Forgotten Egypt III: Akhenaten

By Ruowen Huang

Those eyes.

They haunted him, every day and every night. During his waking hours, it was Kiya, the ever-dutiful Great Royal Wife, trying desperately to please him. At night, it was Nefertiti, in his mind or maybe not; he could never tell. But he couldn't escape them, and nor did he want to.

His pain.

It was almost palpable. And though she had tried to give him everything the other woman did, even she knew it was not the same. He looked at her, and only saw her eyes – their eyes. But never did she imagine that he would lose himself like this, and never did she think it would be her life on the line.

* * * * *

In the third installment of the Forgotten Egypt series, Akhenaten must balance the needs of his country with the desires of his heart. As everything around him seems to crumble, he searches desperately for some sense of connection, and after years, finds it with Kiya. But Queen Tiye’s plan is not yet fulfilled; with Akhenaten as Pharaoh, she still risks losing the traditional Egypt she’s fought so hard to maintain. She’s willing to do anything to stay in control, even if it affects her own soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruowen Huang
• Release date: Jun 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463437759

Ruowen Huang

Ruowen Huang is an established author, who in her late teens through early 20s, published over twenty books in Taiwan. From here, Ruowen spent ten years blogging on nearly every spiritual topic finding time in between to pen an Egyptian 4 book saga; her first English language novels, that tell a suspenseful story of Egyptian royalty and the control for power and domination through unspeakable acts of betrayal, treachery, backstabbing, and murder.3 years ago, Ruowen decided to face her task and confront her fear of being recognized, posting her first video to YouTube, in English. Through her blogs, vlogs, and books, Ruowen hopes that sharing everything she knows as a psychic, will help others identify and work their tasks in this life and grow and evolve at the soul level.Ruowen works as a graphic designer, an intuitive spiritual coach and a motivational speaker. When she has free time, Ruowen uses her creative energy blogging/vlogging or painting. She currently lives in Vancouver with her very understanding husband and two children.CONNECT WITH HER ONLINE:Blog: http://www.ruowen.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/ruowenhYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/ruowenhuangInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/ruowenhuangAuthor of following publications:性,另一種語言的想法ISBN:9577993257愛在紐約ISBN:9577996914紐約式浪漫ISBN:9578102313相公看刀ISBN:9578410069偷心大盜ISBN:9578410158雙面情人ISBN:9578410433巴黎最後激情ISBN:9578410794遺忘在東京的心ISBN:957812578X情挑夏威夷ISBN:9578126182教父情人ISBN:9578126557桃色契約ISBN:9578127669為卿瘋狂ISBN:9578128398純屬虛構ISBN:9578128800愛我好嗎ISBN:9574911519戀傾奴嬌ISBN:9574911993醉戀語荷ISBN:9574912671小不點的大情人ISBN:9578308612霸王情婦ISBN:957482005X法老王的情婦ISBN:9574820386強娶俏妻ISBN:9579757615

Book preview

PROLOGUE

THIS MUST BE THE feeling of death.

After everything had lost its color and faded into different shades of grey, and her energy was no longer contained in a body but rather blended into the air, Nefertiti knew that she was dead.

Why am I here? Nefertiti asked herself, recalling the last memory she had. While the memories slowly became clearer, she knew that there was no way she could possibly be alive, because Tiye had already taken her liver and left her bleeding to death on the stony platform before Isis.

So where am I?

Curious, Nefertiti tried to reach down to her lower back and realized that she was not able to feel anything at all. There was no pain, no sensation and no form. She was no longer contained in a body, but rather she had became a part of the air. But Nefertiti was more surprised at how easy it was for her to accept her own death. By accepting it, she started to notice the light in the distance, sending out a warm wave that almost invited her to cross over. The light was bright yet gentle, and seemed to have some kind of magical power washed all her miseries away. As tempting as it was, something seemed to keep her still. Though Nefertiti should not have been able to feel, a feeling started to creep into the area where her heart used to be. It spread across every part of her body as if trying to rip her soul apart. It created a level of pain that Nefertiti did not think was possible.

