Chapter Twelve: One Forbidden Step
It was the middle of the night, but try as she might, Princess Anzu couldn't sleep. She climbed out of her feather bed, slipped into her favorite linen robe and stepped into the peaceful shadows of her private garden.
It's so strange, that Atemu doesn't show me more affection than he absolutely has to anymore. It's almost formal, too respectful. He never takes romantic leads anymore, Princess Anzu thought as she walked through the garden. Gods forbid me from saying it, but there are times when I imagine that I'm not always on his mind. He's not thinking what I'm thinking anymore. I feel like I'm always half a step behind him these days.
A gentle breeze filtered through the garden, quietly rustling the palms, causing Princess Anzu to shiver. She pulled her linen robe closed tighter as she sank down onto a low stone bench.
Oh, Mother, I wish that you were here, so you could tell me what I need to do. I don't want to be one step behind, Anzu thought as she looked up into the stars, as tears cascaded down her face.
In another part of the palace, Captain Atemu was unable to sleep. Forbidden thoughts of the Nubian Prince and anxious thoughts of his wedding to Princess Anzu flashed through his mind.
Finally, he couldn't take his racing thoughts anymore. Atemu climbed out of bed and stepped out onto his private balcony overlooking Pharaoh's vineyard.
Oh Gods, I'm in every kind of fucking trouble now. Can't you tell, just look at me: I'm a goddamn mess! Half ecstatic, half dejected, I feel like I'm lost at sea, fighting the waves, Atemu thought as he stared out over the silent vineyard. I thought I wanted an easy life: marry Anzu to shut my father up, give Pharaoh the grandchildren he has always wanted...Now those thoughts fill me with chilling dread.
Atemu felt his heart race as he stared out over the vineyard, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves, giving the conflicted young captain the chills.
Who knew that the consequences of all this, of every fucking thing I have done, could turn the perfect life on its head, Atemu thought as his heart pounded in his chest.
Meanwhile, in the Nubian Slave Camp, Yami was wide awake. He rolled onto his side in his makeshift bed, his mind racing with troubling thoughts.
Who am I fooling? I am certain that I love Atemu, but my father told me that love can be misplaced. Oh Gods, have I compromised my people? In my passion and my haste, I forgot that this connection that Atemu and I have could put my people in danger! Yami thought as he stared up at the palm leaf roof of his ramshackle hut.
Yami rolled out of bed and jumped to his feet. Silently, he eased the door open to his hut and stepped into the chilly night.
In another time, in another place, I could easily be his life companion, Yami thought as his thoughts flashed for a brief moment to what a life with Atemu would look like.
The Nubian Prince silently walked through the slave camp, his mind and his heart racing as he stared at the ramshackle huts his once proud people were forced to live in.
Once he reached the fence of the camp, Yami sunk to his knees, his forehead pressed against the fence, his knuckles turning white from gripping the fence so hard.
Oh Gods, please give me a sign: am I a leader, or am I a traitor? Did I take a step too far by thinking that I could possibly dream of a life with Atemu? Yami silently pleaded as his heart raced in his chest.
That night, while all of Egypt slept, and peaceful dreams danced about in their heads, three hearts were ill at ease, none of them knowing just how huge of a domino effect their actions were about t trigger.
What do the stars have in store for our characters...stay tuned to find out. The language used in this chapter was appropriate for the moment. I try my best to not go overboard on the swearing. As always, I don't own Yugioh or its characters, nor do I own Aida, its music or its characters...let me know what you think :)
