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He merely grunted, as if he agreed with her assessment—he’d been willfully blind.
“‘Queen Ati and King Parahu’ has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” she ventured, striking the iron while it was hot.
“And you, Regent?” the king returned.
“There are those in your royal court who…encouraged this alliance, formalized through marriage. No matter your traditions. They do not think a woman’s rule can be stable. Your step son is very young and has a tenuous hold on his right of succession. What will you do when you return without the husband they want for you?”
She drew in a deep breath and straightened her spine.
“I determine my own future, King Parahu. I choose my own mate. The court will accept my decisions. Those opposed will be expediently removed.”
He watched her carefully for a while, perhaps to gage her mettle and determination, then inclined his head in a nod of respect.
“You are a magnificent woman, Khnumetamun Hatshepsut. You would have made me a great partner in life.”
“I thank you for the compliment,” she said graciously.
“Perhaps I would have. Perhaps you would have made a great Consort of Egypt as well as King of Punt. But neither of us would have been each other’sgreatestpartner in life. Not when we both know who holds our hearts. And if we know, then shame on us if we settled for less.”
He chuckled at her speech, as if she pleased him, flashing those bright white teeth.
Aye. He was a handsome, intelligent, kind man. And from everything she’d seen, a fair ruler.
But he was not Shai. And no one would ever do for her but Shai.
They chatted on more casual things after that, both aligned to the agreement they’d reached.
He described the various treasures and gifts he would be sending back on her ships, and she invited him and his future queen (they shared a secret smile at that) to visit Thebes for a duration in the near future.
They talked of working together more closely to share each kingdom’s cultures and strengths. They agreed to send royal children back and forth between their lands for tutelage and training.
Egypt was far more advanced in weaponry and warfare, and Heba offered her best warriors to the king to instruct his troops.
“But not the Captain,” the king said with an understanding smile.
“Only if I come with him,” Heba agreed, smiling back.
Soon thereafter, they allowed their officials and guards back inside the hall.
Shai’s eyes searched hers immediately upon entering.
She didn’t bother holding her beatific smile back. She beamed up at him like the permanently, madly lovestruck girl she was. Just couldn’t disguise her joy.
His chest heaved slightly with deep breaths, as if he’d been depriving himself of air waiting for her private conference with the king to be concluded. His golden eyes blazed with relief and hope, shining with endless love.
And though he dutifully blended into the shadows against the wall along with the rest of her guard, she always knew where he was. Felt him with every fiber of her being and every beat of her heart.
Later, they would celebrate their triumph in private. Heba had never felt as powerful and in control of her own destiny as she did now.
She could do this. She could rule Egypt alone until Thutmose was ready to take the helm.
She could do all of it with Shai at her side. In her bed. In her body.
She could have it all.
And one day, after Thutmose’s reign was secure beyond the shadow of a doubt, she would fade from the royal court. Perhaps relocate to one of her temples on the outskirts of the city. Or one of the properties she’d bequeathed upon Shai as payment for his services all these years.
She would only need a small guard to accompany her, and of course, their Captain must come with. There, amongst close friends and trusted protectors, she would live out the rest of her days with the one she loved most.
