Asenath (20 page)

My heart turned at the mention of Joseph.

"I believe Her Highness mentioned it yesterday." I nodded toward Hatshepsut.

The princess grinned. "I will be in the banquet in the beginning scene. Remember I told you, Lady 'Senat?"

I smiled down at her. "Yes, Highness."

The Queen turned to her adviser. "Rawosre, I believe you have something to ask of Lady Asenath?"

"I do, Majesty. My lady, I wonder if you would be interested in playing the role of Isis. I think you will be suitable for it. And it is perfect timing that I have seen you dance, for the role will have a dramatic dance number."

If Queen Ahmose had not been there, I would have whirled around the garden like a sandstorm. I would be performing for
Joseph
.

I smiled broadly. "I would love to. And I do so love plays. Thank you. I am honoured by this."

"I am honoured you accepted, my lady." Rawosre returned my smile. "You will make a perfect Isis. You look even more like her up close."

"I have to tell you though, I am not an expert in dance. I haven't danced in a while."

"Don't be silly, Asenath," the Queen said. "Rawosre is a master of the arts. Whatever he says goes."

What could I say? "Thank you, Your Majesty. And thank you, Rawosre."

Now, Father had no choice but to come to the feast.

So it was that I grew busy with rehearsals. I even took to going to bed earlier, for I needed all the energy I could get. It was hard to believe that just last month, my life was bleak and stagnant.

A few days before Joseph's feast, Queen Ahmose invited me to a social lunch. Usually, I attended these Palace affairs out of obligation to my royal mistress. But this time, I was looking forward to it. I knew there was a chance I would be hearing news about Joseph. Last I heard he was travelling around Egypt, organising the storage system for the grain.

After classes, I was escorted to the Main Building where Pharaoh resided. I followed a servant girl into the king's luxurious apartment. I caught my reflection in a jewelled mirror and straightened my collar-necklace.

I entered the living room.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

Joseph
was there.

He sat alone, poring over some scrolls. The servant girl and I approached. He looked up.

"My Lord Zaphenath-Paneah," the servant said. "I present to you Lady Asenath, daughter of the high priest of Heliopolis."

I nearly fell over as I bowed. "Life, health and prosperity to you, Lord Zaphenath-Paneah. It is a great honour to meet you."

It was a wonder I still had my voice.

"Greetings, Lady Asenath," Zaphenath-Paneah said. "Please arise."

He dismissed the servant. Then he turned to me with a smile that was like the sun beaming down on a garden of many flowers.

"How have you been, Asenath?" he asked.

My hands grew sweaty. "I am very well, my lord. And yourself?"

"Very well, thank you. Come sit. We have much to talk about."

We
.

"Thank you, my lord."

I struggled to maintain my composure. The vizier was smoulderingly handsome in a gleaming short-sleeved robe which showed off his strong arms. His hazel-olive eyes sparkled amidst the dark streaks of kohl.

I sat across from him. I could swear my face was breaking out in a disgusting sweat.

He lowered his voice. "By the way, since when am I
my lord
to you?"

I looked at him, confused.

He grinned. "It is when we are alone like this that you may continue to call me Joseph. I miss that name, to be honest."

"If you wish. I
was
used to Joseph anyway."

Immediately, I regretted saying that. It sounded so crude. I silently cursed myself.

"I hear you are teaching the royal children," he said.

My soul soared.
Joseph
had actually heard news about
me
.

"Yes, I am," I said. "I quite enjoy it."

He leaned forward in a casual pose. "Tell me all about it. In fact, tell me everything that has been happening with you, Asenath. It's been so long."

"It has indeed." I told him about the move, my classes and the rehearsals for the play. "And that's about it. Not much to tell, I know."

"I wouldn't say that," Joseph said. "It sounds exciting. You have had a fulfilled life."

"I guess. I mean, thank you."
What was wrong with me?
"How about you? How is life as vizier?"

"It is demanding, yet fulfilling. I am grateful for the opportunity, but sometimes the work can be quite taxing." He paused. "I am so happy to see you again."

