Disclaimer: Don't own Yugioh


I felt a wet tongue on my face, and lazily opened my eyes. Senupi kept licking me until I patted him on the head. "Okay, that's enough, boy." He never failed to wake me up at the right hour, and so I never had the need to set up a candle alarm once he came into our lives. Senupi proceeded to lick Mahado, but I pulled him off. "Let him sleep," I said.

But it was too late; Mahado was already waking up. He yawned and stretched, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Senupi jumped on him and licked his face, and my husband smiled and patted him on the head. "Thank you, Senupi, I needed that."

"Wake up, sleepyhead. Perhaps a fresh bath is just the thing we need; it wouldn't do to show up at the meeting with the others smelling of last night."

He smirked. "Indeed, it wouldn't." He sat up, putting a hand to his head.

"Are you all right?" I asked. "You didn't have any more dreams once you fell asleep again, did you?"

"No; I just had that one," he said, his face darkening. "But what about you? Are you feeling well enough to attend to your duties today?"

"What are you talking about? I'm feeling just fine!" I answered, perplexed.

"Are you sure?" he asked, placing a hand on my stomach. "I've heard that pregnancy can sap the energy out of you."

"Well it hasn't done so yet," I replied, rising and donning my robe. "Now come, we have just enough time for a nice warm bath." I dashed out of the room.

"Jani, wait! Don't walk so fast!" my husband lightly scolded.

"Still feeling sluggish, are we?" I teased. "Fine, I'll race you to the bath! Winner gets the first massage!" I took off at a run.

"You shouldn't run in your condition!" he called after me, pulling on his kilt. Seeing as that I wouldn't listen, he had no choice but to dash after me.

I waited for him at the entrance to the baths. "I believe I win," I said smugly, feeling invigorated from the sprint.

He gasped for breath. "Are you crazy?" he scolded. "You could have tripped and fallen!"

"Oh come, I watched where I was going, and as you can see I'm perfectly fine. Now come, a little water is just what you need to wake up!"

"Wait!" I started at his tone. "You'd better hold on to me; the tiles could be slippery."

I sighed. "Someone has definitely been far away long enough to have forgotten that I'm not some delicate piece of glass that can break at any moment." But I obliged him, and sure enough, I stumbled a little and clung to his arm.

"One can never be too cautious, my love, especially when they have a fragile little life growing inside of them. We've worked too long and hard to come this far, and I don't want you taking any unnecessary risks."

"It's early yet," I replied, sliding into the pool and handing him the jar of almond oil. "I'd like to move around while I still can, before I grow as big as a horse and can only waddle slowly about."

"Even so, maybe you should take today off and rest, just to be safe," he said worriedly.

"For Ra's sake, Mad, the country needs me! And I'm only going to be sitting on the throne and listening to the Guardians and the viziers; what threat does that pose to the child?" I asked impatiently.

"Well, none that I can think of," he admitted as he rubbed the oil through my hair, "except perhaps boredom passed on from you."

I laughed. "At least you haven't lost your sense of humor. Relax, my love, I won't do anything to risk the child. Besides, Lady Aseneit said that I should carry on as I normally would; it would be best for me if I did. And she knows far more about this than you do."

"Even so, take care, Jani, please."

I turned around and banished the worry from his face with a kiss. "I promise I will, Mad. Now will you please stop worrying?"

"I'm your husband; it comes with the job, especially with your condition," he replied, echoing my earlier words back to me.


I approached the stable, with a few pieces of honeycomb in hand. My mare swung her head over the gate and nickered a soft greeting.

"Hello, Nephthys," I said, handing out a piece of honeycomb to her, and she eagerly took it.

"My Queen, she is expecting a foal come sometime in akhet," the Master of the Horse said.

"How wonderful! But why didn't you detect it sooner?"

"Horse pregnancies are hard to detect until they are further along; I hadn't thought of it until I inspected her and noticed that she had gained quite a bit of weight of late," he replied.

"Well, girl, looks like we both shall be mothers very soon," I said as I led her out of her stall.

Bata trotted up to the gate and gave a protesting whinny, anxiously pawing a hoof on the ground.

