Tiy and the Prince of Egypt

by Dee, Debbie

  As Nebetya slipped gold-leaf sandals on her feet, Tiy caught a reflection of herself in the polished bronze mirror. She couldn’t believe the girl looking back was her. The girl in the mirror was beautiful and full of grace, not the girl she had always thought herself to be.

  Her mother gushed over her, and Nebetya succumbed to tears—again—leaving the other servants to finish her preparations. Once they were satisfied that every hair was in place and every piece of jewelry polished, a pair of servants led her to a courtyard filled with the upper class of Egypt.

  Amenhotep jumped from his gilded chariot and extended a hand toward her. But as she reached to take his hand, he raised his other arm and enveloped her in a tight embrace. She buried her face into his neck, a gesture she hoped would exhibit her affection for Amenhotep and fortify their deception. But it felt so right to be close to him, so natural and far from a lie that it surprised her. She wished she had tried burying her face into his neck when there hadn’t been so many spectators. Maybe then she could have stayed for a while longer.

  Amenhotep took a deep breath before releasing her. “Your hair smells of jasmine.” He took hold of her hands. “But look at you! I have never seen your equal. I believe even the goddess of beauty may find reason to envy you.”

  By the sudden heat in her face, Tiy was sure she had turned crimson red. She glanced at those who had gathered around them. They all smiled at the blushing bride.

  Amenhotep chuckled. “Do you like the dress?” he asked, ignoring their audience.

  Tiy nodded. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

  “You make it look beautiful. The gods are smiling upon me today.”

  Tiy blushed again but found she enjoyed his praise, even if it was a show for the crowd.

  “You are brighter than the sun, Amenhotep,” she said, raising her voice so the crowd would be sure to hear. “It is I who the gods are smiling upon today.”

  Amenhotep’s eyebrows drew closer for a moment and then smoothed. He puffed his chest in pride and beamed at the crowd. Everyone clapped and shouted his name. Pulling Tiy to his side, he placed his hand on the small of her back and the crowd added her name to their shouts. Tiy leaned into Amenhotep, willing the attention back onto him.

  He glanced at her and chuckled. Without a word, he took her arm and led her to the chariot, kissing her hand before joining her on the platform.

  “Have you had enough attention?” he whispered in her ear.

  She bit her lip, embarrassed that he knew her so well. “Yes, I’ve had my fill, thank you.”

  “You need to get used to it, my love. Your beauty outshines all the rest. No one will bother looking my way ever again.”

  Tiy took a quick breath and searched his eyes. My love. Why did he use those words? No one was listening; there was no reason for him to continue the charade. He smiled at her before turning his attention toward the horses. With one more squeeze of her hand, he urged the team into an easy trot.

  They rode through the many temple pylons before leaving the palace grounds, nodding in acknowledgment toward the dignitaries and Egyptian nobility who had come to honor their union. Kepi stood among the dignified crowd, a scowl marring her beautiful face. Tiy pushed her image from her mind, unwilling to let Kepi’s negativity put a stain on the day.

  The people of Egypt crowded the streets of Memphis. With shouts of joy and chants of blessings, they waved olive branches in the air and threw lotus blossoms into their path. Amenhotep guided the chariot with care and took his time greeting his people, grinning at Tiy and squeezing her hand when they called her name. She couldn’t believe how often they praised the desert goddess, Nekhbet in the same breath as praising her. For Egypt, it seemed, she was one and the same.

  They arrived at the processional colonnade hall of the Temple of Amun where the royal family awaited them. Pavement stones of gold and silver led them to the inner sanctuaries of the temple where images of the sun god were pressed into the soft metal. The priests of Amun greeted them with swinging orbs of incense.

  Following Amenhotep’s example, Tiy knelt before the High Priest. He bound their wrists together with a Nile reed and papyrus and then chanted from a wide scroll.

  “Horus and Seth are pacified, united through reed and papyrus. The balance of the Two Lands has been weighed. King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Amenhotep, son of Ra, beloved of Amun, King of the gods, and Lord of the Nile, given life, has been bound to Tiy. May she be forever youthful. The name of her father is Yuya. The name of her mother is Tuya. Order and balance has returned to the Two Lands. May the gods rejoice! May they accord them endless feasts and eternity on the throne of Horus. Rejoice the Two Lands of Egypt!”

