chapter 1

third person POV

Aahhotep stood at the edge of the nile, watching the sun set, as the wind blew her white linen skirts around her legs. she loved how the cool air felt against her skin, and she loved the reds and oranges that the sunset created. the whole scene helped her relax.

suddenly she felt a pair of slim strong arms, wrap around hier waist. at first she wanted to scream, and run away, but she quickly realized who it was.

"ahkman, my love, don't scare me like that." she smiled reaching a hand above her head and resting it on Ahkmanrah's cheek.

"i am sorry, my sweet lotus, i did not mean to." he said, then gently placed a kiss on her neck. his grip around her waist tightened slightly, and he sounded a little depressed.

"what is it ahk?" she asked, prying herself out of the egyptian prince's embrace, so she could turn to face him.

"it's nothing you need to worry yourself over Aahhotep," Ahkman said, forcing himself to give a small, sad, smile. Aahhotep examined her prince's face, she could tell, he was hiding tears.

"ahkman, please, what is troubling you?" she asked, as she took his hand and lightly pulled him to a big rock for the both of them to sit on and talk. "you know you can't hide when your in pain very well.

ahkman sighed and sat with me, keeping my hands intwined with his. "it is kah... he just asked both your's and my father's permission to ask for your hand..."

Aahhotep instintly tensed up at the thought of marrying kahmunrah, he was vile, and cruel, and untrustworthy. she knew he was the oldest, and by birth right, the throne should have gone to him before ahkman, but he would not make a suitable pharaoh, the current pharaoh, Merenkahre, was right to consider naming Ahkman the next pharaoh.

"and, what did they say?" aahhotep asked, her eyes filled with undeniable worry.

"they agreed, that Kah and i would have a, a sort of test, who ever passes, will become the next heir for the throne, and... marry you..." he said hesitantly.

"I"M A PRIZE?!" she yelled furiously.

"i'm not happy about it either Aahhotep." Ahkman said, calmly, a he placed his hand against her cheek, and looked into her emerald green eyes.

she looked into his eyes and smiled slightly, she knew he could pass the test with ease, she knew that Merenkahre feared Kahmunrah's rule, and that he would arange a test that would more so be in ahkman's favor then Kahmun's.

"you need not worry yourself Ahkman. i know that you can pass this test, what ever it may be. you are strong, and kind, you are perfect pharaoh material, kahmun still has a lot to learn about helping the people, and not just himself." she said with a smile. "no matter what happens, i will NEVER, be Kahmun's wife."

the sun was now down, and the sky was dark and covered with sparkling stars, the moon full, and reflecting off the surface of the nile.

Ahkman smiled at his beautiful lotus, the moon lit up he beautiful features, and her green eyes seemed to be reflecting the stars.

"Aahhotep, you always know the right things to say." he said quietly, then kissed her softly. once the kiss broke, he climbed off the rock and helped her down. she linked her arm with his, and they walked together back to the palace.

when they got back to the palace, Kahmun crossed there path, Aahhotep's father with him.

"ah there you are Aahhotep, where have you been, i have some things i would like to discuss with you.

"i am sorry father, i was out for a moon lit walk with Ahkman." aahhotep said, unlinking her arm from Ahkman's, and hugging her father.

he hugged his daughter with a smile, she had her mothers looks, and almost every man in the kingdom had asked him for her hand, but he had denied every one, knowing his sweet daughter had feelings for one of the princes, though, he wasn't quite sure which.

"it's quite alright my dear." he said when she stopped hugging him. "now come, i have a lot to discuss with you."

Aahhotep nodded, and turned to the two princes. "goodnight Kah," she said giving Kahmun a quick hug, as much as i thought he was cruel, and unfit to be a pharaoh, at least not yet, he was still one of her friends.

"good night Aahhotep." he said trying to hide his small lisp, and hugging her back, enjoying every second of her slim body against his.

she pulled away from kahmun's grasp, and walked over to Ahkman. "good night Ahk." she said softly and happily, with a smile, giving him a a hug good night.

"good night, Aahhotep, sleep well." he smiled back, then pulled away and kissed the back of her hand. "i shall see you in the morning."

the two shot each other one last smile, before aahhotep walked away with her father.

once Aahhotep and her father were out of ear shot, Kahmun faced his little brother, with a glare.

"don't get to attached to Aahhotep dear brother, i will not stop, until she, and the throne, are rightfully mine." he said, then sharply turned his back, walking to his room.