“Naomi,” Rena’s voice cut through my thoughts. “You haven’t listened to a word I have said.”
My head snapped up. “I’m sorry, Rena. Try again. I will pay more attention this time.”
Rena set aside her weaving and turned to me. “Naomi, I’m not ignorant. Since Tut’s death, you have grown increasingly more distant, and it escalated after his funeral. I can see you are not coping with all of this. You have so much burdening you right now, with Itani gone, and grieving for Tut, and Malachi still. You need to let us help you, not shut us out.”
I ran my hand over the blanket I was mending. “What do you propose I do?”
Bilhan entered the house and gave Rena a quick kiss before moving over to smell the cooking stew.
Rena returned her attention to me and said, “Stop refusing Uriyah. He would take good care of you, and Adina has expressed that she would appreciate having you around more.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t marry him.”
“Of course you can. It’s perfectly acceptable. He is a good man and he―”
Bilhan grunted. We both looked across at him, surprised.
“What is it?” Rena asked.
“Naomi is right to refuse Uriyah.” He sipped a scoop of the stew.
I smiled appreciatively, remembering the night I told him of Uriyah’s history. He gave me a quick nod.
“Why?” Rena asked, confused. “He has done nothing wrong. He’s a hard worker and provides more than adequately for the family, and he has been a faithful husband to our sister.”
Bilhan walked over and touched her hair. “Rena, there are some things best left alone. Naomi is clever and resourceful, so can take care of herself. If she ever chooses to marry again, we will support her wholeheartedly, but we will not force her to make that choice.”
Rena gritted her teeth, more determined than ever to discover what we were keeping from her. “I’m not trying to force her; I just want to know why she refuses him. Did he originally want Naomi, and Father refused him? Because that happened a great deal.”
She paused, looking at Bilhan and me as we averted our eyes. “That’s exactly what it is, isn’t it? And Father gave him Adina instead. It’s like Leah and Rachel in reverse. Naomi is afraid he will favor her.”
“I know he will,” I answered softly.
Rena let out a long breath as she shook her head. “Why didn’t anyone tell me? Does Adina know?”
“No,” I answered.
“I do now.” We turned to see Adina standing by the door with several blankets in her arms and tears in her eyes. “Naomi, is that really true?”
I stood and turned to her, not wishing to hurt her more. I stepped over to her, but she swiveled to keep the blankets in her arms between us.
“Adina, it was long ago.”
“But it’s pertinent now, isn’t it? No wonder he has been so persistent.” She tossed the blankets into my arms. “How long have you known?”
I avoided eye contact as I answered. “Samuel told me the day I discovered you were to marry before me.”
She gasped, and let out a loud sob. “Samuel? That long ago?”
“Adina, please.” I reached for her but she pushed me back.
“You know, Naomi, I have felt for you these months since Malachi passed. I know how much you loved him, and how your heart broke when he died, and then to have it followed only a few months later by your first-born passing, also. I wondered how you managed it and I was proud of you. But yet again, I find myself hurt by you. You have kings and queens falling at your feet for your guidance, you had a wonderful husband who adored you, and beautiful children who esteem you above all others, and you even have one of the most powerful men in the kingdom worshiping your every move. But I didn’t mind, because I thought there was one man who loved me more than you, until now I find out that has always been a lie.”
“Adina, please, I didn’t ask for this. I refused him because I don’t want to hurt you.”
She laughed shrilly. “Well, Naomi, you have. But don’t worry; he won’t be making any more propositions to you.”
She turned and slammed the door behind her.
I slowly turned to Rena, and sank onto my seat. “Why has it always been so hard with her? Why can’t things between us be simple, like they are with you and me?”
Rena sighed. “She has always been jealous of you. Being so close in age to you, she always ended up in your shadow.”
“But you and Eliora were just as close in age and you were best friends.”
Her eyebrow twitched at the mention of her beloved sister but she held her composure. “Eliora and I were different. Papa never favored either of us above the other, and no one ever spoke about how clever and charming one was and forgot the other.”
