Chapter 38: A Mind of Mine Own

They say that those who dared to dream, only dare to find one's mind of their own.

Salome's POV

Somehow I knew...deep down inside that something bad was going to happen. Even if I had made no connections to all that has happened to me, I knew. All I could remember was seeing Charles' worried look on me, until my eyes fell into darkness and my body succumbing to the greater evil that lies before me. Even then, I could not imagine what power could take such a hold on me...until one dream that I dreadfully dared to dream.

It was not the lap of luxury that soothed my senses. Neither the wine, nor the fruits of life quench my thirst for the seeking arms of Ramses. My eyes lit up, as I saw him approaching me.

"You missed me?" He asked, opening his arms, welcoming me in his embrace.

"Ramses! You've been gone too long my love," I said, most urgently. I felt a slight relief, knowing he was back in my arms, at least I hoped so.

"Not long enough where I would not be able to inhale your intoxicating aura. How have you been?"

"Dreadfully bored, until now. When did you get back?" As I lied back down, with him right beside me.

"Just now. I couldn't wait to see you."

"Oh, you're so sweet. Here," I gestured, feeding him a grape.

"Thank you my sweet. How has your father been?"

"Good. He's been well. So has Elijah..." I teased, watching his reaction.

"Elijah?"

"Yes."

"You two must have spent a great deal with one another."

"He amused me when I needed entertainment."

"Now that I am back, maybe it's time you amuse me."

"We'll see..." I countered, walking towards my balcony. "Don't be jealous, I have enough lovers in my life."

"What other lovers? I thought I was the only one?" He walked over to me and grasped me by the hips, and pulled me towards him.

"Hmm...there's a reason why you assumed...and didn't confirm it with me," I taunted, as I heard him growl in annoyance.

"You are mine. You belong to me," He whispered in my ear, before treading kisses down my neck.

"I belong to no one. Least of all you." I removed myself from his hold and walked away from him.

Before I could walk another step, he grabbed my arm, and pulled me back to his chest. And captured my lips in a sweet kiss. His hands held onto her body tightly, as if he never wanted to let go.

Surely, she did let go.

"Don't be so sure my darling. When I marry you, you will become my queen and bearer of my child."

"Are you so sure? I wouldn't want you to get your hopes up."

"There are things in this world that other men cannot give you. But I can."

"What? Affection, wealth, power, passion? Am I missing something?"

That was all of my dream I could remember.

"You know...this whole cat and mouse thing, only heightens my desires for you," a voice said, deep in my mind. One so obvious, that I never imagined I would hear it again. I opened my eyes and looked to see him, standing as bold and cocky as ever before. His shaven head and his clothing of royalty only hid the true version of himself...a desperate fool. "You know, I have waited for this moment for a very long time."

"Well, you waited long enough for something you could never have."

"I'm impressed Salome. You did put up a really good fight, my sweet. But in the end, I will

always prevail. You see, I don't know if you heard of a blood ritual..."

"That bounded me to you, when you died?"

"You know?"

"Only that the dance you commanded of me to perform for you was confirmation of the spell

you placed on me. Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do it?"

"Need you ask why?"

"Yes! I deserved a life on my own Ramses. You haunting me and torturing me is for what?

Some gain, some twisted turn for happiness with me? You're dead! And you will stay dead for the rest of your life. So stop dreaming that you can have

me...you won't."

"That's where you are wrong princess. You see...in matter of weeks my body will arise from the dead and you will be my wife...as always. I linked you to

me...so that when I am fully regenerated onto this Earth...a child will be ready for me to receive and you will take my place in the afterlife with your pathetic

father.

"I will die?"

"A life for a life...rules are rules," he answered calmly.

"Why trap me within my mind?" She asked coldly.

"Because...it's the only place where you won't have power over me."

"You won't get your child. Not from me."

"On the contrary my love, I am now in control of this body. All you need is a male's seed to conceive inside of you and then it will be complete. And you will

not be able to stop it."

