Thankful that Yugi had decided not to push the matter further, I watched him for a few moments until I knew for sure that he was finally asleep. I then looked back up towards the window, watching the rain run down the panes and listening to the thunder which rumbled endlessly outside. This weather seemed to reflect my emotions rather well. Even after my memories had returned to me, I still chose not to dwell on this one particular memory, concentrating only on defeating Zorc and then facing Yugi in the Ceremonial Duel which was supposed to set me free. Of course, I regretted not walking through that door despite the fact that Yugi had defeated me and therefore allowed me to return to my true realm. Though I simply could not face the uncertainty which lay ahead at that moment. The uncertainty on whether or not a reunion and an eternity with her would be happy.
I dared not face her with that uncertainty in my heart, nor could I bear to tell Yugi and his friends the reason why I couldn't go, to tell them about her. As much as I regretted leaving them in the dark as to why I did not go to the spirit world, I simply could not bear to tell them of this truly horrific part of my past, the one memory which I so wished could have remained forgotten.
(Flashback start)
It all happened before my having to defend the world from the Shadow Games. How I still had the strength to do so then was beyond me. Perhaps it was because Shimon Muran, my most trusted advisor, had encouraged me to stay strong despite the loss which I had suffered and that I was still able to save the lives of others, even if I could not save hers?
Her name was Nefertari. Princess Nefertari. She was the daughter of Pharaoh Amenhotep, who ruled Upper Egypt whilst I ruled Lower Egypt. For centuries, our two kingdoms had waged war with each other constantly, until the day Pharaoh Amenhotep came to my kingdom and offered to make peace with me and to consolidate both our kingdoms. In doing so, he offered me his only daughter, Nefertari. He said that if I were to take her to be my wife, our kingdoms would be unified and the hostilities that had arisen between us could finally be put to an end.
At first, I was rather suspicious of his offer. Not only did I question in my mind the motives of my father's former rival behind his giving his daughter to me, but I was also concerned about the daughter herself. I couldn't be sure if she would agree to being given to a man whom she had not met and knew nothing about. However, upon consulting with Shimon, he assured me that Amenhotep's intentions were genuine, so I accepted his offer, knowing then that it really was for the good of the people of Egypt. Though I was still unsure about how his daughter would take the news of being betrothed to a stranger without her knowing about it first.
A few months had passed until the day that Pharaoh Amenhotep returned to my kingdom, this time accompanied by his wife and daughter. When a messenger came into my throne room with the news that the other pharaoh's retinue had been spotted approaching by the watchmen, I bade Shimon to escort them to me as soon as they arrived at the palace.
I only waited a short while until finally, the two large golden doors of the throne room opened and I was certain that the group who were now approaching me were Pharaoh Amenhotep, his family and their retainers, led by Shimon of course.
When the royal party finally reached me, Shimon stopped and bowed low before me. "My liege. Pharaoh Amenhotep and his daughter, Princess Nefertari."
He stood aside, and let the monarch who I recognised from our previous meeting come forward, leading by the hand a young woman who I instantly knew to be his daughter. At first, I was slightly taken aback when I finally laid eyes on my wife-to-be. Only a year younger than myself, she wore a simple white linen dress, but was still bedecked in finery such as bracelets, earrings and a collar with jewels in colours of green, blue and red. She also wore a strange looking necklace which looked like a golden winged scarab adorned by a turquoise jewel in the middle, which hung around her neck from a red string. Her long flowing hair was the loveliest shade of brown, but it was her bright emerald green eyes which captivated me the most. She really was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my entire life.
Once they stood before my throne, they both bowed courteously. "Your Highness," Pharaoh Amenhotep proclaimed. "I present to you, my beloved daughter, Nefertari. May she find favour in your eyes."
"This is indeed an honour," I replied, still unable to take my gaze away from Amenhotep's lovely daughter. "The princess is undeniably beautiful."
