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, and the fact that she added in little bits of text here and there.

Author's Note: The God of Storms is meant to be Set, who happens to be served by the man who he gave his name to. Originally he wasn't seen as an evil god, more of a ferocious one, a natural opposite to Osiris (who is actually Wesir). He represents chaos and the red land, and also foreigners and foreign places, or so I've researched. More will be revealed on Set's mother later on, and next chapter heralds a nice new change of pace, which I hope you'll all enjoy. And Sekhmet went on a rampage until she was lulled into a drunken stupor. This chapter has an unedited version so if you want to read it let me know and I'll send it to your email. Just leave me your email and I'll see it gets to you. I shall send it automatically to those who have requested to receive those chapters.

Summary: As Set heals from his injuries, he wiles away the days at his estate, fuming at being bested by Atemu. He has taken steps to bind Neith to him, and after their intimate joining ceremony and private time together they head back to the Royal Palace. Set then professes his loyalty, much to Mahaado's displeasure.

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Chapter 24: The House Of Set

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Set hobbled into the inner sanctum of the temple of which he was the High Priest, his walking stick clinking on the hard stone as he steadily moved forwards. He was eagerly anticipating this private ceremony. His mentor and his lotus's relatives were back at his estate, and now it was just the two of them. This part of the temple was quiet and devoid of priests, who had all retired elsewhere at his insistence. His business here today would remain private.

By the end of today she will be mine, and then life can begin again. Now then, where is she?

He stopped, turned around and smiled as he saw that his intended was following him into the shrine of the God of Storms. She came up to him, after which he clasped her hand, seeing the nervous look on her face.

"It's all right, my dear. Set himself has given us his blessing. I heard him speaking to me only last night," he enthused, looking behind him at the sacred statue of the square-eared god. "Besides, there is no more suitable a place to swear before the Netjer than my own temple."

He kissed her hand, a shrewd gleam in his eyes.

"Set, are you sure about this?"

"Of course I'm sure. Now come on!"

Smiling to himself, he limped up to the statue of his namesake and bowed before it, an arm across his chest. He then motioned for her to do the same. She did so, looking from his patron to him with a warm, contented smile.

That's better.

Then he felt her snuggle close to him, taking his stick and supporting him with an arm, and through the corner of his eyes he could see the warm glimmer that hers held. It was almost time for them to truly be one before the gods. He then took back his ebony walking stick and pulled away.

"This may not be a proper ceremony like Atemu had, but I wanted to do something special for the both of us. I did not wish our special day to be burdened with so many people and fanfare that the Per A'a craves and surely had for his ceremony."

He pointed to his right at the statue of his lord and she nodded in understanding. She had realised that by showing her his god, he was showing her his sincerity. Also, he was seeking a divine blessing from the fierce god who had offered him so much succour when he had been young and in need of comfort.

He found me here, crying my heart out. I bet he truly was surprised that I had sneaked past all those priests to get in here, he thought, remembering when he had lost his mother and had been found by Akunadin. I was only thirteen.

"Even so, that was rather quick. Are you trying to rush me out of here?" She spoke with a knowing tone, her face merry.

He moved closer to her, a wicked smile gracing his lips.

"You know me so well," he smiled.

He then backed her up until she was pressed against the pillar. She jumped as his right hand reached out to touch the smooth, cool stone at the side of her head. His weight had transferred itself to his walking stick by the time he had leaned in close, only a sliver of space between them.

"If I were serious, you'd be up against an altar with that pretty dress of yours hitched up around your waist. And I'd enjoy it."

"Set…"

She smiled at him, her head bowed to the left. It was such a sweet smile, one he hoped to see a lot more often.

--

When they had returned back to his estate he had walked them up to the veranda outside of his room, which led all the way to Akunadin's room to his left, and then a series of rooms on the opposite side. That pathetic silver-haired slave he owned had come and gone, leaving them with a large jar of rare wine and two drinking vessels.

He had changed out of his usual outfit of white and blue and was now wearing his short kilt, this time without the cape or headdress that usually accompanied it. It was a particularly hot evening, and he desired to keep as cool as possible. Perhaps he could go for a bath later on, after other more pressing duties.

Also, word of his contract with Neith had naturally spread throughout the town when he had travelled into it on a slave-mounted sedan, Neith herself sitting on his right-hand side.

But they know well enough by now to keep it to themselves, lest they face my displeasure, he thought, raising the earthen vessel to his lips. It was a stroke of brilliance that I've barred outsiders from entering my city without permits. Work and trade are all well and good, but gossipmongers shall find no succour from me, save for the lash.

He then looked to his left as the woman in question shifted beside him, lowering the vessel. What's up with her?

"Are you all right, lotus?"

"Oh, I'm fine." She turned her head and smiled weakly at him before looking up at the dusky sky. "I'm just taking time to get used to the change. It's all for the best; I feel happy, you know?"

