Lifetime of Celebration
By Jeannette Hetfield
(I want to thank Eirian Phillips for helping me work through this chapter. After many e-mails and many re-writes, I am amazed she still wants to read more. Thank you for your patience and genius writing skills. I dedicate this chapter to you. This one's for you, babe!!)
Chapter 8
"Where have you been?" Michael stormed through the door of Jensa's hotel room.
Jensa sat in front of her mirror brushing her hair. It was still a little damp. She was wearing an ankle length black nightgown and robe. Her bed looked very inviting after so many tiring days on horseback. When she and Ardeth returned to Cairo, he dropped her off at her hotel and left to check on the Medjai. Meanwhile, Jensa didn't even bother to let Michael know she had returned. She had, however, planned on talking to Kerri, but a few quiet unanswered knocks on her door told her that she was probably already asleep. Jensa supposed she would just have to wait until the next day to tell her, allowing for time to clean herself up and she had just taken a relaxing bath. "I'm fine, Michael. Thank you for asking. It was very sweet of you. How are you?"
"Cut the comedy. I'm serious. You were gone longer than I thought you would be."
Jensa smiled happily. She hugged her arms to herself as a happy little chill went up her spine in anticipation of spending her life with a man who truly loved her for herself and not for the dowry she would give him.
"Something happened didn't it?" Michael stood beside her with a strange look on his face.
"It did," she confirmed.
"I'm almost afraid to ask."
"You don't have to be afraid, Michael. Why are you so pessimistic where Ardeth is concerned?"
"I don't like him."
"Like that's front page news," she murmured, putting her brush back on the dresser.
"I'm your big brother. It's my job to look after you and make sure you aren't getting into trouble."
"Now it isn't your job anymore. It's Ardeth's."
"Oh, I see. The two of you are…"
"We're going to be married." The color drained from Michael's face. He sank down onto the edge of her bed. She turned her chair around to face him. Of course, she should have expected this kind of reaction from her brother. She felt her anger rising in the pit of her stomach, immediately putting her on the defensive. How dare he? She had finally found happiness after barely living through the nightmare with Lyle. She folded her arms together in a huff, a common gesture for her when she was angry. Why did he hate Ardeth so much? Why did it have to be this way?
"The least you can do is try to be remotely happy for me," she said acidly.
"Would you rather I lie to you instead? Would that make you feel better? Then you could just go on your merry little way thinking all's right with the world. Your dream world that is."
Jensa's eyes burned with hot tears, but she pushed them back in. She would not let him make her cry.
Michael shoved his hand inside his jacket pocket and produced a whiskey flask. Before he could drown his sorrows, Jensa took the flask away from him. "Michael, shame on you." She pointed to the flask. "This is no way to solve your problems."
"I guess I always knew this would happen, but actually hearing you say it…forgive me, Jen, but this is a little too sudden for me," he said harshly. "And another thing, I will always look after you. I'm your big brother. If someone hurts you, it is my job to introduce their brain to daylight."
"Melodramatic as always." Jensa shook her head. "You don't think he's good enough for me."
"In my book, no one's good enough for you."
She sighed heavily and clasped her hands together, tapping the flask with her fingernails. He was just being protective. Michael had always looked out for her and came to her rescue when she needed the comfort of her brother. How she wished to be Michael's friend again! But it had not been the same between her and her brother since she met Ardeth. Suddenly, it dawned on her. He would force her to choose between him or Ardeth. Without a doubt, Jensa chose the man she loved. If Michael couldn't accept that, so be it. Glancing down at the flask, she saw the extent of her brother's future. Michael would never change and she wasn't about to force him to. Instead, she handed over the whiskey flask.
* * *
Could he possibly talk her out of marriage to that desert psycho? No. That answer came simple enough into his mind. There was no talking his baby sister out of anything. Ardeth held a death grip on her and Michael knew he could never break it no matter what he said. She was hardheaded and blind. Ardeth was a danger to her and had nearly taken her head clean off when the Medjai attacked Hamunaptra. He feared the desert chief would get his sister killed. The desert was not an easy place to live and Jensa would be among death and destruction for the rest of her life.
