Page 82 of Conspirators' Kingdom

Mereruka sighed as Inkaef choked on a cough and looked around to see who might have heard his sister’s incautious pun. That Khety had a set of hawk-like wings was well known.

“Your humour always did leave something to be desired,” Mereruka replied.

“I think we’ve taken up more than enough of your time, wouldn’t you say, Itet?” Inkaef did his best to physically steer Itet away.

“Until next time, Itet, Inkaef.” Taisiya nodded her head.

As they walked away, Mereruka leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Well played.”

“Thank you. Itet does seem to be a handful,” Taisiya remarked dryly.

Mereruka chuckled and led Taisiya back into the protected peacefulness of the inner palace.

“I think that’s the kindest thing anyone could say of her, barbaric little imp that she is.”

“Inkaef seems… fine.”

Mereruka laughed loudly at that.

“Trust me, he’s the least bothersome of all my brothers. If only they could all be so bland and inoffensive.”

“But then, it wouldn’t be half as satisfying when we crush them underfoot, would it?” Taisiya asked with a grin.

“No, it wouldn’t.” Mereruka smiled.

Chapter 33

WhenMererukahadexplainedthat the tethered boulders presented to her several days past would make her barge float effortlessly through the skies, Taisiya had worried for her new husband’s sanity. She needn’t have done so. The boulders had been valuable trade goods from a series of wandering, floating islands currently making their way south along Maat’s desert border. Taisiya had worn her best, expressionless countenance as she once again recalibrated her idea of what was possible with only the minimum amount of internal screaming. She even managed to nod along as Mereruka told her that, based on their speed, he suspected the islands would remain neighbours of Maat for at least a century. At least the trade good would be certain to dazzle the people of the empire, just as it had her. Every day, yet more inexplicable magic made itself known, making her feel as lost as the day she’d first glimpsed Maat. Then again, she’d not been truly lost.

As the thought crossed her mind, another curious magic sent her heart pounding.

“Wife, you grow more beautiful by the day,” Mereruka purred in her ear.

“And you more handsome,” she answered, daring to stroke the edge of his pointed teal ear.

By now, their act was flawless. Servants and commoners tittered and giggled when they spied the two of them in the palace, or sighed wistfully as they sailed along the bustling, natural canals of Rhacotis in each other’s arms. The story of the besotted prince and his mysterious bride had become so well known that none would doubt it. Vasilisa ensured they’d also heard tales of Taisiya’s heartless cruelty and her willingness to kill any who wronged her husband. She was a woman feared, respected and envied.

At times, even Taisiya had begun to believe the rumours of their romance. Sometimes she would catch Mereruka in a rare unguarded moment, and the look in his eyes would make her toes curl. Their stolen kisses, in the few times they could be truly alone, had her convinced she might combust. Those kisses had her daydreaming more often than she would ever admit, and wondering if, finally, this time, with this man, what came after would be worth it. It never had in the past, but he was beginning to give her hope that the future would be different.

She was brought back to the present as he shivered at her touch, his eyes gone dark with desire. It took him a short time to compose himself, to loosen his fervent grip.

“The oasis of Shedet is in full view now. And Nofret has informed me that Maat’s most renowned architect is currently vacationing in the area.”

“How fortuitous. Shall we hire him to build my palace?”

“I’ve heard he is a difficult man with a mercurial disposition. Even in the face of royalty,” Mereruka hedged.

“Then make the nomarch convince him in return for his life.” Taisiya grinned. “I’m certain he’ll be more motivated than the average man.”

Mereruka nodded as he led her to the railing of the floating barge. It was being pulled by a team of ethereal creatures with glittering butterfly wings. Below, the enormous lake around which Shedet thrived was visible. Black earth swathed in lush green and dotted with homes, fields and properties ringed the bright blue. Beyond the influence of the life-giving waters, she could see the curious rose-gold-hued sand of the unforgiving desert, a colour she’d grown accustomed to as they’d sailed high above it on their journey here. Beyond the delta, Maat was a land of sharply contrasting extremes. Life flourished, but only up to a starkly delineated point, after which death reigned in the hot, dry, rocky sands.

The shadow of their barge passed over the nomarch’s manse. In the distance, a great building project had only just broken ground. Soon, its builder would know the bitter taste of loss and regret. She had a reputation to uphold, after all. No one who harmed her family would be spared.

“What do you think of your nome, Taisiya?”

“It will do nicely,” she replied.

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