Part One
She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and sighing deeply. Evy didn't like to admit it, but maybe Rick was right. She got tired so easily now, in these last few weeks of her pregnancy. And the little one didn't like a great deal of movement, either. Celia told her to expect that, though. Her friend tried to prepare her for almost everything, including the growing feeling that she was no longer attractive.
Fortunately, that wasn't something Evy had to worry about overmuch, as Rick still couldn't keep his hands off her. Evy smiled and opened her eyes. She picked up the letter she was writing to Celia. . .even though she would be seeing her friend in the next few days. If nothing else, it helped to keep her focused and kept her sane with two overprotective mother hens named Rick and Jonathan driving her absolutely batty.
She wrote, carefully balancing the paper, "I know you'll be here shortly, dear friend, but these letters focus my mind. I can do little else, but write and cook. Besides. I don't believe you mind getting them. I'm so glad things continue to improve for you. Not that I ever doubted it, of course, but nonetheless, it's good to hear. Rick was afraid I would laugh myself into an early labor, when I read about Anck's latest prank. That was the best one yet, I think."
Evy paused, her sentence about Anck-su-namun forcing her to think about the changes in her friend's life. Anck was just one of those many changes. When she actually stopped to think about it, it staggered her. . .so she could only imagine how much of a struggle it was for Celia. In the space of a few months, she traveled to an exotic land, fell in love, found out that she was the reincarnation of a murdered concubine. That alone was a breathtaking series of events.
But things didn't end there for Celia. Her daughter was kidnapped by another ancient enemy, and while rescuing Miranda, Celia faced the man who murdered her in her previous incarnation. As Rick put it, she kicked his ass. While Celia (and the murdered Ardath) kicked Khaldun's ass on one plane of existence, Evy watched her once and future brother, Ardeth, do the same on another plane of existence. Then they had to (again, in Rick's words) haul ass out of Hamunaptra, because once more, the walls were closing in and the ceiling was falling. Besides, they had to get Ardeth some desperately needed medical help.
Celia's Egyptian adventure didn't end there. Ardeth decided that his life would be empty without her and asked Celia to marry him. Marry him she did, nearly two months after their first meeting in Cairo. Evy's smile died slowly. She missed them both so much. Ever since meeting Celia, Ardeth's dry sense of humor made an appearance more often. Much to her surprise, Evy even heard him laugh. Not the quiet chuckle which Jonathan mentioned to her, brought about by Jonathan and Izzy's antics on the dirigible, but a real laugh.
Evy remembered the snappy comeback Ardeth made in response to Rick's repeated assertion that Ardeth and Celia should 'get a room.' As he had the first time Rick said it, Ardeth fired back that he and Celia did not require an audience and O'Connell was quite welcome to look the other way. In fact, it would be greatly appreciated. . . especially after all the times Ardeth was forced to do the same. Said as only Ardeth Bey could, complete with the chieftain gently inclining his head.
"You do resemble Nefertiri, daughter of Seti. . .but you are not she," a voice said, startling Evy. She had an uncomfortable feeling of deja vu as she found herself facing six men, all dressed in white and blue robes. Each man had no eyebrows and no hair. . . their heads were shaved. Priests, but of whom? Evy pushed herself out of the chair, her hand resting protectively on her abdomen, and the speaker continued, "The Necklace of Isis does not belong to you. Return it immediately."
Necklace of Isis? The necklace she found, belonging to Nefertiri's mother? She stammered, "I. . .I'm not sure I know what you're talking about!" Her eyes flickered from one man to another, and Evy desperately hoped Rick or Jonathan would come from the kitchen. The last time she was in this situation, it was ultimately Ardeth who came to her rescue. And *he* was on his honeymoon right now.
"The necklace which you and your husband took from the Temple of Isis. . .the Necklace of Isis. We are the Guardians of the necklace, high priests of the goddess herself. Where is the necklace, woman, tell me now, before my patience runs out! My men and I have no wish to harm a woman who is with child. . ." the spokesman said, withdrawing his sword. The atmosphere in the room changed, in a way Evy couldn't define. It wasn't the hostility emanating from the six men in front of her. It was something else. Something. . .
"Then don't," came a flat, female voice from behind the men. As one, all six turned to face the newcomer. A small, dark-haired young woman, dressed in the familiar black Med-jai robes. Evy's heart leaped, recognizing the newcomer. Then again, she recognized her from the moment she spoke. . . her American accent saw to that. The young woman glared at the six men, saying, "I am Celia Bey, wife of the Med-jai chieftain. . .and this woman is my friend."
"Our quarrel is not with you, Med-jai queen. But if you do not leave now, then we will have no choice but to deal with you as well," the spokesman said. Evy raised her eyebrows. Did they just tell the woman whom they acknowledged as the Med-jai queen that they would kill her if she didn't leave? Ardeth would have a few things to say to that! A swish of cloth alerted her that someone was behind her, but the gentle hand on her shoulder told her that the most recent newcomer was a friend. Something she guessed, since you didn't often find a honeymooning couple apart in such a way.
"And then I will have no choice but to deal with you. Celia," Ardeth Bey said from his position beside Evy. Celia approached, her dark head held high as she made her way through the men in blue and white robes. More than one priest had his hand on a sword. . .but under Ardeth's steely gaze, not one even attempted to draw that sword, much less hack Celia to pieces. Though, it was obvious that was exactly what they wanted to do.
As Celia reached her husband's side, Evy whispered, "You have no idea how glad I am to see you." Celia took her hand and squeezed it gently, though she looked concerned. And there was the tiniest bit of disappointment in Ardeth's brown eyes, disappointment and resignation. He said not a word, making Evy feel worse about endangering the lives of her friends. Again.
"Leave now," Ardeth told the men quietly, "there has been no bloodshed, and there is no reason why it cannot remain that way." He and Celia were effectively blocking the Guardians' path to her, and while Celia was much shorter than Ardeth, Evy watched her grow more skillful with the staff, her weapon of choice, before Evy's return to England.
The spokesman uttered a single syllable, and Ardeth stiffened. With a hoarse cry, he allowed his cloak to drop to the ground in an eerily familiar gesture, then he launched himself forward as two Guardians obeyed their commander's demand. Celia shrugged out of her own cloak and reached behind her for the two components of her staff. Removing the two pieces from the brace on her back, she said quietly, "Evy, I need you to do me a favor."
Evy backpedaled as Celia added, snapping the two pieces of her staff together with an ominous click, "Stay out of my way." Nothing more was said as two more Guardians rushed forward to engage Celia. Evy did exactly as her friend asked, noticing that there were two others who watched in silence, both Guardians. But that seemed unimportant when Ardeth killed one man, who just. . .disappeared. A second man attacked from behind.
Evy barely managed to warn Ardeth with a scream. Ardeth lashed out with a kick to his other opponent's chest, driving him back into a table (that will leave a few marks, Evy found herself thinking), but as he turned to face the newcomer, the other man grazed Ardeth's palm with his dagger. That was the last time he would even touch Ardeth. The Med-jai drove his sword through the man's midsection, and he, too, disappeared.
At the same time, the previous attacker got his breath back and launched himself at Ardeth. Celia backed up a little, still fighting the other two men, and whispered breathlessly to Evy, "My pocket. . .I have a revolver in there." Evy leaned forward, reaching into the pocket, and when she straightened up, she shot one of the men whom Celia was battling in the shoulder. He spun away, moaning in pain, and Celia was able to finish off the other man.
Celia growled at the second man, "Get. . .up." The man just looked at her. . .then drove his own sword through his heart. Evy heard Celia gasp as he disappeared, and the Englishwoman looked at the leader. She winced a little as Celia asked, opening her arms as if inviting an attack, "Then it comes down to you. . .what is your pleasure, Guardian?"
"I told you. . .my argument is not with you, Celia Bey," the leader replied. He once more withdrew his sword. . .and plunged it into his abdomen. He fell to his knees, smiling weakly up at her, and said, "None of this is your doing, Med-jai queen. I will not permit my blood to be on your hands." He fell back and died. Strangely enough, his body didn't disappear. However, as Ardeth finished off his own opponent, that man did.
"Well," Evy breathed as the husband and wife looked at each other, "that was quite strange. Are you both all right?" Ardeth dipped his head in acknowledgment, giving his grazed palm an annoyed look, and Celia put her hand on her husband's shoulder, as if reassuring herself that he really was all right. He smiled at her, and Celia looked back at Evy, nodding. Almost as if she wanted to make sure her husband was all right before she said anything.
Evy bit back a smile. . .which abruptly faded as Rick's voice boomed out, "What the hell is going on in here?" Ardeth and Celia turned as one to face him, and Evy moved out from behind the pair. It was her intention to reassure her husband that everything was fine before Rick put his foot into his mouth. . .which was entirely likely, especially given Ardeth and Celia's presence. Rick continued, staring at the body on the floor, "I heard a shot. . .what happened, and why is that guy lying in the middle of my floor?"
. . .
He was in the kitchen, doing dishes while Jonathan put out the trash when the shot rang out. Fortunately, Rick just put a plate down when the sound startled him. . .because he didn't even think. Just dropped the rag and headed for the library. Evy. Oh, god, if anything happened to Evy. . . He found Evy unhurt, standing behind Ardeth and Celia. But there was a dead body on the ground, attired in blue and white robes. He blurted out, "I heard a shot. . .what happened, and why is that guy lying in the middle of my floor?" Celia and Ardeth exchanged a look.
Rick often criticized his brother-in-law for failing to think before he acted. Rick had a similar problem. . .he failed to think before he spoke. With that glance between the husband and wife, Rick's fury was ignited and he hissed, "What the hell have you done this time, Ardeth, and what were you thinking, bringing it to our front door? What, Imhotep and the Scorpion King weren't enough, now you have to try and get my wife killed while you're at it?"
