him this far, but I can’t do it any longer.
“I needed a good confidant and the old mistress of my household was loyal to my husband. The other day I saw Nefret, and I knew somehow that she disagreed with Akhenaten. Perhaps it was Isis telling me, but when I told her that I was looking to betray my husband, she told me of The Cause. I knew bringing, um.... what was his name?” She looked at Nefret, who had slowly inched her way over to her new friend.
“Brianamun,” Nefret whispered, smiling supportively at the queen.
“I knew it was too risky to bring Brianaten here,” Nefertiti went on, “and Nefret told me that you were also involved. I knew you were here, so I sent for you. Will you help me, Kevinkare?”
“Of course, Majesty.”
“That’s the first thing we will be rid of,” she said, smiling fondly at him.
“Between ourselves, I am Nefertiti, and you are Kevinkare.”
“As you wish, Nefertiti.”
“I’d also like to apologize for any unfriendliness that I might have given off toward you. Towards the end here, I’ve been grouchy and an awful queen to my people. Now that there is hope, I promise to make myself friendlier.
“I personally didn’t like you because I thought you were a stiff supporter of my husband.”
He laughed. “I guess I’m a good actor then.”
Kevinkare had to admit that she had indeed lost the icy, cold aura. “It would be a great privilege and honor to have the queen of our country working with us on The Cause,” Kevinkare went on.
“How can I help?”
“By telling us any and all of his weaknesses.”
“What... what are you going to do to him?”
“Anything and everything to get him off the throne, but as of right now, you are protected from the gods’ wrath.”
“Do you need anything from me now?”
“Weaknesses. When is he alone?”
“He’s rarely alone. At night he normally always has a young female companion with him. I may be his Great Royal Wife, but I’ve fallen from his graces lately.” Kevinkare blushed.
“He always has bodyguards. It’s as though he knows that most people outside of Akhetaten hate him, and that they could visit at any time, his demise in mind.”
“If anything ever comes up, send Nefret here. She knows where to find me or someone else.”
“I will.”
“Until then, be careful when the two of you talk. You never know who could be listening.”
Nefret smiled, her eyebrows raised. “Yes, of course, father.”
Kevinkare bowed to Nefertiti.
“None of that either,” she scolded with a motherly smile at him.
“As you wish then. I’ll be speaking with you soon.” He left the room.
Nefertiti collapsed against the couch. “I feel like I’ve just unburdened my soul.”
“In a way you have,” Nefret told her, patting her hand supportively, “but you mustn’t act like anything’s different.”
“I’ll be much happier. That much I can tell you for sure.”
“That’ll be for the better. You can find your way back in Akhenaten’s, um, good graces.”
Nefertiti smiled, happy to have made her young friend and a whole host of others.
*****
Alexhotep could not solve the mystery. Whoever had planted the snake had been extremely careful to cover their tracks. He was wandering through the palace halls, on his way to Akhenaten’s audience room. He didn’t know what he was going to tell him. He had to give Pharaoh his daily report, but he had no idea what to say. His head lowered, watching his feet walk, he made his way toward where he’d meet with the king.
A person in a hurry ran into him.
Alexhotep looked up.
It was Kevinkare. He looked like he couldn’t contain his glee. Kevinkare gave him a look that said, “You’ll hear about this later,” and took off again.
Alexhotep continued to the king.
He knocked on the office door.
“Come in.”
Alexhotep entered.
“Ah,” Akhenaten said. “How is the progress coming along?”
I’d better be honest, Alexhotep told himself. “There is no progress, Majesty. I’m stuck. I can’t think of anyway to do this. I’m sorry. I’ve followed every possible lead, and they all lead to dead-ends. Whoever has a grudge against Her Royal Highness has covered their tracks well.”
Akhenaten watched him seriously. “Well, you’ve done your best, and you get the job.”
“But I didn’t succeed!”
“As I said, you did your best. My old captain of the guard would have done worse. He would have lied to me. You were at least honest, and Aten has always approved of honest men. You get the job.”
“Thank you, Majesty,” Alexhotep bowed.
“You may go and greet your new soldiers.”
“Yes, Majesty.” He bowed again and left. Fool, he thought. Akhenaten had no idea that he was feeding himself to the lions.
Chapter Six
Several days later, Kevinkare visited Meritaten for the last time. “You’re foot is looking very well. Let’s try it out.”
