She stared into the deep blue eyes, unable to look away.Amun created everything, even himself. And all while no one was watching.
As these thoughts drifted through her mind, she felt the air in the sanctuary shift. The sensation reminded her of that momentin Bubas when Bast had revealed herself, but even more powerful. Bast’s spirit had grabbed hold of her like a cat with a mouse, whereas Amun’s energy insinuated itself into her like smoke, seeping in through her mouth and nostrils with each breath until it filled her completely.
She was dimly aware of Nehshi kneeling before the statue, kissing the ground and singing the morning hymns, his arms raised in worship. The priest was right beside her, yet he felt very far away. It was as if her ba—her bird spirit—had taken flight and hovered before the face of Amun, high above. It was a tranquil face, betraying nothing of the heavy weight of the tall double-plumed feather crown upon his brow.
Voices filled her mind. They were her father’s voice, and Kenna’s, and the voice in her mind that asked questions at night when she could not sleep. They were all and none of them at once.
You must trust that which you cannot see, the voices said.Do not fight the currents that carry you toward your fate, lest you arrive late or not at all. Use the gifts you have been given and cause them to multiply within you, for they are borne of we who have crafted you from the earth for this purpose.
Amun’s eyes grew larger with each word, obscuring everything else in Neff’s vision until her world was a smoky blue cloud, pregnant with possibility.
You may feel alone on this journey,but like the streams that flow to the great river, you are one of many, and many are but one.
Her heart swelled.
And then she was sinking—back to herself, back to Nehshi’s diligent offerings of water and oil and prayer.
Much is hidden.
The voices faded to a whisper.
But much will be revealed.
Neff gasped, the arrival back in her physical body abrupt and strange. She felt heavy, her arm holding the censer blazing with the pain of holding it aloft for so long.
Nehshi looked up, having finished wrapping Amun’s feet in special white cloths. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you crying?”
Neff touched her face, surprised to see her fingers come away wet with tears. She shook her head. “I… I don’t know.”
He was about to press further when a loud, ululating cry echoed from outside the sanctuary, calling everyone in the vicinity to attention.
“What’s that?” Neff asked.
Nehshi arranged the empty offering plates and bottles back on the tray and rose to his feet. “The watchman. Someone important must be coming. We should go and see if we’re needed.”
With one last glance up at the patron god, Neff followed Nehshi outside and waited while he resealed the door. Together, they hurried through the ever-larger halls and out into the main courtyard. The few priests who were not tending to the king’s tomb or preparing for the coronation were already there, peering with interest through the front gate. Neff saw Kenna among them and rushed to his side. He stood still, his expression as inscrutable as Amun’s.
“Who is it?” she asked, following his gaze.
Kenna’s lip curled. “My brother.”
Meryamun came through the gate on a finely carved palanquin carried by four litter bearers. He was dressed in the same translucent linen blouse and schenti that Neff had seen him wear before—but his adornments had grown more opulent. Golden cuffs ringed his wrists and ankles, and a magnificent pectoral necklace lay upon his chest, depicting two kneeling goddesses praising the prince’s name. His eyes were lined with kohl, and his luxuriant black hair was dotted with golden beads.
The litter bearers sank to their knees. As soon as the palanquin was set down, Mery rose from his throne and stepped toward them.
“Bakenamun,” he said with obvious distaste. “It’s good to see you again so soon. And you, young Nefermaat. How serendipitous that you both should be here to meet me.”
Kenna stepped in front of Neff, blocking her with one arm. “You will not touch her,” he said to Mery, hardly loud enough for her to catch the words. If the litter bearers heard anything, they didn’t let it show. “If you’ve come to kill me, then fine. But leave the girl alone.”
Neff stiffened in horror.Kill him?
Mery smiled and patted Kenna on the shoulder. “Don’t be so dramatic, brother. I haven’t come to kill you. What a terrible waste of energy, given that you barely live at all. What gave you that idea?”
Kenna’s jaw tensed. “You slaughtered Father’s court last night.”
Neff felt the blood drain from her face.
“Tsk.Slaughteris such a harsh word,” Mery said blithely. “I prefersacrifice. Those honorable men and womensacrificedthemselves to spend eternity serving their king. You’re a man of faith—you of all people should know the doctrine.”
