“Mama!” Saul yelled, and they all suddenly noticed me. The four boys ran at me, while Malachi slowly stood and leaned against the fence post. The boys grabbed me and asked how Tut was, and if they had a new niece or nephew. I answered their questions, but remained completely focused on Malachi. He noticed my gaze and glanced away as I approached.
“Malachi―”
“I’m glad you’re back.” He smiled and kissed me. “It’s never the same here without you, is it boys?”
“No!” Aaron exclaimed. “Rachel doesn’t cook anywhere near as good as you!”
The younger boys readily agreed, but Zakkai gazed up at me. I looked down at him, then exchanged glances with Malachi. We could tell he had noticed his father’s health failing, and wanted to ask us what was wrong.
Malachi sighed. “Give me a moment to wash up and we can all eat together.”
I nodded and guided the children inside. Once they sat around the table and Rachel had served up, Malachi came in and sat beside me, kissing my head. My heart pounded as I glanced around at our children, dreading how they would react.
Malachi let them eat first, while barely touching his food―he ate only to please me. Then, he cleared his throat and called the children to attention. The three younger boys looked up at him eagerly, while Zakkai and Rachel looked worried.
“Zakkai, Rachel, Aaron, Saul, and Ezra. You are all the greatest joys in my life…” He paused, struggling to suppress his emotions.
Rachel leaned forward, her eyebrows furrowing, while the young boys suddenly fell solemn.
“Zakkai and Rachel, I know you have both noticed that I haven’t been well, and you are right. I’m very sick and have been for a while, but I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to alarm you. I have a sickness in my blood which is slowly and surely cutting my life short.”
Rachel gasped and tears streamed down her face.
Zakkai leaped to his feet. “What does that mean?”
“I am dying, son,” he answered, then began to weep.
The children all fell silent and stared at him. Suddenly Zakkai slammed his fist on the table. “No! You can’t die! Tut has the best physicians in the land, he could―”
“Tut’s physician diagnosed him,” I said softly. “There’s nothing that can be done.”
Zakkai became very angry and yelled at me, “I don’t believe it! There’s something that can be done and I will find it! You are not going to die, Papa!”
He stood, knocking his chair over, and ran out of the house.
I moved to go after him but Malachi grabbed my arm. “Leave him, Naomi.”
I sank back into my chair and looked at my other children. The three boys were confused, but Rachel was crying. I reached for her hand. “Rachel, come here.”
She stood, but didn’t come to me. Instead, she sat on Malachi’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing onto his shoulder.
The three boys glanced at each other before Aaron said, “Papa is going to die?”
“Yes,” I answered, which caused Rachel’s crying to become louder.
“When?”
I glanced at Malachi and saw his tired, sunken eyes.
“Soon,” I responded, barely able to force it from my lips. I felt my own tears begin to rise, so I stood to clear the table. Malachi touched my back as I stood, but I couldn’t look at him, it was too heartbreaking.
As I cleared away the food, Malachi said, “You all need to help your Mama once I’m gone. You will need to be respectful to her, and loving. She’s the most amazing woman in the world and you are lucky to have her as your mother.”
A sob forced itself free and I covered my mouth, turning away from them all, so they couldn’t see my tears.
Suddenly Hepsati burst in.
“Papa! Oh Papa!” She rushed over and knelt beside Malachi. “Why did you never say anything?”
She clasped his hand, pulling it to her face, and wept onto it.
Joshua limped to the door and glanced at Malachi, before looking to me. He hobbled over and touched my back.
“Zakkai has run to Samuel’s house. He told us everything. I will do all I can to help you so you don’t lose this farm.”
“Thank you,” I responded, but knew he would struggle without Malachi, as well. I prayed for Itani to return soon, not only so she could see Malachi before he passed, but so Nathaniel could step in and help us survive.
I finished cleaning up and turned to the boys. “Say goodnight now, boys. You need your rest.”
They all looked up at me in distress. “But Mama…”
“No!”