“You always made yourself more memorable than Adina did.” Bilhan smiled, remembering our childhood. “Oh, you were frightening, but everyone wanted you to play with them because you were so confident and smart. Adina, on the other hand, may have been prettier, but was reserved and nowhere near as fun. I remember my father and my uncle―Liam’s father―talking when you came of age and saying how you would be snatched up quickly and your father would fetch a nice price for you. Then I remember the festival where you first danced with Uriyah, and all the young men pushed and tussled to get in a prime position to catch your attention so you’d pick them. There has not been that kind of a frenzy for one girl ever since.”
I held my face in my hands. “I am a terrible sister! No wonder she was always jealous when I was such an obnoxious flirt!”
Rena and Bilhan both chuckled. Rena then said, “Let me talk to Samuel. He can make her see sense, and he has the right to chastise Uriyah as well.”
I couldn’t help smiling to myself as I pictured Samuel secretly enjoying punishing Uriyah.
“But, Naomi, a question still remains.”
“What’s that?”
“If you do marry, who will it be?”
I saw a twinkle in her eye. I huffed. “No one. Malachi was it for me.”
She giggled. “Oh he was not it, Naomi. He may have been the great love of your life, but you…”
I glared at her. I knew where she was going with that thought, and I didn’t want to go there.
However, her smile didn’t fade as she nodded. “It would be exciting, though, wouldn’t it?”
I frowned. “To be part of a polygamous marriage again?”
“No.” She scowled. “He’s not married. He’s never―”
“He must marry a princess to protect the crown from the likes of Ay.”
She leaned back, affronted. “Naomi, what do you―?”
I shot to my feet. “Boys, Rachel, we are leaving.”
I had no desire to discuss with Rena the delicate situation occurring within the royal family. I had no desire to explain to her that Tut had been murdered.
Bilhan narrowed his eyes with concern. “Naomi, she didn’t mean to offend you.”
I sighed and looked down at Rena. I spoke to her gently. “I know, but there are things that I cannot discuss right now. I’m afraid I may have to be both Naomi and Queen Kiya for a while.”
Rena gasped. “No! Whatever it is, it’s not worth going back there.”
My children rushed out the door and I followed them. As I went to shut it, I locked eyes with Rena. “This time, it is.”
With my arms full of folded clothes, I headed up the stairs as Ankhe burst into the estate in a frenzy.
“Commander! Commander!” she yelled.
I paused halfway up the stairs, alarmed by the tone in her voice. I turned to look at her, and Horemheb rushed passed me to her.
“Ankhe, what―?”
“He killed him! He sent a patrol up and killed the prince and his party!” She collapsed into his arms and began to wail. “He’s going to force me to marry him! Oh, Horemheb! How can I marry the man who killed my Tut?”
Horemheb held her up as she sobbed onto his chest. I slowly walked down the stairs,
and as I approached, Horemheb looked at me with a scowl. “Naomi, this…”
Ankhe pushed away from Horemheb. “Naomi! I didn’t… I just…”
She threw her arms around me.
She caught me off guard and I stumbled back a step, dropping the laundry, but quickly recovered. I touched her head and looked up determinedly at Horemheb.
“Marry her.”
She pulled back from me, alarmed. “But―”
“No buts,” I said in a tone I used with my children. “He will keep you safe from Ay.”
She shook her head. “No, Naomi. You―”
“I am nothing.”
She stared at me, wide-eyed. “Don’t say that! You are still a queen.”
I turned to Horemheb, who wore a stern expression. “Horemheb, you know this is the only way to keep him from taking her, and you can be king.”
Ankhe stared at him, her lip quivering.
He raised his chin slightly as his stare locked with mine. “Is this really what you want of me?”
“Yes.”
He nodded and looked at Ankhe. “Do you agree?”
Her gaze darted between us, before her shoulders slumped. “I agree.”
“I will go to the courthouse and get the papers,” Horemheb said. “Stay here. The sooner we get this done, the safer you will be.”