How could this be? Nefertiti wondered; how was she able to feel her heart ache as if she were still alive? Why would she feel like crying when she had no tears to shed?

That was when Nefertiti realized that she was not ready to go yet. She felt incomplete and unfinished. There were people Nefertiti wanted to see before she crossed the light. The light, Nefertiti noted, as it stayed in the distance waiting for her to make up her mind, seemed to resemble the same warmth she felt whenever she was with Akhenaten.

Akhenaten.

Now Nefertiti realized what was keeping her from moving towards the light; it was the feeling she had of Akhenaten. Nefertiti wanted to tell Akhenaten how much she loved him, and how lucky she was to be his chosen queen. She wanted to thank him for letting her take part in the world of his vision and experiencing the true meaning of equality. There were so many things Nefertiti wanted to tell Akhenaten, but she felt that she had so little time to say it all. It was then that Nefertiti felt the heart pain again and noticed that the light seemed to be moving further away from her. As the light slowly diminished out of Nefertiti’s sight, a familiar voice started to whisper in her ear.

Please don’t leave me! The voice was filled with so much pain and sorrow. Please come back to me, my love. I will not know how to live the rest of my life without you by my side, nor would I know how to make my vision come true if you were not my queen.

Every word Akhenaten said felt like a needle poking into Nefertiti’s heart. Nefertiti felt emotions rush up all at once, as if water had broken through a dam. She felt her soul being formed into shape, so it could feel everything all over again. Her desire to live again trapped her in a dimension where she could not move on, yet she felt everything her loved one did. Though Nefertiti once heard that death was about letting go, she now did not know how to accomplish that simple task when she wanted so badly to be by Akhenaten’s side. How could she leave when Akhenaten’s devastation was so tangled with hers, and was triggering every feeling she had?

As much as Nefertiti wanted to go back to Akhenaten, she also knew that her body was burned to dust and smashed into dirt. She would never be able to go back to him alive – at least, not in this life. What can I do to stop his sorrow and ease his pain? Nefertiti asked. At this point, Nefertiti did not feel sorry for her own death, but hurt by the pain she had caused Akhenaten.

Aka.

Nefertiti tried to call out his name but realized she had no voice to make a sound. I do love you, she wanted to say, forever and ever till the day I die. So please do not cry for me, it hurts me so much with every teardrop you shed and makes me feel that I have served you wrong as your chosen queen and brought this unfortunate disaster into your life.

Kiya

Chapter ONE

KIYA WAS SITTING IN front of the copper mirror, looking at herself with thoughts deep in her mind. She was a quiet person; at least that was what everyone thought of her. But that didn’t mean that she did not have a mind of her own. Kiya just learned not to express her thoughts because she was born in the House of Ay, to a man who did not value women in any way.

So this is it, Kiya reminded herself; tomorrow will be the big day. She would finally be marrying the crown prince, Thutmose, and become the royal wife of the next pharaoh of Egypt.

Kiya was raised to believe that her only purpose in life, since the day she was born, was to be the next Queen of Egypt and bear her husband a son in order to carry forward his bloodline. Although Kiya often questioned her ability to be a queen, she seemed to have no choice, as it was the only destiny God had given her. So she eventually learned to conceal her true feelings and be whoever people expected her to be. The Queen. Kiya repeated that word silently in her head. Even now, Kiya still doubted whether the role was too much for her to bear. Especially knowing Thutmose’s wild and ruthless personality, Kiya often questioned if she would be able to please him and satisfy his needs. Even though everything about her had trained for this day, Kiya felt that she was not ready at all. It felt like she was trapped in a destiny without a future. Her life was so well planned that she often questioned who she really was and what purpose she served in the universe. Was I born to make a difference in life? Kiya thought, as bitterness flashed across her heart, or am I a puppet to be controlled by someone else? Being the daughter of the highest vizier of Egypt, Ay, these questions seemed to be too much to ask.

