The Golden Queen

Thirty

Thirty

AHMOSE'S arm brushed mine as he settled into his chair next to me. I had fallen into a pensive state, listening as the musicians performed in the great ballroom. Taking my hand, he pressed his lips into my palm and whispered, "You are tired, my love. You do not have to weary yourself with this banquet if you are not feeling up to it."

I smiled at him and murmured, "I will stay." Absentmindedly, I ran my hand over my belly, knowing I would have to leave if another wave of sickness hit me. The wedding had gone perfectly, and only after we boarded our boat to sail back to the palace did I became ill again. I had dismissed the illness as nerves to Ahmose, planning to tell him the truth tonight when we were alone and in bed together.

The musicians took up lyres and began plucking a soft, fleeting melody. People began crowding the dance floor, and turning to me, Ahmose asked, "Will you dance with me?"

I gave him my hand and said, "I would love to." I followed him to the dance floor, and couples began moving away, creating a space in the center of the ballroom. They crowded around to watch us. He placed his hand on the small of my back, and the world around us seemed to tumble away. Taking his hand, I gazed up into his eyes and murmured, "I love you."

"I love you too, my golden queen," he whispered in my ear.

I closed my eyes and pressed my cheek into his shoulder as he held me against him, waltzing into a slow and delicate pace, in sync with the harmony of the lyres. Then I began to envision Clair. It was the first time I had thought about her in sometime, and I tried to imagine what she was doing. Was she still searching for Ahmose's tomb in the far away twenty-first century? Would she find me buried next to him? Would she find our unborn child that would grow up and become a great ruler of Egypt? I wrapped my arms tighter around my husband.

Ahmose's own arm tightened around my waist. "I have something to tell you," I murmured. He pulled back to look into my eyes. Past his shoulder, I saw the door on the western side of the hall open suddenly, and in strode Iset, a drink in hand and servants trailing quietly behind her. She wore a gown spun from golden thread, with precious gems that twinkled on her fingers like tiny stars. Her ruby lips parted and flashed white as she smiled at me.

Instinctively, I grabbed Ahmose's hand. Had Thutmosis accompanied her here? I quickly scanned over the dozen or so servants that shadowed her and did not see Thutmosis.

Ahmose followed my gaze, and scowled at Iset suspiciously. He halted our dance immediately, and the crowd began looking her way. The music stopped, and the room plunged into silence. Iset's footsteps padded against the polished tiles as she came forward, opening her arms and embracing Ahmose. He stiffened in her arms, but relaxed when he realized she had come alone. She pulled back, and gazing at me, smiled warmly. "My queen," she breathed, and fell to her knees to kiss the hem of my gown, "You truly are more beautiful than Isis herself. I wish I could have witnessed the marriage of my most treasured brother and his new bride, but the news of your wedding arrived late." She rose to her feet.

"Such a shame," he replied flatly. "It is nearly a four day trip up the Nile to Megiddo. The news mustn't have been delayed by long, considering you are here now."

I wasn't surprised or disappointed that Iset hadn't attended the wedding, considering her husband had been banished from Thebes. But from the scorn that suddenly flashed across Ahmose's face, I knew he was more than displeased by her blatant disregard.

"What brings you here?" he asked curtly.

Iset motioned to her servants, young girls in simple robes, and they hurried out of the room. "I bring gifts for you and your lovely queen, dear brother," she answered. Moments later, the doors opened and the servants returned, each carrying a large woven basket. One of the servants brought her basket to Iset and sat it on the floor before us. Iset lifted the lid, and within the intertwined reeds were rich silks and gems of every color. Ahmose approached the basket and glanced inside.