A blush appeared on the princess' face at that moment. She looked up at me and when her eyes met mine, the apprehension on her face seemed to be replaced with wonderment. It was clear to me then that the poor girl had been extremely nervous for months, presumably after her father had approached her with the news of her betrothal to me. This aroused a feeling of pity within me, so I decided I would make it all easy for her by showing her kindness.
"I welcome you to my household, Princess Nefertari," I said to her at last.
The princess bowed again. "It is a great honour, Pharaoh," she answered me nervously.
I was unable to keep myself from chuckling at how sweet her voice sounded. "Princess Nefertari, you truly are an exquisite young woman, and I will be proud to be able to call you my wife."
Just then, Nefertari breathed what looked to me like an internal sigh of relief as the blush disappeared from her cheeks.
Still smiling at her, I turned my attention to her father and announced, "The marriage shall take place in three days' time. Until then, I bid you make yourselves comfortable here. My servants shall show you to your chambers."
Formalities over, a troupe of my servants entered and escorted the nobles away. Nefertari was approached by the three servant girls who I had appointed to be her personal handmaidens prior to her arrival, Shepset Tefankh and Nekhbet.
Shepset bowed and grinned cheerfully. "Princess Nefertari, I presume?"
"Yes?" Nefertari answered.
Shepset grinned again. "I'm Shepset, and these two are Tefankh and Nekhbet," she motioned to her companions. "Pharaoh Atem appointed us to be your personal handmaidens."
"Oh."
"We're also to show you to your room and make you feel at home here, up till the marriage," Shepset continued.
"You down with that?" asked Tefankh.
"I suppose so…"
I could tell Nefertari was unsure at first by my choice of handmaidens. True they could be fairly irreverent and off-kilter at times, but they were also perfectly amicable and I thought it'd be good for her to have handmaidens round her own age. Having obviously seen how friendly they were, Nefertari nodded to them in acceptance and allowed them to lead her away.
As she passed through the great doors, Nefertari paused and took another glance back at me before following her new handmaidens through the corridors to her chamber. Had she noticed that I had been gazing at her too? It didn't seem like it.
~
I was very glad to see that Nefertari was quickly adjusting to her new surroundings and inhabitants my palace, the palace which was to become her new home. Shepset, Tefankh and Nekhbet delighted in giving her guided tours of the myriad passages, chambers and gardens. It seemed that she had gotten to know her new companions as if she had known them for years. Shepset was always cheerful and cheeky, even when talking to those of higher status than herself - including me, the pharaoh! However, I never minded it all that much, as she never really meant anyone any harm. Tefankh was also always in a perpetually good mood, constantly laughing and giggling. She would disappear into the kitchens on an errand and return bursting with stories. Nekhbet was somewhat shyer than the others, but was also given to joking. Having observed the way they interacted with each other, I was pleased to see that Nefertari had quickly warmed up to them and grew to love their company, just I had hoped she would. It would've been, after all, the only time she had ever really spoken to girls her own age.
I also sent for Nefertari more than once a day, either having her friends escort her to the throne room or going to meet her myself. We would talk together for what seemed like hours and would walk together in the corridors and the gardens, getting to know each other and our lives. During our first conversation, Nefertari was rather timid and shy around me. Like me, her previous life had obviously been a rather sheltered one, so perhaps she was not quite prepared to leave her home so soon. Hence why I always sought her out during the day, in order to show her that she could trust me, that I was her friend. I was thankful that it worked, as she seemed to be opening up to me more and more and grew more comfortable in my presence the longer we spoke.
As I told her all about my Millennium Puzzle and how I had used its powers to defend my kingdom from the invading Hyksos many times, she also told me about the mysterious artefact she wore. It was called the Scarab of Amun-Ra. Unfortunately, she didn't tell me much about it, only that it once belonged to her mother, who had now given it to her. She also said it contained some incredible powers which she was too afraid to use, as she did not know she would be able to master them. I reassured her however that if she had some faith in herself, she might have been able to one day.