“I want to stay with Papa!” They all protested in unison.
“Listen to your mother, boys,” Malachi said sternly.
They fell silent and hung their heads as they walked into their room.
“You too, Rachel,” I said, softly touching her back.
She clung tighter to Malachi. “No! I’m never going to let go of Papa!”
“Rachel,” he said gently. “You must. I can’t carry you around with me to the fields and on the farm.”
“Yes you can!” She pressed her face into his chest.
He looked up at me and smiled. “She is most certainly your daughter.” He stood, and carried her into the room to put her to bed.
Hepsati rushed at me and threw her arms around my neck. “Mama, you must be heartbroken! I still remember when you and Papa married, and all the troubles you went through to be together, and now… oh Mama, this is so tragic! I don’t know what I’d do if Joshua died.”
I couldn’t help it, she hit my last nerve. I fell into her arms and cried. She held me tightly, as she and Joshua took me outside so I wouldn’t disturb the children. Hepsati sat me on the ground beside her to let me cry, while she softly stroked my hair. I fought to contain my emotions, as it wasn’t yet time to grieve. Malachi was still with me, even if it wasn’t for much longer. I forced my tears back, and finally, I fell silent.
“Mama,” Hepsati whispered to me. “You should bring Itani home.”
“No,” I answered. “If she comes home prematurely, she could be discovered and taken. Malachi wouldn’t want her to risk that for him. But we will write to her and let her know, so he can say goodbye.”
She sighed and kissed my forehead. “We will get through this.”
“Yes, we will.” Tears threatened to escape me again. “But it will be the hardest thing I have ever had to do.”
That night, Malachi made love to me for the last time. He struggled, weak and worn, and even on occasion he grunted with pain, but he kept going and whispered over and over, “I love you so much, Naomi.”
alachi sat, watching the children as they played, looking tired, but content. I worked on beating a rug clean. He said, “Naomi, you look radiant.”
I looked at him, surprised, before realizing the sun was directly behind me. I laughed. “I’m glad you’re impressed.”
He laughed and raised his hand for me. I rushed to his side and sat on his lap, softly kissing him.
“Naomi!” a voice called. I turned and saw a veiled woman rushing up the road. I stood shielding my eyes to see. She called to me again and I realized it was Ankhe. I walked down to the road to meet her and she threw her arms around me.
“Naomi, I need you! My heart is broken! Tut no longer favors me, but Delila instead.”
“Ankhe, come and sit with me.” I guided her toward the house, but her gaze fell on Malachi.
She paused and removed her veil. “Guard, you have seen better days. Does my husband know you are unwell?”
Malachi nodded with a frown. “He does, yes. But, my queen, you needn’t worry yourself. I have a good wife who takes care of me.”
Ankhe looked up at me. “She takes care of us all.”
She stepped toward the house, then paused, before sitting down in the grass next to Malachi.
Confused, I moved and sat next to her. “So tell me what’s troubling you, Ankhe.”
She stared into my eyes intensely. “I don’t blame him for shifting favor to her, she’s the one who gave him a child who lived, after all, but I feel so lost. I love him so much, and I thought he loved me, too. But I have caught him secretly calling for her to come in to him, and this morning, I even walked in on them. It wouldn’t hurt so much if, when I was with him, he would focus on me, but I can see in his eyes that his mind is elsewhere. I have disappointed him with my inability to produce an heir after nine years of marriage, and so, like my father did with you, Naomi, his heart wandered to another who could give him what he wanted.”
Her face fell into her hands and she wept. “I understand now why my mother resented you so much. She knew my father’s favor had turned away from her and onto you. She knew that he, too, called for you in secret. I never until now understood why she would hate you so much when you made my father so happy.”
“Do you resent Delila?” I asked gently.
She nodded. “Very much, but I cannot do what my mother did. I know what it did to you and Tut and I don’t want to repeat her mistakes.”
