The Last Nile Bride

"My lady, are you alright?"

The soft, feminine voice broke the sudden silence that had surrounded the room. I must have been so lost in my own thoughts that I failed to notice that the young woman had finished working on my hair. The poor thing sounded so concerned, worried that she might have been upset or something, I was 'divine' or so she thought. Slowly, I reached for a mirror, a silver polished desk with a handle painted with gold, I stared at a woman's face with prominent cow ears; Maat, the goddess of truth and justice, stared back at me.

"It's lovely, thank you." I say as soon as I see my reflection in the mirror. The young woman who worked on my hair and make-up nodded and bowed deeply. I give her a small smile before returning my gaze to my reflection. My white curls pushed up in a loose bun, a band of jewels encircled my head with one single reddish-brown stone resting against my forehead. They said it matched my eyes which were now lined with bold black kohl, contrasting my thick white lashes. I sighed and put the mirror down.

"Well, someone's not in a good mood." I turned around and locked eyes with a set of green orbs. Thea, my friend, raised a brow.

"You know how much I hate parties." I sighed dramatically. I hated crowds and unnecessary gatherings, but I had to do everything I could to not upset the Pharaoh, my uncle. He used to say that I looked so much like my mother, and I know for a fact that I did not, I would not be surrounded by maids and guards everywhere I go if I did.

Thea began walking across the room, closing the distance between us. "Come on, Raymun, everyone will be there, talented dancers, beautiful women, and most importantly..."she pulled a chair and sat opposite of me "strong gorgeous men." She winked.

She was right, there would be good-looking gentlemen however, I doubted any one of them would even think about talking to me. With my white skin and silver hair, to them I was too dangerous to be approached. I was used to it by now. Spending my entire childhood shielded and isolated, I grew accustomed to having no one to talk to.

.

.

.

Thea was right. Everyone was there, literally everyone, from farmers to knights, merchants to priests. Everyone was included. It must have been a real significant celebration if the Pharaoh wanted everybody there.

Nervously, I looked around trying to find my friend who excused herself a while ago. She was talking to a young man who seemed to be important judging by his attire, So she left me with two maids and my personal guard, and no one interesting to talk to. I shook my head, the open temple where the Pharaoh chose to celebrate tonight was not far from the Palace. I looked up at the dark sky, and numerous luminous stars greeted me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the night's cool breeze.

The open temple where the Pharaoh chose to celebrate tonight was not far from the Palace. I looked up at the dark sky, and numerous luminous stars greeted me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the night's cool breeze.

"Everyone! We hope you are enjoying yourselves." The noise suddenly died as the crowd turned their head towards the head priest. "Now, we must all greet our ruler and saviour, Pharaoh Senefru!"

The man emerged from the shadows, his crown resting peacefully upon his black, fake hair.

"My people, the people of the land protected by the Gods!" The echo of his gruff voice filled the air.

"As you all know by now, we were not blessed last year. We waited and waited for the Nile to flood, but to no avail. With our crops dead, our land dry, and our stomachs empty..." I had to surpass a laugh. His stomach? Empty?

"It is clear that our last sacrifice angered the Nile, it was not enough. It was our greed, our ignorance, and our blindness that angered the Gods!"

The people around me hummed in agreement.

He was right. They were ignorant. The Nile...angered because they sacrificed the wrong virgin? I did not agree with the Pharaoh on so many things, but that stupid, utterly disgusting tradition, it was the worst thing I could begin to imagine.

Well, that and how I was treated my whole life.

"So, my people," I was so zoned out that I missed half of his speech, "as your ruler, your sword, and your shield, I ask of you to follow my lead. Let us offer our absolute best. A divine beauty, one who would please our gods and our Nile!" The crowd began to cheer, several of them clapping in excitement.

"Thus, I have chosen our next sacrifice." He announced. A sigh escaped my lips and I turned on my heels and began to walk away. I was not going to stay and watch this miserable act all again.

"She is the most beautiful of our land, the most innocent, and the most...divine." I stopped.

"Let us celebrate, my people, a new Bride has been chosen..." I did not dare look back, yet I could not dare take another step.

"Raymun! Our daughter, our Bride, and our hope. With flesh white as clouds, and hair pale as the moonlight."

Suddenly I felt as if the whole world's attention was on me.

"Come, Raymun, let our people get a glimpse of incomparable beauty, Let us see the divine gift of our Gods. We need you, our people need you, the land needs you, my dear niece." I turned around as the crowd parted around me, and suddenly I felt so exposed...so naked.

"You were born for a reason, my sweet Raymun. I knew it since the first time I laid my eyes on you. You are different, you are truly blessed."

"Is this because of my skin? Does that make me a decent sacrifice? " I did not know what I was saying. My heart was beating as loud as drums in my ears. My throat ached, the air seemed to die in my chest.

"Did you forget who you were talking to?" The Priest stepped forward, but the Pharaoh raised his hand, stopping him. Several golden rings shone brightly under the torch's light.

"I Can not believe you would do this, Uncle." A tear escaped my eyes . "Excuse me, my Pharaoh." I spat the word as if it was poison on my lips before bowing and turning on my heel.

I slipped through the crowd, their shocked gasps and their judging eyes felt like fire burning my skin.