He regretted the words before he saw Ardeth's face go white and before Celia stepped closer to her husband protectively. But he regretted it all the more when the Med-jai queen broke down her staff into its components and snapped, "Well, golly gee, Mr. O'Connell. . .maybe if you and your family would keep your hands off things that didn't belong to you, we wouldn't need to interrupt our HONEYMOON to drag your sorry, ungrateful ass out of the fire!"
That was nothing compared to the regret. . .the remorse. . .he felt when Ardeth added in an icy voice, "Then you shall have no trouble defending your pregnant wife and unborn child alone from the next wave of Guardians which comes. . .and come they will, O'Connell. We must go, Celia." With those words, he picked up his cloak and spun on his heel, his wife right behind him, scooping up her own cloak at the same time.
Rick's brain struggled to catch up. It was only after he saw them heading for the door that he realized what happened. And even then, he could only stare in shock as Evy ran awkwardly to intercept them. The couple stopped as Rick's wife blocked their path, crying, "No, Ardeth, please don't go! At least stay tonight. I know you're exhausted. The least I can do is offer a comfortable bed, a hot bath, and nourishment." Rick tried to find his voice, tried to call back his unbelievably stupid words. . .but nothing came out.
That was a very bad sign, in and of itself. Rick O'Connell always had a quip for a tense situation, a smart remark to annoy whoever he happened to be fighting at the time. The only time he never really had a smart remark was the first time he fought Ardeth Bey. That was important for some reason, and Rick couldn't be sure why. But that wasn't important. Right now, the important thing was making things right.
That was, of course, assuming he even had the chance to make things right with Ardeth. This was different from all the other times before, when he lashed out at Ardeth, and Rick felt cold inside. The newlyweds looked at each other, then Celia said, placing a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder, "She's right, Ardeth. . .you are exhausted, and we weren't planning on being in Scotland immediately. I told Mrs Cameron that we wouldn't be up there until sometime next week, remember?"
Ardeth's shoulders, which were tense with rage and hurt, slumped and he nodded. It occurred to Rick that Ardeth reached his limit, in more ways than one. He looked worse than he did after the bus ride from hell. And it seemed pretty clear that his Med-jai friend didn't have the energy to out-talk two determined women. Rick could understand that. He met Ardeth's womenfolk, after all. They defined the word 'determined.'
Very gently, as if fearing that she would startle him, Evy said, "Come. . .I'll take you upstairs. I know how exhausted you both must be. Maybe you'd like a hot bath, too?" She took Ardeth's hand and led him upstairs. But Celia didn't go. . .at least, not right away. Instead, she affixed her cloak about her shoulders once more and came back toward Rick. The American knew that while Ardeth let him off relatively easily (compared to what he could have done), Celia wouldn't be quite as kind.
He was right. She spat, her eyes ablaze with fury and frustration, "You know, Mr. O'Connell, I feel sorry for you. . .you have such a small heart, you can only fit two people in it." Rick glared back at her, but before he could speak, Celia continued, "Let me see if I have this straight. You're allowed to do whatever it takes to protect your family, but no one else is allowed to do the same? And when someone tries to help you, you either lash out or take them for granted. Do I have the right of it?"
"You don't have a lot of patience, do you? I made a mistake. . .I let my mouth work before my brain did," Rick fired back. He was rewarded with a nasty smile from Celia, reminding him that she wasn't Ardeth. She wouldn't take what he dished out in the name of history. Further, this was the same woman who threatened Imhotep with something worse than the hom- dai, if he didn't help to save Ardeth's life. . .or at least, buy him time.
He was reminded of this as Celia fired back, "You know, you're absolutely right. For a self-centered jackass like you, I have no patience. I save it for my daughter and people who deserve it." She glared at him bitterly for several moments, and Rick thought about speaking, then remembered that he got himself into this mess by shooting his mouth off. This wasn't like Hamunaptra the last time, when Khaldun took over his body to drive a wedge between Rick and the others. An attempt which admittedly failed, especially after that pile of manure stabbed Ardeth.
Nope, Rick did this all himself. . .and he had to undo it. The trouble was, he didn't know how. He hurt Ardeth before. Many times, both physically and. . .and verbally. He often lashed out at his friend, always because of something beyond the chieftain's control, and it was only a question of time before he went too far. That was never an issue. The only question was when it would happen. He had the answer to that question, and there were no more questions.
There wasn't even a question about what happened next. Consequences for his thoughtlessness? That would be a five foot two inch, scowling newlywed who just called him a 'self-centered jackass.' Not that Rick was arguing. . .with her description of him as a self-centered jackass, or with her assertion that she had patience for her daughter, just not for Rick. He *knew* that. He just didn't know what to say or how to make things right. In a quiet voice, he said, "I'm sorry, Celia. I just lost my head."
A dark brow arched, an expression he recognized. It meant that he was stating the obvious, and he was wasting her time. Two things which really annoyed her, especially when someone she loved needed her. Rick continued, growing defensive, "Look, I don't know what to say, okay? So I'm overprotective of my wife. . .like you have any room to talk? You're just as protective of Ardeth as I am of Evy!" Celia folded her arms over her chest, this time giving him a Look which Rick swore she learned from Ardeth.
"I am," she acknowledged in a deceptively calm voice, "but there's a big difference between you and me, O'Connell. I don't lash out at people who are trying to help me, unless I've been drugged into oblivion, rolled into a rug and thrown over the back of a camel!" Rick remembered the incident in question, and he knew that if her hands were free, she would have come up swinging when Ardeth pulled her from the rug.
Rick looked away, and Celia gave a snort of disgust. She said, "Just remember, O'Connell. My husband and I interrupted our honeymoon. . .a time when we're supposed to be making love for hours on end. . .to drag your sorry, ungrateful ass out of trouble. Again. I don't know what Ardeth's gonna do. . .but I know what I'll say if he asks my opinion. You're on your own, O'Connell." She started to walk away, then came back, her hands resting on her hips as she added, "Oh, and one other thing, Mr. O'Connell. I swear, if you *ever* hurt my husband again, I *will* kill you!
With that final message delivered, she spun away, her cloak flowing out behind her dramatically. Rick watched her go, feeling curiously detached. He couldn't accept that. Not after everything he and Ardeth went through. Yeah, he knew he had a tendency to be an ass to Ardeth, but the Med-jai understood, didn't he? After all, Rick helped to defeat Imhotep again, he killed the Scorpion King. Actions were more important than words. . .weren't they?
. . .
Contrary to popular belief, Celia Ferguson Bey was *not* an unreasonable woman. In these early months of her marriage, she developed only a few rules. Don't mess with her husband, don't mess with her brother, and don't mess with her child. Aside from that, she was not hard to get along with. However, when those rules were violated, she could get very. . .nasty. She preferred not to get nasty. She preferred getting along with people.
Getting nasty required a lot of energy, which was why she was now wearily trudging upstairs after her husband and Evy. Celia sensed Anck's ghost at her side, quietly lending her support. She smiled wearily and thought, *I am all right, Anck, merely tired. I just wish that oaf would stop and think before he puts his foot in his mouth all the way up to his hip.* Anck's mind touched her own, offering energy to replenish Celia's own, and the young queen sighed.
*I know you are, my friend, but I worry for you both. Neither you nor Ardeth deserve such disrespect. If I were not still recovering my energy from that last prank, I would teach O'Connell a lesson in manners he would never forget,* Anck replied, and Celia grinned faintly. Yes, she could well imagine. There was an incident on the ship from Egypt to England, involving a pair of snobs, two brothers who didn't like the obvious affection between Ardeth and Celia.
In fact, one man demanded that Ardeth take his dirty hands off a white woman. At the same time, his brother informed Celia in a very condescending voice that it was not wise to allow inferiors such familiarity. He was lucky Celia controlled herself, or he would have ended up without a few teeth. As it was, the young American stopped him by answering, "My husband is inferior to me in no way. He is the finest man I know. Further, I would greatly appreciate it if you would mind your own business!"
Things threatened to get really ugly. . .however, the ship's captain intervened. He was an Egyptian national, who was familiar with the Med- jai. The captain told the snooty siblings that the gentleman (Ardeth) was royalty, and they just insulted a prince and his new bride. The intervention gave Ardeth time to spirit Celia away. Not a moment too soon, either. Only a few moments later, when they were on the other side of the ship, a yelp and a shout caught everyone's attention.
Infuriated, Anck tossed the pair overboard, waiting until there was no one else around. That piece of consideration made Celia very grateful. She. . .or rather, Lady Ardath. . .could remember when Anck wouldn't have thought about others being caught in the crossfire. However, people did change. She said very softly, "Take your time, Anck, I don't want you getting tired."
*You just do not wish me to watch you. . .comfort Ardeth,* came the mischievous reply. Celia just responded with a look which answered, 'yes, and your point is?' Anck merely laughed aloud in the corners of Celia's mind, then continued, *Fear not, my friend. I shall leave you to take good care of your husband. Although, you may wish to hurry, before Nefertiri's reincarnation decides to apologize in her own way.*
Celia glared at the ghost, fighting back a grin. Anck knew quite well that Evy's love for Ardeth was of the sisterly variety. There was nothing seductive in her attitude toward the Med-jai chieftain. Besides, even if she did have such feelings toward Ardeth, she knew she had to go through Celia first. Neither woman wanted that, for obvious reasons. The American said in an undertone, "Behave, you, or I'll *make* you watch while I comfort Ardeth!"
