I own and claim no rights to the motion picture, 'The Mummy,' or 'The Mummy
Returns.' Only characters not featured in either movie are created by me,
as well as the plot, and no similarities to any other fics are intended.
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New Lives
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The Desert landscape whizzed by as Sithathor sat in her comfortable train seat on the way to the boat that would take her across the sea and onto a totally different continent. Her old world was so much different than the one she was about to enter, and it wasn't JUST the climate. She had stared bemusedly at the skirt and blouse that Evee and her daughter presented her. After trying them on, Sithathor was mortified to know that the skirt did not even reach her ankles, and the blouse itched her skin. She endured the shoe fitting and the hats, but she was happy when she was able to put on her comfortable pants and airy shirt supplied to her by her father. Women in the Medjai were not usually allowed to wear such things, but her father believed she had deserved such an honor. Evee herself wore pants and such, though from what Alex told her, this was not a usually thing for women in England either. Their time was not as conservative as the other decades, but from what Sithathor could tell, it was still quit ridiculous. The door to her compartment opened suddenly, a surprised Hathy rose from her seat and made to punch the person who had interrupted her thoughts. Her hand was caught in the familiar hand of her husband, who stared back at her in amusement.
"So good to see you too dear wife," he murmured carefully.
Hathy blushed, embarrassed. She sat down and stared out the window once more. Alex watched her profile for several minutes before speaking. "Do you miss them?"
"More than I thought I would," Hathy replied quietly.
"We will visit as often as possible, and you can even take vacations there without me if that is your wish."
Hathy looked over at her husband, a growing fear in her heart. Has he already tired of me, she thought. "If you would like for me to do so, my husband, I will of course oblige you."
Alex frowned. "It is not whether I want you to, it is if you want to. I simply want you to be happy."
Sithathor smiled sadly. "I am happy. I do not think I will want to visit the desert without you or your family. There is no place for me there now." She looked back out of the window and saw a magnificent city in all it's activity. "My place is with you, for all my life, or as long as you want me."
Or? Alex's eyebrows rose. His suspicions that Hathy was sad over events from the past few days began to nibble on his mind again. He looked down at his hands. "If you want, you can leave me. I will find you a house in Cairo, send you spending money. You do not have to remain with me if you find life with me so despicable."
Hathy had frozen in her seat through his words, then she was kneeling by his feet. "I do not find anything to do with you contemptible. I want to be here. I just hope that I make you happy." Her eyes held a light of vulnerability and fear. Alex smiled down at her. He lifted her onto his lap and positioned her comfortably. She dropped her head back against his shoulder and with her hands pulled his lips to hers. She poured all her emotions into her kiss, which her husband absorbed with a strength that only he had. His lips were gentle and undemanding, but when he finally broke away from her lips his breathe was ragged. He held her silently, wondering what the hell his beautiful wife had been through to affect her like this. He imagined the girl that had punched her brother in the face and couldn't help but smile. He knew eventually the tigress in his wife would emerge full force, and he would relish the challenges.
The train jerked to a stop and Alex reluctantly stood, holding his wife in his arms. Hathy immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. She smiled at him as he slowly lowered her to the ground, her body flowing down his. When her feet hit the floor, she leaned forward and whispered, "If we had but the time!" Then she sauntered out the compartment door to find Evee and Rick. Alex stood for several seconds staring at the door his wife had just left through. Then a slow grin appeared on his face. Cleo passed by the door, then backtracked. "Alex?" she asked, and her older brother shook his head.
"Um, yeah?" He replied, trying to regain a serious face.
"The train stopped."
Alex continued to stare at his sister stupidly.
Cleo sighed. "We have to get out nitwit!" She continued down the corridor, muttering, "Boys!" under her breath.
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Iset looked out across the desert that was her home. She walked the dunes slowly, following the sounds of grunts and fighting. As she ascended a tall sand mound, she stared down at the fighting forms of her husband and his brothers. Ahmes was training Peyes, Siamun was training Musa. She descended slowly, but noisily so as not to surprise them. In her arms she carried a basket of food. Mia had told Iset that Siamun and his brothers would train for hours on end, sometimes never stopping for food. Iset hoped to change that. The group had heard her noisy decline, and turned to look at her. She could see Siamun's face cloud with annoyance.
"Hello all," Iset called, her stomach trembling as she watched Siamun turn his back to her. Ahmes walked over to her smiling. "I have brought you food brother," Iset murmured. Peyes and Musa let out whoops of joy. Ahmes laughed.
"Thank you sister. We did not realize it was so late in the day. I am suddenly feeling a pang of hunger now that I know it," Ahmes told her, his grin infectious. Iset smiled at him. Ahmes searched the contents of the basket and sighed in satisfaction. "Ah, you are a joy sister! It smells delicious. Would you join us?"
