Lion Head Mesa ninety-seventh

sen can be skipped! <3

that handsome darkness fastened itself in exquisite poise to the delicate beauty of nasima. already she was ensorceled by him, though watching their interlude brought him to mind of pharaoh, laid now in childbed.

this was the way of things. even he had taken his own companions. would he have surrendered them, had the Divine Falcon chosen him to roost at her side?

my wife, rashepses said! not pharaoh! not her titles.

but the prince knew he could not have put any one of those faces aside.

and so senmut passed no more judgement; he backed noiselessly until he stood with spine to the far wall, scarlet skin melding with crimson stone. a piece of furniture, to be used, to be dismissed, to be —

mounted, the high priest supposed, face flaring to life with that same admix of shame and adoration he felt at these recollections.