HERES 28 I LOVE YOU
Enjoy~
"Are you alright Miss?" Atem was the first to ask.
Saa crinkled her brow, did he not recognize her? She looked to Mana and Atem and neither held any sense of recollection. Mahad however seemed to hold some form in the back of his mind, his eyes searching her own. But after a moment he gave in to the unknown and he no longer held anything but bewilderment.
"What manner of magic was that? You are not a part of the royal court and you should not have powers such as that." Mahad questioned, a tone of accusation on his lips.
They do not know you because of me. Anpu nudged her as he sat at her feet.You cannot tell them the truth.
Saa's eyes flickered between the trio, she did not know what to say; fear and love fighting for dominance over her heart. She bowed suddenly, remembering her manners.
"Ah, I do apologize for the inconvenience. It would seem I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am truly thankful for your assistance, I will ensure my Mistress knows that. I am sure you would be compensated as such." She feigned innocence, and ignorance to the last question, hoping that they would buy into it.
"There is nothing your Mistress could offer me that I do not already have as I am the Pharaoh of these lands." Atem boomed, the swell of his chest sent shivers to Saa's knees.
Her eyes travelled to his lips as she thought of the kiss they had shared, and she wished for nothing more than to be able to hold him that way again.
"Oh my – forgive my blatant disrespect my King!" Saa knelt, her eyes now pointed at the floor. "I did not expect someone as important as yourself to be all the way out here in this tiny village."
Mahad looked around and back at Saa, his eyes held suspicion.
"What were you doing here?" He asked, and Saa avoided eye contact with him.
Her gaze stayed on Atem for a few moments before bouncing to Mana.
"Oh Mahad we just had a huge fight – can we sit a moment before we start interrogating her? She fought off the witch did she not? So she can't be bad, right?" Mana grinned, her hands on her hips.
Saa nodded, "I would never go against my Pharaoh or his court. I am but a servant to his kingdom."
"Very well, we will rest for a moment but you will accompany us back to the Palace and are not to go anywhere until we have answers." Mahad firmly emphasized the last word.
Saa glanced down at Anpu – what do we do?
I will figure something out. Is all that he said before she was led away from the battle field. The walk away from the battle was quiet, and long. They strode for what seemed like an hour before they stopped to make camp. Saa hadn't thought about it until then - but the sun had begun to hang low in the sky before they had made it out of the vacant town. A fire was soon made, and they all crowded around it. Anpu hadn't moved from Saa's side the entire night, the last time they had spoken was when they were setting up her sleeping cot.
When they all fall asleep, we will make our escape. I will set a small charm so they will not awaken to any noise we make.
Was all he had said to her, afterwards he had not uttered another word. Saa had sat quietly across from the trio and she could feel their gazes burning into her skin. She was surprised Mahad or Atem hadn't begun their interrogation already – maybe they were waiting until they got to the Palace. Too bad that won't be happening, Saa almost felt a pang of regret in her not truly going home with them. Saa allowed her gaze to fall on Atem's feet but no higher, not while he could be looking her way. She wondered how Nedjem was doing, and how their relationship had been faring. A pang of jealousy scorched her chest as she thought of the two of them holding hands, kissing, or even possibly being intimate with one another. Had he touched her yet, the way a husband would his wife? Anger soon replaced the jealousy, why couldn't she have been born into nobility? Why would the Gods allow this to happen? Granted what she knew now, Saa wondered if they had as much control over the happenings of everyday men as she had been taught to believe.
"Are you hungry?" She heard Mana ask, and Saa glanced up to see if she was indeed talking to her.
Mana was holding out a small bowl her way, a small smile dangling on her lips.
"Thank you for your hospitality." Saa countered, taking the bowl politely and quietly sipping on the stew.
"So, may we know your name?" Mana continued as she watched Saa eat.
"S-" Saa hesitated, what name should I give myself, quick think of something!
