Chapter 24

The feat the prince did the day before brought him the king’s favor, and that’s why they were waiting on the dais next to his big throne. Or, to be more specific, Urmah was. She stood behind him as his esteemed guard; she didn’t mind this new elevation in status, but his two brothers have other thoughts.

Since showing today, they didn’t try to hide their hatred and distaste towards him. Even the fake greetings and pleasantries they usually used to offer are gone now.

The younger brother who used to be slimy and fake respecting them, today he looked as if a mask has fallen off his face and the true ugliness of his soul started to show and of course the king ignored everything and acted as normal enjoying the feud among his sons.

“Does coming here today be the right thing to do, princess? We are not welcome here and I’m afraid something bad would happen. We are in no need of any complication at the moment.”

Mandisa said under her breath, trying not to draw any unwanted attention to their conversation. Since this morning she was on edge even when she came to her tent earlier holding a cup filled with red ale celebrating her eighteenth name day.

As it’s the day of the goddess herself. They used to drink the pigmented drink as a way of showing respect and their gratitude to the mighty one. It brought sad memories to Tiye, but she did her best to ignore the sting of those feelings.

“Where Urmah goes, we follow, at least for now. We need him. He is the one protecting us here Disa, not the other way around.” She scolded her sister softly.

Tiye knew where she had come from, but for now, things were going well. Besides, they won’t stay for long. Urmah has informed her after two more days, they will get back to Sumer.

“Ti, that friend of his was nervous since yesterday, he said and I quote ‘I sense the fates are changing again’ or something, I didn’t understand but it felt like a bad omen.” She looked her sister up and down and found her fidgeting anxiously. She patted her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen. We are safe.” She tried to ease her worries, but Tiye had heard the same conversation between the two males and she can’t deny that it did make her restless too.

And though the prince tried to appear poised and collected, but he was unsettled, she could see it in his eyes.

She touched his arm, trying to get his attention. He flinched, but regained his composure quickly.

“Are you well? I could see that something is troubling you.” He looked around them to make sure no one was eavesdropping, but they were busy discussing the coming event the king had prepared.

He surprised them all after the feast when he said special guest has set something entertaining for them all.

“I don’t know Tiye, something feels off. Adadanu warned me the other day that today the fates will interfere again and change my path, but this time it would be for the worst. It is the first time he is so sure of the outcome.” He took a long breath and held it for a while, trying to calm himself and failing. It was obvious from his stiff posture.

“Why are you so sure of what he said? What makes his words hold such a power over you?”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand Ada has the gift of sight. Sometimes it is vague and hazy, others not so much. This time, he was sure of the result. Through my life, I learned to trust his words. They always come true and I had learned to heed his warnings. I once ran against them and almost died.” He ended, rubbing his face aggressively. She didn’t know what to say to comfort him.

“Just stay close to me Tiye, I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.” She gazed at his sincere eyes. Her mind doubted his words, though her heart skipped a beat.

The king entered the top floor of the arena with his entourage behind him; the man was basking in all the praising he was getting from his court. He turned around, looking at his people gleefully. The wooden benches were occupied and crowded. The entire city was here.

“My dear son, come and sit beside me. Come.” Urmah straightened his back and walked to his father’s throne and sat on his right, taking his older brother’s place. Ardusin gritted his teeth and sat on the left, taking Ardorach’s chair, who only shrugged and sat among the nobles and other court members a step below them.

“Today will be a treat indeed, and your gift was well used to prepare for this spectacle.” The king’s voice was full of enthusiasm and eagerness.

Urmah grudgingly conversed with him. “What will take place here, my lord? What is the need for the arena? Will we witness a game of some sort? Are your warriors going to fight the lions I captured?” He was careful with his words, trying not to irate him.

“Warriors?! Oh no, today will be a public execution of some traitors.” The kings laughed as if this was some entertaining joyful event.

Tiye frowned. Not grasping the concept or the giddiness that was consuming the king beside her, Adadanu stiffened and touched the hilt of his sword; Mandisa raised a brow at him...

As she turned to talk to Ada, the arena erupted in cheers when a man who she knew very well entered and walked regally on the golden sand. Her cousin Pilis stood in the middle of the round space, raising his hands up, greeting the king and the people of Akkad.