We fell silent. I waited, expecting her to say more, or ask me a question, but instead she just sighed and took Malachi and me by the hand. He gave her a startled look, then looked across at me. I shrugged, knowing she was desperate for affection and love, and had no malicious intent behind the gesture. I believed in many ways she had made us her surrogate parents, to fill the void.
“Where is Hepsati?” she finally whispered.
“She’s visiting with my sister, Rena,” I answered.
“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped and she pouted.
“But I expect her to be back soon, if you would like to visit with her.”
Her smile lit up her face. “It would be nice to talk with her. Tut speaks very well of her.”
“Ankhe.” I touched her shoulder. “Would you like me to speak with Tut?”
She gazed into my eyes. “I…maybe… No.” She raised her chin and nodded determinedly. “No, I will. You have given me the courage to confront him.”
She looked across and, seeing Hepsati walking toward us, smiled. “Naomi, I know you didn’t kill Mordad. It was my mother and grandfather. He had the viper brought to the palace and she placed it in your chambers.”
She stood and walked over to meet Hepsati, who greeted her with surprise, but invited her to visit with them in their home.
I knelt in front of Malachi and grasped his hands. “Malachi, I don’t know what to make of all she just told me.”
He smiled and shut his eyes. “She will be good to you for the rest of your days. She has given up her secrets to you.”
I stroked his cheek, feeling my love for him swell inside me. “Dear Malachi.”
“Naomi,” he said softly. “Bring the Commander here tomorrow after you have finished working. I need to talk with him.”
“What for?”
He shook his head. “I just need to make sure you and the children are cared for. I need to know you will be supported by him.”
“All right.” I softly kissed him.
Horemheb frowned as I asked him to come speak with Malachi, but didn’t protest. I followed him through the city and into our sector where he fell back and walked beside me. He drew stares from all around, but he didn’t seem to care as he spoke with me. “So what does he need of me?”
“He said he wants to make sure you will support me, so I believe he will check my position in your household is secure.” I looked up at him and sighed. “He’s drawing near to the end. You will be startled when you see him.”
He gave me a quick nod and fell silent.
We entered the house and found Hepsati trying to coax some food into Malachi.
Horemheb froze beside me at the sight of Malachi. He had become very thin and weak, a far cry from the large, powerful man Horemheb had always known.
Malachi looked across at us and nodded to Horemheb. “Excuse me if I don’t stand to greet you. Please, sit.”
He gestured to a chair by him. Horemheb sat and Malachi asked Hepsati and me to step out.
We decided to take the opportunity to walk into the town and collect our children from Adina’s home, and our oldest sons from Samuel.
“How was he today?” I asked.
She shook her head sadly. “He’s only getting worse.”
I sighed and clung to her hand.
We collected the children and headed back to find Horemheb and Malachi sitting overlooking the river. Rachel, still terrified of Horemheb, let out a soft whimper and clutched my hand, but the boys whooped and ran straight for them.
Horemheb stood and threw Zakkai and Aaron over his shoulders while Ezra climbed onto Malachi, and Saul demanded to be lifted up, as well. Hepsati’s four children were more reserved, not being familiar with him, so held back with their mother.
We walked over and Malachi reached for my hand. I gave it to him and he kissed it.
“My dear, my mind is at ease. I know you will be well cared for by so many, so I feel I am ready to move into the next world.”
My breath caught and I pulled my hand away from him. “Malachi, please don’t speak like that. My heart can’t bear it.”
He slowly and carefully stood and leaned against me. “Naomi, Horemheb has agreed to do all he can to make sure you can keep this farm. This is a great burden off my mind to know you will continue to have a place to live and for Zakkai to inherit. Now, would you please help me back inside? I’m feeling tired.”
I led him back to the house. I laid him on our bed and curled up beside him. He wrapped one arm around me and stroked my hair.