Iset looked over at her husband, indecisively. She did not know whether or not he would encourage her presence. Her husband said nothing. "I don't want to intrude," Iset told them, and turned to leave.
"No, no!" Musa cried out, his childlike voice shrill. "You must eat here with us! Sithathor always used too! You are our sister now too, Iset, you must sit with us!"
"Yes," Peyes seconded. "We could even teach you a few things, like Sithathor taught-oomph" the youngest brother cried out in surprise as Musa elbowed him in the ribs.
Iset looked to each of the three younger boys. They all looked away guiltily. "What?" she asked, a laugh in her voice. "What did Sithathor teach you?"
"Nothing that concerns you," a cutting voice inserted. Siamun had joined the four and took the basket from Ahmes' hands. "If you are going to stay then stay, if not, then leave."
Iset swallowed and forced the tears back. She contemplated leaving, her courage all but failing then remembered Sithathor's words. 'You are Iset Bay. Remember that.'
She squared her shoulders. "I think I will stay." She gave her husband a false sugary smile, her voice full of mockery. "Thank you so much, my husband for allowing me this honor."
Ahmes grinned and put his arm around Iset's shoulders. He lead her to a shaded part of the dune with a furious Siamun watching them. Reluctantly, Siamun followed. He, his brothers and his bride sat eating the meal she had prepared for him, which, Siamun had to admit was remarkably good. He listened to his brothers each try to impress his wife with funny jokes or stories. Her throaty laughter caused his body to tense. He felt a burst of desire for her so strong, it made him cringe. She was sitting there, her face bright and beautiful, giggling to his brother's antics. Her dress had a slit at the side that had ridden up when she had sat down, and he couldn't help staring at the length of thigh exposed.
"Siamun?"
Siamun looked up. His brothers and his wife looked at him questioningly. "What," Siamun asked gruffly.
Peyes frowned. "I asked if you thought that Iset's food was delicious."
Siamun frowned fiercely. "Of course," he replied, his voice rough and annoyed. Siamun felt furious with himself. He was lusting after the girl that was forced upon him. He looked at Iset. "It was very good wife. Now that we are finished here, we need to continue with our lessons. Thank you for the meal, but I need to ask you to leave now."
Iset nodded, and began to gather the plates and leftover food, the set of her shoulders screaming her hurt for all of them to see. Ahmes scooted over to his brother, a confused look on his face. "Why can she not stay brother? Hathy used to stay and watch us all the time, and more times than not, she would join us," he whispered.
Siamun glared at his younger brother. He was not used to being questioned...at least not by Ahmes. Sithathor was another story, for the girl could be more stubborn than Siamun was. "I will not have another person trying to take over her role. Iset is not Sithathor. She will never be her. I will accept no one else here with us. Now it is time to train." Siamun stood. "All of you get up, it is time to practice."
The two youngest brothers groaned, but stood. Siamun lead them back into the merciless sun, and proceeded in their exercises. Iset left the dune and headed back to camp without her husband even noticing.
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Sithathor felt her stomach lurch once again as the ship swayed. She barely made it to the side of the ship before she lost whatever was left in her stomach from her lunch earlier. Alex, Rick and Evee watched her with worried expressions. She righted herself and wiped her mouth with a clean clothe given to her earlier by Cleo. The ship swayed again, and Sithathor gritted her teeth. In her opinion the ship moved far to much, but she knew there was nothing she could do about that. It was the way it was suppose to be. When she had first seen the large ship that was supposed to carry her across the sea, she had been delighted and awed. Now, after spending less than half a day on the ship she was seriously thinking about jumping overboard. The seasickness was almost immediate. Less than five minutes after they had left port Sithathor had retched in a bucket in the cabin she shared with her husband. She had been reluctant to eat any lunch, but her husband had encouraged her, so she consented. Now all she wanted to do was kill him, and hope she didn't faint before she was finished. The ship moved again. Sithathor moaned in objection. Damn rickety boat, she thought.
Alex approached his wife cautiously, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her felt her tense. "Sithathor? Are you all right?"
Sithathor turned as quickly as her stomach would allow. "'Eat' you said. 'It will make you feel better,'" Sithathor murmured murderously. "Do I look better husband?"
"Well, actually," Alex began.
His father sidled up next to him. "Uh, son, I wouldn't answer that. Trust me, there is no right answer," Rick whispered into his ear.
Sithathor looked at him expectantly, the dangerous glint in her eyes slightly dulling at each rocking motion of the ship's deck.
