The Pharaoh's Daughter (7 page)

Anippe hurried toward the double doors to escape her husband, but Sebak's long, steady strides kept pace, and his relentless hand on her back nearly set her aflame. She stopped at the doors, head bowed, refusing to acknowledge his presence but waiting while he reached for the latch.

He peered beneath her spiraled wig with that infuriating smile. “When I open this door, I will escort you. If you try to run, I will carry you.”

How did he know she planned to run back to her chamber? Was he a diviner or a soldier?

The Medjays on the other side of the door swung it wide open, and Anippe resumed her hurried pace—not a run exactly, but a walk that would prepare Sebak for tonight's hunt. She refused to be an easy catch.

Only four steps into the chase, Sebak's arm encircled her waist and her feet left the mosaic tiles. He stopped, holding her against his muscled chest with one arm, openly appraising her flushed cheeks. “Are you frightened of me specifically or of men in general?”

Her mouth, as dry as the Eastern Desert, couldn't form a single word, let alone a coherent sentence. He bent as though to set her feet on the tiles but then slipped his other arm beneath her knees, cradling her in his arms. He walked
leisurely toward the harem corridor, carrying her as if she were as light as a feather.

Her neck and cheeks felt as if she'd been in the sun too long. What was she supposed to say? Or do? She'd never really talked to a man—other than Tut or Abbi Horem or her old tutor. She kept her head forward, hiding her cheeks with the spiraled wig, and fidgeted with her gold and turquoise clasp.

“You've no need to fear me, Anippe. I've been chosen to protect you, not harm you.”

He stopped, and her heart skipped a beat. What was he doing? Looking right and left, she saw nothing but palm trees, palace walls, and scurrying servants in the long portico leading to the apartments.

“Why did you stop?” She looked into the most handsome face she'd ever seen.

“I wanted to see your eyes. They're beautiful, you know. Like the sand at my Avaris quay.” He kissed her forehead.

She held her breath. He began walking again, and the pillars began to tilt. Anippe realized she'd forgotten to breathe. This man had completely paralyzed her. Was this love? Her stomach was in knots, her hands were sweaty, and her chest had butterflies fluttering inside.
Oh Lady Hathor, goddess of love—kill me now if love is more painful than this.

“Anippe, are you all right?” Sebak's stricken expression told her she must somehow have voiced her torment. He bent to one knee and seated her on his other. “Say something, please.” His huge, callused hand brushed her cheek, concern tugging the stray hairs between his eyebrows down toward his nose.

Tears choked her. Sebak had been nothing but kind. He deserved an answer. “I'm a little afraid of you, but mostly I'm afraid of living in the Delta without Ummi Amenia. I won't know anyone except Ankhe after the wedding guests leave, and I've never had Hebrew slaves—only Nubians.”

His warm brown eyes caressed her, soothing her. “General Horemheb has promised I can remain with you in Avaris for at least two months before I return to battle.” He strummed the spirals of her wig, causing the gold beads to clatter. “You will be Amira of Avaris, and our Hebrews will serve you as well as any Nubians. My slaves are hard workers, and they serve me willingly.”

“But what will I do at Avaris? Here at Gurob, I work in the linen shop, designing patterns for the weavers and even weaving some of the cloth myself.”

Sebak reached for her linen sheath and rubbed the silken cloth between his fingers. “My Chief Linen Keeper is weaving your wedding dress as we speak, and it will make this sheath look like a rag.”

Indignant, she grabbed her sheath from his grasp. “I'll have you know this is the finest linen Gurob produces.”

He chuckled and with a single finger traced a line from her shoulder down her arm, to her thigh, and across her knees. “And I'll have you know that Avaris produces the best linen in the Delta—perhaps in all of Egypt—and you now command the slaves in that shop, Amira. My Chief Linen Keeper, Mered, is anxious to please.”

Anippe's breathing grew shallow, her mind muddled. How could she think with him so near, his touch so intimate? She leapt off his knee, turned away from Sebak, and smoothed her robe. “What happens when you leave after two months? I'll be alone, and you'll go off to war and forget you have a wife.” She didn't run this time. She lingered. Waiting—like prey hoping to be snared.