"Sera." She blurted out, immediately spooning a mouthful of stew to keep herself from looking too suspicious.
"Sera - " She heard Atem whisper the name, as if to test it. "What a very common name."
Saa nodded, "Yes but it is mine."
"I am Mana! This is Mahad and you of course know the Pharaoh!" She smiled, hands in her lap.
Saa smiled at her, her child-like energy was still contagious.
"It is an honor to meet you."
It almost felt as though she had been sent back in time, meeting each of them all over again. She could see Atem's eyes trained on her visage through her peripherals – it look every ounce of strength to not stare back. You are being paranoid, there is no way they would know it is you. Saa sighed to herself, and feigned a yawn.
"I am quite tired. I would retire to my cot if that would be alright with you, my King." Saa addressed Atem, though not looking him in eye.
"Very well. Someone will wake you in the morning for the return trip to the Palace. Have a good night's rest, Sa- Sera." Atem sputtered the last part, after realizing his mistake he turned on his heel to retreat to his tent without another sound.
Saa acted out a look of confusion as she glanced to Mahad and Mana.
"Is he alright?"
"He will be okay – do not fret!" Mana smiled, "Good night."
"Good night you two," Saa bowed, and quickly retreated to her own smaller tent.
Anpu – I really am tired. Would you wake me when they all go to bed? Saa asked as she tucked herself in the cot.
Yes, get some rest young one. I will do some rounds about the camp, and will return once everyone is asleep. I will not be keeping up your disguise for the entirety of the night, so if someone comes to your tent – do what you can. Anpu replied, as he stalked out of her tent.
Saa nodded, snuggling her self inside the rough blankets. Her thoughts began to drift back to the young Pharaoh – as they so often did – and the night she spent in his bed. A smile found its way to her lips as she thought of the plush throws, beautiful pillows, and the smell of sandalwood that seemed to have absorbed into everything. The thoughts turned south as she thought of Atem's face when he was sleeping – his peaceful countenance was not something she had seen too often. Her heart sighed against the bones of her chest as her hand found its way to her lips. If she hovered just before sleep could ensnare her consciousness, she could almost feel his lips on hers again. Her own were upturned now as she envisioned herself gliding through the Palace gardens again, Atem at her side as they shared story after story; the sounds of their laughter followed by only more giggles of joy. Her mind was so focused on the memories she did not hear the tent flap being moved, and the quiet sounds of feet moving to her side.
Her mind was snapped to attention when she felt a hand on her cheek. Saa shot up, her wide grey eyes came to level in front of a pair of familiar plum orbs. The former slave's mouth hung open, fear paralyzing her every cell. What is he doing here –
"I knew it," he whispered, almost as though it were to himself, "it is you."
Tears threatened to fall as Saa tried to back away, Atem grabbed her shoulders to prevent her from moving any further.
"Don't." He commanded, Saa's body stopped of its own accord.
"Saa -" He breathed, taking her in.
She couldn't say anything, only watch the Pharaoh as he studied her. Strong arms wrapped themselves around her form. His powerful scent was almost too much for Saa to bear; she yearned to be entangled in his embrace for eternity. A single tear escaped her lids as she clutched onto his shirt, allowing herself to give in to her emotions for a moment.
"You are here - " He pulled himself away, "I cannot even force myself to be angry, or even hurt that you left." Atem murmured, his finger gliding through her hair.
"I have missed you so." The absentminded comment sent Saa's heart racing, but still she remained silent.
After a few moments, Atem cupped her cheek in his hand, "Please say something."
Saa felt her lip quiver, "I – There is nothing to say." She responded surprisingly even toned, Atem removed his hand from her face.
The Pharaoh furrowed his brow, his lips turning downward. She found her eyes following their plush curve, oh how she desired to entangle herself in him.
"What do you mean 'there is nothing to say'? You've been gone for so long, we have been without each others company, and there is nothing for you to say?"
