Blackfeather Woods March,

Alone, they slipped through the trees. In shade, the color on Toula’s face was like pressed olives, smooth and divine and impossible to ignore. Rashepses’ gaze lingered, brushing a hand across her cheek before turning to look at their brothers in arms.

She spoke of his greatest failures. Mereo had been promised on the eve of their engagement, and also in the state of dreaming that measured the Pharaoh Ramesses against the riverprince.

“I should have,” his jaw tensed, “that is my sworn duty to you, Pharaoh.” She takes his hand. Rashepses’ gaze, which had been circling the troops, flickered to his wife, paw stiffening.

“Our poor hebsut,” he agreed, “she cannot be alone. There is no denying her value to our kingdom, my love. Return the servant to Akashingo. Allow her rest. She makes a fair lady-in-waiting to you. The jodai, @Khusobek, is a captain of the guard. A leader in his own right. Promote him, my Pharaoh,” he bent his face, tracing his maw against her crown.

Would she see it too? Within Muat-riya was their militia.