Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice.

Author's Note: Sekani is the name of Set's slave, a poor berated fellow (at least Set treats his slaves equally – in his eyes, they all deserve a good flogging. Ku, ku, ku) who is also featured in another story called Destiny's Direction. This chapter has intimacy to a certain degree, so you get an inkling as to what will happen. I can make it more intimate and detailed, but that will make this fic an 'R' rating. If you want that, let me know in your review, and let me know if you think it's already 'R' rated because of this chapter. I don't think it is… Also, if you want to read the unedited stuff, send me an email and I'll send it to you. Anyway, on with the fic!

Summary: In his room, during the warm evening of an Egyptian summer, Set finally has his plans come to fruition. But there's trouble in store…

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Chapter 15: Change

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Finally…

The evening's walk back to the royal palace had been filled with tranquil silence, and he had savoured it for as long as it had lasted. The two of them safely ensconced once more in his room, he seated himself on his bed. Perhaps tonight would be the night; they were so close now, tantalisingly close. He had enjoyed the time they had shared, alone save for the star-spangled heavens of Nut above. Neith was someone special and he longed to show her how special he thought she was. Yet, she still seemed haunted by that accursed vision.

She was studying him curiously from his chair, her chin resting on her hands.

"When are we going to eat?"

"Soon, my dear. I had my servants prepare something for us," he replied, watching her.

In time, varied assortments of meat, as well as fruit, bread and wine were brought before them by the silver-haired slave she had seen earlier and a dark-skinned Nubian. He could see the plates of gazelle, beef, veal and antelope being placed alongside bowls of figs, red grapes and his favourite fruit, dates. The Nubian bowed and left after he had placed the fruit and meat down on the table, keeping his eyes averted from his presence and that of Neith. The silver-haired boy, who looked around his own age, placed the bread on the table. His eyes narrowed when said boy dropped the two jars of wine, which seeped over the table, staining some of the bread and making his room smell like a brewery.

"Sekani, you lumbering oaf! Can't you get anything right?" He sprang up from his perch on the bed, fuming as the unfortunate slave attempted to clean up the mess with a simple cloth. "Just leave it! Go on; get out!"

He glared at the slave's retreating back as he jabbed his finger at the door, knowing full well what would happen to him if he spoke of his master's affairs. How could one man be so clumsy in his presence? He looked at Neith; she was watching him wide-eyed. He changed his irate expression to a snake-like smile, oozing with charm as he then pruned his nails.

There's no need to upset her.

"I apologise for that display, my dear. He shall be dealt with later, I assure you," he said eloquently, walking over to her, crouching on his knees and offering her his hand. "Come; sit with me on the bed. We shall dine together."

He smiled as she took his hand. He then rose to his feet and pulled her along behind him, tightly holding her hand whilst grabbing the bowl of grapes on his way past the table.

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Looking at her once he had seated her on the bed, a lingering smile graced his lips as he took his seat opposite her. He placed the grapes to his left as her legs folded beneath her body, him sitting cross-legged. She knew nothing of what he had been doing in private, and it was best if she were not informed. He slowly raised his left hand and cupped the side of her face, turning her to him, rubbing her cheekbone gently with his thumb. Beautiful flowers did not deserve to be tarnished.

He reached over to drag the ceramic plate closer to him with his right hand, after which he plucked a grape between his thumb and forefingers and held it to her mouth. She opened it slowly, allowing him to spoon the grape inside. Her entrance was wet, warm, and his fingers brushed against her wet tongue. What if he later…? It played on the reaches of his mind as he reached down to pluck one more from the stem.

"Another one, my dear?"

Letting go of her face, he ran his left hand through Neith's hair as he offered the grape to her mouth. She was still busy chewing as he unfurled his legs and leaned in closer to her, forcing her to lean back. He was close to her, close enough that he could hear her breathing but deliberately making it so that they did not actually touch. Let her be teased the way he was…

Plucking another grape, he fed the first one into her mouth and smiled devilishly as he leaned over her. Placing his left elbow right next to her head, he twined her hair around his finger.

"It's my pleasure to serve you like this."

She chortled as he attempted to feed her another grape, only for the red fruit to 'fall' from his fingers and then roll down her face. It disappeared down her dress, her face grimacing.

"You poor thing," he drawled. "Is it cold?"

He smiled as she nodded emphatically and moved his right hand away from her mouth, sliding it up the underside of her dress. He leaned in even closer, so much so that this time he was lying on top of her. So near and yet so far… for the time being at least. She shivered as his hand touched her warm skin, running up the inside of her leg. Perhaps today would be a good day after all.

"Well then, I'll just have to fish it out."

That, and other things, he added inwardly, smirking.

"Set! Knock it off!" She was giggling as he tickled the inside of her thigh, pushing on his arms. "Please! I can't stand it! Ah –!"

