Lion Head Mesa goddess-born [m]

The hand slipped, Toula parted them and an eerie cold rushed to where their souls had twined.

“You have no faith in me.” The sunstone eyes were firm upon her before dismantling into their own puncturing grief. Lies! Lies fed by creatures who had no sweeter pleasure in life than spreading whispers of their betters. Rashepses did not reach for his wife, but rolled to his side until they were again facing one another.

“My love, someone would have you believe I imprisoned a woman. I made no such order. The sesh came to me. She wanted a search party for the hebsut, during war, when our jodai and mazoi lay half in Duat. Which of our men were we to send? A child soldier? A fellahin? Should I have pulled the medjay away from guarding our children? The doctor was nearly ready to abandon those dying who needed her most. I forbid it. I commanded her to stay and heal the Jodai.” For he knew she agreed that Khusobek was the future of Muat-riya, thusly Mereo!

“The servant dog surely would have us believe the same: that Akashingo should have rerouted our army instead to rescue him! While the two palaces were at war. While men were slain and children maimed. Let the multitudes perish so long as he was freed!” The last selfish telling sneered in contempt. These were the lesser voices that would go forth and vent anger against their Gods! That strayed from their custom! Would his wife hold them in greater merit than that of her own divine husband?

“Does our counsel disagree?" He asked sincerely. "Are our names and blood not stronger together?” Softening then, and with one paw did Rashepses seek the still-damp cusp of her own.

“But there is more to tell, my love. A year ago, through divine mists, I was visited by a spirit God—”

“Pharaoh Ramesses.”