“My beautiful Naomi. I don’t think you could begin to know the joy you have given me. You have done everything a good wife should and more. You have been loyal, loving, and a wonderful mother. I think back to that night in Amarna when I fell to my knees before you after you walked out on the king, and feel grateful for it. It was the beginning of the best thing in my life. Dear Naomi, how I love you.”
He pulled me in to kiss him.
I pushed closer, kissing him with all my love. I could tell he knew his time was near and I dreaded it. I wanted to hold on to him as tightly as I could and give him as much of my love as possible in hopes that maybe, just maybe, it would save his life.
We fell asleep like that, and at one point, I heard Hepsati bring the children in for bed. Then, in the dead of the night, Malachi awoke me with his labored breathing.
I shot up beside him and shook him. “Malachi! Malachi, wake up.”
He struggled, but he eventually did. He looked into my eyes and smiled. “You are so beautiful.”
He lifted his hand and rested it over mine.
“I love you,” I whispered as I realized what was happening.
He smiled contentedly at my words, then his eyes glazed over, and his breath of life left him.
I froze, unable to react. How could I react?
“Malachi?” I whispered, grasping his tunic tighter. The tears came and they exploded out of me with loud sobs. I bent over him and pressed my face against his still chest.
“Don’t leave. Please, Malachi.”
But he didn’t move, and my heart ripped apart.
I didn’t even notice he had entered, but suddenly Zakkai touched my hair.
“Mama,” he whispered fearfully. “Is Papa…?”
My head flew up. “Don’t even say the words, Zakkai!” I instantly regretted snapping at him when I saw the pained look on his face. I sank back down over Malachi and said weakly, “Yes Zakkai, he is.”
“No!” Rachel screeched and ran over, throwing herself over Malachi. “No he’s not allowed to! Bring him back!”
Her distress pulled at my heart, so I reached for her. “Rachel, sweetheart…”
“No Mama, let me go!” She pulled away, clinging tighter to Malachi.
I looked up at Zakkai, who seemed lost and confused as tears streamed down his face. Then the younger three boys appeared, standing at
the door. They looked frightened, so I beckoned them to come closer. Ezra shook his head and ran back to his room. Aaron cautiously stepped forward but hid behind Zakkai, while Saul stood frozen.
I had to get Hepsati to help me, so I said, “Saul, run and get Hepsati.”
Without even a moment’s hesitation, he darted out the door and yelled at the top of his lungs for her as he ran.
It wasn’t long before Hepsati burst in and started issuing orders. “Zakkai, run and get your uncle Tobiah.”
“No. I want to stay.”
“Go!”
Zakkai shot to his feet and ran out, with Aaron tailing behind him.
“Ezra? Where are you hiding?”
Ezra wailed as she grabbed him.
“Go to Joshua!” She pushed him out the door. Finally, she burst into the room and paused. I turned my face to see her. She had frozen, but when she lowered the lamp and saw me looking at her, she snapped back into action. She hurried over to Rachel and took her arm. “Rachel, go to Joshua.”
“No!” She screeched and slapped her.
“Rachel, go to Joshua,” I ordered through my tears.
“No!”
Hepsati grabbed her tightly and lifted her. Rachel lashed out and screamed as Hepsati carried her out of the house. Hepsati dropped the latch to keep her from coming back in. Rachel wailed outside as she ran to the other house.
Hepsati then rushed to my side. “Mama.” She gently stroked my hair. “Papa has made all the arrangements so you don’t have to worry―”
“Please, Hepsati.” I gazed into her eyes. “Not yet, not yet.”
She sighed and touched Malachi’s forehead, then closed his eyes. A tear fell down her cheek. “He’s yours forever, Mama.” She took my hand and placed it on his chest. “Your marriage will continue in the next life.”
“I know, Hepsati, but I am still young. I could live for many more years. What will I do until then?”
“Horemheb has always loved you.”
My head snapped up and I glared at her. “Don’t say that in front of Malachi.”
“I’m sorry, Mama,” she said softly.
KIYA: Rise of a New Dynasty (Kiya Trilogy Book 3) Page 11