The crown prince is dead! A servant rushed into her chamber and announced the news with panic on her face. She strode to Kiya’s side and was having a hard time soothing her breaths. My lady, the servant tried everything to calm herself, the rumor said that the crown prince is dead. The servant took a big swallow before she continued; And Queen Tiye is heading our way to discuss the matter with the master, regarding your wedding tomorrow.

Such news came unexpectedly. Kiya frowned slightly, as she never understood how servants always got their information before their master did. How? she asked with suspicion. Thutmose looked healthy and strong – Kiya could hardly imagine anything that would cause his death.

I don’t know, the servant answered with a shake of her head. The rumor came from the palace and said that the crown prince is dead. The royal guards have now been sent outside the palace to pursue a runaway servant, believing that she has something to do with the crown prince’s death. They also gossiped that Queen Tiye was planning to marry you to prince Amenhotep IV tomorrow.

Amenhotep IV.

Kiya felt puzzled; she had never seen him before. Amenhotep had been sent to the temple at a young age to study, in order to become the future Highest Priest. He was also known as an odd prince in Egypt. No one knew anything about him, nor could they describe exactly what he looked like. The only thing Amenhotep IV was known for was that he did not like to be around people, nor did he talk much. Rumors said that he would make an excellent Highest Priest, as he had obtained great sensations and abilities to communicate with the Gods. If that was true, Kiya couldn’t help but wonder – how did a perfect candidate for the priesthood intend to rule the country as pharaoh? What happened to Thutmose? Why is Queen Tiye so eager to marry her to prince Amenhotep instead of mourning Thutmose’s death?

As questions kept rolling up, Kiya was more puzzled than ever. But she also knew that her questions would not be answered any time soon. In the House of Ay, women had no right to question, but simply had to accept what was told. But accepting does not mean believing, Kiya thought. Kiya suspected that Thutmose’s death might be caused by a conspiracy, but she also knew that that conspiracy would probably always be a mystery. Kiya knew how rumors in the palace worked. If Amenhotep was to take over Thutmose’s throne so quickly, Kiya knew that he was already a suspect in Thutmose’s death.

Kiya questioned Queen Tiye’s intention to marry her to Amenhotep IV without hosting a proper mourning ceremony for the deceased crown prince. She also wondered what was going through Amenhotep’s mind, since he was being forced into the public when he found comfort in the solitary. Kiya’s thoughts did not go too far before a slight noise caught her attention. She instructed the servant to remain quiet and stood up from her chair. Kiya had paced lightly toward the doorway to find out what the noise was, when it became clear that it was Ay and Queen Tiye talking not far from her chamber.

Kiya stepped back slightly to avoid being seen. She noticed her father, Ay, talking in a voice that he did not want anyone to hear. There was obvious irritation in his tone even though he was trying everything to keep it low; You want Kiya to marry Amenhotep IV?

Tiye paused momentarily before she replied, Yes.

How about Thutmose? Ay protested. He is the crown prince, and the one who is going to be pharaoh!

Was, Tiye corrected immediately. He is dead. Tiye said it so matter-of-factly, as if she was talking about someone else’s death.

How? Ay raised his voice and his expression became filled with disbelief. How did he die? Ay interrogated. From what Ay knew, Thutmose was a strong and healthy young man; his sudden death was definitely not expected.

Not intending to answer Ay’s questions, Tiye redirected: Amenhotep IV is now the next pharaoh-to-be. It doesn’t matter how Thutmose died, Kiya will marry Amenhotep and still become the next queen of Egypt.

Tiye’s reassurance did relax Ay a little, but he still couldn’t help but wonder. So what’s the rush then? If Thutmose just died and Amenhotep IV is not going to be crowned pharaoh for another year, why rush Kiya into marrying Amenhotep right now? Having them married early is not going to change the fact that the queen will be announced once the pharaoh is crowned. So instead of organizing their wedding, shouldn’t you mourn for your dead son?

