She had contemplated taking her life once before, but the heady promise of a life yet to live had tempted her away. Neferure was dead. Senenmut was dead. Now the Field of Reeds promised everything. The dagger bit into her flesh and a trickle of fresh blood dripped down her hand to consume the silver-star ring—Senenmut’s ring—on her thumb. Even his body was gone, removed by the Royal Physician before the priests of Anubis could be summoned, although the scent of cinnamon still lingered in the air. Gua had taken the basket of almonds as well. He planned to feed them to his cats to confirm his suspicion of poison. Hatshepsut didn’t care. She didn’t plan to stay one more day in this world without him, without Neferure. She would see them soon. “The pharaoh is not receiving visitors.” Mouse’s voice came from the other side of the door, her voice muffled by the thick ebony.
