Free The Amulet of Amon-Ra by Leslie Carmichael

Jennifer.
    â€œSo? Lots of people pick up packages.”
    â€œAt night?” said Jennifer. “And it was like he didn’t want anyone to know what he was doing.”
    â€œWell, I’m sure he had a reason. Go back to bed. Teti is still asleep.”
    â€œShe snores,” said Jennifer, as they made their way to the hole where the stairs were. Soft sounds of conversation rose from below.
    â€œOne more thing I have to look forward to,” Mentmose muttered.
    â€œYou should be nicer to her, you know. She’s going to be your wife.”
    â€œNot for a few years yet, thank Khnum. I still have some freedom. Go.” He pushed the curtain aside and went into his half of their room.
    Jennifer tiptoed past Tetisheri and tried to lie down, but Miw, the little striped cat, was curled up on her mattress. She eased herself down beside the cat. She chirruped softly, then snuggled in closer when Jennifer pulled the sheet up. As she petted the cat’s soft fur, Miw began to purr. Soothed by the sound, Jennifer was soon asleep.
    When she woke the next morning, the cat was gone, but Tetisheri was still there, one arm flung over her eyes. She stirred as Jennifer sat up, yawning.
    â€œGood morning,” said Jennifer. Tetisheri lowered her arm, blinking against the light.
    â€œMmmphm,” said Tetisheri, covering her face with her sheet. Jennifer grinned. Apparently, Teti was not a morning person.
    â€œMentmose, Dje-Nefer, Teti!” Meryt-Re caroled from the stairs. “Breakfast!”
    Tetisheri groaned. “So early,” she muttered.
    Jennifer chuckled and helped Tetisheri to rise. Both girls used the smelly clay pot. When they were ready, they pushed the curtain aside. There had been no awakening sounds from Mentmose.
    â€œOh, isn’t he handsome,” said Tetisheri, sighing as she peered down at him.
    Jennifer raised one eyebrow at her ‘brother.’ He was drooling.
    â€œI wonder if I should kiss him awake,” said Tetisheri, still watching her betrothed with a dreamy look on her face.
    Jennifer thought about the probable consequences. It was tempting, but she didn’t hate either of them that much. “No, that’s not a good idea,” she said, trying not to smile.
    She leaned down and shook his shoulder gently, then more firmly.
    â€œHey, Mentmose, time to get up,” she said. She shook him again, as hard as she could.
    Mentmose rolled over, falling off his headrest with a thud. Soon he was snoring, his face mashed into the mattress. Jennifer grimaced. Well, if he missed breakfast that wasn’t her fault.
    Ramose and Meryt-Re were waiting for them in the kitchen, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Bowls of porridge and mugs of tea were set on the striped mat in front of them.
    â€œWhere is Neferhotep?” asked Tetisheri.
    â€œHe left at dawn, and we have been lolling at our ease since then,” said Ramose. “Come and eat. Where is Mentmose?”
    â€œWe couldn’t wake him,” said Jennifer. “He was pretty zon—uh, tired.”
    Ramose grinned. “I did tell him he should go to bed earlier. But he insisted on staying up to play senet and listen to our talk.” He rose and dipped a small bowl into the water jug, then went into the main room. Jennifer could hear him trotting up the stairs. A moment later, there was a loud bellow and several thumps from above. Tetisheri giggled.
    Meryt-Re snorted in amusement as Ramose led a dripping Mentmose into the kitchen.
    â€œGood morning, my bright-eyed son,” she said.
    Mentmose glared at her, then flopped down on the floor beside Jennifer. “Why didn’t you wake me?” he demanded.
    â€œI tried,” said Jennifer.
    â€œReally, she did,” said Tetisheri, yawning.
    Jennifer was tempted to tell Mentmose about Tetisheri’s wanting to kiss him awake, but thought she might wait until a better time. The way he was shoveling porridge into his mouth,