Authors Note: SECOND LAST CHAPTER AHHHHHHHHHHHHH /runs around flailing/ . Seriously though I DID IT WEEEEE :D And YES there's some sexy times in this chapter, so you've been warned! Next chapter is the epilogue; I'll try and make these two as long as I can to make the most of it, but we'll see how it goes. For anyone hoping for drama... yeaaaah you're not getting any. All the turmoil is in the past, sorry!
Thank you to everyone who has followed along on this journey with me and, once more, please enjoy!
CROSSING WORLDS
By Amariahellcat
Chapter Twenty-One: Forever Yours
They arrived in the Portal Room of Luxor Pyramid not twenty minutes later, quiet and moving as quickly as they could.
Sphinx was glad to see the pyramid had been revisited and reworked since his last visit, no longer a place of suffering and trials.
Bast and Anubis had returned to their respective homes, and Imhotep had stayed at the Shrine for the time being; only Tutankhamen, Sphinx and Isis had made the Journey to Luxor, the small group much easier to maneuver through the Portal and out of the Pyramid.
Though the palace Gods were startled, they let them through immediately, looking as though they were about to start cheering and celebrating right where they stood. Tut calmly asked them not to say anything, sounding more imposing then Isis had ever heard him be; the Pharaoh was coming out in him already.
Every servant and guard they met was asked the same as they made their way through the outer courtyards and into the Palace, heading through the decorated halls to where they'd been told Nefertiti would likely be.
They approached the main throne room cautiously, peeking in through one of the doors to check their surroundings.
Seeing that the red haired lady was, indeed, standing near the Throne with Tut's father, Isis and Sphinx hurried him in, staying back and waving him on with giant grins.
They watched quietly as he found his nerve and strode forwards confidently; speaking only once he was within five feet of her. They saw Nefertiti turn around and freeze, her eyes going wide as her mouth worked wordlessly.
Then she gave a cry of 'Tutankhamen!' and threw herself at him, startling the young prince with her ferocity. It was quickly reciprocated, and the young couple spent several moments lip-locked before the Pharaoh cleared his throat with a chuckle, breaking them apart.
Tutankhamen cleared his throat, flushed and smiling, before turning and motioning for the two demi's to come forwards.
They did as asked, dipping into bows before the Pharaoh and smiling at their friend.
"Father, Nefertiti, these are the friends I have told you about in my letters. Sphinx is the one who rescued me from Set in the first place, and he has continued to help me all this time. And this is Isis, the one who healed me. I owe them my life."
"We are in your debt for returning my son to us," the Pharaoh bowed his head to them, "Anything that you desire will be yours; you need only to name it."
"We are happy to have helped, your highness." Isis responded simply, Sphinx echoing her words.
"Well, should you ever think of anything, let me know. Now, we must celebrate!"
"Father, if you don't mind, may we save the celebrating for the wedding?" Tutankhamen took Nefertiti's hand and smiled, "I want our wedding to be an event no one will ever forget."
"Of course, son, if that is your wish."
"How far are the preparations?"
"We could hold the wedding tonight, if you so wished."
Tut's grin widened, "Excellent."
"I have a favor to ask." Nefertiti spoke up, stepping forwards to take Isis's hands, surprising the demi-goddess, "Isis, would you perform the ceremony for us?"
"Me?" the blonde girl blinked, startled, "I didn't think Egyptians had much of a wedding ceremony?"
"Royalty usually has a simple one, but... I feel as though having the blessing of the reincarnation of Isis would make our marriage a long and fruitful one." Nefertiti blushed, smiling hopefully, "Please, Isis? I would be forever grateful."
"Of course I will. As long as you don't mind me inviting a few extra people to the wedding?"
Sphinx shot her a knowing look, but Nefertiti only nodded enthusiastically, "Please do! Now, we must have a dress made for you! Come, Isis, we must begin work on it right away!"
The blonde girl allowed herself to be dragged away by the rambling bride, looking back at the men and shrugging with a rueful smile.
Sphinx could only chuckle, looking to his best friend and slapping him on the shoulder, "Looks like it'll be a couple of days, Tut."
"I don't mind." The prince laughed back, "I'm human. I can wait two more days."