*Now that IS a disturbing thought,* Anck retorted as they reached the top of the stairs. Celia didn't answer. Instead, her eyes were on her husband. Though married for only four months, Celia already recognized certain mannerisms. Right now, Ardeth was beyond tired, beyond hungry, and beyond patience. Anck picked up on it also, asking, *Would he feel better if he could yell at O'Connell? I can make a suggestion to O'Connell to do something stupid.*
"Uh. . .no. Don't do me any favors in that way, Anck. I think the last thing Ardeth needs right now is O'Connell opening his big mouth again," Celia replied. If she was right, and she thought she was, Ardeth would barely have the energy to get into the tub, much less do any thing else. More's the pity. She smiled at Anck, adding, "But thank you for thinking of him. You don't know how much I appreciate your help."
Anck looked away, abashed. A little ahead of them, Evy was leading Ardeth into the bedroom he would share with Celia. Her arm was around his waist in an almost protective gesture, and Anck said softly, *He is a proud man, your husband, and I believe she allows him to think that he is supporting her, when it is truly the other way around. I wonder if things would have been different, if I was not so proud in my successive lives, so determined to awaken Imhotep from his cursed sleep. Do you ever wonder, Celia? That it was the reincarnation of Nefertiri who awoke Imhotep the first time?*
Celia did, indeed, though she tried not to. Life was full of what might have been, and what could be. What if she never worked up the courage to come to Egypt, what if she did any number of things differently? She didn't like to think about the possibilities, how one small change could redirect the outcome of a person's fate. What if Lady Ardath never drank that poisoned wine? What would have happened to Rameses, to Anck-su- namun, to Imhotep? What would have happened to Seti and Nefertiri? Sennefer? Nassor? What would have happened to that first Ardeth Bey?
A thousand different possibilities. One decision by one person could affect the lives of thousands, as was the case with Imhotep and Anck-su- namun, when they killed Seti. She finally answered, "I try not to think about it, Anck. It gives me a headache. The what might have beens. What would have happened if Andreas Bey hadn't died when Ardeth was seventeen? We already know, because Garai was gifted with that dream. Or cursed. There are too many what might have beens."
*Tiyu. I know. But I still find myself wondering what would have happened, if Ardath was not murdered when we were twenty. Would I have become the same person? What would have happened if Imhotep arose a generation earlier. . .what would have happened to you, to Ardeth, to the others? I want to believe that when Imhotep resurrected me, I would have found a way to protect you,* Anck replied.
Celia smiled at the ghost once more, answering, "I have faith in you, Anck. You would have found a way." Anck dipped her head almost shyly, and Celia started to add something else. But it was then that an image flashed through her mind, of a young girl. She looked, quite curiously, like both Anck and Ardeth. She had his curly black hair and warm brown eyes, and Anck's features. She was a beautiful child, perhaps thirteen years old, and Celia whispered, "Senephra." Anck stared at her in shock. Celia continued, "That was the name of someone important to you, wasn't it? Senephra?"
*It is the name I would have chosen for my daughter,* Anck answered numbly, and Celia raised her eyebrows. That. . .was a surprise. But it made sense. In a twisted sort of way, though her memories of Lady Ardath told her that Anck-su-namun had little use for children, aside from her nephew. She didn't hate them, but she wasn't particularly interested in being a mother, either. Celia shook herself as Anck added, *Look, Evelyn has Ardeth in the room.*
They were at the landing and Evy exited from the bathroom. The bathroom and bedroom were adjoining, with separate exits. She smiled at Celia and led her to the left, murmuring, "Ardeth's in the bedroom. I've got the adjoining door open, all you need to do is start running the bath once you get him calmed down." She paused, then added in an even softer voice, "Take care of him? I know Rick hurt him just now. . .and I didn't take your answer personally."
Celia nodded and Evy went on, "Dinner is in two hours. I think Ardeth would be more comfortable if I brought it up to your room. Or rather, if Jonathan brought it up. The men won't let me do anything." She rolled her eyes, and Celia stifled a laugh, knowing that she would be in a similar situation when she became pregnant. She slipped inside, to find Ardeth pacing, his black robes billowing behind him in obvious agitation.
Celia watched in silence, allowing some of the excess energy to drain from her husband with his pacing. When he paused, Celia wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered, "I love you." With a groan, Ardeth returned the embrace, burying his face in her hair. He murmured something in Arabic. Not understanding what he said, she just tightened her arms around him, feeling the tremors race through his body. O'Connell really did it this time. That arrogant ass. How *dare* he accuse Ardeth of intentionally placing Evy and the baby in danger?
At last, Ardeth whispered, "I wonder how I managed without you, my Celia. I will not apologize to O'Connell, though I have apologized to Evelyn." Celia almost snorted, but checked herself. If one was very twisted, perhaps that person would expect Ardeth to apologize, but Celia wasn't that twisted. Everyone had a limit, and Ardeth just reached his. So, she remained silent and held him. In the end, nothing could be said that would make any difference.
. . .
Anck remained close, though she was rattled by the mention of the daughter who never was. She forced herself to focus on protecting her friends. She knew Celia sensed her presence, but she also knew that Celia didn't really mind. She wasn't even trying to hide her feelings, and that was what kept Anck close by. Rage and hurt emanated from Celia. She was hurting because her adored husband was in pain, and she could not take his pain away.
Anck could feel the humming of energy in Celia's muscles as she held Ardeth. She could feel Celia's heart beat, and how difficult it was for her to breathe, between the fierce embrace of her husband and Celia's own fury. And it was all Anck could do to keep from returning to O'Connell and doing *something* to hurt him. Something, anything, it didn't really matter to her. He hurt Ardeth, thus causing Celia distress at the same time, and Anck wanted to return the favor.
But she would not do anything this time. She would allow Evelyn to deal with her husband, while Celia took care of her own. During the last four months, it seemed as if Celia's attempts to take care of Ardeth were derailed by one crisis or another. Only three days after the wedding, Ardeth was called away to one of the other tribes. He was unable to take Celia with him, so she turned her attention to other things, like repairing her relationship with her brother.
Contrary to what Jason swore in the weeks leading up to the wedding, he was still in Egypt. It was as if his work wasn't yet completed, and until things were better with his sister, Jason *couldn't* leave. So, he spent several hours a day with her and Miranda, the latter of whom often hid behind her mother when he was around. That hurt, Anck knew, but the ghost could hardly blame her niece.
When Celia wasn't repairing her relationship with Jason, she was either learning Arabic or teaching Imhotep the ways of this new time. That wasn't just the ways of behavior and manners in this time, but she was teaching him English as well. Imhotep already learned to speak English in assimiliating first the Americans, then Hafez's underlings. But Celia polished his command of the language, and explained the inconsistencies. And there were many of those, so many, they made Anck's head hurt.
They learned about Med-jai culture together. . .many things changed in three thousand years. Anck saw Imhotep's struggle to reconcile the monsters who condemned him to the hom-dai with the Med-jai of today. More than that, he struggled to accept the truth that Khaldun played a part in his condemnation. He spent three thousand years hating the Med-jai for what they did to him. But now, he was starting to see that they were no more evil than he was.
It was as Celia said one day. Their actions were evil, but the people were not. They were angry and proud, vengeful and driven by guilt, always a bad combination. Yes, Imhotep should have been punished, but they went too far. The modern Med-jai admitted that. The First Elder acknowledged that in public during the wedding, just as Ardeth acknowledged it in his heart many times as an adult.
Anck's attention was drawn back to her friends. Ardeth's forehead rested lightly on Celia's, her hand moving soothingly down his back, and he finally whispered in a weary voice that broke Anck's heart, "Why does he assume the worst of me, my wife? How could he think I would deliberately place Evelyn in danger, have I betrayed him in some way?" Anck swallowed hard, tears smarting her eyes.
It wasn't just the obvious hurt. . .but Ardeth never asked this question before. It was a measure of how much he changed since Celia came into his life that he started questioning what always was. Before, he simply accepted it as the way things were, because from O'Connell, he knew nothing else. It was just the way O'Connell was. Because he had no reason to trust Ardeth. . . because it was just the way things were.
The trouble was, Ardeth proved himself a thousand times. There was never a time when Rick O'Connell needed him, and Ardeth let him down. But that wasn't good enough for O'Connell, it seemed. There was another, aside from Celia and Evelyn, who was angered by Rick O'Connell and his continuing expectation that Ardeth would betray him. With a single, troubled look at Celia, who simply held her husband without trying to explain something which could not be explained, Anck phased out, before reappearing in a Place In-Between. But it was not Mathayus she found there, much to her surprise.
It was a very familiar, and very beloved, figure. Ardath stood before the pool where Anck stood so many times. Her mouth was set in grim lines, which relaxed as she looked up at Anck. She smiled and said in their language, *I find it is more difficult than I thought to let go, my forever friend. Rameses is the same. Our child still needs us.* Anck nodded, slipping to her best friend's side. She put her arm around Ardath's waist, looking into the pool, and her friend continued bitterly, *I believe it is time to teach Rick O'Connell a lesson he will never forget.*
Anck looked at her sister closely, recognizing her tone. Ardeth was not only her namesake, but her descendent. He carried her son's name, he looked like the man whom her son became, and Anck knew that Ardath regarded her namesake as her child. But there was more. Ardath lifted her chin, staring at Anck, and added, *I'll not have my daughter's reincarnation raised by such a petulant child!*
Daughter's reincarnation? It took a few moments for Anck's brain to catch up, then she felt her jaw become unhinged. She finally managed to say, *You mean. . .?* It was hardly the most articulate thing she could have said under the circumstances, but this was something very unexpected. Finally, she asked, *So, that is why you are here, In-Between, and not in the Afterlife?*
*Tiyu. The child in the womb of Nefertiri reincarnated is the reincarnation of my daughter. The child originally destined for Nefertiri and Terumun. . .well, there was a change. Miriam offered to go in her place. She wished to draw the families even closer together. Rameses agreed, since time passes much differently here. He knows she will be returning in a very short time, eternally speaking,* Ardath acknowledged.