"You knew all along, didn't you, Bata?" I asked, handing him a piece of honeycomb so that he would settle down. "Well, you need not worry; I'm only going to walk her. No more jumping or galloping until we both have had our little ones." He chewed on the honeycomb and appeared to be appeased. "By Ra, you are just as anxious and overprotective as your master, though a lot easier to mollify," I said, patting him on the nose.

I had just barely tied Nephthys up when I heard Mahado's voice behind me. "Jani! What are you doing? You can't go riding out in your condition!"

"As I said before, it's early yet, and many a women has gone out riding and delivered a healthy child at the end of her term. It doesn't endanger the child one bit, my love. Perhaps you would care to join me?"

"Come, we can go walking instead," he coaxed.

"I was only going to have her go at a walk, she and Bata are expecting a little foal in several months' time," I said insistently.

"Really?" he asked eagerly, momentarily forgetting his anxiety. Remembering it, he continued, "But that's another reason why you shouldn't ride her; what if you endanger the foal?" Beside him, Bata gave a nicker as if to emphasize the point and say, "I told you so."

The Master of the Horse stepped in. "Actually, my Lord, it is perfectly safe for the Queen Regent to ride her, it is actually beneficial to her health, and she is not so far along as to need a great deal of rest. The mare will be fine."

"Even so, I think you should rest for today, Jani. Perhaps we could go on a ride tomorrow," Mahado insisted, already taking the lead rope and leading Nephthys back into her stall.

I petulantly folded my arms across my chest. "Why don't we go to Lady Aseneit and see which of us is correct on this matter?" I challenged, doing my best to stem my irritation. The moods were definitely raging, and this was not helping at all.

"Fine; let us see if she is available now."

I angrily rounded on my heel and stalked out of the stable. He swiftly caught up with me. "Please, my love, just indulge me this one time, and I promise that I shan't ask too much of you."

I sighed. "Really, Mad, as if you weren't protective enough before all this happened, it seems as if now you've become a hundredfold more overprotective as if to make up for the time you were away! I think you're taking it a little too far," I pouted.

"Please don't be angry, Jani," he pleaded. "I'm just worried about you in your condition is all."

"Hasn't it occurred to you that perhaps you are worrying a bit too much?" I snapped. Seeing the hurt look on his face, I immediately regretted the sting in my voice. "After all, didn't you say long ago that I wasn't weak?"

"I never said that you were," he replied, drawing an arm around my waist. "But bearing a child is a challenge even for the strongest of women, and on the front I heard plenty of horror stories from a couple of soldiers who have lost their wives in childbirth. I should die if that were to happen to you." He gently pulled on me to slow me down. "We don't need to rush to her; why don't we take this time to enjoy each other's company?"

I relented and slowed my pace, wrapping my arm around his waist in turn. "Come now, where's your faith in the gods concerning this matter? Aset, Hathor, and Heqet will protect me, just as they and the other gods protected you, Atem, Seto, and Karim at the front."

He managed to smile. "Of course they will, but I still can't help but worry."

"As you usually do," I said wryly as we entered the medical wing.

Yewera greeted us, and I noticed the coldness in her eyes as she regarded me. She bowed politely. "My Queen Regent, what brings you here to the medical wing? I trust that your husband is taking care of you and lavishing all his attention on you during this trying time?"

"Perhaps a little too much attention," I said teasingly, deliberately choosing to ignore the envy in her tone. "We have come to consult Lady Aseneit."

"If I had such a husband, I would appreciate his attention and affection to the fullest," she said. She stepped closer to Mahado, fixing her gaze on him. "Clearly your wife is a bit resentful of your attention," she murmured. My husband stepped back.

"I didn't say that I didn't appreciate it," I answered hotly, aware of the way she was looking at Mahado.. "And who are you to speak in such a way to the Queen Regent?"

"You had better go and fetch your mistress; we don't have all day," Mahado said sternly, protectively drawing me closer to him with an arm.

Yewera didn't say anything, but turned around and did as Mahado bid. "It seems to me that she has designs on you," I said when she was out of earshot. "Did something occur between the two of you at the front?"

