“Very much,” Horemheb said lightly. “That boy reminds me of myself when I was his age.”
Ay scoffed. “Except he does not secretly covet a pathetic excuse for a queen from the slave race brought in to attempt to breed a son.”
“That attempt was successful,” Horemheb responded.
“Yes, and now he’s dead.”
I slammed the knife into the meat angrily, wishing it was Ay’s face.
Horemheb tried to brush off Ay’s comment as he guided him out of the house.
When I felt certain he had gone, I rushed out to meet Horemheb in a flurry of emotion.
“Horemheb!”
He swung around to look at me. “Naomi, we should―”
I grabbed his mouth. “Just shush.”
I stood for a moment with my other hand on my hip, trying to figure out how exactly I felt and what I wanted to say. Finally, I looked into his eyes.
“Ay has to go.”
He looked surprised, and pushed my hand away. “You… What?”
“Kill him somehow.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That was not what I expected you to come out here and say.”
I glanced away, my chest heaving with emotion. I stepped toward him and pointed at his chest. “He has no heir now. Let’s get rid of him before he has a chance to replace him.”
His eyes widened and sparkled with delight. “Naomi, are you really giving me your support to kill a man?”
“He’s not just any man!” I threw my hands in the air. “He tried to kill me, and drove Tut and me from Amarna and away from my husband. His actions resulted in Mordad’s death, he came hunting for Itani to make her a wife of his horrible son, and he has killed my son and stolen his wife. Even after his death, he still speaks against my Tut, and his son tried to rape me, just like Smenkhkare! I’m done with him, Horemheb. I am done with him always hurting the people I love. He even threatens you!”
Horemheb stared me , before he caught my arm. “Are you saying you love me?”
“How did you come to that?” I asked, startled.
“He’s always hurting the people you love, even me,” he repeated back to me.
I pulled out of his grasp and glared at him. We stared at each other for several moments before I rushed at him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. He held me tightly, kissing me back passionately. I broke away, but didn’t let him go. “You saved me.”
“I would do it a hundred times over.”
I met his gaze. “But why?”
“Because I have always loved you.”
I stroked his face. “But I’m a Hebrew. I cannot advance you, and I am barren, so I cannot give you an heir.”
“I know all these things, but I can’t stop how I feel. You are the only person I have ever felt anything for.”
I stared up at him in amazement. Again, I found myself in awe that such a fierce man could be so gentle to me. I kissed him again, but softly. His arms tightened around me, and I knew if he could, he would never let me go. Then Malachi’s face flashed into my mind. I pulled away abruptly, feeling riddled with guilt. Malachi had been gone only a year and I was already kissing someone else.
“What’s wrong?” he asked me as I pushed away from him.
I couldn’t answer.
He caught my hands. “Marry me, Naomi.”
I shook my head and began to cry. “How can I? What would you do, make one of Malachi’s sons your heir?”
He pulled away, giving me a long cold stare.
I nodded slowly. “You know I can’t marry you.”
“I know, but it’s not because of the reasons you keep giving me.” He began to pace. “Do you even realize you’re not being honest with me, or are you just trying to spare my feelings? You don’t need to do that. I have lived for many years watching you from afar; what’s a few more while you grieve?”
He stopped pacing and turned to me. “I will do all that I can to find a wife so you no longer have this excuse that you keep giving me. Then I will know how you really feel.”
He hurried up the stairs, calling down to me. “I will go collect your daughter, now that Nahktmin is gone.” He stopped halfway to look down at me. “Does that please you?”
I blushed, sensing his frustration with me. “Yes, it does.”
“Good. I will leave for Abydos first thing in the morning. Make sure my best clothing is clean and ready.”
“Horemheb,” I said as I hurried to the bottom of the stairs.
He watched me warily as I lifted my gaze.
