Alrighty…consider this my only warning…there's some naughty stuff in this chapter and if you aren't old enough to be reading about sex or just plain uncomfortable reading fluff…then stop reading and ask me for the PG rated Coles notes.
Three
Under the shade of a silk canopy Rami lounged with two of his fellow officers-the lucky few born commoners but given rank because of their skill on the battlefield. So far the hospitality of Shenti's family had been the main topic; Abana could scarcely believe this was really someone's home while the giant Mejay Sebi stared at everything in wonder. Rami couldn't blame the man, when you came from the desert seeing such lush, green grounds would be a shock to the system. On the verge of nodding off Rami was jolted back to the conversation by the ever brash Abana, "It's too bad Shenti's sister is promised to the Gods…have you ever seen such a beautiful girl?"
"Sometimes I think it was you that was raised in the desert Abana," Sebi shook his dark head solemnly; "You should not talk about the Lady like that."
Abana scrunched up his face and shook his head, "Why not? She's stunning; it's such a waste…"
"You would deny Amun the best we have to offer?" Came the stoic reply as Sebi crossed his arms over his massive chest, "Besides it is best that she gave herself to the Temple than be forced to marry some Hyksos coward like so many other noble women. Don't you agree Rami?"
Forced to join in the debate Rami frowned not liking the fact that he wasn't the only one to notice the forbidden priestess, "A Hyksos wouldn't appreciate her-they like their women covered from head to toe. Her best features would be lost…"
"Yes her eyes are quite enchanting aren't they?" The usually gruff voice of their Pharaoh was soft as he interrupted the conversation; the men snapped to attention before him only to be waved to ease, "Perhaps Amun wished to prevent men from fighting for her heart and took her for himself? Ashait is a beauty worthy of only a God or Pharaoh."
Always the peacemaker Sebi flushed under his dark skin, "Forgive us we meant no harm…"
"Relax Sebi," Kahmose's battle hardened face creased in a smile as he eased himself onto one of the waiting couch, "This God would never presume…while the girl has the beauty of Hathor and Isis combined I've known the girl since childhood and she has all the charm of a cobra. I like my women a sight more tame-but Amun is known for his peculiarities."
Rami sucked in a breath and knotted his fists together to keep from speaking; too many questions would be asked if he commented on how well he knew the razor sharpness of the Priestess' tongue. How well she'd shown Rami the blade of it this last week-trying to push him away. But he kept coming back, when he was around her Rami felt like a starving man and she his last meal.
No matter how hard he tried Rami could not escape her spell-Ashait even haunted his dreams. Rami burned with desire for her and nothing eased the ache, but he'd never admit that. Especially not in front of the man that would by law have to kill him if he dared trespassed on such holy ground. Coughing Rami steered them towards more friendly talk, "Do you know when we will advance on Avaris, Pharaoh?"
"Soon I would think," Kahmose answered plainly as was his wont around his men and away from the pomp of his office, "Tonight is the last night of Isis' festival and we shall leave tomorrow at sunset. Enjoy your last night here the walls of the city are tall and strong-it might be your last chance at simple pleasures for a long while."
They saluted and watched their leader walk away-he could be a hard man but in his own way Kahmose was a romantic at heart. He was one of those men so completely formed by the chaos of his age and Rami could see the constant fighting taking its toll on the Mighty Bull of Ma'at. Sighing Rami decided he would obey his sovereign this night and enjoy the feast tonight to the utmost-even if it cost him everything.
The sounds of laughter and song drifted to Ashait's ears on the wings of Mut as she sat next to the fountain in her private garden; Isis' feast was well under way and everyone seemed to be getting pleasure from the banquet prepared to honour the Goddess. Smiling thinly Ashait tried to not think about how the handsome Rami would be drinking with his friends, watching the naked serving girls bring platter after platter. How his eyes would glow over the rim of his cup as he devoured their bodies mentally. Gooseflesh rose on her arms as she imagined him using those intense eyes of his to plumb her depths.