  Amenhotep and Tiy arose from their knees, the papyrus and reed still binding their wrists together. With a little awkward maneuvering, they signed the scroll and returned to the chariot where Amenhotep set the horses on a path back toward the palace. They rode through the city of Memphis with their bound hands held up between them. Tiy was certain the jubilance of the people could be heard throughout the entire world.

  The great Assembly Chamber brimmed with celebrators already full of wine. Everyone paused their merrymaking as Amenhotep and Tiy strode across the floor to take their places on the Horus-thrones. A cheer arose, and Amenhotep nodded, his free hand lifted in greeting. Tiy mimicked his motions, feeling like an imposter with every nod.

  Amenhotep leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “It’s official; you are contractually obligated to love me.” He pulled back so she could see his grin.

  Tiy laughed, forgetting for a moment that he was King, and she was Queen. “I could no sooner love you than chew on a rat’s tongue.”

  Amenhotep raised a playful eyebrow. “I had no idea you enjoyed eating rat. Isn’t that something you should have disclosed before we wed? I’m not sure I can live with your disgusting habits.”

  Tiy bit her lip to keep from laughing, “But you are contractually obligated to love me.”

  “You’re right.” He leaned into his throne and closed his eyes, a pleasant smile on his lips.

  She didn’t know how Amenhotep managed it, but once again he had made her feel at ease, despite all the pairs of eyes flicking in their direction. She no longer felt an itch to flee the Horus thrones. She realized if there was ever a time when she could be sure she had made the right choice, it was as she watched Amenhotep relax into his throne with a smile that lit up his entire face. He didn’t seem to mind they were deceiving Egypt, and she knew in an instant that she didn’t mind either. How could she? She was sitting next to her best friend who grinned or winked at her every five seconds. Amenhotep was right—what better reason could there be to marry? Tiy smiled and settled in to enjoy the celebration.

  After a while, Amenhotep loosened the reeds binding their wrists and slid his hand into hers. She looked over at him, expecting he was trying to get her attention, but he seemed engrossed in the celebration. Musicians played their instruments as guests swept between and around one another in a merry dance. He smiled as spontaneous cheers and hurrahs broke through the music every so often.

  As dinner was served, Amenhotep gestured toward the high table. “Do you want to join the others, or would you rather take our meal here?’

  Tiy glanced at the royal table with their families deep in boisterous conversations. It was clear they had already had too much wine because even her father was laughing like a hyena.

  “It seems they are enjoying themselves plenty without us.”

  Amenhotep chuckled. “I didn’t realize your father was such an entertainer.”

  “Neither did I. Do you mind if we stay here to eat?”

  “Not at all, I was hoping you would want to stay here with me. I’m not ready to share you with Egypt yet.”

  Amenhotep waved a hand and a small table appeared before them. Succulent meats of duck, geese, beef and lamb steamed from golden platters as they were placed on the tables. As soon as Amenhotep took the first bite and declar
ed it delicious, the entire hall erupted into a chorus of clinking cutlery and busy mouths. Caraway, coriander and rosemary thickened the air. Large, triangular loaves of bread dotted the tables as did jeweled bowls of beans, lentils, lettuce and cucumber. Tiy enjoyed the honeyed tigernuts and spiced figs the most, while her mother expressed audible enthusiasm for the sermet beer.

  When the moon sat high in the sky, Amenhotep stood from the Horus throne, crook and flail in hand, and waited for his people to quiet. The music ceased, the servants paused mid step, and even the wind seemed to quiet in order to hear the great King.

  “My good people of Egypt, the gods have smiled upon us this day and have given us a Queen to bring balance to the Two Lands. The sun has set and the moon has risen, but Egypt will forever rejoice!”

