Note: For disclaimers please refer
to prologue.
Question: Is this sucking?
I couldn't help but wonder if this part was too fast or dragging. LOL.
**
He cupped her cheek in his hands, rubbing softly. "I have missed these nights." They sat together in the gardens where they first met. Duty seemed to take him away more and more, not to mention Pharaoh's watchful eyes on his daughter. Still, they did manage to steal a few moments together when no one was around. Those were times that Ankhwa was grateful for. Glancing around the darkness, he placed his lips over hers softly, seeking the warmth he'd missed almost all week. "I miss you, Nefertiri."
She sighed. "I know, Love. I have missed you. Please tell me that you'll never leave me again." She leaned against him, staring into the waters with sadness in her eyes.
He was certain his eyes echoed hers. Their romance was blossoming and growing beyond a playful little pastime. With each day he was finding himself thinking on her more and more. She consumed him with feelings he'd never before felt for a woman. He wanted nothing more than to be with her forever. But they both knew how unlikely that was. There was slim chance that Seti would allow his daughter to marry for love. Egyptian royalty tended to marry for power and alliances. It bothered Ankhwa though, that she would be forced into such an arrangement. Seti seemed genuinely fond of his daughter. Would he not want her to be happy? Ankhwa wished to the god's that that were the case. He would certainly make her happy or die trying. But things just did not work out that way. He supposed they could run away. Perhaps to Greece. But they would never again be welcomed in their homeland by anything but death. Traitors. And that would be if they made it out. The Med-Jai would no doubt be after them and he knew how relentless and unstoppable they were. Perhaps knowing their ways could keep them from being killed, but he didn't want it to come to that. He prayed it would not. Still, he wondered what she would say. "Nefertiri," he began quietly. "I've been thinking of our situation."
She pulled back and looked into his eyes. Touching his hair gently, something she did quite often he noted, she said "What have you been thinking, my Med-Jai?"
Her referring to him as that made his stomach ache almost. He was torn between loving her and the idea that to keep her someday he might have to betray those he'd fought beside many times, his friends - his family. He would die for her many times over, but there were things worse than death. "My Lover, I have been considering where our future lies and if someday it may lie somewhere outside of Egypt's borders." He looked at her wide eyes. "I am sorry. Forget I mentioned it."
She shook her head. "No. No, Ankhwa. It is something that should be considered." She touched his cheek and he kissed her hand. "All things must be considered. All things." She resumed leaning against him.
He could tell the idea frightened her. There would be no more talk of it tonight, he would be certain. Best to leave it unsaid until it was necessary. Instead, he tilted her chin and let his mouth do silent speaking as he softly kissed her and ran his hand down her bare arm. "My Nefertiri," he whispered almost unconsciously. "My Evelyn."
**
Ardeth was slow to open his eyes. Licking his lips, he chided himself that he'd slept past first light. This comfortable life was already having too much of an effect on him. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the ceiling. The dream had been filled with such intense emotion that even now in the reality of morning it left an aching in him. It had felt so real. The longing that Ankhwa had felt that night echoed through Ardeth's mind painfully. He rubbed his forehead and sat up. A distraction offered itself up, albeit a related one. Horus sat on his perch, having flown into the room at some point during the night. Ardeth frowned at his not knowing of it. These dreams were interfering with his keen senses. He should have heard Horus' wings and awoke. Climbing from his bed, he went to the falcon and checked it's leg. He unraveled the note and read.
Ardeth -He exhaled at this. Killed. He frowned. Illness. No, his long time friend was right. It definitely seemed more likely that murder or even execution was the cause. But why? Had the love between she and Ankhwa caused this? Perhaps they had tried to run. Taking another piece of paper Ardeth jotted down another message asking for information about Ankhwa. Taking Horus to the window, he sent him off. Nefertiri had died for some reason other than illness he was certain. Had she died for her love of him - Ankhwa?
