A Falcon's Light

Chapter 10

It was hot. So hot. Why was it hot in here? I opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. Made of pale tan stone and painted with a scene of the animal-headed gods that I had come to know. I sat up and looked around at my unfamiliar surroundings. Where was I? This was my room. It seemed to have worked. Be careful, Neferiteru was the one to always wake me up in the morning. Neferiteru? Who's that?

As on cue, a beautiful woman burst through the open doorway. Dressed in a long white linen dress and covered in loads of shining jewelry. A thick collar of gold and jade hung at her neck and a golden band circled her pitch-black hair, although it was probably a wig. Black kohl rimmed her eyes and red stained her lips. Her smile dropped at the sight of me. She's my wife, Alice.

"Who are you? And what are you doing in the bed of my husband?" Her voice was sharp with jealousy. Well shit. I always called her Ita. That should help.

"Ita it's not what you think. Please, you have to listen to me." I tried to sound as regal as possible.

"Only my husband calls me that." She snapped.

"Yeah, I know that, Ita. Who do you think I am?" That had her looking me up and down.

"I don't know who you are. All I know is a naked woman is sleeping in my husband's bed." Naked, what? I looked down at myself and screamed. I quickly grabbed the nearby blanket to cover myself. Sadly my scream alerted the nearby guards, who rushed into the room. With one look at me, their spears were pointed at my throat. You screwed up, Alice. Shut up.

"Guys, seriously? Look, I'm not a threat. I need to speak with Sasekhmet, he will be able to recognize me." I guess it's a good thing Set gave me his mark.I still can't believe you had sex with him. Please shut up. One of the guards was nice enough to retrieve their superior. A few minutes later the familiar man stepped into the room with a scowl on his face and a spear in hand.

"Who are you? Speak." His order was clear enough.

"I'll talk to you and you alone. Tell them to leave. Nesu's orders." I demanded raising my chin in defiance. The man sighed and shooed everyone away, including the angry queen.

"Once again, I ask who you are."

"Hello, Set. It's good to see you." I smiled. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped. He quickly looked around the room, checking for unwanted listeners.

"How did you know that?" He whispered an angry sharpness cut through his voice. I didn't answer, but instead, I simply turned around showing off my back. I flinched at the fiery touch on my back, tracing the circle of his name on repeat. "This is my mark. I have never met you before though." I turned back to look into those familiar cognac eyes.

"That's because we haven't met, and we won't meet for another 4,500 years. I'm from the future. When Heru dies, he gets reborn as me instead of going to the field of reeds. I am him. I need your help to convince the others that I'm actually him. Or at the very least that I'm not suspicious. Could you help me, Set?" He took in a deep breath thinking things over.

"We could tell them the truth, that you're from the future. Whether or not they'll believe us wouldn't matter so long as I'm at your side. None of them would dare question me. Well, none except the queen. She might be a problem."

"I'll figure it out. By the way, we aren't just friends." He looked at me confused until I pressed a long kiss to his lips. He was stunned for a minute but regained his senses with an 'oh'. I laughed. "Could you do something about clothes? I'd rather not deal with all of his viziers naked." Now it was his turn to chuckle.