“Yes,” Neff said to Meryamun. “It’s a big day for us all.”
The king nodded, releasing her. She headed toward the pleasure garden, but once Meryamun was safely out of sight, she doubled back to Sitamun’s chambers.
Half a dozen servants streamed in and out of the princess’s rooms, carrying empty food trays, various jars of oils and cosmetic palettes, and fresh linens. The guards stationed by the door didn’t pay Neff much attention when she slipped in among the busy attendants.
She wondered what the king’s response had been to Sitamun’s warning about Setnakht and his army. Had he believed her or even listened? Considering his calm demeanor moments before, she had little hope that he’d taken the threat seriously.It’s evenmore important now that we stop this ritual and unseat him from the throne. It’s not only the lives of the Low Khetaran prisoners that are at stake—it’s everyone in the kingdom.
Neff stepped inside Sitamun’s bedchamber as the last attendant finished her duties and departed. Neff thought she was alone with the princess until she heard a voice speaking from the second chamber, which held the bath and dressing area.
“You’ve always had the most beautiful hair.”
Queen Bintanath.Neff moved closer to the portal dividing the two rooms.
“I remember when you were little,” the queen continued, “I would sit and brush cyprinum oil into your hair before you went to bed, just as I’m doing now. One hundred strokes, until it shone like the river under moonlight.” She sighed. “I should have done it more. So often I left the responsibility to Nebet. I left so much of your care to Nebet.”
Sitamun did not respond.
“Have I been a good mother to you, Sitamun?”
After a long pause, the princess said, “Yes, Mother.”
“There was always so much to handle—managing your father, keeping the palace running, making sure you and your brothers had the best of everything… You needed to be taught to carry the burden of your birth. Nebet was the best. Your tutor was the best. The artisans who made your gowns and your jewelry were the best. And I…I thought that was enough.” Her breath became uneven.
Was she crying?
Sitamun remained silent.
“There,” the queen said. She sniffed and cleared her throat, making her voice strong again. “You look lovely. Though perhaps the attendants could add a little more rouge to your cheeks. You’re pale.” The next words were so quiet that Neff almostcouldn’t make them out. It was as if the queen had bent close to whisper in Sitamun’s ear. “It will be all right. I promise.”
Neff dove behind a chest when Queen Bintanath strode from the dressing room and out of the princess’s chambers. She waited a full minute before emerging from her hiding place and hurrying back to the portal.
“Princess?” she called softly, poking her head through.
Sitamun sat on a stool in front of her brass mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her black hair rippled down her back, and she wore a simple gold circlet upon her brow that was fitted with an obsidian-eyed cobra. Her gown was long and of the darkest green, with two wide straps covering her chest. An ornamental pendant hung down over her legs, decorated with blue lotus.
“Hello, Nefermaat,” she said to her in the mirror. “Is there something you need?”
Neff bowed awkwardly, suddenly feeling much less familiar than she had when they’d met the day before. There was a new formality in Sitamun’s voice, and it unbalanced her.
“I’m sorry to disturb you like this, but I wanted to make sure you were all right.”
Sitamun cocked her head. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You were going to talk to the king last night, and I…I…” Without Kenna there, Neff felt the difference of their station keenly. Sitamun had been much less intimidating in filthy robes than she was in her full royal regalia. “I wanted to know how he responded to your news.”
Sitamun considered this, her eyes drifting back to her own reflection. “He responded exactly as expected.”
Neff didn’t know what to make of her answer, but she was afraid to inquire further. The princess could be worried about being overheard, so it made sense to speak in abstracts.Kenna expected Meryamun to ignore the threat, so she must mean for us todisrupt the ritual and stop him.Abandoning her idea of sharing more details, Neff settled for asking, “So, we are to proceed as planned?”
Sitamun grimaced and touched her left ear, almost as if she’d been bitten. After a moment, her expression relaxed once more. “Yes, everything is going to plan.”
There was a commotion outside the chambers, and one of the guards announced, “Princess Sitamun, your palanquin is ready. It’s time to go.”
Sitamun rose and made her way toward the door.
“Princess!” Neff called to her.
Sitamun stopped and turned.
