Curse of the Scarab King Read online

What was he to do with such a deadly viper in his house? His thoughts shied from the treacherous beauty he called sister, instead turning to Yoshabel, the woman he was falling in love with. Her sweet, angelic features calmed the torment whirling in his mind and heart. Convinced Yoshabel would make a gracious queen and an excellent mother to his future sons, he knew of no other better to rule by his side. Resting the back of his head against the green-tiled rim, Setti closed his eyes and saw the beautiful woman he wished to marry.

  A month earlier, Jacob, Setti's most trusted advisor and loyal friend, held a homecoming feast in honor of Yoshabel, his only daughter's return. Raised by her aunts, Yoshabel had lived a life sheltered from the world: an innocent. When introduced to her, Setti felt his insides melt, entranced by Yoshabel's uncommon beauty and silky, sand-gold hair. When their eyes met, he knew in that instant he wanted her as his wife.

  It seemed an eternity ago when life was simple and sweet in Yoshabel's soothing company, all shattered by the tragic death of his brother. Forcing his tired body to move, Setti scrubbed with a large sponge, washing away the death he had kept company. Submerging under the waters, rinsing, he resurfaced. Taking a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cleansing scent of jasmine and sandalwood incense lit to ward off evil spirits. Silently servants went about preparing the chamber for the night. His manservant held ready a bathing sheet. Setti strode out of the sunken pool and accepted the linen and dried off. Wrapping the sheet around his lean hips, the sun setting in the western sky caught his attention. Stepping outside the arched doorway and onto the stone balcony, he crossed his brawny arms when the bitter chill of apprehension invaded his weary soul. His faithful servant remained behind him.

  "Have the priests taken my brother to the Cave of the Dead?"

  "Yes, your Highness. Imtep personally accompanied Pharaoh Amenemhet's body. Ramose is readying Egypt for the transfer in power, sending word out to all nobles that you will accept the Double Crown in seventy days. He worries SobeKnefru might try to cause you political harm by stirring up trouble when you do not take her as your queen.” The manservant kept his eyes downcast. It was forbidden to look Pharaoh in the eye or touch him without permission. According to Egyptian Law, Prince Setti was now a god.

  Setti felt the same way about SobeKnefru. His sister was far too ruthless to remain a widowed queen. She would continue to scheme and plot until she got her way. When he envisioned his conniving sister, it brought to mind his brother's only son. Arrangements needed to be made to bring the child and his mother closer to him where he could personally watch over them, protecting them from SobeKnefru.

  Frowning, Setti realized his servant had not looked him in the eye. The full realization hit him of the many changes in his life. To be Pharaoh meant an elevation to god-like status. His family, captains, and his men would all look at and treat him differently.

  "I wish to be alone.” Setti waved his manservant and the other servants away, dismissing them. They hurried from the chamber, leaving Setti to his thoughts.

  Setti watched the sunset deepen into a disturbing shade of blood red. An uncomfortable stirring of dread pooled in the pit of his stomach. Considered a bad omen to see such a sinister color paint the sky, he watched the sun sink into its shadowy bed beyond the Nile. Viewing the beautiful city of Thebes stretched out below his balcony, pride and love swelled in Setti's heart for his beloved home. In his biased opinion, no other city in Egypt compared to Thebes.

  Turning a broad, powerful back to the city he loved, Setti blew out the squat, rounded candles positioned on the black lacquered tables as he made his way to the huge bed. Drawing back the white, soft linen coverlet embroidered with gold thread, he doffed the bathing sheet and climbed into bed.

  Staring at the ceiling, flashes of his beloved brother's last days persisted to haunt him, the toxic venom was slow in killing Amenemhet, the ravages of the snake bite horrifying even to a battle-hardened warrior as Setti. Exhaustion finally won. He rolled onto his side, nearly asleep when a last thought interjected into his weary mind.

  Was there a worse way to die?

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  Chapter Two

  Hurrying through the alabaster hallways belonging to the Temple of Amun Ra, Sabni went directly to his private chambers. At the far wall of his sleeping quarters, he pressed a copper tile in the shape of jackal-headed god, Anubis, set to the left, mid-level. A section of the wall retreated. Sabni entered the antechamber and struck the flint against the wick, lighting the oil lamp hanging above the small, black-stoned altar. Upon the small altar lay a large, dark metallic book. Made originally of melted silver, over the centuries its color had deepened to a sinister smoky sheen.

