Chapter: Intensity Rising

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A Month Later

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Spending about a month in Ardeth's people settlement, Althea felt welcome as many came up to her and got to know her. Ardeth's mother, Nahla made sure to introduce Althea to the important people, such as the elders, and some of the commanders that came through the settlement.

Nahla had informed Althea about the fact Althea had a certain vibe around her that was welcoming and the vibe made many to gravitate toward her. Althea was happy to hear this fact since she wanted fit in, especially for Ardeth.

Though for a couple of days during this time, Althea did go back to Cairo to clean up the museum. Dr. Bey left the museum in her name. Therefore, Althea brought Ardeth with her to help fix the museum back up to reopen. Ardeth helped Althea pick out someone to be running the museum when she wasn't around. The one they chosen was one of Ardeth's Medjai, who would be the co-curator when Althea wasn't there.

"Althea."

Althea was in Ardeth's tent when he had entered. He had on his regular attire, expect the fact his top was open up to show off his chest. Althea bowed her head, trying not to ogle over Ardeth body.

"Ardeth, I prepared a meal for us. Nahla has been a great help with helping me cook and make the food better than just making simple dishes. She said I have a knack with cooking and baking." Althea said proudly, which made Ardeth to grin.

The tone of Althea voice made Ardeth to grin because he was happy she was fitting in. Some of his tribe's men told him about their wives enjoying their time hanging around Althea, and found Althea was a woman where many wanted to know and revolve around. There was also the helpful fact that Althea would blurt out random medical information or medicine herbs, which made her valuable to them too.

"I am glad you are enjoying yourself, Althea." Ardeth said softly as he stepped up behind Althea and press his hands against her sides and held her against him.

"Ardeth, do you happen to be cover in sweat and dirt?"

Ardeth bit his tongue as he was indeed covered in dirt and sweat from training the young upcoming men who were to become Medjai warriors.

"Um, maybe?" Ardeth said sheepishly.

Althea whirled around in his hold and placed her hands on Ardeth chest, pushing him back then wiping her now sweat cover hands against his top.

"Ardeth!"

"What? You don't want a hug?" Ardeth grinned mischievously, walking towards her with his arms spread open.

"Ardeth, stay back." Althea pointed at him while she tried to move sideways away from him.

Ardeth continued coming toward her with his arms spread open and the mischief grin on his lips.

"Come here, Althea." Ardeth ran after her.

Althea let out a small scream and she tried to duck under Ardeth hold, but he got his left arm around her waist and ripped her back into his chest.

Althea struggle against him, gently smacking her hands against his chest before laughing as Ardeth began to nuzzle his face into her neck and rubbing his sweaty hair against her. She knew there was no way she was going to escape Ardeth clenches as he was holding her tightly up against his body.

Grabbing hold of his face, Althea pressed her lips against Ardeth lips. The kiss kept him from rubbing his sweaty self against her anymore. Although, Althea knew that she would need to clean herself off.

The position of Ardeth hands against her lower back allowed him to push Althea tighter against him. His lips moved against her own until he began to drag his mouth down Althea neck, and pressing open mouth kisses there. A few nips made Althea to gasp, which Ardeth enjoyed the sound from her so he continued to do so.

Her hands trailed up against Ardeth chest, happy she got to touch his bare chest and feel how solid his form was. Her hands moved up then down his chest pectorals and slid over his shoulders. While Ardeth hands made a bold move of trailing down to Althea behind, where he grabbed a hold and he pressed his lips back against Althea lips once again.

The intensity between the two was becoming stronger as their lips fought for dominance. Their hands travel across their bodies. They tried to keep one another pressed close against each other, wishing to feel what was underneath their clothes.

Hearing talking coming near their tent, Ardeth regretfully pulled away, but held Althea close as the two stare toward the entrance of the tent to see, whoever it was talking outside, if they were coming to their tent. Though the voices walked on by the tent much to the couple relief.

The couple looked at one another with gentle pants. The two realized how far they had been going in their affectionate toward one another.

It made Althea to realize that for the past month that she slept in the tent with Ardeth in the other room, Althea wanted him with her. It was becoming harder and harder seeing Ardeth half-dressed after coming back from training sessions.

Ardeth cleared his throat as he slowly slid his hands off of Althea. If those voices didn't come by the tent, Ardeth knew that Althea and he would had taken it farther than what they were already doing. Their passion for one another was becoming to the point they were searching for more skin to skin contact. For that, Ardeth had a question in his mind he wanted to ask of Althea for her opinion. It had been in his mind for the past week and a half.

"Ardeth, is something the matter? You have your thinking face on." Althea said gently, pulling away from Ardeth to move back to the kitchen area to plate the food she had made for them.

Setting down two plates filled with food on the table, Althea then grabbed a small pitcher of water and set it down in the middle of the table. Ardeth sat down in his spot, eyeing the curry over the rice Althea made before looking up at her with seriousness.

"Althea, I wish to ask you a question or rather a suggestion for your opinion." Ardeth said, pouring them both some water into their cups and setting it down to stare at her.

Althea picked up her utensil to begin eating, pausing as she waited for what Ardeth has to say.

"Yes?"

"There's so much passionate intensity between us. I think that we should get married soon." Ardeth said quickly as he did not know how Althea would feel about this sudden suggestion. He didn't want to rush her into anything she does not want.

Ardeth suddenly felt hotter than usual. He picked the cup filled with cool water up and began taking large gulps to halt his thirst.

"I agree."

A small bit of water spat out of Ardeth's mouth. He did not expect Althea immediate reply to his suggestion.

Ardeth looked up at Althea while his left hand swiped away the water that squirted out of his mouth. He stared at her calm posture as she continued to eat. When Althea looked up at him from her plate, he saw the heavy desire for him in her eyes.

"You agree?"

"Yes, I had been thinking the same exact concern that you had been thinking. I don't know how much longer I could go without having more of you, Ardeth."

His eyes casted up to the ceiling of their tent, blessing above that Althea was thinking the same concern as him, and she was willing to go along with having their marriage date earlier. When his eyes made contact with Althea again, Ardeth saw humor in them as he knew she knew that he was relieved that she was on the same page as him.

Though as of late, the two noticed they were on the same page a lot, especially spending so much time together.

"When were you thinking of the date?"

"Soon, like next week."

"Next week? What about invitations to Rick? I need to have Rick here. Plus, I don't know the customs or anything."

"We can write a letter now, I will have one of my men deliver it quickly. We will inform my mother of our plans to have the wedding next week. If Rick doesn't reply soon then we will push the date back a few more days." Ardeth explained to Althea, reaching out and taking one of her hands into his own.

Althea stared down at their joined hands, loving how every time Ardeth touch her, she felt warm and happy spread inside her. With a simple nod, Ardeth smiled and brought her hand up to press his lips against.

Happiness clear across Ardeth eyes and soon Althea felt a smile creep onto her lips as she realized she would be getting marry sooner than she thought.

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Hi Everyone,

Here was a new chapter.

Not as long as the other ones, but this was sort of a chapter to get across to the point. So we could get further into their lives as the years go by—and also to get to the second movie.

Enjoy!

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Thank You!