Next chapter, hopefully somebody other than me is reading it lol / BTW I'm changing this story to M, not in this chapter, I will warn you about the chapter that made the rating raise :P reviews are very appreciated
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Months had passed and Anck-su-namun proved to be a very dedicated student, stubborn and impulsive, but skilled, brave, strong and in the end, obedient. She never missed a lesson, only when she had to accompany the Pharaoh at his request, but it was very rare, her company was normally requested only at night.
Strike again. - demanded Imhotep
Anck-su-namun stroke and shouted.
Again.
Again
Again…
You are making a fair process Anck-su-namun, you need to work on your defense stance though. When you launch yourself to attack, you forget to return to your guarding stance and you leave yourself open for an attack. Here, let me show you.
Imhotep stood behind her, took her by the shoulders and moved her a few steps back.
-Spread your legs
Anck-su-namun giggled because she couldn't help but to imagine that phrase being said in a completely different place and situation, Imhotep seemed far too focused to notice it.
He placed a knee in the opening of her legs to open them wider, and pushed her down to squat a little. He used his foot to push her leg in front, and the other to stay in position.
-That is the position you must maintain, don't forget. - Imhotep released his grasp and walked in front of her.
Feeling his strong hands grabbing her shoulders and his leg touching hers, skin on skin, had sent an electric charge to her brain, to her chest, her stomach and to other places in her body. She excused herself and ran to the bathroom to splash water on her face to calm herself down.
Imhotep thanked the gods she did that, because he was feeling exactly the same, and the last thing he wanted was to be seen like this by her and especially by the Medjai, who always mounted watchful guard. He walked to the end of the garden where a little pond with some fishes, bent and splashed himself with the cool liquid, the poor fishes swimming away terrified.
He breathed, composed himself and smirked. "Spread your legs", she had giggled, nervously. Maybe…. No, stop.
-I think we can call it a day, do you agree? After all, Ra is at its highest and I might get sunstroke.- Anck-su-namun was arranging her hair in a knot, he's never seen her that way, he could appreciate her neck so much more, he stared in wonder and couldn't help but to smile.
-Yes, I think we had enough. Farewell Anck-su-namun, see you tomorrow. - Imhotep bowed and grabbed a towel to dry his face.
Anck-su-namun moved her head towards the medjai signaling him to gather her things to be on their way, and he moved quickly to get her robe. She walked towards Imhotep and grabbed his hand strongly and looked into his eyes, seductively - "I really enjoyed today's lesson…"- she whispered, and walked away.
Seductress!! She knew damn well the effect she had on him, and she was tempting him! Is this a trap set by Seti to prove his loyalty? Is this whole training a charade, a game to uncover if he would betray the Pharaoh? Is she a pawn in this wicked game?
He stared as she left, but right then, she turned her head towards him, and smiled at him. That smile melted him in so many ways… He couldn't help but to smile back at her, and then she turned and left.
This whole training thing was a bad idea - said Imhotep to himself. - He shook his head and walked inside the temple.
--
Anck-su-namun was reaching her breaking point. She did enjoy learning Tahitb, she liked learning how to defend herself if case ever arised, unfortunately her normal attacker was impossible to harm. Nevertheless, she liked feeling that power within her. But more than that, she was frightened because what had started as an attraction, soon turned into a sinful desire and now it was morphing into something she had never felt before: love.
And that frightened her. Because one thing is lust, that can go as easily as it came, but love is an entirely different thing. And it was something completely new for her. She's always had men eating out of the palm of her hand, her beauty always ensured that she could take her pick in any man she could ever want. And that is exactly why she was excited about "choosing" a living god, the Pharaoh.
But with Imhotep, the initial idea of mischief with him evolved into a burning desire to actually be with him, not only in the flesh, but to actually spend time with him.
