Spell Bound (A Fairy Retelling #3)

by Dorian Tsukioka

  “I stole it from the wash,” he says, his cheeks turning red as Aniya reaches down to stroke the fine linin. “I think it belongs to a visiting dignitary. Or maybe to one of Pharaoh’s wives.”

  “One of the queens?” Aniya squeals, snapping her hand back. “Did you steal this from a queen?”

  “I don’t know,” Nehi answers, “but keep your voice down. I don’t think it belongs to Queen Nefertiti,” he says, referring to Pharaoh’s first wife. “She’s too tall to wear this. It might belong to Queen Kiya. She’s shorter.”

  “Why do you have it?” Aniya says, her trembling fingers finally reaching down to touch the fine garment.

  “For you, of course. You can’t look like a slave when you leave here. In fact, you’ll have to look like a noble woman. I’ll pretend to be escorting you out of the palace until you can get away.”

  “I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not,” she says with a frown.

  “Look, I don’t know how much magic you’ll be able to use at once. Maybe you’ll be able to walk right out of here without a problem. But, why chance it? You’ll look less like an escaped slave and more like someone who belongs in the palace if you put this on. Besides, what you’re wearing is really starting to smell.”

  Nehi reels from the punch Aniya gives his arm, but she’s smiling at him.

  “Fine, I’ll wear it. Now turn around so I can put it on.”

  Nehi returns the smile and obeys. “There’s some water and a cloth in that basin on the floor. You might want to wash off a little. You’ve got dirt all over you.”

  “Well, I have been stuck in a dungeon for the past three days,” she says as she sponges her hands and face clean. “I was bound to get dirty in there.”

  Nehi’s nervous energy makes him jittery. He runs his fingers through his hair as his plan races through his mind. He hopes he hasn’t forgotten anything. “The sandals on the floor are yours. Put them on and take the golden basket. Maybe their worth can help you and your family escape. And try to do something with your hair, too. There’s straw in it.”

  “I had no idea you were so critical,” Aniya teases. Nehi smiles at the jibe, but doesn’t miss the tremble in her voice. They’re both nervous.

  “I’m just trying to help.”

  Aniya shakes the straw out of her hair and slips out of her clothes. The room is so small she can’t help bumping into Nehi. He tries to ignore it, but the touch of her skin on his sends tingles throughout his body. He fights the temptation to look and keeps his eyes fixed firmly on the floor.

  “Okay,” she says finally, “I’m done. Do I still look like a runaway slave?”

  Nehi turns around. His mouth opens, but no words come out.

  “What?” She runs her fingers through her hair for any remaining bits of straw. “Did I miss something? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong, Aniya,” Nehi says when he finds his voice again. “You’re beautiful. You could be a queen of Egypt.”

  Aniya’s pale cheeks flush with the heat of her embarrassment. “Thank you.”

  “Let’s get you out of here, your highness.”

  SEVEN

  “What do I do?” Aniya asks when they reach the main hall and near the palace doors.

  “Use the magic to convince the guards to let you go through the doors and out into the city.” Nehi answers.

  “Can I do that?”

  “I think so.”

  “You think so?”

  “Well, I don’t know for sure. I’ve seen Rahotep use magic to manipulate Pharaoh before, so you should be able to do the same with the guards.”

  “Okay, I use the magic to get past the guards. Then what?”

  “You get yourself and your family out of Waset before sundown.”

  “Why before sundown?”

  “Because that’s when I will help bring you to him.”

  Aniya grabs Nehi’s arm and pulls him behind a towering statue of Pharaoh. “Bring me to him? Why would you do that?”

  “I won’t have a choice. If he tells me to do something…I just...have to do it.”

  “Have to do it? What are you telling me -- if he told you jump from the top of a pyramid, you’d go and do that, too?” she spits the words out in a hoarse whisper. She tries to keep her temper in check, but her frustration with Nehi’s enigmatic words finally boils over. She’s come to care for him, more than she would have expected in such a short time, but his half truths and secrecy are more than she can bear.

