Life From Your Lips (Ruby Rose fanfic)

TWENTY-NINE (Ruby POV)

"Iselen, are you ready? We have to go now."

I lean over the mirror made of polished bronze to check my makeup for the last time while Atet fixes the heavy wig embellished with lapis lazuli and gold beads on my head. It's not the most comfortable thing to wear, I admit it, but I'm getting used to the weight again and can move my head more naturally than yesterday. Besides, it's early in the morning and not too hot yet, fortunately.

We spent yesterday's evening in the sycamore garden, swimming in the pool, eating dates and drawing up a plan. Iselen helped me to write a list of temples in Thebes and their addresses, another one with the suppliers I work with in the temple of Isis and another one with the names of servants we can trust to send them to ask questions discreetly. That was the most difficult one because we can't know how many acolytes Set has hiding in the palace but I'm sure the prophet has spies in this court. In the meantime, Atet and Tiaa found a dress that Iselen could wear, although they had to alter it a little, and vanished later to find the right wig and jewels for her. Finally, we decided to have a light dinner and go to bed early because we had to get up at dawn today.

"Iselen, we'll be late... What's wrong?" I ask puzzled when I turn around and realize she's staring at me quietly. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," she whispers. "I think I'm going to cry..."

"Don't you dare, you'll ruin the makeup," Atet cries next to me, looking at my girl as confused as I am.

"Oh my God, Ruby, look at you..." I obey perplexed. My dress is made with beads of lapis lazuli, gold, ivory and turquoise, fitted to my body and covering my curves like a fishnet over a fine and see-through linen tunic. The golden sandals with lapis lazuli and gold beads match the embellishments of the wig with flower-shaped beads. The broad collar is part of the dress and holds the straps on my shoulders so I'm only wearing bracelets and gold rings as extra jewels, apart from the Isis knot made of red carnelian, of course.

"Don't you like it?"

"You look amazing, more than pretty... I'm speechless... You're stunning... You're extremely beautiful, Praa Sat." Iselen blinks and takes a deep breath, trying to stop the tears that are about to run down her cheeks. "I can't believe a goddess like you loves me."

"I'm not a goddess," I laugh amused getting closer to her, taking her hand. "But thank you... you look beautiful too." The messenger of Isis wears a high-quality linen dress, a red belt and a broad collar made of carnelian and lotus-shaped gold beads. Atet found a short wig so it won't be a nuisance for her and is adorned with an embroidered ribbon with gold beads. "You look like a real Egyptian lady."

"Not like you, no one looks as good as you in this kingdom... I wish I could take a pic of you right now..."

"What the hell are you talking about? Come on, move. We're going to be late." Atet ruins the moment when I was about to kiss my girl, pushing us out of the room to the corridor where Tiaa is waiting with a handful of soldiers my brother trusts. The pharaoh doesn't want to take any risks and has decided that the members of his close family must be followed by bodyguards all the time.

"What's the festival today?" Iselen asks quietly and Atet rolls her eyes hard when I remain silent, because I have no idea, to be honest.

"Heb-sed," she answers and I nod.

"The last one, finally, after today's rituals my brother will be the official pharaoh and he'll be considered sacred... even if Tiyi and Djedi don't care about that." Isis' messenger walks next to me, slowly because the narrow skirt doesn't let her move with long and fast strides, while the soldiers follow us making sure no one can get closer despite courtyards and gardens are packed with nobles who would love to be seen talking to us and with servants that bow their heads respectfully.