Michael popped the top of the flask and touched the rim to his lips. He felt the burn of the whiskey sear his taste buds. Only one droplet traveled down his throat and he replaced the top, thinking the better of swallowing more. If Jensa was going to throw her life away, and he firmly believed she would, then he wanted to watch and be the one to say "I told you so". Michael shoved the flask back where it came from.
"Does he know about Lyle?" he asked, rubbing his fingers over his tired eyes.
* * *
It was no use to try and figure out a way to bring her brother and Ardeth together. Actually, together was the wrong word. Perhaps coexist was best for describing their relationship. Michael tolerated Ardeth and Ardeth tolerated Michael. Their dislike for each other had gone on for many years and had ten fold increased since she had just told her brother of her marriage plans. Jensa loved Michael, but he made it very difficult for people to have any kind of warm feeling towards him.
"Yes. I told him everything."
"Eve—ry—thing?" he repeated slowly, drawing the word out.
"All of it."
"He wasn't too pleased I take it."
"Nope." Her mind went back to the fury she had seen in Ardeth's eyes. He looked like he could have torn the head off of…well, anything.
"And you're happy?"
Jensa's expression was enough to answer his question. "More than I thought I would ever be. For so long, everything was terribly uncertain."
Michael took her hand and gave it a compassionate squeeze. "I know. If I ever get my hands on Lyle…"
"Then you'll introduce his brain to daylight?"
Michael chuckled. "Yep. So, where is loverboy anyway?"
Jensa blushed and said, "With his men. They came into Cairo to buy supplies."
"When's the big day?"
"We haven't decided yet, but I want Daddy and Mother to be here for it. So, I guess it'll be sometime after they get here. We'll have to wait awhile."
"You think Ardeth will agree to that?"
"He'd better. I want my family here."
"I don't think he could say 'no' to you. He appears to lose that tough guy exterior when he's around you."
Jensa blushed again. "No, he doesn't."
Michael abruptly released her hand and stood up. "That's more than I wanted to know." He closed the distance to the door and placed his hand on the doorknob, opening it half-way. "By the way, did you find your necklace?"
"Yes." She showed him the ring and explained about why she had been wearing it on a chain.
"When did Ardeth give it to you?"
"Before we left Egypt."
"You've been wearing it all these years?" His eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Mm hmm."
"Well, as long as you're happy, I'm happy." He reached over and ruffled her hair. "Good night, Jen."
"Good night, Michael."
Then he was gone. Jensa knew Michael was not at all pleased about her marrying Ardeth, but she hoped they would someday be able to settle their differences. The only thing left to do was tell the rest of the family. She flinched with these thoughts. Mother had adored Ardeth once he safely brought her home when was kidnapped. Her father had been grateful and always would be, but she wasn't sure how he would react. The best way to break the news would be to tell them in person. A letter would take too long and a telegram telling them to come to Egypt right away would be the best route to take. Tomorrow, she would go to the telegraph office and wire the message.
She flipped her hair back off of her shoulder and curled up in a chair next to the French doors that opened onto the city streets. Even though the name of the hotel wasn't French, most of the décor was. Next to the chair was a small table with the latest book she was reading sitting on top of it. It was a book full of fascinating information on Egyptian curses. After finishing her studies at the university, she knew she would finally be able to understand the book. Before she and Michael left, she crept into her father's study and stole the book from the shelf behind his desk. There were so many other books there pertaining to Egypt to keep him thoroughly entertained. He'd never miss it.
Just as she was getting into the juicy details in the first page from a chapter dedicated to the curse of the hom-dai, a noise came from outside the balcony doors. Also lying on her table was one of her guns. She picked it up and went over to the light switch. The room was swallowed by darkness. She stood her ground with her gun aimed at the doors. They opened and a dark figure stepped over the threshold and turned their back to close the doors. Now was her chance.
She cocked the gun. The figure froze. "Slowly turn," she commanded.
"Jensa, it is me," the heavily accented voiced called to her. Her hand flew to the light switch.
"Ardeth!" she lowered the gun and ran to him, embracing his broad shoulders. "I could've killed you!"
Ardeth looked at her with a mixture of condescension and disbelief. Jensa felt her pride take a beating. "Perhaps," was all he said.
She did recall the little altercation concerning the scimitars at Hamunaptra a few days ago. He had disarmed her as if she had only been holding pens in a matter of minutes. And he nearly killed her. No, she was no match for him.
