The weight of Azech-I's words slammed into Nofri-it like the force of the Nile's floodwaters, leaving him reeling in silence. His son? His gaze flickered between Azech-I's impassive face and the boy standing at his side. The child stared back at him, wide-eyed and curious, his small fingers clutching the hem of Azech-I's robe.
Time seemed to slow, every heartbeat dragging painfully in the quiet room. Nofri-it tried to speak, to question, but the words tangled in his throat.
Azech-I watched him closely, his dark eyes unyielding. "His name is Hekama," he said, his voice devoid of the warmth he once reserved for Nofri-it. "Born under the moonlight two years after you vanished."
Nofri-it's knees buckled again, and he collapsed onto the cushions. His breathing was shallow, his mind racing to grasp this revelation.
Two years after… That meant…
"Is he really—" Nofri-it began, his voice hoarse and trembling.
"Yes," Azech-I interrupted, his tone sharp. "He is yours. Ours. And while you rotted in the dungeons of Memphis, I raised him. Alone."
Nofri-it's chest tightened at the cold accusation. He looked at the boy—Hekama—and saw the truth in his features. The sharp curve of his jaw, the deep-set eyes, the defiant tilt of his chin… all unmistakably Azech-I's, yet softened with traces of Nofri-it's own lineage.
Hekama tilted his head, studying Nofri-it with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "You don't look like a bad man," he said, his voice small but firm.
The child's words were a knife to Nofri-it's heart. He forced himself to look away, unable to meet the boy's innocent gaze.
Azech-I stepped forward, his presence looming over Nofri-it like a dark shadow. "Do you understand now?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you see what your betrayal cost us? While you plotted to kill me, you created life within my walls. And then you left me to bear the weight of it alone."
"I didn't leave," Nofri-it rasped, his voice breaking. "I was taken—"
"Enough!" Azech-I's shout echoed through the chamber, silencing him. "You think I care about your excuses? You failed. You failed me, and you failed him."
Nofri-it flinched at the venom in Azech-I's words. The years of torment in Memphis had broken his body, but this… this was far worse.
Hekama looked up at his father, confusion clouding his young face. "Why are you mad at him, Baba?" he asked softly. "Didn't you say he was special?"
Azech-I's jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck taut with restraint. For a moment, his expression softened as he glanced down at the boy. But when he looked back at Nofri-it, the hardness returned.
"Go to your chambers, Hekama," Azech-I said, his tone gentler now. "I will speak with you later."
The boy hesitated, his small hand still clutching Azech-I's robe. "Will he stay?"
"Yes," Azech-I said firmly. "He will stay."
Satisfied, Hekama nodded and stepped back. Before leaving, he turned to Nofri-it and offered a shy smile. "Good night, sir."
The door closed behind him, and the warmth that Hekama's presence had brought to the room vanished. Azech-I's gaze hardened as he turned back to Nofri-it.
"You will remain here, under constant watch," Azech-I said coldly. "You will see Hekama, but only when I allow it. Do not mistake this for mercy, Nofri-it. I am not the man you once knew."
Nofri-it's throat tightened. He wanted to fight back, to defend himself, but the weight of guilt and exhaustion was too much. He could only nod, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Azech-I's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Good," he said, turning on his heel. "Welcome back to Thebes, lioness. Let the gods witness your penance."
The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Nofri-it alone in the oppressive silence.
He leaned back against the cushions, his chest heaving as the reality of his situation settled over him. His mind raced with memories, each one sharper than the last.
Five Years Ago...
The night was warm, the air thick with the scent of jasmine and myrrh. Nofri-it stood on the balcony of Azech-I's chambers, his heart pounding in his chest.
Azech-I approached him from behind, wrapping his arms around Nofri-it's waist. "You're restless tonight," he murmured, his breath warm against Nofri-it's ear.
Nofri-it stiffened. His dagger was hidden beneath his tunic, the blade cold against his skin. The order from Cairo echoed in his mind: Kill the Pharaoh and return to Memphis. Do not fail me.
But as Azech-I's fingers traced gentle patterns along his arm, Nofri-it hesitated. The man who held him was no longer just a target. He was… more.
"What are you thinking?" Azech-I asked, his voice soft.
Nofri-it turned, his gaze meeting Azech-I's. "Nothing," he lied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Nothing at all."
The Present...
The memory faded, leaving Nofri-it with a bitter taste in his mouth. He stared at the barred window, his fists clenched.
"I will not break," he whispered to himself, though the tremble in his voice betrayed his doubt.
But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning. Azech-I's vengeance would be slow, deliberate, and merciless. And Nofri-it… he would endure it. For Hekama, if nothing else.
To Be Continued...