He helped her up. From being off her feet for so long, Meritaten was a little wobbly. She started walking with baby-steps toward the balcony. Kevinkare walked with her, matching her pace. All of a sudden her foot slipped and she went sprawling towards the floor. She put her hands out in front of her to catch herself and slammed her eyes closed. She didn’t feel the impact of the hard, marble floor but of soft, supporting arms. She opened one eye to look up into Kevinkare’s eyes--the same shade as Hathor’s jewels. She remembered the goddess of love, one of the few old gods she kept in secret. He smiled down at her. She blushed, but she didn’t pull away. Slowly, she stood on her own two feet. Kevinkare didn’t pull his arms away. Meritaten didn’t know what to do, but in the end, she decided to go for it.
She stood up on tip-toe and kissed him. Startled, Kevinkare couldn’t force himself to pull away.
When they pulled away, Kevinkare slowly stepped away. “I can’t do this, Meritaten. I want to, but if I’m caught...”
“Yes, I know, but I don’t care. Treason or not, I want to be with you.”
The past few days, what had been simple attraction had flowered into love. Kevinkare couldn’t deny his feelings for her anyhow. Nefertiti wouldn’t mind, and he was already betraying the king. Why not go right into it? He moved toward her and encircled her in his arms, lowering his face to her own.
*****
Later that day, as Kevinkare held Meritaten in his arms, he told her about The Cause.
“I don’t want there to be any secrets between us,” he told her. “You don’t have to agree with us.”
“Kevinkare, I love you. Whatever you’re involved with, I want to be also.”
He grinned at her. When he truly smiled happily, Meritaten would shiver with joy. R “I’ll join your Cause.”
“You wouldn’t betray us?”
“Kevinkare!” she glared at him. “I think you’d trust me.”
“I do, I do. I’ve been here for a while. I’m going to have to leave.”
“Here.” Meritaten led him toward the far wall. She pressed a hieroglyphic in and the wall panel swung open. “Come to me this way from now on. I’ll sneak out to see you too.” With a final kiss in parting, Kevinkare tore himself away.
*****
Three and a half months passed. Through Nefertiti and Meritaten, they gathered interesting and substantial information that they could use against the king. However, no time was ever right for them to come out and subtly dispose of him. Brianamun had spent his time off conducting secret meetings with supporters. More than a few times, Nefret had been sent to him. Through her, Brianamun and Nefertiti had forged a friendship. One day, Brianamun was packing up to return to Thebes and his priestly duties.
A servant entered. “You have a guest, my lord. She gives her name as Nefret.”
“Send her in then.”
Nefret walked in.
As always, Brianamun was overwhelmed by her other-worldly beauty. She looked like a goddess come to life. Quietly, Nefret reported the current news from the palace. There wasn’t much to tell.
“What’s the gossip?” he inquired, returning to his packing--unable to watch her.
“They say Nefertiti has found a secret lover, and that’s why she is happy and youthful again.”
Brianamun chuckled. “That’s not Nefertiti’s style.”
“No.” She was uncharacteristically shy.
“Nefertiti also told me to tell you that if anything comes up, I will be sent to Thebes to report it to you directly.”
Brianamun looked up and thought a moment. “That’ll be difficult. They won’t trust me with a pretty girl like you... You’ll have to sneak at night.”
He brought out a map of the wrecked Karnak, Amun’s once great temple. He pointed out a fairly large house within it. “That’s where I live. Sneak in a window. I’ll leave one open for you.”
She blushed and nodded. “Hopefully something won’t come up too important.”
“No, it may be just what we’re looking for.”
“If something minor comes up, I’ll tell Alexhotep or Kevinkare.” A flustered servant, the same who’d introduced Nefret, came in. “A man says it is urgent that he talks with you.”
“Who?”
“He won’t give his name. He just tossed me in the direction of your room, my lord.”
“Send him in.”
Expecting some lunatic, Brianamun and Nefret were greeted by the tall, blonde frame of Nickathor. Happy to be back in Egypt, Nickathor pulled his friend into a hug.
“It’s good to be back,” Nickathor stated. “Nothing compares to good, ol’ Egypt.”
“Not even Greece?” Brianamun teased.
