"Lagus, may I please speak with you privately." Tut asked as the two roamed the corridors of the palace.

"Of course, my Lord." Lagus replied. The two headed toward the ruler's bedchamber. "But may I ask why?"

Once behind closed doors, Lagus saw Suhad sitting on a stool in the corner, looking out the window.

"My Lord?" Lagus questioned, nodding toward Suhad.

Tut nodded, "She can stay. This involves her too."

Suhad acknowledged Lagus's presence. "Hello Lagus."

She moved from the stool to sit on the edge of Tut's bed so she could be more involved in the conversation.

"What did you wish to speak with me about?" Lagus got back to the reason he was summoned.

Tut smiled slightly. "Suhad is with child. She is carrying my heir to the kingdom."

Lagus smiled as well. "The gods must appreciate the work you are doing as pharaoh if Isis has granted you the gift of an heir. Your people will be quite pleased to hear of the news!"

"My people will hear of my heir when the time is right; when the kingdom is at its safest for him."

The smile Tut had earlier quickly faded. He had real business to discuss. "I did not call you here to spread the good news. I called you here to ask for protection. Suhad and myself have already been the target of many attacks, both outside and inside of these walls. I have very few people left I can trust."

"What about your queen?" Lagus asked.

"Ankhesenamun? I have reason to believe she is one of the ones behind the attacks, among others." Tut replied, now pacing around the room.

Lagus noticed his worry. "I will give my life if necessary for you sir. What is it you need from me?"

"I need to keep Suhad safe until the child is born." Tut explained. "My queen and others can take my life from this world, but their plan to rule will fail as long as my heir is alive."

"Understood, my Lord." Lagus nodded.

"I will need guards near here at all times when she is not with me. But you must not make them obvious. I do not want Ankhe or anyone else in the palace getting suspicious." Tut added.

"Of course, sir. I will keep them hidden until needed. And I will use my finest men; ones that only answer to you, or me. I too understand the meaning of loyalty." Lagus laid out his plans. "Would you also like guards outside of her chamber at night?"

"Her chamber won't be necessary. She will be staying with me until further notice." Tut sat down next to Suhad on the bed. "So they will be stationed in front of my doors instead."

"As you wish. Is there anything else, my Lord?" Lagus asked.

Tut looked into Suhad's eyes as he took her hands into his. "There is…if a decision needs to be made, save Suhad and this child over me."

"My love, no!" A tear dripped down Suhad's face. "I will not raise this child without you."

Tut wiped away the tear. "Suhad, you knew from the start that being with me would not be easy. I know you accept that I am pharaoh, but that means you must accept the danger that comes with that. My father was taken from me when I was very young. He understood the dangers that came with being pharaoh. He also knew that the moment I was born, my life became worth more than his because I was to carry on his legacy in this kingdom. He put my life ahead of his own, and I will do the same for our child.

Suhad nodded in acceptance. She still seemed saddened by the whole idea.

Lagus interrupted one final time. "I will put these plans in order immediately your majesty. But I do have one concern. This fix is not permanent and you cannot hide that Suhad is with child forever. Eventually her body will begin showing the world of your good fortune."

Tut sighed and shook his head. "We will worry about that as the day approaches. For now, do I have your word?"

"Of course, my Lord. I will be discreet."

Lagus left Tut's bedchamber to put the plans into motion.

Tut turned back toward Suhad. "I am sorry you are not happy with these plans, but what's done is done."

"I understand your reasoning, but Lagus is right. What will happen when we can no longer keep this hidden?" Suhad asked.

Tut stood up and looked out the window. "I hope my kingdom will be a more peaceful one by then."

"And if not?" Suhad joined her love by the window.

Tut wrapped his arms around her, stroking the back of her head. "I honestly don't know."

The two stood like that for a moment, neither one knowing what the future held. Then Suhad remembered something.

"My love, earlier in your discussion with Lagus you called our child 'him'."

"I did." Tut replied. Subconsciously he was hoping for a boy, just to have a traditional male heir.

"And if the gods grant you a princess as your heir?" Suhad asked, smiling curiously.

Tut returned the smile. "Then I hope she is as beautiful as her mother. And I will still teach her to be a warrior…and to one day rule this kingdom with dignity, respect, and honor."


A/N = So I realized posting this chapter that it's been a year since I started this story. Sorry about that. Honestly don't know what I am going to do with this story now, but I do want to finish it no matter how long it takes, so bare with me. Hopefully I will get more than one chapter a year done, but if not I apologize in advance and want to thank everyone who has read it thus far. :)