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Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the next day
The ROM
Evelyn Masters sat at her desk sipping tea and attempting to go through the latest discovery files she had been forwarded by the directors.
Anxious, she could barely sit still, and practically dropped the tea cup when a quick rap sounded at her door, attempting to appear less frazzled then she was as she hurried over and pulled it open.
Isis smirked down at the shorter woman, still dressed in her travel-clothes, "Hey, Aunt Evie! Geez, you okay?"
"Fine, child, fine. You've only been gone a day; what brings you back so soon?"
"Oh, I'm just here for a quick word. Call Mom and Dad and tell them to get their butts over here quick, alright? Oh, and to pack clothes for a couple of days."
"Why, Isis?" Evelyn tried to hide her knowing, still shaking somewhat, "What's going on?"
"Oh, nothing major." Her god-daughter gave a wolfish grin, "You're all just invited to Tutankhamen and Nefertiti's wedding, is all."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The Days of the Gods
Luxor Palace
Two Days after Tutankhamen Returned
"I swear I'm going to kill Tut for making me wear this." Sphinx growled for the fifteenth time, adjusting his arm braces anxiously.
Isis only laughed from behind her changing screen, used to the grumbling, "Oh, come on, Sphinx; he wasn't trying to embarrass you. It's his wedding and he's given you an official title; he just wants to show his best friend off a bit."
"He couldn't have chosen something a bit less fancy?"
"Well, I think it looks good on you."
That shut the demi-god up, though he continued to grumble mentally as he stared in the mirror, fidgeting with parts of the outfit.
His headdress was the only piece of his outfit that was normal, though it had been polished till it was gleaming and looked brand new again.
He wore a thick golden collar accented with wings and cobras in place of his usual armored one, the item as heavy as it was ornamental. Under it he wore a black vest accented with gold, along with two golden bracers and an ornamental belt that rode his hips lower then he liked, the Blade of Osiris hung at his side. He was allowed to wear slacks, at least, though a newer, darker pair then his own, and he'd forced himself to wear the thin sandals he'd been provided.
As the new Royal Guardian, he had to look the part, he supposed.
"Still haven't seen what you're wearing."
Isis snorted behind her screen, "Something just as fancy as yours, don't worry."
"How's your family fitting in?"
"I pretty much told them to stay in their rooms until the ceremony, so they wouldn't get into any trouble. Evie I trust a bit more, buuut... figured it couldn't hurt to be safe."
Sphinx perched himself on the edge of their bed, eyeing the changing screen in annoyance, "I'm just glad Luxor wasn't warped while Tut was gone."
It had been a worry that none of them had mentioned; that Luxor may have not been what they expected when they arrived. Set had spent time there in the shape of Tut's brother, Akhenaten, after all.
Thankfully, whatever damage he had managed to do had been repaired; once he and Menes had been tied up with Tut and Sphinx's actions, they'd failed to appear in Luxor, alerting the Pharaoh to their suspicious activity.
The real Akhenaten had been discovered in one of the palaces many secret chambers, starving and barely conscious. He was making a slow recovery, but a recovery none-the-less.
"Yes, thank the Gods for that." He heard her shuffling around, "Is it time?"
Sphinx glanced out the window, judging, "Sun's about to go down; I'd say it's time."
"Good. Then let's get this ceremony thing over with."
Isis stepped out from behind the screen and Sphinx stopped cold, heat rushing through him.
If he'd thought he'd seen her in skimpy clothing before, he'd been damn wrong.
Her hair had been straightened and had tiny braids woven throughout it, a golden circlet looped around her head with gleaming golden ankh hanging on her forehead. Her eyes had been painted with golden paints, and her lips were red and quirked at his reaction.
She wore a collar much like his own, though it was smaller and covered significantly less. The dress – if you could call it a dress – appeared from under the collar in two thin strips that barely covered her breasts, meeting down beneath her belly button and just above a low-riding golden belt; a similar strip of gold rested under her bust, keeping the material pinned over it. How the material wasn't see through he didn't know, it looked so sheer; it was full length, but that did little to detract from the top of it.
Golden bracers matching his own decaled her wrists, and when she turned he groaned, seeing that the back of the dress was open up until it met the belt, baring the whole of her back.