He rushed upstairs to get his hat.
Ankhe took my hand. “Hide me, in case Ay comes for me.”
I nodded and pulled her through the house. As I opened the door to the food storage, I heard Horemheb leaving in a hurry. I took her right to the back and pushed her behind the large water jugs. “Stay here. I need to find my children.”
She nodded. “Yes, keep them safe.”
I rushed out, shutting the door behind me. I ran through the house calling for my children. I found Rachel, Aaron, and Saul and hid them away in the garden, but Ezra was nowhere to be found.
“Ezra!” I called desperately. “Ezra, now is not the time to hide from Mama!”
Then I heard a sound that made my blood run cold. Several chariots rode up out the front of Horemheb’s estate, then Ay’s voice rang out loudly. “Commander! Commander, are you home?”
I rushed back to my post and worked on making some bread, to look like nothing unusual had happened, while praying Ezra wouldn’t suddenly show up and put himself in danger.
The men burst into the house and the younger voice of Nahktmin sounded. “Commander! Where are you?”
The head manservant met them and replied, “The master has stepped out on some business. I expect he won’t be long.”
“Search the house,” Nahktmin ordered.
“Excuse me,” the manservant protested. “The master―”
He was cut off by what sounded like a sword slashing flesh.
I gasped in fear, and prayed more earnestly for Ezra to stay hidden. Men began to search the house. Footsteps ran upstairs, doors were kicked down. I trembled in fear, and to distract from Ankhe on the other side of the storage room door, I rushed into the laundry room and prepared some soapy water.
A few moments later, men burst into the room and kicked my bucket over. I jumped back startled, but Nahktmin caught me. He shoved me aside. I slammed against the wall. I winced and grasped my shoulder, but stayed back, watching the men tear the room apart.
Nahktmin noticed me and looked me over. “You are quite pretty.”
I pulled back in alarm as he advanced on me.
“Pity you’re a filthy Hebrew.” He ran his hand over my cheek as I struggled not to show my disgust. “I would still gladly take an old Hebrew that looks as good as you.”
I whimpered as he pushed me back against the wall.
“Nahktmin!” Ay’s voice echoed through the house.
Nahktmin let me go. “What is it, Father?”
“We’ve found her.”
Ankhe screeched and I felt afraid for her. Nahktmin lost interest in me and rushed out to help his father. I hurried to follow the men and stood by the door, watching as they dragged Ankhe out. She struggled against them as they shoved her onto the stool by the table and held her down.
Ay calmly pulled out a document and placed it on the table in front of her. “Sign it, Ankhe.”
“No!” She glared at him. “I will never marry you.”
The men holding her twisted her arms and hurt her in any way they could. She cried out in pain. I moved to go to her, but her gaze shot to me, warning me to stay back.
“Come now, Ankhe, stop resisting. This is going to happen no matter what you do.” Ay reached across the table and grabbed her face. “Just sign the contract.”
She spat in his face. “Never! I would rather die than marry you, you perverted murderer!”
He straightened, and calmly wiped his face. “Well then, my dear, I will just have to find some other means to motivate you.”
A man carried in Ezra, tied and gagged, and placed him front of her.
“Ezra!” I gasped in panic, drawing attention from Ay. He grinned, and the next thing I knew, two men grabbed me and brought me forward.
“Now, Ankhe, I know you love children, even if they are just Hebrews. So if you want this one to live, you will sign the contract.”
Her eyes widened on Ezra in panic before her gaze shot to me. I knew she couldn’t let another one of my sons die by Ay’s command. Then suddenly, I was thrown down on the table.
“And I could let my son have his way with this slave, just to make my point perfectly clear.”
I looked across at her and saw her crying while still staring fixedly at me.
“I shouldn’t have come here, I should have run. I’m so sorry.” She stretched her hand out and took the reed pen, quickly signing the contract.
