Sorry for the time I take to write something, but I am really busy. I hope you'll enjoy this one.
THE CHAT.
Memnon was standing behind them with a knowing smirk on his lips, he was looking heatedly at the priestess and she frowned, sharing a look with Imhotep... Why was he so daring?
- So beautiful that it can be understood that a man... would seek such a beauty in the dark of the night.
Isis looked questionningly at the priest who gave her a silent look that was as surprised as hers... Did he followed them on that night?
Memnon saw the exchange and his smirk grew. Though in the back of his mind he hated the fact that they were so close.
- Is it well seen in Egypt?
Isis rose her chin and looked at him coldly.
- Is it well seen in your land to spy on a high priestess?
His smile faded slightly, he didn't expect her to admit it.
- ... Because in Egypt, such an act is called childish.
Imhotep tried to stiffle his laughter at the angered look in the king's eye.
But Memnon smiled again, no one had dared to put him back in his place in all this life. He loved her more and more by the minute.
He bowed his head.
- Please, accept my apology high priestess. I never meant to hurt your feelings.
She laughed heartily.
- My lord, do not flatter yourself, you never could. I am thougher than you think.
His jaw clenched but the admiration grew again. Imhotep couldn't help but feel proud, she was so courageous. She turned to him and smiled friendly.
- And you Imhotep don't you have something to say? It is your... "honor", that is in danger!
He smiled joining the game.
- My honor is safe with you, in Egypt we know how to respect our vows.
Memnon gritted his teeth forcing himself to smile to the priest stinging remark. Isis was biting her lip trying to calm herself from the nervous laugh that was about to escape. The pharaoh joined them and bowed his head at Isis who smiled.
- I hope my lord that you liked the dance?
- I did and I hope I will again for a long time.
She was ready to forgive him, after all he had felt guilty and though he was in love he must have known that something wasn't right... she smiled to him bowing her head and siled again.
- You will not be able to get rid of me my lord!
He laughed and joined the group of nobles that walked by them. Imhotep exended his hand to the dinner room...
- Shall we?
She nodded and walked side by side with him into the golden room, people bowed to them as they passed by, they were followed by Memnon and his men. The king could not be more angry, but years of ruling his land had helped him into hiding his feelings... he had all the time to win her, he was no more in hurry to take the land of Egypt, all he was thinking now was her. He will have her!
The priest and priestess sat at the pharaoh's table (where he already sat) and began to converse with the nobles who sat near them... the night went on until everyone retired to sleep... well, not everyone.
*************************************
As she left the dinner to go to her rooms, Nofré followed her and helped her to get out of her dancing attire to put on her nightgown ( a flowing long white gown strapped on one shoulder) she then went to bed, biding her servant goodnight, she blew off the light of the lamp and closed her eyes.
Half an hour later she sighed in frustration and got up, she had to go out and take a stroll!
She was walking through the dark and lonely alley of the palace, thinking about her life here. She was happy to be here, to live with her friends and she had even come to be close with Imhotep! Thas was like the father she never had and Nofré was the best sister she could wish for... Though, she couldn't help but miss her brother. She wondered if he knew what had happened to her... and Evy! She must be so worried, just like Alex and Jonathan.
She missed them all.
She wished she could see them again, but could she? Thas had not been able to answer that question. He said that what would happen, would happen! She sighed putting her hands behind her back and watching her naked feet pad on the white marble of the palace...
"Waiting for someone?"
She stopped. She had been surprised and her heart was beating wildly in her chest. Memnon walked out of the shadows and smiled to her mockingly.
- Has your lover forgotten your little night time together?
She frowned at him, anger replacing the surprise and stood proudly.
- I have no lover.
He laughed quietly, enjoying the answer. She saw this and cursed herself, why had she not said something else? The king walked to her never leaving her eyes. She just watched him cooly.
- What are you doing here?
He smiled.
- I couldn't sleep.
- You expect me to believe that?
- Would you mind if I stayed here?
She turned away from him, walking.
- I have not my say in this.
He followed her and she sighed again, when was he going to take the hint? She was a priestess for the God's names!!!
He looked at her and her blond hair that she had let free, just like every night. He reached and took a strand between his fingers. At once, Isis caught his hand and he let go, her eyes were burning with anger.
- Don't touch me!
He just smiled, appealed by the fire of her blue orbs. Her hand was warm and strong, but not as strong as his!
- It is a shame to hide those hair.
- I am a priestess! You can't touch me and you can't say things like that to me! If I need to be clearer, I will never come and warm your bed!
Her voice was ushered but strong, he smiled again and she let go. She walked past him but stopped when he spoke.
- But you warm a priest's one.
Her blood turned cold, if he went to the pharaoh and told him that he had seen them together, they could be sentenced to death. She composed herself and glared at him, his jaw was set and there was anger in his eyes.
- I don't see what you mean.
- You know better than to play dumb! You know that it is true.
She smiled at him and snorted.
- Nothing you say is true! I never warmed anyone's bed and even if I had, this is none of your business!
She turned again but a iron hand gripped her arms, she was engulfed in the cage of his strong arms and collided into his chest. She could not move and God!, did she tried.
She looked up into his face and cringed at the passion she saw there.
- Let me go!
- No.
She glared at him, he would not let her go and just looked at her face. Not a trace of fear... just pure anger and hate. It hurt him. It did, more than a sword's wound. He moved his lips closer to hers until they were inches apart, he searched her eyes but still, no reaction.
- Why do you hate me? he asked softly.
- I do not. I dispise you!
He recoiled as if he had been slapped, she took this advantage to break free and back away from him. But she did not ran away, an O'connel never run away!
- Why? His eyes were now those of a dangerous man, no one had ever dared to think that of him!
- I see you, Memnon. I see you and I see what Pharaoh can't still see.
She looked at him coldly and he was surprised.
- You want to take Egypt and kill our king. You want to be the master of the world and you think that because you will take the lands and kill its people you will be the master, but you're wrong!!
He looked at her questionningly.
- You think that this is Egypt! The sand, the dust! This palace! You're wrong! You will tame the land, but not the people! You will never tame us here! And she showed her heart.
Her words were sharp and hurt him deeply... he never wanted to hurt her or tame her, he wanted her to love him and to see that he loved her back.
He stretched his hand to her.
- Come with me.
She looked at him, frowning. What?
- Isis... come with me and I will give you everything. My lands, my throne, my heart. You will have it only for you. Come with me.
She gritted her teeth and looked at him coldly.
- Never!
She turned around.
- I will leave Egypt.
She stopped, petrified. He did not care about Egypt now, if it was the price to pay to have her, then so be it!
- Isis...
- No.
Her back was still facing him, but he saw her shake her head.
- I am a priestess... my life is here and I do not love you. My rightfull place is here and I will never abandon it.
Anger burned him completely.
- To Imhotep's side! He can't love you and he can't offer you anything!
- I NEVER ASKED ANYTHING!
She was facing him now, her voice had shot through the silent night.
- I never asked for your love, I never asked for HIS love and I never did anything to deserve or awake it. I am not searching for money or a "throne" as you said... this is my home. This is my family. Go back to your land, we don't need you here.
Her words sunk in. She had refused him and he wanted her more.
- When Egypt is mine... I will come for you.
She looked at him tiringly with a look that pierced him.
- When Egypt is yours, remember that you did all you could to hurt me. Remember that every dead will be my death and my suffering.
She turned around her left him standing there, he heard her last words.
- You may come get me when Egypt is yours... I will already be dead.
And she disapeared into the night.