After her mother, the Queen of Egypt, is murdered, Ankhesenamun finds herself alone. Her husband, Tutankhamun, is disabled and very young so she must focus all of her statecraft on securing his claim to the throne. While powerful officials attempt to exert their influence on her. With guile and courage, she thwarts them and assumes control herself. Rather than alienating Tutankhamun, as she had expected, her actions win his admiration and support.

As she and her teenaged husband gain in maturity and grow in their role as a ruling couple, they must constantly negotiate a balance between securing the throne and growing closer together as husband and wife. At the same time, Egypt's northern provinces waver between loyalty to these young regents and the looming threat of the powerful Hittite empire. The Egyptian army must deter the threat and Tutankhamun longs to perform his duty to fight alongside the army as is customary, but Ankhesenamun begs him to stay home because his disability would mean certain death in battle. Reluctantly, he respects her request. The Egyptians go on to win the battle, but the enemy is victorious in conquering their allies and it does not seem long until Egypt will be forced to fight them alone.