"Don't pay her much mind, Jani," Mahado said casually. But he averted his gaze, and I realized that he didn't want me to know of how Yewera had tried to seduce him, for some reason. But then again, I didn't want him to know about the kiss between Kenut and I, and that was far more than just some flirtation.

Lady Aseneit swept in. "My lady Queen, Lord Mahado," she greeted, "what a surprise! My latest apprentice told me that you wish to consult me. What is it about?"

Mahado looked to me. "It seems that my husband here is overly worried about my condition, and I just wanted to put his mind at ease," I answered. "Tell him, Lady Aseneit; did you not say that I should carry about my normal routine?"

She nodded. "So I did, my lady Queen."

"But what if she were to feel overly tired and drained?" Mahado asked anxiously. "Should she not rest more often?"

"I have had no complaints from Her Majesty thus far, my Lord," Lady Aseneit answered. "But if that were the case, my lady Queen, then you should definitely rest."

"It is perfectly safe for me to ride my horse at a walk and a trot, is it not?" I asked, getting to the point.

"It is indeed; there is no harm in riding in your early months."

"But I still think that she should not, for the safety of the child," Mahado said. "I don't exactly trust that it is safe, despite your good counsel, Lady Aseneit."

"Well… if it really worries your husband so much, my lady Queen, then perhaps you shouldn't," Lady Aseneit conceded. "However, light daily exercise is best for you and your child. Also, refrain from drinking any alcohol- barley beer is best for you, and be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables."

I bit back my irritation at her taking my husband's side. "Very well, Lady Aseneit. We thank you for your good advice."


That night, there was a special feast to celebrate Atem's twelfth Naming Day. He sat to my right, and I held my cup up to him. "To the Horus Ascendant, the Prince Atem! May the gods smile on you and bless you with vigorous life for many years to come."

"Hear, hear!" The rest of the court cried.

Before I could take a sip, Mahado murmured a spell and let his palm hover over the cup, eliminating all possible poisons. He did the same for my food, and then did the same for Atem. Isis raised her eyebrow at his cautiousness, but didn't say anything.

Karim, who had been released from the medical wing that afternoon, did. "What's this, Mahado? Still ever the cautious one, are we?" he joked.

"Just as you are still ever the humorous one, Karim," my husband replied smoothly.

"He's become a hundredfold more cautious," I said, trying to hide the edge in my voice. "He insisted that I cling to his arm while walking on the tiles in the bathhouse, and he has all but forbidden me from riding, even though it is early in my condition yet."

"Indeed; well you are fortunate that your wife seems to be willing to obey you in this regard, Mahado," Karim replied. "If I didn't know better, I would think that she would dismiss your wishes as being foolish and ignore them."

We all laughed. "If I did," I replied lightly, "then surely my husband would go mad out of worry. It is for his well-being that I indulge his wishes."

I snapped my fingers, and the musicians and dancers came forth. They began a lively, lilting tune as the dancers began to swivel their hips and dance sensually to the beat of the music. I observed my brother carefully, and noticed the rapt fascination in his gaze as he watched the naked dancers. Ra, watch over him in these years, I silently prayed. Now that Father was gone, I couldn't help but worry about his well-being in the critical years to come, especially when he came of the age to take his place on the Horus Throne.

I felt myself succumbing to fatigue rather early, and so I rose and took my leave. "Forgive me, Brother, but I feel that I must take my leave now, for my yawns are coming much too often for me to ignore. I wish you all the happiness on this day," I said as I hugged him.

"Your love is the greatest gift of all, Sister," he replied sweetly. I affectionately ruffled his hair and then left, Mahado attentively at my side. Once we exited the banquet hall, he picked me up in his strong arms.

I giggled and looped my arms around his neck. "I'm not so tired that I can't walk, my love, although I don't mind this favor."

"You said you were tired, and I don't want you to expend any more effort than you already have to," he replied tenderly.

A shadow emerged around a corner, and I saw Kenut. I suddenly felt rather embarrassed at his witnessing this intimacy between Mahado and me, and I clung a bit tighter to my husband.

