Lion Head Mesa 武士 Yūyake

tamar did not expect what came next.

a knell sounded in her chest. the idea of the pharaoh close to her, alone with her, embracing her — she sought to quiet the panicked gallop of her heartbeat.

before she could answer, satsu changed her mind again. tamar mindlessly stroked the queen's grieving head.

she thought of arsenio, how he had asked for her freedom. how he looked at her. she thought of jawahir, and how in this moment she could use the lack of royal blood against her mistress.

she thought of cunning, watchful sihaya.

"i will do whatever you choose, majesty," she whispered in a voice unlike herself, "whatever might help you."