Two Eyes Cenote Reason of State

Rashepses would not fool himself. He knew he’d become a monster of sorts to the people of Akashingo. He was universally disliked. He traded flowery language for indelicate honesty and it had won him skeptics and no admirers. But where they saw the monster, Toula saw a man.

He had travelled here to win her, as he had won the women of his brothers’ court. Bed her; make her a mother; build his temples; play the good Pharaoh and roll around in all his kingdom’s riches.

He hadn’t anticipated this: he cared for her. He was endeared to her, and not only for her blood nor the loveliness of her face. For her thoughts and ambitions, the energy that held them in sync and the way she was now looking at him. He came for a wife, what he had found was a partner.

“I promise,” his word sealed. “You will make an honest man of me, Toula. I love you.” And he meant it.