Author's note: So, I am back kind of. I wrote a chapter legit right before this one and hated it so much I removed it. I hope this chapter is better suited for the continuation of the story, as I still have no idea where it's headed. Haha!
With slow, blinking eyes, the Pharaoh found the sun peeking into his chambers. A weight on his arm reminded him of the night prior, elation plummeting into terror before it rounded out with the two of them falling sleep in each other's arms. The more he blinked, the more her face came into focus, peaceful and seemingly in a deep slumber. A soft smile formed upon his features, regardless of the conflict he felt within his chest. She was broken, but that meant little to the Pharaoh - she was his. One hand lifted to gently brush some of her silver tresses from her face, only to immediately feel the cold, hard grip of her hand against his wrist. A soft gasp left him, violet gaze falling to her once sleeping features to find her emerald hues looking up at him. Pupils were dilated to pinpoints, a seemingly real fear crossing her features for a brief moment, "It's me..." Atem's voice spoke in an attempt to sooth.
Such calm words seemed to have her releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding, hand loosening her grip before it ran down to his own hand to lace their fingers together, "Sorry. Bad dream." There was a slight frailty to her voice that was paired with a whisper, as if she didn't want to disturb the quietness of the morning. Atem's head simply shook, taking their hands and placing the back of her own against his lips, as if to comfort and assure her it as alright, "Can we stay here for the rest of the day?" The question had the Pharaoh laugh softly, nodding in agreeance.
"I wish we could, truly; but I know that it won't be long before someone feels it necessary to interrupt us." Sleep still coated his voice, causing Kaija to nuzzle into him even closer in an attempt to keep him where he lay, "But I suppose we could lay here for as long as that takes." He added before unlacing his hand from hers to lift her chin. Pushing his head closer, he captured her lips with his own in a tender kiss - one that didn't take long for Kaija to return.
Laying on their sides, Kaija allowed one of her own hands to roam, running over the Pharaoh's bare chest, over his neck and to his cheek in order to deepen the kiss. It had been a long time since they were able to simply bask in the taste of each other, and the priestess was more than happy to indulge, if only for a little while.
Each kiss became deeper than the last, tongues eventually exploring one another, with soft whimpers and groans leaving each mouth as they did so. Eventually, Atem attempted to move, to roll on top of her, only to feel his counterpart's hand on his chest in an attempt to step him, which he did, "You can't..." she breathed against his lips, swallowing slightly, "I can't-"
"Okay." He nodded in understanding before leaning back int to continue their kisses, only to be interrupted by the sound of a knock on the doors. Both stopped in their tracks, gazes never leaving one another before Kaija gave a knowing smile, gentle and kind. Atem, on the other hand, had pure annoyance in his features, which seemed to melt at the sight of her soft one.
With one more kiss placed to her lips, he climbed from the bed and headed towards the door. Kaija could hear a simple conversation before Atem closed the door and headed back towards the bed, Kaija only barely starting to peel herself from the blankets, "Isis is waiting for you; she didn't expect you to not be in your chambers, though she knew I was to take you." He stated with a light grin placed upon his features.
"I'm not surprised, I don't think anyone would actually expect me to be in here," she added before she grabbed his attire and began to slowly help him dress. Tying his skirt to his waist, she slid on his armlets and bracelets, along with his chest-piece and crown, "Will this be where I stay tonight as well?" She asked as she finessed his jewelry and finally let him go long enough for him to grab his millennium item.
"Yes. You will stay tonight, and the next night," he then walked up to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close as he looked down at her, "And the night after that...and every night following, until I say otherwise." With his words came a playful grip her rear, causing Kaija to gasp and grin in a teasing nature.
"As my Pharaoh commands." She stated before allowing him to claim her lips once more, both hands lifting to cup his cheeks as it lingered for a few moments.
Finally, after they broke away, Kaija allowed her nose to brush against his own, "I should go, before Isis brings down the door." Teasingly, she grinned at him before pulling away and heading towards the exit, peering over her shoulder to see Atem watching her leave, "Are you coming?"