Alex gave his wife his most charming smile. "I am really sorry sweetie," he apologized. "I thought some food and sea air might do you good. That's what helped Cleo get through her seasickness."
Cleo looked up from reading a book on a bench nearby. "What?" she muttered distractedly, her eyes never leaving the book.
"Nothing," Alex told her. He turned back to his wife and watched as her beautiful tan face pale to almost white.
Sithathor clutched the railing for support. "I don't feel so...."
Alex ran to her as she fainted.
An hour later Sithathor woke up in her cabin. The sick feeling in her stomach was almost gone, but she felt the sweat on her body. A cool clothe was placed gently on her head, and she looked up to see Alex's smiling face. Horrified, she tried to sit up. Alex gently pushed her back down. "You need to lay down. Rest until you get your sea legs. We have a few days left on the ship, and as appealing as it is to be here in this cabin with you for the whole trip, I don't think you will like being holed up all day."
Sithathor looked away. "It is not appropriate for a wife to ignore the duties due to her husband," she whispered. She looked at the room that was still cluttered with their luggage. "I must clean this place," she told him, and tried to rise once again, only to be pushed back down again firmly by Alex.
"What you need to do is rest," he told her.
Ignoring him, she rose to her feet, only to stumble forward into his arms.
"Damn it woman, don't be stubborn. Lay down and try to get better. I will clean up, ok?" Alex told her. He had hoped that by volunteering to clean he would make her feel happier, but instead she flushed an angry crimson.
"A husband shouldn't have to do such things," she cried.
Alex sighed. "Hathy, I am not like any normal men you are used to. I have been taught to take care of myself, and I think I can clean up. Besides, I think it is time you figured out that I don't want a docile, subservient wife. If I wanted that I would have married--" he paused. Then his face became almost as pale as hers had been. He cursed under his breath.
Sithathor eyed him suspiciously. "You would have married?" she asked.
Alex forced a smile. "Nothing. Now, you lay down."
Sithathor didn't believe him, but she didn't feel like confronting him at that moment. She allowed him to lead her to the bed and lay her down. Just as he was making to leave, she reached for his hand. He stopped and looked down at her. She pulled on his hand until he kneeled beside her. "Don't leave me," she whispered huskily. She sensed Alex's breathing increase and smiled. She leaned forward and kissed his lips seductively. "We have time now husband," she murmured against his lips. It was an offer Alex could not refuse.
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Iset sat in her mother-in-law's tent pretending to listen to the woman ramble on about a wife's duty and responsibility. Instead she was thinking about what Sithathor had said. It had been five days since her marriage to Siamun and he had yet to even touch her since the ceremony. She had hurt his pride in front of his sister and possibly others when that disgusting man had fondled her. She knew that if he was anything like Hathy, it could take a while for him to cool off. But she didn't have a while. She felt more and more of a failure each night that her husband came to their tent and turned away from her. She knew he would never do anything to destroy his family's name in public, but if she didn't find a way to entice him soon, he would eventually turn to other woman. Though it was not as commonly practiced as it used to be, Medjai men still took more than one wife. Iset worried that Siamun would marry some other woman and she would be placed aside as an unwanted bride. No, she was determined to put Sithathor's advice to good use. Her friend had even left her a list of things that she thought might help her, things that Iset would never have considered doing until now. In the beginning she felt like it shouldn't matter that her husband didn't want her, but now she was beginning to feel a little nibble of some emotion enter her chest whenever he was near. And a part of her was suddenly bursting forth. She wasn't going to let him walk all over her anymore and she would NOT let some other woman take her husband. Without asking to be excused, Iset stood and left the tent, a confused Mia staring after her. No, Iset had work to do. This night, she would become a wife...even if it killed her.
Siamun and his brothers walked into camp and headed straight toward a water bucket and splashed cool water on their bodies and faces. Siamun waved goodbye to his brothers and hurried over to his tent for the evening meal. He felt a surge of pride. His tent...his home. He was a man now, and had responsibilities. He saw something white flit across the opening. Yes, he had responsibilities. He had a wife, and home. A bride, he corrected himself, he had a bride. Though Siamun knew that he was being stubborn when it came to Iset, he still felt an anger towards her humiliating him. It was his pride that kept him from consummating the marriage, nothing else. There was lust for Iset, he admitted. Every night he felt it, but until his pride and ego were cooled, he could not...would not give in to his urges. He entered his tent, the delicious smell of Iset's cooking making his mouth water. His mouth watered even more when he saw Iset, clad in an almost transparent white dress, hip length slits showing off her thighs. She hurried over to him and hugged him, her hands lingering on his muscled arms. Smiling up at him, she kissed him on the lips for longer than Siamun felt was necessary, but he was too stunned to move away. Iset took his hand and led him to pillows positioned at the back of the tent. She placed a hand gently on his chest and pushed him down onto the pillows. Siamun looked up at her with a stupid expression on his face.
