Lion Head Mesa hollyhock

ramesses grew impassive, like marble. he hated the dog's-head shadow of mistrust which leered with dripping muzzle in the corner, ready to devour their bond as if it were nothing.
and still he felt the shade of hatshepsuun, laughing as she corrupted his favoured daughter and hardened her heart against him.
"only divinity may birth divinity." his voice was as cold as he had become. "suppose you sat here, upon this throne, makono. suppose they called you pharaoh in my stead, when i have gone to join your mother in the Land of the Reeds."
"would you make a peasant your consort? would you muddy the blood of our long and unchanged line for your desires?"
he wanted to know. he must know. pharaoh was silent and unapproachable.
and yet his heart hurt with regret, with pride, with worry, with hope.