Asenath Read Online Free Page B

the room.
    Irikara led me outside once more. We entered another building which was unmistakably the kitchen. Delicious cooking smells filled my nostrils.
    I realised I was starving.
    Irikara seated me at a table. A frowning old serving woman approached and dumped food onto my plate. I was too hungry to feel offended. I gobbled everything up.
    After I had satisfied myself, I heard footsteps behind me.
    "Kiya?"
    I turned. It was Menah and the twins. I let out a whoop of joy and flew over to them.
    "It's so good to see you." I embraced them tightly.
    "You too." Menah squeezed my arm.
    Beside him, the twins were silent, though there were wide smiles on their faces.
    "We were so worried about you, Kiya," Menah said. "I asked Irikara―"
    "You urchins are too loud," the grouchy old woman screeched. "Lower your voices or I won't give you any more food for the night."
    Menah gave me a look. He leaned toward me and mumbled, "Don't mind her. That is just the old kitchen hag. She and her daughter are so mean. But everyone else here is nice."
    "Old hag? Menah, you dreadful thing! By the way, what happened to your hair?"
    He grinned and ran a hand through his newly bald head. "Shaved it. Makes me look more dashing, don't you think?"
    I giggled. "No. You look funny."
    "This is how the royal princes look, Kiya." He raised his chin.
    "Whatever you say." I rolled my eyes and laughed. I realised I had not laughed in a long time.
    After dinner, I returned to the girls' room with the twins. I saw most of the mats were occupied by sleeping females of all ages. Lying beside me was a young woman who I had not met yet. She was already snoring soundly. I wondered if I would be able to get to know her the following day.
    Long after the twins had fallen asleep and the last torch had been extinguished, I lay listening to the snores and grunts around me. Though I was very tired, I could not fall asleep.
    I felt my grief weighing down upon my chest, nearly suffocating me. In an effort to block out the pain, I squeezed my eyes shut.
    My fingers brushed against something tiny and pointed.
    The lapis lazuli lotus.
    I held it to my chest. I would guard it with my life.
    It was all I had left of everything I had ever known and loved.
    I awoke the next morning to Nyla's gentle prodding. I opened my eyes. Nearly all the mats in the room were empty.
    "Is everyone already up?" I rubbed my eyes.
    "Yes. Come Kiya. We'll show you the bath house."
    Her voice was barely audible.
    I struggled to my feet and followed the twins outside.
    Our roommates stood around in groups that looked to have been established long ago. They chatted and gossiped, completely ignoring us.
    I envied at how confident they looked. I wondered if I would ever be able to find my place in Heliopolis, or if I even had one at all.
    Later after breakfast, Irikara came rushing up to me. "Kiya! Lord Pentephres arrived earlier than expected. He wants to see you now. Come!"
    I looked at Menah nervously.
    He smiled. "It'll be all right. Go. I'll see you later."
    I followed Irikara across the courtyard. I practically jogged to keep up with her.
    "Hurry up, Kiya," Irikara said, even though we were already moving quite rapidly. "We don't want to keep the high priest waiting. Hurry!"
    Gods. She had too much energy in her.
    Midway down a tree-lined path, Irikara suddenly stopped and turned around.
    I crashed into her. I braced myself, expecting an angry outburst.
    "Now Kiya, Lord Pentephres and his wife, the Lady Satsepdu, are the most important people in Heliopolis. Remember to be on your best behaviour like you were last night. When we greet them, prostrate."
    "What do you mean 'prostrate?'"
    "Kneel and touch your head to the floor."
    She wet her thumb and dabbed at a spot on my cheek. "There. Perfect. Now come on."
    We approached a large rectangular pool that reflected the cloudless blue sky above. Ducks and water lilies floated on its surface. Around it were acacias, sycamores, palms and brightly coloured