Anck murmured, *And that is why you are so determined to teach O'Connell a lesson. Not just because he makes a habit to lash out at your descendent and namesake, but because he will be raising the reincarnation of your daughter. You wish to make sure he will do a proper job of it.* Ardath bobbed her head once, very firmly, and Anck continued, *What will you do?* Almost immediately, she was sorry she asked, for a devilish smile appeared on her sister's face.
*Do you remember, Anck, the conversation you had just a few minutes ago with my spirit-twin? About what might have been?* Ardath asked, her hazel eyes dancing with mischief. Anck nodded warily, knowing that look all too well. Ardath smiled very sweetly as she added, *I believe I will show Rick O'Connell a few what might have beens, so he may see exactly where he and his family would be without my child!*
Anck remembered the conversation in question entirely too well. . .and she remembered Celia mentioning the dream Garai (once called Sennefer) had. The one about the fate of the Med-jai, if Andreas Bey led during the risings. She looked at Ardath questioningly, and her friend nodded with a determined expression. Anck knew her sister, and knew better than to even try to talk her friend out of what she planned. Besides. She was rather looking forward to Ardath putting Rick O'Connell in his place.
Aside from today, he behaved with honor during most of the time she lived among the Med-jai, if you ignored the occasions before the wedding. The first occasion, of course, was when he told Celia that her husband was a virgin. Celia already knew that, but that was hardly the point. The second occasion was when he got Ardeth drunk. Which was why she asked now, *Is there anything you need me to do, aside from help Celia as much as possible?* Ardath bit down hard on her lower lip, furrowing her brow in concentration as she thought about that.
From that expression, Anck knew that her friend began making these plans quite some time ago. And truly, this was something Anck should have realized long before now. Ardath, like her namesake (both of them), was a great planner. She would have had the idea long ago, perhaps before Celia and Ardeth were even engaged, much less married. She just required O'Connell to cross a certain line, and that line was crossed tonight. At last, Ardath shook her head, replying, *I do not believe so, my sister. However, while I am reminding Rick O'Connell of just how lucky he is to have my child in his life, I will remind him of something else.*
Anck raised her eyebrows questioningly. She couldn't wait to hear this. Ardath smiled smugly, adding, *To use his American vernacular, it is time he realized that I can be a nasty-ass bitch!* Anck threw back her head and laughed, tightening her arm about her friend's waist. She was looking forward to what her forever friend had planned for Rick O'Connell. However, what both friends forgot, as mortals often do, was that the gods often had their own sense of justice and fairness. Just as they did in this case, and plans of another sort was set into motion.
. . .
Ardeth Bey had a *very* difficult day. He never truly enjoyed leaving Egypt, but he hoped this time would be different. This time, he was traveling to England and Scotland for his honeymoon, thirty-six days with his beloved new wife. And truly, the expression in her eyes when he told her that if she wished to go to Britain, then it was to Britain that they would go. . .yes, the joy in her eyes soothed most of his troubles away.
He knew, just as well as Celia did, that Anck-su-namun was responsible for the snobbish brothers going overboard. Those two were mild, really, compared to things that happened in his native Egypt among Westerners. But it angered his new wife, and Ardeth knew by now that things which angered Celia would not be tolerated by Anck-su-namun. Ardeth believed that the ghost was seeking an atonement of her own.
Both Anck-su-namun and Imhotep were seeking redemption, something which made Ardeth dizzy. If someone would have told him such a thing after the battle at Ahm Shere, Ardeth would have never believed them. During Imhotep's first rising, the chieftain was driven by hatred and grief and guilt, for the loss of his uncle. He was twenty-six years old, and though considered wise for his age even then, still had much to learn about life and love.
The next seven years gave him the wisdom to see his ancestors went too far when they cursed Imhotep. And slowly, Ardeth found cracks of sympathy in his heart. Those cracks were abruptly filled when the cycle started once more, for this time, Imhotep did not seek to bring Anck-su- namun back from the dead. . .rather, he sought to destroy everything Ardeth loved. If the Scorpion King was raised, then was killed, by Imhotep, this planet would become Hell. Ardeth could not allow that to happen. And once more, he fought alongside the O'Connells.
Imhotep died in Ahm Shere, in the Golden Pyramid. He threw himself into the Underworld when Meela Nais, the reincarnation of Anck-su-namun, abandoned him. Ahm Shere, his new resting place, was sucked into the desert, but Ardeth knew the curse was not ended. He lost many men at Ahm Shere, and even now, almost a year later, the nightmares still haunted him. They were not as prevalent, but they did remain.
Then he met Celia Ferguson. Her appearance in his life brought forth his memories of his past lives. When he fell in love with Celia, Ardeth at last understood what drove Imhotep. Perhaps that was what made this last rising different. And, perhaps it was because this time, Imhotep did not wish to return. He didn't know. As the hot water relaxed his tense muscles, Ardeth knew only that Imhotep changed sides. He fulfilled his agreement with Lady Ardath. For that, the hom-dai was broken, releasing both Imhotep and the Med-jai from their curse.
That brought Ardeth to now. It would take time before he could trust Imhotep. The fear was ingrained in him too deeply. But right now, he felt that he trusted Imhotep more than O'Connell trusted him. That hurt. With everything they went through together, with the battles fought and won, all the times they stood at each other's sides and faced evil. . .O'Connell still believed that Ardeth would deliberately harm Evelyn?
Enough. He could do this no more. He no longer had the energy to allay the fears of his Western brother. Ardeth wondered if the problem lay in him, or in O'Connell. Was he blinded by the similarities between Andreas and O'Connell? Perhaps. Ardeth sighed, leaning back in the tub. If so, it was over. His only contact with the O'Connells from this day would be with Evelyn, for Ardeth was unwilling to give up his little sister.
Even so. Ardeth missed his brother, but it was time to let go. Others needed him. Like Celia. Ardeth smiled wearily, thinking of his bride. She held him for what seemed like an eternity, before gently suggesting a hot bath. They traveled through the sand and dust of Egypt, across the sea, and he was filthy. They both were, but Celia would get her bath later. Ardeth admitted that a hot bath was appealing, as was food. And sleep. Ardeth was sure he could sleep for a week.
While the nightmares remained, they decreased. . .most nights when he was in the encampment, his sleep was dreamless. That was the case the morning after his wedding. He awakened, to find his new wife smiling down at him. Once, he would have denied that. . .he could afford no such weakness. But Ardeth the man was finding a way to coexist with Ardeth the chieftain and Ardeth the warrior.
And, he thanked all of the deities who protected his tribe and family that Celia was as good as her word, disagreeing with him only in private. And they did disagree, especially once Celia was convinced that Ardeth would love her regardless of what she did. So strange, that she was just as insecure about his love as he was of hers.
These disagreements began a few days after their wedding, when Celia mentioned Imhotep's request to teach him English and the ways of this new time. Ardeth's immediate and flat-out response was, "La! Never!" They were at the corral with the new horses provided by O'Connell. Celia stared at him, her shoulders stiffening. But instead of arguing, she merely inclined her head and walked away.
Ardeth followed her, and once they reached the safety of their tent, Celia lit into him. He never saw her so angry before, not at him. She angrily reminded him that she did him the courtesy of telling him about the request, before saying yes or no, and she would like to be accorded the same courtesy by at least talking about it before giving her answer. It was then that Ardeth received a second reminder about his new wife.
Celia never started an argument she couldn't win. She came up with all the reasons why Ardeth would say no, then created convincing arguments to counter his. It frightened him a little, that she read him so well. And it also frightened him that he agreed to her proposal, which was a compromise. She would teach Imhotep, but never alone. She didn't trust him, either. There would be at least one Med-jai warrior with her at all times, and Ardeth assigned Garai to that detail.
There was one thing which neither Ardeth nor Celia anticipated, and that was Celia's influence on Imhotep. While he knew them to be the reincarnations of Rameses and Ardath, Imhotep had far more respect for Celia than he had for Ardeth's ancestress and namesake. There was absolutely no mockery in his voice when he called her 'little queen.' Indeed, strangely enough, Imhotep almost seemed protective of her at times.
And again, the train of thought brought him back to O'Connell. Imhotep scowled when he heard where they were going for their honeymoon. He outright acknowledged to Garai that he had more respect for Ardeth than he did for the American Med-jai. Perhaps when they returned, Ardeth would ask him about that. . .ask him why he felt as he did. Was it possible that Imhotep saw something which Ardeth had not? The young chieftain whispered bitterly, "Damn you, O'Connell. Damn you for ever thinking that I would harm Evelyn or the child!"
The door opened and Celia said softly, "Yes, my love, but I have an idea that will drive all thoughts of that ungrateful ass out of your mind." Ardeth looked at his wife, who was attired only in a robe borrowed from Evelyn. She smiled and said, "I've been informed that dinner will be in about an hour, and Jonathan will bring our tray up. And then, my darling husband, we will rest."
Though he had a good idea of what she was up to, Ardeth inquired, "You plan to make me forget, do you, my wife? How, exactly, do you plan to do that?" Celia closed the door behind her, a wicked smile on her face. Ardeth scratched absently at the graze on his palm. . .he would bandage that later. . .and felt his insides go weak at the smile now decorating his wife's lovely face. Oh yes, he knew exactly what she was up to. . .
That was proven a moment later when she allowed the robe to drop, revealing her nude body, and she said huskily, "Oh, I'm sure we'll figure out something." Ardeth held out his uninjured hand to her. Celia took it and stepped into the tub, kneeling in the water in front of him, before covering his body with her own. As her lips touched his, everything was driven out of his mind. . .O'Connell, Imhotep, even his wounded palm. There was room only for Celia and the sensations she unleashed in his body.
