Disclaimer: I do not own the Mummy Returns. Just my OC. Writing for fun.
A/n: Hey all. So, I'm not sure what's going on with these chapters and why they aren't showing up, but hopefully they will soon. Enjoy the new chapter, and thanks for reading! Follows, favorites, and reviews are welcomed and loved!
Chapter 30: Flies Like Horus
Rory was sitting beside Ardeth as he gently pet Horus's feathers with a gentle touch, talking about Rick's destiny and what was to come. It was a cool night in the desert, one that felt familiar to Rory, and she couldn't explain why. Part of her felt a little indifferent tonight. She wasn't sure if that was because Ardeth was in her life again, or if it was the current situation. She just kept thinking how Alex must be scared out there. The one thing they had in common was the Book of the Dead. They could both talk about it all the time and on some days it made Rory feel better. She liked their talks and missed him. The kid was smart and resilient though. Also had a bit of a mouth on him too that often got him into trouble. She leaned back against the podium behind her where Izzy was, reading the map.
Made her wonder what it would be like if her daughter had been born, and wonder if they'd get along. She was sure. Rory hugged her arm for warmth, or maybe just a lack of comfort she was feeling right now.
"O'Connell does not want to believe. He flies like Horus towards his destiny," Ardeth said.
Rick had a coffee in his hand and walked across the deck, heading over to Evy who was at the end of the balloon boat.
"Oh yes, that's very interesting. Tell me more about this gold pyramid," Jonathan said, sneakily as he looked through the small hole in the wooden podium.
"Well, it is written that since the time of the Scorpion King, no man has laid eyes upon, has ever returned to tell the tale," Ardeth replied mysteriously.
He looked up at Izzy who was focused on the map in his hands.
"Where is all this stuff written? Hello…." He said, sneaking the gold stick away from him. He looked up just to check and see if Izzy was looking in which he was not. "Got it. Pretty nice eh? It's all I've got left in the world, rest of my fortune was lost to rather unscrupulous characters actually."
"You mean card games," Rory fake coughed.
Jonathan scowled at her.
Ardeth smiled. "If the curator reacted the way you say, it must be very important, if I were you, I'd keep it close."
"My friend, the Gods couldn't take this away from me," Jonathan boasted with it in his hand.
"Hey that's mine!" Izzy reached for it when he saw that Jonathan had gotten his sneaky paws on it. "Keep your hands off of it," he managed to rip it out of him as Jonathan had tried to hold onto it for dear life, making Ardeth chuckle.
Rory smiled softly at the two and excused herself to head to the other end of the ship. Ardeth set Horus down, perched upon Izzy's podium, and followed after her.
"Hey," Rory greeted him as he came up and stepped beside her.
"I know you want her back into this world. I do too," he said softly, holding onto the railing in front of him.
"I just miss her so much, Ardeth," Rory said, trying to keep her emotions from spilling out, but she was sure she was going to loose it this time. She almost wanted to cry and disappear into the darkness forever when Ardeth first showed up in her life again. "I just think of what she could bring to the world you know?"
Ardeth nodded. "I do know."
"It's my fault," she said tearfully, letting out a small sob, ready to break.
"Oh, no, it is not your fault, Rory," Ardeth said with a small shhh out of his lips. He wrapped her up in his arms and she allowed him to curl within his strong and musky body that she'd missed so much.
Rory sniffled against his chest. "I love you Ardeth. I love you so much, but I've just been afraid…"
"So have I," he admitted.
"You're never afraid," she frowned.
"Sometimes," he nodded. "But I know we'll be okay. We were brought together for a reason, Rory. You and me."
"And I screwed that up too," she whispered, and detangled herself from him. She walked closer to the railing looking up at the dark canvas with its stars looking down upon her.
"No," he said with a shake of his head. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to look up at him. She quickly wrapped her arms around him again and he hugged her dearly. He kissed her against the side of her temple. "It is not too late. It's never too late. You're not lost, Rory. We all have a destiny. We'll work on this together, I promise."
Rory nodded. "And in some strange way, I know we will."
Ardeth smiled against her skin and she leaned in within his warmth, relishing in his touch once more. She didn't want her heart to get broken, but right now it wasn't, and it was the comfort she needed, craved.
