“Spit it out, man!” the king said, impatient.
Sita saw beads of sweat beginning to form on the priest’s forehead.
“It reminded me of when you first fell ill, King Amunmose. We also had all the food and drink checked, but no corruption was found, and no others fell sick. And the symptoms are the same. Of course, stomach pain and weakness are common, but”—he paused to lick his lips—“we found light brown spots on the palms of her hands and feet. They are remarkably similar to yours, my king. And those… those are not common.”
Sita felt the words like a blow.
What’s killing Father is killing Maet too.
Mery had told her about the poison, but he hadn’t divulged how he was administering it.
Now I know.
The king’s already pale face went gray at this news. He gripped the priest’s shoulder, steadying himself.
“Is it possible… she could have gotten this from me?” he asked, his voice full of dread. “That I passed this curse onto hersomehow?”
The priest looked horrified, unable to tear his gaze from the king’s ghoulish visage. “It’s, ah, possible a demon or curse is to blame, but I assure you, we are doing everything we can for her, and for you, my king. The most powerful healing spells, spells of protection, sacred water poured over the image of Isis… We are working day and night, scouring every scroll in the House of Life to find a cure—”
“Did she get this from me?”
Everyone in the corridor started at the king’s angry shout, which echoed down the hall. Inside the bedroom, the other priests’ prayers fell silent.
The head priest opened and closed his mouth several times. Finally, he said, “I’m afraid only Amun knows that answer, my king. I’m so sorry.”
Sita watched as her father’s hand dropped from the man’s shoulder, his eyes darkening.
“You’ve overexerted yourself, imi-ib,” Queen Bintanath said, sweeping forward with exaggerated affection. “You need rest.”
The king nodded, but otherwise didn’t acknowledge her presence. “Take me back to my chamber, Ineni.”
Ineni rushed in, dropping into a respectful bow as he passed the queen, and gently guided King Amunmose down the corridor.
A moment later, Maet’s mother appeared, followed by a servant carrying a basket of fresh flowers from the market. The yellow blossoms felt like an omen, and not a good one.
Yellow is for mourning, Sita thought.
Maet’s mother stopped to greet the king before making her way toward them with fear in her eyes.
“She’s awake,” the Queen Bintanath told her, and gently led the woman inside the bedchamber.
Sita stood in the doorway, cold despite the late afternoonheat. She could think of nothing but her father’s words about the honey cakes.
They’re our favorite.
They make them special, just for us.
She ran to find Mery.
***
She met him passing through the main hall, so distracted by his own thoughts that he didn’t notice her until Sita was right in front of him.
“It’s the cakes, isn’t it?” she blurted. “You’re putting it in the honey cakes.”
Mery’s eyes flashed from distant to focused. “Quiet!” he growled. Glancing around to see if anyone was watching, he seized her by the arm and dragged her across the hall into the pleasure garden. “Your mind is like an empty room, Sitamun…” he muttered once they were outside.
“Don’t you speak to me that way!” Sita retorted—though she did lower her voice. “Tell me the truth, Mery: Have you been poisoning Father’s honey cakes?”
