Author Note

In the ancient Egyptian language, there is no word for queen. Though ancient Egyptian women had more rights than their foreign contemporaries, the highest rank a woman could achieve in pre-Ptolemaic Egypt was chief wife. There are three verifiable exceptions: Sobekneferu, Hatshepsut and Tausret—women who ruled as pharaohs.

This story takes place just after Tausret’s reign. Though little is known about her, she lived in a time of corruption, invasion and civil strife. It is this historic milieu that informed my best guesses about her life.

The heroine of the story is Tausret’s adviser. She, too, must come to terms with Tausret—both how to serve her memory and how it may serve her. Trapped inside Tausret’s tomb, she must finally learn to live.

In addition to Tausret, I reference these historical figures: Rameses II (the Great Ancestor), Merneptah, Seti II, Amenmesse, Bay, Siptah, Setnakht, Suppiluliuma II and Rameses III, who is considered Egypt’s last great pharaoh.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Tausret’s magnificent tomb and would like to thank Alaa Aly Taie, the wonderful host of Villa Al Diwan, and the excellent guide Hassaan Alazzazy, for their inspiration.

I hope you enjoy the story!