Nefertari seemed to be amazed that, as a person of such incomparable status, I was always rather informal towards her and insisted that she should be too. Though I told her that since we were to become man and wife, we should not be strangers, to which she agreed.
Since my first meeting with Nefertari, I had begun to experience some new and unfamiliar emotion, one I could not identify at first. When thinking about her, I often found myself feeling a mixture of emotions such as happiness, longing and adoration. It was strange to say the least, and even stranger still that the feeling seemed to intensify whenever I was with her. Though I was never shy around her, like she was around me. In fact, that was pretty much another reason why I had sent for her more than once a day. For I enjoyed my time with her greatly, and I quickly began to miss her every time we parted. I soon realised exactly that it was that I was feeling when seeing, speaking to or thinking of Nefertari, and I wondered if she began to feel the same way for me also. However, I decided that it would be best to wait until after we were married before bringing it up.
Shepset, Tefankh and Nekhbet introduced her to servants and courtiers and I introduced her to my six high priests; Seto, bearer of the Millennium Rod, Mahad, who bore the Millennium Ring, Isis who wore the Millennium Necklace, Karim who possessed the Millennium Scales, Shada who bore the Millennium Key and Aknadin who owned the Millennium Eye. She met them all as we received their blessings, and therefore the blessings of the gods. Nefertari got to know each of them well, and seemed to warm up to most of them very quickly. The only one whom she wasn't very keen on was Aknadin. I believed she thought the way he kept his Millennium Eye beneath his deep hood made him look slightly sinister. Of course, I tried to reassure her that she had nothing to fear from him. Little did I myself know of the way he would betray us when the time came to defend the world from Zorc the Dark One.
Nefertari also had the privilege of meeting Mana, Mahad's apprentice and my childhood friend. The powers of Mahad's Millennium Ring made him a very powerful sorcerer and Mana was his top student, hoping to one day become a great magician like him. Mana was very excited for me at hearing the news of my betrothal to Nefertari, and even more excited still upon finally meeting the her. She approached often us during my time with Nefertari, despite her master's orders to continue with her training, but I could see she was all too keen to get to know the woman who was to be my wife. She talked with Nefertari quite a lot, and I could tell that they both grew fond of each other rather quickly. The girl even smiled proudly once when Nefertari wished her luck on her training when leaving us.
~
Eventually the day on which Princess Nefertari and I, Pharaoh Atem were to become officially husband and wife dawned. As Ra's fiery boat rose in to the sky to the east, I was awakened by my servants who then had me washed, dressed in my finery and my eyes outlined with kohl, all in about a few minutes.
Soon I was walking to the throne room through the corridors of my palace, accompanied by my six priests. From outside, I could hear the noise of a city given up to celebration. Everyone I passed smiled at me and bowed.
When we reached the throne room, we were met by both Pharaoh Amenhotep's courtiers and mine, all dressed in their finery for the event. I noticed that they had all fallen silent and seemed to be facing the opposite end of the throne room. Looking in their direction, I finally spotted Princess Nefertari standing there, dressed in a long white silk gown which trailed behind her like the golden sashes that hung from her shoulders. She wore a golden diadem on her head and was bedecked with a little more jewellery on her arms and wrists than usual. Her Scarab was also around her neck as always. At that moment, she really did look like a queen to me, and a very beautiful one at that.
Standing behind her were her three handmaidens, all smiling brightly. Nefertari on the other hand looked incredibly nervous. Poor girl. The knowledge that you are now to become Queen of Egypt must be an awful lot for a young woman of just seventeen to absorb. She appeared to be scanning the crowd, presumably in search of a familiar face to make her way towards, her mother or her father perhaps.
When her eyes fell upon me, her expression immediately relaxed a little and I felt a slight smile tugging at my lips as I made my way towards her through the crowd, followed by my priests. Reaching her, I held out my hands to her. She smiled in reply and slid her hands into mine. At once, a collective cheer erupted from all courtiers. When Nefertari accepted my hands, she accepted me as her husband, and Upper and Lower Egypt were unified.