"Why didn't you knock or come in the front way?"
"I was about to knock until I saw your lights go off and I did not come in through the front because it is best no one sees me come in here."
"Oh." Jensa looked out the glass doors and gasped. "Ardeth, I'm three floors up. You climbed all the way up the side of the building to see me?"
"I would do whatever I must to reach you, hayati."
She blushed and thought, I must look like a tomato. "You could have been hurt."
"I am not hurt so easily and if I was, it would be worth it." He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against him, giving her a rough kiss.
She placed her hands on his chest, despite the loaded gun still in one of them. His gentle kisses and rough kisses got her adrenaline pumping every time.
"I have had many years of practice through the years, climbing up the lattice railing to your room when we were children."
"So this was just small potatoes."
* * *
The folds of Ardeth's brow came together in thought. Small potatoes? Leave it to the Americans to always surprise everyone with their confusing expressions. He lost count of how many new expressions he had heard over the years. His own language was far more straightforward. It was preferable to the dancing about of English. Was it so hard to come right to the point?
His hands made their way inside her robe and traced lines up and down her back. Her curves felt good to the touch. He leaned his head down and gently nipped at the sensitive skin just below her ear. Her skin was slightly cool and damp under his lips. She had taken a bath. What was the scent that swirled around his nose? It was soft and feminine, like delicate flowers. But what flowers? It was driving him mad. The flowery scent teased his senses and he buried his face further into her neck and breathed her scent in, wanting to be consumed by it.
Then he noticed what she was wearing. It registered properly in his mind for the first time. The black silk of her nightgown brought out the pale sheen of her skin. He glanced down at her bare feet and noticed her toenails were painted pink. The neckline of the nightgown revealed more of her skin than he had ever seen. Despite the chill of the cold night air, the temperature in the room must have increased. Suddenly, his black robes allowed no room for him to breathe. Was she trying to kill him?
The vibration of her voice against his chest pulled him back to the earth.
* * *
"I didn't expect to see you again tonight," she whispered, feeling her insides turn to butter.
"I missed you." His lips found the hollow of her throat She tilted her head back and breathed deeply. His unique scents did a whirlwind through her senses. He had been riding long and hard over the past few days and he smelled of the desert, sweat and horses. He smelled like a man; a strong man who lived off the land, hardened by his sacred duty, did what he pleased and feared no other. His hands were capable of incredible feats of strength, as they were rough and callused through years of battle, however, his caress was so gentle. To an outsider he would be dark and fierce in appearance. The very glare she had seen on his face was powerful enough to freeze a man to the ground in fear, but because of his trust and love for her, he let her see his heart. The occasional smile from him lit up his whole face. He became a different person, not just a hardened warrior, but a man with thoughts and emotions.
Her own emotions wrapped themselves around her as she detected another scent when his hair brushed against her cheek. It was sweet, but not overpowering. She recognized it as vanilla. Since they were children, she had always associated vanilla with Ardeth. When he would visit her during the nights, the breeze carried vanilla up to her room and she knew he was on his way to be with her.
"But we've been joined at the hip the last few days," she somehow managed to say.
"Could you be tired of seeing me already?" he said in a tone that told her he was joking, but as his head rose from her neck she thought she detected a sigh, and his touch lingered as though he did not really want to move.
"Ardeth, I will never tire of seeing you," she said, looking at him reproachfully. She brought the conversation back to his reason for skulking about outside her room in the middle of the night. "I turned off my lights because I heard a strange noise coming from outside. I thought the Medjai were supposed to be as silent as the dead," she teased.
"A mistake I will never make again. You are very observant and cautious, Jensa. That is a crucial quality to possess and a comfort to know that my future wife will watch her back and mine." He took his turban off, laid it on the table and ran a hand through his hair.
Jensa grinned. "Well, someone's got to watch it for you. It might as well be me," she said laying the gun back on the table. "What are you doing here?"
"Do I need a reason to see you?" he frowned.
"Of course not," she said putting her arms around his neck. She pecked him on the cheek with a kiss.
"Allah, you smell good." He growled and inhaled deeply, running his eyes over her body once again. "Like flowers."
