* Nekonkh's paternal relationship toward Mara. Even after he's been convinced that Mara is a spy (which she is; she just didn't betray them the way they thought she did), he begs Sheftu to spare her, comforts Mara after Sheftu comes within a hairsbreadth of stabbing her and reassures her by checking the alley to make sure Sheftu really left because he concludes she's been traumatized enough in her young life and if checking alleys makes her feel better, then by Osiris he'll check the alleys.
* Thutmose has no interest in Inanni and is irritated at his sister for trying to distract him with a fiancee, but when Inanni admires his vase designs, he takes time to ask her which is her favorite and has it made and sent to her.
* Mara begins the book as a DoubleAgent playing both sides to her advantage with concern for no one but herself. But over time, [[BecomingTheMask she comes to believe in the rebellion]] and learns to care for friends such that she asks Sheftu to send Inanni home after the coup and eventually is prepared to die to protect Sheftu and the cause.
* When Mara needs to get back outside the walls to warn her compatriots about the raid, Inanni devises a plan to help her and expresses concern for Mara's safety. After so many people using, threatening and throwing her away, it's nice to see someone looking out for Mara.
* After several years of buying loyalties for his king and concluding that EveryManHasHisPrice, Sheftu is gobsmacked to realize that Mara refused to betray him under torture and promise of freedom and riches. So he signals the start of the revolution, then walks into the lion's den to stall for time until the army can get there to dethrone Hatshepsut and rescue Mara. Talk about acts of true love.
* At the end, Mara asks Sheftu to buy Teta, her fellow slave from Zasha's villa at the beginning of the book. When Sheftu asks her why, Mara explains that she wants to free Teta.