CHAPTER SIX

Moonbeams of Desire

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in The Mummy (1999) except for my OCs.

Terms to Know:

Set(h): The God of war, chaos, and storms. He is the brother of Isis and Osiris and was to blame for the death of Osiris. His punishment was to guard Ra as he made his way through the underworld each night against the demon Apep.

"Most beautiful of all!
Rising like the morning star
At the start of a happy year.
Shining bright, fair of skin,
Lovely the look of her eyes,
Sweet the speech of her lips."

~Sister without Peer, from the Papyrus Chester Beauty.

A malicious gleam began to take place in Seth's eyes. He licked his lips in anticipation, salivating as he watched the young man, Imhotep, make his journey across time and space. He knew that this boy would be perfect for unleashing his plan of reigning down chaos upon the land of Egypt.

The name Imhotep, He Who Brings Peace, sent shivers down his spine. It would be so deliciously ironic and perfectly chaotic that he began to feel his suppressed powers rise within him. Tonight, he would devise his plan. He would create a curse that would destroy the world, extinguish the sun, and allow the forces of death and chaos to prevail once more.

He watched Imhotep, not entirely a man but not quite a boy, move into his thirty-first year. Imhotep was remarkably pious and reverent towards Osiris, but Seth knew deep within Imhotep's heart lay a seed of darkness. One that he had planted there upon his conception, marking him from his first breath to be the bringer of chaos.

Looking down upon the world, the evil gleam glinting in his shiny black eyes, he saw a young girl leaving home for the first time on her twenty-first birthday. Her parents waved goodbye, tears on their proud faces as the beautiful girl walked toward Seti's palace to become a member of his harem. The gleam grew more potent, and he laughed, a crackling sound of oil and tar. Still procuring a bit of magic, Seth placed a seed of darkness within her heart, tying the two together and intertwining their fate.

Thebes, 1297

Ancksunamun awoke to the commotion coming from the room next to her. She groaned and rolled over on her straw mat, tightly closing her eyes against the sun's attempt to say good morning. Keeping her eyes shut for a few more moments, she groaned again and sat up to see her parents standing ten feet away from where she lay, smiles on their weather-worn faces.

"Happy Birthday, my dear!" Her mother said, rushing toward Ancksunamun with glee on her face to hug her daughter.

Having just woken up, she was irritable. "Good morning, mother…thank you." She hugged her mother back tightly. The look of annoyance quickly left her face as she nuzzled into her mother's loving embrace. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, smelling her mother's sweet scent of roses and kyphi. The amount of comfort was short-lived as her mother pulled back to look her daughter in the eyes.

"Today's the big day! The day you get to go to Seti's palace! He's asked for you!"

"Mother, he does not know who I am. This is not something to celebrate." Ancksunamun dodged her mother's hands and stood up. "I do not want to be a part of his harem!" Her eyes flashed with anger.

Standing in the doorway, her father came fully into the room now. He looked tired, the creases in his sun-worn face crinkling as he looked at his daughter with austerity. "Ancksunamun, you know that it is a great honor to be chosen to be a dancer in the palace. Think of your family! Of your siblings! You would bring honor to us all." His kind eyes looked down and reminded her of her duty to the family.

When a girl reached her twenty-first year, if the palace elite noticed her, she would be asked to become part of the Pharaoh's team of entertainers. It was the highest honor of all for a peasant girl. Her parents were one of the kingdom's top suppliers of grain, and they worked day in and day out, from the moment the floods came, to when the ground became cold and barren. Her father and older brother worked in the fields all day, while her mother and her three younger sisters kept the home in order, sometimes assisting in the harvest. There was no prejudice on who did what job; Ancksunamun just preferred the respite from the heat inside their small two-room home. Working in the fields was not something she aspired to, but neither was being a palace member. She wanted more, her heart yearned for more, but she did not know for what.

