Queen of the Heavens by Kingsley Guy

of love. Sety and I will know such bliss together. Isis would not allow it to be any other way, I said to myself.
    The boat passed the temple and sailed for quite some time opposite two lines of ram-headed sphinxes that guarded both sides of a grand promenade leading to the second great temple to Amun. This temple was not as large as the first, but it was no less colorful or impressive in the quality of its architecture and workmanship. Its massive columns and pylons dwarfed the people standing near them.
    The boat pulled into a quay nearby. I sat on deck and marveled at the temple, then turned my attention to the west bank of the river as the sun disk descended on the desert bluffs that sheltered the valley where the royal mummies were entombed. Just as the sun god Ra completed his daily journey in the west, so, too, did the Pharaohs and their Queens complete their earthly journeys. I felt great joy knowing that someday my mummy would lie in splendor in a house of eternity across the Nile from the great temples of Thebes.
    As the sun set, it bathed the temple to Amun in a reddish hue, which added to its mystery and majesty. I had thought nothing could compare to the sights of Memphis. Now I saw for myself the grandeur of Thebes and knew the Captain was correct. Thebes was unlike any other place, for here the heavens and Earth met in divine harmony.
    The following morning, Father, Mother and I were up before dawn preparing ourselves for the momentous day ahead. Father wore his finest kilt and cloak while Mother and I wore the dresses that had been made especially for Lord Harenhab’s celebration. Wide shoulder straps covered our breasts and held up the floor length garments. The overdresses and frocks were pleated to perfection, just as the dressmaker promised they would be. We wore leather sandals that curved upward at the toes, and we were weighed down with jewelry.
    “You look beautiful, Mother,” I said, not letting on how perturbed I was by her appearance. Mother’s beauty would be competing with my own on this day that belonged to me.
    Then I gazed at myself in a brass mirror and saw I had no reason to be jealous of her. My skin was unblemished. My dark eyes, surrounded by green makeup, were penetrating and growing more so by the day. Dangling earrings of gold framed my face, which had become thinner as I matured into womanhood. I ran my hands from my breasts down to my hips, enjoying touching my body, which had become fuller and more sensuous since my betrothal. I was beautiful, yet a disturbing thought crept into my mind.
    “Will he still want me, Mother?” I asked.
    “Will who still want you?”
    “Will Sety still want me as his wife?”
    “Of course he will. Only a fool wouldn’t want you as his wife.”
    “Perhaps Sety is a fool.”
    “He’s not a fool,” Mother snapped. “Stop acting like a child, Tuya. You’re a woman now who’s destined for great things at the side of Sety.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure. Now quit dawdling,” she said as she nudged me toward the cabin door.
    “Mother. If you don’t want me to act like a child, don’t treat me like one,” I protested.
    “I’ll treat you as I wish. Don’t forget you’re still my daughter, and not yet a Queen. You, too, Raia. Hurry. We mustn’t be late.”
    The Captain stood on deck, waiting to bid us farewell.
    “Thank you for your service,” Father said to him.
    “And thank you for getting us here on time,” Mother added. “We didn’t want to miss Lord Harenhab’s celebration.”
    “You’re most welcome,” the Captain replied. “Ramesses has provided chariots to take you to his estate. I’ll send on your belongings.” Addaya looked at me and smiled. “Remember what I told you about Thebes, Tuya. It’s a most interesting place.”
    “I’m anxious to see statues of the gods dancing,” I told him.
    The Captain laughed. “Whether they dance or not, Tuya, the gods are close to everyone in Thebes. Always honor