Reader beware. Before you lies a tale of great misfortune; it is my great misfortune, to be exact. Since the dawn of time, mankind has tampered with ancient secrets for their own selfish gain. Of all of the treasured and revered treasures of the old days, the most sought after has always been the all elusive eternal fountain of youth. In an idealistic utopian society, people would not age past their most glorious, perfected self. In this society, there would be no death and everyone would be appealing to the eye. I have had the overwhelming responsibility of guarding this secret for ages, along with a shocking number of other guardians. For you see, I was there when it began. I dwelt in the crimson age of the vampires.
The Cursed Age, or Age of the Ancient Ones, is what is commonly referred to in today's society as Ancient Egypt. As the only child and heir to my bloodline's throne, my destiny was chosen with my first cries at birth. I was taught in the ways of my family. I had daily lessons in the acceptable behaviors and mannerisms of a young descendant of the goddess Isis, and I was expected to follow them without flaw. On the eve of my twenty-third birthday, I received a gift from a far Eastern land. It was a young man of around eighteen or so; he was tall and had the most luminous bronzed skin. His body was well-muscled and along every curve in his arm, there was an intricate tattoo, emphasizing his build all the more. He was dripping in the most precious of jewels from his homeland, jawline strong and defined. What struck the deepest chord within me, however, were the bright golden orbs that were lined in the blackest kohl, glaring at me from beneath his long, thick black locks of hair. His full lips parted to state his purpose, but his speech was cut off by my servant Kheti.
"Your highness," she spoke with the softest of tongue, bowing to show her respect for my stature, "He is a gift from the East. They wish him to be used to serve your desires."
I was taken aback. What society, what people would do this? The mere thought of their intent for him being sent to me was enough to make my blood boil. This was a prince, a man of royal blood. This was blackmail. His people wanted him to seduce me, to lay with me and for me to bear his child so it would grow to be an heir to the throne of Egypt. I looked to him and demanded of him,
"You. What is your name?" Again, his full, supple lips parted to answer me, a deep seductive rumble escaping his throat from deep within his chest.
"Your highness, my name is Nino. And I am here only to serve your purpose." His teeth grazed his lower lip ever so slightly and it was then I knew that I was in danger of losing myself in the mind-boggling chaos that was contained in this one human being. At least, I assumed he was a human.
In this, I was horribly, terribly mistaken. Kheti escorted Nino to my quarters and I made my way to the throne room to speak with my mother.
"Mother. Who sent me this young man? What am I to do with him? What is the meaning of this?"
"Duat, you must accept this gift. To refuse would mean war for our nation and death for our family."
"Death?! Rejecting the order to utilize a human being for sexual means could endanger my life?! What sort of barbarians are these people?! I demand they be punished for this injustice!"
"My darling one, you cannot always have what you desire. Consider your people. It is your responsibility to protect your nation. I trust you will do what is right in the eyes of Isis as well as Set. I pray their wrath shall not be invoked upon our household or our people. It is only one night, Duat. Do what is good in the sight of the gods."