She wanted to know everything about this mysterious man who had awakened in her something she believed was dead before it was even born. She was captivated by his intelligence, his mind, she felt a bit of arrogance pouring from him that for most people made him somewhat uncomfortable , but for her it made him desirable. After all, the second most powerful man in Egypt had every right to act like that. Yet with her, he was never condescending, never arrogant, never undermined her. She knew he respected her, the way nobody else did, not even her family.
She was fighting her inner self because, while she fantasized about him a while ago, she didn't really feel anything for him except desire, which meant he was expendable. If they would engage in fling, it wouldn't last long, she just wanted to satisfy her curiosity and then discard him, or if they were caught, she'd pin all the blame on him and it didn't matter if he was executed. She'd be whipped, punished, perhaps banished, or perhaps killed, it didn't really matter, she'd win anyway.
But now she didn't want to do that, because he was far too important and precious to her to expose him in a perilous situation like that. It wasn't for her sake, she'd rather die than to remain being a mindless sex slave. But she couldn't bear the thought of causing him harm, put him in danger or worse, to have him killed.
Now she was more lost than ever, she was living in an agony that was far worse than the one living before. She was doomed to never have the man she loved.
I wish I was never born. I must have done something awful in my former life for the gods to punish me thus - Anck-su-namun thought to herself.
She was in her balcony contemplating the city and its beautiful sunset, when somebody knocked violently on her door.
-Who is it? She demanded, startled.
-It's me my lady - replied Kissa - the servant seemed alarmed.
-Come in.
Kissa came all nervous and shut the door immediately as she entered.
-You look like you just saw a ghost - Anck-su-namun smiled at her expression.
-My Lady, something awful has happened!!
-What is it?
-Your grace, Pharaoh Seti has fallen very ill…
-Ill? He seemed just fine last night - replied Anck-su-namun turning her back on her servant to continue watching the sunset.
-He's in a sort of trance, he can't wake up. The doctors say they have no clue what it is, and he may die in the following hours. - the panicked slave could barely make sense from all the haste she had telling Anck-su-namun about this.
Anck-su-namun turned now genuinely concerned.
-Who has told you this? Asked Anaksunamun
-I heard the physician talk to lady Nefertiri… They also requested Lord Imhotep's presence immediately to perform the sacred rites. This is too soon! His final resting place isn't finished yet!! - Kissa was loyal to a fault to the Pharaoh, and Anck-su-namun couldn't blame her, after all, Kissa was what Anck-su-namun called a "street rat" before she was given the chance to join palace and be rescued.
Imhotep - she whispered.
-Did you say something myLady? - Kissa failed to hear what she said but she knew her mistress said something.
-No, nothing… so when is Lord Imhotep coming? She asked
-He's probably here by now… I heard he'll be staying in palace until whatever happens, either Pharaoh gets well, or….
-How long could it take? Anck-su-namun cut her off.
-The physician said it could be a matter of hours, days, weeks or even months.
Anck-su-namun didn't even feel guilty to know her master was in his deathbed and not caring at all, all she cared is that it was an excuse to have Imhotep sleep under the same roof as her, if for a day, or hopefully more.
-Thank you Kissa for telling me this. Now go, I shall pray to Isis to restore our Lord's health. Come back if you have any news.
-I will - and she stormed out.
Anck-su-namun smiled, sighed and resumed her admiration of Ra setting, turning the sky in lovely red, orange and purple shades. - This could set me free… this could be it!
--
When Imhotep received the news, he was talking to his priests putting everything in order for the ceremony that would be the next day. He was shocked, he saw the Pharaoh the day before and he seemed fine, in good spirits and splendid health. He couldn't believe that it changed so drastically overnight.
When summoned, he rode as fast as he could and ran towards the Pharaohs chambers. He saw Nefertiri kneeling on his side, holding his hand, crying and sobbing, and all his doctors and other priests around the bed. He saw Ahmenoph, the head physician and headed straight towards him.
-What happened? Asked Imhotep
-We don't know… when his servants came to wake him, he wouldn't move. They ran to tell our physicians to tell he was dead, but he's alive, but unconscious. - Nefertiri replied.
