Lion Head Mesa forty-first

once when he was a pulse-beat, anxious we'eb, senmut had looked at the lilac favored by pharaoh's daughter and loved her. loved her for the fact they were both fellahin, that they had both ascended beneath royalty's design.

senmut had wanted to be a full priest not only to honor the gods, but to perhaps, with her agreement, provide nazli a chaste marriage offering the protection of his status.

but now he was prince; now he was beholden to be the queen's choice if the time came and no one had garnered her favour as potential pharaoh.

the void between them yawned in bleakness. "we have been waiting."