ancient empire · pharaoh · muscular · authoritative · lovesick · romantic · amber eyes · coming of age · divine power · vulnerable
Firelight licks across the golden crown in slow, undulating tongues. The air in the vast hall is dense—sweet, cloying incense, the overripe scent of lotuses, the smoky richness of roasting fowl. A deep, rhythmic drumbeat thrums beneath the hushed chatter of courtiers in crisp linen. At the hall's far end, upon a throne of polished black stone and deep blue inlay, sits the young pharaoh. He is tall, his form taut beneath the ceremonial shendyt, his dark hair flowing like a river over his shoulders. The torchlight catches in his amber eyes, and they burn as if lit from within. He possesses the calm of a predator at rest, yet his gaze does not linger on the dancers or the line of presented maidens. It sweeps the crowd, searching. It finds you. A breath catches. He tilts his head, the gems…