A sharp tapping at the window stirred Akhenaten from his brief moment of peace. His wife lay beside him, her bare skin glowing under the soft candlelight. But he ignored her as he sat up, his gaze snapping toward the window.
The rhythmic flapping of wings confirmed his suspicion.
His messenger had arrived.
Without a word, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, his movements abrupt. His wife stirred, propping herself up on her elbow.
"What is it?" she murmured, her brow furrowing.
Akhenaten didn’t answer. He strode to the window and unlatched it, letting in a gust of cool air. The black-feathered bird perched on the sill, a small scroll tied to its claw.
Kadesh’s message.
Akhenaten untied the parchment and unrolled it swiftly, his eyes scanning the hurried scribbling.
I have Cleopatra. No way out. Need more warriors to hold them off. Send at once.
He let out a frustrated growl, crumpling the note in his fist. More warriors? This should have been over already. He had given one simple order—to capture Cleopatra and eliminate anyone in their way. And yet, Kadesh was still struggling?
His teeth clenched as he turned away from the window—only to nearly collide with his wife, who had silently slipped out of bed. She was still naked, her arms crossed over her chest, watching him with suspicion.
"Why do you leave my bed so suddenly?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation.
Akhenaten ignored her. He grabbed his cloak from a nearby chair, draped it over his shoulders, and fastened it quickly.
"Akhenaten," she pressed, stepping closer, "What’s happening?"
Still, he said nothing. Instead, he threw open the bedroom doors and strode into the dimly lit corridor, his bare feet slapping against the cool stone.
His wife followed, pulling a silk robe around herself. "Akhenaten!"
Without breaking stride, he reached for the massive bronze gong hanging in the hallway. He struck it thrice with his fist. The sound echoed throughout the palace, rattling the very walls.
Almost instantly, heavy footsteps pounded the ground as warriors poured into the grand hall. The flickering torches cast long shadows as dozens—no, hundreds—of armed men assembled before their leader, awaiting his command.
Akhenaten’s wife stood beside him now, eyes darting between the men and her husband. "Tell me what is happening."
He finally looked at her. "Kadesh needs reinforcements."
"For what?"
"He has Cleopatra."
Her expression darkened. "Then why are we still talking? Kill her and be done with it!"
Akhenaten’s jaw tightened. "He should have already, but for some reason, he hasn’t. He says he has no way out. Maahes and his forces are closing in."
She scoffed. "Then send the men. Kill anyone who stands in the way."
"I intend to," Akhenaten said sharply. Then, he turned to his warriors.
"Listen well," his voice rang through the hall, silencing every murmur. "Kadesh holds Cleopatra, but he is trapped. Your orders are simple: distract Maahes. Hold back his allies. Kill anyone who stands in your path."
The warriors pounded their fists to their chests in acknowledgment.
Akhenaten stepped forward, eyes glinting under the firelight. "Cleopatra is a traitor. She has threatened everything we stand for. She is not to return to Egypt alive. Wipe them out. All of them."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, and his wife stepped forward. "Prepare food and water for the warriors," she instructed the maids nearby. "They march tonight."
The women hurried off, and Akhenaten turned back to his men. "Make no mistake—this is not just a battle. This is an execution."
The warriors let out a unified roar, gripping their weapons tighter.
Satisfied, Akhenaten started to turn away—but then a thought struck him like a lightning bolt.
Why hadn’t Kadesh already killed Cleopatra?
A cold unease settled in his gut. Had Kadesh grown soft? Or was he foolish enough to try and use Cleopatra for something else? His lips curled into a snarl. He should have sent a direct order from the start. His eyes flickered toward the window. The messenger bird.
He needed to send word to Kadesh now.
But when he spun on his heel and stormed back to the bedroom window, he found the perch empty. The bird was gone.
His heartbeat quickened. Damn it!
No time to waste.
He marched back into the hall, where his warriors were already fastening their armor, sharpening their blades.
Akhenaten’s voice rang out, stopping them mid-motion.
"One of you," he barked, "take this message to Kadesh. Tell him—" His jaw clenched. "Tell him to kill Cleopatra. I do not need her back in Egypt. I need her dead."
A warrior stepped forward, bowing his head. "It will be done, my Lord."
Akhenaten nodded. "Ride fast. Deliver the message before Maahes gets any closer."
The warrior mounted his horse and rode off into the night.
Akhenaten stood there for a long moment, watching the flames of the torches flicker against the dark.
This time, there would be no mistakes.
Cleopatra would not live to see another sunrise.