Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner, been busy. But since this chapter has one of the moments that you have all been waiting for, I hope it makes up for it! Enjoy!
The afternoon had come and gone without further incident and now the sun was beginning to set. The sky was steadily darkening but the stars had not yet made their appearance. There was a slight coolness in the air from the descending night. The gentle cool breeze felt refreshing as it blew over her skin and through her hair. Coming up over a tall sand dune, they looked off and down upon the city of Cairo and the gate of Fort Brydon.
The sight of her home city was comforting and she looked forward to being able to take a cool bath and sleep in her soft bed. Jonathon obviously was thinking the same thing because he gave a pleased sigh.
"Finally. We are here. Now I can wash off this dust and go to the casaba to get a good long drink before crashing in bed to sleep all day." Jonathon remarked.
Rick shook his head. "No we can't sleep all day. We will still have to keep a look out for either of the two Priests. We don't know where they are or what they are going to do."
Suddenly Ardeth atop his black horse were at their side. His voice came through the deepening darkness. "We Med-Jai will keep watch. Go and get your rest."
Jonathon nodded gladly. "Don't mind if I do."
"I will have the gate watched and position some scouts outside your apartments." Ardeth told them.
Rick nodded in acknowledgement of Ardeth's words. Evie thanked Ardeth before she nudged her horse and started down the dune toward the city gate with Rick and Jonathon following. Evie hastened into the city and through the streets to her apartment building, beyond ready to fall into her bed and sleep some of her stress and weariness away.
When she got to the apartment building, she dismounted slowly since she was a bit unsteady from having been sitting in a saddle all day. Jonathon and Rick dismounted from their horses as well. Turning to her, Rick reached out for her reins.
"I'll take care of the horses Evie. Go on and go get some rest." Rick told her.
Evie nodded to him gratefully and thanked him as she handed him her reins. Entering through the front doors, she went into the courtyard. The landscaped courtyard was beautiful even in the waning daylight. Often she would take time to sit and enjoy the serenity of it but she did not have the time or energy to enjoy it now.
Crossing the courtyard, she went to the stairs and ascended them to the second floor hall. Going down the hall she came to her apartment door. Withdrawing her key she unlocked it and stepped inside. After closing and locking her apartment door behind her, she walked through her dark parlor room to her bedroom double doors. Evie opened them and flicked on her bedroom lights. The familiar sight of her cheerful room was a welcome one. Already she could feel the pent up stress starting to slowly melt away.
Evie went to her dresser and pulled out clean undergarments and a nightgown. Going into her bathroom, she undressed and jumped into the shower. She took her time, enjoying the cold water and the refreshing feel of rinsing the desert dust off. Finally she got out and after drying off, she slipped into a sleeveless emerald green nightdress. Once dressed, she went back out into her bedroom and threw her covers back to crawl into her bed. Evie lay on her side, sinking into the softness of her bed. She let her eyes close as the weariness and sleepiness took hold of her. Her breathing evened out and she fell into a deep and much needed sleep.
There was a whispery noise that made Evie's eyes flutter in her sleep. Something light and tender brushed along her neck, unintentionally tickling her. Instinctively Evie moved her shoulder up to her neck in response to the tickling feeling and then relaxed once more when the tickling sensation was gone.
She started falling back into a deeper sleep but then felt sensations of her hair being lightly stroked. Evie shifted onto her side, still more asleep than awake. Then she felt the sensation of a light touch trailing across her skin beginning on her cheek and trailing down over her jaw, side of her neck, onto and over her shoulder, then down her arm and side to stop at her waist. This time Evie really started to gain more awareness and rolled over onto her back, her eyes still closed. Then she felt something soft and warm press against her lips...a soft kiss.
Suddenly there the sound of knocking on her apartment door that was fairly loud. Loud enough for the person knocking to try to make sure she heard it here in her bedroom. Evie's eyes instantly flew open and she sat up with a startled jump. Her eyes scanned the room trying to find something out of place, something there that shouldn't be. She thought she saw swirling mist near her window. She rubbed her eyes and then opened them again to try to get a clearer look. However there was nothing there now so she wondered if she had just been seeing things.
She recalled feeling the sensations of someone's touch while she had been sleeping. Had it just been her imagination or had someone been stroking her hair? Hadn't they run their hands down her to her waist? And hadn't she felt someone's lips on hers kissing her lovingly?