Jensa found herself held at arm's length while his gaze slowly traveled from her head down to her toes. She felt a blush creep into her face. Ardeth was staring at her as if he knew exactly what her robe and nightgown were concealing from his predatory gaze.
"It's lavender," she said once his eyes finally came back to meet hers. "This is the first time you've seen me all clean and looking like a girl."
"Yes," he agreed, "but the smell of horses and the hot desert suit you as well."
She poked him in the ribs. "That was really funny," she said sarcastically. He jerked while she kept poking him. "Could the brave and tough chieftain of the Medjai actually be ticklish?"
"Yes, I am. What of it?" he said irritated.
"I think it's cute."
"Cute?"
"Yes."
"I have heard this word many times, but I have never been called as such."
"I'll have to remember it for future reference. It may prove to be very handy."
"Lucky me." Ardeth sat down in the chair and pulled Jensa into his lap. A serious look wrinkled his brow. "It still bothers me," he said thinking aloud.
"What does?" She played with a bullet in its sleeve on the bandoleer he wore.
"I almost killed you at Hamunaptra. If you had not recognized me when you did…" he trailed off.
Taking his face in her hands, she said, "Ardeth, you don't have to dwell on it anymore. All that matters is that we are here now together," she echoed his earlier words. They were wise words.
"Speaking of which," he said. "It was dark and I was wearing the veil. How did you know it was me?"
"I could see only your eyes, but believe me, I'd recognize them anywhere."
He caressed her face with his long smooth fingers and drew her face close for a kiss. His lips met hers in a feather light touch. He cradled her in his arms and pushed her head down onto his shoulder. Neither of them spoke. The closeness they shared was far too special to interrupt with words. Jensa still couldn't believe that she was with Ardeth. It had only been a short time ago that she was in New York at the mercy of Lyle. It was amazing how things had changed for the better so suddenly and she was determined to make sure they stayed that way. No one would ever take this away from her, especially Lyle. She was no longer alone. Ardeth would stand by her side. She knew she would need him because in the back of her mind, she had the feeling that Lyle would return to plague her.
Jensa shut the evil man out of her thoughts. There were millions of more important things to think about. It was time for them to discuss their plans. "Ardeth, when exactly were you planning for us to get married?"
"We were to leave for the village tomorrow. It takes one day and a morning to get there and I was planning on bringing you back with me. I have sent a messenger falcon to the village elders. They should begin the preparations by tomorrow. It will not take long."
"How long?"
"A day or so. Why? Do you wish to be married sooner?"
Her mouth curve into a smile against his shoulder. "I wish we could, but I want to wait."
Ardeth pushed her up, his eyes searching for the reason she wanted to wait. He seemed confused and a little worried. "Why do you wish to wait? Are you not as ready as I am?"
"I am ready," assured Jensa. "Your family will be there and I want mine there too. Could we please wait until I can contact my parents?" she asked expectantly.
Relief washed over Ardeth's face. "Of course, we can wait," he said pulling her back into his arms.
"Really? You're not mad?"
"Of course not. Your father and mother should be here to celebrate with us."
"Good. I'll wire them first thing in the morning. It will be a while before they get here, though."
"The days will go by fast, you will see."
"Promise you don't mind waiting?" she asked again. "I just want to be sure."
Ardeth assured her, "I promise it is all right."
"Will you still leave for the village tomorrow?"
"I will stay until your parents arrive. After all, someone needs to stand guard to make sure you stay out of trouble."
Jensa scowled and decided to tickle him. That would teach him a lesson. He was instantly caught off guard and howls of laughter escaped his mouth. She concentrated on the sensitive spot she had discovered. Jensa attacked his left side down close to his hip mercilessly. He tried to stand up, but their feet became entangled and they collapsed onto the floor. Still laughing, they held onto each other for support and pulled themselves into a sitting positions.
Jensa stared at Ardeth. Her eyes were filled with wonder. "Ardeth, I've never heard you laugh like that," she said still out of breath. "You really should do it more often."
The mask of self-control came down. "I have never had much to laugh about," he confessed quietly. "But when I am with you, I find a reason for doing many things I normally would not do. I have never felt such feelings before. It is hard for me to understand the way I feel and yet I know they are the right feelings to have.