“King Abdi_ili you have blessed me today by accepting my gift for you, your court, and your people. I am prince Pilis, the heir to Egypt’s throne; wants to wish you a long prosper life. May your reign continue to bless us all.” He bowed and went to sit beside the court members a step beneath them.

Tiye stood frozen not even breathing; the shock of seeing her father’s murderer was too much for her, her blood ran cold her breath hitched. If not for Adadanu who came behind, crowding her between him and Urmah’s chair, she would have fallen. H

er head swam with questions and her heart bat inside its cage, her chest burdened by the emotions. Every feeling, every pain, and every wound came rushing through her, making her body heave. Urmah’s hand clutched her tightly, as if trying to steady and secure her.

The king stood and waved his hand, giving the signal to start this wretched event; the gates opened and two soldiers pushed a group of people inside to the middle, and then closed them again. T

here were six men and two women huddled together, trying to hide from the eyes and the filthy comments from the attendants. A little child peeked around the woman, who was clutching him with big, frightened eyes. T

iye gasped. She knew them. Those were some of the servants who accompanied the hunting journey where her father was killed.

Pilis stood and addressed them. “These are the traitors who helped the princess to run away after she killed her father, my uncle, king Zosar. He was a just and fair, a king who was loved by all.” He wiped a fake tear.

“May he enjoy his afterlife among the gods and goddesses.” He sat, and another gate opened, revealing the three lions they caught.

The two women screamed when the lions began to circle them. Tiye staggered, no this can’t be happening, she can’t allow this to happen. These are her people. She swore to protect them with her life. Now anger started to flood her, a welcome feeling she needed right now. S

he felt the surge of power that consumed her before, but this time it wasn’t as painful as the previous time. It felt like a calm torrent that flew through her veins, same as blood, and she heard the voice again within her, but this time, she didn’t panic or fear it. N

o, now she felt as if a piece of her soul was restored. She felt whole.

“Now my sweet, tell me what do you want to do and let me help you achieve it.” The goddess’ voice was calm and collected as she spoke. Tiye closed her eyes raising her head to the sky.

“Let us save our people, goddess.” The goddess chuckled delightedly,

“Then surrender yourself to me, my sweet, and let me show you how powerful we can be. After all, you are mine and I am yours. You own me as much as I you.”

The goddess took over Tiye’s body again but this time she didn’t fade or feel disconnected like the previous time; she felt and saw everything. She wasn’t just a spectator.

She tried to move around the two men, who were trapping her between them, but Urmah stood and held her hand tighter; the goddess looked at him.

“Tiye, you can’t do this, it is dangerous.” His big eyes that bored into hers were pleading and determined.

“Who do you think you are mortal to order me?” The goddess leaned over and whispered in his ears. He took a step back and searched her face. “Tii….. Who are you?” He scowled, his eyes searching her face.

“I am your goddess, or did you forget my lion?” Her voice was teasing but different at the same time, making him let her hand and take a step aside, getting out of her way bowing his head respectfully.

Everyone was busy watching the lions move around the mortals, not paying any attention to the conversation between her and the prince. She chuckled. It doesn’t matter how many times she punished them; they were still as rotten inside. T

he lion stood facing the scared prey. The two lionesses took each side, trapping them in their middle. There was nowhere for them to escape this. The beasts were not hungry they were playing with their food for now.

She turned to her mortal guard. “You girl, take him and bring your battalion to the arena. I want to make a big spectacle out of this.” She chuckled again when the girl and the other male scurried to do her bidding.

She faced the prince, who was staring at her with big eyes. “Now my lion let me show you the playful side of your new goddess.” She took off her cloak and then the big golden bracelet, her cobra tattoo, started moving. She patted it adoringly.

“My naja I missed you too, I will set you free my friend be patient.”

The tattoo began to glow and move from her wrest, the head of the cobra traveled all the way to her head and disappeared there leaving the tail at the wrest where it was originally.

While the whole body swirled around her arm, the goddess walked to the parapet and used her right arm to prop herself, then jumped behind the lion. People gasped and went silent.

No one dared to breathe watching her there standing facing the beasts without fear. Her back was to the king and the other nobles. She stretched her body. T

he mortal world was different from the god’s realm. She breathed deeply and sighed. She missed being here; the lion turned and growled at her menacingly. She smirked, then took off her face wrap and transformed her body into her divine form.