Evie put her fingers up to her lips wonderingly.
Bang. Bang. Evie jumped again at the loud knocking. She swung out of bed and grabbed up her thin cotton black robe. She put it on and quickly slipped on her flat gladiator sandals before she went to her bedroom doors. Evie opened them and then headed to her apartment suite door.
"Who is it?" Evie called out.
There was a small huff. "It's me Evie. Are you going to let me in or not?" Rick's voice sounded from the other side of her door.
Evie rolled her eyes but unlocked the door and swung it open. Rick stepped in and headed to her parlor table with a tray in his hands. Evie closed the door but didn't bother to lock it since her brother or the Med-Jai would more than likely stop by as well.
Evie turned around and headed to the table where Rick was setting out a bowel of eggs, a plate of toast, a jar of jelly and a bowel of grapes.
"Thought I would bring you breakfast." Rick told her as he finished setting it out and took a seat at the table.
"Thank you." Evie said just a bit surprised that he had done that for her.
Really Rick could be a thoughtful, gentleman when he wanted to be. He had done things for her before but hadn't in a while ever since they had been caught up with these recent unfolding events.
Evie took a seat at the table with the breakfast tray before her. She looked down at her breakfast hungrily but her mind was still on what had occurred before she woke up.
"You alright Evie? It seems like something is bothering you." Rick asked, watching her closely.
Evie shook her head, dismissing the thoughts, and smiled focusing on her breakfast. She reached out for a slice of toast and started spreading jelly on it. "No I'm fine."
"No you are not. Remember that I can tell when you lie." Rick told her.
Evie rolled her eyes at him. "I am ok Rick. I was just startled awake and my nerves haven't calmed yet." Evie took a bite of her toast.
Rick looked apologetic. "Oh, I startled you awake huh? Sorry."
They were silent for a bit as Evie ate her breakfast. She finished up her toast, and was now eating her eggs. Rick shifted in his chair and pulled out one of his guns checking it routinely, probably out of boredom or restlessness.
"Did you get some rest?" Rick asked her as he spun the revolving bullet chamber on the gun.
Evie swallowed her bite of egg before she answered. "Yes. I did. I didn't even dream this time."
Rick looked up to her and then back down at his pistol. "I'm assuming that since you are a reincarnation, you probably won't ever get rid of the dreams?"
Evie shook her head. "Probably not. I think they are memories from my previous life as the princess."
Evie finished off her eggs and was eating a few grapes when there was a knock on her door. Putting his gun away, Rick stood up and went to see who was at the door. He opened it and Jonathon and Ardeth walked in.
Right away, Evie could tell that Jonathon had a hangover which came as no surprise. He sort of stumbled into the room and came over to plop down into a chair near Evie. Ardeth however looked well rested and alert. He entered and stood off to the side. When their eyes met he nodded his head to her in a friendly greeting.
"Good morning my friends." Ardeth greeted them.
Jonathon waved his hand at Ardeth. "Why do you have to be so chipper in the morning? It only makes me look worse."
Ardeth smiled in amusement before directing his attention to Evie. "I had noticed that you were very tired last night. I am glad to see that you are now well rested."
Evie smiled. "Thank you Ardeth."
"Has there been any sign of the priests?" Rick asked him.
Ardeth shook his head. "No we have not seen anything. Everything is still and quiet out on the desert."
Evie was fixing to put another grape into her mouth when suddenly she froze as Imhotep's voice sounded in her mind.
"Nefertiri. The Priest of Seth knows your name. He knows where you live. You and he have met before. He is coming now for you here in Cairo. He is already on his way and will be there soon. You must leave and go back out in the desert. Now is the time I shall take you to the book. I am watching over you Nefertiri. I always have. I am not far away. But you must hurry and leave my princess." Imhotep's voice was urgent but as always held a caring tone towards her.
Still frozen in place at the shock of the news, the grape that she had been going to eat rolled from her hands and onto the table. Everyone immediately looked to her, aware that something was wrong. They all wore concerned expressions.
"Evie?" Jonathon asked wary and alert.