  Kneeling, Sabni spoke the protection spells etched on the cover plate, allowing him to safely open the Black Book without bringing harm to himself. Taking a deep breath, he turned the first plate. Nothing happened. Exhaling in a relief, Sabni searched until a particularly interesting incantation caught his attention: a curse between life and death. The cursed can be awakened and return to the land of the living, but it possessed a side-effect: immortality. Death could never touch the Cursed One.

  Hands shaking, he lit the squat, copper brazier. Taking a small, black cauldron, he hung it over the burning coals. Rummaging through the vials lined upon a shelf, he chose one containing a thick, blue liquid. Sabni poured half the contents into the heated pot. Hissing, the cool liquid bubbled when it hit the hot metal. Blue steam rose, circling the small chamber. Gathering the required ingredients, Sabni chanted as he went about creating a curse upon the man who would be Pharaoh.

  Swiping the gathered sweat from his furrowed brow, Sabni worried about the crime he was about to commit upon an innocent man. By Egyptian Law, he was forbidden to shed royal blood, sworn to protect Setti and all of his bloodline. Sending Setti to the land between Life and Death satisfied the laws of his religion and his conscience.

  A sudden bout of sanity gave Sabni pause. Did he really trust SobeKnefru? Would she make him High Priest? Did he really wish to abandon Ra and worship another god for a woman's love? To be elevated to High Priest was a special honor and his dearest aspiration, next to possessing SobeKnefru. Deciding to trust the woman he loved with all his being, he focused on the task before him. He must be precise when casting the curse. If he failed, he, along with SobeKnefru, faced execution by a wrathful Pharaoh.

  To finish the spell required more power than he possessed. Sabni needed Divine help. Bracing himself, Sabni forced his voice to come out strong, determined to see his plan out. “Great Anubis, sacred Jackal God of the Underworld, I summon you.” He implored, “Anubis, Lord of the Dead, please aid me in my quest to curse Setti. For my love of Queen SobeKnefru, I freely give whatever you demand in granting my request.” Sweating, he fought to keep calm.

  Flames erupted from the caldron, engulfing the blue mist rising from the cauldron. Expanding, it formed a crimson cloud in the shape of a jackal-headed man. Anubis’ hand whipped out and grabbed Sabni by the throat, hauling him up onto his toes.

  "FOOLISH PRIEST,” Anubis snarled in the terrified human's face. “You bargain for a woman?” The terrified priest nodded shakily in response. Looking askance at the priest, he asked, “My price is high, will you accept?"

  "For her, I would do anything.” Sabni plunged heedlessly onward. Tears fell down his cheeks, torn inside by what he must do to help SobeKnefru attain the Egyptian throne.

  Astonished by the priest's devotion to Queen SobeKnefru, Anubis roared, “SO BE IT!” Revealing what he'd take from Sabni, Anubis did not give him time to prepare and entered his body.

  Screaming, Sabni collapsed on the floor, writhing in agony as Anubis finished the potion. In a blinding flash, Anubis leapt from his body and placed a scarab-shaped ruby amulet in his hand. Sabni clutched the stone, crying out when it burned his hand. Dropping the necklace, he stared in horror at his palm.

  "You are marked forever, traitor of Ra. Make sure Setti drinks the potion befor
e you place the amulet around his neck. Speak the words precisely or Ra shall give me your soul to torment at my leisure. Do you still wish to proceed?"

  "Yea, my lord, I wish to continue."

  Shaking his head sadly at the stupid human, Anubis abandoned the chamber.

  Placing a trembling hand on the altar, Sabni drew himself up into a sitting position and fumbled around for the pinchers. He dipped a small, glass vial into the simmering liquid and filled it with the strangely clear substance. Corking the vial, he rose unsteadily to his feet. Clumsily, he made his way to the narrow cot, drained mentally and physically by what he'd conjured for the woman he loved.

  Just before he fell asleep, his conscience tried one last time to interfere with what his traitorous actions were about to reap upon an innocent man. Images of SobeKnefru rose in his mind, dispersing any doubts he might have had. To be in her arms again, he would betray even his god to have SobeKnefru!