-How could this happen? He was fine yesterday - Imhotep replied
-We don't know… he's breathing and his heart is beating normally, he doesn't have a fever and there is no sign of injuries anywhere. We're puzzled -Ahmenoph, the head physician, replied. He was absolutely baffled.
Imhotep closed his eyes, sighed and asked something he was terrified of the answer
- Has the possibility of poison been considered? - he feared the answer because the only person he could have done this was somebody far too important for him.
-Of course, but if it is poison, it's a new kind, for he is like he's in deep sleep and doesn't seem like he's in pain or suffering. We asked the maids and slaves what he had for breakfast and dinner, all he ate yesterday is the same everybody else did, and his food taster tried it first. - the physician answered.
He sighed in relief. Somehow, in the back of his head he thought this might be Anck-su-namun's work to get rid of her jailer.
-Where is Lady Anck-su-namun? He asked.
-She hasn't been told yet. We fear this might be too difficult for her and we were waiting for you to tell her… after all, she has more trust in you than in any of us - replied Ahmenoph.
-What makes you think that? - asked Imhotep somewhat alarmed.
-Because of your training of course, the Pharaoh mentioned last night how proud he was of all the progress she was making and what a good teacher you turned out to be.
He flushed and smiled.
-Well.. first thing's first. If we don't know when or if Lord Seti will recover, it is my duty to prepare him as quickly as possible for the journey to the afterlife. If he recovers, all the best. If he doesn't, he must find safe passage to meet his ancestors. - He signaled with his hands for people to move and give him space, and he bent next to him and began reciting some rites. Nefertiri cried even more.
After the chants and prayers were over, Imhotep rose, put his palm on Seti's forehead and finished his ceremony.
-I must summon my priests, they must keep careful watch day and night, and must tell me if the Pharaoh returns to us or if he has departed. Until then, if Ahmenoph can't do much, neither can we.- He walked to where Nefertiri kept sobbing, bent down, took her hands in his own and said "-Lady Nefertiri, I urge you to rest. Your father is in the best care possible and is ready to depart if it comes to that. You can't do much more." She looked up to his face, smiled, wiped the tears from her cheeks and walked to her father - "come back to me, I'm not ready yet, please" - she whispered on the old man's ear, and then kissed his forehead softly.
She bowed and exited.
-I will now find Lady Anck-su-namun and tell her of the news. Let's hope she has the strength to endure this horrible news. - He bowed and left.
--
Anck-su-namun was braiding her hair, when a knock in her door interrupted her thoughts.
-Kissa, you come with more news? -She asked, and heard the door open.
-Kissa?
The room was dark, it was near midnight, only a few candles lit the massive room that was Anck-su-namun's
She rose from her hairstyler and walked to the entrance, only to find Imhotep standing there. She gasped.
-Good evening - he courtly said.
She walked faster to him and stopped. Out of all the people she expected to visit her in her private chambers, he was the last one in her mind. Although, it was a very welcome surprise.
-What are you doing here? She asked/
-The Pharaoh…. - Imhotep began explaining
-Is he dead? - she cut him off
-What?
-Kissa told me something horrible happened to him, which is incredible since just last night he was perfectly fine.
-Anck-su-namun… I must ask you something
-Yes?
-Did you have anything to do with Seti's actual state? - Imhotep already regretted asking that question, but he had to.
-Are you accusing me of something, priest?
-I'm merely asking. Did you do anything to him?
-As much as I hate my life and despise everything I must do to please him, no, I didn't do anything. Forgive me for not being depressed for the prospect of losing Seti. - Anck-su-namun replied with a defiant and angry tone, she looked down trying to control her feelings.
Imhotep sighed in relief, and lifted her chin with his hand. Their eyes met, and he could see he had hurt her by accusing her of a crime. She was crying, but not because of being accused to try to kill him, the gods know she actually fantasized sometimes on seeing him dead, she was hurt because he had distrusted her.
