Chapter One Hundred and Three: Dennu
Dennu was waiting for her beside the table in the main room. He faced the door to the harem and when she entered the room he held out his arms. “Kiya. How good to see you. You look beautiful.”
Kiya hesitated. His words had been mechanical, as if rehearsed, and there was no light of love in his eyes. She bowed in a more formal greeting and said “Good evening, Lord Dennu.”
He dropped his arms. “You are annoyed. I feared you would be. I hope Itet explained to you the necessity of me having more than one wife. A man in my position is expected to maintain a harem.”
“Yes, you have done very well to marry the sister of the King. You must consider it a great honour.”
“Indeed, it is an honour and one which I could hardly refuse even if I had a mind to.”
“I wish I had known before I came here.”
“Why? So you could refuse to come? I think you owe it to me to see if you can adapt to life in a harem, Kiya. You have met Itet. Is she not a wonderful person? So kind and understanding. I am sure you two will be friends.”
“She enjoys taking control.”
“She is only trying to be helpful, Kiya. I have explained to her that a simple peasant girl will take time to adjust to palace life.”
Kiya regarded Dennu with irritation. Did he really think that praising Itet would endear the woman to her? How dare they discuss her in such a condescending way! He looked older and more careworn than when she had last seen him. There were shadows under his eyes. The dark hair that had once flopped so charmingly over his forehead had been shaved bare so his head was bald. “You look tired,” she said.
He nodded “Things are going badly. We have had to prevent the public entering the temple for fear the ceremonies will be disrupted. There is famine in the delta and the grain stores are running low. Worse still, the Nile is not rising as it should. People say that the fault is with the King for failing to worship the old gods.”
“Perhaps they are right.”
Dennu glared at her. “There is only one true god and he alone should be worshipped. Come let us sit and have refreshment. We have much to talk about.”
He led the way into the bedroom where a brazier was burning in the fire pit. Dennu took her hand to help her sit on the cushioned ledge that surrounded the pit. Then he went to the table and brought back a flask of wine and two goblets.
The evening was becoming chilly and Kiya welcomed the warmth of the flames. Dennu handed her a goblet of wine. It was strong and sweet. She took a sip and did not move away when Dennu sat down so close to her that their thighs touched.
“What happened to the baby?” he said.
Kiya, who had started to relax immediately became tense again. “I gave him to a wet nurse.”
“What wet nurse?”
Kiya remembered her resolve to be honest with Dennu and hold nothing back. She took a deep breath and said, “Hathor.”
Dennu was astounded. “Hathor? Are you mad? I presume you mean the false goddess. I doubt if she even exists. Stop your make-believe, Kiya, and tell me the truth.”
“She exists just as surely as Isis and Osiris, who you saw with your own eyes. I tell you the truth when I say that she has Meri. By now he will no longer be a baby for he will grow swiftly on the goddess’s milk.”
“Let us assume for a moment that this is more than mere fantasy. How do you plan to get him back?”
“She promised that he would be returned and I must trust her word.”
“But when? The King needs him now.”
“The King?” Kiya looked at Dennu in astonishment. “What has Ikhnaton got to do with it?”
“We heard that a healer had been born to a peasant girl in the nome of Thebes. I was reminded of your claim that the baby was immaculately conceived and hoped that the mother might be you. When I told the King he tasked me with bringing the baby to him. Am I right, Kiya? Is your child a healer?”
Kiya hesitated and then remembered her resolve to be truthful with Dennu. “Meri is a healer but his life force is too small for him to heal while so young. He nearly died restoring an old woman to health. What does the King want with him?”
“He wants to prove the power of the Aten to disbelievers. He believes that the baby has been sent to be the salvation of Egypt.”
“No, it is too dangerous,” cried Kiya.
“We will protect the child,” said Dennu. “He will only be required to perform enough miracles to calm the population.”
“Meri’s life force could not cope with such a demand.”
“That is for the King to decide,” said Dennu.
“Is that why you summoned me? You wanted to deliver my child to the King?”
“You are my wife, your place is in my house.”
“You had returned from Crete for weeks before you sent for me.”
“I admit, I needed time to establish a close relationship with Itet before your jealousy spoilt everything.”
“Are you so sure I would be jealous?”
“Yes, and by your anger you have proved me right.” He took a long drink from his goblet and then refilled it.
“I have resolved to be honest with you Dennu,” said Kiya. “I am not jealous but disappointed. I thought our love would be enough for you – for both of us and we would face the world together as a couple. I am also angry that the terms of our marriage have been changed without my knowledge or agreement.”
“I apologise,” he said. “When the King gifted me his sister I could not say no. Indeed, I would have been a fool to have done so.”
Kiya had to accept that he was right. This situation was none of his planning, although he seemed happy enough with it. She changed the subject.
“How was Crete? Did you see your father?”
Dennu nodded. “My father’s fortunate position was a great help in making my visit a success. Princess Ana will be coming to the palace soon to finalise details of a new trade route.”
“How was Massui?” Kiya asked, remembering her old adversary fondly.
“I have never seen him happier. He has become the father I used to know.”
“Was it hard to say goodbye?”
Dennu shook his head. “We have our own paths to follow. I am a man now and no longer need his approval and he certainly does not need mine. He sent his love to you and asked to be remembered to Huy and Laylos.”
“That was nice of him. I wish to see my aunt Laylos. Am I allowed to visit her?”
“No!” Dennu seemed shocked at the suggestion. “Ladies of the palace do not walk the streets.” His voice was becoming slurred and his skin flushed as the wine took effect.
“How can I see her? Will you arrange a pass so she can come to the palace?”
“Very well,” said Dennu. He rose unsteadily to his feet. “Come, Kiya. It is time for bed.”
“I will follow in a moment,” she said.
She sat and stared into the flames and listened to Dennu getting into bed. Had he really wanted her back or had he merely been after Meri? Doubts and disappointment destroyed her pleasure at seeing him again. She waited until his resonant snores filled the room and then she left the dying fire and went back to the harem.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 103
