“Of what?”
“Gossip. You’ve been here long enough to know how it is in the women’s quarters. So much gossip, so much jealousy, and everyone looking for the chance to turn the most innocent act into a knife to use against her rival.”
“I wish I had a rival for Thutmose,” I muttered. “I’d let her have him and go home.” I sighed. “If you were afraid to come here before, what changed your mind?”
He smiled sadly and knelt beside Nava and me. “Wasn’t my brother just here?” A beam of sunlight from the high window fell across Amenophis’s face, revealing a large red mark that was swiftly darkening into a purple bruise on his cheekbone.
“He hit you?” I was outraged. “I wish I’d kicked him harder when I had the chance.”
“You kicked Thutmose?” Amenophis stared at me, then let loose his wonderful laugh. “I wish I’d seen that. It would be worth suffering twenty blows.”
And yet, for all Amenophis’s brave words, that was the last time I saw him, apart from formal occasions. I missed him, and I made up a dozen excuses for his absence. When Sitamun, Nava, and I gathered for our lessons and were waiting for Henenu to arrive, I casually wondered aloud if there was some official business or princely duties keeping Amenophis more than ordinarily busy.
“Thutmose told Mother about the quarrel. She ordered Amenophis to keep his distance from you.”
“And what did he tell her?”
“Tell her? What would he tell her? He might defy her wishes on the sly, but I’ve never known him to stand up to her for anything.” Sitamun looked at me with compassion. “I’m sorry, Nefertiti. It looks like my brother fears Mother more than he loves you.”
I felt my face heat with a blush. “I know he doesn’t love me. That’s not the way it is between us. I only thought that our friendship was worth fighting for.”
“I’m sure he feels the same way,” Sitamun said. “He would fight for it against anyone else, but this … this is Mother.”
I bent my head over my pens and palette, pretending a sudden interest in examining them. As I ran my fingertips over each part of my scribal kit, my heart was heavy. Oh, Amenophis, my dear friend! I know you’re strong, even if your body looks weak, but why can’t your spirit be strong, too? A tear splashed onto the stone palette and I wiped it away with my thumb.
As the season of the Inundation approached and the end of my first year at the court of Pharaoh Amenhotep drew to a close, I was called into Pharaoh’s private presence chamber for the first time. The summons came to me very early one morning. Nava and I were just finishing our breakfast beside the long pool when a gorgeously jeweled official came striding through the women’s quarters. He dropped to both knees before me and delivered his message in ringing tones while Kepi, my other maids, and a few curious women from other apartments nearby looked on.
By this time I had gone through enough ceremonial dinners and other events at court to be used to hearing myself acclaimed with such exaggerated praise that I no longer heard a word of it. I only paid attention when the messenger got to the point of his errand—namely, that I was to come at once.
“I am honored to obey Pharaoh’s word,” I said, rising from my stool. The man stood up as well and was about to lead me away when Kepi intervened.
“My lady, naturally you will be wearing something suitably fine when you greet Pharaoh,” she said, blocking my way and trying to steer me back into my rooms. “I will see to it myself that this gentleman is offered refreshments while the girls bring you the appropriate dress and jewelry.”
The man’s hand fell heavily on Kepi’s plump shoulder. “There is no time for that. My lady Nefertiti is to come without delay.”
“But, my lord, we haven’t even had the chance to paint her eyes or comb her hair or—”
“Without delay,” the man boomed, glaring at my maidservant. “These are the words of the living god, the Pharaoh Amenhotep, may he reign forever. You will be punished severely for having the audacity to defy them.”
“And you will be punished twice as severely if you say one word to bring harm to her,” I told him, doing my best to look like Aunt Tiye at her worst. I must have done a good job of it: The man quailed and spouted even more flattery, begging my forgiveness and assuring me that I was renowned for being as merciful as I was beautiful. He was still groveling as he led me away, but not loudly enough to blot out the sound of whispers rising from every corner of the women’s quarters as we passed.
I was thankful when he at last fell silent. His constant chatter was too intrusive to let me think, and I had much to think about before I faced the Pharaoh. Why does he want to see me? I wondered. What could be so important that I have to come to him without delay? Sweet Isis, I’m afraid! It’s been weeks since Thutmose raged at me about my spending time with Amenophis. If he were going to denounce me to his father, wouldn’t he have done it sooner? A darker suspicion crossed my mind. Unless he wanted me to think I was safe and then strike when I was off guard. Oh, that snake! Amenophis and I didn’t do anything wrong, but will Pharaoh see it that way, or will Thutmose poison his father’s judgment against us, or—
I paused in midstep and closed my eyes. Enough, I told myself. If I start seeing evil schemes behind everything, I’ll turn into Aunt Tiye or Thutmose.
“My lady Nefertiti?” My guide hovered near, alarmed that I’d stopped walking.