She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and sighing deeply. Evy didn't like to admit it, but maybe Rick was right. She got tired so easily now, in these last few weeks of her pregnancy. And the little one didn't like a great deal of movement, either. Celia told her to expect that, though. Her friend tried to prepare her for almost everything, including the growing feeling that she was no longer attractive.
Fortunately, that wasn't something Evy had to worry about overmuch, as Rick still couldn't keep his hands off her. Evy smiled and opened her eyes. She picked up the letter she was writing to Celia. . .even though she would be seeing her friend in the next few days. If nothing else, it helped to keep her focused and kept her sane with two overprotective mother hens named Rick and Jonathan driving her absolutely batty.
She wrote, carefully balancing the paper, "I know you'll be here shortly, dear friend, but these letters focus my mind. I can do little else, but write and cook. Besides. I don't believe you mind getting them. I'm so glad things continue to improve for you. Not that I ever doubted it, of course, but nonetheless, it's good to hear. Rick was afraid I would laugh myself into an early labor, when I read about Anck's latest prank. That was the best one yet, I think."
Evy paused, her sentence about Anck-su-namun forcing her to think about the changes in her friend's life. Anck was just one of those many changes. When she actually stopped to think about it, it staggered her. . .so she could only imagine how much of a struggle it was for Celia. In the space of a few months, she traveled to an exotic land, fell in love, found out that she was the reincarnation of a murdered concubine. That alone was a breathtaking series of events.
But things didn't end there for Celia. Her daughter was kidnapped by another ancient enemy, and while rescuing Miranda, Celia faced the man who murdered her in her previous incarnation. As Rick put it, she kicked his ass. While Celia (and the murdered Ardath) kicked Khaldun's ass on one plane of existence, Evy watched her once and future brother, Ardeth, do the same on another plane of existence. Then they had to (again, in Rick's words) haul ass out of Hamunaptra, because once more, the walls were closing in and the ceiling was falling. Besides, they had to get Ardeth some desperately needed medical help.
Celia's Egyptian adventure didn't end there. Ardeth decided that his life would be empty without her and asked Celia to marry him. Marry him she did, nearly two months after their first meeting in Cairo. Evy's smile died slowly. She missed them both so much. Ever since meeting Celia, Ardeth's dry sense of humor made an appearance more often. Much to her surprise, Evy even heard him laugh. Not the quiet chuckle which Jonathan mentioned to her, brought about by Jonathan and Izzy's antics on the dirigible, but a real laugh.
Evy remembered the snappy comeback Ardeth made in response to Rick's repeated assertion that Ardeth and Celia should 'get a room.' As he had the first time Rick said it, Ardeth fired back that he and Celia did not require an audience and O'Connell was quite welcome to look the other way. In fact, it would be greatly appreciated. . . especially after all the times Ardeth was forced to do the same. Said as only Ardeth Bey could, complete with the chieftain gently inclining his head.
"You do resemble Nefertiri, daughter of Seti. . .but you are not she," a voice said, startling Evy. She had an uncomfortable feeling of deja vu as she found herself facing six men, all dressed in white and blue robes. Each man had no eyebrows and no hair. . . their heads were shaved. Priests, but of whom? Evy pushed herself out of the chair, her hand resting protectively on her abdomen, and the speaker continued, "The Necklace of Isis does not belong to you. Return it immediately."
Necklace of Isis? The necklace she found, belonging to Nefertiri's mother? She stammered, "I. . .I'm not sure I know what you're talking about!" Her eyes flickered from one man to another, and Evy desperately hoped Rick or Jonathan would come from the kitchen. The last time she was in this situation, it was ultimately Ardeth who came to her rescue. And *he* was on his honeymoon right now.
"The necklace which you and your husband took from the Temple of Isis. . .the Necklace of Isis. We are the Guardians of the necklace, high priests of the goddess herself. Where is the necklace, woman, tell me now, before my patience runs out! My men and I have no wish to harm a woman who is with child. . ." the spokesman said, withdrawing his sword. The atmosphere in the room changed, in a way Evy couldn't define. It wasn't the hostility emanating from the six men in front of her. It was something else. Something. . .
"Then don't," came a flat, female voice from behind the men. As one, all six turned to face the newcomer. A small, dark-haired young woman, dressed in the familiar black Med-jai robes. Evy's heart leaped, recognizing the newcomer. Then again, she recognized her from the moment she spoke. . . her American accent saw to that. The young woman glared at the six men, saying, "I am Celia Bey, wife of the Med-jai chieftain. . .and this woman is my friend."
"Our quarrel is not with you, Med-jai queen. But if you do not leave now, then we will have no choice but to deal with you as well," the spokesman said. Evy raised her eyebrows. Did they just tell the woman whom they acknowledged as the Med-jai queen that they would kill her if she didn't leave? Ardeth would have a few things to say to that! A swish of cloth alerted her that someone was behind her, but the gentle hand on her shoulder told her that the most recent newcomer was a friend. Something she guessed, since you didn't often find a honeymooning couple apart in such a way.
"And then I will have no choice but to deal with you. Celia," Ardeth Bey said from his position beside Evy. Celia approached, her dark head held high as she made her way through the men in blue and white robes. More than one priest had his hand on a sword. . .but under Ardeth's steely gaze, not one even attempted to draw that sword, much less hack Celia to pieces. Though, it was obvious that was exactly what they wanted to do.
As Celia reached her husband's side, Evy whispered, "You have no idea how glad I am to see you." Celia took her hand and squeezed it gently, though she looked concerned. And there was the tiniest bit of disappointment in Ardeth's brown eyes, disappointment and resignation. He said not a word, making Evy feel worse about endangering the lives of her friends. Again.
"Leave now," Ardeth told the men quietly, "there has been no bloodshed, and there is no reason why it cannot remain that way." He and Celia were effectively blocking the Guardians' path to her, and while Celia was much shorter than Ardeth, Evy watched her grow more skillful with the staff, her weapon of choice, before Evy's return to England.
The spokesman uttered a single syllable, and Ardeth stiffened. With a hoarse cry, he allowed his cloak to drop to the ground in an eerily familiar gesture, then he launched himself forward as two Guardians obeyed their commander's demand. Celia shrugged out of her own cloak and reached behind her for the two components of her staff. Removing the two pieces from the brace on her back, she said quietly, "Evy, I need you to do me a favor."
Evy backpedaled as Celia added, snapping the two pieces of her staff together with an ominous click, "Stay out of my way." Nothing more was said as two more Guardians rushed forward to engage Celia. Evy did exactly as her friend asked, noticing that there were two others who watched in silence, both Guardians. But that seemed unimportant when Ardeth killed one man, who just. . .disappeared. A second man attacked from behind.
Evy barely managed to warn Ardeth with a scream. Ardeth lashed out with a kick to his other opponent's chest, driving him back into a table (that will leave a few marks, Evy found herself thinking), but as he turned to face the newcomer, the other man grazed Ardeth's palm with his dagger. That was the last time he would even touch Ardeth. The Med-jai drove his sword through the man's midsection, and he, too, disappeared.
At the same time, the previous attacker got his breath back and launched himself at Ardeth. Celia backed up a little, still fighting the other two men, and whispered breathlessly to Evy, "My pocket. . .I have a revolver in there." Evy leaned forward, reaching into the pocket, and when she straightened up, she shot one of the men whom Celia was battling in the shoulder. He spun away, moaning in pain, and Celia was able to finish off the other man.
Celia growled at the second man, "Get. . .up." The man just looked at her. . .then drove his own sword through his heart. Evy heard Celia gasp as he disappeared, and the Englishwoman looked at the leader. She winced a little as Celia asked, opening her arms as if inviting an attack, "Then it comes down to you. . .what is your pleasure, Guardian?"
"I told you. . .my argument is not with you, Celia Bey," the leader replied. He once more withdrew his sword. . .and plunged it into his abdomen. He fell to his knees, smiling weakly up at her, and said, "None of this is your doing, Med-jai queen. I will not permit my blood to be on your hands." He fell back and died. Strangely enough, his body didn't disappear. However, as Ardeth finished off his own opponent, that man did.
"Well," Evy breathed as the husband and wife looked at each other, "that was quite strange. Are you both all right?" Ardeth dipped his head in acknowledgment, giving his grazed palm an annoyed look, and Celia put her hand on her husband's shoulder, as if reassuring herself that he really was all right. He smiled at her, and Celia looked back at Evy, nodding. Almost as if she wanted to make sure her husband was all right before she said anything.
Evy bit back a smile. . .which abruptly faded as Rick's voice boomed out, "What the hell is going on in here?" Ardeth and Celia turned as one to face him, and Evy moved out from behind the pair. It was her intention to reassure her husband that everything was fine before Rick put his foot into his mouth. . .which was entirely likely, especially given Ardeth and Celia's presence. Rick continued, staring at the body on the floor, "I heard a shot. . .what happened, and why is that guy lying in the middle of my floor?"
. . .
He was in the kitchen, doing dishes while Jonathan put out the trash when the shot rang out. Fortunately, Rick just put a plate down when the sound startled him. . .because he didn't even think. Just dropped the rag and headed for the library. Evy. Oh, god, if anything happened to Evy. . . He found Evy unhurt, standing behind Ardeth and Celia. But there was a dead body on the ground, attired in blue and white robes. He blurted out, "I heard a shot. . .what happened, and why is that guy lying in the middle of my floor?" Celia and Ardeth exchanged a look.
Rick often criticized his brother-in-law for failing to think before he acted. Rick had a similar problem. . .he failed to think before he spoke. With that glance between the husband and wife, Rick's fury was ignited and he hissed, "What the hell have you done this time, Ardeth, and what were you thinking, bringing it to our front door? What, Imhotep and the Scorpion King weren't enough, now you have to try and get my wife killed while you're at it?"