There was no formal ceremony, as was always the case with ancient Egyptian marriage. Instead, there was a huge feast to celebrate the joining of the pharaoh and his new queen. In this case, myself and Nefertari, who stayed by my side all day as what seemed like the entire population of Egypt came up to us to offer their congratulations. My six priests came up to offer us their blessings and to remind us that as a married couple, our inspiration was the great holy couple of Osiris and Isis.
The feast lasted all day, with singing and dancing. Nefertari found herself cornered by her mother, who was crying and mumbling something along the lines of, "My baby's all grown up and married." Mana had also invited herself to the feast, congratulating me as well as wrapping her arms tightly around me, which seemed to amuse Nefertari a little. My new wife was then hunted down by Shepset, Tefankh and Nekhbet, who I had also allowed to join in the celebrations, and who were using the excuse to stuff themselves with goose and the finest fruit.
"Hullo, Mrs. Atem!" Shepset beamed Nefertari.
"Freedom's gone," Tefankh reminded her cheekily, wagging her finger in Nefertari's face. "No fooling round now!"
Even though they were only joking, Nefertari still blushed furiously. I chuckled and held her hand tightly in mine.
"Oh!" Now it was Shepset who was blushing. She was staring at someone in the crowd.
"What is it?" Nefertari asked, trying to see along her friend's line of vision.
Shepset turned back to her, nibbling her bottom lip uncertainly. "D'you reckon Priest Seto will be up for a dance?"
I immediately scanned the crowd and saw my best friend and confidant, Seto standing against the wall, looking petulant. For as long as I had known Shepset, I always knew that she was particularly fond of Seto. I always noticed that whenever I spotted him walking through the corridors and Shepset, Tefankh and Nekhbet passed him, Shepset would become extremely bashful and giggly.
"C'mon, Shepset, let's get you two up on the dance floor!" Tefankh said, as she and Nekhbet each grabbed an arm of Shepset's and started steering her through the crowd towards Seto.
"Make sure you give us all the gory details of the wedding night, Nefertari!" came the farewell call as the three girls left, leaving both Nefertari and myself mortified.
"I can't believe those three…" Nefertari said weakly, shaking her head as she turned back to face me.
"They're…" I myself was having trouble trying to find the right words. "Well, they're… they're… spirited."
Nefertari looked at me in disbelief. "Spirited?"
I just gave her a lopsided smile. "For want of a better word. Anyway, Nefertari," I continued, standing from my seat. "Come with me. There is something I wish to talk to you about."
I led Nefertari by the hand out of the throne room and out into a garden. In the centre was a square pool filled with clear water and lotus lilies floating on its surface, mingled with a couple of ducks. Lush green plants and trees surrounded the pool and a stone statue of the god Bes was perched at the corner, a symbol of happiness and prosperity.
"Oh!" Nefertari exclaimed. "What a beautiful place."
"Yes," I agreed, stepping up beside her and smiling at the look of guileless wonder on her face. "I often come here when I wish to be alone. Being pharaoh can be such a burden, but this place is always peaceful and I feel I can always relax here, away from the pressures of palace life."
"I suppose it must be difficult." Nefertari murmured.
"It is fortunate for me then, that I now have you to ease the strain," I smiled.
Nefertari blushed. "Fortunate, indeed."
I reached out and took her hand into mine and I felt her tensing up slightly. I kept my eyes on her and saw her cheeks beginning to turn red again as she looked down at our hands together and our fingers interlocked. Her eyes hastily darted up until they met mine. Though I could clearly see embarrassment in those beautiful emerald orbs, I still felt that this was the perfect moment to finally tell her how I truly felt about her. "I feel as if Hathor herself brought you to me." I whispered.
