Excerpt from
Akhetaten’s Gates

by Ravyn Karasu & Trafford Publishing Inc. ©2008

I’ve never had so many people dote on me before. The first three months of my pregnancy was rather rough. Every morning meant morning sickness. I was easily nauseated by the sight or smell of food. Frankly, I just wanted to not eat all together, but then I’d get hungry. Self-sabotage, that’s what it was! And it wasn’t even just food! I became a real superwoman, like the Bionic Girl, or something. I could smell… everything! Perfumes, sweat, flowers, animals,… my nose was of divine strength! I could have probably smelled a fart from a mile away!

This particular morning was different. I wasn’t feeling ill at all. I was a little achy, but certainly not ill. I couldn’t stand hiding in the bedroom anymore. It was stale and lonely, since Amenhotep actually had to leave me to perform work. So, I was forced, if I wanted out, to walk alone to the royal gardens. It wasn’t a total loss. The sun and fresh air felt so good. Finding a cushioned seat, I placed myself in it, liking the hot pillows on my bottom, and reclining slightly with a long sigh. I untied my dress, my favorite, transparent, blue dress; the only dress I could still fit in, and pulled the material back, revealing my growing middle. It felt like Aten was reaching down and caressing it. It coaxed for me to close my eyes, and bid me to nap. A silent lullaby was loud in my mind, as if it sang to me from the heavens. Was Aten singing? Did it really sound so beautiful? Mmmm, this was so nice…

“Showing now, aren’t we?” A voice asked. I gasped and pulled my dress closed, and I turned towards the voice. Amenhotep III was leaned against the entrance of the garden. Oh, he looked absolutely awful; so tired and burnt out. It looked as though he was contemplating giving up.

“You startled me,” I exhaled. “How are you feeling today?”

“Hurts,” he mumbled. “My head… my mouth… it hurts so much.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, “I am on my way to pray to the gods and goddesses for health. At this rate,… I cannot rule my kingdom.”

“Isn’t… your son doing a good job?” I asked.

“That’s not the point…”

“Don’t you have faith in him?”

“It’s too soon to tell. Everything rests on Tiy’s shoulders.”

I frowned a little, “I guess. She’s a very strong woman.”

“Yes, she is.”

“But, he’s trying really hard.”

He let out a groan. I wasn’t sure if it was in pain or doubt. Perhaps, it was a little of both. He reached out and rubbed my belly. “It’s a girl.”

“Eh?!” I gasped. “How can you tell that?!”

“Nefertiti, I have many children. Believe me, I’ve learned a thing or two.”

I pushed his hands away, “You’re full of it.”

He gave a small chuckle and stepped back as he sunk into the palace to continue on his way. On the way, he passed Amenhotep IV as he was coming to find me. He approached and placed his hands on my belly, “He doesn’t believe in me, does he?”

“You heard him?”

“I always catch the tail end of failure remarks,” he sighed.

I forced a smile, “He’s just a cranky old man, Amenhotep. Your mother and I believe in you. Draw your strength from us.”

He scowled, “Hn! I shall love all our children equally. Every one will be precious. I will be grateful for every one; … so unlike him.”

“Calm down,” I soothed and kissed his cheek. He sighed and brought me into an embrace. I stroked the back of his neck comfortingly, “You’re doing fine. You weren’t primed for this position. So, you’re still learning. But, considering that,… you’ve come a long way from the boy I first met.”

He gave me a small smile, “You’re right. Yes… you’re right. I’m not the same. I’m much better. Even without my father’s confidence, I have strong women behind me.” He kissed my forehead, “I love you, Nefertiti.”

Everyone believes that once Prince Charming marries Snow White or Cinderella, that it truly is happily ever after. This was not the case for me. Life in the palace could get very hectic. Sure, I had people who were very happy for me, like Teppy for example. As for my in-laws, I felt they were too stressful to keep in my company for long periods of time. Tiy was very excited about the baby. Too excited,… a real headache. As for Amenhotep III, the increasing pain only continued to make him cranky. My sisters-in-law seemed rather oblivious to us all together, more interested in their own matters.

My worst experiences came from the harem. Wives were traditionally passed down from king to prince. So, with no senior pharaoh able to come visit them, their attentions were set on my husband. They were not even truly interested, but the thought of being with Pharaoh, regardless, was worth the fight. They had grown insanely angry and envious of me, despite, at one time, being my friends. Everyone wanted to be important. A pregnant woman was no fun to a man,… and needed more women to entertain him. So was how they thought. This was how I came to realize that I could no longer trust them.

I was wandering down the corridors, growing impatient of my husband. My hormones were going crazy and I had grown spontaneously needy. Bless his patience. I knew he wanted to be with me as much as possible, every moment of every day, if he could. But, the constant placement of him in the court, and me in a sheltered shadow really made things difficult. I was taking confident steps as I kept wandering, hoping to see him. And I did. I saw him coming up the hallway. Eager, I opened my mouth to call for him, but stopped short. We were along the corridor leading to the harem. And from the harem slipped out a young woman, pressing herself against him, running her hand seductively along his body. It surprised him, as he had not really been paying attention to where he was going, and it made my blood boil.