He forced another grape into her mouth to keep her quiet. Raising his free right hand, he removed his headdress, casting it to the floor on his right. Their closeness was so apparent. She was so close this time, so within reach of his desires. They were in the perfect position. He continued to taunt her with his right hand, generating raucous laughter from her as his hand tailed up and tickled her lower stomach. She was so ticklish!

"I know; that's what makes it so fun."

He stared down at her and smiled darkly, his left arm still by her head.

"Set, I – "

He pressed a finger to her lips and interrupted her by sliding it down the bump of her chin and then her neck, feeling her swallow beneath his tip. She was so warm and alive. It was nice, being able to unravel her mystery. His left fingers detached the clasps near her shoulders and then a single one hooked the centre parting of her dress, effortlessly pulling it further down. All the troubles he faced were held at bay when he was in her presence. Never would he give her up: not even if Per A'a himself ordered it.

She covered her naked vulnerability with crossed arms. Now why would she do such a thing? She was so shy and worried about her reputation, but so was he; worried, that is. He smiled and removed his other hand from beneath her dress, using both hands to catch her wrists and unfurl her arms.

"Why are you so ashamed of your beauty? It's something wondrous to behold; don't hide it from me, lotus." He pinned her arms either side of her head, his head now right in front of hers, their lips almost touching. "I want to see you, all of you."

He then moved down to her neck, kissing it gently.

"Neith, I want to show you my love," he breathed, clenching her arms even tighter. "Let me show you how much I care."

Of course, he would never reveal the darker desire that secretly drove him from within. He knew that by taking her and making her his, he would drive her even further in his arms. That way, she would not be able to go off with anyone else so easily.

I just want her to be mine; all mine. Is that such a bad thing?

He breathed inwardly; just one thought about her and he was getting all excited. How ridiculous.

"Mmm… I don't know. What about the vision? If I get – "

" – Neith, that cannot be your fault! Listen to me…" He let go of her right wrist and looked down at her. "None of it is your fault? How can it be? You only know what you saw. You're one of the few people I know that has my respect. You deserve better than to live in perpetual denial of your own happiness."

"But I – "

" – You are a wonderful, beautiful woman who deserves only the best. Really, Neith; how do you even manage to have any fun at all? Allow me to give you some joy, at least this once."

She looked up at him breathlessly, haziness in her eyes.

"You really think I'm beautiful?" She smiled weakly as he ran his right hand through her hair and then over her face. "No-one's ever said that to me before…"

She then fell silent and he kissed her neck once again, the brief sounds he made the only noise in the room, save for their breathing. The things they could do together… A lustful fog rolled in from the depth of his mind, still held at bay by logical thought. It was a driving force similar to his lust for power, but much more primordial. Perhaps later it could be released from its cage and sated. Later, when he knew exactly how she felt.

"Then they are nothing but fools," he replied, running a hand down her chest, resting it on top of one of her more… admirable features.

He smiled wickedly as she breathed, her throat wheezing in unfamiliar excitement that she did not know how to handle. That was what you got when you chose to lie with a snake. So, she was an innocent?

That's even better…

"So what say you, my dear? Do you want some excitement in your mundane little life? Shall I prove my love to you?" he asked, moving his lips down her throat, resting them on her jugular.

"Yes, I… That would be wonderful!"

"Excellent."

Neith's lone arm coiled around his back as his kisses moved onto her chest. Finally she would be his, in every sense of the word. First one conquered the body, and then they took the mind. Why should they deny themselves something they both desired? He blew across her flushed skin, the heavy tepid air tantalising his senses. She would be his queen, a First Wife to his Per A'a. The night had only just begun, but he would have what he desired. He always did.

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Some time later, he found himself lying on top of her, the only thing he wore being his kilt. Even that was dishevelled, pulled out of place from beneath his belt and flung over his back. But that was fine, for tonight he had his queen.

He smiled contentedly, feeling self-satisfied, smug and amazed by the warmth of this young woman he had just taken as he unhurriedly kissed her neck. His hands were gliding across her face as he felt her chest expand and contract beneath him. Who would have thought it would be so fulfilling? It looked as if all those dreams he had, the thoughts and the actions, had paid off.

Her fingers danced at the base of his neck, her hand pressing his head to her shoulder and stroking his hair. She had finally experienced the closest embrace he could offer and she seemed to have grown because of it. That was what he thought. So what if they at some point ended up with a child? It was not a crime.

And she still calls me by my official title, he thought smugly, running a finger down all the red bruises that plastered her neck and those on her right shoulder, markings of his territory. He then kissed her again. Who would have thought she'd find it that stirring? I guess it's true what they say; women find power an aphrodisiac.

