Ishnala slumped to the floor completely oblivious to this strange, yet familiar presence which now surrounded her.
****** THE FOLLOWING DAY*****
Ishnala stirred in her sleep as she tossed and turned to get comfortable in her bed again.
Ishnala: (Thinking to herself) Mmmmm, these sheets….they're so smooth! This bed….it's so soft!
It took Ishnala a few minutes for her mind to register exactly where she was before her eyes flew wide open.
Ishnala: (siting straight up in bed) Where am I?!
Yami: ( pensively staring out his window) You are in my chambers .
A familiar heat rose again to Ishnala's cheeks.
Ishnala: (Thinking to herself again) The Pharaoh!!! But how did he? Why did he? Did he even……
Yami, well aware of the girls concern he turned to face her.
Yami: (approaching Ishnala) Things aren't always as they seem, Ishnala.
Just the mere sound of his voice almost made Ishnala swoon with delight.
Yami: (sitting beside Ishnala) Last evening I felt a strange disturbance within my Millennium Puzzle. It was as if it was attempting to warn me of an impending danger. In haste, I ventured from my chambers and into the palace corridors when I discovered you. I then brought you to my chambers where my finest physicians attended you. Finding no apparent illness, they departed and you remained fast asleep until now.
Ishnala : (Relieved) Thank you for your comfort and concern, my Pharaoh. now I must return to my own chambers before…….
Yami: (with a smile) Before what?
Ishnala nervously gathered the sheets to cover her body.
Ishnala: (continuing her sentence) Before your other servants discover that I am missing?
Yami: After what happened last night I insist that you remain here under my protection.
Ishnala: Within your cambers my Pharaoh?
Yami:(very amused) No…unless that is what you desire.
Ishnala's face grew as red as a pomegranate.
Yami: (leaning closer to Ishnala) Ever since the day that our eyes first met there was something about you. (touching Ishnala's cheek) Your face was as luminous as the sun. There was as energy of some inexplicable power present …I know, because the very moment that I touched you some power from my puzzle left my possession. Since then my Millennium puzzle has never reacted in that fashion….at least until last night.
So then tell me, my Torchbearer, what happened to you last night?
Ishnala struggled to contain the thought of her frightening encounter with the High Priest and moved to change the subject.
Ishnala: (Reverently) I am in your debt, my Pharaoh and I desire to express my deep gratitude for your hospitality.
Yami: (Thoughtfully) Hmmmm….I see. Well Ishnala, your gratitude will be best expressed if you honored me with your lovely presence at my birthday celebration this evening.
Ishnala now struggled to control her rising emotions for her Pharaoh.
Ishnala: (Gazing into Yami's eyes) If it pleases you, I will be in attendance.
Yami: Please Ishnala, you may call me Yami if you wish.
Ishnala: If it pleases you…..Yami.
Yami rose from the bed and clapped his hands to summon his servants.
Yami: (tenderly to Ishnala) My servants will attend to you. If there is anything that you need or desire, please do not hesitate to ask.
With that, Yami reached out for Ishnala's hand and tenderly kissed it. Then he was gone.
While the servants busily scurried about, Ishnala slinked back down into her Pharaoh's bed and began to dream about the evening ahead.