"Kenut!" I managed to greet, plastering a polite smile on my face. "Why are you not enjoying yourself at the banquet?"

"I found the cacophonous music a bit too much, and so I am taking a stroll to clear my head. I am just returning now," he said, his dark eyes taking in every detail. "If I may ask, why are the two of you taking your leave so early? I thought that you enjoy the festivities."

"My wife is feeling more tired than usual, thus we are retiring early," Mahado answered stiffly. "Now if you will excuse us, we shall be on our way." He swept past him, and for some reason, I felt my gaze drawn to Kenut, and he remained where he was, watching us until we rounded a corner.

Mahado gently laid me down on the bed. "Is there anything you need? A cup of beer, something to nibble on?" he asked.

I laughed. "Nothing, except for you to come here." He obliged, and I kissed him deeply. "Now, what is this all about, my love?"

"What are you talking about, Jani?" he asked, pretending nonchalance.

"You've been acting so strangely today! First, scolding me for running, then insisting that I refrain from riding, and now carrying me all the way to our bedchamber in your arms, thus saving me the effort of walking, which would have been no effort at all! I know that you usually worry a lot, but this is a bit excessive, even for you. And then there was the dream you had last night, and you won't even tell me about it, which is so unlike you. There is something more than just my condition. What is it?"

"It's nothing, my love," he replied, giving me another kiss. "It's just that I know how dangerous childbirth can be, and I only want to protect you."

"The goddesses alone have the power to do that, Mad," I said gently. "You would do best to pray to them and entrust me to their care."

"Even so, there is plenty that I can do," he said. "And please, Jani, do not overexert yourself until the child is born."

I sighed, gently pulling the headdress off his head. "I promise I shan't, my love. Now, how about we read some poetry before calling it a night?"

"You cunning lioness, I knew you weren't entirely fatigued."

"Well, I felt ready to retire to a peaceful night," I said. "I know my brother will forgive us, and my condition is a great excuse to use in getting my way."

"So it is," he conceded. "So what would you like to hear tonight?"


Even though I indulged Mahado's wishes and refrained from riding and rested as often as my duties would allow me to, I soon found myself chafing at his overprotectiveness. I knew that my condition made me subject to violent moods, and I tried to spare him from the worst of them, but without my rides to bring comfort, I only had beadmaking, and I couldn't engage in it too often, for I found that if I started, I would become too engrossed to leave the kiln until I had completed a bead, which could take up to an hour.

Finally, I found an open window of time in which I could engage in battle magic practice with Shimon, Atem, and the others. I met them in the courtyard, and noticed that Aramen, Semni, and Kenut were there as well.

"My Prince, I believe that today you can begin engaging in full-length mock ka battles, now that you are another year older," Shimon said.

"Yes!" Atem exclaimed. "May I challenge my sister to a mock ka battle?"

"Are you sure, Atem?" I said. "Maybe you should challenge Shimon first, since he will go easy on you, whereas I will not."

"I'm absolutely certain," he replied confidently, letting the wings of his diadiankh unfurl.

"I insist on taking my wife's place in this mock ka battle, my Prince," Mahado said, stepping in front of me. "She shouldn't excessively tax her heka and her ba with her condition."

"On the contrary," I snapped, "there is nothing I need more than a good way to expend some pent-up energy, and this is the perfect way to do it. I have plenty of heka to spare."

"You could endanger the child!" my husband argued.

"For Ra's sake, everything I do will endanger the child in your eyes!" I retorted, finally losing the vestiges of patience with him, ignoring the shocked looked on everyone's faces. "To you, the only way I won't endanger the child is if I stay in our bedchamber and do nothing but lie in bed all day!"

Mahado looked taken aback at my outburst. "Believe me, it's best this way, my love."

"Best for whom, Mad?" I cried. "Is it really what's best for me, or what's best for you?"

Karim stepped in between the two of us before Mahado could formulate a reply. "For once, Jasana, I must take sides with your husband, at least in this regard. How about a compromise? You won't engage in any mock ka battles, but you will still practice your heka in all other ways."

"Karim-" my husband began.

