“Yes.” He sat on the edge of the sleeping couch.
She knelt and put her arms around him. “Tomorrow night let me come to your room for in that place we can cry out pleasure without fear of anyone but your friend hearing.”
“I’ll see he’s elsewhere. During the day Intef ad I will be with your father arranging for men and supplies to be sent to Thebes.” He rose and pulled her to her feet and into his arms. His kiss made her wish he would stay.
“Farewell, until the moon has risen once more and I am in your arms,” she said.
Once he left Seshat returned to the couch. She inhaled the aroma of him and their lovemaking. When she saw the splotch of blood on the cover her eyes widened. She couldn’t allow Bastet to see. Her maid would know what had happened and she would report to Sehetep. Seshat removed the cloth and buried it in the laundry awaiting the slaves. What she and Mermeshu had done felt so right but she wanted to hold the secret close. If her father learned he might become angry and turn against the man she loved.
* * *
The day seemed endless to Mermeshu. He couldn’t believe he’d been trapped by the threads of the web he’d meant to weave around Seshat. Today’s events had pleased Intef. Fifty men had been sent to Thebes along with several barges of grain and other foodstuffs. Cattle, sheep and goats were being herded by the guards to the city.
Mermeshu reached the large hall and searched for Seshat. Nefru was the only one of Sehetep’s daughters present. Mermeshu sensed the jaws of a lion open before him.
Nefru glided toward him. “Will you walk with me tonight?”
He shrugged. “Your father and I have much to discuss.”
She turned to Intef. “Will you bury yourself with these boring matters as well?”
Intef grinned. His hand slid along her arm. One finger touched her breast. “I prefer the garden, or perhaps elsewhere. There are things you and I must decide.”
She laughed. “So there are.”
Mermeshu studied the murals on the walls. Could he avoid Nefru without causing her to turn her spite on her sister?
Sehetep entered the room. He held a number of strolls. “Mermeshu, after the meal I would like to review these with you. Then we will sign our alliance.”
“I’m at your service, Nomarch.”
Nefru tapped her foot on the floor. “Father, why must you walk business tonight? I want to spend time with our guests. The moon is full and the sky is clear.”
“We leave in the morning,” Mermeshu said. “We have been gone from Thebes long enough for one or more of my rivals to attempt to undermine my standing with the army.”
“When you finish your business with my father I expect you to join us.”
The demanding tone of her voice irritated Mermeshu. “I do not take orders kindly.”
Sehetep chuckled. “Nefru needs a strong man, one she can’t turn into a house cat.”
“A man would be fortunate to take one of your daughters as his wife.” Though he wanted to ask for Seshat, the time wasn’t right.
“Such a union might be necessary but enough about my daughters. We will talk strategy. I have long observed the scene in Thebes through my spies. When you return seek these men.” He named several. “They will tell you much.”
By the time Mermeshu made his way to his sleeping room the moon had risen and moved along its path. Would Seshat be waiting for him? Would she fear he wasn’t coming? He glanced into his friend’s room and saw Intef hadn’t returned. Mermeshu smiled and hoped Nefru would entertain his friend all night.
As he stepped into the room he caught the scent of Seshat’s perfume. He whispered her name.
“I am here.” She lit another lamp. In the flickering light he saw she was nude. He reached to remove his kilt.
“Beloved, let me serve you.” As she lifted the pectoral over his head she ran her hands over his chest. Then she bent and teased his nipples with her tongue.
Twin bolts of lightning shot to his groin. “Seshat, I must have you now.” He groaned.
She touched her lips to his. He crushed her against his chest and seized her mouth in a fierce kiss. How could he bear to leave her? If only he could take her with him.
She slid her hands between them and unfastened his kilt. When she removed his loincloth she ran her hands over his thighs and erection. As need threatened to erupt he shuddered. He stepped back and gulped great breaths of air.
“Sit on the couch so I can remove your sandals. I would worship you as you did me last night.”