Iset walked away from him and went to close the tent flap, even securing the rope cords, so no one could walk in. She walked over to her husband and removed a cloth placed near a pillow to reveal a delicious looking meal, one that had taken her several hours to make. "Well," she said huskily. "I hope you enjoy the meal husband." Without another glance, she proceeded to eat. Siamun shook his head to clear his stupor and for several tense moments glared suspiciously at his bride. Then he joined her eating in silence, trying to avert his eyes from her legs. When the meal was over, he watched Iset gather the dishes and place them aside to be washed. Then she joined him once again on the pillows and stared at him through half closed lids. She let out a sigh, that cause her breast to push against the fabric of her shirt. Siamun tensed.
Iset frowned. "Husband, you look completely tense and uncomfortable. How about a massage? It will help your muscles relax."
"I don't think that will be," Siamun began in vain. Iset was already positioning herself behind him, and her hands began to firmly kneed his back. Despite himself, Siamun felt himself relax and become soothed by her wonderful hands. Slowly, he became aware that her hands were traveling lower and lower, until her hands were at his waist and reaching in front-
Siamun's breath hissed through his teeth and he grabbed Iset's hands. He yanked her from behind him, causing her to be thrown across his lap. Iset stared up at him innocently...too innocently. "What is that matter husband?"
"I...nothing," Siamun replied. He didn't believe that Iset would be doing this purposely. She was to...virginal. All virginal thoughts were thrown out the window, when Iset straddled his still sitting form, a grin on her face.
"I have been thinking husband," Iset began.
"Have you?" Siamun muttered, his body betraying him.
"Yes, and I realize what our problem is. You see, you don't trust me." Iset told him the last part in a low whisper.
"Don't I?" Siamun said, distracted as Iset wiggled her bottom to get more comfortable.
"No, you don't. And I know it is because of that incident several days before our wedding."
Siamun was listening then. "What about it?" he asked sharply.
"Well," Iset told him, her bottom wiggling again, "You thought I was deliberately trying to disgrace you. I can tell you now, that is wrong."
"Was it?"
Iset let out one of her throaty laughs. "Of course I wasn't trying to get that man's attention. He was nothing to me...he is nothing to me. For me, all there is, is you."
As the final word left her lips, she was laid back against to floor. Siamun's lips found hers willingly, of their own accord. Iset's heart soared. Minutes later, when Siamun came up for air, he asked Iset fiercely, "You will be mine now Iset. Is this what you want?"
Iset looked into her husband's eyes and felt her heart contract. She caressed his face with her hands, and nodded. With a predatory growl, Siamun resumed in his onslaught of demanding kisses.
Later that night, Iset held her husband's sleeping form in her arms, hugging him to her breast. Then she felt the contraction of her heart again as she watched him sleep. Her face paled as she realized a bizarre fact that had escaped her attention until that very moment. She was in love with her husband. May Allah save her...
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Somewhere deep in the desert, two riders stopped beside a lone horseback rider hidden behind a black cloak. "What did you find out?" the mysterious form asked.
Nassor leaned forward in his saddle. "The O'Connell lives in a townhouse near his family. He and his mother both run the British Museum in London, but their exact addresses she didn't know. Are we going to go to England and get her back?"
The form leaned back. "Not yet. We are not yet sure about her situation. Once we are positive that the girl is ready, we will bring her back to the desert."
"What about the other Medjai whore?" the second rider asked. He was badly bruised and his nose looked broken. His arm was placed in a make-shift sling.
The voice replied with a smile in the voice. "She will also have to wait I am afraid, dear Hatu. She is not ready yet either. But soon, you will both get the women you want, and together, we will all rule this place, Medjai or no Medjai!"
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A/N: Okay, FINALLY got the update here for you! Hope you all like it. Please review, and tell me what you think. Not a lot in this chapter, but I still hope it was enjoyable. Thanks once again to RickEvie4eva (you are so cool to keep up with my fic!) and Lula (Thank you SO MUCH for your review! I am glad you have such comments to tell me!). Also thanks to Tasha ( Thanks a lot for reviewing, it really means a lot to me!) and DJ (I don't like the witch either, but that is why I created her, I think! To have someone to hate). Okay everyone, just so ya'll know, Mia will probably get hers (Cross thy fingers!), it all depends on how the story continues, cause I am writing this as I go along! Anyway, 'The Voice', Nassor, Hatu's agenda will be revealed eventually, but I will probably give you some hints along the way, so keep the brains working! Thanks for reading, and take care.