He regretted the words before he saw Ardeth's face go white and before Celia stepped closer to her husband protectively. But he regretted it all the more when the Med-jai queen broke down her staff into its components and snapped, "Well, golly gee, Mr. O'Connell. . .maybe if you and your family would keep your hands off things that didn't belong to you, we wouldn't need to interrupt our HONEYMOON to drag your sorry, ungrateful ass out of the fire!"
That was nothing compared to the regret. . .the remorse. . .he felt when Ardeth added in an icy voice, "Then you shall have no trouble defending your pregnant wife and unborn child alone from the next wave of Guardians which comes. . .and come they will, O'Connell. We must go, Celia." With those words, he picked up his cloak and spun on his heel, his wife right behind him, scooping up her own cloak at the same time.
Rick's brain struggled to catch up. It was only after he saw them heading for the door that he realized what happened. And even then, he could only stare in shock as Evy ran awkwardly to intercept them. The couple stopped as Rick's wife blocked their path, crying, "No, Ardeth, please don't go! At least stay tonight. I know you're exhausted. The least I can do is offer a comfortable bed, a hot bath, and nourishment." Rick tried to find his voice, tried to call back his unbelievably stupid words. . .but nothing came out.
That was a very bad sign, in and of itself. Rick O'Connell always had a quip for a tense situation, a smart remark to annoy whoever he happened to be fighting at the time. The only time he never really had a smart remark was the first time he fought Ardeth Bey. That was important for some reason, and Rick couldn't be sure why. But that wasn't important. Right now, the important thing was making things right.
That was, of course, assuming he even had the chance to make things right with Ardeth. This was different from all the other times before, when he lashed out at Ardeth, and Rick felt cold inside. The newlyweds looked at each other, then Celia said, placing a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder, "She's right, Ardeth. . .you are exhausted, and we weren't planning on being in Scotland immediately. I told Mrs Cameron that we wouldn't be up there until sometime next week, remember?"
Ardeth's shoulders, which were tense with rage and hurt, slumped and he nodded. It occurred to Rick that Ardeth reached his limit, in more ways than one. He looked worse than he did after the bus ride from hell. And it seemed pretty clear that his Med-jai friend didn't have the energy to out-talk two determined women. Rick could understand that. He met Ardeth's womenfolk, after all. They defined the word 'determined.'
Very gently, as if fearing that she would startle him, Evy said, "Come. . .I'll take you upstairs. I know how exhausted you both must be. Maybe you'd like a hot bath, too?" She took Ardeth's hand and led him upstairs. But Celia didn't go. . .at least, not right away. Instead, she affixed her cloak about her shoulders once more and came back toward Rick. The American knew that while Ardeth let him off relatively easily (compared to what he could have done), Celia wouldn't be quite as kind.
He was right. She spat, her eyes ablaze with fury and frustration, "You know, Mr. O'Connell, I feel sorry for you. . .you have such a small heart, you can only fit two people in it." Rick glared back at her, but before he could speak, Celia continued, "Let me see if I have this straight. You're allowed to do whatever it takes to protect your family, but no one else is allowed to do the same? And when someone tries to help you, you either lash out or take them for granted. Do I have the right of it?"
"You don't have a lot of patience, do you? I made a mistake. . .I let my mouth work before my brain did," Rick fired back. He was rewarded with a nasty smile from Celia, reminding him that she wasn't Ardeth. She wouldn't take what he dished out in the name of history. Further, this was the same woman who threatened Imhotep with something worse than the hom- dai, if he didn't help to save Ardeth's life. . .or at least, buy him time.
He was reminded of this as Celia fired back, "You know, you're absolutely right. For a self-centered jackass like you, I have no patience. I save it for my daughter and people who deserve it." She glared at him bitterly for several moments, and Rick thought about speaking, then remembered that he got himself into this mess by shooting his mouth off. This wasn't like Hamunaptra the last time, when Khaldun took over his body to drive a wedge between Rick and the others. An attempt which admittedly failed, especially after that pile of manure stabbed Ardeth.
Nope, Rick did this all himself. . .and he had to undo it. The trouble was, he didn't know how. He hurt Ardeth before. Many times, both physically and. . .and verbally. He often lashed out at his friend, always because of something beyond the chieftain's control, and it was only a question of time before he went too far. That was never an issue. The only question was when it would happen. He had the answer to that question, and there were no more questions.
There wasn't even a question about what happened next. Consequences for his thoughtlessness? That would be a five foot two inch, scowling newlywed who just called him a 'self-centered jackass.' Not that Rick was arguing. . .with her description of him as a self-centered jackass, or with her assertion that she had patience for her daughter, just not for Rick. He *knew* that. He just didn't know what to say or how to make things right. In a quiet voice, he said, "I'm sorry, Celia. I just lost my head."
A dark brow arched, an expression he recognized. It meant that he was stating the obvious, and he was wasting her time. Two things which really annoyed her, especially when someone she loved needed her. Rick continued, growing defensive, "Look, I don't know what to say, okay? So I'm overprotective of my wife. . .like you have any room to talk? You're just as protective of Ardeth as I am of Evy!" Celia folded her arms over her chest, this time giving him a Look which Rick swore she learned from Ardeth.
"I am," she acknowledged in a deceptively calm voice, "but there's a big difference between you and me, O'Connell. I don't lash out at people who are trying to help me, unless I've been drugged into oblivion, rolled into a rug and thrown over the back of a camel!" Rick remembered the incident in question, and he knew that if her hands were free, she would have come up swinging when Ardeth pulled her from the rug.
Rick looked away, and Celia gave a snort of disgust. She said, "Just remember, O'Connell. My husband and I interrupted our honeymoon. . .a time when we're supposed to be making love for hours on end. . .to drag your sorry, ungrateful ass out of trouble. Again. I don't know what Ardeth's gonna do. . .but I know what I'll say if he asks my opinion. You're on your own, O'Connell." She started to walk away, then came back, her hands resting on her hips as she added, "Oh, and one other thing, Mr. O'Connell. I swear, if you *ever* hurt my husband again, I *will* kill you!
With that final message delivered, she spun away, her cloak flowing out behind her dramatically. Rick watched her go, feeling curiously detached. He couldn't accept that. Not after everything he and Ardeth went through. Yeah, he knew he had a tendency to be an ass to Ardeth, but the Med-jai understood, didn't he? After all, Rick helped to defeat Imhotep again, he killed the Scorpion King. Actions were more important than words. . .weren't they?
. . .
Contrary to popular belief, Celia Ferguson Bey was *not* an unreasonable woman. In these early months of her marriage, she developed only a few rules. Don't mess with her husband, don't mess with her brother, and don't mess with her child. Aside from that, she was not hard to get along with. However, when those rules were violated, she could get very. . .nasty. She preferred not to get nasty. She preferred getting along with people.
Getting nasty required a lot of energy, which was why she was now wearily trudging upstairs after her husband and Evy. Celia sensed Anck's ghost at her side, quietly lending her support. She smiled wearily and thought, *I am all right, Anck, merely tired. I just wish that oaf would stop and think before he puts his foot in his mouth all the way up to his hip.* Anck's mind touched her own, offering energy to replenish Celia's own, and the young queen sighed.
*I know you are, my friend, but I worry for you both. Neither you nor Ardeth deserve such disrespect. If I were not still recovering my energy from that last prank, I would teach O'Connell a lesson in manners he would never forget,* Anck replied, and Celia grinned faintly. Yes, she could well imagine. There was an incident on the ship from Egypt to England, involving a pair of snobs, two brothers who didn't like the obvious affection between Ardeth and Celia.
In fact, one man demanded that Ardeth take his dirty hands off a white woman. At the same time, his brother informed Celia in a very condescending voice that it was not wise to allow inferiors such familiarity. He was lucky Celia controlled herself, or he would have ended up without a few teeth. As it was, the young American stopped him by answering, "My husband is inferior to me in no way. He is the finest man I know. Further, I would greatly appreciate it if you would mind your own business!"
Things threatened to get really ugly. . .however, the ship's captain intervened. He was an Egyptian national, who was familiar with the Med- jai. The captain told the snooty siblings that the gentleman (Ardeth) was royalty, and they just insulted a prince and his new bride. The intervention gave Ardeth time to spirit Celia away. Not a moment too soon, either. Only a few moments later, when they were on the other side of the ship, a yelp and a shout caught everyone's attention.
Infuriated, Anck tossed the pair overboard, waiting until there was no one else around. That piece of consideration made Celia very grateful. She. . .or rather, Lady Ardath. . .could remember when Anck wouldn't have thought about others being caught in the crossfire. However, people did change. She said very softly, "Take your time, Anck, I don't want you getting tired."
*You just do not wish me to watch you. . .comfort Ardeth,* came the mischievous reply. Celia just responded with a look which answered, 'yes, and your point is?' Anck merely laughed aloud in the corners of Celia's mind, then continued, *Fear not, my friend. I shall leave you to take good care of your husband. Although, you may wish to hurry, before Nefertiri's reincarnation decides to apologize in her own way.*
Celia glared at the ghost, fighting back a grin. Anck knew quite well that Evy's love for Ardeth was of the sisterly variety. There was nothing seductive in her attitude toward the Med-jai chieftain. Besides, even if she did have such feelings toward Ardeth, she knew she had to go through Celia first. Neither woman wanted that, for obvious reasons. The American said in an undertone, "Behave, you, or I'll *make* you watch while I comfort Ardeth!"
