Husband

Princess Ankhesenamen was extremely confused. It had been three weeks since her marriage to Prince Zannanza of Hittite and yet he hadn't so much as given her a lustful glance. To her utter bemusement, each time Ankhesenamen presented herself in her husband's chamber for the night, he requested that they play a game (or several games) of Senet.

The stakes were simple: with each captured piece the captor could ask one question. When a game was won, the winner could make one request. The person with the most wins at the end of the week won the 'round' and had the privilege of starting first in the next four games as well as being able to ask four questions and receive four requests. A new round began on the first day of the new week.

"Ha-hah!" Zannanza exclaimed as he finally cornered her pieces. "At last we find ourselves even with a score of seven-seven!"

"Your hand seems to be improving." Ankhesenamen teased. "Perhaps you shall soon be able to defeat your unbeatable man."

"I'm no longer seeing it as an impossibility," Zannanza agreed. "Though I certainly have many more games to play—and win—before I would endeavor to even attempt such a thing again. He humiliated me quite spectacularly in our last game."

Ankhesenamen chuckled politely and decided against reminding him of the rather humiliating defeat she dealt him in their first game of Senet. Their first, but most assuredly not their last. So far, Ankhesenamen had won every round, but Zannanza was rapidly improving. He had just won his fifth game in a row and, if he continued in such a way, Ankhesenamen had no doubts he would win the round when the week ended in two days.

"And what is it that my king will request of me tonight?" Ankhesenamen teased, only to stop short when she realized how her words could be taken. Slight apprehension made her stomach clench, but she forced it away. His last four requests had been very respectful and in no way invasive. A walk through the palace, a pleasant picnic on the roof, a short boat ride down the Nile and a quiet dinner together were hardly diabolical. She had actually greatly enjoyed them.

They mostly talked about themselves, their likes and dislikes and such, but occasionally their conversations would turn to politics or religion and Ankhesenamen was extremely pleased to learn that their policies and beliefs were very closely in sync. She had long stopped worrying about the direction the new Pharaoh was taking her country and instead allowed herself to enjoy his company. Each day she learned more about who her husband was as a person, rather than just as a ruler or former enemy. It also helped that he was very charming.

He was very polite and respectful and he never pushed her for anything. If anything, he was encouraging her to retain her own space, but she couldn't tell if it was because he didn't want her or because he didn't want to force her. He was a puzzle, something for her to piece together and figure out. And curses to all the Gods but Ankhesenamen greatly enjoyed puzzles.

"Hm," Zannanza said with a slight frown. "There is one particular request I have been hesitating to make. I had hoped it would come naturally but it seems that is not the case. And while I am loathe to force the issue, it is my request to make."

Ankhesenamen's hear skipped in her chest and she wondered in a moment of wild panic if this would be the night their marriage was finally consummated. Could she do it? Was she ready? As his queen and his wife it was obviously expected that they would share a bed, how else was she to provide an heir? But it had been barely four months since her last husband, Tutankhamen died. And despite their youth, she had deeply cared for him. To sleep with another man, even if that man was her lawful husband, felt wrong somehow. And yet Zannanza was her husband. By law, he had every right to her.

Squaring her shoulders and strengthening her resolve, Ankhesenamen met her husband's eyes. "I am ready to hear your request my Lord."

Zannanza sighed. "It is that."

Ankhesenamen tilted her head. 'That' meaning what, exactly? "You're Majesty?"

"It is that, Ankhesenamen. I am not your majesty or your highness or your lord or any other such thing. I am your husband. My request is that you address me as such. I may be the Pharaoh, but you are my queen. We are not unequal, you and I."

Again Ankhesenamen found herself completely taken aback. "You want me to change my address of you?"

"I would like it if you would."

"I—" She was at a complete loss for words.

"Will you think on it?" He asked with that familiar pout that Ankhesenamen couldn't help but find adorable. Her resolve melted in an instant.

"What is there to think on?" She asked. "Your request is odd, but hardly extraordinary. I merely can't imagine why you would waste the opportunity for something so trivial."

"It's hardly trivial." Zannanza said. "I've been waiting for you to stop being so formal since our first night together."

Ankhesenamen laughed. "You could hardly call our wedding night our 'first night together'."

"Well," Zannanza said almost sheepishly. "Maybe not in the traditional sense."

Ankhesenamen 'hmm'd only to be cut off by a sudden yawn. "Forgive me, I seem to have reached my limit for the night."

"Of course," Zannanza said as he stood and then helped her from her chair. "Shall I see you again tomorrow?"

She studied him for a moment and realized that he actually wanted her to come. Not Ankhesenamen the queen or princess or noble, but merely Ankhesenamen the woman. He enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed his. They were husband and wife but they were also more than that. They were friends. The concept nearly floored her. She was friends with the son one of Egypt's greatest enemies. Well, former enemies.

Ankhesenamen smiled at him, brightly and honestly happy, and he drew in a soft breath. "You shall." She said as she bowed slightly and made her way out of the room. Pausing slightly in the doorway she couldn't help but glance back with a teasing grin. "Goodnight Husband."

The bewildered look on Zannanza's face made her laugh quietly as she left. It felt so nice to be able to tease him so freely. It was a freedom she'd never had with even Tutankhamen. Zannanza's echoing laugh followed Ankhesenamen all the way back to her rooms and, as she undressed for the night, she decided firmly that she would win the next game. She had her own request to make.

End Husband

Kaliea: I don't really have much to say about this one, except that I find these two rather adorable ^-^ I don't know if I'll write anymore, but it's certainly not impossible. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!