My face grew very hot.

Pharaoh and Queen Ahmose appeared. Immediately, Joseph and I got up and prostrated.

"I apologise for having kept you waiting," Pharaoh said after he bade us rise. "Shall we go to lunch now?"

"Yes, Majesty," Joseph said.

I was stunned. A Pharaoh
never
apologised. To whom need a living god account?

It turned out that Joseph and I were the only guests.

We took our seats. I expected Pharaoh to make some sort of announcement, like he always did at affairs. But instead, he leaned toward Joseph and began talking with him quietly.

"Lady Asenath," Queen Ahmose said. "How is my daughter faring in class? How is her academic prowess?"

I turned to her. I wondered what this was going to lead to. "She is a very bright child, Majesty. I daresay she is the brightest in her class. She displays understanding."

At a pause in the middle of the meal, I looked toward my dear one. I hoped to have a chance to talk with him again, even if we could not be as intimate as we had been earlier.

"But she is a fast learner, you say?" my royal mistress' voice broke through my thoughts. "She picks up concepts quicker than her other classmates?"

I nearly sighed. "Yes, Majesty. Unlike a lot of the other children, I do not need to explain things to her twice."

Soon, the last course was over and we were rising from our seats. Pharaoh thanked me for coming, then whisked Joseph away to a meeting.

I was disappointed. But I had faith I would see my dear one again. I relished every moment of that all too brief meeting, treasuring it and holding it close to my heart like a promise.

I dwelt on it, even as I conducted classes the following day. When I let my students out for morning break, I immersed myself deep into these beautiful thoughts.

"On your knees before His Excellency Lord Zaphenath-Paneah, Vizier of the Two Lands."

I nearly tripped as I lowered myself to the ground.

Joseph bade us rise. I got up to see him smiling as he headed toward me.

"Life, health and prosperity to you, Lady Asenath," he said.

"Life, health and prosperity to you, Lord Zaphenath-Paneah." I swallowed. "Ah, um, it is a great honour to have you here."

"It is a great honour to be here." He winked.

I blushed.

Princess Hatshepsut ran up to him. She took his hand.

He looked down at her and smiled. "Life, health and prosperity to you, your Royal Highness. May you live forever."

He gave her a slight bow.

"You honour me with your presence, Lord Zapanah," the child said solemnly.

Joseph and I exchanged smiles, amused. She sounded so much like her parents in their royal court sessions.

"I brought a friend for you and your classmates today," Joseph said to the princess. He motioned to a servant.

She came forward with a monkey in her arms.

My pupils cried out in amazement. Joseph took the monkey and sat on the rim of a fountain. He propped the small animal on his lap as the children flocked over and indulged it.

I looked on, impressed. Joseph had a way with everyone—young and old, rich and poor, free man and slave, Egyptian and foreigner. Now it seemed the fountain at his back sparkled with joy at the sight of him.

Joseph looked at me. "You children are very fortunate to have a teacher like Lady Asenath."

"Yes. Lady Senat is great fun."

"We play games."

"She tells us stories."

"We painted today."

"What did you paint?" Joseph asked.

"Pretty flowers."

"
I
got to paint a fierce lion," a little boy said.

"Can I show you my painting?" Hatshepsut asked.

"You can
all
show me your paintings," Joseph said.

The children dashed inside. Their nursemaids hurried after them.

"Be careful," I called. "The paint might still be wet."

Joseph set the monkey on the ground. He smiled at me and patted the spot beside him.

How blissful it was to be close to him. So very close.

"I am sorry we were not able to talk much yesterday," he said. "I was really hoping we could."

"That is quite all right. I understand how it is when Pharaoh is around."

"Exactly."

We both laughed.

"So to what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked.

"I just wanted to see you again. I have missed you so, Asenath."

His magical eyes held me. His beauty had the depths of evening skies. He was a song that melted hearts, brought the world to a halt and moved a rock to tears.

"I..."

The voices of my pupils rang throughout the garden.

Joseph and I quickly pulled back. I moved aside as the young ones crowded around him like a pack of excited puppies.