“No!” Someone smacked me across the head, and I blacked out.
awoke on Horemheb’s bed with Rachel asleep beside me. Feeling a nasty pain on the back of my head, I carefully reached back to touch it. The small movement caused the world to spin around me, and I hurried to relax again to stop it.
The movement roused Rachel and she sat up beside me. “Mama?”
“Hello, baby girl,” I said softly, my head throbbing.
She smiled and jumped off the bed. “Ezra is all right too, just so you know. He was quite frightened for a while. He was the one who brought Horemheb to you.”
I tried to smile to show my relief, but the pain was still severe. I shut my eyes.
“Where are the boys?”
“They are with Horemheb. You have been asleep most of the day.”
“Are you all right?” I gently touched her hair.
She smiled and kissed my head. “Yes, Mama. The men didn’t find us. They almost did several times, and one even trod on Aaron’s fingers, but he kept quiet.”
“It sounds like you were all very brave.”
Her smile widened. “We did as you’ve always told us. We were afraid, but we knew that we needed to be brave.” She climbed off the bed and opened the curtain to run onto the balcony. “Mama is awake!”
The boys hollered as they sprinted through the house and burst into the room, leaping onto my lap and talking all at once. I laughed at them, but held my head, still feeling the effects of the blow.
Then in one great swoop, Horemheb lifted them off me. “Calm down, can’t you see she still hurts?”
Aaron and Saul laughed loudly, but Ezra squirmed free and wrapped his arms around me. He still seemed shaken from the attack as his little body trembled, but relieved to see me awake.
I stroked his hair. “Ezra.”
“Mama, I was so scared.”
“I know, but you were brave and did the right thing.”
“They took Ankhe, Mama. They took her and left us alone. They didn’t even untie me. I pulled the rope off my feet so I could run, and went straight to Horemheb when I heard him come back. I told him you were dead, because I thought you were.” He started to cry.
“My boy.” I kissed his head as he clung t
ighter to me. To a four-year-old, I must have looked that way, lying across the table, completely unresponsive. He must have been distraught.
“Come, children, your mother needs her rest. She was given a nasty blow.” Horemheb ushered Aaron and Saul out the door, then lifted Ezra off me. He reached for Rachel, but she recoiled.
“Rachel, why are you still afraid of me?”
She didn’t answer, but curled up beside me.
He sighed. “All right, but I have a special treat for after our meal. Apples, dates, pomegranates…”
He watched for her reaction, but she simply ducked her face behind my sleeve.
“Go on, Rachel.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “He’s not going to hurt you.”
“But he might hurt you,” she answered.
Her answer surprised me. That was why she always clung to me when he was around.
“He won’t hurt me.” I smiled. “He has never hurt me. Did you know he was assigned to protect me when I was married to Tut and Itani’s Papa?”
She shook her head and clung tighter to me.
I smiled. “Well, he was, and he has kept true to the promise he made with their Papa and has always kept me safe.”
She looked up into my eyes. “Is that why Tut liked him so much?”
I nodded. “Yes, Rachel.”
She thought about it for a few moments before she sat up. “I would like an apple.”
Horemheb set Ezra down as Rachel shuffled over to him and took his hand. I watched as the three of them left the room and shut the door behind them.
I lay back, considering what Ay had done. My anger toward him swelled as I thought about Ankhe, and little Ezra’s frightened face flashed into my mind. I rubbed my eyes to force the thoughts aside.
I must have dozed off again, because the next thing I knew, darkness had fallen and Horemheb woke me to eat. I was able to sit up that time, but my head still throbbed. I ate as Horemheb sat beside me.
“Did they do anything to you?” he asked.
With my mouth full, I couldn’t speak, so I touched my head.
“I meant other than that.”
I slowly shook my head and swallowed. “Nahktmin thought about it for a moment, but didn’t follow through.”
His jaw tightened as anger flashed across his eyes. “I am so furious that they came into my house like that, killed my head servant, hurt you, frightened the children, and abducted Ankhe.”
KIYA: Rise of a New Dynasty (Kiya Trilogy Book 3) Page 16