Page 97 of Conspirators' Kingdom

Taisiya shook her head.

“Primarily to make your acquaintance, Queen Betrest,” Taisiya replied.

“How sweet of you. I don’t suppose you’ve yet had a chance to acquaint yourself with the royal projects. Perhaps your husband will see fit to inspire a passion for Maat’s intellectual affairs as well as he indulges your passions for its physical riches.”

So that was the game she wanted to play? Establish the pecking order before taking her true measure? Sympathy abandoned, Taisiya’s expression never slipped. She could appreciate a well-crafted, cutting remark when she heard one. It didn’t mean she would take it lying down. No, she believed in hitting where it hurt most and then pouring salt in the wound. Queen though she may be, the king afforded her little value or power, so here she stood, discussing projects she had no power to administer or decide upon. If a hierarchy needed to be established, Taisiya would climb over Betrest’s metaphorically skewered corpse to rise above her.

“I’m certain being the nomarch of Shedet will give me the perfect opportunity to learn about my new homeland.” She looked up to Mereruka with adoration. “Maat really is such a wondrous place. I find myself infinitely blessed to live here, administer a territory, and have married such an attentive, indulgent husband.”

When Taisiya looked to Betrest, she could see the merest tightening at the corners of the queen’s eyes. Taisiya beamed. Betrest, at least, was cunning enough to spot her fangs. Let her stew on that for a time, and think twice about lobbing the first insult.

“My head will grow fat with your praise, my love.” Mereruka hid his smirk behind her hand as he kissed it. He turned to Betrest. “It is good to see you so engaged in your discussions of theking’smany projects. We won’t distract you any longer. As always, it has been an honour, Your Most Just.”

Mereruka bowed and Taisiya followed his lead.

Betrest nodded, her purple eyes flinty with stifled anger.

“Good evening to you Prince Mereruka, Princess Consort Taisiya.”

When they left, the queen’s companions started up their conversations once more, though they were less animated with the cloud of Betrest’s indignation hanging over them. Mereruka’s eyes were full of mischief as they stepped back onto the dance floor.

“You placed that dagger so elegantly, wife. I’m completely smitten.”

“And you, husband, twisted it so gracefully. I find myself quite charmed.”

As Mereruka led her in another dance, Taisiya couldn’t help thinking that she had, in fact, married exactly the kind of man most suited to her. She could hardly wait to start plotting in earnest their rise to the throne of Maat.

Chapter 39

Afteranightoftense introductions, the sun peeked over the horizon, painting all of Maat in its warm orange glow. Golds, blues and greens glittered in the early morning, the cool of night already burned away. As the Court of Emergence slept off a night of revelry, Mereruka reclined comfortably on the deck of his floating barge, picking at a light breakfast and grateful he’d not been tempted to drink too heavily. Taisiya sat across from him, already resplendent in a gown that hid none of her sensuous curves from his sight. If he was very lucky, he would have the chance to remove it from her later.

Vasilisa, hiding in a shadow nearby, was ready to warn them of any who might overhear their discussions. Bas sat alert beneath Mereruka’s chair in feline form, ready to do the same. Now that Taisiya had taken the measure of his siblings, he wanted to hear her thoughts before making any plans to bring their downfall.

“Who shall we crush first?” she asked.

Mereruka smiled.

“I would most like to see Radjedef crushed underfoot, but the circumstances to do so have not yet materialised. If I can trace the corruption-cursed blade to him, then he will be exiled or executed.”

Already, Nofret had people infiltrating Henenu’s former ranks, gleaning whatever information they could about the blade and its provenance.

“That would be ideal…” Taisiya hedged, a playful look on her lips.

“But?”

“Vasilisa and I have an idea, but it hinges on some specifics we don’t fully understand.”

“Oh?”

“How is Oblivion’s tribute collected, stored, moved and offered? How does Khety ensure the offerings are made in his name?” Taisiya asked.

She wanted to tamper with the offerings? Devious little villainess. It was a bold move.

“As Khety journeys north on the Hapi, one of the barges in his convoy is dedicated to collecting the tribute of the surrounding villages and stored aboard. Once they reach the northernmost palace, the Court of the Inundation, it is brought out to the designated spot on the edge of the fertile land and offered in prayer to the forgotten gods, whereupon it sinks into the ground. Khety is the only one allowed to speak the prayer and he also has the containers holding the offerings stamped with his cartouche.” At Taisiya’s questioning look, Mereruka explained. “A clay seal bearing his name. My cartouche is on the gem in Vasilisa’s bracelet, to indicate that she belongs to my household.”

Taisiya’s grin was a touch wicked. Mereruka couldn’t help his excitement. What cruel trickery had his sly wife conceived?

“And these seals, they’re legible to Khety before he dedicates the offerings?”

---