  He lifted his cup and drank until its contents were gone, signifying the end of the celebration. He took Tiy’s hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Chapter 25. Transparent Sleeper

  Tiy sat in front of her mirror and trembled with excess emotion. After the celebration, she had been taken to her new chambers in the center of the palace. She thought her chamber before had been luxurious, but it paled in comparison. Everything seemed to be made out of either gold or ivory, with linens woven from the finest silk. She smiled and relaxed into the memories of the day.

  Nebetya and Tiy’s new retinue of female servants removed her feather gown and placed it into the gilded chest. Nebetya hummed to herself as they removed the jewelry adorning Tiy’s body, returning only those that would be comfortable to wear while she slept. Their touch was as soft as a butterfly’s wing as they washed her body with sawabu paste, rubbing every surface of her skin with scented oils and perfumes.

  Tiy yawned and the girl’s efforts increased.

  “Please don’t rush on my account,” Tiy said sleepily. They had pampered her into such a relaxed state of mind that she didn’t mind the lengthy process they deemed so necessary. In fact, she barely noticed the silk night robe they used to cover her body. It was so light it seemed to hang from her shoulders like air. She yawned again and looked around, surprised to find her servants had already taken their leave. She wondered how long she had been sitting at her mirror, lost in her thoughts.

  Tiy removed the night wig her servants had placed on her head. She didn’t have the energy to deal with a wig while she tried to fall asleep. Her pale hair swept across her back and she smiled at the feel of it against her skin. It was the longest she had ever let it grow and it was so much softer than the coarse black hair of her wigs.

  She felt so carefree and happy and tired. Glancing at the pillows of her new luxurious bed, she yawned and stretched her arms in front of her. She stood from the cushioned chair at the mirror and noticed the translucency of her night robe. Her nose scrunched up. She knew translucent fabrics were fashionable, but she had never felt comfortable enough in her own skin to wear them.

  She considered removing her barely-there robe in favor of a thicker one, but just the thought of the added effort made her limbs feel as heavy as stones. It had already been such a long day. No one would see her anyway, and it was too lovely not to wear at least once.

  Crawling onto the bed, she slid beneath the red embroidered sheets and sighed. They were made from the finest weave, caressing her skin like a morning mist. The day’s heat seemed to vaporize from her skin in an instant and she wiggled her toes in comfort. Settling in for the night, she let her thoughts flow as swift and free as the Nile. They traveled over and through her, washing her clean of anything but pure bliss.

  A soft knock rapped on the door. Rising in a happy daze, she turned toward the door, gliding as if still on the Nile. The cool gold of the handle added an extra sense of wonderment to her new home of luxury.

  “Amenhotep!” Tiy squeaked. The sight of him jolted her back onto solid ground. Flushing, she wrapped the thin robe around her body and crossed her arms across her chest. “What are you doing here?”

  Amenhotep chuckled and ran a hand through his hair as he looked over his shoulder at the guards. “My blushing bride!” The guards suppressed a chuckle, although their eyes were lit with mirth. Amenhotep leaned toward her and whispered. “Just let me in and I’ll explain.”

  Tiy stepped to the side, the heat in her face reaching the tips of her ears. If her hair could change from yellow to red, she was sure it would. Amenhotep had never been in her chambers before, and even if he had, she would have been more appropriately attired.

  “I need to put something on,” Tiy said as he closed the door behind him.

  “Don’t worry about it, Tiy,” he said. “I’ve seen plenty of courtiers wearing much finer linen than that.”

  Tiy rolled her eyes and started toward the wardrobe room. “I’m not one of those women.”

  “No, you aren’t, and I’m glad, but this is how our people recognize wealth and prestige. You are Queen now, and your linen should be the finest, and yes, the most translucent.”

  Tiy would have waved her hand in the air in mock dismissal had she not been holding herself so tightly. Instead, she rolled her eyes again and vanished into the closet. She found the thickest kalasiris and pulled it over her head.

  “There are other ways to show wealth, Amenhotep,” she said as she emerged. “Not that I believe proving such a thing is necessary. However, as you have mentioned, I am Queen, therefore, my wealth is assumed and I have nothing to prove.” She smirked, waiting for his retort.

  Amenhotep laughed. “You are a breath of fresh air, my sweet Tiy. You never cease to amuse me.”