"Isissssss." His voice was a low rumble, but the blonde merely gave him an innocent smile and sauntered out of the room, putting more wiggle in her step on purpose.
The demi-god followed after a moment's mental argument, appearing as calm and collected as he could. He caught up to Isis just as she met up with her parents and Aunt, all three properly attired thanks to the palace servants.
"You look lovely, dear, if not a tad to exposed." Meredith gushed, a teasing edge to her voice.
"Blame the bride, Mom; Nefertiti had all the say in this outfit."
"And my, Sphinx, you're looking rather handsome." Evelyn greeted the demi-god, "You two make a fine pair."
"Thank you, Evelyn."
Howard and Meredith shared a look, the former coughing awkwardly, "You know, Isis, if you're ah... otherwise preoccupied or tired tomorrow, we can postpone our tours."
Isis only gave a sly smile, looking sideways at Sphinx, "We'll see, Dad."
"Now, milady," Sphinx offered the blonde his arm, "I believe we're supposed to be up at the front about now."
"Oh, shit, right. I'll see you guys at the party!"
The two demi's walked away, looking rather regal and imposing as they made their way through the crowded throne room, people parting before them.
"You're killing me, you know." Sphinx muttered darkly, the blonde only giggling.
"Patience, Sphinx. And seriously, blame Nefertiti; I had no say in this outfit."
"Sure you didn't."
Tutankhamen and Nefertiti already waited atop the raised dais, the Pharaoh and sickly-looking Akhenaten standing at a respectful distance.
Sphinx released Isis and took his appointed place to Tut's right, acting as his appointed Guardian.
Isis stepped between the couple and smiled kindly at each of them before clearing her throat and summoning a spell to boost her voice, beginning to speak.
"Quiet!" the chatter silenced immediately, every person in the room turning to gaze upon the royal couple.
Isis smiled sincerely, "Better. We are all here today to witness the bonding of two souls, a different ceremony then usually takes place.
I, the reincarnation of Isis, bless these two people, Prince Tutankhamen of Luxor and Lady Nefertiti, in their marriage and in their lives. I bless them with longevity, happiness, and fertility. I bless them with a smooth rule and a bountiful life. I bless them with each other, and wish them the best in their future, together."
Silently removing the spell, Isis grinned at the two, blinking back tears, "Kiss your bride, Tut." She whispered.
Tutankhamen smiled brilliantly and did as told, cheers ringing out as he kissed his bride.
"By the will of Ra, I name you two husband and wife!" Isis spread her arms wide and smiled when the crowd cheered louder, "And now, we celebrate!"
It was a clamor of noise and movement, everyone wanting to congratulate the royal couple at the same time.
Sphinx and Isis stood back, watching with wide grins and knowing eyes as Tut did his best to seem regal, thanking everyone and shaking hands with everyone who had come.
Sphinx nodded to Ketta and Kotta when he spotted them nearby, and Isis was pulled into a rather unexpected hug when Bast appeared out of nowhere, Anubis close behind.
"Of, you look lovely, dear!" the cat goddess gushed, eyes gleaming, "And such a nice ceremony! We were happy to see it!"
"Though we also came for other reasons." Anubis reminded the cat.
"Of, yes. Isis, your family is here, yes? May we meet them?"
"Of course. Give me one second-" Isis popped down into the crowd, locating her parents and aunt quickly and dragging them back up to the dais, "Mom, Dad, Aunt Evie, I present Bast and Anubis; my Lord and Lady, these are my parents and my god-mother, Evelyn."
"I knew I sensed a gift-holder near Isis!" Bast exclaimed, shaking hands with Evelyn, "I am truly grateful you were there to help her, Evelyn, as it seems my servant was a naughty kitten."
"Gift-holder?" Sphinx questioned, sharing a confused look with Isis.
Evelyn smiled secretively, "You've always wondered how I look so young, Isis. I received a gift from the cat goddess on my very first dig, a Temple of Bast. I'd nearly been crushed in a cave-in, and she saved me."
"You're immortal?"
"Not quite. I age much more slowly, and I have nine lives like a cat. I am proud to say I have only used two, my lady Bast."