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New Lives
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The Desert landscape whizzed by as Sithathor sat in her comfortable train seat on the way to the boat that would take her across the sea and onto a totally different continent. Her old world was so much different than the one she was about to enter, and it wasn't JUST the climate. She had stared bemusedly at the skirt and blouse that Evee and her daughter presented her. After trying them on, Sithathor was mortified to know that the skirt did not even reach her ankles, and the blouse itched her skin. She endured the shoe fitting and the hats, but she was happy when she was able to put on her comfortable pants and airy shirt supplied to her by her father. Women in the Medjai were not usually allowed to wear such things, but her father believed she had deserved such an honor. Evee herself wore pants and such, though from what Alex told her, this was not a usually thing for women in England either. Their time was not as conservative as the other decades, but from what Sithathor could tell, it was still quit ridiculous. The door to her compartment opened suddenly, a surprised Hathy rose from her seat and made to punch the person who had interrupted her thoughts. Her hand was caught in the familiar hand of her husband, who stared back at her in amusement.
"So good to see you too dear wife," he murmured carefully.
Hathy blushed, embarrassed. She sat down and stared out the window once more. Alex watched her profile for several minutes before speaking. "Do you miss them?"
"More than I thought I would," Hathy replied quietly.
"We will visit as often as possible, and you can even take vacations there without me if that is your wish."
Hathy looked over at her husband, a growing fear in her heart. Has he already tired of me, she thought. "If you would like for me to do so, my husband, I will of course oblige you."
Alex frowned. "It is not whether I want you to, it is if you want to. I simply want you to be happy."
Sithathor smiled sadly. "I am happy. I do not think I will want to visit the desert without you or your family. There is no place for me there now." She looked back out of the window and saw a magnificent city in all it's activity. "My place is with you, for all my life, or as long as you want me."
Or? Alex's eyebrows rose. His suspicions that Hathy was sad over events from the past few days began to nibble on his mind again. He looked down at his hands. "If you want, you can leave me. I will find you a house in Cairo, send you spending money. You do not have to remain with me if you find life with me so despicable."
Hathy had frozen in her seat through his words, then she was kneeling by his feet. "I do not find anything to do with you contemptible. I want to be here. I just hope that I make you happy." Her eyes held a light of vulnerability and fear. Alex smiled down at her. He lifted her onto his lap and positioned her comfortably. She dropped her head back against his shoulder and with her hands pulled his lips to hers. She poured all her emotions into her kiss, which her husband absorbed with a strength that only he had. His lips were gentle and undemanding, but when he finally broke away from her lips his breathe was ragged. He held her silently, wondering what the hell his beautiful wife had been through to affect her like this. He imagined the girl that had punched her brother in the face and couldn't help but smile. He knew eventually the tigress in his wife would emerge full force, and he would relish the challenges.
The train jerked to a stop and Alex reluctantly stood, holding his wife in his arms. Hathy immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. She smiled at him as he slowly lowered her to the ground, her body flowing down his. When her feet hit the floor, she leaned forward and whispered, "If we had but the time!" Then she sauntered out the compartment door to find Evee and Rick. Alex stood for several seconds staring at the door his wife had just left through. Then a slow grin appeared on his face. Cleo passed by the door, then backtracked. "Alex?" she asked, and her older brother shook his head.
"Um, yeah?" He replied, trying to regain a serious face.
"The train stopped."
Alex continued to stare at his sister stupidly.
Cleo sighed. "We have to get out nitwit!" She continued down the corridor, muttering, "Boys!" under her breath.
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Iset looked out across the desert that was her home. She walked the dunes slowly, following the sounds of grunts and fighting. As she ascended a tall sand mound, she stared down at the fighting forms of her husband and his brothers. Ahmes was training Peyes, Siamun was training Musa. She descended slowly, but noisily so as not to surprise them. In her arms she carried a basket of food. Mia had told Iset that Siamun and his brothers would train for hours on end, sometimes never stopping for food. Iset hoped to change that. The group had heard her noisy decline, and turned to look at her. She could see Siamun's face cloud with annoyance.
"Hello all," Iset called, her stomach trembling as she watched Siamun turn his back to her. Ahmes walked over to her smiling. "I have brought you food brother," Iset murmured. Peyes and Musa let out whoops of joy. Ahmes laughed.
"Thank you sister. We did not realize it was so late in the day. I am suddenly feeling a pang of hunger now that I know it," Ahmes told her, his grin infectious. Iset smiled at him. Ahmes searched the contents of the basket and sighed in satisfaction. "Ah, you are a joy sister! It smells delicious. Would you join us?"