  Tiy curtsied playfully before moving toward a set of cushioned chairs.

  “The bed is much more comfortable, don’t you think?” Amenhotep said.

  Tiy froze. She did her best to keep her face free of any emotion, but when she turned to face him, the sting of her unblinking eyes told her she wasn’t hiding anything. “The bed?” It came out as a squeak.

  Amenhotep grabbed his stomach and doubled over in laughter. All the heat in her body rushed up to her face for the thousandth time that day. But this time was different. Her feet were cold, her hands were cold, and her face burned with anger. The longer he laughed the angrier she became. Folding her arms, she turned her back to him and turned her nose into the air.

  Amenhotep silenced himself except for the few coughs she suspected he used to cover his remaining laughter. He strode over to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

  “Relax, Tiy,” he said. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said it like that, but it was so funny. I couldn’t resist.”

  Tiy shrugged his hand off her shoulder and turned a quarter turn away from him.

  “I really am sorry,” He said as he took a wide sidestep in front of her. He ducked his head to her level. “I’m only here to keep up appearances. People would wonder why Pharaoh didn’t visit his bride the night they wed. Don’t you agree?”

  She didn’t answer. Instead, she turned another quarter turn.

  “I’m staying here for the entire night,” Amenhotep said, matching her step. He continued with a sly smile. “I suppose I always assumed you slept lying down, but apparently I don’t know you as well as I thought. I can see you prefer the more upright habits of elephants, am I right? I don’t have practice sleeping this way and you’ll probably find me in a heap at your feet by morning, but I’ll give it a try.”

  He grinned and Tiy knew he was trying to make her laugh, but she felt too foolish to show any mirth. How could she have believed their charade would be over the moment she left the throne? Of course people would expect Pharaoh to join his new bride in her bedchamber.

  “Tiy, don’t be upset with me.” Amenhotep said. “Will you let me stay?”

  She could think of no reply that wouldn’t betray how foolish she felt, so she waltzed to her ebony bed and crawled in between the blankets. She curled up on one side and waited for the heat to drain from her face. A few moments later Amenhotep crawled into the bed next to her.


  “I’m sorry I laughed at you,” he whispered.

  Tiy turned around to face him and propped her head up with a hand. “I’m sorry I assumed the worst.”

  “The worst?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  He didn’t say anything else. He closed his eyes and she watched him tumble into sleep. He breathed deep into his chest, in and out, his eyelids fluttering with dreams. He whispered her name and rolled toward her, but his breathing remained deep. He was so close to her, but she didn’t want to wake him. She had never seen him look so content, so at rest. And strangely, she was comforted by his closeness, so she snuggled deeper into the covers and let sleep carry her away.

  Chapter 26. Insecure Authority

  Tiy awoke with her head on Amenhotep’s arm. Her face flushed, and she sat up, careful to remove her legs that had somehow entangled with his the night before. She looked up and her heart beat just as it had the time her father found her stuck underneath his chariot—when she had crashed into the cattle yard. She’d been embarrassed to be discovered, but couldn’t say she felt sorry for having taken the chariot in the first place. Looking at Amenhotep, wide awake and grinning, she felt much the same. The morning sun splashed patterns of light across his face and cast a twinkle in his eye. He shook his arm.

  “Sorry,” Tiy said. “Is your arm numb?”

  “I don’t mind. You looked so peaceful sleeping. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  Tiy smiled. She’d had the same thoughts about him the night before.

  He jumped up off the bed, brushed off his wrinkled tunic and ran a hand through his hair. “Well, I suppose we’ve met our pretenses,” he said glancing at her bed. “No one will be the wiser. Would you care to join me in the Assembly hall for petitions?”

  Tiy nodded. Hearing petitions was the one part of her new role she was happy about. Not only would she get to know the Egyptian people better, and hopefully feel more a part of them, but she would be near Amenhotep much more than she had before. It didn’t matter that they wouldn’t be able to talk much, or giggle and laugh and tease each other about whatever they wanted. Just being near him would enough for her. She could breathe easier with him at her side, as if her soul could finally settle into her bones and relax.