My Pharaoh

Chapter 13

Paloma

I'm sitting by the river. Ever since I heard the news, I haven't been able to speak, or smile or even cry. It's paralysed me.

I had hoped the letter would be from Ramses. But it was an official document of his death.

I hadn't prepared myself for this. To lose someone. Someone who made me feel things again. And who made me feel things I'd never felt before.

I hear footsteps and see my mother approaching.

"I'm sorry Paloma." She says.

I shake my head. It doesn't feel real.

"There will be others." She whispers.

"How could you say that?" I snap and she looks at me in shock, I've never been rude to her before "he was not just a suitor, he was everything to me," I stand up and finally I can feel the tears in my eyes and my throat is tight "and now, he's gone..."

I walk away, she doesn't follow me. "He's gone." I mutter to myself, in disbelief.

6 months later

I'm back in the city. Despite how much I resisted it. I could see how the village was still struggling. And how my father was hesitating to ask me. So here I am. As empty as I've ever been, killing people everyday for money, even though the drought is long gone.

I sit in my room, writing down the information of my next kill, as Khepiri sits in the chair and watches me.

"It's not so bad..." she whispers "you never know, you might see that other assassin again. He liked you so much."

I scoff and look at her. And it hurts to even remember. "Yeah, I might."

"If not for your sake, than for mine, I'm glad you're back." She smiles.

"You know," I say "you don't have to live your life like this anymore."

"It's all I've been doing, since I was a child, I have nothing else."

"I'll help you. You can live in my village, there's plenty of young, handsome suitors. And none of whom would take advantage of you like these men do."

She sighs. "It sounds like what I want...but no man will ever marry me now."

"Why not? You're beautiful, and good-hearted."

"But, the thing men value the most, I don't have," she laughs to herself "I can't remember when I did."

I look at her sadly. What monster did that, and what age was she.

"Actually, my village might surprise you," I say "there's plenty of that stuff before marriage."

"Really?" She asks, unconvinced.

"I'm going there in two weeks to visit, I'd have to write her first, but I think my friend Aba would be willing to take you in until you find a potential husband, it's up to you."

She stares at me, and then nods. And I smile. "Okay then," I stand up "you're welcome to stay here, but I need to go get this job done. I'll bring food back for us."