His presence loomed behind her. His hands slid around her waist, and he pressed his lips against her ear. “I am your husband forever, Anippe. I've had no wife before you and will have no woman besides you. General Horemheb has entrusted to me his greatest treasure, and I will prove worthy of his trust—and yours.” He moved aside her spiraled wig and placed a tender kiss at the bend of her neck.

Knees weak, Anippe closed her eyes and let the sensation carry her into her future. She was married. To this soldier. And he seemed wonderful. Could it be?

She felt a tap on her nose and opened her eyes to her husband's amused grin. “Should we go to your chamber now?”

For the first time, Anippe was in no hurry to see Amenia and Ankhe. She'd really prefer Sebak carry her in his strong arms forever, holding her close and whispering sweet promises. “Would you like to carry me again, or should I walk?

Her fierce warrior laughed—a rolling rumble from deep in his belly. “Your abbi warned me you were unpredictable.”

“Did he mention stubborn?”

“I think he called you determined.” Sebak looked into her eyes again as if searching for something hidden. “I look forward to knowing everything about you, Anippe.”

She tucked her chin, cheeks flaming again, and began walking. Did he plan to take her to his chamber tonight? Maybe she should have listened more closely all those times Ummi Amenia tried to talk to her about a woman's wedding night.

Gathering her courage, Anippe forced the words from her throat. “Will I leave Ummi Amenia and Ankhe's chamber tonight?” Her voice quaked despite her efforts to calm it.

Sebak kept his pace slow, letting the morning breeze anoint their journey through the pillared walkway. “You'll remain with Amenia until our wedding feast at Avaris.” He walked a few more steps in silence, seeming thoroughly content to enjoy the breeze and listen to birdsong. “Would you like to know our travel plans and how I intend to honor my bride?”

“Yes, please.” She edged a little closer as they walked. Her shoulder brushed his arm, and he slid his hand around her waist. Possessive. Protective.

“I've ordered harem servants to collect your belongings and load them tonight on a supply ship. They'll leave tomorrow, since towing the larger boat will require double the travel time of a royal barque on the Nile's low waters. You and your family will follow on the king's barque after the hunt and should arrive about the same time as your personal items.”

“But what if I need my—”

“Only pack the robes and jewels necessary for the journey.” He stopped and turned her to face him. “Once you arrive in Avaris, all your needs will be met, my wife. Your abbi Horem and I stopped at my estate on our way here. My Hebrew craftsmen have already begun working on your wardrobe and jewelry. As I said before, your wedding gown will be the most beautiful in Egypt.”

“I thought Hebrews were shepherds and farmers, not skilled craftsmen.”
The words sounded insulting, and she regretted them immediately. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean …”

Sebak laughed and brushed her cheek. He replaced his arm around her and began their leisurely stroll again. “My Hebrews were nomad royalty who have lived in the Delta longer than the Ramessids. They came to Egypt hundreds of years ago because of a famine in their land of Canaan. They and other Canaanites formed the Hyksos race and settled in the Delta. Have you heard of the Hyksos?” He lifted an eyebrow, no doubt expecting her to swoon at his wisdom.

Most women weren't educated, but Anippe's lessons with Tut's tutors were suddenly quite valuable. “Of course. The Hyksos ruled Egypt for centuries—until Pharaoh Tuthmosis III drove them out.”

Sebak's booming laugh floated on the morning air, joining the happy sounds of harem women at work. “Correct, Amira.” He leaned over to kiss the top of her head as they walked. Anippe's heart fluttered. “But Pharaoh Tuthmosis didn't drive out the Hyksos by himself. He enlisted the aid of my military family—the Ramessids—who dwelt among the Hyksos and knew their weaknesses. We expelled them from Egypt—except one stubborn clan, the Abiru, or Hebrews as they're called today—and Pharaoh showed his gratitude to my Ramessid ancestors by offering them estates.

“The Hebrews, however, grew so quickly in number, wealth, and power, that the next pharaoh feared they'd leave Egypt and share their wealth and power with our enemies. He remedied the threat by again enlisting the Ramessids—this time as slave masters—to disperse the twelve clans of Hebrews among various estates in the Delta.”

Sebak stopped walking, and his hand fell from her waist. Anippe waited for more of the story, but he folded his arms across his chest and lifted his eyebrows as if waiting for her response.

