Chapter Seven- Relationship Traits

Mahad hissed slightly as the physician unwrapped the bandages to examine the wound and re-wrap it. Seto stood nearby with Mahad's breakfast tray in his hands. He had seen the amount of blood on the bandages yesterday, but not the wound itself…until now. It was an obvious stab wound made by a spear. Seto noticed that it seemed deep enough to be serious, but not life-threatening. That's Mahad; making things seem less severe than what they really are. He watched the physician apply new herbs and dressings before wrapping it all up and leaving the room.

Seto put the tray on the desk, moved the books from the table by the bed to the desk before putting the tray on the table, and pulling up a chair beside the bed. He fixed a stern look at his crush.

Mahad noticed his look and cocked an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"You lied about the depth of the wound."

"I did not want to worry either of you more than you already had."

"That is so typical of you."

"You're correct."

"You may want to try to be more honest with me and the pharaoh too, of course."

"That is important for a relationship: Honesty and, naturally, trust."

"Yes. Honesty and trust." He nudged the tray a little and Mahad got the hint. She slowly and carefully sat up, swung her legs over the edge and started to eat.

Seto watched her, gauging his feelings. She was quite attractive as a woman. Her headdress had been removed and her hair hung down her back, adding to her looks. He had asked around randomly three days ago and the other men agreed that Mahad was pretty. Her looks were the first thing people noticed about her. However, her personality is what drew him. Her loyalty, determination, and dedication were admirable traits and he found himself wanting those traits directed at him.

Mahad's thoughts were on Seto as she ate. He was very handsome; there was no denying that. His looks were only a small part of her attraction to him. It was his loyalty and dedication that she liked and if they were to have a relationship, a loyalty and dedication to each other would be nice. The only thing is that my pride keeps me from being honest in order to spare one's feelings Seto's right; I need to be more honest. Speaking of Seto, is he looking at me or through me? Swallowing her bite of fruit, she said, "Seto, are you all right?"

Seto blinked and shook his head slightly. "Yes, fine. Why?"

"You were looking in my direction and I couldn't tell if you were looking at me or through me."

"A bit of both, actually. At first, I was looking at you, but soon I was thinking about you."

"Really? I was thinking about you, too. Mostly your loyalty and dedication."

Seto laughed. "Were you? So was I."

Mahad laughed too. "We seem to think a lot alike. Perhaps we belong together at that."

"Perhaps we do. I really can't see myself with anyone else, especially since you've been on my mind all week."

"And you've been on mine all week, too."

The food on the tray was gone and Seto replaced the chair and the books where they had been while Mahad laid back on her bed. Seto took Mahad's hand and both smiled. "I'll see you at lunch," he said before leaving, his hand sliding out of hers.

Mahad picked up a book before sitting up and opening the book. She had asked Mana to bring these books when the student had brought her dinner last night. She was interested in studying and practicing a lot of new spells. She knew she would have to wait until she had recovered to practice them and the spell will have worn off by then.

After today, I'll have one more day left before the spell ends and I'll be my real self again. Then Seto and I can really see what kind of relationship we have. For now, I'll just look at some spells and choose which ones I'll want to practice on. Hmm, a spell to allow someone to change between male and female. Intriguing, but nothing more than that. She turned the page, but not before she unconsciously folded down a corner.

Lunchtime arrived, but no conversation took place; they simply enjoyed one another's company. Mahad watched Seto leave after lunch was done and felt her heart beat faster again. He was so attractive to her and his traits even more so. I believe I am in love. I'll keep thinking about it until about tomorrow morning and then I'll tell Seto if I am indeed in love with him.

Mahad heard footsteps approach her room around mid-afternoon and she looked over to see Kalim enter. "Kalim, hello. Have you come to check on me?"

"I have. I also wanted to tell you that I'm leading the guard until you're back. I'll admit I now understand what you do every day. It's not easy."

"Well, the Ring makes it a little easier in detecting evil, though the Scales is close in its ability."

"Yes. I believe that's why the pharaoh selected me to fill in. So, how's your injury?"

"It's not painful, though the herbs and dressings are."

Kalim chuckled. "Yes, we all know that as well as the fact that they do aid in healing."

"Of course. I hope to be able to resume my duties in a day or two."

"If the physician and the pharaoh say you can."

Mahad nodded. "In the meantime, I do have some reading to pass the time."

Dinner was another quiet affair and Mahad was gauging her feelings toward Seto. It was interesting how her feeling on Seto had changed over the week. She started out disliking him and resenting him for putting this spell on her. Then she respected him as a person, to being grateful that he cast the spell, to liking him and loving him. Yes. I've thought about it all afternoon between spell readings and receiving visitors and I can admit it: I love Seto and I will tell him tomorrow.

Seto was examining his feelings as well. He didn't like Mahad when he first cast the spell and was looking to get some amusement from Mahad's discomfort at being a woman. He got a little the first day, but by the second day, Mahad had adjusted and seemed amused by Seto's disappointment. Truthfully, Seto had suspected that Mahad would adjust quickly and that his amusement value wouldn't last long.

It was in the afternoon of the second day that he realized that he admired traits she had that he himself possessed. His thoughts dwelled on her on days three and four of the spell and yesterday he came to realize that he was truly attracted to her and today, he felt something stronger than attraction: Love. Yes, love. I love Mahad and I'll tell her tomorrow.