Longing rose up to choke Ashait as she stripped herself of her jewels and ornaments of office-here in the garden she was alone, no one would search for her and the night belonged to her and no-one else. While everyone else held their celebration in the dining hall she would let Isis' gentle moonlight rain down on her body and take strength from the sacrifices made by the great lady. She had given up her love to raise her son for revenge. Surely, Ashait had the strength to get through one more night; then the Pharaoh would take his officers to Avaris and lay siege to the Hyksos city and she would return to the Temple of Amun.
A part of her Ka ached over the fact that she would never see his teasing smile again, or his twinkling, sly eyes that read her darkest secrets. Ashait wished she could talk about her feelings with someone-but she and her mother had never had such a relationship and Mié was too excited to have Shenti back at her side. While Ashait knew her brother would feel that Rami's attentions were a slight on their family's honour and his friendship. No there was no one but the great mother who would understand what was in Ashait's heart.
It wasn't that Rami had done anything other than tell her how beautiful she was, or follow her regretfully with his eyes as she moved about the house. He had since that first night maintained a respectful distance but Ashait could read him as easily as a scroll of papyrus. Every unsaid word, each shadowed glance was weighted with his yearning for her. Gods help her but Ashait felt it too.
Never before had the restrictions of her office fallen so heavily on her shoulders but there was nothing to be done about it. Not now. Sighing, Ashait watched a shooting star streak across the sky and found herself wishing that Rami would make it safe through the war. She wanted to wish him happy but Ashait couldn't stomach the thought of him with another woman, murmuring how she was his own personal goddess. That was too much for anyone to bear.
A rustle of sound alerted Ashait that someone had entered her garden instinct told her that the intruder would be taller than herself-not many men were five foot five or less-so she lifted her eyes high unwilling to show any fear. Carefully, Ashait swept the dagger Shenti had given her to her side to prevent anyone from guessing her plan of attack at the last minute and lifted her chin defiantly. The shadow rounded the corner and Ashait countered lifting her weapon hoping to scare away the fool who interrupted her silence.
He grasped her hand before the blade could strike and pulled her close to prevent further attacks, gently he lifted Ashait's head upwards. The dagger slid from her boneless hand. Time slowed into crystalline, sharpness-every detail burned into Ashait's mind while the world drifted away-she was in Rami's arms pressed close to his strong body. If she never got this close to anyone again she wanted to savour the exquisite agony that flooded her body as his hard planes mirrored her rounded curves.
Ashait opened her mouth to object and began to pull away-they couldn't do this-when he stopped her, "Not tonight my Goddess…If Amun objects he'll have more than enough opportunity to kill me soon. Just let me have tonight."
His voice was soft as he begged her; the feeling of his warm breath dancing across her skin crumbled the last of Ashait's defences and she pressed herself closer. Instead of speaking she lifted her lips to his and kissed Rami with all the passion that had been building inside her all these years. His arms tightened around her body pulling her so close Ashait thought they might become one person, while his lips teased her. She almost pulled back when his tongue slid across her lips asking for entry, but Ashait swallowed back her fear and allowed him access.
They tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs, a shiver of pleasure coursed through Ashait's body as he gently brushed the sheer fabric covering her breasts. Arching into him she could feel her skin tightening as she ached to be touched in places that had never ached before. Moaning Ashait pulled away from Rami her eyes dark with desire, he moved to pull her back but she stopped him with a gentle hand before reaching towards the clasp that held her shift onto her body. It floated down her flesh like the most delicate of bird's wings leaving her golden skin naked to the moonlight.
Rami sucked in a deep breath to stop his heart from beating out of his chest as the moon tipped her lithe form in silver. Even at this deserted corner of the house he was convinced everyone could hear it thumping loudly; that they'd know what they were about to do. Never in his life could Rami remember feeling shy with a woman but here he was watching Ashait standing naked before him gaping like she was the first woman he had seen that way. He nearly jumped out of his skin when her small, soft hands descended to his hips and unwrapped his kilt gently but with torturous slowness.
Once she had done away with his clothing Rami could see Ashait bite her lip in concentration and he wanted to kick himself-it was her first and probably only time and here he was just lying there. Before he could sit up and pull her into his arms again she leaned down sliding herself up the full length of his body. Stars swam before Rami's eyes as he lost himself in the sensation of her silky skin rubbing against his-it made his body tight with unbearable need.
