The torch light flickered, casting light over her features as she stared into the mirror. The face of a young woman peered back at her, with dark eyes lined with paint, high cheek bones, sharp nose, and shaven head. With a shaky breath she lifted a black wig from the top of the makeup table before her, and placed it upon her head.

Inside her chest her heart was racing. It made her scowl at herself. It’s just the child of a lowly woman. Why do I fear it’s coming so?

Because this child could ruin everything… A somber part of her muttered. Great Aten, don’t let it live…

A knock came at the archway that was the entrance to her chambers. She gasped in surprise and spun around, seeing an older woman in linen robes standing behind the gauze curtains that served as a door. Behind her were two maids.

“Queen Nefertiti,” The older woman uttered.

“What is it?” She snapped, not meaning to sound so harsh. But she really couldn’t help her, her whole life could change after this night. It was enough to make one sick with anticipation.

Seeing a muscle in her jaw twitch because she was so tense, the elder turned to the two maids. “Leave us.” She ordered softly. They bowed to their queen, then to the old woman, and quickly scattered.

Without another word, the older lady entered the bed chamber and crossed to Nefertiti. She stood behind the queen’s chair, gently placing a comforting hand on the younger woman’s shoulder.

“Are you alright, Majesty?”

Nefertiti wiped beads of sweat from her face and rose from her seat, telling the elder, “I’m fine.” It was a lie, but she saw no reason to alarm the court’s wise woman. This night effected her as much as it did Nefertiti, and stressing more would help no one. She had to stay calm, stay collected, even though she wanted to scream and cry in self pity.

But that wouldn’t be very becoming of a powerful queen, would it? So, instead she crossed over to the balcony and leaned against the archway, staring at the stars above the great city. Her city. But for how long would it remain that way?

“Nefertiti,” The wise woman began in a tone that said she understood the queen’s emotions without being told. For the many years she had been at Nefertiti’s side, she knew better than to accept the surface appearance of her queen, because something was always lurking just under that surface.

Knowing that she shouldn’t draw this out or even sugar coat it, the old woman said, “Kiya has given birth this night.”

The younger felt her breath catch in her throat. Oh no…

But she didn’t show her panic, she knew better than that. Forcing herself to breathe, she whispered, “And?” without looking at her old confidant.

“It is a son.” She replied. “The King has named him Smenkhkare.”

Nefertiti’s heart pounded so loud she was sure the old woman could hear it. “A good strong name for the future Pharaoh. Akhenaten must be overjoyed that he finally has an heir.”

“He is, Majesty. He has yet to leave her side.”

This hit her hard. Yet to leave her side? Has that wench become that important?! Not once, not once, did he stay at her side when any one of their six daughters were born!

This is it… Nefertiti thought. This is the end… Kiya, mother of Pharaoh’s Heir, will dominate this house and I’ll be left in ruins!

“Oh, Tiye…” She groaned. It felt like all her strength just rushed away from her body. Her legs gave way and slowly she slid down the wall until she sat on the floor. She turned to the wise woman, tears in pleading eyes.

“What am I going to do?” The distressed queen asked, forgetting completely to hid her emotions like she had been taught to do as a child. All of this was, was… so overwhelming. “What am I going to do?”

Now Tiye crossed over to her queen and knelt down before her, taking her by she shoulders all the while.

“Your Majesty…” The wise woman uttered, concern on her face.

“What am I going to do?” Was all Nefertiti would mumble, over and over again.

Tiye frowned. “Majesty. Nefertiti. Pay attention!”

She seemed to break through the shock, for Nefertiti stopped her ramblings. She took a deep, shaky breath, then asked softly, “Tiye, what am I going to do? What can I do? This could be the end for everything!”

“Majesty, shh.” Tiye told her.

“No!” Filled with fire once more, she stood and began to pace angrily before the balcony, cloth flying about her ridged body wildly, making her quite the sight to behold. “This cannot be happening! What did I do for Aten to punish me so? I worship him daily, and he allows so wench to bare my husband’s heir?!”

“In all truth, King Akhenaten is Kiya’s husband as well.” Tiye said matter-of-factly.

“But I am the Chief Wife!” Nefertiti screamed, her elegant face becoming red with rage. “I am the one that should be mother of his heir, not some damned second-wife! Aten smite them all!”

“Don’t demand such things of our great god!” The wise woman hissed, surprised that Nefertiti would curse such a powerful thing.

“I am the one who made him a great god!” Nefertiti shouted back. “I disbanded the old gods and made it so the people would worship Aten alone. I did! How did I fall from his favor?!”

Tiye watched her as calmly as she could before saying, “Perhaps he does not punish you. Perhaps this is just a test. To see how capable you are. To see if you are worthy enough to be the Chief Wife of his offspring.”

“Hmm?” This thought caught her off guard, and soon her pacing slowed to a stop. Forgetting her anger, Nefertiti placed a jeweled finger on her chin, considering what the wise woman had just said. “That does sound probable.”

“I am the court’s wise woman for a reason, Majesty.”

The queen made a face at her. “So I can see. And so, Great Wise Woman, what do I do to pass this test set before me?”

“First, it’s not as bad as it seems.” Tiye told her. “Akhenaten would not remove you as Chief Wife. He loves you, truly and deeply.”

Nefertiti frowned, though. “But Kiya is cunning. With the title of Heir’s Mother behind her, she might try to sabotage me.”

“So sabotage her.” The old woman advised. “Akhenaten may favor her for awhile, but you must continue to remind him where his true interests lie. All the while, set Kiya up whenever you can, so Mother of the King’s Heir is all she’ll ever be.”

“But when the boy grows, and he becomes Pharaoh in time, he may send me away from the palace…” Nefertiti assumed. “When Akhenaten dies, I will have nothing to tie me to the throne and will be expendable.”

To this Tiye smiled. “So be the mother he could never have. Take him from his mother’s arms and raise him as your own. You have a way with men, you can make him fond of you just like you did his father.”

A grand smile graced the queen’s face. “Of course! Tiye, you are a genius! Aten shower you with blessings!” She went to the wise woman’s side and lightly kissed her cheek in gratitude.

“It’s for His Majesty, and the kingdom’s, best.” Tiye’s face was modest, though her eyes twinkled. “I’m only looking out for my son.”

“And Aten has blessed Akhenaten with such a brilliant mother.” Nefertiti said, embracing the older woman warmly. “I would be half crazy, if not for you.”

Tiye returned her embrace. “I know. Now, go. Begin your bonding with that male child this very night. Kiya is too weak from child birth to protest, even if she did suspect anything.”

“Or course.” She hurried to tie a red sash around her semi-transparent robe and rushed towards the door. But once at the arch, she stopped and looked over her shoulder at the old woman. She smiled sweetly, a rare action for the fiery queen. “Tiye,”

“Yes, Majesty?”

“Thank you. For everything.” And with that, she rushed out down the corridor.

Tiye smiled to herself. “Anything for you, Nefertiti, Queen among Queens.”