Thanks everyone! I love y'all:) *hugs for everyone* Sorry this took so long, I AM SO FREAKING BUSY with end-of-the-year crap and this fic takes a lot more effort than does Confession. But I figured I'd be nice and post since I wasn't doing homework anyway;)

Sare, it was "Close your eyes." Sob!

Tigerwolf, I do believe that it was alternate-dimension-vampire-Willow who said that, which would have made the episode either "The Wish" or "DoppelgangLand." But I haven't watched "Seeing Red," so I'm not completely sure. *shrugs* I'll see if I can fit the line in, but I'm not making any promises...:)

MBooker, if I had cloning technology, I sure would make a copy of Achsu-rai for you. Hey, that would be a great little business...like grow-a-dates, only life size....heh heh:)

Tanith....ha! Two or three more chapters....more like sixteen....I do hope you enjoy:)

Also, I forgot to thank Jetso the Red Red Sky Tail (formerly midwinterstorm, I believe?) for her review of chapter 12...you rock! thank you! I love long, detailed reviews like that:)

Chapter 14

"Getting Frisky with the Pharaoh's Daughter"

Nefertiri had already been awake for hours when her father sent for her. She found it hard to sleep without Achsu-rai there to hold her. She occupied her time by wondering what surprise he could possibly have to top the ring, because the ring seemed a gift more fabulous than the sun and the moon and the stars put together. To think that it had once belonged to his mother, and that he thought enough of Nefertiri to give the ring to her, filled her heart with such joy it almost made up for his absence. Almost.

Because she had nothing else to do, she quickly made her way to the pharaoh's chambers as soon as she was summoned. Before entering, she took a deep breath, hoping to the gods that she would not see Anck-su-namun there. But Seti was alone, munching on his breakfast and chatting with a young Medjai who stood next to the door. He seemed too familiar to Nefertiri, like she had just seen him...

"Ah, Nefertiri," said her father. "Khalil, leave us for a moment, would you?"

Khalil's gaze lingered for a moment on the princess before he bowed and left them alone. She watched after him, trying desperately to figure out where'd she'd seen him.

"Join me, daughter. We have much to discuss."

"My pleasure, father." Nefertiri sat across from him and eyed the table full of food warily. "I hope your morning is going well."

"Marvelously. The barley used to make this bread must have been planted by the gods, I swear it is that good."

"We had an excellent harvest this year," she replied politely, trying to ignore the fact that her stomach was becoming increasingly queasy with each bite she watched her father take.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Seti ripped off a chunk of break and waved it at the princess, but she quickly shook her head, no.

"What did you want to see me about, father?" she asked, suddenly eager to be gone.

"Ah, yes. Nefertiri, I have something important to tell you." Seti shoved another lump of bread into his mouth and proceeded to chew it thoroughly. "Firstly, however, I have noticed lately that you been in better spirits. I like to think that the duty of guarding the Bracelet has placed you on the path to becoming a mature woman, worthy of the title of Protector."

"Thank you, father."

"That aside, I'd like to discuss marriage--"

"What? No!" Nefertiri shrieked. "Have you been talking to Imhotep? Don't listen to anything he tells you! I don't want to get married, you can't just auction me off to some--"

"Nefertiri!" cried the pharaoh, shocked. "Not your marriage. By the gods, you may be mature, but you are not nearly adult enough to handle marriage, apparently."

"Not my marriage?" Nefertiri slid back down in her chair. "Oh. Well, father, go on then."

"I swear, daughter, the things that get into your head--"

"If only you knew, father."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. What did you wish to tell me?"

Still a bit puzzled at his daughter's reaction, Seti was nevertheless eager to share his news, so he let the matter pass. "The marriage we discuss is mine. I am to marry directly before the next festival."

Nefertiri looked at him blankly. "You? Marry...who?"

"Your trainer, Anck-su-namun. I believe she will make me an excellent wife, and our feelings for each other--"

"Your feelings for each other?" she interrupted. In the midst of her anger, she felt a twinge of sympathy for Anck...for goodness sake, Seti couldn't even say her name right!

"Yes, we--"

"She's nothing but a whore, father--"

"Nefertiri! You will not talk of your mother in that manner!"

"She is not my mother! None of your wives will ever replace her."

"I thought you'd be pleased for us," said Seti. "I was under the impression that you two were great friends."

"That was before she made her way to your bed. It was then that she lost my trust."

"Insolent girl!" Seti cried. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner?"

"I will speak to you however I please! You have already taken everything else away from me, will you forbid me to speak as well?"

Seti rose from the table. Nefertiri could see him almost shaking with rage, but she held her head high and refused to back down. "Get out of my sight," her father hissed. "You are confined to your chambers until you have learned to act like an adult."

Nefertiri didn't argue as Khalil led her out of the room. "Princess," he started, then appeared to think better of it and halted his speech.

"What?" she snapped.

"It's just...never mind."

"Do I know you from somewhere?"

"I am Khalil, brother of Achsu-rai."

Her expression seemed to soften, but her dream had leapt from the back of her mind again. She tried to push it away. "Oh, yes. Of course. That must be where I recognize you from. Yes, that...must be it."

"The pharaoh's restricted her to her chambers," Tahir whispered as Achsu-rai approached her room that night. "I think they had a fight, she's very upset."

"Has she told you anything?"

"No. I think it'll do you good to see you, she's had a hard day."

No sooner had Achsu-rai entered the room than Nefertiri flew to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I've discovered that going more than a day without seeing your face is unbearable," she said.

"I'm here now, it's okay."

"Where have you been?"

"Wishing I was with you, believe me."

Nefertiri released her hold on Achsu-rai. "He's marrying her."

"What?"

"My father is going to marry Anck-su-namun."

"You're not serious."

"I am! Why would I joke about something like this?"

"Are you okay?"

If the tears hadn't already begun to trickle down her face, now they were let loose, and her emotions poured out with them. "No. Everything precious I've ever known is taken from me. I've already lost my best friend, and I'm losing my father. He's all I have left with Ramses always away, and I've never been close to any of my brothers except him. Ever since my mother died, I've felt like I had to hold onto the people in my life, watch over them so they would always be with me. Clearly, it hasn't worked very well. Now she's taken my father away from me, too. And he is left with everything. I don't want to hate her, I just....He always has everything, and he forgets about me in the process."

"Hey," he said, "you've still got me. And you always will."

Through the tears came a tiny smile. "I know. You're the only reason I'm still breathing. I couldn't bear to lose you, too, Achsu-rai."

"Don't worry. This matter will pass."

Nefertiri shook her head, as if cringing at the mere memory of the day. "You know what makes it worse? I yelled at him. He hates me now. I truly believe I have lost him, Achsu-rai. I don't know what to do."

"He doesn't hate you. He loves you. You are just looking out for him, and he knows that."

She began to cry again, no longer able to hold back the tears that had built up over the day. "It'll be all right," he said, simply because he could think of no other words to reassure her. He could only hold her as she cried, her sobs rising and falling as he held her tight against him, wishing somehow that he could protect her from her own sorrow. But he could not protect her now, not against her own mind. There were some things that she had to do without him, no matter how much he wanted to help.

"Now," he said when the tears had subsided somewhat, "about that surprise..."

~*~*~*~

Now what could our splendiferously fantastic boyfriend Achsu-rai have up his sleeve?:)

I realize in ancient Egypt girls got married really really young, but noblewomen did get married slightly later, and Seti's comment about maturity and marriage was just a reaction to her "immature" outburst.

If you've read, you might as well review, right?:) It would be much appreciated:)