"You have to give a little if you are to take a little, Mahado," Karim said in a tone that didn't allow for argument. "Otherwise, your wife will have no productive way to expend this energy, and you will find yourself the target of her raging moods, even more so than you are now. And believe me, you don't want that. Women in their pregnancy-induced moods can become very nasty. If you want to retain a shred of peace, and sanity, I suggest you do as I say and let her have this one outlet."

"And just who are you to intrude on this argument, Karim?" I said, rounding on him and directing my anger at him. "I gave you no leave to speak on my behalf; this is between Mahado and me."

"I'm simply playing the peacekeeper," he said calmly, "since the two of you obviously cannot wait until you are alone to argue. Without my intervention, Mahado would be incinerated by your temper."

"By the gods, just look at the two of you, bartering over what I can and cannot do as if I can't decide for myself. I'm not a witless invalid, you know! I'm only with child; that does not make me incompetent!" Suddenly, tears started to my eyes, and I turned around and ran away to the comfort of the stable.


I opened the gate to the pasture and let myself in. Nephthys and Bata both trotted over, and Bata placed himself between Nephthys and me.

"Get out of the way, Bata; I'm not going to ride her. Can't you see that I don't have a halter in my hand?" Even Bata seemed affronted by my temper, giving an indignant toss of his head. "I'm sorry, boy…" I said, wiping my tears from my eyes. "I seem to be a slave to the craziest moods…" He gently pressed his nose to my cheek and nickered to his mate, bidding her closer. I leaned against Nephthys and cried my tears out. "By Ra… these moods are driving me insane, and so is Mahado with his overprotectiveness! If this is how things are going to be, I can't wait for the little one to be born so that they can return to normal!"

Soon the heat of the Ra's rays was overbearing, so I made my way to the shade of a palm tree, and Nephthys and Bata followed suit. They grazed peacefully, keeping a watchful eye over me as I sat against the trunk of the tree, closing my eyes as I let the warm breeze rush by. I didn't know how long I stayed out there; time seemed to slip away as I absorbed the peacefulness of my surroundings. With the two horses as my companions, Mahado, the viziers, my duties, and the palace seemed so far away.

Finally, I couldn't deny that Ra would soon begin his descent, and it was time to bring the horses in. Nephthys and Bata obediently followed me as I led them from the pasture to their stalls. I leaned against the gate, not wanting to return to the palace just yet.

Nephthys pricked her ears up, and I looked over my shoulder to see Kenut approaching. I inwardly groaned to myself; being alone with him was not exactly something that I wanted. "Kenut," I said politely.

"So, you have finally cracked at your husband's possessiveness," he said.

"It was not possessiveness; it was simply overprotectiveness out of concern for my condition. He tends to be like that at times, and I simply lost my patience with him temporarily is all."

He approached my side without my leave. "You know that if I were in his place, I would never treat you thusly," he said passionately. "I would understand your need to continue with your regular routine, and I would not treat you like some fragile figurine that's about to break. I would patiently endure all your tirades and tantrums-"

"Stop," I interrupted, increasing the distance between us. "You mustn't talk to me thusly, Kenut. You have no leave to do so."

"I speak to you as a dear friend; you have given me leave to treat you as a friend, have you not?" he said.

"But that was before…" I faltered, not wanting to acknowledge the kiss, "that day, when you took a forbidden liberty with me. Clearly our friendship has reached dangerous grounds, and it cannot continue like this."

"But why not?" Kenut protested. "Why deny what is hidden deep in your heart? You yearn for me, I know you do! Otherwise you would not have kissed me like you did, and I saw the longing in your eyes the other night when your husband carried you away. You couldn't keep your eyes off me!"

I looked away. "As I said before, my body responded against my will; it was the extended absence of my husband and being deprived of his touch for so long that caused me to respond the way I did. And I merely looked back at you the other night because you remained standing where you were, and you were directly in my line of sight. There was nothing in it."

"Oh, and I suppose there was nothing in the way your husband looked at Lady Aseneit's newest apprentice?" he challenged.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "How do you know of that?"