In that instant, I leaned in towards Nefertari and pressed my lips against hers. As I held my new wife in my arms, her body tensed up even more for a couple of seconds before I finally felt her relax in my embrace. My already fluttering heart began to dance even faster in my chest when I was aware of her returning said embrace, and the kiss too. It was true. This moment was perfect, as if Hathor, the goddess of love and joy, had ordained it.
Suddenly, and all too soon, we were interrupted by a familiar voice calling, "Nefertari! Pharaoh Atem -!" then stopping short and breaking into a stream of helpless giggles.
Pulling away from Nefertari, the both of us blushing with embarrassment, we turned to see Shepset, who was hovering in the doorway, looking half-awkward and half-gleeful.
"Uh… not interruptin' anything, am I?" she asked hesitantly.
"Guess…" I said, trying to smile through my embarrassment. "But surely you have a reason to be here. What is it, Shepset?"
"Well, Your Highness, it's just that there's a lady here to see you and the missus."
"A lady?" I questioned.
"Aye, a lady," Shepset answered. "A high-born lady. I asked her where she's from, but all she said was, 'From far away across the deserts'. But she's here to bless the union between you and Nefertari."
Nefertari and I exchanged a glance. I shrugged. "Then we shall receive her."
Taking Nefertari's hand, I led her from the garden and back into the palace. There, we found a large crowd gathering around the entrance. It parted however, and a woman walked towards us. She was clearly a noblewoman. Her bearing, the very form of her face, denoted her as being of high birth. She was in a flowing gown of white linen that seemed to float around her like a mist. Jewellery heavy with gemstones hung from her neck and wrists. Her long black hair flowed across her shoulders like a glistening hood. Her black eyes seemed to hold a glint of green. She held a staff, which was carved in the likeness of a hooded serpent and which clicked against the stone floor with every step the woman made in our direction.
When she reached us, she bowed before us. "Greetings, Pharaoh Atem and Queen Nefertari. I have journeyed long and far to express my joy at the news of your marriage. Please, accept the blessings of a humble subject."
"Of course," I replied, smiling. Then I paused. "May I ask the name of the lady who gives us her blessings?"
The lady bowed graciously, the movement slow and graceful, like the curve of a snake's body. "I am known simply as Lady Meretseger, great Pharaoh. I come from far away across the desert sands from a land many leagues away, not nearly as rich or as splendid as your own, my lord."
I couldn't help but smile proudly at the compliment and both Nefertari and I bowed to Lady Meretseger.
"My lady," Nefertari said. "You must be tired after your long journey, and hungry too. Please feel free to join in our festives and I can have my handmaidens prepare a room for you."
"We're on it!" Tefankh piped immediately and she, Shepset and Nekhbet almost skipped from the hall.
When they were gone, Lady Meretseger bowed again. "Thank you for your kindness and your hospitality, my Queen."
With the exotic and gracious lady now welcomed, the feast resumed. Nefertari and I led Meretseger to the high table, where we took our seats. Meretseger sat next to Nefertari. They exchanged a few words of light chatter, then Meretseger was addressed by the nobleman sitting next to her. Nefertari turned to talk to me, but it wasn't long before I noticed the lady watching my wife intently.
Having obviously felt it, herself, Nefertari turned her head to face Meretseger, somewhat startled. "Y-yes?" she stammered, clearly a little taken aback by the lady's scrutiny.
Meretseger pointed. "I just couldn't help but notice that beautiful necklace you are wearing, my lady. It's so very… unusual, isn't it?"
"Oh…" Nefertari closed her hand around her Scarab pendant. "I suppose it is. It belonged to my mother, but now she's given it to me."
Meretseger smiled knowingly. "A gift from a loved one has more value than any gold or diamond."
Nefertari smiled in return. "Yes, I suppose you're right."
