Chapters

  Princess Carmel; Chapter 12 © 2022 by Amber Wright ANOTHER NOTE FROM CARMEL Even though I am Carmel, Queen of Aram-Damascus, I still love my homeland of Tyre and my favorite color is still Tyrian Purple which I wear daily (and so does my little Anath wear her mother’s color). Although I did not like King Ezron at first—because I thought he was too vain and proud—I have learned to love him over the many months I have been wed to him. I see his kind side and he is much more humble underneath his kingly pride. And he is so much more handsome when he smiles! (I never could think people were much handsome without a smile.) Days pass and each hour brings me great joy. My house is being built and I watch every detail progress with thrilling anticipation! My nurse Zara and my two best maids, Eman and Damali, come with me every day to my little cedar house as we oversee the building (even Eman loves to think she is helping design my house—and I let her believe it; sh...

Princess Carmel; Chapter 11 © 2022 by Amber Wright SCROLL TEN 1 year later “It is more splendid than I imagined.” Carmel gazed in wonder at all the different rooms, halls and chambers in turn. Light filtered through the middle of the courtyard. “See, now the children can play in peace. The walls are about them to protect them.” “We shall have a house designed like this.” King Ezron glanced down at the little round head poking from the white bundle in Carmel’s arms. “For our Anath.” Carmel smiled down at the infant of a few weeks. “I see she is looking around and seeing what type of houses she will design someday.” King Ezron laughed. “You have quite the imagination.” “Of course,” Carmel shifted Anath onto her other shoulder. “What good would designing do if one did not have an imagination?” “Exactly. Wise—” “Child.” Carmel smiled, and they continued to tour the large house. Every room was exactly as she had imagined, only better, more grand. The wi...

  Princess Carmel; Chapter 10 © 2022 by Amber Wright SCROLL NINE “Our bodies are filled with water,” Carmel said thoughtfully, “and when we grow hot, our own water perspires.” “I wonder if King Ezron will be able to cope with all of your wisdoms, my lady.” Eman teased. “He may become a very poor man once he has paid for all of your many inventions and building projects.” “How funny.” Carmel said dryly as she took a sip of the now warm water from her water skein. “Do you want a drink?” When it was Damali’s turn to drink, Carmel teased her with, “Be careful you don’t drink too much at once else you will be boiling inside once the water reaches your stomach.” Damali choked out a laugh midway her gulp, and gave back the water skein to Carmel. “Thank you, Princess Carmel.” “And after today,” Zara reminded both of the maids severely, “she will be Queen Carmel.” Carmel frowned into the thick dark material of inside of the chair. “Ooh, it does sound a bit ...

  Princess Carmel; Chapter 9 © 2022 by Amber Wright SCROLL EIGHT Even when Carmel would become the Queen of Aram-Damascus, she could still do the things as she had always had. She had been afraid King Ezron would think her talents were foolish and put a stop to them. She felt a smile spread across her entire face. “I have made you smile for the second time, no?” King Ezron patted her hand lightly. “I hope I shall always make you smile.” “You shall.” Carmel felt as light as a butterfly and took another sip of water. In the new land where she would go, she would smile. She would make music. She would sing. And she would always be herself—Carmel from Tyre, princess of the House of Hiram, daughter of Phoenicia. 00000 “ Ab , how does one know how to…” Carmel gulped, suddenly feeling very foolish. “Yes?” King Hiram paused with measuring stick in hand. “You have a question for me?” “How does one know how to—design a great house with many rooms enough...

Princess Carmel; Chapter 8 © 2022 by Amber Wright SCROLL SEVEN Carmel nodded, taking all of her mother’s words in. Wherever she would go, whatever she would do, she would be her true self for no one could take her place because she had been born Carmel . “And,” Queen Anath strung more white beads onto the necklace she was making, “you will be the first of my daughters to become queen. You will be the first, for even I became Princess of Tyre before I became queen.” “I…I never thought of that. What do I do?” Carmel stammered, swallowing with wide eyes. Carmel would not only move to another kingdom but she would become the queen as well. She would become the wife of the ruler of Aram-Damascus. The thought nearly unnerved her but she knew that El would not have given her the task if she was not capable of doing it properly. “You will do as you have always done,” Queen Anath replied. “Be Carmel. Aram-Damascus needs a fine queen as you will be.” Carmel starte...

  Princess Carmel; Chapter 7 © 2022 by Amber Wright SCROLL SIX Carmel's charioteer drove along the rollicking seacoast, stopping at her favorite spot under a canopy of palms to watch the waves—as she did every morning. She stood there as the breeze drifted into her veil, slightly ruffling it. They sat there in silence, listening to the waves. A short distance away, the driver waited by the chariot and a guard stood not far away. Finally, Carmel spoke. “It’s nice to be a princess but sometimes one feels like a prisoner when she has to bring a guard everywhere.” “At least you have such nice guards.” Eman glanced back at the guard and lowered her voice. “That one has kind eyes and beautiful teeth. If he was twenty years younger, I’d wish to marry him!” “Unfortunately, he is not twenty years younger so you need to get those foolish thoughts out of your head, Eman.” Damali gave her a frown. “Besides, you shouldn’t speak of marriage in front of the princess.” ...