Nefertiri slammed the doors to her chambers against the ornate walls as she stormed through them, followed close behind by her very confused bodyguard.

"Why do you hate her so much?" He asked, closing the doors behind them, taking notice of the exquisite carvings on them. He followed her through to her balcony, where he found her red and flustered with anger "Well?"

Nefertiri span around, her cheeks flushed with rage "Ohhhhh…she's such a….a…" She got even more frustrated, trying to find a word to fit her soon-to-be-stepmother "Wench!" She spat the word out angrily.

Rico-nal smiled and shook his head, when he noticed that the courtyard was filling up, and didn't think it would be wise to let the princess out in such a dangerous time "Maybe we should get inside…" He said, standing closer to her, so he would be ready if there were an attack "The courtyard is busy, and we still haven't captured whoever it was who tried to kill you…" The genuine worry, and concern in his voice made all of the anger flush out of her, only to be replaced by an embarrassed blush.

She didn't answer him, she just obediently walked inside. She sighed and sat down on a lounger. "What do you think Rico-nal? Don't you think that there is something…sly…about her."

"I guess so…" He folded his arms across his broad chest and took a long, lasting look at her "There is…something about her I don't like…" He shook his head "But don't let that bother you, she's nothing…"

He placed a large tanned hand on her pale, delicate shoulder. Their touch was electric…and forbidden. They both burned with desire for one another, they tried to hide it for everyone's sake, but no matter what. There was something between them, and they couldn't stop it.

Nefertiri's heart was like a bird fluttering in her chest, she soon became visibly breathless, her chest rising and falling rhythmically as he took a step closer to her.

She placed her hand out to steady herself, but found her soft palm pressed against course dark skin of Rico-nal's chest. She found a thousands word rise to her lips, but none came out, she just became dizzier with the closeness between them.

She had never had another man make her feel like this. It was forbidden for her to even touch another man with romantic intent before she was married. Her father would go ballistic if he found out, and chances are, Rico-nal would end up dead or exiled.

None of those thoughts came to her though, as all her mind could comprehend was how fantastic it felt to be near to him.

Her skin beneath his fingers felt like heaven. She was so perfect, innocent almost. He just wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. His hand slowly moved up towards her neck, slowly taking in the softness of her skin.

His eyes smoldered as he looked down at her. She had reached her other hand out, and placed it on his hip, using it as an anchor to pull him closer.

Their bodies were pressed against one another, in a passionate embrace that could lead to blood shed. Rico-nal tilted her chin up with his thumb, he could feel her trembling as she lifted her lips towards his, but softly whispered to her "You're so beautiful…"

He pressed his lips to hers, and she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him in deeper.

His senses returned to him as quickly as they left, and he softly pushed her away "What are we doing?" He asked, then he saw the hurt look in her eyes, and immediately vowed never to make that girl look that sad ever again. He pulled her against his body roughly, kissing her with unbridled passion.

Their hands explored each other, finding every curve of their bodies fascinating. His hands dwelled on her tiny waist, his thumbs gently rubbing in circles. The simple white dress she was wearing seemed like a wall of concrete to him, he wished to the gods that he could run his hands all over her naked body.

But kissing her was one thing. Making love to her was another.

Their yearning was getting passionate, and Rico-nal pressed her tiny body against a marble column.

She brought her hand up to his head, and her fingers running in his hair. It was so soft, so gentle for such a rough man. Like his kisses.

"Nefertiri!" The call made them dive away from one another, Nefertiri straightening out her hair, and rubbing away her smudged make up. Rico-nal stood to attention, his hands firmly at his side, his eyes dead ahead.

She recognized the voice, it was the sound she hated most, the seductive drawl of her fathers fiancée. Anak-su-namun.

The sinewy woman came into their view , her hips swinging, as always, as she walked "Nefertiri, I came to return this…" She pulled a large gold bracelet off her wrist and placed it on a nearby table "But I see you are busy." She cast a feline eye over to Rico-nal who had not moved since her entrance.

"No. Not at all." Nefertiri said sharply, pushing her hair off her face "In fact, we were just talking about you."

"How delightful…" Anak-su-namun said, equally as venomously as her future daughter. She paused, and almost turned. Then she gave Nefertiri a sly look "You know, perhaps it's a good thing your father appointed you a personal Med-Jai. The palace IS a dangerous place…" She smiled at Rico-nal, who's face bore no expression, as a Med-Jai's should "Plus…I bet be comes in really useful for…other things." She walked closer to him, so only he would hear "Gold really isn't your colour." She ran a fingertip across his lips and then put it to her own. Without turning she spoke to the young princess "May the god's watch over you…" She walked out of the room after giving Rico-nal the most seductive look she could muster. Then she disappeared.

"I just wish I could…punch her!" Nefertiri said through clenched teeth.

Rico-nal slouched a little and laughed, seeing the petite delicate princess want to deck another woman was a strange thought, but them something came into his mind. "Why don't you fight her?""What?!" She spun her head around so that she could look him right in the eye.

"Well, you could organize a fight with her. It's not unheard of, your highness."

"Please…" She smiled shyly at him "Call me by my name."

"Nefertiri…" Hearing him speak her name so softly, yet so passionately made her physically shiver.

She shook out of her little school girl act "You really think that I could?" She beamed up at him, her eyes glowing, her heart beat quickening.

"Ye-" He didn't finish the word, for she had already pounced on him, pressing her lips against his, and he had happily kissed her back. They could see this wasn't something that would stop any time soon….

  • * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anak-su-namun reached up to kiss her lover hungrily. She ran her hands over the bald head of Imhotep, the high priest and vizier of Egypt. She broke off, and licked her lips, smiling gleefully "She has fallen for the Med-Jai. We can use this against her…"

Imhotep didn't look pleased. The princess had been a friend to him in all his time at the palace.

But for this woman…this glorious woman before him, he would give his life itself, his very soul if she so needed.

If killing the princess was what she wanted, he would give it to her. If becoming the ruler of Egypt was what she wanted…well then that was what he would give her that too.

All he needed to do was get rid of the only heir to the throne, and destroy Seti…his king...his friend.

He looked over her shoulder, and saw the bow…the weapon he had used against his closest companion…and sighed.

What had he done? Falling in love with Anak-su-namun was the worst, most dangerous action he could've made. But it was also the greatest thing that had happened to him in his entire life.

He both thanked, and cursed the Gods for blessing him with this gift…and this evil.