  * * * *

  Dismayed, Setti rose unsteadily from his bed, realizing he had slept most of the day away. With much needing to be accomplished today, he splashed water on his face, shaking off the grogginess of so much sleep. Wrapping a fresh loincloth of white linen around his hips, he slipped his feet into a worn pair of sandals before leaving his chambers in search of food. Today, he planned to ask Yoshabel to marry him.

  Upon entering the informal dining chamber, a serving girl brought Setti a clay cup of cool milk and a tray of warm, honey oat cakes for him to eat. Setti was eating when Imtep appeared. The hulking, tall man bowed low at the waist and approached, keeping his face downcast.

  "Imtep, please join me.” Setti motioned for the servants to bring more food but stayed his hand when Imtep shook his head.

  "Thank you, Your Highness, but I must decline. I've come on matters concerning your coronation. Ramose and I feel you should be crowned much sooner than the customary seventy days. In fact, we believe tomorrow at sunrise would be best. May we proceed?"

  Powerful and physically intimidating, the High Priest appeared uncommonly nervous. When Setti waved him to take a seat, Imtep reluctantly accepted. Frowning at the odd request, Setti was about to ask why when his lovely sister entered the chamber. Imtep kept his stony features forward, refusing to acknowledge her as he waited upon Setti's answer. Apparently, they did not want him to wed SobeKnefru anymore than he.

  "Brother, did you sleep well?"

  "Well enough. Imtep, proceed with the preparations. At sunrise, we shall have my coronation. Notify the kitchen to prepare the feast for tonight.” Setti arched a dark eyebrow at his sister, expecting a fight. When none occurred, he relaxed.

  SobeKnefru daintily selected a piece of fruit from the laden bowls set before her. “When do you plan to wed sweet Yoshabel?” Using a sharp knife, she peeled the skin from the fat, red grape she picked.

  Setti rose from the table. “We shall discuss my upcoming marriage at a later time. Excuse me, but I have many preparations to attend before tonight's feast. May your day be well.” Leaving, Setti's mind forged ahead to Yoshabel, needing to see her.

  Smiling smugly, SobeKnefru watched her brother walk away, followed closely by Imtep whose dark eyes narrowed at her. No doubt wondering what she was up to. A large part of her could not help admire the way Setti proudly carried himself. So assured of his power, he remained confident in his unequaled skill as a warrior and diplomat. Following the pair at a discreet distance, she noted his skin glowed like dark bronze in the bright sunlight. Eyes shrewd and forceful, Setti scanned his surroundings: cautious and vigilant.

  It really was a shame that Amenemhet was the firstborn and not Setti. Then again, if Setti had been the eldest she never would have had the privilege of being queen. Setti was the purest, most handsome specimen their royal lineage had ever produced. And she was being forced to kill him. How tragic, she sighed in a rare moment of regret. The feeling was quickly replaced with the heady promise of becoming Pharaoh Queen.

  She watched Setti stride toward the stables while Imtep went in the opposite direction. She left the palace and casually made her way down the steep street toward the sprawling Temple of Amun Ra. SobeKnefru walked past the impressive building, spotting Sabni hiding behind one of the tall, white columns far from the main entrance of the temple.

  "My Queen, have you heard the news?” Sabni checked to make sure no one saw him. Shaken by the absence of dreams during his sleep, he knew Anubis toyed with him, taking his time in claiming payment. Without his dreams, he knew not if the curse would work or fail. For the first time, Sabni proceeded blindly without aid from Ra.

  "I have. Is everything ready?” SobeKnefru idly played with the end of her braided rope belt.

  "Yes."

  Noticing his right hand wrapped in linen strips, SobeKnefru frowned. “What has happened to you?"

  Unwrapping his hand, he showed her the burn. “Anubis marked me."

  Shaken by the life-like detail of the scarab burned into his flesh, she tried to ignore her terror at the sight. Swallowing hard, she smiled tremulously at Sabni. “Your loyalty to me shall not go unrewarded. Everything you have suffered will be repaid tenfold in gifts for helping me attain the Golden Throne."

  "When do you wish us to give Setti the potion?"

  "Bring Setti to me in the gardens before he attends the Coronation Feast. There, we shall toast his good fortune and a long, fruitful life."

  "Yes, my Queen.” Sabni left to help with the preparations for Setti's coronation.