He is dead and there’s nothing I can do to bring him back. Tiye’s voice was as cold as ice, her face expressionless. I am here to make sure that nothing will ever go wrong again.

Again? Ay felt puzzled. What went wrong, and what will? Tiye’s words did not make any sense to him at all.

Just do as I say. Tiye cut him off impatiently, her brows pulled close with irritation. It’s for the best! Kiya will marry Amenhotep IV and wait to be crowned the next queen of Egypt. You will then become the father of the queen, a title you’ve always wanted.

Ay didn’t say anything further, for the fact was that he did want to be the father of the queen; it was the one position in which he would no longer need to bow before anyone. It took awhile before Ay finally said, So be it then. Kiya will marry Amenhotep tomorrow. The truth was, Ay did not care whom Kiya was married to – he only cared about what he would get from Kiya’s marriage.

Amenhotep IV.

Ay thought quietly. No one knew much about this prince who housed himself in the great temple for most of his years. Some people even questioned his existence, since they’d never seen him before. But who Amenhotep IV was did not matter to Ay as long as he was able to make Kiya the queen. Furthermore, Ay was confident that this pharaoh-to-be would be as equally obedient as Kiya, since that was what Tiye always wanted. After all, Tiye was a greedy woman. She wanted to run Egypt her way and would never let anyone ruin her plans.

Amenhotep IV was very different from Thutmose, whom Kiya had met just once before.

If Thutmose was wild and ruthless, Amenhotep was soft and gentle. They were different even in their appearance. While Thutmose was strong and well-built as a captain in the army, Amenhotep was tall and lean, with a look that seemed to contain endless wisdom. Though Thutmose was the older brother, Amenhotep felt like an older soul. Kiya also realized that as careless as Thutmose might be, he had been like an open book for anyone to read, as his emotions often showed in his expressions. Amenhotep, on the other hand, might look calm and gentle, but it was hard to detect what was on his mind. He seemed to keep every thought to himself and every conversation to a minimum. Thutmose and Amenhotep IV seemed to be polar opposites, like the sky and the earth.

* * * * *

Though it had been one month since Amenhotep and Kiya were announced husband and wife, Kiya felt she was no different than a stranger to him, as if they had never met before. Other than sharing a bed with Amenhotep, Kiya didn’t really know what they were supposed to to. Kiya could not feel any emotion from him; she simply waited for him to tell her how she felt. Unfortunately, Amenhotep was a man of few words, and they had not spoken more than ten sentences since the day they wed. Kiya also had no way to get to him other than through trying to fulfill her duty as a wife in order to bear him a son to carry forward his bloodline.

Though Kiya had been told that bearing her lawful husband a son was her only purpose in life, she herself didn’t like the idea at all. By trying to execute what she was told, Kiya often found herself struggling with self-doubt. Ay was never fond of the daughters, Kiya thought. Such a background had brought her a harsh childhood, being the oldest daughter in the house. You are useless to me if you are not able to make yourself the queen and bear a prince to be crowned pharaoh one day, Kiya recalled Ay often saying to her during her upbringing. Ay couldn’t even look Kiya in the eyes, as if she was the most filthy and disgusting thing in the world. While everyone knew that Ay believed women’s existence was to please men and bear them sons, he often made her feel that she would be a disappointment to him no matter what. Why does father hate me so much? Kiya questioned often. She sometimes caught the way Ay looked at her, as if he was staring at someone he hated. Was that the mother who died from giving birth to her? Kiya didn’t know. Kiya even wondered if Ay hated her because she was the cause of her mother’s death. He hardly ever talked about her mother, Luy – it was as if she had never been in his life. In fact, no one in the House of Ay had ever talked about her mother, nor could her tomb be found. Luy, Kiya’s birth mother, had always been the biggest mystery in her life.

Ay did not like anyone challenging him with questions, so Kiya had learned to keep every thought to herself and obey what she was told, which was to become the Queen of Egypt one day and bear her King a son to succeed his throne. Regardless of what she thought about that, Kiya knew too well what everyone expected of her. Based on how little Kiya knew about Amenhotep, she started to believe that bearing him a son might be the only way to please him.

