This chapter is dedicated to CRAKLYN, who I hope gets better soon:) and you have no idea how sorry I am for spelling your name wrong...that one time I spelled it right, I did realize that I'd been spelling it wrong, and then I spelled it right, and then I guess I started spelling it wrong again...I'm sorry! Will you ever forgive me? Love ya:)
Tigerwolf: "It's just...I start babbling, and then he starts babbling, and it turns into a babblefest.";) Yeah, I didn't like Riley much either:)
Dylan: I used to be such a huge Buffy fan, but I haven't watched since about the musical (I always go "Hey, it's Tuesday, I should go down to the lounge and watch Buffy," and then I forget or homework gets in the way), although my fam has taped most of them for me:) I heard Tara died, though, that's so sad:( But maybe now Oz will come back...heh heh, can you tell I'm a Seth Green fan?;)
Rogue: Your review made me laugh:) Thanks:)
Asilin: Nothing's wrong with Buttercup and Wesley, I mean, it's only the greatest book of all time!:)
MBooker: I wonder if I know what you were wondering...:)
Kat: Five days isn't a fast enough update?! ;)
Zeldabelle: thanks! Can't wait to see your new painting:)
midwinterstorm: Wow! Thank you so much for your comments! Anyway, I know what you mean about the Rick / Achsu-rai gap, it's really hard to write Rick in the first place, and then to cast him as a completely different character...it gets complicated. You hit it right on the mark, though, it is because of the duty that there's not so much of that "roguish" factor in his charm and humor (though I personally think he has plenty of both;). You might see the Rick side more once he starts being more romantic;)
Also thanks to marrokinhas, Angel Ruse, Britania, Hollyn, Seletha, Mythica, diamond girl, Mija, Solaris, Mahaja, Sassy, TGG14, walking in stardust, Jennie, RedLady, Skysong, and anyone I missed for reviewing:)
Title belongs to Poe;)
Today's recommendation is She's a Star's "A Story About Love," which is literally the best Moulin Rouge fic I have ever read!:)
Achsu-rai is so sweet...probably the reason he's a fictional character. Sigh.
Chapter 11
Too Bad Dark Languages Rarely Survive
Her hair fell in her eyes as she slept; he brushed it away, careful not to wake her. Watching her sleep was a sort of heaven all by itself, for he knew that nothing in her dreams could harm her. He held her so close he could feel her breathe, in, out, in, out, focused completely on the simple beauty of her sleeping face. Nothing mattered anymore, nothing except the steady rhythm of sweet air that told him she was alive, safe, in his arms. In his arms! Three words he'd thought could never come true.
Achsu-rai chanced a look toward the balcony. The sun was just barely peeking over the distant horizon, treading heartlessly upon his happiness. He had to leave now, before the dawn broke and her room was invaded by a million servants. Achsu-rai gently extracted himself from Nefertiri's unconscious embrace. He didn't want to wake her, less because she was in such a deep sleep and more because he was afraid that one look into her endless hazel eyes would convince him to stay. He kissed her forehead once more before he left, almost hoping that she would wake up, but she just muttered something unintelligible about goat soup and fell back into her slumber.
He slipped quietly out of the room, cursing the light as dawn invaded the shadows of the hallway. He had just noticed that the servant was no longer at his station when a noise behind him made him turn.
Tahir had just gotten up to see who had left Nefertiri's room, and was greeted with a cold blade at his throat as Achsu-rai shoved him up against the wall.
"Who are you?" Achsu-rai growled. He really didn't want to have to kill him...
"Uh, I--I--My name is Tahir. I, I serve Nefertiri."
"What are you doing out here?"
"I heard the door opening, I thought perhaps the princess could not sleep again. Although I see now that is for different reasons than I had imagined."
"Do you care to die?"
"No, no, no, sir, I do not wish to see the princess hurt."
"I didn't ask you that."
"I find the answers to be one and the same, sir. I'm quite fond of the princess." Tahir reminded himself to be careful not to move his throat too much as he talked. "She's been a different person lately. Smiles more. I would never want to spoil her happiness."
Achsu-rai considered him for a moment, then removed the blade from Tahir's throat. "Almost against my better judgment, I trust you."
Rubbing his throat, Tahir replied, "And against my better judgment, I trust you with her."
"You swear you won't--"
"Your secret is safe, I swear upon the head of my late queen. I would never betray my princess."
"Then we have something in common already."
The crowd "ooo"ed and "ahh"ed as the man seemingly drew the flaming torch from his throat and demonstrated that he was, indeed, perfectly fine. He blew the torch out with one huge breath, bowing aside for his fellow performer. She led a caged tiger, growling and foaming at the mouth, teasing it every so often with a whip as the crowd gasped in horror at the sight. Seti was a fan of these traveling minstrel shows, and so the populace tried to seem appreciative.
Achsu-rai, of course, was paying no attention to the spectacle that so captivated everyone else. He was mesmerized by a different beauty, one that he yearned for, but one that terrified him at the same time. Nefertiri's power over him was intoxicating, but something still unsettled him. Their lives could not continue this way, lovers only under the cover of darkness, paralyzed by Seti's control over their lives. This moment in time would not last, he was sure, though he wanted more than anything to hold onto it for all eternity.
Eventually his staring attracted her attention. She noticed his gaze on her and returned it, smiling just slightly, though careful not to draw anyone's awareness to their interaction. Achsu-rai thought she might have been blushing just a bit.
Unbeknownst to the pair, there were other eyes trained on them at that moment as well. Khalil watched the two carefully. They were obviously trying to be discreet, but Khalil could see through that little half-smile the princess wore. She was always so aloof, so distant in public. Achsu-rai, for once, was not focused on the pharaoh or Imhotep or whatever else might be going on in the royal court at the moment. Only her. Something was going on, Khalil was sure of it.
The courtyard began to empty as the minstrels finished their antics. Nefertiri was among those to leave, though Khalil caught the look she threw his brother as she exited. Achsu-rai himself hardly noticed when Khalil sidled up next to him.
"What's going on with you and the princess?"
Achsu-rai had the decency to look a bit scandalized by the question, though it didn't throw him as much as Khalil had hoped. "Ours is a working relationship," he said.
"Funny. Tell me."
"What is it you want to know?"
"Are you involved with Nefertiri?"
"How clever of you."
"Why won't you tell me, brother? You tell me everything."
"Because I wish to live."
"I won't tell anyone, I swear."
"I have no wish to swear anyone else to secrecy."
"Who else knows?" Khalil demanded.
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
"Why won't you answer my questions?"
Achsu-rai sighed. "Because you don't need to know."
"I already know. I just need confirmation."
Khalil thought he saw a bit of anxiety flash over Achsu-rai's face. "What exactly do you know?"
"I thought you told her that nothing was going to happen, Achsu-rai. What changed?"
"Even the best of us make mistakes. I don't intend to pay for mine, with my life or anybody else's. That includes yours."
"You can trust me, you know."
"Dear brother. I do trust you. But...when it comes to this...we can't trust anybody."
~*~*~*~
Thanks to Chels for the extensive IM convo about the Khalil conversation:)
Come on, everyone, REVIEW:) You know you want to!:)