*Now that IS a disturbing thought,* Anck retorted as they reached the top of the stairs. Celia didn't answer. Instead, her eyes were on her husband. Though married for only four months, Celia already recognized certain mannerisms. Right now, Ardeth was beyond tired, beyond hungry, and beyond patience. Anck picked up on it also, asking, *Would he feel better if he could yell at O'Connell? I can make a suggestion to O'Connell to do something stupid.*
"Uh. . .no. Don't do me any favors in that way, Anck. I think the last thing Ardeth needs right now is O'Connell opening his big mouth again," Celia replied. If she was right, and she thought she was, Ardeth would barely have the energy to get into the tub, much less do any thing else. More's the pity. She smiled at Anck, adding, "But thank you for thinking of him. You don't know how much I appreciate your help."
Anck looked away, abashed. A little ahead of them, Evy was leading Ardeth into the bedroom he would share with Celia. Her arm was around his waist in an almost protective gesture, and Anck said softly, *He is a proud man, your husband, and I believe she allows him to think that he is supporting her, when it is truly the other way around. I wonder if things would have been different, if I was not so proud in my successive lives, so determined to awaken Imhotep from his cursed sleep. Do you ever wonder, Celia? That it was the reincarnation of Nefertiri who awoke Imhotep the first time?*
Celia did, indeed, though she tried not to. Life was full of what might have been, and what could be. What if she never worked up the courage to come to Egypt, what if she did any number of things differently? She didn't like to think about the possibilities, how one small change could redirect the outcome of a person's fate. What if Lady Ardath never drank that poisoned wine? What would have happened to Rameses, to Anck-su- namun, to Imhotep? What would have happened to Seti and Nefertiri? Sennefer? Nassor? What would have happened to that first Ardeth Bey?
A thousand different possibilities. One decision by one person could affect the lives of thousands, as was the case with Imhotep and Anck-su- namun, when they killed Seti. She finally answered, "I try not to think about it, Anck. It gives me a headache. The what might have beens. What would have happened if Andreas Bey hadn't died when Ardeth was seventeen? We already know, because Garai was gifted with that dream. Or cursed. There are too many what might have beens."
*Tiyu. I know. But I still find myself wondering what would have happened, if Ardath was not murdered when we were twenty. Would I have become the same person? What would have happened if Imhotep arose a generation earlier. . .what would have happened to you, to Ardeth, to the others? I want to believe that when Imhotep resurrected me, I would have found a way to protect you,* Anck replied.
Celia smiled at the ghost once more, answering, "I have faith in you, Anck. You would have found a way." Anck dipped her head almost shyly, and Celia started to add something else. But it was then that an image flashed through her mind, of a young girl. She looked, quite curiously, like both Anck and Ardeth. She had his curly black hair and warm brown eyes, and Anck's features. She was a beautiful child, perhaps thirteen years old, and Celia whispered, "Senephra." Anck stared at her in shock. Celia continued, "That was the name of someone important to you, wasn't it? Senephra?"
*It is the name I would have chosen for my daughter,* Anck answered numbly, and Celia raised her eyebrows. That. . .was a surprise. But it made sense. In a twisted sort of way, though her memories of Lady Ardath told her that Anck-su-namun had little use for children, aside from her nephew. She didn't hate them, but she wasn't particularly interested in being a mother, either. Celia shook herself as Anck added, *Look, Evelyn has Ardeth in the room.*
They were at the landing and Evy exited from the bathroom. The bathroom and bedroom were adjoining, with separate exits. She smiled at Celia and led her to the left, murmuring, "Ardeth's in the bedroom. I've got the adjoining door open, all you need to do is start running the bath once you get him calmed down." She paused, then added in an even softer voice, "Take care of him? I know Rick hurt him just now. . .and I didn't take your answer personally."
Celia nodded and Evy went on, "Dinner is in two hours. I think Ardeth would be more comfortable if I brought it up to your room. Or rather, if Jonathan brought it up. The men won't let me do anything." She rolled her eyes, and Celia stifled a laugh, knowing that she would be in a similar situation when she became pregnant. She slipped inside, to find Ardeth pacing, his black robes billowing behind him in obvious agitation.
Celia watched in silence, allowing some of the excess energy to drain from her husband with his pacing. When he paused, Celia wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered, "I love you." With a groan, Ardeth returned the embrace, burying his face in her hair. He murmured something in Arabic. Not understanding what he said, she just tightened her arms around him, feeling the tremors race through his body. O'Connell really did it this time. That arrogant ass. How *dare* he accuse Ardeth of intentionally placing Evy and the baby in danger?
At last, Ardeth whispered, "I wonder how I managed without you, my Celia. I will not apologize to O'Connell, though I have apologized to Evelyn." Celia almost snorted, but checked herself. If one was very twisted, perhaps that person would expect Ardeth to apologize, but Celia wasn't that twisted. Everyone had a limit, and Ardeth just reached his. So, she remained silent and held him. In the end, nothing could be said that would make any difference.
. . .
Anck remained close, though she was rattled by the mention of the daughter who never was. She forced herself to focus on protecting her friends. She knew Celia sensed her presence, but she also knew that Celia didn't really mind. She wasn't even trying to hide her feelings, and that was what kept Anck close by. Rage and hurt emanated from Celia. She was hurting because her adored husband was in pain, and she could not take his pain away.
Anck could feel the humming of energy in Celia's muscles as she held Ardeth. She could feel Celia's heart beat, and how difficult it was for her to breathe, between the fierce embrace of her husband and Celia's own fury. And it was all Anck could do to keep from returning to O'Connell and doing *something* to hurt him. Something, anything, it didn't really matter to her. He hurt Ardeth, thus causing Celia distress at the same time, and Anck wanted to return the favor.
But she would not do anything this time. She would allow Evelyn to deal with her husband, while Celia took care of her own. During the last four months, it seemed as if Celia's attempts to take care of Ardeth were derailed by one crisis or another. Only three days after the wedding, Ardeth was called away to one of the other tribes. He was unable to take Celia with him, so she turned her attention to other things, like repairing her relationship with her brother.
Contrary to what Jason swore in the weeks leading up to the wedding, he was still in Egypt. It was as if his work wasn't yet completed, and until things were better with his sister, Jason *couldn't* leave. So, he spent several hours a day with her and Miranda, the latter of whom often hid behind her mother when he was around. That hurt, Anck knew, but the ghost could hardly blame her niece.
When Celia wasn't repairing her relationship with Jason, she was either learning Arabic or teaching Imhotep the ways of this new time. That wasn't just the ways of behavior and manners in this time, but she was teaching him English as well. Imhotep already learned to speak English in assimiliating first the Americans, then Hafez's underlings. But Celia polished his command of the language, and explained the inconsistencies. And there were many of those, so many, they made Anck's head hurt.
They learned about Med-jai culture together. . .many things changed in three thousand years. Anck saw Imhotep's struggle to reconcile the monsters who condemned him to the hom-dai with the Med-jai of today. More than that, he struggled to accept the truth that Khaldun played a part in his condemnation. He spent three thousand years hating the Med-jai for what they did to him. But now, he was starting to see that they were no more evil than he was.
It was as Celia said one day. Their actions were evil, but the people were not. They were angry and proud, vengeful and driven by guilt, always a bad combination. Yes, Imhotep should have been punished, but they went too far. The modern Med-jai admitted that. The First Elder acknowledged that in public during the wedding, just as Ardeth acknowledged it in his heart many times as an adult.
Anck's attention was drawn back to her friends. Ardeth's forehead rested lightly on Celia's, her hand moving soothingly down his back, and he finally whispered in a weary voice that broke Anck's heart, "Why does he assume the worst of me, my wife? How could he think I would deliberately place Evelyn in danger, have I betrayed him in some way?" Anck swallowed hard, tears smarting her eyes.
It wasn't just the obvious hurt. . .but Ardeth never asked this question before. It was a measure of how much he changed since Celia came into his life that he started questioning what always was. Before, he simply accepted it as the way things were, because from O'Connell, he knew nothing else. It was just the way O'Connell was. Because he had no reason to trust Ardeth. . . because it was just the way things were.
The trouble was, Ardeth proved himself a thousand times. There was never a time when Rick O'Connell needed him, and Ardeth let him down. But that wasn't good enough for O'Connell, it seemed. There was another, aside from Celia and Evelyn, who was angered by Rick O'Connell and his continuing expectation that Ardeth would betray him. With a single, troubled look at Celia, who simply held her husband without trying to explain something which could not be explained, Anck phased out, before reappearing in a Place In-Between. But it was not Mathayus she found there, much to her surprise.
It was a very familiar, and very beloved, figure. Ardath stood before the pool where Anck stood so many times. Her mouth was set in grim lines, which relaxed as she looked up at Anck. She smiled and said in their language, *I find it is more difficult than I thought to let go, my forever friend. Rameses is the same. Our child still needs us.* Anck nodded, slipping to her best friend's side. She put her arm around Ardath's waist, looking into the pool, and her friend continued bitterly, *I believe it is time to teach Rick O'Connell a lesson he will never forget.*
Anck looked at her sister closely, recognizing her tone. Ardeth was not only her namesake, but her descendent. He carried her son's name, he looked like the man whom her son became, and Anck knew that Ardath regarded her namesake as her child. But there was more. Ardath lifted her chin, staring at Anck, and added, *I'll not have my daughter's reincarnation raised by such a petulant child!*
Daughter's reincarnation? It took a few moments for Anck's brain to catch up, then she felt her jaw become unhinged. She finally managed to say, *You mean. . .?* It was hardly the most articulate thing she could have said under the circumstances, but this was something very unexpected. Finally, she asked, *So, that is why you are here, In-Between, and not in the Afterlife?*
*Tiyu. The child in the womb of Nefertiri reincarnated is the reincarnation of my daughter. The child originally destined for Nefertiri and Terumun. . .well, there was a change. Miriam offered to go in her place. She wished to draw the families even closer together. Rameses agreed, since time passes much differently here. He knows she will be returning in a very short time, eternally speaking,* Ardath acknowledged.