It was a blessing to see her walk out of his chambers, if only with the knowledge that she would be back the following night and for every night onward. There was complete adoration in his gaze as he watched her look towards him, nodding simply before following her out.
By the time they reached the throne room, it was time for them to go separate ways for the day; but, before Kaija could get too far, Atem had grabbed her by the wrist and gently pulled her back towards him. With a bright, smile, Kaija allowed him to pull her close, their lips colliding for the first time in public so openly. It was a refreshing feeling for the both of them, the kiss trailing for a moment or two before they pulled away and Atem allowed his priestess to release herself from him fully and make her way to the temple; the last thing of their's to touch was fingertips.
Atem watched her go once again, before finally being pulled from his trance at the sound of another's voice, "Pharaoh! You finally wake." The voice did not sound welcoming, but somewhat frantic, "We've heard reports of bandits outside of the city - they think they may be associated with the theif king." They were sobering words, Atem's brows furrowing into concern.
"How long have they been out there?" The question left him with more authority, his duty outweighing his blissed out state of mind before hearing a shriek come from down the hall. Eyes widened at the familiarity of the shriek, head turning towards the origin of it, "No..." The word left him breathlessly before both him and Mahad took off racing down towards it.
What they found was Atem's nightmare, Bakura's arm wrapped around her neck with a knife pointed to her side. Kaija remained in his grasp, eyes wide and filled with terror, "Atem!" Her words were stressed before the theif king pressed the tip of the knife against her flesh.
"Shut up!" His voice was a hiss as he turned his head towards her and placed his cheek right against her own, "You remember the last time you screamed out for him like that, don't you?" His tongue left his mouth then, running up and over her cheek with a low growl as Kaija simply turned her head away with force.
"Let her go! You've tormented her enough." The Pharaoh attempted to rationalize, chest clenched and gut frozen with the fear of losing her again. He watched with terror as the thief held onto Kaija's chin and turned her head to look towards the Pharaoh.
"Look at her - this precious little flower...how does it feel, knowing it was I who ruined her before you could? Hm?" A grin played upon his face as a cackle left him soon after, "At least, I had something before our dear Pharaoh did!" The cackling continued, Atem's rage boiling within him as Kaija remained still in his grasp, though there was a seething rage that could be seen within her features as well.
"Silence!" The outburst from the Pharaoh was paired with a few hasty steps towards the two of them, which caused Bakura's cackling to stop and instead push the knife further into her flesh.
Immediately, Atem stopped in his tracks as Kaija released a cry of pain, "Ah, ah, ah. Not so fast, my Pharaoh. You care for this young woman so much? You long for her to be yours forever?" A devious grin formed on his face, "Let us see how you think of her, once you see what she truly is!" The words were wrapped in a bellowing shout as he pulled the knife back, only to plunge it into Kaija's side.
With a blood-curdling scream, Kaija threw her head back as Bakura simply let her go and took a step back. Immediately the once familiar emerald gaze of the woman he loved, morphed into a blood red, pupils turned to slits as her teeth pointed into fangs and her nails into talons. Falling to her knees, she held herself up on one hand as the other reached for the knife in her side and easily pulled it from her flesh. The shell of her ear pointed into something inhuman, the aura of her turning dark and sinister, "See the true power of the Millennium Heart!" The thief exclaimed as he took a few steps back, "It shall be your downfall!" It was then that he turned to run, knowing full well of the destruction he would retroactively cause.
As the thief ran, Atem began to take a few steps towards the woman he thought was still Kaija. Yet, when she climbed to her feet and extended her hands, joints cracking at the knew power that coursed through them, Atem felt his blood run cold, "...Kaija?" His voice was low, but filled with uncertainty. Lifting her head swiftly, her gaze cause his with a flicker, an unfamiliar stare now looking to him, "No..." The word was a whisper as a roar left her and echoed throughout the palace.