Evelyn hesitated before climbing into bed. The dream she had experienced two days before still weighed on her mind.
Rick turned to cuddle but she didn't respond. "Are you mad at me?"
She looked at him blankly. "What?"
"What's wrong?"
Evelyn shook her head. "It's nothing. I think maybe I've been working too hard."
"Then it's time for you to take a vacation."
"You might be right."
They decided to talk about it in the morning.
*****
It was in happier times. The goddess left her home and hurried to the river. She was meeting her husband, who was on a counsel that was to help the people decide whether they should be worshipping in temples or strictly in their own homes. It was a silly thing, the goddess thought. Let them decide on their own. They were capable.
Yet it was her husband's favorite thing to do. As she approached Aswad, he smiled. She gave him a kiss and asked what they had decided.
"You'll be surprised," he replied, "but we've asked to hear from a representative of the people."
The goddess was surprised. The counsel never bothered with the subjects of their decisions. She assumed her husband had finally decided to take her advice.
Aswad waved, and a man stepped forward. He bowed his head in greeting. "This is Fadil."
The man's kind eyes looked over her. She smiled at him. "What has he to say?"
"He believes we should begin building temples immediately," Aswad answered.
"The people would love a quiet spot set specifically for prayer," Fadil elaborated.
The goddess clasped her hands together. "Well, then it seems to be settled. When do you start work?"
"Tomorrow," Fadil replied.
Aswad took him aside to finalize plans. The goddess watched the two as they talked. They seemed to have a lot of the same mannerisms. Her husband began consulting a map. Fadil took the opportunity to make eye contact with the goddess. He nodded slightly.
A voice said, "I am your servant." She couldn't tell if she had thought the words or if someone had spoken them. None were close enough to her to have said anything. She looked back to Fadil, who was now consulting the map as well.
The goddess frowned. Minutes later, Aswad approached her. "We will be a bit longer. Why don't you go home and I will meet you there for the evening meal?"
She nodded and kissed his cheek. One last glance told her Fadil was watching again. She turned and started home. She thought she might have to be careful around him.
The goddess sighed when her palace came into sight.
The image shimmered.
She took in the whole picture, happy.
The image shimmered again.
It looked so...
****
Familiar.
Evelyn sat up in bed, unsure of what to think. She recognized that building from somewhere, but where?
Sighing, Evelyn got out of bed. Now all of a sudden she was dreaming a love story? She was sure the same woman was in both dreams. Again, it had felt so real. Evelyn could hear the river, smell the moist air surrounding it. No other dream had been so real.
Heading for the library, Evelyn knew she was in for a long night. She would not be able to sleep until she knew what that building was.
*****
Ancient Egypt
Nefertiri and Anck-su-Namun sat on opposite sides of the table. Anck-su-Namun could feel Nefertiri's eyes boring into the top of her head. It had been that way all through the evening meal.
Anck-su-Namun glanced toward the Pharoah, who was consulting with his High Priest, Imhotep. The two obvious had important business with his food.
She watched the two. They almost looked like best friends. She had yet to talk to Imhotep, but he seemed a perfect match to the Pharoah. She almost wished they were in opposite places. The Pharoah was so...old, compared to her. At least Imhotep was nearer her age group. The Pharoah only wanted to show her off. She wanted someone to talk to.
When she had arrived at the palace a month before, she thought she would find a friend in Nefertiri. Anck-su-Namun had no idea the Pharoah's daughter would hold such animosity toward her.
Anck-su-Namun sighed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nefertiri's eyes narrow at her for a brief moment. She continued eating, ignoring it.
*****
Nefertiri walked down the endless corridor. She was heading to her daily fighting lesson. Every stepp felt heavier than the last. She always dreaded this time of day, since it brought her in close contact with her father's favorite concubine, Anck-su-Namun.
She couldn't believe her father had picked someone so arrogant and cruel. Nefertiri knew any fool could tell Anck-su-Namun didn't love him. She just wished he could see it.
Walking into the room where she was to have her lesson, Nefertiri was relieved to see she was alone. She got two blades off the wall and began to practice.
She went through several complex steps. At the end, she tripped on her own feet. Nefertiri fell to the floor. She looked up to see Anck-su-Namun standing in the doorway.
"How long have you been here?" Nefertiri grumbled.
Anck-su-Namun stepped into the room. "Long enough." She grabbed two more blades off the wall. "Are you ready?"
They began the lesson.