  “Yes, I would. I don’t have any choice.”

  “I don’t understand. How can you not have choice? Everyone has a choice.”

  “Aniya, please just trust me.” Nehi grabs her shoulders and pulls her close. “Get your family out of the city as fast as possible.”

  The look in Nehi’s eyes convinces her not to press any further. She swallows back her anger and nods. Breath catches in her throat as his gaze falls to her lips. Her heart thunders in her chest as she anticipates the feeling of his mouth on hers. Instead, he releases his grip on her and steps back.

  “Don’t tell a soul where you’re going,” he emphasizes again and his face softens. “And be careful.”

  “Thank you, Nehi,” Aniya says finding her breath again. The words do not seem enough, and she ignores the flighty butterflies in her stomach long enough to put her arms around him and hug him tightly. “Thank you for saving me.”

  Nehi’s arms encircle around Aniya’s back and his chin rests atop her head. He squeezes her tightly in his arms and closes his eyes for a brief moment. “I haven’t saved you yet,” he says and pulls back from their embrace. “Let’s get you out of here.”

  Nehi leads the way, and Aniya tries to walk with her head held high, imagining how a noble woman might walk through the palace. They’re nearly to the doors when the call of trumpets rings out and the doors to the Great Hall open wide. Servants stream into the palace carrying fans and banners signifying the entrance of the great Pharaoh. Nehi freezes and Aniya follows suit. Trumpets continue to sound as Kiya, Pharaoh’s second wife walks through the doors. The procession continues with Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife. Nefertiti’s bright blue crown sits high on her head making her seem even taller. While Queen Kiya looks detached, bored even, Nefertiti's eyes sweep across the room taking everything in, including Nehi and Aniya.

  The Vizier and High Priest, Rahotep, follows behind. It is clearly evident from his expression that he sees and recognizes Aniya. He scowls, and though he continues to cross the room, his eyes never leave them. He stops in the middle of the hall directly across from Aniya, and she realizes that both queens have stopped as well and are kneeling down on the ground, their heads bowed down and resting on the back of their hands, nearly touching the floor. Rahotep’s eyes finally break from hers as he bows down to the ground as well, though his body lays completely prostrate and flat on the floor. Another swell of trumpets rings through the air and Akhenaten, Pharaoh of all of Egypt, walks through the doors.

  Aniya can’t help but stare at the king of all Egypt. She’s never seen him this close before. He’s taller than she thought he would be, and realizes that she’s only seen him from a distance, always sitting on a great settee while he was paraded through the streets of the city. He’s younger than she thought, too. Less than thirty years old, she would guess. And though he is handsome with a strong brow and jaw, she can’t help but compare him to Nehi and find him somewhat lacking.

  Nehi falls prostrate to the floor, mimicking Rahotep’s actions as do all the other servants. Aniya kneels on the floor before Pharaoh and lies with her face on the floor next to Nehi as the other servants are doing but Nehi hisses at her, “No. You’re a noble woman, remember. You need to bow down like the queens.”

  Aniya pulls her arms back and rests her forehead on her hands, hoping that no one notices her mistake.

  “Good servants and Egyptians, rise,” Akhenaten says from the doors, “for Pharaoh has returned.”
>
  Aniya follows Nehi’s lead and rises from the floor, though she continues to keep her eyes downcast. She can feel Rahotep’s gaze burning into her from across the hall.

  Pharaoh’s escorts continue to walk through the hall, and Aniya exhales with relief when they pass her by. There are enough servants that she can no longer see Rahotep across the hall.

  “You have to go right now,” Nehi whispers into her ear. Aniya nods and turns to leave.

  “Who is this?” a silky voice says behind her.

  Aniya looks to Nehi. His eyes are open wide, and fear is etched plainly across his face. Aniya turns around to find herself staring up into the cold, beautiful face of Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh. It’s clear that the queen is truly puzzled by Aniya, her eyes traveling up and down her body, taking everything in. Aniya prays that she successfully scrubbed off every bit of dirt in Nehi’s room.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” Nefertiti says, her words short and clipped.