Evie took a big swallow and finally was able to pull herself out of her frozen unresponsive state. She jumped up out of her chair causing it to fall back. Her eyes went wildly around to them. She knew that they could see the nervousness and fear in her eyes.
"Evie? What is it?" Rick asked standing up as well.
"We have to go now! We need to leave Cairo and head back out into the desert!" Evie half shouted. She moved away from the table and toward the door. She knew that there was no time to go and gather her things.
But there was a strong hand that came out and grabbed her wrist stopping her and turning her about. Rick stood there before her looking down at her with a mixture of concern and confusion.
"What is it? Why do we have to leave so suddenly?" Rick questioned.
Evie jerked her wrist from his grip. "Because the Priest of Seth is heading here right now! He is coming after us! We have to go!"
Jonathon jumped up from his chair. "He is coming after us right now?"
Evie nodded. "Yes and he will get us if we don't leave immediately."
"How do you know that? Ardeth just said that there is no sign of the Priest." Rick asked.
Evie was trying to think of how to respond without having to tell them about Imhotep when she felt it...an overwhelming sense of Imhotep's presence. She knew without a doubt that he was going to appear to her. Evie's heart began to race and she became anxious, aware of what was fixing to happen.
"Dang it." Evie said, realizing that the moment of truth was arriving. She wouldn't be able to postpone telling them the truth once Imhotep appeared.
All three of them, Rick, Jonathon and Ardeth immediately wore surprised and quizzical expressions.
"What?" Rick asked looking more confused than ever.
Evie felt his presence grow the same moment the parlor window blew open and sent a strong gust into the room that whipped the curtains about. Evie took a deep breath trying to calm down enough so she could rationally think of how to handle what was fixing to happen.
In the next moment Imhotep materialized right beside her. Without having to turn her head to the left to see him, she knew that he was facing her. She could feel his intense gaze on her and it made her heart beat quicken.
Evie saw the shock register on Rick, Jonathon and Ardeth's faces as they saw Imhotep instantly appear beside her. Then at the same time, all of their expressions simultaneously changed. Jonathon's turned into fear while Rick and Ardeth's turned to anger. They became tense and battle ready, ready to try to protect her, still unaware that Imhotep loved her.
Tearing her gaze away from Rick, Jonathon and Ardeth, Evie turned her attention to Imhotep. She met that compelling gaze and looked upon his handsome face. She felt the power flowing off of him and she saw the ever present, undeniable, unbreakable, intense and deep love and desire that he held for her. Her breath shortened at bit at the sight of him once again.
Evie heard the metallic ring of Ardeth's scimitar leave its sheath and the cock of the hammer on Rick's pistols.
"Get away from her!" Rick demanded pointing his pistols at Imhotep.
Imhotep did not pay any attention to them. His right hand came up and moved to the side of her face, brushing it tenderly. "Nefertiri."
Evie's eyes fluttered at his soft loving touch. She felt the warmth of his large strong hand against her smooth cheek and swallowed a bit nervously. Butterflies awoke in her stomach and took flight confirming her suspicions that she was starting to have feelings for him. She wouldn't go so far as to call it love, but it was undeniable that he affected her.
Imhotep's hand moved down and further back to her head. He put his hand through her hair and held her head as he leaned in to her. Their eyes stayed locked until he was too close to maintain gazes any more. She saw his eyes close and his head tilt. Then his lips were on hers.
Suddenly there was the loud sound of gunshots being fired. Evie knew Rick was shooting Imhotep but Imhotep was still immortal so they entered him and exited him without him even flinching. Though shots had been fired into him, Imhotep acted like nothing had happened. His lips started moving against hers slow, sensual and lovingly tender. Evie's eyes closed of their own accord now and she was caught up in his kiss.
Then she heard charging footsteps. Imhotep broke the kiss as if he had all the time in the world. His lips left hers and she opened her eyes to see him looking back toward the trio at the door. Evie felt his strong right arm encircle her waist at the same time that his left arm came up with his palm facing toward a charging Ardeth with his scimitar drawn. Suddenly Ardeth was blown backwards and into the air. He went sailing back and collided with Rick and Jonathon knocking them over like bowling pins. Cussing came from the heap in the voice of a mad Rick.
Imhotep turned toward her again, his eyes focused on her, and Evie became conscious of his arm around her waist.