"I happened to be passing by the medical wing at the moment, and I caught a glance of the pure lust in his eyes as the two of you spoke with her. She fancies him too, I can tell, by the way she's been acting around him, and I overheard her bragging to a maid that she nearly succeeded in seducing him, and intends to begin where she left off at the first opportunity. No man can resist such charms, especially when the woman has set her eyes on him. He may not have committed adultery yet, but already in his mind he has done so."

"Be silent!" I hissed. "I don't believe a word of it. I'll have you know that I know that bitch tried to seduce my husband, but he outright refused her, professing his loyalty to me. Now get out of my sight and keep such blasphemous opinions to yourself. Henceforth the friendship between us is over, Kenut, and I don't ever want to see you unless it is for professional reasons."

"By Ra, if I cannot persuade you gently to love me, then I shall force you!" he vehemently swore, moving quickly towards me.

I stepped back, preparing to conjure a shield between us. "I could curse you, or I could call the guards, or you can disappear of your own free will; it is your choice," I warned.

Just then, much to my relief, Atem and Mahado appeared. Seeing the tension between the two of us, Atem raised an eyebrow. "Sister? Is something amiss?" he asked. Beside him, Mahado was glaring daggers at Kenut, and I realized that they must've heard the last part of our exchange, if not a good portion of it.

"You'd better leave my wife alone, Kenut, if you know what is best for you," Mahado snarled.

"Of course, I wouldn't dream of sullying your most prized possession, Mahado," Kenut replied coldly. "After all, the Queen Regent is the greatest prize of all, is she not?"Mahado started towards him, but Atem quickly pulled him back.

"I'll have no fighting here," I warned. "And I told you to get out of my sight, Kenut. Farewell." He had no choice but to bow and take his leave. Once he was gone, Mahado rushed to me and enfolded me in his arms, and I felt my anger at him dissipating quickly as I inhaled the scent of his skin.

"Thank Aset you came when you did," I said, my voice muffled against his clothes.

Atem had discreetly slid away to spend time with his horse, leaving the two of us alone. "I'm sorry, my love; I should know better than to try and limit you, especially when it comes to your heka," Mahado murmured softly.

I gently pressed my lips to his. "There is nothing to forgive, Mad. I can understand your anxiety. If our roles were reversed, I probably would act the same way."

"But even so, I think Karim's compromise is a good idea; you can practice your heka in other ways, but wait until after the child is born before engaging in ka summoning."

"Yes, it is a good compromise," I agreed. "Trust him to be the logical peacekeeper, although I probably shouldn't have singed him with my anger."

"He was right; if he hadn't been there to play peacekeeper, I surely would have been burnt to a crisp by your temper. Already I have suffered a couple of burns."

I laughed weakly. "I'm sorry… these mood swings are dreadful, but I can't seem to help them."

"It's a small price to pay to sustain the growing life in your womb," he said tenderly, going down on his knees to kiss my belly.

"Indeed it is," Atem said, walking up towards us. "Jani, I think perhaps you should take a small break every day from your queenly duties."

I looked at him in surprise. "I don't think that's necessary, Brother."

"But I think so," he insisted. "I think these duties are putting an additional strain on you in your condition, thus explaining why your moods have been so bad of late. How about I meet with the Guardians in the morning, letting you sleep in, and you can meet with the viziers in the afternoon, or vice versa, however you want it?" Seeing my hesitation, he continued, "Besides, it'll be good practice for when I ascend to the Horus Throne; it's about time I take on more responsibility instead of just standing by your side. So how about it?"

"You have a good point," I conceded. "Fine; you can take the morning meetings, and I'll take the afternoon ones."

He smiled. "Excellent! Now the sound of these horses munching is making me hungry. Come, I think dinner is just about ready."

"Me too," I said. "And I hope the cook has prepared the duck in that special sauce of his like I requested, I've been craving it since this morning!"

"I requested that he cook your favorite soup as well," Mahado added as we swept from the stable, giving our horses one last pat on the nose for the night.


Thanks for reading! And please leave a review too! This chapter originally was going to include more, but then it got to be so long that I thought it better to cut it in half. The other half will be out later this week! Sorry if this chapter seems fluffish.