~
The next few weeks were the happiest I had ever known. During the course of those weeks, my love for Nefertari only strengthened. It seemed several lifetimes ago that she had been no more than a name to me, a faceless abstract shadow that was part of my future. As each day passed, as I learned more about my new wife, the more deeply I fell in love with her. She was so sweet, so very kindhearted and compassionate, someone who I was more than happy to have as my wife. In fact, not only was she my wife and my lover, but she also quickly became my best friend. And, happiest of all, Nefertari reciprocated my feelings completely. I believe the few weeks that had passed since the wedding were truly happy for her also. Though not just because of her being wed to me, but it was also thanks to her ever strengthening friendship with Shepset, Tefankh and Nekhbet. I was very glad then that it was them that I chose to be her handmaidens.
A wonderful haze of love and happiness had descended on the kingdom, a haze broken only by the grim words of Priest Aknadin, who warned that such joyous abandonment would not be without its grief.
~
I was dreaming. Or at least I thought I was dreaming. I hoped I was dreaming. There was darkness all around, much deeper than any darkness I had ever seen before. So dark that no flicker of light could hope to penetrate it. I could not see where I was. In fact, I could not see anything around me. Except for the pale, white-clad figure walking slowly ahead of me. At first, I did not know who it was, but after observing this figure for a moment, I immediately recognised the long, flowing brown hair.
Nefertari!
I called out to her, but she didn't respond. I called out again, but got no answer. I began running after her, reaching my hand out and calling her name repeatedly, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply could not catch up to her. It was as if some unseen force was holding me back, and therefore stopping me from reaching her.
Where was she walking to? And why would she not answer my calls? Could she even hear me? It was as if… she was in some sort of trance.
This went on for what felt like a very long time, her constantly walking ahead of me through the never ending darkness, and me, running as fast as I could, and yet, unable to reach her. Eventually, I grew very distressed, though I did not know why.
Finally, she stopped and the darkness around us seemed to lift slightly and I began to grow more aware of our surroundings. I could just make out the silhouettes of palms and bushes blowing in the light wind. The gardens?
Just then, a movement from Nefertari caught my eye. Turning my attention back to my wife, I saw her turning round to face me at long last. Only, she didn't seem to acknowledge me. Instead, she was quickly turning her head in every direction, frowning as if puzzled. Why she was so confused, I didn't know.
I called out to her again, but again, she didn't seem to hear me. She just kept looking about until suddenly, a dark figure loomed up behind her. She must've sensed it too, for in that instant, she froze, as if startled.
Knowing instantly that my wife was in danger, even though I couldn't see who this figure was, I called out to her to run, but instead, she spun round. But before Nefertari could respond, the figure seemed to spit into her face, causing her to cry out as if in pain as she turned slightly, holding a hand over her eyes. The figure then seemed to grab Nefertari's wrist, and I tried to run forward, tried to save her from whoever this assailant might be, but I was unable to move an inch. So I was forced to watch in horror as the figure held out a dagger and thrust it into my wife's chest, causing her to let out a shrill, agonised scream.
I jerked upright, fighting free of the bedcovers that clung to my body, sticking to my skin like the cold sweat on my forehead. I knew then that what I had just witnessed was only a nightmare, but the crippling fear I had felt whilst asleep hadn't relented. Crippling fear, and the vague, terrible impression that Nefertari was in danger, urgent as a scream.
I turned, and my heart seemed to stop beating when I saw that she was not lying next to me. I leapt out of bed, not even stopping to pull on my sandals, and ran from the chamber, looking up and down the corridor wildly. Silent, save for the hammering of my heart. Empty.
The gardens, my heart said. She's in the gardens.
I tore through the dark corridors, crying out, "Nefertari! Nefertari!" Doors were beginning to open, people were beginning to emerge into the corridors. Some called after me, but I barely heard, too terrified to even think about anything except Nefertari and the danger I knew she was in.
Please let me get there in time, I prayed with every slap of my feet against stone. I had never prayed so desperately before in my life. Please let me get to her before…
Before what? What was the danger? Before what? Before what!?
I burst out of the palace, into the gardens. A slight breeze stirred the leaves and the bushes, but otherwise there was no sound. The Valley of the Kings itself could not have been more silent.
