Page 21 of Ancient Rising

Ra took the headpiece and set it on her head.The glittering gold chains covered her to her neck, the blazing sun was the centrepiece, and the band of the crown was comfortable.

“Welcome, Harwin, Queen of Aten.Now, let’s wake the world.”Ra smiled as a metal plate rose out of the same arm as the tablet had.He put his hand out and nodded to her.She held out her hand, and he put his on top and pressed it into the plate.

She waited, and then, under her hand, there was a pulse and heat, and then, he pulled their hands away.

He kissed her fingertips.“And now the mechanisms have begun to move, bringing cities back to life.”

“There was no mention of this in the contract.”She pointed at her crown.

“It is covered under clothing and accessories.We need to remind your people who you are.”

She blinked.“What?”

“Other Hmrain have consorts, but you are my queen.There is only one queen in the Hmrain, and she is mine.”He chuckled.

She swallowed.“How does that work?”

“I will explain while I show you your world.It has been a while since I stretched my wings.”

With that, he carried her out the door and into the endless light.

Chapter Five

The feeling of flyingwas incredible.She nearly reached up, but her crown was sitting steady as if it were made for her.

“Look, Harwin.The world is opening for you.”Ra murmured it, and she turned her head to look.

A few kilometres away, there was a city rising out of the sand.Buildings.There were completed buildings rising, and Ra banked and flew onward to a second outpost rising near a river.

They flew on and saw seven more cities.Two of them were on the edge of an ocean.They were all rising slowly and deliberately from the sand and dirt they were nestled in.

He banked again and flew back to the pyramid.

“Why did you do that?”

“When I rested, I sent my people away to other worlds.I wanted them safe and flourishing and wanted no interruption until a handmaid would wake me.”