"Hem Ntjr… That was so beautiful. To think that it was my first time…"

He was pulled even closer and pressed up against her chest. There had been something there, make no mistake. Something that made it special… Finally, She Who Is was his.

"Tomorrow, my love," he whispered, his voice now low and soothing as he stroked her hair. "Let us sleep a while, and then we'll play some more."

He rose off her, those thin feminine arms lolling back to her side as he sat up. It had come over him so suddenly, this passionate feeling, the need to fulfil himself. The covers were strewn about the bed, proof of the evening's deeds. Ra had now descended once more, and he had loved it; she truly was a credit to her faith. She had been compliant, but not stupid enough to just lay back and dream of Kemet. He would have found such a thing boring, and he hated being bored. To beat something into submission, especially a strong opponent, gave him greater satisfaction. He needed to feel alive; that was why he loved the duels.

He tugged the sheets about him, the fabric no longer cool but heavy and warm to the touch. This mess would have to be cleaned, but he had servants to do that; servants who knew what was good for them. They would hold their tongues, lest they desired to lose them.

Lying back, he felt her snuggle up close, her cheek resting against his stomach as he smiled in satisfaction, falling into a peaceful slumber.

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The morning after, Ra was rising into the sky as Neith pulled herself out of bed, clamouring over Set. Once she had done so, she bent down to pick up her discarded dress, thinking about what they had done. Ra had risen over the horizon and was beginning his ascent, heralding a new day and a new union of souls…

She walked hazily to the balcony, clutching her dress, still feeling somewhat giddy as Set murmured to himself in the bed behind her.

Having now taken their relationship to the next level, she felt a deep worry about whether she was expecting. She would not mind a child sometime in the future but worried about what would happen if it happened. Perhaps Set was right; he usually was. How could what she had seen be the fault of that baby? She understood the logic of his words. It had to be something else, something big. She clutched at her necklace. Perhaps this was the right path and not the wrong one; she had to have faith.

Set was lounging in the bed behind her, lording it as the king of his domain. She could sense his eyes watching her as she began to pull the dress on over her head. She then lost herself in the myriad folds of her dress and could hear him chuckling deeply as she batted and pulled the fabric.

Doubtlessly, he thinks that I should make an effort for him, seeing as in his eyes he made one for me.

"Aren't you getting up?" she asked him.

She pulled the dress down, only for it to bunch around her waist. She was also well aware that his eyes were taking in everything that happened. He would probably store it away for future reference… or blackmail material.

"I'm enjoying the view. Now bend over."

She smiled, shook her head and bent down, running a finger between the gaps of her toes.

"There. Much better, my dear."

By sleeping with him she had gotten over her own mental barriers. The physical attraction had been sated, but the way their minds clicked would last for many lifetimes, or so she hoped. He had whispered in her ear during the act, telling her that he wanted her and no one else. If those were just words, then she would like to cling onto them for as long as possible, just to have this warm feeling.

Only you I desire; you and no one else. Finally, I can put an end to it, this burning aspiration, she remembered him saying, his voice low and husky as she had closed her eyes, deliriously happy. He's no poet, but he knows how to say exactly what I want to hear.

He knew full well that she was his; the love and devotion she held for him shone like Ra's own light. She wondered what the future had in store but knew that she would be safe. Who would have thought that he could be so strong? He was certainly full of surprises.

"You can order me to do whatever you want, my lord." She smiled and looked back at Set, her head between her legs, upside down and her hair dangling. "You know that, don't you?"

"Yes, now come here."

She left the dress bunched around her waist and walked back over, climbing back into bed. He pulled her close, a hand stroking her hair as she snuggled up to him and murmured happily. His bare chest was warm against her cheek, and she could hear his heart beating below her. Yes, she felt safe here.

"You know, I've just heard that Atemu has decided to hold a duelling tournament. Does it fascinate you?" she murmured, circling a finger on his chest.

"What? I know nothing of the sort." He was looking at her now. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

She raised an eyebrow, noticing his distinct change of mood.

"Oh? I thought you knew; that's why I didn't say anything. His guards were talking of it a few days ago and it skipped my mind." She looked up at him, seeing his darkened face as he looked away, and it worried her. "Set, are you all right?"

"No. No I'm not. How dare he!"

She gazed at him, thinking. Atemu had failed to invite Set to this tournament. Why? She could feel his hand pressing down more forcefully as he stroked her hair, obviously affronted by his treatment. His nails were raking against her scalp. Did they think he would take a turn for the worse? He had already tasted and wielded that power. They would truly leave him in the dark like that? How cruel…

He stopped stroking her hair and the room was filled with an ominous silence. Suddenly, he pushed her to the side, grabbed her wrist and rose from the bed, pulling her with him.

"You're coming with me. I'm going to have words with our so-called ruler. No one cuts me out. No one."

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