“I wish I could express myself…” I paused and sighed. “Sometimes, I miss the simplicity of knowing exactly who and what I am up against and knowing exactly how to deal with it. But death, death has overwhelmed me of late, and there is nothing I can do to fight it. I feel like I have lost all control over my life. Everything is spiraling into oblivion, and without Malachi, I have no one to hold me up, to keep me moving forward. I loved him so much, Horemheb, which I know hurts you, but I will always love him. Can you live with that?”
Horemheb stared at me, unable to speak. His grip tightened around the railing, before he turned and hurried away from me. I slowly walked back toward the laundry, not sure if I felt relieved or heartbroken.
On my way back from bathing, Zakkai came running up the road toward the house. I paused to watch him, and saw he had a huge grin across his face.
He saw me and waved. “Mama! She’s back! Itani has come home!”
“Itani!” I gasped. I dropped my soap and rags and ran toward Zakkai. Rachel burst out of the house and ran beside me while Hepsati appeared from her house where the younger boys were playing with her sons. A moment later, Nathaniel and Itani appeared around a bend in the road carrying their meager belongings and two children.
“Itani!” I called out.
“Mama!” She dropped everything and ran for me. We met and threw our arms around each other and both began to weep. “Mama! How I have missed you! I’ve thought about you every day, and my heart has reached out to you.”
“Dear Itani, I’m so glad you’re back. It eases my mind to see you so well.” I pulled back and clasped her face. “And you have grown! These past two years have truly turned you into a woman. My little girl is gone.”
She giggled. “Mama!”
I looked at Nathaniel as he approached, surprised by how much he had grown and developed as well. He smiled at me gently as he touched Itani’s back. “It’s so good to be home again.”
“It’s such a relief to have you back.” I smiled. “Have you seen your father yet?”
He shook his head. “We will go see him when we have settled back in.”
“I can do better than that.” I sent Zakkai to find him.
“Thank you, Naomi.” He reached out and grasped my shoulder. “How are you handling everything? The Commander said you are managing to keep the farm running while still working as a servant and raising all your children.” He chuckled. “He described you as beyond remarkable, near invincible.”
Itani nudged him. “Nathaniel, please. Don’t―”
“It’s all right, Itani.” I took her hand. “Let me see my grandchildren.”
She smiled excitedly and turned to show me her baby boy strapped to her back, while Nathaniel brought their daughter forward.
“This is your grandma.” Itani gestured to me.
The baby gurgled, oblivious, while their daughter shied away.
“She’s not like you,” I said to Itani with a laugh. “Rachel maybe, but you were always fearless. You and Tut both…”
I cut myself short and gasped.
Itani’s face fell and she grabbed my arm. “Mama?”
I met her gaze. “I’m sorry you weren’t here. Your brother, he…”
I looked away as the tears fell.
“Mama!” She wrapped her arms around me and cried with me. “I wish I could have been here too. But I don’t blame you or anyone except Nahktmin. You were doing all you could to keep
me safe.”
“But you didn’t get to say goodbye.”
“No.” She trembled. “I miss him, Mama. He was a selfish, bossy brat, but I loved him and I miss him.” She held me tightly as she wept. “Where is he buried?”
“I’m not sure. I couldn’t go,” I answered. “Horemheb may know. I believe he attended the funeral, but it was rushed and very few people were there. Ay has been very…” I paused, feeling my anger rise.
Itani glanced up at me. “Mama, we mustn’t dwell on what has been done. The Commander told me that you have been very angry of late.”
I glanced away with annoyance. I didn’t want to have to discuss what Ay had done with my children, and I resented that Horemheb had brought it up to Itani.
Hepsati appeared beside us and embraced Itani affectionately. “Dear sister, it’s so wonderful to have you home again. Come, let’s get you back into your house and give you something to eat.”
Itani smiled excitedly, brushing away her tears. “I have missed Mama’s stuffed lamb roast.”
I shook off my negative feelings and laughed. “Well, it’s not really lamb season, but I could do mutton instead.”
Nathaniel rubbed his belly. “That sounds perfect.”