My heart was trying to beat out of my chest as I made my way through the maze of shrubs and pools, casting my head about to catch a glimpse of Nefertari, longing to see her but, at the same time, dreading.
I found her by the fountain, sprawled facedown on the pathway as if she had fallen, her face hidden by the sweep of her hair. But she didn't move, and no breath that I could see stirred her body.
My feet carried me to her without my having to think about it. There was fear, but it was faint, distant, a tremor at the edge of my heart, drowned by the numbness that took over my body. I could't think. Was I supposed to think?
I sank to my knees, reaching out to turn Nefertari over, all the while insisting to myself that this was not real, it couldn't possibly be real. That I would awake in a moment and find myself in my own bed, with Nefertari sleeping peacefully in my arms, not lying broken in the middle of the gardens. Not like this…
Oh, merciful Amun-Ra, not like this…
I drew her unresisting form into my arms. Her own arms trailed like a rag doll's. In the moonlight, her face was pale, terribly pale. Her lips too were white, bloodless. This was not some trick of the moonlight. This was real.
"Nefertari," I whispered gently, as I might to wake her from a deep sleep. She was only asleep, that was all.
So why was my heart about to burst with fear?
"Nefertari," I said again, and this time my voice cracked with urgency. I reached out and tapped her cheek gently, urgently. Her skin was so cold. So cold…
Please, Amun-Ra, not her, not now. Dear gods, not her! Nefertari, open your eyes! Wake up! Open your eyes!
It was then I saw it, the stain blooming darkly across her chest, the linen of her nightdress soaking it up like papyrus soaks up ink. The stain spread, across her chest and down, almost to her belly. Dreading, I put my hand to it and my fingers came away wet, and red.
I was falling. There was only darkness around me, a roaring in my ears, the blood on my fingers. The blood. Oh, dear gods, no! My Nefertari, pierced to the heart!
My eyes were hot. My head was spinning. I didn't know where I was. I didn't know anything, nothing but the pale figure lying in my arms.
Pierced to the heart. Pierced to the heart!
"No…" I whispered my denial. "No… Nefertari…" I began shaking her by the shoulder, desperate, despairing. "Nefertari, it's me, Atem. Please hear me."
Please hear me…
Nefertari couldn't die. She was too young, too sweet, too innocent. What had she done to deserve this?
Dear gods, why her! Why her, why her, WHY HER!?
I heard it as if from far away, a pained whisper around my name. "Atem…?"
Seized by a combination of hope and hopelessness, I raised my head. My eyes were hot, my gaze fractured, but I dragged my hand across my eyes, trying to sweep the illusion away with my tears. Only it was no illusion. Her lips had parted, her eyelids fluttering as if they would open. Then they did, and for a moment, my heart leapt. She lived! But the relief and the joy, the died as soon as I saw that her eyes, once bright green, were dim, and a glaze was slowly spreading across them like a frost.
No. No, she is alive! She cannot die! Now now!
She was breathing harshly, her breath coming in erratic gasps disturbed by the shivering of her body. Her lips moved soundlessly, desperate to speak. She took a deep breath as if gathering her strength, a valiant attempt to speak. "Atem…"
I shook my head, unable to think, not daring to think. "No," I said, laying one finger gently over her lips. "Hush, my love. Save your strength. I'll take you to the physician. Everything is going to be fine."
But Nefertari was shaking her head, quick, jerking movements, each weaker than the last. She was fading fast, faster than I could catch her. So fast, too fast…
"Atem…" Her voice was barely a breath.
"No, love. Don't speak."
Her hand was laying in mine, her fingers curled around mine, weak as a baby. "I… I must tell you…"
But I shook my head. "No, none of that. Please, Nefertari, hold on."
A gasping sob. "I'm so cold. I… I can hardly see."
My heart clenched. "No, Nefertari. I'm here," I said, holding her even closer to me. It was clear to me that she was in great pain, and I wanted to do everything I could to comfort her. And myself. "You'll be fine, I promise."
