Craklyn, you're such a sweetie!!! Thank you!!!:) BTW, you should all read her new fic, it's fabulous:)

Chapter 7

Could You Repeat the Question?

Achsu-rai picked a book at random off the shelf, flipping it open and trying to read the words on the page instead of staring into Nefertiri's eyes. The girl really was making this task impossible, but Achsu-rai tried to concentrate on the manuscript.

"Do you like to read?" she asked him.

"I wish I had the time. I've had little to myself lately."

"I'll have to speak to my father about that."

He smiled at her again, and Nefertiri had to concentrate to stay standing. What was it about this man she found so irresistible? One smile and she went weak in the knees. It would help if he wasn't so handsome, Nefertiri mused, completely forgetting the book and once more studying the tattoos that gave his face such an aura of mystery...

"Do you find me attractive?" Nefertiri asked abruptly. She cringed inside at her own question, but she couldn't take it back now. It was too late. Besides...she wanted to know if she was crazy or not, whether this was even possible.

Achsu-rai continued to turn the pages, pretending to study their contents a little too intently. Every moment was unbearable to Nefertiri. A full thirty seconds passed before she became fed up with his silence and asked him again. "Do you find me attractive?"

"Forgive me, Princess, but I have grown fond of the sound of my own heart beating."

"Achsu-rai, it's just words. What harm ever came from answering a simple question?"

"Words can harm us more than we like to let on."

"So you're afraid of hurting my feelings, then?"

"No. I'm afraid I'll die before my father does."

"Come on. I've seen you staring at me."

"Staring is pretty much my job, Princess."

"What an easy job you have," she teased.

"You make it easy." Achsu-rai looked up for a moment, thought better of it, and returned his attention to the book. He had stopped flipping the pages. "Of course, there are all kinds of staring we must master. The intense gaze, the menacing glare, the knowing glance. The list goes on and on."

Nefertiri laughed, loud enough for someone to hear. Achsu-rai quickly put a finger to her lips to shush her, then snapped his hand back abruptly. "Do you want to continue coming here or not?" he asked sharply.

"Why do you break the rules for me?"

"I can always tell the pharaoh that you're delusional."

"And I can always have you killed!"

"No. Your soul is too sweet. You could never kill anyone, much less give the order."

"And I suppose you could?"

"I am a soldier. You are but a princess."

"I'm fairly sure that was an insult," Nefertiri pouted.

"So am I."

Nefertiri could not hold back the grin. "That's why I like you. Everyone else walks on eggshells around me. You're not afraid to speak your mind."

Achsu-rai placed his book back on the shelf. "You must get back. You don't want to fall asleep in the middle of your training tomorrow morning."

"Will you come watch?"

"I thought you didn't like me staring at you."

"Then don't stare at me."

Achsu-rai took a step back and regarded the princess. He wanted to tell her that not staring at her when she was merely in the room was an impossible task. He wanted to tell her that his heart skipped a beat whenever she brushed against him, whenever she spoke, whenever she breathed. He wanted to take her in his arms and ask her if she loved him. He wanted to ask himself, for that matter.

"Achsu-rai, you're staring again." Not that she minded, Nefertiri reminded herself.

"Sorry. Just trying to get my fill before tomorrow. Since you won't let me anymore, I'll have to look at your servant instead."

At this the princess bristled. "I thought you didn't want to die."

"What, would you kill me in a fit of jealous rage?"

Inwardly, Nefertiri rejoiced at the remark, but on the outside she was still angry. Not at Achsu-rai, but at the woman who had once called herself Nefertiri's friend. "You haven't heard? I thought you knew everything."

"Lately I have found I know less and less. What are you talking about?"

"Anck-su-namun has installed herself as my father's new mistress. She is no longer my servant."

"But you will still train together?"

"Not willingly."

"What is wrong, Princess? Suddenly you don't like the thought of your father having a mistress?"

"It's not that, it's just..." Nefertiri couldn't find the words. She desperately wanted to explain, to pour her heart and soul out to Achsu-rai, but something prevented her from voicing her feelings. Her best friend had betrayed her, and she couldn't put into words the fury that consumed her. The only thing that calmed her now was Achsu-rai's presence, strong and stoic even in the semi-darkness of the library, anchoring her to a world she felt lost in. Before she could say anything more, however, he took her hand in his, squeezed it gently, and said simply, "I understand."

And for that one moment, Nefertiri finally felt at peace.

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Hmm, think they kinda like each other?!?;) How long can this go on?!?!?! Review and maybe I'll tell ya:)