Kiya looked at Amenhotep, who lay by her side. She often wondered what was going on in his mind. She was curious if Amenhotep ever talked like other people. If so, what would he say? Kiya also wondered if Amenhotep could ever love someone. If so, how would he express his love? Who was he and what was he like? She wished that her questions could be answered for once, though women had no right to ask any questions in the House of Ay. Kiya knew that she should not expect much, but she couldn’t resist feeling that there was something about Amenhotep that might make him different from every other man in Egypt. Something, Kiya thought, that may make every woman in Egypt want to be loved by him.

It was then that Kiya noticed a faint grin on his lip, one she had never seen before. It was as if the universe had given her a sign and encouraged her to speak her thoughts for once. Kiya hesitated for a while before she finally asked, There was something pleasing you? Though her tone was soft, Kiya couldn’t help but recognize how much courage it took for her to speak her mind.

Amenhotep looked back at her with one brow raised high, as if he had not expected to hear anything from Kiya. He paused momentarily before he commented, Indeed.

Amenhotep didn’t look like he wanted to share his pleasant mood with Kiya at all. No matter how curious Kiya was, she was afraid to ask further. Kiya had no position or power to question her husband; Ay had drawn a clear boundary for her to follow – she was born to serve, not to question. As Ay’s words appeared by her mind, Kiya bit her lip and kept her curiosity to herself, believing Amenhotep too wished for her silence. She realized that he was no different from her father. It was then that Kiya noticed some darkness flash across Amenhotep’s face, for a reason she would never be able to understand.

What have I done wrong to cause him such a bad mood? Kiya did not know. But for once in her life, she thought she might actually have something that could bring back his pleasant mood. I have news for you, she announced.

Kiya saw Amenhotep pause for a little bit before he opened his mouth again. His voice was deep and silky in a way that often dazzled her. News? he questioned, with a puzzled look.

Choosing the appropriate words to make the announcement carefully, Kiya put on a light smile before she continued. I am conceived with the child of royal blood.

Child of royal blood?

Noticing Amenhotep was confused by her announcement, Kiya rephrased: Your blood, my King. I am pregnant with your child.

As much as Kiya wished the news would bring Amenhotep a pleasant mood, his reacted was definitely not what she had expected. Amenhotep’s face clouded for a second, and darkness soon veiled his expression. Amenhotep looked nothing near happy, but rather shocked, or even disgusted, by the news.

Kiya was not sure how to react. In fact, she realized she had been holding her breath, hoping Amenhotep would react differently. But before she knew it, Amenhotep had already jumped out of the bed and stormed out of the chamber, as if she was someone he needed to get as far away from as possible. His abrupt action took her by surprise. Kiya didn’t know how to react, nor did she know what to feel at that very moment.

What did I say wrong? Kiya was dumbfounded. She could not understand why Amenhotep had acted like she had just announced the worst news in the world. Weren’t all men happy to know that their wives had conceived a child of their bloodline? Shouldn’t Amenhotep be glad to know that he would have a son to succeed his throne? At that very moment, the only way to justify his actions was that Amenhotep simply did not like her at all, just like how Thutmose had once told Kiya that she would never be a suitable queen for Egypt. Kiya was now starting to believe that what Thutmose had said must be true.

As questions rolled into her mind, Kiya recalled what her father had always said to her; she was useless and insignificant. A chill soon spread across her body, and Kiya felt cold on the hot summer night. Though she thought she had done everything right, she now felt that she had failed to be a daughter, a woman and a wife.

* * * * *

How could I eat?

Though Kiya knew that she was a carrying mother and she ought to take in some food in order to take care of her baby, she had simply lost all appetite. Kiya had not seen Amenhotep since the day she announced the news that she was pregnant with his child. The news… Kiya placed her hand on her belly and felt a life growing inside her body. At this very moment, she was