"Nefertiri, you were too beautiful sleeping there that I could not resist. You are always beautiful my Egyptian flower. You are the rarest beauty there is." He told her holding her captivated in his gaze.
Evie thought back to those sensations that awoke her this morning. "That was you?" She asked.
Imhotep nodded.
Rick, Ardeth and Jonathon had by now gotten back on their feet and looked at them with various mixtures of curiosity, battle readiness and anger.
"What is going on? Why is he here Evie? And what is he saying?" Rick asked taking a menacing step towards them. No one but her and Jonathon could speak Egyptian so they were the only ones who could understand Imhotep's words.
Imhotep looked to Rick and fixed a deathly stare on him. He started to raise his hand to use his powers against him but Evie reached out and put her hand on his arm to stop him.
"No please don't." Evie begged him in ancient Egyptian.
Imhotep looked back to her and immediately lowered his hand.
"I will do what you ask of me Nefertiri." He nodded to her, respectfully. "We need to go. The Priest of Seth has raised five demonic creatures to help him capture you. If you try to leave without my help then you won't have a chance of escape. You need to come out into the desert with me so that I may take you with me and protect you as we travel to Hamunaptra."
"What the hell is he talking about?" Rick demanded to know. "We better know what is going on or I will kill him."
Imhotep didn't understand English but he could tell when a threat was made. He just smiled at Rick's threat. Evie felt more anxious. Now there were five demonic creatures after her as well as the Priest of Seth? Things were definitely not looking any better.
Evie looked to Rick, Ardeth and Jonathon. "Rick, remember you can't kill him. He is still an immortal."
"It doesn't matter. If he tries to hurt you I will make him wish that I could." Rick threatened.
Evie took a deep breath. "He is not going to hurt me Rick. It is exactly the opposite." She shook her head. "I don't really know where to start or how to say this easily but as crazy as it seems...he is in love with me."
Rick's face broke into a skeptical, sarcastic look. "Yeah right he loves you. Remember what he tried to do to you last time? He was going to kill you Evie."
"I thought that too but we didn't know his motives or plans like we thought. Yes he was going to kill me to bring Anck-su-namun back because of a promise he made to her a long time ago, but he wasn't going to let me stay dead. He was going to resurrect me. However we ruined his plans. Now he is more determined than ever to make sure he has me. He told me that ever since he has known me, even in my life as the Princess Nefertiri, he has always loved me. And he has vowed that he will do whatever it takes to protect me. I learned all of this when he kept me in the room in Hamunaptra. I didn't want to believe it but he has told me so much and I have no doubts now about the truth of it all." Evie explained.
"Back in Hamunaptra before he let me go, he had established a mind link between us so that he would always know where I was. He can even speak to me in my mind. I can usually tell when he is near, even if he isn't visible. Now he tells me that there are five demonic creatures coming with the Priest of Seth to get me. So he is going to take me back to Hamunaptra and give me the Book of Amun-ra so that I can take away the Priest of Seth's immortality so that he can be killed." Evie told them.
"Demonic creatures? This just keeps getting better and better." Rick remarked sarcastically. "Is there anything else we should know that you haven't been telling us?"
She could see that it was just as much of a shock for them to learn of these things as it had been for her. Already she was beginning to feel a little relieved at not having to hide the truth from them anymore. And it was yet to be determined as to how they were going to react when they learned the full truth. After all, at just seeing him they were automatically trying to kill him. But seeing as how none of this could be avoided any longer, she decided to go ahead and tell them everything.
"Actually there is. I was afraid to tell you before but there isn't much reason to keep the truth from you now." Evie paused and the room fell silent like the calm before a storm. But she pressed on, willing to get this over with. "He does not want me to be bound to Seth, the god of chaos. Because of his love for me, he has vowed that he is going to bind me to him so that he and I will share an eternal love."
There was deathly silence as this bit of news sank in. Evie watched them carefully and anxiously for their reaction. Ominous expressions appeared on Rick and Ardeth's faces. Jonathon's was one of complete astonishment.
Rick cocked the hammer of his pistols back and Ardeth's grip on his scimitar tightened.
"Like hell he is. We are not going to let that happen." Rick threatened with a lethal stare.
"He cannot be allowed to do this." Ardeth stated sternly.