"I am used to the subservience and undying attention from the women of my village, but I grow tired of it. They would only do something I asked of them because they are expected to do it, not because they know me or truly care for me. Only you know me and truly care for me. You are a challenge to me and even though we argue sometimes, I find it exhilarating. If I asked you to do something, you would disobey without question. Perhaps that was why I was drawn to you when we first met. You blatantly disobeyed your father's orders to stay away from me on many occasions.
"The years we were apart were torture for me and you too. The day you left is something I shall not forget. A part of me left when you did. I know you wished to tell me good-bye, but I could not bring myself so close to you and let you go. I might have ignored everything I was telling myself that was right and taken you home, but the past has come and gone. Together, we will begin our lives. I would be a fool to take you for granted and I pray that I shall always remember how precious you are to me."
She noticed how shy he suddenly became as he shifted his gaze to the hardwood floor of the room. She blinked trying to push the blurry image of Ardeth away that her tears had created. She was amazed at being able to see this timid trait that she was pretty sure no one else had ever seen. Jensa figured she would never hear such openness from him again. Ardeth was a quiet man, keeping his thoughts and emotions safely hidden away lest the world see his vulnerable side. It must have been very hard for him to speak such words. She reached up and pushed a lock of hair behind his ear. The mask came back up as he regained his composure. Ardeth met his eyes with hers and studied her.
"I had almost forgotten how beautiful you are," he said in wonder.
"Shame on you," she said softly, pretending to scold.
She watched Ardeth closely as he took her face in his hands and his eyes roamed over her creamy features. He seemed to be memorizing every possible part of her that he could. His chocolate gaze fell to her lips. He appeared ready to kiss her again and in fact, the fire burning within his dark eyes suggested he wanted to do more than simply kiss her, but she knew he restrained himself for her sake. She saw a sparkle in his eyes and realized her cheeks must have the same old pink tint they always did. The corners of her mouth tipped upward into a tiny smile and she lowered her eyes in a moment of bashfulness. His hands holding her face was the most tender and peaceful experience she had ever felt. She knew he still worried about her, but her life had taken an incredible leap into happiness, and all because of him.
The intensity at which he studied her face increased her heart rate by ten times. Their bodies inched closer and closer together to seal the moment with a kiss. She dug her fingers up through his hair feeling its silky softness. The rapid beating of her heart continued and matched his own rhythm. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest and realized that instead of telling her he loved her with words, he was telling her with his kiss. It was tender, passionate and summed up all of the feelings churning through her. She believed he felt the pain of losing each other five years ago, the lonely separation and overwhelming longing to join in marriage and live as husband and wife until they were no more. Tears rolled down Jensa's cheeks and trailed down Ardeth's hands. She suddenly lost control of her female emotions and cried harder. Ardeth broke off the kiss and watched her with a startled look.
"What is wrong?"
Jensa threw her arms around him and choked back her sobs long enough to croak, "I'm so happy!" Ardeth chuckled softly and returned her hug. Jensa hiccuped. "Oh, no. Not again. I'm just going to have to stop crying all together."
"I think it is cute," he repeated her earlier words.
"You can't be—-hiccup—--serious!" she cried with a blush. "Using my own words against me."
"Precisely." He stood up, held Jensa by her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. "I do not wish for our time together to end, but I must go and you must get some rest." He pulled her close for a long, hearty kiss good-bye. "Until tomorrow, hayati." He picked up his turban and placed it back on his head.
"Just one more."
She halted his departure by grabbing him for another kiss. His eyebrows rose in surprise, but welcomed her lips nonetheless.
She smiled her good-bye and watched him exit through the balcony doors. She dropped down onto the edge of her bed, head still spinning from their kiss and didn't doubt she would have many more of these head-spinning experiences in the years to come. Though she had been through a lot the past few days, sleep was the farthest thing from her mind. She got off the bed and curled back up into the chair, which had absorbed his scent into its material. She pushed her nose into the plush comfort and inhaled with a sigh.
Jensa picked up the old text and resumed her reading. The book about curses was interesting, but try as she might, she just wasn't able to concentrate. Her thoughts kept straying to Ardeth. She contented herself with daydreaming about the Medjai village. So many questions she had about them were going to be answered soon. Near two-thirty that morning, she fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.