I was able to look last night when I was brought your message. I'm not sure what you already know, but I can tell you that even the secret texts were sketchy about the girl. Perhaps it is something even the Med-Jai didn't wish recorded. All that was said concerning this princess was that she was the sister of Rameses and died soon after Seti, within weeks it seems. The given cause of death is illness, but it doesn't say what she was afflicted with. My guess from that would be she was actually killed, but I couldn't think right now why. Perhaps with a little more investigation I can uncover something further. I hope this helps.
Ahmed
He shook his head. He'd already begun thinking of this Ankhwa as his past life and seemingly his mind was taking these dreams as real past events. He couldn't help but feel there was something strange going on, though what it could be he couldn't imagine. Why would they both be having these dreams now? Perhaps our meeting triggered the memories. He bit his lip, moving to his closet to pick out something to wear. Ironic, he thought, how their pasts would be so entwined and that their bond would cross 3,000 years and bring them back together. He would have to be wary that something didn't go wrong and take her life prematurely again. He'd heard in some mythology that traumatic events could reoccur each time a new life began and that like a chain it had to be broken. Or course he wasn't sure that was the case, but it was something he'd look out for to protect her. Enough had happened to bring them back into each others lives. If there were some chain of trauma, it would end here. He'd make certain of that.
Dressing himself hastily, he looked in the mirror, ran his fingers through his hair and was out the door - already late. He only hoped Evelyn wasn't at the library yet. Just where would this searching lead them? What was their past trying to tell them? Embracing one's past would bring completeness, certainly, but was it just that? There was a feeling almost looming over him that something was about to happen. He didn't feel right about this and his instincts usually proved correct. Uneasy, he picked up his pace. He knew it was irrational, but he just had to make sure she was okay.
Arriving at the museum, he rushed inside with barely a hello to Abdul. "Is Miss Carnahan here?" he asked urgently.
Abdul eyed him quizzically. "She's in the library," he replied hesitantly, pointing. "Everything all right, Ardeth?"
"Yes," he said, rushing on in. "Evelyn?" he called. "Evy?" There was no answer. Unconsciously holding his breath, he walked down the aisles searching for her. "Evelyn, where are you?"
"Hmm? I'm right here, Silly," he heard her answer almost absently. "Ardeth," she greeted when he found her. "Good morning." She looked up and furrowed her brow. "Is something the matter?"
He shook his head, swallowing. "Nothing, I..." He stopped, uncertain how to proceed. There weren't many times in his life that he felt silly but right now was one of them.
Her lips spread into a smile. "I can't picture you as being at a loss for words. Is something wrong?" She looked down at the book she was holding.
"I'm sure it was nothing," he answered, returning her smile.
She shook her head, still looking through the book. "Are you always so sure it's nothing?" Her eyes then met his. "You say that a lot."
"Not always sure," he admitted.
Evelyn stopped for a moment to look at him before her hand reached up to push a stray lock of hair from his face. He stood still, watching her hand as she moved. Then abruptly she drew her hand away and blushed, looking away and venturing one last glance at him before fixing her eyes firmly on the book before her. Before Ardeth could say anything Jonathan entered the aisle from the other end. "There you are, Old Chap. A bit of a late start, eh?" He grinned good-naturedly and leaned with his hand against the old bookshelf. "A fan of the night life?" he asked, examining his fingers then and dusting them off.
Ardeth laughed. "Perhaps not nearly so much as you are, my friend. I do miss the nights with my people when we'd build great campfires and tell stories of battle and tales of ghosts and mummies to frighten the little ones."
Jonathan grinned. "Tell them about Old Imhotep? That should have frightened the little buggers into obedience."
"We thought it best to contain the knowledge of He Who Shall Not Be Named," Ardeth answered, taking a book that Evelyn was handing him.
"Yes," Jonathan agreed as Evy shoved a few into his arms. "Why do you still refer to him as that? Surely saying his name can't cause," he gasped as Evy piled more into his arms, "trouble now."
Ardeth took a few books from Jonathan, adding them to his own stack. "It is best not to say his name for fear it could draw his attention. Undead, he has the ability to listen supernaturally and saying his name could prove unwise."
Jonathan winced and looked around the shadows. "Oh."
Evy grabbed one last book, laying it on Ardeth's already large stack. "All right. To the table, Gentlemen." She walked on ahead.