Bowing her head in respect, her father missed the hard look in her eyes as she glared at the floor. "Yes, father, I know it is a great honor. I will serve Seti if that is what you wish." Her voice cracked, conveying the frustration she felt at having to give up her individuality. She would just be one of many, just a pretty decoration in the palace.

His eyes softened, and he placed a finger under her chin, "My beautiful Ancksunamun. You always make your family proud. You are destined for great things."

She wanted to look away, look anywhere else but her father's kind eyes, but he kept her there, looking into her soul, her mind. He knew she did not wish to disobey him, but he also knew that she was strong-willed.

"It could lead you to be chosen as the Pharaoh's favorite." Ancksunamun harshly looked away at that, her eyes burning with furious tears. She knew what that implied.

"I will never submit to any man!" She wept and stamped her foot on the dirt floor, bringing up a cloud of dust. "I want more than that! I want to be free! I don't want to work myself to death out in the fields! I want to run through them and frolic! I want to feel the sun on my face as I laze on the river banks! But I especially do not want to be Seti's woman!" She crumpled to the floor.

"My darling," her father kneeled on the floor next to her and wrapped his arms around her, "Let us celebrate your birthday today! Rejoice in this decision! For you never know where it could lead you."

Ancksunamun knew that if she lived in the palace and sent home fine gifts for her family, they wouldn't have to starve each year. She understood that it would be best for her family; otherwise, they would be laborers for the rest of their lives. Maybe she could get a taste of the royal life for herself. Perhaps this would lead to the freedom she so desperately craved.

Sighing, she sat up, crossing her knees under her on the dirt floor, "Yes, I know that this could lead to more opportunities for me… for all of us." She peeked through her eyelashes at her father but did not want to make complete eye contact again. "I will do it if I must. I will make you proud." There was a strange feeling in her chest, a fluttering of something taking hold, something powerful and abhorrent.

She felt ill but made to stand up as her father smiled, his wrinkled face becoming animated for once in many years. He helped her to her feet and encased her in a bear-hug. "Good choice, little one. And happy birthday, my beautiful daughter." He said, kissing her forehead.

Her mother stood in the doorway watching, tears in her eyes. She procured a dirty handkerchief to wipe away her tears. "We must help you pack! I have made food for your journey!" Her mother said, rushing out of the room in excitement. Her father nodded and left the room, leaving Ancksunamun in a whirlwind of confusion, nausea, and excitement.

Ancksunamun ran her hands through her fine ebony hair and looked out of the small window next to her. Her little sisters were outside, playing as the sun rose over the Nile river, sending refracted light through the tiny house. Frustrated tears came to her eyes as she watched them dance along the banks, dodging the crocodiles that lay in the morning sun, warming up their cold bones. She remembered the days of carefree wonderment and awe when the whole world revolved around the love of her family, the worship of the sun, and filling their bellies with bread and beerー the simpler times. Then had come the drought, and food became scarce, and what little was left was taken by the palace to feed the royals.

When Seti had risen to the throne, the young Pharaoh had decreed that twenty percent of a farmer's crop would be distributed throughout the kingdom to help abate starvation and famine. The remaining eighty percent went to feed those of the royal palace. Anger burned deep in her at what they had taken from her family. Their livelihoods were exploited and kept the royal bellies distended and full. At the same time, her family and village struggled to stay alive. She resolved to make a plan to help save her family's livelihood while she was there at the palace, she did not know how, but she had to try.

Imhotep sat staring at a candle deep in his chambers. The cool night air permeated his skin, making it feel clammy. There was not much warmth to be found when the ground was still desolate and cold this time of year. He shivered just then; a whisper of something on the night air tickled his ears, the hands of fate were drawing nearer, unbeknownst to him. The breeze seemed to be whispering his name. Imhotep…. he shivered again and pulled his black robe closer to his torso.

He had been trying to meditate now for hours, to no avail. Imhotep did not spend much time now in his chambers except to sleep, pray, and occasionally catch his breath from the demands of court life. Now that he was both the High Priests of Osiris and Vizier to the Pharaoh, he rarely had a moment of peace. Seti seemed to trust his advice more than anyone else and wanted Imhotep at his side on a moment's whim.