Puzzled, she couldn't hide her annoyance. “What? Why did you stop?”

After acknowledging two Nubian guards, Sebak nodded toward her chamber door. How had they arrived so quickly?

He reached for her hand, cradling it like a treasure. “Avaris will be your kingdom, Anippe. When our months of marriage communion are over and I
return to battle, you will rule our villa and our Hebrews. You will be Amira.” He leaned over and brushed her lips with a kiss. “You will remain Sister of Pharaoh, Daughter of Horemheb, but now you are Wife of Sebak—and I will love you, Anippe. You will be happy as Amira of Avaris.”

Anippe's knees felt like water, and she stumbled back when he released her hand. Steadying her, he chuckled and motioned the guards to open the chamber door. His hand pressed the small of her back, making her feel protected and treasured. They entered together, linked by this single touch.

“Good morning,” Amenia greeted them as they entered, setting aside her embroidering.

Ankhe was seated at her loom near the courtyard but stood when Amenia held out her hand, summoning her for introductions. Anippe's heart raced at the sight of her little sister. She'd almost forgotten the terrible news she must deliver.

Anippe took a deep breath. “Ummi Amenia, may I present Commander Sebak, Master of Horse, Ramessid nobleman of the Delta—my husband.”

Sebak bowed deeply, and Ummi Amenia touched his wig, giving permission to rise. “Congratulations, Commander, on your promotion and your new bride.”

“Thank you, Amira Amenia. Please know you are always welcome at our Avaris estate.”

“Avaris?” Ankhe's face drained of color. “Anippe can't leave me. She can't go to Avaris.” Without waiting for answers, she fled from the courtyard through the same gate Anippe had used earlier.

In the awkward silence, Amenia stood gazing at the floor. Anippe felt Sebak's hand leave her back, their connection broken. She turned, hoping to explain Ankhe's outburst, her life of pain, her need for love and patience.

Her husband's face was hard as granite. “I see now why your brother made her your maidservant. She'll require strong discipline to serve among the Hebrews at my villa.” He leaned down, kissed Anippe's cheek, and marched out of the chamber.

“Your maidservant?” Ummi Amenia breathed on a whisper, as if fearful the gods might hear.

“How will we tell her, Ummi? She can't know that it was Tut who decreed it.” Tears brimmed at the thought of another rip in her little sister's heart.

Amenia opened her arms, inviting Anippe into their restful embrace. “Well, at least she'll be with you. I'll tell her. Ankhe won't like it, but she'll do it because it means she stays with you.”

In the warmth and safety of her ummi's embrace, a sudden realization struck Anippe with blinding horror. She pushed away, stricken. “If Abbi Horem fears my life is in danger at Gurob, how can you live here safely?”

Amenia's features seemed a battlefield of their own. Compassion fought sadness. Anger wrestled resignation. “You are Horemheb's future, little habiba, and I am his past. My role is to remain at Gurob Harem, discovering noblemen's schemes through their wives' chatter, while you and Sebak give us grandchildren to provide for our afterlife.” She patted Anippe's cheek, love glistening on her own cheeks. “We all must dance to the music of the gods, Anippe—even when the song is a dirge.”

“But Abbi Horem loves you—”

“Of course he loves me,” she said, reaching for her embroidery and resuming her seat on the wooden stool. “But sometimes love requires sacrifice, habiba. Now sit down with me while we wait for Ankhe to return from her tantrum.”

Anippe leaned against the third-level rail of Tut's royal barque. She was covered head to toe with rough-spun linen to keep dust from coating her. Towing had commenced two days ago, when the Nile split into seven branches north of Memphis, the water level little more than a creek. Oars were used only while docked from dusk to dawn to brace the barque upright in the shallow waters. Weary oarsmen had begun towing at dawn, using papyrus ropes bigger than Anippe's arms. She'd left her bed and the cabin she and Ankhe shared the moment she felt the ship's movement, watching every step that dragged her farther from Gurob.

Avaris was normally a two-day journey at the height of inundation, but during
Shemut
—the four months of harvest—the Nile was at its lowest cycle. Today began the fourth—and final—day of their journey, but Anippe would rather be sequestered in a ship's tiny cabin with Ankhe than forced into a family she'd never met.