We entered their house and set about cleaning it and making it a home again. As we worked, they told us what they had done in Abydos. Horemheb had arranged employment for Nathaniel on a farm that, ironically, was owned by Ay. His daughter Mutnodjmet lived at the residence and oversaw the property when she wasn’t busy singing at the temples of Amun and Hathor. It surprised me to find she didn’t follow the religion of Aten when her family was so dedicated to it. No wonder her father wasn’t fond of her and kept her so far away.
They told me she had been a pleasant mistress, albeit distant and uninterested. They described her as a woman who was easy on the eyes, but not an outstanding beauty in any way. She was soft spoken, but assertive when she needed to be, and usually preferred to worship and pray to the gods than interact with people.
When Horemheb came to collect them, she had walked with him out to their small house. They talked at great lengths about her father being the Pharaoh and she had not been terribly pleased about it. She expressed fear that her father would try to force Aten back onto the people, even though many were afraid to go back to the single god.
We finished cleaning and unpacking their belongings, so I brought some food in to cook for them.
“I wonder what’s taking Zakkai so long?” I asked.
“You know Zakkai.” Rachel huffed. “He probably found our cousins along the way and got distracted.”
I smiled. “Most likely, yes.”
Several minutes later, Joshua stumbled in, eyes wide and short of breath. “Here you all are! You must hide me!”
“What is it?” Hepsati asked, jumping to her feet.
He glanced at Nathaniel and Itani. “You’re back? Oh, your timing couldn’t have been worse. They are rounding up all males over the age of five to register them as slaves!”
We all gasped in alarm.
“Over five?” Hepsati exclaimed, rushing over to her oldest two boys.
“Yes, but I cannot be a slave! I can barely take care of the farm with this leg!” He tapped on the wooden leg with his crutch.
My anger bubbled up again and I slammed my fist against the table. “This is Ay’s doing! I can’t believe he hates me so much that even though he believes me dead, he still wishes to torture me!”
The whole family turned to me, alarmed.
“Mama…” Itani said breathlessly.
“I’m done with it!” I shot to my feet. “Joshua, follow the river northward and you will find an abandoned irrigation pump. Hide under it until I come to collect you.”
I looked at Aaron, Saul, and Hepsati’s boys. I grabbed Aaron and Saul’s hands. “Come boys, we are going to take you somewhere safe.”
“Where, Mama?” Aaron asked.
“The four of you will be employed in Horemheb’s house. He’s a fair master.”
I tugged them out of the house and made my way down the street, but I was too late. A patrol of guards cut us off and seized the boys to take to the festival square. A few moments later, they wrestled Nathaniel out of the house. I turned to see Itani and Hepsati at the door watching him being taken away. I glanced around for Joshua, but he was nowhere in sight. The soldiers were probably told only one man resided on our farm, so didn’t bother searching for a second.
I rushed back to the house and saw Itani’s daughter crying while the other children looked shaken.
Itani grabbed my arm. “Mama, Horemheb warned me it had gotten bad here, but I didn’t realize….” A tear ran down her cheek. “Do you think they will take him far away?”
I gritted my teeth, wanting to fight, wanting Ay’s blood.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
I ran out of the house and through the streets to Horemheb’s estate. I burst in and glanced around to make sure there were no dignitaries present before I bellowed, “Horemheb! I know you’re here!”
He appeared almost instantly, looking indignant. “Naomi, how dare you―”
“Tell me everything you know and tell me now!” I clenched my fists. “I just had two of my sons torn from my hands, and who knows what happened to Zakkai! Then I watched as Nathaniel, who had barely arrived home, was dragged from his house and family.”
“Slavery has been instituted,” he said simply.
“Ha!” I exclaimed. “I noticed that much! What does he plan on doing? Will he be taking them away? Torturing them? Killing the weakest ones?”
Horemheb scowled. “I don’t believe so. I know he intends to start some new building projects, so will probably use your people for the hard labor, which I must admit will most likely kill the weakest ones.” He paused and raised an eyebrow. “What of Hepsati’s husband?”