Ardeth and Jonathan exchanged glances before lugging the books to where she was waiting. "I have some information for you," Ardeth said, setting his stack down.
Before Evy could respond, Jonathan dropped a few books. "Oh good Lord, Jonathan! Do be careful. Some of these books are older than you." She adjusted her glasses and helped him gather the few from the floor. "What information is that?" she finally asked, standing and smiling.
He couldn't help but return her smile, so bright and cheerful. His mind flicked back to Nefertiri and he wondered if her death had been painful. The idea made his fist clench. "I wrote my friend and asked him to look for information concerning this princess. The Med-Jai keep records that even the kings of Egypt would have removed from history. Even that information was little at best. Apparently she died a few weeks after Seti. Of an illness the Med-Jai didn't record. My friend believes she may have been killed, but for what he could not say. He will continue looking as time allows."
Evy nodded, considering it. Jonathan fingered the edge of a book. "How'd he respond so fast?" he asked curiously.
Ardeth smiled proudly. "I sent the note by way of my falcon, Horus. He is a clever and quick bird."
Evy turned. "Killed." she murmured to herself. Ardeth watched her think, wondering what her dreams contained - if they contained him. He was certain that if they did, she would never mention it or at very least she would leave out the nature of their relationship. He chided himself for hoping he did feature in her nightly visions. "She hasn't done anything unusual in my dreams." Ardeth nodded at that. Ankhwa would likely fall under the strange category. It seemed he wasn't in her dreams, but then she added, "At least nothing too unusual." She glanced at Ardeth and then looked away. He fought the urge to grin.
Leaning against the table, he wondered if perhaps this was the time to confess that he too had been having dreams. Opening his mouth, he went to speak when the main door opened. Mohammed, one of the museum's caretakers, stood there. "Sorry to break up the party," he said, eyeing the three of them, "but there's some papers you need to have a look at, Ardeth."
Ardeth exhaled and looked at both Evy and Jonathan, smiling. "It appears I do in fact have work to be done. If you will excuse me for a while. Of course the museum is yours."
"Thank you," Evy said as Ardeth turned and left. She watched him. When she turned, Jonathan was grinning. She rolled her eyes and sat down. "Are you going to help me with this or not?" she asked testily.
He grabbed a chair and sat across from her. "Sure thing, Baby Sister."
**
Evy's stomach growled. She rubbed it absently. Jonathan had left her about an hour ago to have lunch and now she was beginning to curse herself that she didn't go too. Just what was she hanging around this museum for anyhow? She looked heavenward as the first possible reason came to mind. Not that she didn't have any right to wonder about him. Ardeth was tied into these dreams for whatever reason. Gazing at the artifacts within the show room, she tried not to think of the dream she'd had last night, but felt her cheeks grow warm at even the mere memory of dreaming such a thing. It had been intense, that was for certain. Something a lady wouldn't share with just anyone. Something she almost wanted to dream again. Oh, Evy, she thought, leaning her head against a glass case and gazing within. Don't do this.
Suddenly a breeze traveled across her skin and...she turned, startled. "What? Who's there?" she asked, looking around the large room. "Jonathan, you won't scare me this time." She exhaled sharply, remembering his little game. "I heard you whispering. Jonathan, if you and Ardeth are trying to scare me it won't work." She began walking.
Then she heard it again, only a little clearer. She froze. "Nefertiri..."
Evy turned, looking behind a sarcophagus. "Jonathan?" She crept closer.
She could hear the whispering again. Ancient Egyptian. Truth be told, she was getting a little scared. A little. "Nefertiri." She leaned to her right, trying to peer behind the large coffin.
She saw brown eyes looking at her, cold and calculating. And then she gasped, now truly frightened. "Imhotep!" She suddenly felt dizzy as images entered her mind, images of sand. She suddenly felt drawn to the desert.