Capturing her lips with his once more Rami poured all of his heart into the kiss, rolling her onto her back and pinning her body beneath his. For just this night he would be Amun to her and Rami didn't care if it damned his soul to be eaten by Sobeck for all eternity, as long as he could remember this night it would be worth it. Knowing just how it would effect her he trailed his fingers lazily over her breasts gently circling near Ashait's nipples but not close enough. Moaning low in her throat she bucked against him begging silently for the touch he denied her.
A smile lifted his lips as he dipped his head to the ruby peaks that stood waiting for his attention, darting his tongue out against them Rami could feel the desire shooting through Ashait's body. He could feel her frustration as he eased away to kiss her lips once more, skimming his hand down her chest to the damp apex of her legs. Ashait cried out in pleasure but Rami drank down each sound and tenderly slide his finger into the warm cleft waiting there for him. She bucked her hips against the intrusion growling her desire into his mouth.
Knowing just how it would bring her to the breaking point he lazily moved his finger inside her before removing it completely. Ashait broke their kiss her lips swollen, her breath coming in short gasps; "Please."
Rami spread her legs and positioned himself above her using his hands to make her look him in the eye, "Are you sure? I love you my Goddess but…"
"I love you." Her beautiful face stilled with certainty, "Nothing has ever been clearer to me."
Still Rami hesitated his heart beginning to dance its manic tattoo against his ribs; she loved him. Before he could answer her Ashait arched her body upwards and Rami found himself lost in the sensation of being drawn into her body. There was a small resistance from her maidenhood but she bucked her hips once more joining them completely. There was no going back.
As tenderly as he could Rami moved his hips against her, showing his Goddess the rhythm that flowed between men and women when they made love. Her heat encircled him fully and Rami felt as if his body would explode. Forcing himself to move slower he let Ashait set their pace until he could feel her tighten around it.
The stars stood as silent witnesses as Ashait and Rami poured out their love for each other in one primal cry and collapsed panting together.
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Whew…anyone else need a drool bucket? I swear I needed a cold shower after writing that.
And so here are the responses you so eagerly await.
Ishy – I'm combining all of your responses it's easier. The Queen of Angst huh…I think I like Angst Fairy better…I get a wand and wings with that gig. Oh yes, spandex really is evil…and I think I got the mood of "Day of Reckoning" down. So yes we're off to Egypt…I don't think I ever mentioned to anyone that my minor was history. I always wanted to be an archaeologist. Maybe I'll just write about it. Joseph brings back memories…I did that as a kid…'Go Go Go Joe!" I'm thinking it's going to be a reoccurring theme in this that in every life she is untouchable in some way…just to have fun with it. This plot bunny exploded from my head so the waiting should be minimal until I have the Egypt part done. Yeah it doesn't have the same ring to it…but it's all the same isn't' it? I got a squeal!! Yay! I see you really liked their interaction…I was at pains to make them similar but not exactly the same as their modern counterparts. But it's there…same with all of the characters I used. I had to do the shaved head thing here…Egyptian men in the army always had shaved heads. So did Pharaoh and the priests. I hate the bowl cut…it must die. Like I said there will always be elements of the current Remy and Rogue in their characters…one of Remy's big things is low self-esteem. I'll let him know you want the job. Yeah Logan as Pharaoh…I needed a powerful warrior for Kahmose (a real Pharaoh…as was Ahmose…and Apepa) I'm having so much fun with this…but I am completely open to suggestions…if some one has a time period they'd like represented I'll do it happily. And let's not talk about my obsession…you haven't' seen the worst of it…there's one more chapter in this time line…muahahahahaha…it's gonna be soooooooooooo ANGSTRIFFIC! Trust me…if you see that I've updated this…get out the Kleenex.
Extacy – Yay you like it you really, really like it! I bet this impaired your speech for a while didn't it? Thank you…I'd like to think in my better moments that I'm a passable writer. Like I told Ish…that theme is going to rear it's ugly head time and time again for our 'happy' couple.
The Real Mai – No I have yet to see Troy so I'll take your word for it, but thanks.
Daughter of Death – Here.
Star of Chaos – Hehehehe I made you guess…now spot the others.