“Naw. Not even my home country.” Nickathor turned to look at Nefret. “Who’s this? Have you found yourself a wife finally, Bri?”
Both Brianamun and Nefret blushed deeply.
“No,” Brianamun replied. “This is Kevinkare’s sister, Nefret. She’s with us.”
“The queen will be expecting me back shortly. I should be on my way,” Nefret murmured. She hurried out.
“Was it something I said?” Nickathor asked innocently.
“As always, I think that’s a yes. Sit down. We have a lot to talk about. First, tell me about what happened with the northern protectorates.” Nickathor began to explain what he’d done over the previous four months.
“I went to every fort imaginable. Everyone up there thinks Akhenaten’s a fool and that he’ll be easy to get rid of.”
“That’s where we’ve been wrong all along. We have people now who are extremely close to the king, and they tell us that he’s well guarded. He expects things like what we’ve been planning from the start. We need to outsmart him. He’s not as dumb as we’ve thought him to be. He may not be strong physically, but he has his well-being guarded by the soldiers, but his captain of the guard is with us. Yet those who protect him are loyal, but our man can easily change that. A holiday, a vacation, a change of the guard with the wrong guard. However, that’d be too obvious--”
“Who do we have in the palace besides Kevinkare, Howymose, and that girl who was just here?”
“Well, Kevinkare isn’t really that close to Pharaoh, but Howymose has a good position. But we have new people. Alexhotep has moved up. He’s now captain of the guard--”
“Good for him! I knew he’d become prominent to both Pharaoh and us! Who else?”
“Meritaten--”
“Meritaten?! The princess?!”
“Shhh!!” Brianamun hissed. “Keep your voice down. Yes. She and Kevinkare have become... er, close, and she’s come over to our side.”
“ ‘Close’? How close?”
“You know Kevinkare.”
Nickathor grinned. “Who else is new?”
“This is even more unbelievable than Meritaten.”
“Who?”
“Nefertiti.”
Nickathor started choking on his own saliva. “You’re kidding?”
“Not at all. Nefret became the mistress of her household, which is also the position of confidant to the queen. Nefertiti confided her desire to turn the country back to the true gods. Nefret told her of The Cause. Since I was too risky to bring into the palace and Kevinkare was already there, they sent for him.”
“Geez! Kevinkare gets all the luck.”
“It’s the grace of the gods, that’s what it is.”
“Any startling revelations that I should know about?”
“We’ve been watching Akhenaten forever it seems now, but he’s careful. He hasn’t slipped yet, but when he does, we’ll be waiting. In this game, you have to have patience.”
“Yeah...” Nickathor sighed. Patience was not his strong-point. “Well, the north is with us and will support us if it the gods call for war.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. The only blood I want to shed is that of Akhenaten.”
“So where do we go from here?”
“I go back to Thebes. In a month, we’ll see what happens.”
“Anything can happen in a month.”
“And it usually does, but I will pray to Amun, make the offerings and rituals.”
“What am I to do here?”
“What do you usually do at home?”
Nickathor laughed. “We’ll see, we’ll see.”
“I’m sorry,” Brianamun went on. “My ship leaves today, and I haven’t finished packing yet. I’ll see you in a month.”
Nickathor embraced his best-friend once again (this time in goodbye) and left. Towards early evening, Brianamun just made it before his ship cast off. He felt like he was leaving a part of him behind as he watched Akhetaten fade into the background. Normally, he’d have felt glad to leave, what was so different now? What had changed?
****
Nickathor left Brianamun’s house. He headed in the direction of the market. As he neared, scents of spices, perfume, and hundreds of different types of food met his nose.
He wandered through it. I’ll have to send a servant out to buy food, he thought. He was examining some food thoughtfully when he heard a commotion coming from an alley. One voice was talking forcefully in a whisper, while the other, obviously feminine, had no shame about who they were talking to.
“I didn’t take your darned perfume,” the girl snapped.
The whispered-voice hissed something in response. Curious, Nickathor made his way over.
He saw a round, obese man glaring forcefully at a young girl. He had a firm hold on her arm with a grip that looked like it must hurt.
The girl herself was glaring just as forcefully back at the man. She was small-boned with curly, black hair and ebony eyes. She was clearly a Nubian, and Nickathor was immediately attracted to her.
“Excuse me,” he interrupted. “What’s going on here?”
