Thanks to all of you who are putting up with my lack of posting. Some family matters have made writing difficult, but it's a double whammy tonight. Enjoy!
Chapter 10 ~ A New Day
The ceremony had been brief, and as she locked the door of the Bracelet chamber, she realized they were alone.
"Onus," she started, turning toward him. "I'm...I'm sorry... I-" Not another sound escaped as he covered her mouth with his. She pulled away after a moment, breathless. "I take it that means you forgive me?" Onus grinned at her, his blue eyes sparkling in the torchlight.
"I'll see you tonight?" he asked. "Then we can discuss how to bring this up with your father...without committing me to the Hom-Dai." The grin spread wider as she realized he was joking.
"What is this?" she asked, catching his wrist. Her fingers traced the dark blue lines that hand not been there before...a pyramid with an eye in the center, two snakes to either side and the sun rising behind.
"Oh, they put that on me yesterday," Onus said with a smirk. "As part of becoming a guardian of the Bracelet I guess." Nefertiri returned the smile as she began to step away.
"Tonight, then," she said.
"By the way," he started. "Why did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Throw the duel." She smiled at him...no one else had seemed to notice.
"I would think that was quite obvious," she said, placing another quick kiss before departing for the palace.
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She stepped out onto her balcony, glancing down into the courtyard below, several Med-jai stationed in the afterglow of the festival. She sighed contently to herself. Just two weeks ago, she wanted anything but what she had here. Now, she could want nothing more.
Nefertiri glanced across the length of the courtyard to her father's chamber, noticing Imhotep standing on the balcony. Stranger still was Anck-su-namun approaching. She glanced away as they kissed, fighting with herself – while she carried on a secretive affair, she was not betrothed to the Pharaoh, or anyone for that matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Onus stepped quickly along the hall, making his way toward the chamber of the Princess. He knew now what he could not answer before. He would do everything in his power, move the heavens and earth to be with his princess. Two days away from her was more than enough to prove that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nefertiri glanced up...she thought she had heard her father's voice. Anck-su-namun and Imhotep scrambled, pulling the curtains of the chamber. Through the break in the fabric, the Princess could see Anck-su-namun leaning casually against the statue of Bast as her father came toward her. Words were said... she could not hear. But she knew all at once, as Imhotep came up behind Seti, pulling his sword from his sheath, all was not well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Med-jai! Med-jai! My father needs you!" Onus knew the voice without a thought. His first duty may have been to the Pharaoh, but that was not where his feet swiftly carried him. He threw open the door to the princess's chamber, rushing past Nertet, racing through the chamber. "No!" she cried out, lunging forward. Her sandals slipped against the smooth alabaster, sending the princess plunging over the edge.
"No!" he cried out, but he reached the edge too late. He collapsed against the edge, his breath unwilling to come, "No," he repeated. "No. No..." He glanced over the edge, Med-jai that had not raced for Seti gathered around her, picking her up gingerly. One glanced up to Onus, shaking his head sadly. "No!!" he cried out, sinking down to the floor. "Oh, gods, no. Osiris, I know you can hear me. Do something. Someone... Anyone........"
The prayer was not unheard......