Chapter 4

The soft glow of half-dawn came into the high windows of Sanura's bedchamber, its cool indigo light filtering down upon the two spent lovers in a relaxed embrace. The cool air licked Seto's skin, and he stirred, coming awake. Looking at the sky, he realized it was time.

He gave Sanura a gentle kiss on the forehead and then sat upright, reaching for his cape and headdress. She gave a soft moan and slowly opened her eyes, watching Seto's shadowy figure in the light as he gathered his things. She gave a sigh – both at the thought of last night and the thought of this morning.

She wrapped herself in a sheet, covering her bare body, and slid off the bed, slinking over to Seto and kissing his shoulder blades quietly. He finished adjusting his headdress and then leaned over to clasp her in his arms, both of them never wanting to let go.

After a moment, Seto straightened himself.

"I must go."

A slight sob caught in Sanura's throat. She hated this routine. He came every night and left before dawn. They weren't allowed to be joined under the eyes of Hathor, nor were they allowed to be seen together. In secret they met, even since the very first day.

The harsh sunlight of Egypt blazed into the marketplace, the stalls bright and heaped with gems and silks. The shouts of Nubian, Greek, and Roman traders filled the air. In all the hubbub, the sight of five guards chasing a teenage girl through the streets was not uncommon or noticed. The guards, in the uniform of the Pharaoh, were gleefully shouting 'Stop, thief!' A common thief, they thought, but this was not the case. These guards were more interested in a tumble with the poor girl.

Her breath ran ragged in her throat, trying to dodge the upper-class shoppers, the slaves, and the servants. She was not a fast runner, and it showed. But fear kept her bare feet pounding the baked ground, hoping for sanctuary, somewhere...Or else her maidenhood would be lost to five rough, rude guards.

Looking wildly for safety, she spotted the tall steps to the temple of Ra, shining with gold and precious stones. The guards would never dare to touch her in the palace of the Sun King! Fleeing for the steps, she put her only hope in the hands of the Gods.

'She's going that way! Move it, if you wish to feel the heat of a woman's loins tonight!' guffawed the guards, clanking towards the steps.

'She's going into the temple,' said one, falling short. He hesitated. 'Ra would not like us to attack her in his palace.'

'Nonsense!' shouted another without stopping. 'Ra is too a man; He understands the glories of a woman.' The second refused, but the next four continued up the steps, in hot pursuit.

Sanura stumbled, breathless and tired, into the darkness of the temple. Perhaps here – but it was not meant to be. She heard the voices of the guards echoing against the marble, and without any other hiding place, knelt behind the gigantic statue of Ra, shaking with fear, praying that she wouldn't be seen.

She listened closely to their voices, making vulgar remarks on the coming 'fun'. They drew closer, and she could hear their lusty breath. She felt sweat and tears bead, hoping it would be over quickly...

A voice boomed out authoritatively, driving away the darkness.

'What do you think you are doing? This is noon, the time devoted to prayer to the Sun God. I don't have time for the Pharaoh's schemes right now. Avaunt, you dogs.' She heard their heavy armor clattering away, thanking Isis that she was still alive and whole. But her fear quickly returned as she saw the dark, cold blue eyes and indifferent face of a youth leaning past the statue.

Her heart started thumping harder and harder, and she felt the urge to run, but her feet refused to obey. Before she could protest, the youth had pulled her to him, kissing her fully, and sliding his hands to her back. Her body was screaming in fear and pleasure, not sure which road to take. Finally, she muttered, 'No,' and pushed him away. Her breath ran quickly in lungs, and she felt her hands quiver. 'Please, no, please...' She fell to her knees, begging him...

'I would never harm you,' he said quietly, raising her with a hand. 'I have prophesied for many suns and all the stars say that I would meet a girl during the reign of the Sun Lord, who would need my help, and would be born of the stone sun.' He gestured to the tall statue. 'Surely, this is you. Do you trust in the gods?' He stared into her eyes, twin pools of everlasting eternity, breathing sweet truth like a love potion.

For a moment she hesitated, but then for some unexplained reason she submitted and allowed him to take over, caressing her, and holding her, and kissing her, leading her to his bedchamber.

'I will be gentle,' he said softly, 'For you are a gift from the Sun.' And though she did not know why, she trusted him. As she had thought later, it was as the gods had decreed that they should be joined, and perhaps Hathor had cast a spell upon them both.

Ever since they had been together, meeting every night. He had sent her to the temple of Bastet as a priestess, to keep her safe; and a year after their first meeting, they would have gladly been wedded.

But it was the same day that the Pharaoh made an announcement: To avoid favoritism on the council of the mage priests, no priests or priestesses could inter marry. And from then on, their love was illegal, wrong, a sin in the eyes of Pharaoh, the Living God.

She blinked away tears and wished that he didn't have to go. She wished that they could run into the desert, as Bedouins, and live as they chose, free and alone together. But he could not leave, and neither could she. He was the Pharaoh's most trusted priest, mage, and advisor; she herself was powerful witch and sorceress. So as he gave her a final kiss, her tears running down his face, he felt his heart break for her.

Little did either of them know that this was the last kiss they would ever share.