He wasn’t sure he could wait that long before embedding his spear into her sheath. “My evening star, you are my dream of perfection. I desire you with every breath.” He pulled her close and stroked her face. “In the morning I must return to Thebes. Once I have the Double Crown I will return and claim you as my wife.”
She smiled. “I’ll give you strong sons and beautiful daughters. Once we are wed, through my mother’s line you can claim the throne. Let us spend this night affirming our love.”
Mermeshu sat on the sleeping mat. Could he believe what she had said about her mother or were Nefru’s tales the truth? Sehetep had said nothing about the connection to a past dynasty. If her mother had been a princess why hadn’t the Nomarch taken the Double Crown?
Seshat removed his sandal. Her hands glided along his calves. She kissed his knees. Mermeshu leaned back on his elbows. Her hands glided along his inner thighs. The mage of her touch made him harder than before.
She flicked her tongue from one thigh to the other. He clenched his fists to keep from grabbing her. Spears of flame engorged his penis. Her fingers stroked his scrotum. She ran a nail along the length of his erection. When she captured his shaft in her hands and ran her tongue over the head he growled. The sound rose from his depths.
She leaned over him and rubbed her nipples over his erection. She pressed his penis between her breasts and moved her body. “Seshat, come to me. Let me take you.”
Her answer was to draw him into her mouth. As she licked and sucked she stroked his abdomen and chest. He fisted his hands against the couch and strained to keep from spilling his seed.
She raised her head and knelt with her knees on either side of his hips. As she leaned forward to lave his chest he felt her wetness brush his erection. He strained to enter her. Her mouth reached his and as her tongue slid into his mouth she slowly sheathed his shaft.
He pressed his feet against the couch and grasped her buttocks. He slid one hand between them and stroked. She released his mouth and arched her back. She rocked and slid on his.
“Mermeshu,” she cried.
When her sheath convulsed around him he thrust once and erupted. “Seshat, Seshat.” He pulled her down and kissed her. As his tongue thrust and parried with hers he felt his spear swell. He shifted position until she lay beneath him. This time their lovemaking was slow. After she peaked he held her in his arms.
As he drifted to sleep he knew he wanted her beside him for all his days. Once he held the Double Crown he would ask Sehetep to bless this union.
When he woke she was gone. He washed and dressed. When he saw one of his pectorals was missing he frowned. Had Seshat taken it for remembrance? As he and Intef reached the gate he looked for her. Of the daughters of the household only Nefru was present. He saw her sly smile and Intef’s grin. What did their expressions mean?
* * *
Seshat spent the next two lunars in an euphoric state. She had found her love and he would return to claim her. As she went about her duties Mermeshu was ever in her thoughts. The room where she did the accounts and the one where he’d slept had become places of refuge and memories. His promise was a constant echo in her thoughts.
The days were well into the third lunar since his departure. Tiy burst into Seshat’s sleeping chamber. “You won’t believe what Nefru told father.”
“Are you in trouble again?”
“No. She says she carries Mermeshu’s child. Father said she must marry him.”
Seshat sucked in
a breath. Why would Nefru lie? If she was with child surely the father was Intef. “When did she say this happened?”
“She claims he came to her room the night before those men left.”
Seshat sighed with relief. “She lies.”
“How would you know?”
“I was with him. We were in his room.”
Tiy gasped. “But I heard her call his name and he shouted hers.”
“Are you sure the voice was his? Intef was with her.”
“Oh Seshat, what will you do? She has a cloth with her virgin’s blood and one of his pectorals.”
Seshat sank on the edge of the couch. She had buried her cover in the laundry. She had taken nothing from his room. How could she prove he’d been with her, not her sister?
“Father sent a message to Thebes. He demanded a marriage. He and Nefru are making ready to journey to the city. We’re staying here.”
Seshat covered her face with her hands. What could she do? Surely Mermeshu would tell the truth. Nut he sought the Double Crown and sees Father’s help as necessary. Will Mermeshu speak of what had happened and risk losing that support? Will ambition or love rule?
