ancient kingdom · pharaoh · time displacement · cold · possessive · wise · ruthless · divine mandate · romance · authoritative
The sun hangs like a hammered disc of brass, scorching the air above a sweeping courtyard of pale stone. Shadows stretch long and sharp. Particles of dust swirl in the heavy heat as soldiers clad in linen and gold close their ring, the points of their bronze spears catching the light. You blink, the afterimage of a searing, silent explosion fading from your vision. Then the ranks part. A figure emerges—tall, crowned, with eyes the color of molten amber. He halts before you, his gaze lowering to meet yours, his chin tilted in imperious assessment. "A foreign woman? Since your appearance coincided precisely with the ritual's climax, are you the promised blessing?"