Nefermaat gave a small nod. “Greetings to you, Princess Sitamun. I’ve been praying for your safe return. I’m so happy to see you.”
Sita swooned.
Kenna darted forward to help her into a chair and pushed a cup of fresh water into her hands. She gulped it down and asked for more. A familiar striped cat that had been dozing on the windowsill came to nuzzle at Sita’s hand.
Sita’s head still spun, but the water was helping.
Kenna asked, “Are you all right? From the condition of your skin and the odor of your garments, you’ve had quite the journey through the desert. Red sand granules mixed with gold…hmm, yes.Quitethe journey! And given the hairs stuck to the bottom of your robes—on horseback! I’m curious about the stone dust in your hair, though…”
Nefermaat cleared her throat. “Perhaps you can continue your deductions once your sister has had a chance to rest?”
Kenna’s cheeks flared pink. “Ah. Yes, of course. When’s the last time you’ve had anything to eat, Sitamun?”
“Yesterday, I think,” Sita said, scratching the purring cat behind her ears. “I broke my fast with Karim before we parted ways.”
Nefermaat beamed. “You were with Karim?”
Sita nodded. “He told me about you. He said you met at the temple.”
Kenna was perplexed. “You mean that mouthy Red Lander? How in the world did you cross paths withhim?”
“The oracle made it happen,” Nefermaat said. “It’s as I told you, Kenna!”
Kenna glanced between them, wonder in his eyes. “There are great and terrible things afoot, Sitamun. Great and terrible things.” Briefly, he and Nefermaat shared Meryamun’s plans for the cursing ritual that would take place the next day.
“He’s planning to sacrifice Low Khetaran prisoners during this ritual?” Sita said, aghast.
“More than a dozen of them.”
Sita set down the cup and stood. “He’ll reconsider further alienating the south when I tell him that Khetara is at war.”
Nefermaat’s brow furrowed. “War?”
“With whom?” Kenna asked.
“Do you remember the ancient pharaoh Karim asked you about? Setnakht? It may be hard to believe, but he’s returned—resurrected from his tomb through powerful heka. And he has raised an army of enchanted ushabti to help him retake the kingdom. They’re on the march to Thonis as we speak. We haven’t a moment to waste.”
There was a long, shocked silence as this revelation sank in. Then Nefermaat murmured, “‘A secret shall rise from beneath the earth, and the Red and White crowns will be forever broken.’”
“That’s why I came back,” Sita went on. “To warn Mery and everyone else. I will speak with him in his chambers tonight.”
Kenna shook his head. “Sitamun, please. He won’t listen to you, not after what he’s done. You are only putting yourself in danger. I’m exceedingly glad to see you, but you never should have returned to the palace.”
“I’m not the weak, frivolous girl I once was,” Sita insisted. “If he won’t listen, then I’llmakehim listen! He must act for the safety of the kingdom!”
Kenna studied her with his deep, penetrating gaze. “Yes, you have changed. I see it plainly. If anyone can get through to him, it would be you, Sitamun. For all our sakes, I hope you succeed.”
Sita said, “I can’t stay any longer, there are guards outside waiting to escort me.”
The young priestess’ lips tightened like she wanted to interject, but—seeing that she was between a prince and a princess—decided to hold her tongue.
“Know that if something goes awry, Neff and I have other plans,” Kenna said.
Sita was about to push through the curtain when Kenna’s voice stopped her again.
“Be careful.”
Sita gave a small smile and whispered, “I love you too.”