Iset looked over at her husband, indecisively. She did not know whether or not he would encourage her presence. Her husband said nothing. "I don't want to intrude," Iset told them, and turned to leave.
"No, no!" Musa cried out, his childlike voice shrill. "You must eat here with us! Sithathor always used too! You are our sister now too, Iset, you must sit with us!"
"Yes," Peyes seconded. "We could even teach you a few things, like Sithathor taught-oomph" the youngest brother cried out in surprise as Musa elbowed him in the ribs.
Iset looked to each of the three younger boys. They all looked away guiltily. "What?" she asked, a laugh in her voice. "What did Sithathor teach you?"
"Nothing that concerns you," a cutting voice inserted. Siamun had joined the four and took the basket from Ahmes' hands. "If you are going to stay then stay, if not, then leave."
Iset swallowed and forced the tears back. She contemplated leaving, her courage all but failing then remembered Sithathor's words. 'You are Iset Bay. Remember that.'
She squared her shoulders. "I think I will stay." She gave her husband a false sugary smile, her voice full of mockery. "Thank you so much, my husband for allowing me this honor."
Ahmes grinned and put his arm around Iset's shoulders. He lead her to a shaded part of the dune with a furious Siamun watching them. Reluctantly, Siamun followed. He, his brothers and his bride sat eating the meal she had prepared for him, which, Siamun had to admit was remarkably good. He listened to his brothers each try to impress his wife with funny jokes or stories. Her throaty laughter caused his body to tense. He felt a burst of desire for her so strong, it made him cringe. She was sitting there, her face bright and beautiful, giggling to his brother's antics. Her dress had a slit at the side that had ridden up when she had sat down, and he couldn't help staring at the length of thigh exposed.
"Siamun?"
Siamun looked up. His brothers and his wife looked at him questioningly. "What," Siamun asked gruffly.
Peyes frowned. "I asked if you thought that Iset's food was delicious."
Siamun frowned fiercely. "Of course," he replied, his voice rough and annoyed. Siamun felt furious with himself. He was lusting after the girl that was forced upon him. He looked at Iset. "It was very good wife. Now that we are finished here, we need to continue with our lessons. Thank you for the meal, but I need to ask you to leave now."
Iset nodded, and began to gather the plates and leftover food, the set of her shoulders screaming her hurt for all of them to see. Ahmes scooted over to his brother, a confused look on his face. "Why can she not stay brother? Hathy used to stay and watch us all the time, and more times than not, she would join us," he whispered.
Siamun glared at his younger brother. He was not used to being questioned...at least not by Ahmes. Sithathor was another story, for the girl could be more stubborn than Siamun was. "I will not have another person trying to take over her role. Iset is not Sithathor. She will never be her. I will accept no one else here with us. Now it is time to train." Siamun stood. "All of you get up, it is time to practice."
The two youngest brothers groaned, but stood. Siamun lead them back into the merciless sun, and proceeded in their exercises. Iset left the dune and headed back to camp without her husband even noticing.
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Sithathor felt her stomach lurch once again as the ship swayed. She barely made it to the side of the ship before she lost whatever was left in her stomach from her lunch earlier. Alex, Rick and Evee watched her with worried expressions. She righted herself and wiped her mouth with a clean clothe given to her earlier by Cleo. The ship swayed again, and Sithathor gritted her teeth. In her opinion the ship moved far to much, but she knew there was nothing she could do about that. It was the way it was suppose to be. When she had first seen the large ship that was supposed to carry her across the sea, she had been delighted and awed. Now, after spending less than half a day on the ship she was seriously thinking about jumping overboard. The seasickness was almost immediate. Less than five minutes after they had left port Sithathor had retched in a bucket in the cabin she shared with her husband. She had been reluctant to eat any lunch, but her husband had encouraged her, so she consented. Now all she wanted to do was kill him, and hope she didn't faint before she was finished. The ship moved again. Sithathor moaned in objection. Damn rickety boat, she thought.
Alex approached his wife cautiously, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her felt her tense. "Sithathor? Are you all right?"
Sithathor turned as quickly as her stomach would allow. "'Eat' you said. 'It will make you feel better,'" Sithathor murmured murderously. "Do I look better husband?"
"Well, actually," Alex began.
His father sidled up next to him. "Uh, son, I wouldn't answer that. Trust me, there is no right answer," Rick whispered into his ear.
Sithathor looked at him expectantly, the dangerous glint in her eyes slightly dulling at each rocking motion of the ship's deck.
Alex gave his wife his most charming smile. "I am really sorry sweetie," he apologized. "I thought some food and sea air might do you good. That's what helped Cleo get through her seasickness."
