“Where should I begin?” Nefertiti sat in her throne room, on her throne, facing her two most beloved children. She wore a royal blue sheath dress with a red robe covering. Her hair, braided in hundreds of small braids was black and shiny. Her brown eyes, lined in black charcoal, were sharp and held purpose. She had her hands, adorned with gold rings, clasped in her lap, as she looked at them.
Her son, Prince Tutankhamun, sat on the step directly below her, “Just say what you would like for us to know Mother.” He patted her on the knee.
“You are indeed a comfort my dear.” She smiled at him, placing her hand on top of his. “I need to instruct you on how to handle things once I… Once I leave you.” A single tear slid down her cheek.
“Mother please,” Her daughter, Neferneferure, begged, “Don’t say such things. You are as healthy as ever.” She smiled weakly.
“Nefe, listen closely Love. My time, in this world with you, is at an end.” Nefertiti stood, walked around her throne room.
On the walls were pictures of her riding her chariot next to her husband, pictures of her with her daughters. Pictures of her in full armor, of her ruling her people.
“Mother?” Prince Tut said.
She looked at him, smiled slightly. Only he knew what was to become of her that night. Only he knew that she was going off to, finally, be with Lillith.
She sat again. “I have much to tell you both. Before the rise of the sun Tut will be King.” She touched his cheek. “You will rule the people as your father did. You will be just and true. You will worship Aten and acknowledge that he is the greatest of all the gods, that he alone deserves to be worshipped.”
“But Mother…”
“No interruptions Nefe. Now,” She said, looking back to Tut, “People will try to go against you, you are still young and they will challenge you, but you are strong my Price. You will rule well. I need for you to promise me something.”
“Anything my Queen.”
“Promise me that you will take care of your sisters. You will keep them at court and protect them as long as you are able.”
“Of course Mother.”
“You will not let anyone sway you in your beliefs, you will treat the people fairly and not judge too harshly.”
“You have raised me well Mother, I will not disappoint you.” He told her.
“I know you will not. Now Nefe,” She turned to her daughter. “You have watched how I ruled, the kind of Queen I have been, yes?”
“I have Mother, yes.”
“You will carry my torch from this day forward. You are just as strong as any man, you are just as smart and capable. Do not believe otherwise. Raise your daughters to know this as truth.” Nefertiti said with conviction.
“Of course, you know that I will.” Tears ran down her face.
“I would not be leaving you if I did not believe you were both ready. I would fight death itself to stay.”
“And you would win, of this, I have no doubt,” Tut told her.
“Good, now listen closely.” She leaned in and told her children her most coveted secrets.

“How do you think they took it?” Gaius asked.
“Tut knows the truth, so he is not as affected. Nefe will have some moments,” She turned to her physician, “I trust you will watch out for her.”
“You know that I will.” He told her. He watched her from across the room, “When will Lillith be here?”
“Right before dawn.” She sighed. “I can’t remember a time in my life that she has not been there. I used to beg and beg for her to change me, to take me with her, but she wouldn’t.”
“I remember my Lady. She had a plan and it has worked.”
“It has indeed.” She faced her polished glass mirror, looked at her reflection, and went back in her mind to herself as a child.