A smile shadowed her white face. Through her dry, fading breaths, she managed to whisper, "You shouldn't… make promises you can't… keep…"
"No…" I wanted to lift her, to take her somewhere safe, to the palace physician, to Shimon, anyone that could help.
But I was too scared to move her. And somewhere, in the darkest part of myself, I knew that nothing they did could help Nefertari now. Even my own desperate lies couldn't convince me.
"Nefertari," I was begging now. Begging her to live, begging the gods to let her live. "Please, my love, stay with me. I can't lose you. It's too soon. We have too much still to do, too much to do together."
Her head turned, her dimmed eyes finding mine, and the love I saw there left me speechless. The love, and the sadness."
"I know," she breathed. "And I'm sorry… But… know this, my love…" Her breath rasped in her chest. I could feel her life force ebbing away. "I have no regrets…" she smiled, a single tear trickling from her eye. "Not that I got… to see your face… once more time…"
Then suddenly, her smile faded and her breath left her in one, whispered name.
"Atem…"
For a long time, I simply stared at her face, her beauty. At first, I thought that she could have been sleeping, but after a moment, I finally realised that she was gone. And when I did, even the soft, thick curtain of her hair couldn't muffle my grief.
For what seemed an eternity, I just kneeled where I was, tears streaming endlessly from my eyes as I clutched Nefertari's still form to my chest. I couldn't believe it. She was gone. Nefertari, my Nefertari, my wife, she was really gone. And I, her husband, had been unable to prevent her from suffering such a cruel fate.
I was brought round from my grief stricken trance by a scuffling sound just ahead of me. I looked up, barely seeing the figure in front of me through my tears at first, but soon my vision cleared and I was met with the sight of Shepset, just standing and staring back at me. Shock had frozen her features, grief had swept away the smile that so usually brightened her face. I heard her whisper only one, stricken word: "No…"
Then she was running, running back towards the palace, screaming with her whole voice, her words lost in her screams and sobs. Lights were beginning to come on in the windows, and more voices were beginning to join Shepset's.
"Queen Nefertari… dead!"
"Queen Nefertari has been murdered!"
Finally forcing myself to loosen my grip on my wife's now lifeless body, I lifted her, gently, tenderly, carrying her back, away from the cold, dark garden, back to where the lights were. If only one could light itself in her heart, bring her back to life. But nothing could. She was beyond all help, gone to a place I could not follow. Our wedding, mere weeks before, was supposed to have bound our lives together.
But why didn't it? Why were we ripped apart so easily?
There were only questions. So many questions, and no one to give me any answers.
When I reached the main hall of the palace, I found it roiling with activity, like an ant hill that had been overturned. Guards, servants, nobles… all running about like frightened mice. But all soon feel silent when they saw me. I saw Seto, Mahad, Mana, Shimon, Isis, Tefankh and Nekhbet. Some eyes were shining with tears, but most showed nothing. The shock must've been too great for them. It must've been too much. I even heard the sounds of cries and laments in some parts of the throne room.
"Oh, how awful!"
"This is terrible. Terrible!"
"Who could've done this?"
"Our beautiful queen!"
Just then, I heard a familiar voice calling to me. "Pharaoh! Pharaoh!"
I turned to face the direction the voice was coming from, and saw the Lady Meretseger rushing up to me, her refined beauty dishevelled and her eyes wild. Reaching me, she finally stopped.
"Pharaoh, I'm so sorry…" she panted, a look of shock and despair in her eyes, just like everyone else. "I saw someone running from the scene of the crime, but I was unable to catch them, or even identify them. Please, forgive me, Pharaoh," she cried, bowing before me.
"No need to trouble yourself, my lady," I simply said to her before going to take Nefertari from the throne room.
"But, wait, there's more!" she exclaimed, grabbing me by the arm, causing me to stop. "I saw them running off with the queen's Scarab pendant!"
(Flashback end)