“She tried to steal from my cart.”
“Oh, really?”
The girl turned her sarcastic glare on Nickathor.
“Mind your own business,” she snapped. Toward her captor, “Let met go at once.”
“What did she try and steal?” Nickathor asked.
“A perfume.”
From Nickathor’s judgment, she didn’t look like the type to go around stealing scents if anything.
She turned back to Nickathor. “If you want to help me at all, make him let go of me.” She wriggled in the man’s grasp.
The man was getting tired and finally let go of her. “Just get out of here, you brat,” he spat. “Don’t let me see you around my cart ever again.”
“Gladly.” She rolled her eyes and headed back out into the streets.
Nickathor followed. “Hey, wait up. My name’s Nickathor.”
“Aneski.”
“ ‘She belongs to me.’ Sounds more like a pet name to me.”
“Well, it’s my name.”
“Are you visiting Egypt, or do you live here?”
“I live here. I just came. My family’s all back in Nubia, but it was time for a change. Besides, I have... things to do here. Do you know where I can find a Brianaten?”
Nickathor flinched. “Why?”
“He offered me a job.” It was a one of the code-phrases. She was testing him.
“You’re going to work for him?”
“Yes.”
“He went back to Thebes.”
“Oh, yes, I meant to get here before he left.”
“I am his good friend and co-worker. Maybe I can help you.”
“Um, maybe not.”
“Work with me for a little while. I don’t know what I’m doing yet because I need to talk to Kevinkare, Brianaten’s second in command.”
“Okay then. I might as well hang around with you until I can find something better.”
Nickathor laughed. “ ‘Something better’....”

Chapter Seven

Howymose entered the queen’s quarters. He bowed to Nefertiti, considering there were others besides Nefret in the room. “You sent for me, Majesty?”
“Yes. I need to dictate a letter.” She turned to her servants. “Leave us. Nefret, stay.”
The servants bowed and exited. Howymose sat in the traditional scribe position. Nefertiti shook her head. “No, none of that. You’re here on other business.”
Howymose stood up. “What’s come up?”
Nefertiti lowered her voice. “It seems that Akhenaten is going into the temple for a few days in a couple of weeks. He’ll be fasting and praying. Your group must get word of that. I’m sending Nefret here to Thebes immediately.”
“I’m all packed, Nefertiti,” Nefret stated, her small bundle in her hands. “Can you get her to Thebes?” Nefertiti asked Howymose.
“I can get her a ticket, yes. I’ll tell our people here, and I take she’s being sent to Brianam-- Brianaten?”
“I am standing right here,” Nefret snapped at him.
“Sorry,” Howymose replied sheepishly.
“And yes, that’s what I’ll be doing,” Nefret went on.
“Be quick,” Nefertiti urged.
Howymose led Nefret out. Biting her lip, Nefertiti couldn’t help but pace. Eventually, she returned to her queenly duties.
*******
Kevinkare was polishing some of his equipment when a noise behind him, startled him from his work. He turned to see Meritaten standing there. “What are you doing here?” he hissed. “If it’s found out that you’re gone, we’re doomed.”
She placed her finger over his mouth. “Hush.” She replaced her finger with her lips.
Kevinkare pulled away with a groan. “I have work to do.”
“Can’t you put them on hold?”
“Merit--”
“You’d resist a princess?”
“This princess, most of the time, no.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Why start now?”
“Meritaten--”
His protests were half-hearted and eventually he gave in to her requests.
****
Meritaten slipped through the secret passage into her room. There was a bounce in her step, and she was utterly happy. Just as she collapsed at her window seat to look up at the stars, the door to her room opened. Akhenaten entered. “Father!” Meritaten jumped up, feeling she’d been caught during her prayer to the sky.
Akhenaten’s face was grave. He couldn’t possibly know I was gone, her mind thought frantically. “You should be the first to know, Meritaten.”
“What is it, Father?” She tried to make herself look normal, but she wasn’t exactly an expert at concealing her emotions.
“Your mother was plotting against me.”
“Really?” Well, so am I, her mind told her.
“Yes. She will be banished to the northern palace.”
“What about her hand-maiden?”
“She was in it with her.”
“What will happen to her?”
“Nefret... since she is not part goddess like Nefertiti, she will be tried and probably sentenced to death.”