Though he did not understand what was being said, Imhotep sensed the tension for he himself grew tense and watched the three of them closely.
"Evie, you can't be serious." Jonathon shook his head. "You would let him stab you?"
"I didn't say I was in agreement with his plan. I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with it but I do know without a doubt that I do not want to be bound to the god Seth. And right now that's the biggest issue that needs to be dealt with." Evie replied.
"Oh I know how to deal with it." Rick remarked. "We'll kill both of the Priests."
Ardeth nodded in agreement. "The sooner the better it seems."
"The Priest of Seth is almost here. We need to go now. We either need to try to hurry and get out of the city or prepare to battle the Priest of Seth." Imhotep told her.
Evie nodded in acknowledgement of his words.
"What did he say?" Rick demanded to know.
"He says we need to go now. We either need to try to hurry and get out of the city or prepare to battle the Priest of Seth." Evie replied.
Evie looked around at each of them. "I know the idea of fighting alongside him instead of against him is objectionable to you but his powers make him a worthy opponent for the Priest of Seth. Whether you like it or not, we need his help." She paused, understanding the depth of what she was about to ask them. "Will you come with me and try to be civil towards him while we all work on killing the Priest of Seth?"
Silence fell once more as the three of them contemplated the matter. They didn't bother to hide their dislike for the idea but their threatening stances did ease up a bit.
"In order to accomplish killing either of the Priests, we need the book." Ardeth said to Rick. "And he is willing to give it to Evie."
Rick gently lowered the hammer on his pistols, safely uncocking them and looked to Evie. "As much as I hate it, it seems we have no other option at the moment."
"So we are actually going to work with the mummy?" Jonathon exclaimed apprehensively.
Rick put his pistols away and turned to Ardeth and Jonathon. "For now but once we have the book and have killed the Priest of Seth, we will go back to getting rid of him as well."
Ardeth nodded. "I'm vowed to make sure he stays in his grave." He directed his gaze to Evie. "But since the most imminent danger to you is the Priest of Seth, I'll do as you ask."
"I'm with you Evie." Jonathon eyed Imhotep warily. "Just don't let him send mummy's or scarabs after us, ok?"
Evie had misgivings about their plan. Imhotep was going to trust her with the book and considering all he had done and was doing for her, not to mention that she was beginning to develop feelings for him, she couldn't bear the thought of betraying him. She wouldn't betray him. Evie wasn't sure how she was going to handle it all just yet, but she didn't have time to come up with a plan right now. She would have to figure it out when the time arose.
Evie turned to Imhotep and spoke to him in ancient Egyptian. "I want them to go with us."
Imhotep did not look pleased. He was just as unhappy with the idea of having to deal with them as they were of having to put up with him. "Why Nefertiri? Do you doubt my love, my promises or my ability to protect you?"
Evie shook her head. "No I don't doubt you but they have always been there for me and are like family. I want them with me."
Evie paused sort of afraid of his reaction. "Please?" She added hoping to keep him from becoming angry.
Imhotep's expression softened. His finger came up to tenderly brush over her lips. "You do not have to beg me Nefertiri or be afraid of me. I will not hurt you nor will I be angry with you. No matter what you shall do or say Nefertiri...I will always love you and desire you for all eternity."
Evie didn't know what to say so she just nodded to show that she understood.
Imhotep started to lead her to the door. "We need to leave now. Tell them to be ready to fight. We no longer have time to try to make it out to the desert. We tarried here too long. We will have to find a good place to battle the Priest of Seth."
"He says that we don't have time to try to leave the city. We are going to have to fight them off. He is going to find us a place to make a stand." Evie translated for them.
"I will go and gather the Med-Jai." Ardeth began to head for the door as well.
"You won't have time Ardeth." Evie told him.
Ardeth stopped and gave a grim nod in understanding.
Jonathon, Rick and Ardeth moved out of the way for Imhotep and Evie to go through the door. Jonathon did so out of fear while Rick and Ardeth did it begrudgingly.
"I hope I don't regret this." Evie heard Rick mutter as Imhotep led her out of her apartment door and into the apartment building's second floor hall.
Yay she finally told them! What do you all think of their reaction? Was it what you had expected? I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! I want to shout out another "THANK YOU" to all of you who have favorited and/or followed this story! And I love the reviews! They're great!