-My… Anck-su-namun - forgive me… I….
-Stop - she whispered.
He smiled.
-It is too late for me to be here. I will see you in the morning, sleep well.- he turned around and walked away.
How she longed to hold his hand and hold him here with her, but this wasn't neither the time or place, after all, Pharaoh could wake in a minute's notice and the uproar would send people walking everywhere and she'd be among the first people to be notified.
He walked out of the room and closed the door, she sighed. She walked to the door to touch the knob he had just touched, and rested her back against the door. Funny enough, Imhotep was doing the exact same thing on the other side.
--
Weeks had passed and the Pharaoh's condition hadn't changed. He was not getting better and he wasn't getting worst, wich was a problem because the country was unattended except by Imhotep doing what he could to keep everything in order, helped by the generals and important nobles of the many regions of Egypt . Nefertiri was still in her early 20's, she was not fit to rule yet, or so everybody thought, even herself.
Imhotep would spend a large part of the day in the Pharaoh's chambers, chanting and praying to the gods to return the Pharaoh to the living, all while Nefertiri stood careful watch in her fathers room. Most of the times, Anck-su-namun would be in the room also, playing to be afflicted but he knew well she was just eager to know the final outcome. Both of them had strong feelings for each other, but neither him or her knew for certain how the other one felt, and that was a worst agony than what Seti was suffering. They were very careful though to not reveal themselves to the public, and so when they were in the room with Seti, Nefertiri, the physicians and Medjais, they didn't even look at each other.
One day, as he finished his prayers, Nefertiri ordered everybody out of the room except for Imhotep. Anck-su-namun frowned, bowed and left, not without glancing at Imhotep's reaction.
Imhotep stood still, not knowing what was going on.
-Lord Imhotep - Nefertiri began
-Please your Grace, just Imhotep..
-Imhotep, you have faithfully stood guard here in my fathers side. I don't know if he'll ever recover, and it makes me very anxious not only because I could lose my father, but also for the responsibility that will fall upon me.
-Your grace, I'm honored to be able to assist you and your father in these terrible times. - Imhotep was ever gallant with her, but very respectful and maintaining the distances between them,
-If I ever rise to rule this kingdom, that is if my father….. she choked, he patiently waited until she calmed and resumed her speech. -Will you be by my side as you have been at my father's? - Nefertiri's voice was broken, he barely heard her, and it sounded more like a plea than an order.
Imhotep felt tenderness. She was a child who could lose her father and wouldn't even have time to mourn, for she would be named Queen of Egypt right away and take so many responsibilities sh was absolutely not ready. He knelt in front of her, and replied "Princess, like I told you when I met you, I am at your service until my last day".
She smiled and asked Imhotep to stand. As he stood in front of her, they looked at each other's eyes, and she tiptoed and slowly reached for his lips, kissing him softly. Her eyes were closed, his weren't. He let her finish her kiss and took a step back.
-My Princess, this is not right. - he looked down, he was embarassed for both.
-Why not? You have pledged your life to mine… and I have feelings for you… - she began explaining.
Imhotep was petrified. It could be so easy to take power and become the most powerful man in Egypt now… somehow, the future queen had fallen for him, he never intended that, the gods know he had eyes only for one woman. But he could become the most powerful man in Egypt simply by letting Nefertiri do whatever she wanted right now, to not refuse her.
But he knew he couldn't… power was within his grasp, but the cost was far greater than what he was willing to pay. It'd mean to renounce Anck-su-namun once and for all without even having had the chance to start anything, to have betrayed her even though he never revealed his feelings to her. And he would be betraying himself.
-My Lady, I'm honored, but I do not deserve you, and you deserve so much more. You can count on me as your counselor, but I can't offer more than that, my life is pledged to Osiris and his service, you must understand that. - he gently replied, trying to not break the young woman's heart.
Nefertiri's tears began running down her face, but she composed herself and simply nodded.
Imhotep took her hands and kissed her ring gently. Bowed and left.