  “Nefertiti, are you coming?” Queen Kiya says as she approaches. “Oh,” she says, seeing Aniya for the first time, “excuse me. I didn’t realize you were engaged with someone.”

  Aniya looks to Pharaoh's second wife. Kiya’s face is more open, gives away more of what she is thinking than Nefertiti’s closed-off expression. Aniya can almost see the wheels turning in her head as the queen looks at the clothes Aniya is wearing. She can almost hear the queen thinking to herself, “That looks awfully familiar.”

  Aniya pulls the magic together inside of herself. You need to go. She pushes the thought out to the two queens, and sighs a breath of relief when the two women excuse themselves and turn to walk away.

  “Thank goodness,” Nehi says and grabs her arm to lead her to the doors. They stop before they’ve even begun. Rahotep is standing just before the palace doors, his arms folded in front of him.

  “Rahotep, my friend,” a voice calls from the back of the hall, “come join me!”

  Aniya turns to see Pharaoh motioning to the high priest. Rahotep smiles at Akhenaten and proceeds to walk directly toward them.

  “Run!” Nehi hisses under his breath, but it’s too late. In a few, quick strides, Rahotep is there, grabbing her arm and pulling her through the palace with him toward the king of Egypt.

  “My lord,” Rahotep begins, “If you’ll just allow me a moment…”

  Help me.

  Aniya pushes the thought out of her along with a great swell of magic, the last she has left. She looks in Pharaoh’s eyes and directs it toward him, the only person in all of Egypt who can save her now.

  “Rahotep, is this the one I told you to find for me? I’m delighted!” Pharaoh booms.

  “Your highness?” Rahotep says, clearly not understanding.

  “Is this the woman I asked you to find for me?”

  “Oh, yes...yes, she is,” Rahotep stammers and then bows slightly, pulling Aniya into a bow alongside him. “If you want to live,” he whispers in her ear, “you’ll follow along and do exactly as I say. Or else you and everyone you hold dear will be dead by morning.”

  Rahotep rises and releases Aniya’s arm, holding his own arms wide as if showcasing her like a prized calf. “Yes, my lord. Please allow me to introduce the lady, Anuuniya.”

  “Aniya, my lord,” she corrects. “My name is Aniya.”

  Akhenaten’s grin is wide and his words sincere as he says, “Aniya, I am so glad to meet you.” He turns his attention to the high priest once again. “Rahotep, are you sure she will bear a son?”

  Aniya hears a choking sound from behind. Nehi covers his surprise with a cough. She isn’t quite sure she heard Pharaoh correctly herself.

  “Yes, my lord!” Rahotep says with a show of complete confidence. “Aten, the One God has foretold it. And she is so beautiful that he is sure to be a very handsome son.”

  “A son?” Aniya says, trying to understand the conversation happening around her.

  “Surely you know why you’re here, lady Aniya,” Akhenaten says. “I secured Rahotep with the important job of finding a woman who will bear a son for me. My first two wives have given me many beautiful daughters, but I desire a son to inherit my throne.” Concern flickers across his face. “Didn’t you understand that I was looking for a third wife?”

  Aniya considers it. This isn’t what she expected when she used the magic on Pharaoh to have him save her. She was ready to gather her family together and flee Egypt. She didn’t know where they would go, and even if they would survive. But here is an opportunity to stay. And not just stay, but to become a queen of Egypt.

  Aniya turns around to see Nehi staring at her with wide, open eyes. She wonders if he sees the same look of fear on her face as well. She pulls within herself for more magic, maybe she could even turn back time a few minutes and keep her and Nehi from walking across the great hall, but there is no magic left. She is empty. She reaches out her mind to Nehi, to feel if there is any magic left in him, but the vessel is empty. The magic is gone.

  “I understand, my lord,” she answers.

  “Then will you, Aniya, agree to become the third wife of your Pharaoh?” he asks, his eyes full of hope and promise of an heir to come.

  “Yes,” she answers. “I will.”

  EIGHT

  What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?