Cleo looked up from reading a book on a bench nearby. "What?" she muttered distractedly, her eyes never leaving the book.
"Nothing," Alex told her. He turned back to his wife and watched as her beautiful tan face pale to almost white.
Sithathor clutched the railing for support. "I don't feel so...."
Alex ran to her as she fainted.
An hour later Sithathor woke up in her cabin. The sick feeling in her stomach was almost gone, but she felt the sweat on her body. A cool clothe was placed gently on her head, and she looked up to see Alex's smiling face. Horrified, she tried to sit up. Alex gently pushed her back down. "You need to lay down. Rest until you get your sea legs. We have a few days left on the ship, and as appealing as it is to be here in this cabin with you for the whole trip, I don't think you will like being holed up all day."
Sithathor looked away. "It is not appropriate for a wife to ignore the duties due to her husband," she whispered. She looked at the room that was still cluttered with their luggage. "I must clean this place," she told him, and tried to rise once again, only to be pushed back down again firmly by Alex.
"What you need to do is rest," he told her.
Ignoring him, she rose to her feet, only to stumble forward into his arms.
"Damn it woman, don't be stubborn. Lay down and try to get better. I will clean up, ok?" Alex told her. He had hoped that by volunteering to clean he would make her feel happier, but instead she flushed an angry crimson.
"A husband shouldn't have to do such things," she cried.
Alex sighed. "Hathy, I am not like any normal men you are used to. I have been taught to take care of myself, and I think I can clean up. Besides, I think it is time you figured out that I don't want a docile, subservient wife. If I wanted that I would have married--" he paused. Then his face became almost as pale as hers had been. He cursed under his breath.
Sithathor eyed him suspiciously. "You would have married?" she asked.
Alex forced a smile. "Nothing. Now, you lay down."
Sithathor didn't believe him, but she didn't feel like confronting him at that moment. She allowed him to lead her to the bed and lay her down. Just as he was making to leave, she reached for his hand. He stopped and looked down at her. She pulled on his hand until he kneeled beside her. "Don't leave me," she whispered huskily. She sensed Alex's breathing increase and smiled. She leaned forward and kissed his lips seductively. "We have time now husband," she murmured against his lips. It was an offer Alex could not refuse.
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Iset sat in her mother-in-law's tent pretending to listen to the woman ramble on about a wife's duty and responsibility. Instead she was thinking about what Sithathor had said. It had been five days since her marriage to Siamun and he had yet to even touch her since the ceremony. She had hurt his pride in front of his sister and possibly others when that disgusting man had fondled her. She knew that if he was anything like Hathy, it could take a while for him to cool off. But she didn't have a while. She felt more and more of a failure each night that her husband came to their tent and turned away from her. She knew he would never do anything to destroy his family's name in public, but if she didn't find a way to entice him soon, he would eventually turn to other woman. Though it was not as commonly practiced as it used to be, Medjai men still took more than one wife. Iset worried that Siamun would marry some other woman and she would be placed aside as an unwanted bride. No, she was determined to put Sithathor's advice to good use. Her friend had even left her a list of things that she thought might help her, things that Iset would never have considered doing until now. In the beginning she felt like it shouldn't matter that her husband didn't want her, but now she was beginning to feel a little nibble of some emotion enter her chest whenever he was near. And a part of her was suddenly bursting forth. She wasn't going to let him walk all over her anymore and she would NOT let some other woman take her husband. Without asking to be excused, Iset stood and left the tent, a confused Mia staring after her. No, Iset had work to do. This night, she would become a wife...even if it killed her.
Siamun and his brothers walked into camp and headed straight toward a water bucket and splashed cool water on their bodies and faces. Siamun waved goodbye to his brothers and hurried over to his tent for the evening meal. He felt a surge of pride. His tent...his home. He was a man now, and had responsibilities. He saw something white flit across the opening. Yes, he had responsibilities. He had a wife, and home. A bride, he corrected himself, he had a bride. Though Siamun knew that he was being stubborn when it came to Iset, he still felt an anger towards her humiliating him. It was his pride that kept him from consummating the marriage, nothing else. There was lust for Iset, he admitted. Every night he felt it, but until his pride and ego were cooled, he could not...would not give in to his urges. He entered his tent, the delicious smell of Iset's cooking making his mouth water. His mouth watered even more when he saw Iset, clad in an almost transparent white dress, hip length slits showing off her thighs. She hurried over to him and hugged him, her hands lingering on his muscled arms. Smiling up at him, she kissed him on the lips for longer than Siamun felt was necessary, but he was too stunned to move away. Iset took his hand and led him to pillows positioned at the back of the tent. She placed a hand gently on his chest and pushed him down onto the pillows. Siamun looked up at her with a stupid expression on his face.