Meritaten’s eyes popped out in disbelief. In the time Nefret had worked for Nefertiti, the two had become good friends, being around the same age. “Who will be Great Royal Wife?”
“For now, Kiya.” Akhenaten kissed his daughter’s forehead. “Try and get some rest.”
Akhenaten left. Meritaten waited a few minutes for him to get down the hall before she scurried out the secret passage again.
******
Kevinkare was just settling down to sleep when he was informed that he had a guest. “Who?”
“She gives her name as Mayati.”
Meritaten, Kevinkare thought. Mayati was a pet name her father used for her. Meritaten hurried into his bedroom. She disposed of the cloak covering her face. “Nefertiti has been banished! She’s been found out. So has Nefret. You mustn’t let her return from Thebes alone. Have her stay there with Brianamun or someone, and don’ttell anyone that she’s your sister. Thank the gods Father doesn’t know!”
Kevinkare absorbed the information quietly. “I’ll send someone to Thebes immediately.”
“I must be back before I’m missed.” Meritaten kissed him quickly and ran off into the night.
*****
Brianamun was exhausted. He’d spent the day running around the temple making sure everything was in its place. It was late into the night when he was finally able to retire to his small house for the evening.
He had undressed for the evening and had pulled the thin sheet over him. He was just drifting off into peaceful slumber when he heard a soft thud. His eyes fluttered open to see a graceful figure clad in white.
The apparition looked at him searchingly, trying to figure out if he was sleeping or awake. Brianamun sat straight up in bed, the sheet falling away from his bare, muscular chest.
“Um, you told me you’d leave a window open for me,” the apparition spoke.
“I thought this was the right one.”
“Oh, Nefret! You scared me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. What’s going on?”
“Akhenaten will be alone fasting for a few days within the precincts of a temple in Akhetaten.”
“This is good news. Nefertiti sent you?”
“Of course she did.”
Someone banged on Brianamun’s front door. “Quick hide!” Brianamun hissed.
Nefret’s eyes looked around searchingly. Brianamun pointed to a screen, and Nefret scurried toward it.
Brianamun left his bedroom and made his way toward the front door. He pulled it open. One of Kevinkare’s messengers was leaning against the door panel, breathing hard.
He handed Brianamun Kevinkare’s letter. Brianamun addressed him, “Go to the main temple. They will give you accommodations for the next few days.”
“Thank you,” the poor boy panted. He headed toward the place Brianamun had pointed him to. Brianamun returned to his bedroom, reading the note on the way. Nefret emerged.
“When do I go back to Akhetaten?” she inquired.
“You don’t.”
“What?”
“You don’t,” he repeated. “There’s a warrant out for your arrest.”
“How did they catch on to me?”
“Nefertiti. They were obviously watching her. The information you gave me was false. Akhenaten will perform his ceremony, but with sufficient guard.”
“So what happens now?” Nefret asked, obviously frightened.
“Kevinkare told me it’d be best if you remained in Thebes. I can find a wealthy merchant who supports our Cause that you can stay with.”
“So I have to give up my life in Akhetaten to stay in Thebes?”
“It’s what you originally wanted, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but my life changed dramatically since then. I made new friends... What happened to Nefertiti?”
“She was banished to the northern palace to live out the rest of her life. Meritaten hasn’t been caught yet.”
“Good for Merit.”
Brianamun sighed. “I’m sorry, Nefret, to be so grumpy and sour. This isn’t really like me. I’m usually really nice and have a personality, but this has been a long day for me. We lost a valuable ally. I’m only glad she got off so lightly, but you...” He smiled apologetically at her. “I’m going to do my best to make sure no harm comes to you.”
Nefret was lost in his eyes. Finally, she lowered her own and murmured, “What do I do tonight?”
“I guess you stay here.” Brianamun blushed. It was a small house with only three rooms: a living room, a kitchen, and his bedroom. “Here. You can take the bed. I’ll, um... I’ll go sleep in the living room.”
“That’s all right. It’s your house. I’m intruding here. I’ll go in the living room.”
“Here take the bed,” he ordered. He got an extra blanket and laid it on the ground. “See? Solves both our problems.”
She blushed, but decided it was better not to argue over any longer. “Um, good night, Nefret.”
“Good night, Brianamun,” she whispered.