"It won't work Ramses..."

"Salome you are the fool. You have no power...therefore stop resisting my love. It will be over soon."

"Ramses, don't!" And then I was slapped, and succumbed to the darkness once more.

He came upon me, stepping slowly like a crocodile. My ears were disturbed as his shoes crackled at every step. With his keen eyes, narrowing at me like a wild eagle, his presence drew nearer. My breath had only hitched for a moment. My back remained at his face, but out of the corner of my eye I could see him approach. Then his tender arms wrapped around me, holding me in place, where I could not move. His nose rested in my hair, inhaling the sweet fragrance of myrrh. He caressed my skin gently, as the softness enriched his touch. I was a soft as a dove's wings.

"Come with me," he taunted. His tone hypnotized my senses and intoxicated me in to another world of his own doing. No mortal could have some much temptation by one whose love was like a eternal, burning flame of passion. This decision, even as sinful as this, played through my mind over and over. And as I searched for the wisdom, it did not come. My mind was blank, like a papyrus sheet. I felt my brows knit in confusion. Everything was moving, constantly moving at a rate I could not follow. As my heartbeats quickened, I found no way to slow it down.

"No, Ramses. I cannot follow you," a soft voice replied by my own lips. I said no. I said no to the Prince of Egypt. Oh, blessed Isis! Her wisdom flows everlasting to everlasting. Her presence is always there whenever I am in need.

"So, it has come to this? I wonder where your loyalty lies," he accused.

"In you?" I asked inquisitively and shook my head. "Oh, you'll never understand. We cannot be together, no matter the circumstances." I held my head up high and looked out into the window.

"You are being only coy with me," he teased.

"Am I? I am only speaking the truth. Thou shall not tempt me. I am not in the mood to discuss such hindrances." I was serious and I had no time to play such games with him.

"Since when do you give me orders, huh? Are you the sole ruler of Egypt or am I?" He twisted me in his arms and grasped me firmly by the shoulders. I did not fear him as his tone was raging. "How dare you put your Goddess before me? I will have you at my mercy for such treason."

"Treason you say? I favored my God before you, because she is worthier than you?" I smirked. "Why you portentous, arrogant fool! I could never worship you. The only reason I stood for your commands because I had to obey, but I obey no one but the commands of my goddess. I shall not turn my back away from her word. Neither you, nor your Pharaoh will make me." He showed no movement of a response and a small smirk at the corner of his lips.

"Such a pity Salome, I hoped that you would change. But that is not the case." He clapped his hands twice. "Remove her from my sight."

"Salome?" Charles questioned...watching as her body jerked. "Salome...?" He watched as her

green eyes opened, and gazed at his. "Salome!"

"Charles!" She said, grasping her hands around his face. She gazed into his blue eyes, before kissing him most urgently. Charles' brows furrowed at first, but then he engulfed himself further into the kiss. Soon, it began to get to heated and Charles pull back.

"Salome...no too hasty."

"No...let's! Charles, take me..I'm yours. Take me, take me now. I want to be yours forever," she said hastily, untying the strings of his wardrobe. Little did she know, she stop him before she could finish.

"And you will my love, but first my must alert the others that you are awake."

"No!" Salome commanded. "I want you to make love to me right now!"

"We can't!" He pleaded.

"Why not? If you love me, you will do as I say."

"Salome what's wrong? You're acting strange? You're not yourself?"

"I am! Charles, listen to me." Charles turned his head." Look at me. LOOK AT ME!" Charles turn his attention towards her and watched as tears suddenly flowed down her eyes. As he tried to wipe them, she slapped his hand away.

"Let me help you," he said ardently.

"No...I don't want..." Then she began to choke on her words and Charles begged her to breathe.

"Salome!Salome!" He cried, and her eyes fluttered shut again. "Get me the doctor!" He yelled out, holding his beloved in his arms. He placed his ear on her neck, listening to the beat of her heart.