"Evelyn?" The calling of her name made her jump. The eyes disappeared. She turned and grasped Ardeth's shirt, still shaking. Trying to make sense of what she'd just seen, she unconsciously stood closer than she may have. Her eyes looked downward when he placed his hand over hers that was stilled curled around the fabric of his shirt. "Evelyn?" he again questioned, his tone softer. Evy felt her skin get warm again and looked up. He was gazing at her, eyes softer than his voice.
She pulled away a moment and then let out the breath she'd been holding. "You!" she hissed, smacking his shoulder. "You were trying to scare me!"
First his eyes went wide and then he did something that made her skin get even warmer. He laughed. "I merely walked up behind you!"
Eyes slit, she watched him. She waved her hand in agitation. "You weren't hiding and whispering in the dark?" she asked in a tone that dared him to say he hadn't been.
He stopped chuckling and shook his head. "Of course not." His smile faded. "Evelyn, did you hear something in here?"
"Stop it," she replied, her confidence in his guilt dying. "Stop trying to scare me, Ardeth."
All humor gone, he furrowed his brow. "I tell you true, I am not trying to frighten you. Did you hear something?" His gaze immediately began searching the room without waiting for an answer.
She turned as he moved away, looking around. "I thought...I thought. I heard whispering. The voice was saying 'Nefertiri'. I thought I saw...Imhotep." Evy shivered at Ardeth's battle ready glance. "And then you came into the room, so I thought you were trying to scare me."
"Where did you see him?" he asked.
Evy pointed to the sarcophagus. "Behind there."
She watched as Ardeth slowly advanced and looked. He turned, puzzled. "There is nothing. Evy, are you sure it was the creature?"
She nodded. "I'm almost positive. Perhaps it was nothing." She smiled lightly, echoing his phrase.
He smiled also to her relief. "There is a lot of 'nothing' going on." He paused and laughed and Evy joined in. Then his eyes became serious. He grasped her arms. "I'm not so ready to trust these little happenings as being nothing. My instincts tell me to be wary. I would prefer it if you stayed near me while in Egypt. If something is going on I want to be able to protect you." His grasp was firm and his concern apparent.
Evy gazed up into his eyes as he absently rubbed her arms with his thumbs. "All right," she answered quietly, not taking her eyes from his. She was sure her pulse must be racing a mile a minute and her adrenaline rushed when he suddenly and uncertainly bent down to kiss her. She closed her eyes in anticipation and waited. The kiss never came.
Before Ardeth's mouth touched hers the door banged open. "Hello all," Jonathan said merrily as he walked in. "Oh. I'm sorry." His voice was startled. "I uh, just got back from lunch and thought I'd better head back on over here and well, here I am. I wonder if there's some scotch about."
Evy opened her eyes and looked at her brother who stood, rubbing the back of his neck and looking away. He seemed as nervous as she felt. "Yes, well, I'm going to have something to eat. I'll return in an hour." She rushed past both Jonathan and Ardeth without saying a word or sparing a glance. She just needed to get out into the open air and think. Rushing from the museum, she sighed. The feelings she felt...she expected Nefertiri to feel them for Ankhwa, not her for Ardeth. "They were just dreams," she told herself. But she felt empty and unfulfilled. She'd wanted that kiss to happen. I'm just building a relationship on a fantasy , she thought glumly. I hardly know Ardeth. She mentally kicked herself. The pull of a love that's lasted beyond time, through 3000 years. She smirked at herself. Without even realizing it she found herself entering the bakery and sitting at her table.
"Little Evy," Nila said, approaching. "Have you come for lunch?" She then sat down. "Child, what's wrong?"
Evy sighed. "Nothing. Nothing really." Nila nodded, her eyes still questioning. "It's just...that man!" Evy wrung her hands and shook her head. "I don't even know him all that well!" She rubbed at her forehead as if getting a headache.
Nila started laughing. Why did everyone laugh at her? Evy tightened her jaw. "I'm not laughing at you, Eve." She chuckled. "Well, I suppose in a way I am."
Evy slumped in frustration. "Wonderful."
Nila pet Evy's hand. "Child, I know what it's like to see a man and let your heart do most of the talking. This is what got me Jahad." She rolled her eyes and glanced towards the kitchen.