"I'm sure you've enjoyed the company of your wife, my king." Saa couldn't help the bite that came with her retort, and she took no joy in the look of disbelief on her love's face.
"Saa – I - "
"There's no need to explain anything. You are a King, and you deserve no less than Nedjem as your wife and future bearer of your children."
She needed to get him out of her tent as fast as possible, then find Anpu and make a run for it. She feared if he stayed any longer she might just follow him anywhere he damn well pleased.
"Stop Saa, I know you're hurt." Atem sighed, "Don't you think it pains me to have to lay in bed next to a woman I do not love - "
"Don't let anyone hear you saying such things." Saa hissed, putting a hand over his mouth.
He gently tugged her hand away, "No one can hear us, they are all resting Saa."
"It does not matter -"
"It mattered enough for you to desert me – to look me in the eye and then walk out on me. I did this for you Saa. I – I -" Saa waited but no move was made to continue his sentence.
"Atem," She sighed after a few moments, his name felt bittersweet on her tongue, "I am doing this to protect you, and Nedjem from harm. Now please – just leave - "
"I cannot." Atem interrupted, moving closer so that their legs intertwined with one another.
Saa felt her breath hitch as he cupped her face again, "Please just let me..."
He trailed off, his eyes searching her face for any sense of disapproval. Saa sat, struck by the warmth of his touch that she had so tenderly missed. He raised his other hand to lay it against her other cheek, tugging her closer to him. Saa was overcome, her body forbidding her to move away. The familiar tug pulled at her chest, and set her abdomen ablaze; she had missed him so. Softly, he laid his lips upon her own. This kiss was as tender as the first, but the feeling of guilt kept Saa from loosing herself completely. Atem's hands moved from the sides of her face to sprawling down her lower back and griping her hair behind her head, pulling her closer to him. Her body pressed against his as they deepened the kiss, taken by the electric energy that swirled around them. Saa did not understand why the Gods would want to keep them apart, because when they were together it just felt so right. She felt the ache in her chest fill and be replaced with a calm she had never felt before. He must be her twin flame – but why would they place her twin flame before her eyes – dangling him like a piece of meat to a stray dog – only to pluck him away and give him to someone else? It just did not make sense.
Saa tried to bat the thoughts away as she finally gave in, and clutched her hands together behind his neck. She would relish in this moment for as long as fate would allow it, and on her lonely nights in the future she would look back upon this moment to remind her of the good in life. A sense of urgency flooded her senses as Atem broke their kiss to plant soft pecks on her cheek, slowing moving to her forehead, then down to the other cheek, on her jaw line and delicately placing a few on her neck. The heat stirred in her abdomen again, and she looked at him with a new fire in her eyes. She crashed her lips against his, moving him back so she could straddle him – her heat against his own. Fingers entangled themselves in multicolored locks of hair as she tried to express all of her pain, her love, adoration, and sorrow through the movement of her lips. He hands pressed against her back as she made her move; planting soft kisses against his strong jaw, down his neck and one at the base of his throat.
They would continue no further as a howl echoed in the distance – the heat vanished and filling her with a crashing weight of misery. She looked at Atem, and she could sense that he knew she was leaving him.
"Saa, please don't -"
She placed her lips upon his own again, their skin dampening by the tears trailing on her cheeks. His eyes began to gloss and she knew Anpu's charm would be taking affect soon. She didn't know if it was because she thought he would think this was all a dream when he woke, or if it truly was because of what she felt in the kiss; either way she laid her lips on his forehead, his nose, and one long last kiss on his lips before she whispered,
"I love you."
He fell over as soon as the words escaped her mouth, asleep in her cot. Saa's heart broke again as she gathered her pack, taking one last look at her sleeping love before ducking out of the tent. The only thought keeping her sane was the idea that she was in fact doing this all to protect him from harms way. Little did she or Anpu know that danger was only a few miles away, watching from the top of a dune with a wicked smile on his countenance.
