The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter 22: Past and Progress

Author's Note: Hello, my readers! Just a heads up that this one is one of my much longer chapters. So find your favorite reading spot, curl up under a warm blanket, and prepare your favorite hot drink, because you're going to be here for a hot minute. After all, there is still much that needs to be revealed... -- M.H.

Carolina

At first everything is dark. A series of torches that are lining the walls suddenly burst into flames, bringing light into what appears to be a huge, stone throne room. The flooring is made of what looks like sand stone. The walls are littered with visual depictions of Egyptian gods and various landscapes in Egypt. There are several large windows, which reveal that it is night outside, making it difficult to see what it looks like outside of the ancient palace I assume I'm in. The high ceilings are held up by tall, thick pillars. The doorway at one end of the room is huge, nearly twice as large as what a human might need. At the other end of the room sat a huge empty throne, which is once again, much larger than anything a human might need. On the wall behind the throne, there is an image of a pair of bird wings hanging just above where the pharaoh would sit.

Am I in ancient Egypt? How did I get here? I look down at myself and notice I'm wearing my pajamas—my body appears to be somewhat transparent, too.

The sound of voices snaps me out of my thinking and I quickly hide behind a pillar. From where I stand, I can see two shadows bouncing off the wall: one of a woman and another of a huge humanoid figure that I can't really make out. It has the body of a man but its head is different. From what I can hear and see based on their shadows, the woman is standing not far from me in the middle of the throne room, and the strange large figure is sitting in the throne.

"I have not summoned you," a deep, velvety voice says, "So tell me, servant, why are you here?" I can feel the power that resonates with every word he says as if he is commanding everything from the servant to the smallest speck of dust in this room. Just the feeling of that power makes me shiver. I can't say for certain that I'm shivering in fear, though. His tone almost reminds me of...

The woman slowly drops down to her knees and bows. "Forgive me, my heavenly king," she responds, "It is beneath me to be in your presence in this way. But I have been praying for days and nights to you in hopes of getting the opportunity to make a request."

There's a pause for a moment. I take the opportunity to peak from behind the pillar. I can see now that the large humanoid figure sitting on the throne appears to be a large man with the head of a falcon. He has deep tan skin that appears to almost give off a soft golden glow. He slowly stands up from his throne, easily dwarfing the two guards he has posted not far behind him; he has to be at least 7 feet tall. That must be Horus, Elijah's father.

He takes slow steps towards the woman who is still bowing before him. She's in a simple white gown and sandals, which I assume is the common wear for servants. By the way her voice sounded, I can only guess she's young, maybe even around my age.

"Rise, servant," Horus commands. He reaches down and uses his finger to turn up the head of the woman. "You are in good fortune, for I am in a good mood. What is your request?"

The woman hesitantly rises and Horus takes a few steps away from her and starts to slowly circle her as if he was a calculating hunter and she was his innocent pray. "If it pleases you, your highness, I would like to have a child," she says.

Horus seems to stop in his tracks, right behind her. He leans in close to her. "Why do you come to me for such a request? Surely, a beauty like yourself can have any man she chooses and can therefore bear him a child. Or do you run dry like the deserts at the edge of my kingdom?" He questions lowly. I can hear the woman gasp sharply, no doubt from how close he is from her.