* * *
Mermeshu stared at the words on the papyrus. He turned to Intef. “How can she say I came to her? How can she say she carries my child?”
“Who?”
“Nefru.” Intef’s grin angered Mermeshu. “Have you a good explanation?”
“Her room was dark. She mistook me for the man she wanted. She cried your name and I didn’t correct her. She is lusty and inventive. Three times she brought me to paradise. You’ll have no complaints when you bed her.”
“And if she’s with child, the babe won’t be mine.”
“There are ways to rid her of the child.”
Mermeshu held his anger inside. “You know where I was on those nights. Why have you betrayed me?”
Intef frowned. “What you see as a betrayal is anything but. To have Seshat you must first take Nefru as your wife. Nomarch Sehetep wants a strong man for her. I told him you were strong.’
“I pledged my heart to Seshat. She is the first woman to capture my love.”
“Would you give up the Double Crown?” Intef grasped Mermeshu’s arm. “Would you lose Sehetep’s support? You can have them both. Take Nefru as your first wife and Seshat as the second. Will you toss our plans aside?”
Mermeshu turned away from his friend. What choice did he have? Of those vying for the Double Crown he had the best chance of leading the army to defeat the Hyksos. With Sehetep’s wealth behind him he could achieve honor and glory. “I’ll leave today to speak to Sehetep.”
Intef walked to the door. “No need. He and Nefru are on their way here.”
“And Seshat?”
“Her name wasn’t mentioned. I’ll prepare a feast of welcome and arrange for the priests to bless your union. The eyes of your rivals will gleam with envy.”
“What of Seshat’s eyes. Would they glow with anger, hatred or sorrow?”
* * *
On the morning after her father and sister departed for Thebes Seshat admitted she was with child. She sent a messenger to Mermeshu. Weeks later her answer arrived, not from him but from Intef.
The priests have blessed the union of Mermeshu and Nefru.
Seshat tore the papyrus to shreds. Her anger was so great she couldn’t cry.
During the fifth lunar of her pregnancy news of her father’s death arrived. Seshat screamed and tore at her hair. She ran to the family temple. There she mourned her father by spending days fasting and praying.
A message arrived. Seshat and Tiy were ordered to journey to Thebes where Seshat would become Mermeshu’s second wife. Grief turned to anger.
Intef arrived with a troop of soldiers. He brought a letter from Mermeshu. Seshat went to her room to read her lover’s words.
My evening star. I await your presence in Thebes. Though second to Nefru in my house you are first in my heart. Your sister brought land, money and men to my cause. Without them I would stand no chance of ruling the Two Lands. Soon my army will move against the Hyksos. Egypt will be free of the usurpers and I will be Pharaoh of a united land.
As she had the first letter Seshat destroyed this one. She fell on her couch and wept.
Tiy came to her. “You must stop this weeping. We are to leave for Thebes in two days.”
Seshat shook her head. “I will not leave this house. I won’t take Nefru’s leavings. I will not be second wife in Mermeshu’s house. I turn my back to him.”
Bastet splashed cool water on her mistress’ face. “You will make yourself ill. You will lose the babe.”
“You do not understand. He has betrayed me.” Seshat’s tears continued through the night.
In the morning when Intef entered the room Seshat refused to look at him. Her head shrieked with pain. Fluid had begun to fill her legs and hands. He summoned a physician.
For days the physician invoked Amon Re and Hathor, calling on them to protect and heal Seshat. He tried remedy after remedy. Finally he shook his head. “There is nothing I can do. The gods desire her presence.”
Bastet’s wails beat against Seshat. “Oh my child, I have failed your mother. I vowed to keep you from harm.”
Tiy spoke. “Send for Mermeshu. Maybe he can keep her anchored to this life.”
“I’ve already dispatched messengers,” Intef said. “Why does she disobey? She would be happy in his women’s court.”
“Happy. With Nefru taunting and tormenting her? This is his fault. Why didn’t he expose Nefru’s lie?”
“To do so would have lost your father’s support. Nefru was with child.”
