the people don’t remember.” The Vizier Nebamun stepped forward and blocked my view of Henuttawy. “Your Highnesses, love alone does not make a good wife.”
“Which is why we are fortunate that Nefertari is also wise enough to serve in this chamber,” Ramesses said.
Courtiers began talking over one another, and Pharaoh Seti raised his crook and struck it twice on the base of the dais. “Nebamun and Henuttawy, we have heard what you both have to say. Vizier Anemro?”
Vizier Anemro stood from a table at the base of the dais, and I could hear him address Pharaoh Seti politely before saying, “I agree with the High Priestess of Isis. Looking to the future, to make the princess Nefertari Chief Wife would be dangerous to His Highness’s reign.”
Beneath the dais, Rahotep remained silent. Ramesses asked sternly, “Vizier Paser?”
Paser stood, and his was the first voice raised in my defense. “I do not see any harm or danger in making Princess Nefertari queen.”
“Nor I,” Woserit said firmly.
The High Priest of Amun finally spoke. “Even though her family murdered my father and abolished Egypt’s gods?” he spat. “Has that already been forgotten? The blood of heretics runs through her veins!”
Pharaoh Seti struck his crook on the dais and declared, “Princess Nefertari is a daughter to me. I do not care what blood runs in her veins.”
“But the people will,” Henuttawy snapped. She understood that Seti was going to allow Ramesses to wed and added quickly, “At least wait until after the marriage to choose a Chief Wife.” I could see her face now. She turned to Ramesses. “Wait to see how the people will react. For the sake of peace throughout your long reign, wait until the ceremony is finished.”
“I fear a rebellion,” Rahotep warned.
“Wait,” Henuttawy suggested. “Then, if you still want to make her queen over Iset—”
“I wouldn’t call it over Iset,” Ramesses said quickly.
“Instead of Iset,” Henuttawy corrected, coarsely. “Then there will be two feasts to celebrate.”
Pharaoh Seti sighed. “The decision of Chief Wife will wait. But what does Nefertari have to say about this? I hope you haven’t pressured her into marriage.”
“Bring her in,” Ramesses answered. “She can tell you herself.”
I looked at Merit, who rushed to straighten my wig. When the herald discovered the open door, he glanced at the guards, then at us. We both stood quickly.
“You are wanted in the Audience Chamber,” he said.
We followed him through the great doors of carved bronze, and I was shocked by how large the room really was once I was inside of it. Not even Paser’s careful model had captured the true grandeur of the hall. This is where my mother sat with Nefertiti when she was my age, I realized, and where she ruled alongside Pharaoh Horemheb. I studied the long expanse of polished tiles and the vaulted roof of gold. The limestone columns depicted scenes of previous kings in their triumphs. Ebony chairs with ivory inlay were clustered around Senet boards throughout the chamber. I imagined that courtiers usually filled those seats, laughing together and ready to entertain Pharaoh whenever he grew bored.
Henuttawy and Woserit watched our entrance, and as we reached the thrones, the heated whispers between the viziers increased. Courtiers gathered like thick clusters of grapes around the dais while we held out our arms in obeisance and bowed. When I arose, Ramesses met my gaze.
“Princess Nefertari.” Pharaoh Seti smiled. “You have returned to Malkata to be married to Ramesses. But tell me.” He leaned forward. “Is this what you wish?”
I closed my eyes briefly and nodded. “More than anything,” I whispered.
“And you are certain of this? My son can be very persuasive. If you’re afraid to hurt his feelings, he’ll recover.”
“There is nothing for him to recover from except my excessive love,” I said.
“Very pretty.” Henuttawy clapped. “If the Passion Plays of Osiris are missing an actress we will know who to send them.”
“It’s not an act,” I said simply, and something in my voice prompted Pharaoh Seti to sit back. He regarded me for a moment, and I hoped he could see the earnestness in my stare.
“Let them be wed,” Seti pronounced with a wave, and I exhaled.
Ramesses stepped down from the dais and took my hand firmly. It was real. We were going to be married.
“Think of what the people will say,” Henuttawy shrieked. “Brother, think of what you are doing!”
“There will not be a coronation. Yet,” he conceded. “Simply a marriage.”
From behind the table, Woserit asked lightly, “What is it that you have