Usurper's Rise

ambers were alive with the murmurs of servants preparing for the morning's rituals, gold and alabaster gleaming under the firs

ng long against the sandstone walls, and at its center stood Commander Seti-her

d his stance. His build was the kind sculpted by war-tall, powerful, but controlled. Scars lined his forearms, faded reminders of battles fou

e fluid motion, he stepped aside, caught her wrist, and twisted, sending the blade clattering onto the sun-warmed stone. He moved fas

ured, his voice low, roug

chest rising and falling

loosened, but he did not step back. Instead, his fingers traced the curve of h

chest, though her touch lingered lo

e sound curling around her like a chal

her chin in mock defiance. "Yes

adiating from his skin, enough for his breath to ghost again

ared to the fire dancing beneath her skin. Neferet knew this was dangerous, knew that if they were caug

fted her knee-not enough to hurt, b

arted forward, swiping his legs from beneath him with a graceful twist of her own. H

nding over him. "And

of his neck. "I see, first you

ted, offering him her hand. "J

d, sending her stumbling into his chest. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, her palms

murmured, his voice softer now, his fin

eart hammering against h

y lock of hair from her face, his touch lin

tension thickening b

ning

h the warmth like a

turned to find Rahotep standing ben

sweat. His skin, a shade darker than Seti's, bore the faintest sheen of oil from his own morning drills, but where Seti moved with quiet

eeting his gaze with one o

s if every action was weighed before execution. "A princess

hing for the twitch of irritation that briefly crossed his face. "I hardly

rough his nose, the barest shake of

voice laced with something that was neither anger nor amusement, bu

arture as deliberate as his arrival, leaving b

ers, resisting the urge t

re before finally turning back to her.

-

ve complex stories along the walls, depicting gods walking among men, the great deeds of Pharaohs long past. But despite i

ftened, but his presence had not. His skin was deep bronze, lined with age, his jaw strong, though the hollows beneath his eyes betrayed exhaustion. He wore the doub

inen embroidered with gold, stood

gh silent utterances, his influence stretching beyond the palace walls, weaving through the temples, the noble houses, the hearts of the people. Hi

efore them, bowi

onger than necessary before he spoke

pression carefully neutral. "I t

e, perhaps-crossed his fe

iscipline is admirable, Princess, yet some may say t

r eyes. "I was under the impression tha

ood just off to the side, watching the exchange. He

, shifting slightly

et st

speak of unrest beyond the river and in

nsed be

aid the words that sen

s warned of a grea

hat followed

ft in

gaze, heavy, assessing. Rahotep's eyes shone with a

ng was

for. In that moment, Neferet understo