Page 95 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Ah, ah. No, you will not. State your name, witch, or I’ll see you’re escorted deep into the desert.”

Taisiya’s nails bit into Mereruka’s arm.

“Radjedef, you’re being outrageously rude! You know perfectly well-” Serfka began.

“I know nothing of the sort,Vizier. Best leave His Eternal Serenity’s safety to one who knows best, hmm? Or do you presume to intrude upon my office?” Radjedef interrupted, his trap plain.

Serfka reluctantly backed down. The vizier had been in the right. Radjedef would have known the names and backgrounds of anyone invited into Khety’s presence. But Radjedef had always been prone to throwing his weight around, swaggering about with the importance of his position. It was all a very badly disguised act to hide his crippling sense of inferiority when compared to the highly competent, well-respected vizier. Being a mediocre second son had taken a psychic toll on the hot-headed Radjedef, stuck as he was between the older, powerful king and the younger, popular vizier.

Mereruka felt the warning hum of Taisiya’s electric currents under her skin. Though the mask she wore spoke of bored disinterest, her anger was at a fever pitch. Radjedef waited with a leer on his face for Taisiya to answer his threat.

“I am Princess Consort Taisiya, Nomarch of Shedet and the wife of Prince Mereruka. I would tell you to ask the last miscreant who tried to escort me into the desert what happened, but you can’t. His blood and that of his family water my fields, and their corpses feed the scavengers,” Taisiya replied, her voice as sharp as a blade.

So.

Fucking.

Proud.

If Mereruka could have asked her to marry him all over again, he would have.

Radjedef’s fury was a sight to behold. Mereruka regretted the absence of a painter in that moment. He would have loved to capture the image for all time. Radjedef’s pointed, red ears twitched openly with no hair to hide them, and he looked ready to skewer Taisiya with the four horns atop his head. It was no wonder—the late nomarch of Shedet had long enjoyed Radjedef’s favour. That open favour had more than likely emboldened Henenu and his children to act against Rhacotis. It wouldn’t shock Mereruka if Radjedef had also supplied the late nomarch with the dangerous, cursed objects he and Taisiya had been subjected to. If he could have linked Radjedef to the corruption-cursed blade, Mereruka would have counted it a great victory in his campaign for the throne. He would have to content himself with the sight of two prominent veins standing out in bold relief against his brother’s temple.

“Henenu is a great man, he-”

“Was, brother.Was. He is dead, along with his murderous, thieving children,” Mereruka interrupted him, a smile of vicious, naked delight on his lips. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re here to greet King Khety.”

Chapter 38

“Serfka!You’vefoundmywayward brother. Come, Mereruka, let me see you and your little wife.” Khety beckoned them forward with a smile.

Serfka bowed and backed away, melting into the crowd with practised ease. When the sea of nobles and entertainers parted, Taisiya and Mereruka stepped forward and knelt.

Taisiya did her best to keep her expression as neutral and bored as possible. Khety’s statues, sculptures and murals had failed to capture the predatory menace with which he held himself. Given the dignified depictions, she’d expected someone less intimidating.

Khety reclined gracefully upon his throne, his sky-blue eyes intensely focused. With skin the bright, saturated orange of a sunrise and his long hair a blinding white, the ornate golden kilt and accessories only made him more dazzling. He rolled his shoulders, dismissing the woman kneading them. Arms resembling the brown feathered wings of a hawk sprouted from him, yet at the juncture, hands with wicked talons bid the crowds to part. Jewelled, golden cuffs circled his thin ankles, his clawed, bird-like feet and lower legs making fashionable sandals impossible. Khety looked like he might take flight at any moment—and then hunt her down like prey. Despite his smile and welcoming words, Taisiya knew a predator when she saw one. Khety wanted them dead.

It was a good thing she planned to kill him first.

“King Khety, Your Eternal Serenity, I have returned from my voyage having secured trade and permanent ties to Lethe, the Empire of Mages. They are eager to become our friends and have sent us tokens of their sincerity,” Mereruka said.

Taisiya felt a familiar pressure as Mereruka summoned the treasure. In an instant, the many varied gifts of Lethe were laid out before the king. The sartorial finery of the empire was displayed—shining silks, embroidered robes, delicate lace, gleaming leather, luxurious furs, some crafted into complete outfits, others sent as neat, perfectly folded piles of raw material. Beside that were the amphorae of wine, beer and spirits, along with containers of the best quality grains. Plant cuttings and seeds were next to the perfumes and jewellery, and scattered throughout were beautifully crafted wooden objects inlaid with precious stone, for Mereruka had made mention that his land, lacking in an abundance of trees, prized such things. All in all, it was equal, if not superior to, the gifts bestowed upon Lethe by Maat. Taisiya would not have allowed anything less.

Khety stood, his taloned feet clicking audibly on the marble floors in the silent room, and picked his way through the veritable hoard of goods with a dismissive expression.

“Raise your head, Princess Consort,” the king commanded.

Taisiya obeyed. Khety took her chin between his fingers and inspected her, turning her face side to side, noting her distinctly rounded ears with barely disguised repulsion.

“Mereruka, introduce us.”

“This is my wife, Princess Consort Taisiya, Nomarch of Shedet, recently of Lethe, the Empire of Mages.”

“Is it true that your land is cursed, Princess Consort?” Khety asked, releasing her chin.

Well, at least he hadn’t led with a complaint about her carving out a piece of territory for herself. Or by calling her a witch.

“If it is, then we find it no great impediment, Your Eternal Serenity,” Taisiya answered.

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