Queen of the Heavens by Kingsley Guy Page A

them, and they will honor you.”
    Father led the three of us off the boat, holding tightly the box containing the gold, the last portion of the dowry that would seal my marriage. He climbed onto the first chariot and Mother and I took our places in the one behind.
    We headed southward at a quick pace on a path along the river, through the streets of Thebes, then past the simple homes of farmers on the outskirts of town. Soon we turned eastward, up a bit of a ridge, toward a huge house surrounded by a high wall. We entered through the main gate and passed by gardens, servants’ quarters, and rounded silos that protected grain from vermin and the elements. Four columns carved at the top in the form of papyrus plants held up the portico over the entrance to a house so grand even a Pharaoh would have been comfortable living in it.
    The chariots stopped near a small grove of tamarind trees by the side of the dwelling. Ramesses walked toward us as Father, Mother and I stepped down from our conveyances.
    “Welcome to my home,” Ramesses said.
    “We are honored to be invited into it,” Father responded, bowing slightly toward Ramesses. “This is Ruia, my wife.”
    “Yes, I remember.”
    “And this is Tuya. Isn’t she beautiful?” Mother said. I stumbled as she pushed me to the fore. I stood before Ramesses, head lowered in embarrassment.
    “Indeed, she is most beautiful. I am proud to have you as part of my family, Tuya.”
    I lifted my head and smiled back sheepishly, doing my best to hide my nervousness. “Thank you. It’s my fondest wish that I live up to your expectations.”
    “Bear Sety many fine children and bring them up well,” Ramesses said. “That is what I ask of you.”
    “I pray I’ll be able to do so,” I responded, accepting this duty gladly, while at the same time knowing I possessed the power and inclination to do many other things as well.
    A voice startled me. “Father. Why did you not tell me Tuya had arrived.”

XI
    Ramesses turned toward his son, who approached from the house. “Forgive me. I thought you knew.”
    Sety wore black eye paint, bracelets of copper and a necklace of gold. His muscles seemed firmer and his confidence even more abundant than on the day when I first met him.
    As my husband stood before me bare-chested, I thought he must be the handsomest man in the realm.
    I felt flushed and tingly all over. We hardly knew each other, yet a part of me had an intense desire to engage my passions and I sensed Sety felt the same way. Still, an air of formality pervaded our conversation.
    “I’m pleased to see you again,” Sety said.
    “I’m pleased to see you,” I replied.
    “I trust the journey from Memphis was enjoyable.”
    “It was magnificent, and the Captain of the boat was most helpful.”
    “Good. I’ll see that he’s rewarded, but first I have something for you.”
    With the wave of his hand, Sety signaled to a servant who came forward holding a wooden box. My husband lifted the lid and took from it a necklace of silver, gold, turquoise, amber and amethyst.
    Mother gasped. “It’s exquisite.”
    Sety smiled at her. “Perhaps someday Tuya will allow you to wear it. The turquoise was newly mined in the Sinai. It is the finest in all the land.”
    Mother helped me to unfasten the necklace I had on, which was of high quality, but humble in comparison to the one Sety had just given me.
    “Turn around,” Sety instructed. He placed his gift about my neck and fastened it, then slid his hands to my shoulders and down my arms. A chill ran through my body, but it quickly turned to warmth as Sety turned me toward him and stroked my cheek. We stood gazing at each other for a few moments, saying nothing. Ramesses broke the silence: “We should allow our children to be by themselves for a while.”
    “I quite agree,” Father said.
    “Yes, we must,” Mother added.
    Father, standing before Ramesses, held up the box he was carrying that contained the gold: “Perhaps you