Chapter Two- A Birthday Surprise

Atem frowned in concern. "A wifewolf?" he repeated.

Isis, who was kneeling before him, said, "Yes, my pharaoh. The wolf in my vision was distinctly female and she had black fur and blue eyes. A normal wolf would have gray fur and gold eyes."

"So, what do we do? Seize every woman with black hair and blue eyes?" Atem asked before shaking his head. "That does not sound right to me."

"That shouldn't be necessary," Mahad said. "As you know, pointed ears are one of the signs of werewolves and wifewolves. I can have guards subtly check the ears while on patrol and ask to check them from whose who has concealed ears."

Atem nodded. "And if you find one, bring her here so that we can question her and learn her intentions."

"We can also use the Items if she attempts to deceive us," Seto added.

"A nighttime patrol would be ideal as well," Atem said. "The wifewolf must change at night. Any woman who acts suspiciously should be tailed to see why. No confrontation as she could bite the guard into a werewolf."

Mahad bowed his head. "Good point, pharaoh. I will go to the guards and inform them of their new duty in addition to their usual ones."

"Do it. Everyone is dismissed, except you Isis."

Isis stayed where she was as everyone else left. She was curious and a bit anxious. Did the pharaoh suspect her of being a wifewolf? After all, she had the hair and eye color of the target woman and her ears were concealed right now.

Atem came down the steps and as he drew level with her, he said, "Walk with me, Isis." She followed slightly behind and to his left as they left the throne room and out into the large open courtyard. It was another beautiful, albeit, hot day but neither were bothered by it. Isis was more interested in why Atem chose to have her accompany him on a walk.

"Isis, you do know you fit the criteria of the wifewolf search," Atem finally said as he stopped at the lotus pond.

"I do but I lack the pointed ears of one." She lifted one side of her cover to show a perfectly normal human ear.

"I had no doubt that you were not one, but I had to be sure."

"I am not offended, my pharaoh."

"Of course." Atem trailed his fingers lightly through the water. "I also wish to say happy birthday. Twenty-one is a note-worthy number."

"Thank you, my pharaoh."

"Is there anything you would like for a gift?"

Isis shook her head. "Being able to serve you is enough of a gift." She thought she saw a flash of disappointment on his face before it faded. He wanted to give me a gift and I turned it down, but I meant what I said. Serving a pharaoh is an honor and I am blessed to have this honor.

Atem then faced her and squared his shoulders. "I consider myself fortunate to have you on my court. I have gotten to know my entire count in the year since I became pharaoh. I have come to value all of you opinions and yours especially. Your visions give us warning of threats to the palace and the city. You say no gift is necessary but I have one for you nonetheless." He cupped one of her hands in his two. "Isis, I love you."

Isis stared down into Atem's eyes, seeing confidence in them but also nervousness. She was touched by his confession and overjoyed that he said he loved her. I can accept his sentiments and admit my feelings.

She put her free hand on top of Atem's hands. "My pharaoh, your love for me is the best gift I could ask for. It is flattering and I accept this gift. Furthermore, I love you too."

"You…do?"

"For the last several weeks. I kept it to myself as I felt it was not appropriate for a woman in my position to openly admit love for her pharaoh."

"I'm afraid you are correct. It would not be appropriate. However, as I confessed first, it is now appropriate. I would like to announce this tomorrow morning which could lead to a long discussion."

"You plan to announce the future of your family line. That is an important matter."

"Yes, but there are times I wish some aspects of common life applied to royalty. This is one of those times. We love one another, simple as that. You could easily move into my chambers and we would be married. But, I must have approval over the woman I love."

"Approval that comes from your sacred court of which I am a part." Isis smiled. "Naturally, I approve."

Atem also smiled. "Naturally. I suspect that Mahad would also approve. I've known him most of my life and have come to know him well."

"I came to know him over the past year and I too believe he will approve."

Atem released Isis' hand and they resumed their walk, both content that they had released their hidden feelings and were aware that their relationship had gone to another level, one they would reveal to the rest of the court the next day. Both thought, Mahad will approve.

Mahad kept an eye on the Ring as well as the women whose hair and eye color matched the wolf in Isis' vision. Thus far, the Ring was quiet and none of the women bore signs of a wifewolf. Well, maybe one of my men will have better luck, he thought, thinking of how he had split the guards into units and spread them out to find criminals and check certain women for the pointed ears of a wifewolf. It was this latter duty that threw the guards when Mahad told them.

"Wifewolves, Master Mahad?" one had asked.

"Yes. Isis had a vision of a female wolf with black fur and blue eyes. Clearly, that is not a normal wolf. You will look at the ears of women whose hair and eyes match the vision wolf. Werewolves and wifewolves are identified by pointed ears, sharp teeth, and a desire for raw meat. The ears are the easiest ones to see. If the ears are concealed, ask to see them. These orders come from the pharaoh. He wants these wifewolves rounded up and learn of their intentions. Now, go out there and do your duty to the pharaoh."

Mahad stirred from his thoughts by movement near him and he looked to see Seto. He nodded to the younger man who nodded back before saying, "Quiet patrol?"

"Quiet, yes. So far, it seems there are no wifewolves in the city."

"None of those living here are wifewolves," Seto said. "The one Isis saw could be a visitor who intends to bite someone or become pregnant to birth a child like her."

"That's a possibility and one I will point out to the pharaoh when reporting to him tomorrow," he said as the two priests headed home to a glowing sunset.