I gaped. “He escaped.”
He relaxed. “Good, I like him. He has a fighting spirit.”
I stared at him, shocked. “Is that all you can say? Horemheb, you must do something!”
“What do you propose, Naomi? Ay is the king, and he’s furious because his son is missing and no one knows where he went. He’s blaming me for it because the last place he saw him was in this house.” He waved his arms in the air. “I’m already on dangerous ground. I must be careful how I tread as it is, without me going up to the palace and spouting off Hebrew sympathies, unless you want me dead?”
I stepped back, startled by his ferocity. I folded my arms. “Of course I don’t want you dead!”
“Then what do you want me to do? I have already done all I can by telling your brother to send as many people away as possible. If I start pardoning Hebrews from slavery, my standing and power in the court will suffer and I will no longer be close enough to access Ay to remove him from the throne. So, Naomi, which would you prefer? A short-term solution by fighting this now or, being patient and suffering for a time until I can oust the Pharaoh?”
I frowned and folded my arms. “I know that you’re right, but I don’t like it.” I sighed and shook my head. “If my father had lived to see this day, or Malachi…”
“They would both be dead because they would have tried to resist.”
I saw a sparkle in his eye and couldn’t help smiling. “Could you at least find something for the boys, either here or on your farm?”
He nodded slowly. “I’m sure I could find a few open positions some boys could handle. I’m sure taking on Hebrew slaves would look good for me. However, the men in your family will just have to suffer through. They are all strong and healthy, so I doubt I could get away with taking them away from hard labor without raising suspicion.”
I rested my hands on my hips, turning away. “And where does Zakkai fall? He is almost thirteen.”
Horemheb straightened his skirt. “From memory, he’s a strong boy, like his father, and tall for his age. I don’t know if I could help him. He would be th
e kind of young man the laborers will be looking for.”
My stomach knotted, and I rushed to sit down. “My Zakkai…”
I took several deep breaths to compose myself, then looked up at Horemheb. “All right, I trust you. I know you will do all you can to help my family, and I will do all I can to help you. I am completely at your disposal.”
He knelt in front of me and clasped my hands between his. “I’m doing all I can, Naomi. These things take time and careful planning, but we can do this. With you helping me, I can do this.”
I lifted my hand and ran it down his smooth-shaven cheek.
We heard a gasp and both looked up to see a manservant rush back around the corner. I blushed and stood, realizing what we must have looked like. “You should head down to the festival square in our sector and find the boys before someone else does.”
He stood and adjusted his wig, calling for a chariot.
aul worked outside the window pulling weeds beside the gardener. Horemheb had him and Hepsati’s second son working at the estate as assistant gardeners while Aaron and Hepsati’s oldest were at the farm helping with the livestock, since both of them had worked with our sheep and had plenty of experience. Horemheb slipped me extra money for their work, which helped both families immensely.
Zakkai was not doing so well, though. He was on hard labor, pulling carts of bricks and stones to and from the construction sites. His uncles Samuel, Tobiah, and Bilhan were with him, which gave me relief knowing they watched over him. Several of his cousins with him, too, including Adina’s third and fourth sons, who were only a few years older than he was.
Rena’s youngest son had succumbed to the heat within only a few days and fainted. His taskmaster flogged him until he had woken up, and that night he collapsed into Rena’s arms and never woke. The family prayed for days for him, but after a week, he finally passed away.
I stared at Saul, who was the same age as Rena’s boy, and felt grateful to Horemheb for giving him a place in his home.
Almost a year had passed since the slavery had begun, and Ezra was about to turn five. He would soon be expected to begin work, so I made him my assistant. He loved doing what Rachel didn’t want to do. He eagerly pulled out the bad food, emptied the dirty water, and removed the dead rats and mice from the traps.
KIYA: Rise of a New Dynasty (Kiya Trilogy Book 3) Page 18