Free The Sekhmet Bed by L. M. Ironside Page B

brushed a tear out of the corner of her eye, then lightly rubbed, fixing her kohl. “No tears now. She is with Osiris. Her baby, too.” His eyes were gentle, comforting.
    “ I am trying to set it aside, so I can enjoy our wedding feast.”
    “ There is no need to set your friend aside, or your grief. Honor her by remembering her. But Aiya’s spirit is watching you. Remember that, too. Although you can’t see her, she is here with us tonight, celebrating with us. She is happy for you, don’t you think? And she will be your friend forever.”
    Thutmose . She wanted to say his name aloud, to show her gratitude for his kindness. His soft words made her feel calmer, more centered, the way she had always felt while spinning with Aiya. “I can feel her with me,” she managed at last. “Thank you.” Her throat tightened. She swallowed hard, and said again, “Thank you, Thutmose.”
    He leaned in close, so their foreheads nearly touched. His scent overwhelmed her. “Call me Tut,” he whispered, as if they conspired in some secret mischief.
    “ Tut,” she breathed.
     
    ***
     
    Mutnofret still had not showed by the time the stewards herded Ahmose and the king from the great hall. They were ushered to a waiting room, comfortably appointed and supplied with a senet board and a harpist. They played a distracted game of senet, chatting and joking as the hour before the celebration fled. He told her stories of his battles and showed her a fearsome scar on his scalp, impulsively pulling off his wig. She had to help him reposition it; they both laughed as she fussed with it. By the time Ineni appeared to announce the hour, Ahmose was more confident with Thutmose than she’d ever been.
    “ Where is Mutnofret? Is she trapped in a privy?”
    Tut jackal-laughed. “I’m sure she’ll show up. She probably wants to make a grand entrance.”
    Ahmose’s shoulders raised like a wary animal hackling. A grand entrance? The grandest entrance Nofret could imagine wouldn’t be enough to shake Ahmsoe’s composure. She had to tell herself that several times.
    “ Pharaoh,” Ineni called from the door.
    Tut rose from his chair and adjusted his long, many-pleated kilt. He looked so handsome and powerful in the formal dress. “It’s time to go play king.”
    Ahmose followed him from the waiting room and down the corridor to the great hall’s entryway. The noise of many voices carried through the great double doors. She was suddenly all a-flutter over the feast, welling up inside with anticipation and pride. She didn’t think she could stand being alone, even for a few minutes while Tut was formally announced.
    He stopped, turned back to look at her. She reached up to straighten his Eye-of-Horus pectoral; he caught her wrists. “A kiss for luck,” he said, and before she could blink, his lips touched her own. His kiss was there and gone in an instant, but her mouth tingled as he walked away. The complement of guards on the feast hall’s doors bowed to him, swung the huge carved and gilded doors wide.
    “ The heir to the Horus Throne, Thutmose,” the steward called. Hundreds of voices rose in a cheer.
    Ahmose leaned against the wall beside the doors, where none of the guests could see her. She pressed a hand to her heart, squeezing her eyes shut, willing her breath to steady. Confidence. Confidence is all a queen needs. I will make them see me as a queen . When the shouts of the people died back, Ineni coughed politely, gestured. She sprang away from the wall. When she moved into the great hall, her steps were even and confident.
    “ The Great Royal Wife, King’s Daughter, God-Chosen, Queen Ahmose.”
    The guests were on their feet, clapping, shouting their approval, raising their drinking-bowls in her direction. She walked down the wide aisle between rows of tables, her eyes on the three thrones at the head of the room. Thutmose sat upon the center one, grinning at her. His smile was all that mattered.
    When she reached her