Evy sighed. "The last time I did that it didn't work out." She thought back on Rick, thankful they'd been able to turn the relationship into friendship at least. "Rick...I really wanted to care for Rick. And I do. But..."
"You don't want Ardeth to hurt you?" Nila asked. "He is a good man. I knew his father and he comes from a good family."
"I'm sure Ardeth is a good man. Rick was a good man." Evy closed her eyes. "It wasn't that Rick hurt me, it was more that we hurt each other sometimes. I don't want this to be because of those silly dreams. That's all they are. Nothing more."
The old woman watched her. "You dream of him?"
Evy nodded. "At first I didn't but now I do. He was Pharaoh's bodyguard and Nefertiri fell in love with him."
Nila rubbed Evy's arm softly like a mother would her child. "It is hard to know what to do. You don't want to hurt him or allow him to hurt you, but you also cannot let rationalizing keep you away from happiness. But you dream of him. Perhaps fate has brought you back together."
"I wonder," Evelyn sighed.
Nila shook her head at her Eve's confusion. "Oh Evy, it will work out in the end. You'll see."
Evy looked slightly dubious. "I hope so."
Nila laughed lightly and stood. "Let me get you something to eat." Evy brightened.
**
"Do you think she's angry?" Ardeth asked Jonathan as they sat in the quiet library. It had been over an hour and there was no sign of Evy.
Jonathan took a deep breath. "No." He picked at the pages of a book laid out. "Not angry. Hurt. Sickened. Dirty, maybe. Not angry." Ardeth looked at him, his eyes frustrated. "Joking, Old Boy," Jonathan quickly said, smiling and holding his hands up. "No, I'd wager she was just confused. She was probably angry I chose that moment to barge in. Sorry about that."
Ardeth waved him off. "I should not have done it."
Taking another breath, Jonathan watched the Med-Jai struggle with himself. "Why did you do it?" Not that he'd ever gotten into Evy's affairs, but he was her big brother after all.
The warrior sighed. "Your sister is beautiful and kind. Smart. I enjoy her presence. Does that bother you?" Ardeth waited patiently.
He blinked and hesitated, then shook his head. "No. Not at all." He looked up as the door opened to reveal Evy. "Where have you been?"
She smiled. "Nila and I had a good lunch together. Why? Have you two boys been worried?" She sat down. "Have you found anything?"
Ardeth and Jonathan exchanged glances. "Actually, Evy," Jonathan began.
The Med-Jai held up his hand. "Before we move on I feel I must confess something. I tried to tell you this morning but my work prevented it. I too have been having dreams."
Evy's eyes went wide. "You have? What sort of dreams? Why didn't you mention this before?"
He looked to Jonathan and back to her. "I wasn't sure it was necessary. In these dreams I am a Med-Jai named..."
"Ankhwa," Evy answered before he could.
"Yes," Ardeth agreed. "I didn't wish to alarm you unnecessarily."
Evelyn ignored that fact. "I wonder if our dreams coincide. What did you dream of last night - if you did?"
He exhaled and decided to leave certain details out. "Nefertiri and Ankhwa sat in the gardens, speaking of the possibility of running away. I've been having these dreams for a few weeks now."
Jonathan whistled. "Well, this is getting a might creepy. I wonder when I'll start having dreams."
Biting her bottom lip, Evy shook her head. "No. That wasn't what I dreamed of you. Running away, you say? It seems like yours might be ahead of mine. I've been having these dreams for a few weeks as well, but I only started dreaming of Ankhwa a few nights ago. What other sorts of dreams have you had? Anything important?"
Ardeth thought for a moment. "Mostly they talk of her mother's death, their troubles and fears."
"Mm," Evy said, nodding.
Ardeth looked at her gravely. "I still feel there is something wrong here. I'm not sure what it is, but the way Nefertiri may have died and then your vision of the creature are enough to make me cautious."
Jonathan breathed out and looked up. "Nothing like a cautious Med-Jai to liven things up. Send on the plagues."
"Let us hope it doesn't come to that, old friend." Ardeth shook his head. "The books are still missing."
"Oh dear," Evy said, looking as
grave as he had.