“You’re in quite a hurry,” she giggled, letting her dress slide off her shoulder, teasing him with a glimpse of her not-so-ample cleavage. She was a younger bride, having only been with Amenhotep III once, and having no child. She was a year or so older than Amenhotep IV, and quite eager to make her living as a harem wife, eager to produce a prince to thrust her into the royal dynasty. But, the sound of her voice and her sexual eagerness grated on my ears.

“Eh? Oh. Yes… Who are you?” Amenhotep asked.

“You don’t know me? Ah yes, you never visit the harem. I’m one of the wives you are inheriting from your father. I’m rather new here, compared to some of the others. I’m so lonely and, though deflowered, virtually untouched. I’m still quite fresh, and would make His Young Majesty a wonderful playmate. My body is a temple, a holy garden just awaiting your seed.”

He gently removed her hands from his person, separating her from him, “Big deal. You still receive an income even without such things, and are capable of making a living with more productive matters. You need not remain on your back for the rest of your life. I’m afraid I’ve no use for a harem bride at this point.”

“You come off as so cold,” she purred. “I am Mekhetamose.”

“Hello, Mekhetamose,” he replied flatly.

“Oooh, say my name again, Young Majesty. It brings me delight and lights a fire in me. I ache for you.”

He turned up his nose, “Don’t get so proud. You’ve been here for a couple years now. You didn’t see me last year. Why pretend to see me now?”

Mekhetamose frowned, “You really are cold.”

“Please, excuse me.”

“You’re going to her, aren’t you?” She accused.

“I am. And I’ve every right to. I need not answer to you. I don’t see how it would be any of your business,” he retorted.

“How dull,” she sighed, moving hair out of her face. “She’s blowing up, Highness. She’s not as lovely as we are right now. Pregnant people find sex so awkward. Surely, Highness would enjoy other options to entertain his time?”

“Sex… sex, sex, sex. I am a believer in love, my dear,” he said bitterly. “I am going to the wife of whom I love. I’ve no time for my father’s sluts.”

“How dare you!” Makhetamose shouted.

“I’ll dare as I please,” he replied simply. “I dare not share my father’s spoils, and as acting Pharaoh in his absence, I’m certainly free to say and do as I please, regardless of what you think I should do or say.” And with that, he walked past her regally. She spun around in a fit and grit her teeth, looking almost like a cartoon.

“You’re no good, is that it?! You’re no good at sex! That’s why you want the love you seek! That’s why you do not partake of the many willing bodies that wish to bring you pleasure! Everyone will see your shame! Everyone will see how poor you are! She’ll adore you so much that she’ll politely overlook your shortcomings! She’ll overlook your sexual failures! Or maybe the rumors are true? You are a woman posing as a man? Hiring some lucky sport to impregnate your queen to continue with the charade?”

I’m pretty sure he would have reacted with a violent authority, and would have been free to do so. The look on his face showed that he was absolutely furious… fuming furious. Had I been in my right mind, he might have frightened me. That is,… if I was in my right mind. But, I was so fueled by hormones and jealousy that like a bat out of Hell, I flew forward, past Amenhotep, who became startled, and grabbed at Mekhetamose’s hair. She let out a surprised scream, “You!”

“Stupid bitch!” I spat at her. “Who do you think you are?! How dare you speak so out of line?! How dare you… to your own king!”

“Nefertiti, where did you come from?!” Amenhotep gasped in surprise.

A growing crowd began to congregate about us. I paid them no mind as I continued to assault on the wench. Faintly, though I could hear them cheering. Mekhetamose was a lot of mouth and attitude, but she had no fight to back her up. She flailed about in my grip, hoping for a lucky strike. This is where my tomboy upbringing had an advantage. The more she struggled, the more agitated I became. I began to land punches and sling her about like a rag doll.

One last throw and I slammed her face into a wall. Knock out! Down she went, completely unconscious, and now missing a few teeth. Other than that, no serious damage, but I can safely say that she wasn’t as pretty as she was a few minutes before. The silence hung for only a few seconds before I received highly entertained applause. Tiy pushed through the crowd with a proud clap, “Well done, Nefertiti!”

“Huh?” I let out as I looked around.

“A real initiation!” She declared. “I remember the first time I punched out a harem whore! Very good!”

I suddenly began to sniffle. My emotions were in overload. Amenhotep rushed to me, “Nefertiti, are you hurt?!”

“I want a hug!” I cried, turning to him and burying my face in his chest as I let out unreasonable sobs.

“Isn’t she precious?” Tiy cooed. She peered down at Mekhetamose, “Dumb witch. When will they learn? They’ll spread their legs for any political advantage. They all pray for sons so to bump the queens from their place.” She came over and pat my head,

“Don’t fret, Child. You are my son’s true beloved. He is well behaved. I trained him all proper for you.”

I gave another pathetic sniffle, and cried out, “I want a cookie!”