  Aniya paces the floor of the palatial bedroom she has been given. This single room is larger than her father’s entire house, and more splendid than any other she has ever seen before. Skins of zebras, tigers, and even a lion are draped on the floor as rugs. Exotic and expensive gauzy fabrics drip from the ceiling to surround a bed large enough for five men to sleep on. A wardrobe full of the finest, softest linens of the purest white and dazzling hues dyed from every color of the rainbow, takes up an entire wall of the room. But it isn’t the opulence of her chambers that has caught her attention, but the wedding gown draped over the bed waiting for her to wear. The fabric is so fine it is translucent.

  Aniya brushes the tips of her fingers against the gossamer threads and holds the dress up to her chest. She can barely feel anything. A shiver runs down her spine as she imagines wearing the fine gown in front of Pharaoh and the assembly of nobility gathered for the wedding celebration. A gentle knock taps against the door and Aniya lays the garment back down on the bed, her hands shaking.

  “Enter,” she calls, trying to keep the tremble from her voice and failing.

  The door opens and an entourage of servants enter the room. Most are women, but a few male servants come bearing trays laid with precious jewels and adornments. The female servants go to work laying out the jewelry on a long table. A familiar face enters behind the crowd and Aniya’s face breaks into a smile.

  “Nehi!” She realizes too late that she probably seems over-anxious to see him. His smile mirrors her own, and he seems truly glad to see her as well. It was only yesterday that she was trying to escape the dungeon with his help. The moment she agreed to marry Pharaoh she was whisked away by servants to be prepared for today’s marriage ceremony. Although the servants were gentle as they washed her body with sweet-smelling herbs and oils and shaved her head for the ornately braided wig they placed on her, it was nice to finally see someone she recognized.

  “My queen.” He bows at the waist, and rises with a smile. “How do you like your new home?”

  Aniya motions at the room with a dismissive wave. “I suppose it will have to do, though I must admit, there is a lot more light in here than my previous room in the palace.” She leans in to whisper, “However, it seems to be missing the charming odor of stale urine that I was becoming so accustomed to.”

  Nehi stifles a laugh, but his smile is genuine. Aniya notices again how beautiful he is with his bronzed skin and darkly lashed eyes. His smile is wide and exposes his straight, white teeth that look even brighter against his dark skin. Goosebumps run up her arms as he looks down at her and she finds herself wondering what his lips m
ight feel like against her own. She blushes, and looks down.

  Stop thinking about kissing him. You’re about to become another man’s wife. Pharaoh’s wife.

  Her eyes light on a scroll in Nehi’s hand. “What is that?”

  Nehi blinks as if she caught him in the middle of his thoughts. “Oh, this..” he stammers for a moment. “It’s the marriage agreement. I was asked to bring it to you for review. So you would know exactly what you’re getting into.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “There are certain stipulations...requirements that must be met within your first year of marriage to the Pharaoh.”

  “Requirements?” she echoes.

  “Yes.” He opens the scroll for her to examine. “It’s all right here.”

  He shifts his body to stand shoulder to shoulder with her, and Aniya’s skin tingles where their arms touch. Her eyes pass over the words written in the familiar hieroglyphics she’s seen since birth. After a few moments, her eyes begin to sting with tears of frustration as she attempts to make sense of the document. She feels Nehi’s eyes searching her face as she pours her attention on the scroll.

  “What is it?” he says in low voice.

  Aniya can’t bring her gaze to meet his, and her blush deepens from shame. “I’m the daughter of a farmer, Nehi. I don’t know how to read.”

  A soft “ahh” of understanding escapes his lips and Nehi clears his throat before explaining in hushed tones. “Basically, it says that Pharaoh is marrying you on the understanding that your union will bear forth a male heir within a year’s time. If you do not produce an heir, or should you bear a daughter, Pharaoh has the right to dissolve the marriage if he so chooses. You will then be stripped of your title as Queen of Egypt and sent back to your family, though any female children you produce will stay as part of the royal family here in the palace.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Even if you do not produce a male heir, you and your family may keep the dowry that Pharaoh is providing to you and your father.”