Tua-re, the Pharaoh's favorite wife, had also taken a liking to Imhotep and wanted him to spend much of his days teaching the young princess, Nefertari, to fight in the ancient style of Tahtib. It consumed much of his free time, and the young princess quickly learned that the sun rose and set just for her.

Still shivering, he gave up on trying to meditate, standing up slowly to lessen the stiffness in his joints. His chamber was lavishly decorated with the numerous gifts the Pharaoh had bestowed upon him through the years. The wall was adorned with numerous silk, linen, and golden fabrics. His bed was no longer a flimsy mat on the floor; he had been given a specially gilded bed meant for royalty. He still preferred the mat on the floor, giving the ornate bed to his aging father. Imhotep didn't understand the allure of material things as he brushed a heavy tasseled curtain out of the doorway and stepped into the crisp desert air.

Feeling the cool grains of sand underneath his toes, Imhotep took a deep breath and allowed himself to feel the fresh air caress his face. His name was still whispered with a sigh upon the tendrils of the breeze. He opened his eyes and looked around. There was no one to be seen. His eyes drifted to the heavy yellow moon hanging lazily in the sky, light washing across the desert sands. A strange feeling washed over him then, an aura of some sort. The feeling was heavy, erotic, delicious, and saccharine. Looking around again, he spotted a dark figure in the distance moving away from him, towards the palace.

The figure was lithe and short in stature, a woman perhaps? He thought. As the figure continued to get further and further out of sight, Imhotep stared, confused at the feelings arising in his chest. That was strange, Imhotep thought to himself, running his hands through his non-existent hair, feeling it would soon be time for another shave as his hands brushed past the stubble on his scalp. There was a feeling, low in his abdomen, of something powerful taking root, but of what, he did not know. He stared after the lone figure, perplexed, until it was out of sight. Why would he have had such a premonition? Perhaps it is time to try to convene with the Gods again, he thought, turning slowly, as all of a sudden, his joints felt very ancient and stiff.

Turning away from the inky blackness of the desert night, he re-entered his chambers, noticing that his father was still not back from his nightly stroll through the gardens. The man was getting up there in years, and although he was still a very devoted priest, he had taken to becoming more and more eccentric as the years went by. Kher-heb had begun reading up on old curses, "Just in case the need ever arose to avoid one," and was becoming increasingly introverted. Preferring to take long walks alone at night, Kher-heb often slept under the pomegranate trees in the garden.

Allowing his eyes to adjust to the warm glow of his room, Imhotep sat down on his mat on the floor. Crossing his legs, he leaned against the cool stone wall behind him. The odd feeling in his stomach was still slowly fading. However, the residual feelings of exhilaration and woe still hung like a cloud over him. The sensation reminded him of the dreams that haunted him each night. The coolness of the wall touching his back abated some of the discomfort and allowed him to slip into a deep, accidental sleep.

He was standing in the garden adjacent to the temple. The warm night air ambushed his senses as the intoxicating smell of jasmine, frankincense, and spicy musk infiltrated his senses. Lifting his heavy eyes to the sky, the large white moon hung comfortably above him, flooding the garden with soft heavenly light. It perfectly allowed him to make his way down the sandy path to the sacred grove of pomegranate trees that lay just ahead. Unbeknownst to him, he was dreaming, but every facet of it felt rooted in reality.

Imhotep's feet moved swiftly towards the darkened corner of the garden. He felt drunk, incredibly intoxicated; his feet barely made a whisper against the soft ground. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom underneath the grove, he saw a dark figure sprawled out on the ground in a heavily seductive pose. Moonbeams filtered through the branches, bathing her body in a heavenly glow and making her golden skin sparkle. She lay there, breasts heaving slightly as she relaxed in the respite of the garden, taking in the delicious night air.