Anck murmured, *And that is why you are so determined to teach O'Connell a lesson. Not just because he makes a habit to lash out at your descendent and namesake, but because he will be raising the reincarnation of your daughter. You wish to make sure he will do a proper job of it.* Ardath bobbed her head once, very firmly, and Anck continued, *What will you do?* Almost immediately, she was sorry she asked, for a devilish smile appeared on her sister's face.
*Do you remember, Anck, the conversation you had just a few minutes ago with my spirit-twin? About what might have been?* Ardath asked, her hazel eyes dancing with mischief. Anck nodded warily, knowing that look all too well. Ardath smiled very sweetly as she added, *I believe I will show Rick O'Connell a few what might have beens, so he may see exactly where he and his family would be without my child!*
Anck remembered the conversation in question entirely too well. . .and she remembered Celia mentioning the dream Garai (once called Sennefer) had. The one about the fate of the Med-jai, if Andreas Bey led during the risings. She looked at Ardath questioningly, and her friend nodded with a determined expression. Anck knew her sister, and knew better than to even try to talk her friend out of what she planned. Besides. She was rather looking forward to Ardath putting Rick O'Connell in his place.
Aside from today, he behaved with honor during most of the time she lived among the Med-jai, if you ignored the occasions before the wedding. The first occasion, of course, was when he told Celia that her husband was a virgin. Celia already knew that, but that was hardly the point. The second occasion was when he got Ardeth drunk. Which was why she asked now, *Is there anything you need me to do, aside from help Celia as much as possible?* Ardath bit down hard on her lower lip, furrowing her brow in concentration as she thought about that.
From that expression, Anck knew that her friend began making these plans quite some time ago. And truly, this was something Anck should have realized long before now. Ardath, like her namesake (both of them), was a great planner. She would have had the idea long ago, perhaps before Celia and Ardeth were even engaged, much less married. She just required O'Connell to cross a certain line, and that line was crossed tonight. At last, Ardath shook her head, replying, *I do not believe so, my sister. However, while I am reminding Rick O'Connell of just how lucky he is to have my child in his life, I will remind him of something else.*
Anck raised her eyebrows questioningly. She couldn't wait to hear this. Ardath smiled smugly, adding, *To use his American vernacular, it is time he realized that I can be a nasty-ass bitch!* Anck threw back her head and laughed, tightening her arm about her friend's waist. She was looking forward to what her forever friend had planned for Rick O'Connell. However, what both friends forgot, as mortals often do, was that the gods often had their own sense of justice and fairness. Just as they did in this case, and plans of another sort was set into motion.
. . .
Ardeth Bey had a *very* difficult day. He never truly enjoyed leaving Egypt, but he hoped this time would be different. This time, he was traveling to England and Scotland for his honeymoon, thirty-six days with his beloved new wife. And truly, the expression in her eyes when he told her that if she wished to go to Britain, then it was to Britain that they would go. . .yes, the joy in her eyes soothed most of his troubles away.
He knew, just as well as Celia did, that Anck-su-namun was responsible for the snobbish brothers going overboard. Those two were mild, really, compared to things that happened in his native Egypt among Westerners. But it angered his new wife, and Ardeth knew by now that things which angered Celia would not be tolerated by Anck-su-namun. Ardeth believed that the ghost was seeking an atonement of her own.
Both Anck-su-namun and Imhotep were seeking redemption, something which made Ardeth dizzy. If someone would have told him such a thing after the battle at Ahm Shere, Ardeth would have never believed them. During Imhotep's first rising, the chieftain was driven by hatred and grief and guilt, for the loss of his uncle. He was twenty-six years old, and though considered wise for his age even then, still had much to learn about life and love.
The next seven years gave him the wisdom to see his ancestors went too far when they cursed Imhotep. And slowly, Ardeth found cracks of sympathy in his heart. Those cracks were abruptly filled when the cycle started once more, for this time, Imhotep did not seek to bring Anck-su- namun back from the dead. . .rather, he sought to destroy everything Ardeth loved. If the Scorpion King was raised, then was killed, by Imhotep, this planet would become Hell. Ardeth could not allow that to happen. And once more, he fought alongside the O'Connells.
Imhotep died in Ahm Shere, in the Golden Pyramid. He threw himself into the Underworld when Meela Nais, the reincarnation of Anck-su-namun, abandoned him. Ahm Shere, his new resting place, was sucked into the desert, but Ardeth knew the curse was not ended. He lost many men at Ahm Shere, and even now, almost a year later, the nightmares still haunted him. They were not as prevalent, but they did remain.
Then he met Celia Ferguson. Her appearance in his life brought forth his memories of his past lives. When he fell in love with Celia, Ardeth at last understood what drove Imhotep. Perhaps that was what made this last rising different. And, perhaps it was because this time, Imhotep did not wish to return. He didn't know. As the hot water relaxed his tense muscles, Ardeth knew only that Imhotep changed sides. He fulfilled his agreement with Lady Ardath. For that, the hom-dai was broken, releasing both Imhotep and the Med-jai from their curse.
That brought Ardeth to now. It would take time before he could trust Imhotep. The fear was ingrained in him too deeply. But right now, he felt that he trusted Imhotep more than O'Connell trusted him. That hurt. With everything they went through together, with the battles fought and won, all the times they stood at each other's sides and faced evil. . .O'Connell still believed that Ardeth would deliberately harm Evelyn?
Enough. He could do this no more. He no longer had the energy to allay the fears of his Western brother. Ardeth wondered if the problem lay in him, or in O'Connell. Was he blinded by the similarities between Andreas and O'Connell? Perhaps. Ardeth sighed, leaning back in the tub. If so, it was over. His only contact with the O'Connells from this day would be with Evelyn, for Ardeth was unwilling to give up his little sister.
Even so. Ardeth missed his brother, but it was time to let go. Others needed him. Like Celia. Ardeth smiled wearily, thinking of his bride. She held him for what seemed like an eternity, before gently suggesting a hot bath. They traveled through the sand and dust of Egypt, across the sea, and he was filthy. They both were, but Celia would get her bath later. Ardeth admitted that a hot bath was appealing, as was food. And sleep. Ardeth was sure he could sleep for a week.
While the nightmares remained, they decreased. . .most nights when he was in the encampment, his sleep was dreamless. That was the case the morning after his wedding. He awakened, to find his new wife smiling down at him. Once, he would have denied that. . .he could afford no such weakness. But Ardeth the man was finding a way to coexist with Ardeth the chieftain and Ardeth the warrior.
And, he thanked all of the deities who protected his tribe and family that Celia was as good as her word, disagreeing with him only in private. And they did disagree, especially once Celia was convinced that Ardeth would love her regardless of what she did. So strange, that she was just as insecure about his love as he was of hers.
These disagreements began a few days after their wedding, when Celia mentioned Imhotep's request to teach him English and the ways of this new time. Ardeth's immediate and flat-out response was, "La! Never!" They were at the corral with the new horses provided by O'Connell. Celia stared at him, her shoulders stiffening. But instead of arguing, she merely inclined her head and walked away.
Ardeth followed her, and once they reached the safety of their tent, Celia lit into him. He never saw her so angry before, not at him. She angrily reminded him that she did him the courtesy of telling him about the request, before saying yes or no, and she would like to be accorded the same courtesy by at least talking about it before giving her answer. It was then that Ardeth received a second reminder about his new wife.
Celia never started an argument she couldn't win. She came up with all the reasons why Ardeth would say no, then created convincing arguments to counter his. It frightened him a little, that she read him so well. And it also frightened him that he agreed to her proposal, which was a compromise. She would teach Imhotep, but never alone. She didn't trust him, either. There would be at least one Med-jai warrior with her at all times, and Ardeth assigned Garai to that detail.
There was one thing which neither Ardeth nor Celia anticipated, and that was Celia's influence on Imhotep. While he knew them to be the reincarnations of Rameses and Ardath, Imhotep had far more respect for Celia than he had for Ardeth's ancestress and namesake. There was absolutely no mockery in his voice when he called her 'little queen.' Indeed, strangely enough, Imhotep almost seemed protective of her at times.
And again, the train of thought brought him back to O'Connell. Imhotep scowled when he heard where they were going for their honeymoon. He outright acknowledged to Garai that he had more respect for Ardeth than he did for the American Med-jai. Perhaps when they returned, Ardeth would ask him about that. . .ask him why he felt as he did. Was it possible that Imhotep saw something which Ardeth had not? The young chieftain whispered bitterly, "Damn you, O'Connell. Damn you for ever thinking that I would harm Evelyn or the child!"
The door opened and Celia said softly, "Yes, my love, but I have an idea that will drive all thoughts of that ungrateful ass out of your mind." Ardeth looked at his wife, who was attired only in a robe borrowed from Evelyn. She smiled and said, "I've been informed that dinner will be in about an hour, and Jonathan will bring our tray up. And then, my darling husband, we will rest."
Though he had a good idea of what she was up to, Ardeth inquired, "You plan to make me forget, do you, my wife? How, exactly, do you plan to do that?" Celia closed the door behind her, a wicked smile on her face. Ardeth scratched absently at the graze on his palm. . .he would bandage that later. . .and felt his insides go weak at the smile now decorating his wife's lovely face. Oh yes, he knew exactly what she was up to. . .
That was proven a moment later when she allowed the robe to drop, revealing her nude body, and she said huskily, "Oh, I'm sure we'll figure out something." Ardeth held out his uninjured hand to her. Celia took it and stepped into the tub, kneeling in the water in front of him, before covering his body with her own. As her lips touched his, everything was driven out of his mind. . .O'Connell, Imhotep, even his wounded palm. There was room only for Celia and the sensations she unleashed in his body.