  Tonight, I will be rid of Setti, clearing my way to the Double Crown. If things continued in her favor, she might have the opportunity to eliminate Nefari and her son, too. Needing to make her own preparations for tonight, she headed back to the palace. There was a light step in her walk as her bid to rule Egypt drew closer.

  * * * *

  Setti skillfully guided the matched pair of sleek, high-strung black stallions through the crowded streets to Jacob's house. Hoping Yoshabel would be home, there was much to discuss about their future together. Pulling back the reins, the eager, snorting horses came to a rearing halt. A young man rushed forward and took hold of their bridles. Setti leapt agilely off the bronze chariot and strode to the front door. It opened, and a manservant bowed respectfully to him.

  "Is Lady Yoshabel available?” Setti inquired politely.

  "Yes, Your Majesty. My mistress is working in the garden. Please follow me.” The servant led the way into the inner courtyard of the three-leveled, sandstone manor. “My lady, Pharaoh Setti graces us with his Divine presence."

  Setti's heart leapt when he saw Yoshabel amongst the bright, fragrant roses. When she rose and bowed by way of greeting him, her eyes remained fixed upon her feet. “Lady Yoshabel, I apologize for coming unannounced. May I enter your gardens?” He grew more confused by her unusual coolness toward his presence. Any other time she would have rushed to him, eager to be in his arms. Yet, her angelic features remained averted.

  "You are Pharaoh. You need not my permission to go wherever you please."

  Her words came out soft, but the harsh implications were painful nonetheless to Setti. Gently placing a long, crooked finger under her delicate chin, Setti urged her to look up at him. “Yoshabel, you of all people know I never take what is not freely given.” Tears sparkled in her beautiful blue eyes, alarming him.

  "You are not the Setti I knew a week ago. You will be crowned Pharaoh, and I will marry the man whom my father wishes."

  Taking her small hand in his, he urged her to sit beside him on the stone bench and offered her a bright smile. “Today, I come to ask your hand in marriage. Will you accept and be my Queen?"

  Shock and fear clouded her expressive eyes, her soft pink mouth opened and closed. Withdrawing her hand from his, she folded them in her lap. Tears drop onto her tightly clutched fingers. “Am I free to answer you?"

  Troubled, Setti nodded, “Yea, you are free to do so."

  "I cannot marry you.” Her whispered words ended upon a broken sob.

  T
aken aback by her response, it took Setti a full moment to gather his composure. Jumping to his feet, he demanded, “Why will you not marry me? Before all that has happened with my brother, you wanted nothing more than to become my wife. I lay the entire world at your feet, and you deny me?"

  "I am not like you,” she shot back. “The palace is a treacherous world beyond my simplicity. Death is a curse upon your family. If I am free as you say, I refuse to be a part of your tragedy."

  Her words left him cold with dread. Did she truly believe his family cursed? Before he could respond, Jacob shouted a warm greeting when he entered the gardens.

  Jacob ignored protocol and grasp Setti in a bear hug. “Welcome and please accept my condolences. Pharaoh Amenemhet was a good and fair ruler as I know you shall become."

  Pretending nothing wrong, Setti inclined his head. “Many thanks, Jacob, for your kind words. I come to invite you to the Coronation Feast tonight. Ramose and Imtep feel it is in the best interest of Egypt if I am crowned at sunrise."

  "Have you come to my house perhaps for another reason?” Jacob's gaze shifted over to his daughter who flushed, unable to look at him. Worried, he took her small hand in his much larger one. “Yoshabel, are you well?"

  "No, Father, I am not. Please excuse me.” Yoshabel rose and bowed to the men and then fled.

  Confused, Jacob motioned for a servant to come forth with refreshments. “What has transpired between you and Yoshabel?” He poured a cup of hgt, a strong and robust flavored beer into a wooden cup, handing it over to the unhappy man.

  First taking a long drink, Setti answered gruffly, “I asked her to become my Queen."

  "What did she say?” His fondest dream was for his beautiful daughter to marry his general and friend. At last, his dream tittered on the edge of becoming reality.

  "Yoshabel refused me."

  "She did what?” His daughter had an opportunity to become Queen of Egypt and she said no?

  Finishing the rest of the beer in a single gulp, Setti set down his cup. Numb by the unexpected rejection from the woman he thought loved him, he rose. “I must take my leave. Please, come to tonight as my honored guests. Goodbye, my old friend."