As he approached, the figure sat up, giggling lightly, "You've made it!" the perfectly pouty lips spoke. His eyes could not make out her face in its entirety, except for her obsidian eyes, which stared into his soul, awakening a passion long since buried. Her entire presence made him feel as if he was enveloped in a warm embrace, the musky smell of her skin carrying on the breeze.

Imhotep dared not breathe. What is happening? He spoke not of his own accord, "I cannot be away from you for long, my love. Though it is dangerous for us to be here." The words confused him, and he realized it must be a dream.

Feeling compelled to reach out and take her hand, his body felt on fire as a jolt of recognition shot through him, leaving his skin tingling with familiarity. His breath hitched at the contact, but he did not pull away as she began to speak once more, leaving him drunk on the melodic sound of her voice.

"I wish it could always be this way…." She said breathily, reaching up her lips to kiss him, the contact sizzling and burning into his memory. The feel of her soft, warm lips on his sent waves of passion through his body, paralyzing him where he stood. I don't know who this woman is, but Gods, I would do anything for her. The kiss lasted for only a few seconds, and when she pulled away, the harshness of reality was shocking. Something about this woman felt like a piece of his own soul, coming together as one when their lips met.

"Me too, my love." He said, brushing back a piece of hair from her face. The moonbeams partially illuminated her face, hinting at her beauty.

Breaking him out of his reverie, she leaned into his arms and put her head against his chest, her small hand splaying across it. "Imhotep," the way she said his name was electrifying. "What if we are caught? What are we to do?" The woman looked up at him, searching his face for answers. He did not know what she spoke of, but he knew he wanted to hold her forever.

Stroking her soft, ebony hair, he kissed the top of her head, "We will always be together, no matter what happens." He said matter of factly. "Now come, let us not worry about what the future holds. Let us enjoy the present." Imhotep said as he backed up and kissed her hand, holding her eyes with an intense stare, daring her to defy his words.

Leading her to a patch of soft grass, he took off his robe and exposed his bronzed and toned physique to the rapidly cooling night air. He felt her eyes rove over him, appreciating what she saw. Smiling, he laid his robe down on the ground and pulled her gently down with him. She fell into him, knocking him over. Giggling, they both hit the ground and stared at each other, feeling that intoxicating lull of their souls connecting once again. I don't know who this goddess is, but I think I love her. All he wanted to do was bury himself in her, forever connecting as one, never to be apart.

The feel of her velvety skin drew him back to the present as she placed her small hand into his larger one, pulling him closer to her as she captured his lips in feverish passion. Her tongue danced with his, drawing him closer as her hands began to roam down his chest, her fingers tracing agonizingly slow down his torso. She broke away and began to kiss down his neck, electricity shooting through him.

He moaned softly as she continued her ministrations, and he felt his desire threaten to overwhelm him. Suddenly, her hands drifted over his loincloth, sending waves of longing through him. Growling softly, he moved his hands from where they had been knotted in her hair and cupped her soft, pert breasts, rubbing the perky nipples to elicit a reaction. Her breathy moans in his ear awakened something primal within him; as her satiny skin meddled with his own, he wanted nothing more than to become one with her.

As the dream wore on, the scenes became fuzzier and fuzzier, fading in and out of consciousness. The vague feelings of intoxication, love, and lust were all that permeated his senses. The sweet smell of jasmine and erotic musk mixed and clouded his senses. Obsidian eyes sparkling in the moonlight under a grove of pomegranate trees crowded his mind. Feminine sighs and whispers could be heard on the Nile breeze as the dream faded from view, and Imhotep woke up, startled in his chambers. The warmth of the woman's body was gone and replaced with the feeling of cold stone on his back. Opening his eyes, the dream faded into oblivion, and he was alone once more.

A/N: Hi everyone! If you could please leave a review, that would be amazing! So sorry that my last few chapters have taken so long to publish, I've had some very tough family stuff going on, but I'm finally getting back to it! Is there anything you want to see happen in the story? Do we like these dream sequences? Let me know! :)