Chapter Eight

Nefret woke up to the bright sun shining in her eyes. Scattered blankets on the floor were the only proof that Brianamun had slept there the previous night. He was nowhere in sight.
She wandered out into the living room. In the kitchen she found a note addressed to her. She as one of the few women who were literate. Kevinkare had been patient and had taught her.
The realization creeped into Nefret’s head that she might never see him again. He was all the family she had left, and it was very possible that she would have to stay in Thebes forever. He could visit me though, she thought. But not if I’m caught by the guards first... No, but Alexhotep would see me before Pharaoh and would let me go.
She sighed and focused on the letter.
Nefret,
This may not sound like much fun, but please try to remain inside all day today. If it’s known that I had a woman in my quarters during my service during the temple, I’m done for. I’ll try and find a new home for you.
“What am I? A stray?” she said alloud to herself.
She settled herself down for a boring day.
*******
Alexhotep drove the chariot toward the northern palace. Standing as tall as she could, dignified Nefertiti stood beside him, her hands bound the side of the chariot. “I’m sorry, Majesty,” Alexhotep whispered.
“I did what I had to do for the gods,” she replied. “Perhaps now they can forgive me for my foolishness. I’m getting off easy because he still loves me.” She sighed.
She still loves him too, Alexhotep thought.
“Will you promise me somthing, Alexhotep?”
“Anything, my queen.”
“Protect my daughter. I’m afraid of what Akhenaten has in store for Meritaten. He’s been kind to her five sisters, but he’ll marry her off someday, and I guarantee it won’t be to Kevinkare.” “They know the possibilities.”
“Just make sure it’s not discovered that she’s working for The Cause, and if it is, protect her in some way. Get her out of the country, or bring her to me.”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“If Nefret is caught, she’ll be brought to you. Bring her to the dungeon, and dismiss the other guards. You can handle one, mere girl, can’t you? There is a secret passage next to the largest cell. Press in the torch. It will lead out to the City of the Dead here at Akhetaten. From there, she can make her way to safety. That goes for if any of you are caught.”
“Thank you, M--”
“It’s truly only Nefertiti now. I am no longer Great Royal Wife. That position belongs rightfully to Kiya now.
“Be careful around her. I don’t trust her.”
“She’s only a foreign princess who’s come to Pharaoh’s harem? What could she possibly do?”
“Don’t underestimate women, Alexhotep.”
They pulled up to the northern palace. Her chin held high, Nefertiti allowed the guards to lead her into her golden cage. With one last look at the beautiful queen, Alexhotep turned his chariot around and galloped back to the main palace.
*****
Alexhotep was hurrying up the steps to the palace when someone hailed him. He turned and saw Meritaten. He looked around to see if anyone was watching him. No one was. Thus, he hurried over.
“What’s going on, Your Highness?”
“What did my mother say?”
Alexhotep smiled down at her, pitying her to be a member of the royal family. It’s not something I’d want, he thought. He told her, “She told me to take care of you. She’s worried about you, and, er,” he blushed, “her thoughts are, um, with you.”
Meritaten smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Alexhotep.” She blinked back the tears and disappeared into the palace.
*******
Brianamun returned to his house toward early evening. Nefret flew toward the door, hearing it open.
“You’d better have found a place for me to go because I’m going out of my mind with nothing to do.”
Brianamun smiled, teasingly.
“I suppose you had a better day today.”
“Sure did. Amun must be in a good mood or something. Tomorrow you can go to Sennedjem’s household. He’ll be glad to take you, but I guess you need to force yourself through another night with me.”
Suddenly bitter, Brianamun pushed past her into the kitchen. Surprised, Nefret trailed him with her eyes. “Was it something I said?” she asked.
“No.” It was something you didn’t say, he thought.
“What is it? Brianamun, I’m sick of this. Tell me what’s going on with you. If you keep getting mad at me for something I don’t know about, how can I change? Why can’t we be friends, or would you prefer if we stayed co-workers? Two people working to accomplish the same thing.”
Brianamun’s eyes flashed like blue-lightning. “Is that all you want? To be friends?”
She blushed and lowered her gaze.
Brianamun also looked away. “Um, what do you want for supper?”
“Anything’s fine,” she murmured.
“Oh, forget this,” Brianamun grumbled. He stalked over to Nefret, grabbed her in his arms and kissed her passionately.

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