Page 104 of Conspirators' Kingdom

Taisiya chuckled.

“It is a bit crowded, with us here. Let’s give the rest of them some breathing room, for a time at least.”

Chapter 41

AfterhermeetingwithNefertnesu, Taisiya was grateful to retreat to the barge as the court roused from its party-weary sleep. Ships, both floating and sailing, began readying for the journey north to the Court of the Inundation. The fleet of ships floating below on the Hapi was impressive indeed. At the forefront, Khety’s ship was unmistakable—twice as large as any others, the wood gleamed as brightly as the gold and gemstone accents, and smaller boats travelled back and forth from it to the banks on either side, doling out the king’s largesse to the gathering crowds. The banks of the fast-swelling river were abuzz with activity and sightseers, crowding the shoreline, eager to witness their king’s yearly procession and partake in his generosity. It had the energy of a beloved festival. One day, she and Meri would be on the prow of that ship, waving to excited crowds.

For now, she was grateful it was not her standing there, baking in the blinding noontime sun. Taisiya reached for the jewel that allowed her access to their cabin on the floating barge.

Mereruka’s teal hands covered her eyes as he pulled her close, her back held snugly against his bare chest.

“I have a surprise for you,” Mereruka purred in her ear.

“Oh?” Taisiya asked, suppressing a shiver as he nibbled on her earlobe.

“Close your eyes.”

Taisiya complied. His hand fell from her face, instead leading her through the open door.

“Alright,” he said.

When she opened them and looked about, everything appeared exactly as they’d left it that morning. The cabin, if it could be called that, was palatial in size and lavishly furnished, yet another unfathomable fae magic that allowed a space to be bigger on the inside than the outside could possibly allow. Her eyes darted about at ceilings spelled like the daytime sky, polished stone floors covered in beautiful rugs and walls painted in tranquil scenes of the deltas. But no flowers, jewels, sweets, or dresses were laid out—nothing. Except for a bucket, half-filled with water, a small fish swimming circles inside. Her smile disappeared.

“Has anyone ever explained to you what a surprise is?” Taisiya asked, scowling.

Mereruka chuckled.

“What? Is it a magical fish that grants wishes?” Taisiya asked, folding her arms as her scowl deepened.

He laughed and picked up the bucket, kissing her forehead.

“Don’t be silly. Why would a fish grant wishes?”

“Why would a fish in a bucket constitute a surprise?” Taisiya retorted.

“It’s a necessary ingredient. We made a deal, didn’t we? If we survived meeting my family, you wanted an evening alone, somewhere safe. There is nowhere safer for us than a pocket realm of my making.”

Suddenly, the pressure of Mereruka’s magic felt like a terrible weight in her bones. He poured the contents of the bucket out before him where they hung, suspended, as the bright, aurora-like tendrils of his magic devoured the wriggling fish. The pressure was gone in an instant, leaving Mereruka smiling. He held out his hand, and Taisiya placed hers in his, unsure. Once again, nothing had visibly changed. Stepping backwards, he led her along with a smile. She expected him to bump into the wall, but instead, he began disappearing into it. Taisiya stopped mid-step.

“What—”

“Come, Taisiya. You won’t regret it.”

She looked from his citrine eyes to the wall that seemed to swallow him. What magic was this? Did pocket realms swallow their makers as well as their sacrifices?

“I would never hurt you.”

For all his many tricks, she believed that. Swallowing her fear, she stepped forward, closing her eyes, half expecting to come face first with a solid surface. Mereruka pulled her through what felt like a thick, dry soup. She held her breath as she struggled past whatever barrier this was.

“You’re through now,” Mereruka said.

Taisiya opened her eyes and gasped.

“Where are we?”

The sky was dark and filled with twinkling stars, while cheery, glowing lights bathed the room in a warm glow. Perched on a cliffside, they were treated with a panoramic view of the Hapi, the moon above providing enough light to see the swaying palm trees in the gentle, fragrant breeze. Not a few paces away, a simply decorated room with only three walls and a gauzy fabric roof opened to invite them inside. A large, lush bed scattered with flower petals, a modest pool with perfumed waters and a table set for an intimate meal awaited them.

“A modest pocket realm. Does this please you?” he asked, sweeping his hands wide.

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