Seshat turned from the wall. “Not Mermeshu’s. The babe was yours. Why did you betray your friend and me?”
“I did what had to be done for the Two Lands.”
She laughed. “No. For yourself. You are strong where Mermeshu is weak. You look only for yourself and not this land. You believe you can rule Mermeshu and see your sons wear the crown you can’t.”
He raised his hand as though he would hit her and let it drop to his side. “If you love this land and Mermeshu you will greet him with joy.” He strode from the room.
Seshat licked her dry and cracked lips. She held her hand to her sister. “On the day Mermeshu arrives I want to be bathed and dressed. Oil my skin. Paint my face. Bring a headrest so I can sit. Adorn me with our mother’s necklace and crown. I would have made him pharaoh for I come from a line of rulers.”
Tiy held a cup to Seshat’s mouth. “All will be as you wish.”
Several days later Bastet summoned slaves to carry her mistress to the bathing room. With gentleness she washed and oiled Seshat’s swollen body. She washed the salty encrustation from Seshat’s face. “When he comes you will be healed.”
Seshat shook her head. “Not so. I am poisoned and will die.”
Tiy gasped. “Nefru? How did she do this? I will see she follows you.”
“Do not. She gave me no poison. Her lies have done this. She will never know happiness. Her house and this nome will lie in ruins.”
Soon Seshat wore her finest linen dress. Bastet combed and braided Seshat's hair. When she was on her sleeping couch, Tiy placed the crown on Seshat’s head and the necklace around her neck. She fastened the armbands in place. Outside Thunder rumbled.
Mermeshu entered and stood beside the couch. “My evening star.”
She released a breath. “Bastet, Tiy, leave. What I have to say to this man is for his ears alone.”
He knelt beside the couch and ran his hand over her face. “Only tell me you will come to Thebes.”
She looked into his eyes and ignored the love she saw there. “You drank deeply of my love. You feasted on my body. You have denied the child you gave me.”
“Never. How can you say these things?”
“You did not come when I wrote and told you about the child. Instead you took my sister for your wife and left Intel to tell me what y
ou had done.”
He clasped her hand. “I did not know about the child until the marriage was blessed and your father was dead.”
“Does that matter when you let Nefru’s lies stand? You send your friend, our betrayer, to carry me to Thebes like spoils from a battle. You liked when you said your heart was mine.”
“I swear you hold my heart.” He opened a small chest he held in one hand. “I bring gifts.” He lifted a necklace, armbands and anklets.
“Give them to your wife. I wear the ones from my mother.” She raised a hand to touch the crown. “Look on them and see what you have rejected.”
“What’s done cannot be undone. The jewels are yours. We leave for Thebes in the morning and you will wear them. Our son will be an honored advisor to his brother when the child of my first son becomes pharaoh.”
“Nefru breeds?”
“The first child she carried was lost. Of the next there will be no question of parentage.”
Seshat laughed. “Intef’s child. Nefru will never give you or any other man a child. Her womb will be closed.”
He raised her swollen hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “On the way to Thebes I will hold you in my arms and give you strength.”
Seshat’s vision blurred. Sharp pains stabbed her head. “None but my ghost will dwell in your house. You let ambition for wealth and power guide your course. You chose those things above love.”
“Seshat, no.”
She straightened. “Adorn me with your jewels. Wrap me in the finest linens. Carry a dead woman to your house. I curse you. Over the years and into eternity we will meet. You want a son. He must be mine. Until you know what to value you will find me only to lose me.” She sank onto the headrest.
Mermeshu kissed her. “Seshat, I love you. You do not understand the ways of men. Love is like a sweet to be enjoyed at a meal’s ending. Power, wealth and ambition are the meat. In cursing me you curse yourself. You, too, will seek and lose. Until you learn pride is a fool’s weapon you will never find happiness.” He pressed his head to her chest and listened to her breaths until there were no more. His voice rose in an angry shout to the gods.
Past Betrayals, Past Loves Page 3
