Arik

I lay in my bed, thinking about the little slave girl I'd come to befriend. Yesterday's words rippled through my puzzled mind.

"Because…you're my…friend." Did I actually say "friend"? It never struck me that I'd considered us that close, until yesterday, when I voiced it aloud. I think I surprised myself, more than her.

"But you're not supposed to be." I knew she was right. I was a prince. She was a slave. 2+2 4. According to royal protocol, we're not allowed to mix. But I found myself not caring. Regardless of her station in life, Aliya was full of life, kind, and smart for her age.

Climbing out of bed, and dressing as quickly as possible, I rushed out of my room, anxious to see Aliya.

Shamira

After Yocheved came to me that morning, notifying me of her concerns, I decided to keep a closer eye on Aliya. I prepared the bucket of bath oils and scents for Aliya to take to Natifa once she arrived. I expected her along soon. However, I didn't expect to see Prince Arik standing silently behind me; when I turned, I was startled and dropped the bucket with a gasp.

"Oh, goodness. Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn't hear you come in or I wouldn't have—"I cut off my babbling and bowed guiltily before kneeling to pick up the scattered bottles. A couple of them had broken, so I began wiping up the pools of scented liquid with my apron. I accidentally patted my hand against a sharp piece of glass, and drew a harsh intake of breath. To my utter disbelief, the prince knelt before me, and took my hand in his.

The blood began seeping out, and he examined my hand closely before removing the small, now-scarlet chip of glass.

"Do you have any bandages?" I stared dumbly for a minute before realizing I was staring.

"Bandages, woman! Do you have any?" he repeated, more irritably.

Finally, I nodded and made to get up, but he stopped me.

"No, I'll get them. Just tell me where they are."

I pointed to a shabby basket in the corner, near the fire pit, where most of the remedies and medical supplies were kept. As he made his way to the basket, I thought to make myself useful and began picking up the rest of the broken glass.

"Don't. You'll just make the wound worse. I'll clean it up."

My eyes darted up to meet the ones peering through the mask. He wore a full face mask today; one that revealed only his eyes, and nothing else. One half of the mask was gold, the other half consisted of a distorted purple pattern that reminded me of waves or ripples in the Nile on a clear day.

"Oh no, sir! You mustn't do that; it's my job!"

"I'm the Prince, and I'll do what I want, and right now, what I want is to see that hand."

I timidly put out my hand, which he gently took and began cleaning thoroughly. Those few moments held an awkward silence, to say the least. It was a rare occasion that servants in my position would associate with royalty. What did one say? Fortunately, I didn't have to say anything, for he was the one to start the conversation.

"Where's Aliya this morning?"

For a brief moment, I was at a loss for words. He was looking for Aliya. I wondered if she had spoken to him yesterday, told him that their attempt at friendship was futile.

"She's not here, yet, Your Highness…But I expect her along any minute." I added.

Why did I tell him that? It was best to keep these two apart, so why would I give him any reason to stay? I looked down at my hand to see him carefully wrapping the bandage around the cut.

"Is it too tight?" he asked.

"No…no, it's just fine, my lord. Thank you."

He stood rigidly, and held no distinguishable emotion in his voice.

"Don't mention it. You, slave!" he called to a servant just entering the kitchen with a tray of half-eaten food.

"Put down that load, and come help clean up this mess."

The young girl, only about three years older than Aliya, quickly set down the tray and rushed to bend over and pick up the stray bottles that had fallen away from the bucket.

"When Aliya does come, I'd appreciate it if you sent her up to my chambers. I wish to speak with her."

"Oh! But Your Majesty, if you need any---."

"I simply wish to speak to her! That will be all."

His voice rose, and I knew I was the cause of his annoyance. However, his tense figure softened, and he cleared his throat slightly before addressing me again.

"Thank you---,"

"Shamira, my lord."

"Ah…so you're Shamira."

When my eyebrows unconsciously furrowed, I could almost picture a slight smile behind that two-toned mask.

"Aliya's told me much about you."

"Has she, now? Good things, I should hope." I ventured, not entirely sure how I was easing into this everyday conversation, with the Pharaoh's son, no less!

"Well—not all good."

We both turned to see Aliya standing in the doorway. The moment she spotted my bandaged hand, she gasped.

"Shamira, what happened?"

At that point, the prince nodded to me, making sure I caught his gesture about sending Aliya up later. I bowed back.

"I'll be waiting, Shamira. Try not to keep me waiting too long?"

And he left, with no word to Aliya. I turned to see her stare after his retreating back for a moment, but then her gaze shifted back to me and the mess I'd made, most of which had been cleaned up by the older servant girl. Aliya came over to inspect it, but I gently shooed her away.

"Now, now. Don't fret over me. I was just a bit clumsy, that's all."

"What was Arik doing down here?"

I picked up the bucket—now missing three bottles—and set it on the table. She made to grab it, but I put my hand on hers, shaking my head.

"Leave that. I'll have someone else take it up to Natifa. His Highness requests you up in his chambers. Now."

"But why did he--?"

"Hush! That's enough questions out of you, young lady. You don't want to keep him waiting. All I know is that he was very keen on talking to you…alone."

Sighing, Aliya gave in, and made her way to the stairs that would lead up to the royal chambers.

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Arik

I paced relentlessly across my room, waiting for her. All the while, trying to think exactly what it was I wanted to say to her. I had changed my mask again, selecting something that would reveal my mouth. It was one of my favorites; black, curving down to hide most of my cheeks and jaw-line, with a nose that stretched like a hawk's beak. The eyeholes were large and the top "lids" outlined with silver. On the right side, just below the eye, were three silver, various-sized diamonds.

I thought it to appear less menacing and more approachable, hence why I chose to wear it now. My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

"You may enter."

The door began to open all too slowly for me, and when it did, it was just a crack to allow Aliya's dark head to peek through. I ran up to grab her hand and pull her inside, before swiftly closing the door.

"I'm glad you came."

I had difficulty reading her expression. At first, it seemed she was afraid to be here…afraid of me.

"Wh-what is it you wanted?" She stammered.

"Why is it you're all of a sudden so afraid of me?"

At this, she stood up straight and stuck her chin out, showing an air of prideful arrogance as best as any ten-year-old could.

"I'm not."

I smirked. "I'm sure."

There was a brief pause as I considered what to say next. However, she beat me to it.

"So…is there anything…wrong?"

"Why should there be?"

"Well, you've never actually sent for me, before."

This was true. Aliya had been to my bedchambers before, but only when we were tired of games and spent the rest of the day talking (after she'd finished her chores, of course).

"Yes. Something is wrong."

The worried look on her face caused me to inwardly chuckle, but I regained my serious disposition again.

"There's something going on between you and me. I'm sure you've noticed it." At this she lowered her eyes.

"You asked me yesterday why I was your friend."

"Arik—,"

"Just listen." I snapped. I didn't know how to put into words what I wanted to say, and it made my patience short.

"I'm sorry, but the way you've been acting lately…I just can't understand why."

She glanced down again, biting her lip before speaking.

"Arik, there's something I have to tell you. And it won't be easy to say."

As fate would have it, my sister walked through the door at that precise moment. Surprisingly, she was unaccompanied by any of her handmaidens.

"Brother, dear, have you seen---?" She stopped short upon seeing Aliya and pointed a polished nail at her.

"What is she doing in here?"