"Excellent, excellent. We must talk, Evelyn, you must have such interesting stories!"
"Would you both care for some refreshments?" Anubis politely enquired of Meredith and Howard, shooting Sphinx a grin, "I'm not used to mingling anymore, I'm afraid, and having someone I know with me should ease the anxiety."
"O-of course!" Howard stuttered, the two led off by the grinning jackal.
Sphinx could only smirk, linking hands with the blonde girl. He leaned in close, keeping his eyes on the crowd below them, "Are you terribly hungry?"
Isis only turned her head a fraction, emerald eyes glowing, "Let's get out of here."
The pair made their way through the mingling crowd, hands still joined as they moved. Isis spotted Tut and Nefertiti speaking quietly before they were out of the room, hurrying down the hall towards the guest rooms.
There's was a corner room, thankfully further from the rest of the guest rooms – especially her family's rooms.
Sphinx barely paused to turn and lock the door as they entered the room before grabbing Isis, silencing her burst of laughter with his mouth on hers.
She was just as eager now that there was nothing preventing them, hands already working at the clasps on his collar as his worked at hers.
They didn't break apart until they had to in order to remove clothes, backing up towards the bed the entire time. It was only once Sphinx was down to his pants and Isis the thin dress that they pulled away from each other, watching each other carefully for any sign of hesitation or fear.
Sphinx caught her eyes with his, dark chocolate meeting bright emerald, and he was gone, crushing her back against him and kissing her with all the hunger in his soul.
He had intended to make it a long, romantic encounter, but their bodies were on fire and every thought of going slow was forced away when she moaned into his mouth and pressed herself closer, dress doing nothing to hide the heat of her body.
The last of their clothing was thrown away as they crawled onto the bed, addicted to each other, hands roaming and wandering and caressing.
Sphinx had her pinned and breathless as he made one last attempt to slow down, hissing when she bucked her hips against his and sinking into her with a heartfelt groan.
Their first time was quick – neither had experience on their side – and Sphinx fell against her with a last growl as they both came down from their peaks, panting and clinging to each other.
"Finally." He grumbled into her neck, kissing his mark on her shoulder.
Isis only laughed, stroking his hair, "And my family's around, too. Tsk, tsk."
"I hope you're not tired yet."
Isis lifted an eyebrow when her lover pushed himself up to loom over her, stretching her arms above her head, "And why is that?"
Sphinx gave a feral smirk, bending to hover right above her lips, "Because I have no intention of letting you sleep much tonight."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Isis woke to Sphinx still sprawled on top of her, arms wrapped tightly around her and head against her chest.
She smiled, running her fingers through his hair and laughing quietly when he started to purr, surprised that she wasn't more tired than she was.
'We apparently have damn high stamina, geez.' She laughed again at the thought, feeling her lover shift a little.
"Morning, Sphinx." She whispered, coaxing him from sleep, "C'mon, Sphinx. We're probably going to be expected at breakfast soon."
"Fine." He grumbled, half-opening his eyes and smirking lazily up at her, "You okay."
"Mhm." Isis continued running her hands through his hair until he sat up more, letting them fall back against the bed, "Just don't tell my dad; I don't want him getting any crazy ideas."
"Gotcha. Speaking of..." Sphinx took her left hand then, absently rubbing her ring finger, "I need to ask you something."
"Oh?"
"Well, I've been thinking. We can't really live at your Temple, it's too far away, and the Shrine's pretty crowded. No personal space. Can't always be guests in the palace, either; we're both to independent for that. Tut offered to build a small temple-type house out in the back gardens; we'd be close by, but it'd be private. And, y'know, we don't really do ceremonies, and I already asked your dad; we already live together, so." He smiled, "Marry me."
Isis froze, staring at him wide eyed. When she said nothing for several seconds Sphinx back pedaled, realizing it hadn't been the most romantic proposal ever.
"I mean, we can have a ceremony if you wanted, it doesn't have to be immediately. And if you're not okay with the house idea I understand, we can figure something else out-"
Isis grabbed him and pulled him forwards, silencing him by kissing him soundly. "Yes." She whispered into his mouth, the demi-god grinning and returning the affection fervently.
They never made it to breakfast.