Princess Hatshepsut broke away from the group. She came over to me.

"Lady Senat," she said in a hushed voice. "I have a secret for you."

"What is it, your Highness?" I nearly chuckled at how dramatic she was being.

She motioned for me to come close. She leaned toward my ear. She cupped a hand beside her mouth.

"I think Lord Zapanah loves you," she whispered.

I laughed and pulled away. "Don't be silly, your Highness. Go show him your painting."

She giggled and ran off.

Later, when my pupils ran off to play with the monkey, Joseph moved close to me once more.

"I am just so happy to see you again, Asenath. I really wanted to―"

"Life, health and prosperity to you, my lord and lady." An attendant of Pharaoh appeared.

Joseph and I straightened up, assuming masks of dignity.

The attendant bowed. "My Lord Zaphenath-Paneah, Pharaoh wishes to meet with you in his office."

"I shall be there. Thank you."

The attendant left.

Joseph looked at me and rolled his eyes. "As you can see, the vizier's work is never done. But I hope to see you again soon. I look forward to your play. Until then, take care, Asenath."

"You too."

He glanced around. He made a move to rise when he leaned over.

He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

I nearly forgot to resume classes after that.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Soon, it was the day of Joseph's feast. For the play, the crew had set up an elaborate stage.

I was impressed with what they had done. They had hollowed out the sides of the stage to create a moat which represented the Nile. A raised platform had been erected at the centre and was bridged to the backstage by planks. It was a very impressive setup, but we had to be careful lest we fall into the moat.

The cast and crew were housed in tents behind the stage. Nafre and some of Rawosre's handmaidens helped me with my makeup and costuming. It took an eternity. But when I finally looked at myself in the mirror, I was stunned by the result. Even more stunned than I had been years ago when I saw myself in noblewomen's attire for the first time.

Isis herself stared back at me.

I wore a shimmering scarlet gown. Atop my head was the crown of the goddess, golden bull horns encircling a red disc. Gold streaks ran across my arms, for gold was believed to be the skin colour of the gods. Even my lips had been painted gold. My eye paint was thicker than usual. My face looked like a mask.

But when I removed the crown, I sighed in relief. I was Asenath again.

Nearly.

Rawosre called me from outside. I drew back the entrance flap of my tent.

"I will be having a word with the cast, my lady." He smiled. "You look stunning."

"Thank you."

At the steps leading up to the backstage, Rawosre ran over a few last-minute instructions. I could barely concentrate on his words. I was only a few minutes away from performing before Joseph. I especially looked forward to him seeing my big dance number—a dramatic portrayal of Isis mourning over the murder of her husband Osiris.

I remembered the kiss from Joseph. My skin tingled delightfully.

Afterward, I returned to my tent. As I approached it, I saw the lights inside had been dimmed.

I was alerted. Something was not right.

I hurried over and threw the flap back. Nafre was tied and gagged in a corner. Beside her, my Isis crown lay on the floor.

I gasped and rushed over. I removed her gag. "Who did this to you?"

"I did."

I turned around.

Seated at my dressing table was someone I had not seen in a long time. Someone I had not at
all
expected to see that night—my old enemy, Lady Zalikha. The snake. The fiend. The maggot.

"What are you doing here?" I thundered. "Get out!"

She smiled. "Well, well, well...Lady Asenath. I didn't realise you'd make such a stunning Isis. It's amazing, isn't it, how gold paint and a few false jewels can cover up the peasant that you really are?"

"Get out before I call the guards."

"I come here to congratulate you and this is the thanks I get?" She shook her head, though she still smiled her snake's smile. "What an ill-bred young woman you are."

"I mean it, Zalikha. Get out
now
."

Zalikha rose. She headed toward me. I braced myself for whatever malice she had in store.

She stopped in front of me and stared. "How ever did you get this back?"

She snatched the lapis lazuli lotus off my neck.

In a fit of desperation, I hurled myself toward her. I knocked her off-balance. She stumbled, losing her grip on the necklace. It fell a few feet away from her.