The Pharaoh's Daughter Read Online Free PDF

purchases goodwill for every southern trade route to the Red Sea. The whole Nubian army is at his disposal, which means my family—and your throne—is at risk should he decide to raise a rebellion.”
    Ay began shaking his head, smiling, mocking. “All unfounded accusations, my king.”
    Tut raised an eyebrow at Horemheb. “Proof, General. Have you any proof?”
    Anippe waited for Abbi Horem to produce the messenger Ummi Amenia had mentioned—or perhaps the papyrus scroll his soldiers had confiscated. To her surprise and disappointment, Abbi Horem’s shoulders slumped, and he began massaging the back of his neck. She felt her stomach tighten into a knot.
    â€œThe soldier who carried messages between Ay and Nakhtmin met with an untimely accident on one of his missions, my king. I believe it was no accident, but I cannot prove it.” Abbi leveled a sharp gaze at the vizier and then returned his attention to Tut. “I have never lied to you, good god and divine son of Horus. You are the beat of my heart and my life giver. You must believe me. This man is deceiving you.”
    Tut held his gaze for several heartbeats, but Ay’s nervous laughter invaded the silence.
    â€œA gripping speech, General, but how can I be held responsible for every soldier that meets with an ‘untimely accident’?” He spread his hands before the king, penitent. “My every act is done in the name of the good god, King Tut, and for the greater good of our united Two Lands. I don’t deny communications with Commander Nakhtmin. He crushed a Cushite rebellion, and together we’ve successfully increased trade routes through our southern border, importing more gold, precious stones, and spices than ever before. Is it any wonder I wished to match him with my daughter?”
    The vizier lost a measure of his good humor when he turned on Abbi Horem. “Tell us, General, how many Canaanite vassal nations have yourRamessid troops recaptured from the Hittites? Have you neutralized their threat to Egypt’s trade routes or secured our eastern border?”
    Abbi’s fiery temper fizzled, and Anippe’s stomach twisted. She hadn’t realized the Hittites threatened their major trade routes. Tut didn’t appear surprised by the accusations, but he was certainly feasting on the vizier’s honeyed tongue.
    And Ay had more honey to offer. “Did the general report his glaring defeat at Amqa and the Hittites’ rapidly growing forces?”
    Sebak slipped his arm around Anippe’s waist, moving her away from the general and vizier. He pressed his lips against her ear and whispered, “This just became dangerous.”
    When she saw her brother’s expression, Anippe was thankful for Sebak’s concern.
    Abbi, too, must have recognized the danger. “I’ve sent messengers with regular reports to King Tut, keeping him apprised of the Hittite situation. Our good god Tut knows I fight only for him—and would die for him.”
    â€œYour loyalty is touching, but it won’t save Egypt if the Hittites block trade on both land and sea.” King Tut looked every bit the angry god. “Why would you deceive me about the Amqa defeat, Horemheb?”
    Abbi Horem went to one knee. “My beloved and mighty king, I have
never
deceived you. I received word of Vizier Ay’s repeated messages to Nubia soon after the Amqa defeat, and I had to act quickly to secure your life and Anippe’s future. Don’t you remember the extra guards I sent to the Memphis Palace for your protection along with the messenger telling of my plans for Anippe’s marriage?”
    â€œI remember the messenger said nothing of defeat or a burgeoning Hittite army!” Tut slammed his flail against the armrest again, and everyone fell to their knees, heads bowed. His tone was barely controlled rage. “Vizier Ay has assured us his messages were to arrange his