Iset walked away from him and went to close the tent flap, even securing the rope cords, so no one could walk in. She walked over to her husband and removed a cloth placed near a pillow to reveal a delicious looking meal, one that had taken her several hours to make. "Well," she said huskily. "I hope you enjoy the meal husband." Without another glance, she proceeded to eat. Siamun shook his head to clear his stupor and for several tense moments glared suspiciously at his bride. Then he joined her eating in silence, trying to avert his eyes from her legs. When the meal was over, he watched Iset gather the dishes and place them aside to be washed. Then she joined him once again on the pillows and stared at him through half closed lids. She let out a sigh, that cause her breast to push against the fabric of her shirt. Siamun tensed.
Iset frowned. "Husband, you look completely tense and uncomfortable. How about a massage? It will help your muscles relax."
"I don't think that will be," Siamun began in vain. Iset was already positioning herself behind him, and her hands began to firmly kneed his back. Despite himself, Siamun felt himself relax and become soothed by her wonderful hands. Slowly, he became aware that her hands were traveling lower and lower, until her hands were at his waist and reaching in front-
Siamun's breath hissed through his teeth and he grabbed Iset's hands. He yanked her from behind him, causing her to be thrown across his lap. Iset stared up at him innocently...too innocently. "What is that matter husband?"
"I...nothing," Siamun replied. He didn't believe that Iset would be doing this purposely. She was to...virginal. All virginal thoughts were thrown out the window, when Iset straddled his still sitting form, a grin on her face.
"I have been thinking husband," Iset began.
"Have you?" Siamun muttered, his body betraying him.
"Yes, and I realize what our problem is. You see, you don't trust me." Iset told him the last part in a low whisper.
"Don't I?" Siamun said, distracted as Iset wiggled her bottom to get more comfortable.
"No, you don't. And I know it is because of that incident several days before our wedding."
Siamun was listening then. "What about it?" he asked sharply.
"Well," Iset told him, her bottom wiggling again, "You thought I was deliberately trying to disgrace you. I can tell you now, that is wrong."
"Was it?"
Iset let out one of her throaty laughs. "Of course I wasn't trying to get that man's attention. He was nothing to me...he is nothing to me. For me, all there is, is you."
As the final word left her lips, she was laid back against to floor. Siamun's lips found hers willingly, of their own accord. Iset's heart soared. Minutes later, when Siamun came up for air, he asked Iset fiercely, "You will be mine now Iset. Is this what you want?"
Iset looked into her husband's eyes and felt her heart contract. She caressed his face with her hands, and nodded. With a predatory growl, Siamun resumed in his onslaught of demanding kisses.
Later that night, Iset held her husband's sleeping form in her arms, hugging him to her breast. Then she felt the contraction of her heart again as she watched him sleep. Her face paled as she realized a bizarre fact that had escaped her attention until that very moment. She was in love with her husband. May Allah save her...
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Somewhere deep in the desert, two riders stopped beside a lone horseback rider hidden behind a black cloak. "What did you find out?" the mysterious form asked.
Nassor leaned forward in his saddle. "The O'Connell lives in a townhouse near his family. He and his mother both run the British Museum in London, but their exact addresses she didn't know. Are we going to go to England and get her back?"
The form leaned back. "Not yet. We are not yet sure about her situation. Once we are positive that the girl is ready, we will bring her back to the desert."
"What about the other Medjai whore?" the second rider asked. He was badly bruised and his nose looked broken. His arm was placed in a make-shift sling.
The voice replied with a smile in the voice. "She will also have to wait I am afraid, dear Hatu. She is not ready yet either. But soon, you will both get the women you want, and together, we will all rule this place, Medjai or no Medjai!"
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A/N: Okay, FINALLY got the update here for you! Hope you all like it. Please review, and tell me what you think. Not a lot in this chapter, but I still hope it was enjoyable. Thanks once again to RickEvie4eva (you are so cool to keep up with my fic!) and Lula (Thank you SO MUCH for your review! I am glad you have such comments to tell me!). Also thanks to Tasha ( Thanks a lot for reviewing, it really means a lot to me!) and DJ (I don't like the witch either, but that is why I created her, I think! To have someone to hate). Okay everyone, just so ya'll know, Mia will probably get hers (Cross thy fingers!), it all depends on how the story continues, cause I am writing this as I go along! Anyway, 'The Voice', Nassor, Hatu's agenda will be revealed eventually, but I will probably give you some hints along the way, so keep the brains working! Thanks for reading, and take care.