He smiled and walked up to her, hearing her breathe softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him. She only came up to his neck, but he knew that he still had time to grow. By the time the Netjer saw fit to halt his growth he would tower over her. Akunadin himself had remarked that he was amazingly tall for his age, just like he had been.

"I know. I have looked forward to making you a part of this house for so long. And I always protect that which I own," he whispered, resting his head on her shoulder. "Now come; let us retire and allow me to show you the ways I love you."

--

Once their business had been done he pulled her onto him, wiping her sweat-laden hair from her face before kissing her forehead. He enjoyed being this close to someone. It was heavenly.

A hand rubbed circles on her back as the other rested on her shoulder.

"Do you think they heard us?" she asked him, referring to Akunadin and her relatives, who were due to go home in a few days. The slaves were unimportant.

"Who cares?" he replied. "Though, we did make enough noise to awake Sekhmet from her drunken slumber. You were quite pleased with my work, as I recall."

She blushed, and he continued to stroke her back as she listlessly rested against him. Those staying with him had merely nodded, not saying a word as him and his lotus had disappeared to their room after making their excuses. Perhaps his mentor was as eager for their relationship to be as whole as he himself hoped it would be. He valued the support of the man who had looked after him all these years.

And just like his mother, Neith was kind, wise and above all obedient. That could only be a good thing. Disobedience was one of the things he hated above all others, and it pleased him that she was wise enough to realise this.

"You know, I wouldn't mind seeing that child Isis saw. Here, in the flesh," he smiled, his left hand now stroking her hair. "And the patter of his tiny feet would be something to celebrate."

There was no reply.

He then looked down and saw that she was asleep; her breathing warmed his skin as he gently stroked her hair.

You look so innocent, unlike myself.

Snorting, he continued to hold her close, aware of his propped-up leg. She had done it before they had begun their game a second time anew. He was well aware what kind of person he was, and he did not care. Mahaado said he thought only of himself, but that was not true. He cared for Akunadin and Neith, and above all he cared for Kemet. He did not care for those fools who were thorns in his side. And every thorn had to be removed.

--

The next morning, Neith woke up alone. She had not expected it, and as she shifted in the bed she found herself wondering where he had gone. After what had been going on lately, she grew worried whenever he disappeared. It was only natural. He never told her where he was going.

Why do you always vanish like this?

"Mistress, may I come in?"

"You might as well." She lazily watched the silver-haired slave as he entered the bedroom, after which he collected her and Set's drinking vessels from the table. "Sekani, is it? Tell me, do you know where your master has gone?"

"I'm afraid not, mistress. You could always go out and look for him, though. Or send one of us in your place." He kept his head bowed as he said this. Set indeed ran a tight ship. It was as if they were all terrified of offending their master, and therefore herself.

"It's all right. He'll come back to me. Besides, he doesn't like me going out unaccompanied. I'll just stay here and rest."

She leaned back, sighed and continued to watch Sekani until he left. Perhaps Akunadin would know where his student had gone. From what she had seen, that old man kept an eye on everything. Literally.

Perhaps I'll talk to him, later on. I need some rest. Besides, he might be back by then, or so I hope.

--

Soon enough, Set had returned, bringing with him startling news that they were to relocate back to the capital as soon as he had made a full recovery. She did not know what had brought such a turn around, but that time soon came within a matter of weeks. Two months after he had broken his leg, and he was getting about unaided, berating all his household staff if he found even the tiniest discrepancy and thanking the fact that her family had left, meaning that his home was his own once more.

They had packed, gotten onto a boat and sailed the short journey down the Great River to Waset. Their early arrival had surprised everybody, not least of all Mahaado and Atemu. The former had glared at Set with unabashed hatred as he had disembarked the boat, along with herself and a number of servants to see to their every need.

Distrustful of her husband, the powerful mage had followed them all the way to the Royal Palace, where they now were. Regarding Mahaado, Set had merely ignored him or offered a cold, smug stare, infuriating the magician even more.

And now she found herself standing to the side of the audience chamber, where Atemu's throne stood. Set was on his knees, swearing another oath of loyalty to the Per A'a.

She frowned and watched him. Not only did she know that he hated such displays, she also knew that he was in a foul mood. Apparently, he had caught one of his slaves carrying on with some woman, and that he had caught the wastrel as he had attempted to sneak back into his estate unseen.

It served Sekani right to get that beating, running away like that.

She continued to quietly observe as he announced his loyalty, a strange look of acceptance on his face of the whole situation. This was not because of Atemu; both her and Akunadin knew that it was because he had been beaten down by Obelisk. Power was the one thing Set respected, and if you did not have it, you were nothing to him.

Across the other side of the hall, Isis caught her gaze. She held it for a moment, after which the priestess looked at Set and Atemu. There had been something in those eyes. It was as if she had seen the contract that her and Set had entered into.

"Now then, I hear from Isis that you have some news for me, Set," Atemu announced, Mahaado still standing nearby, his face as cold as stone. "Perhaps it is something that will keep your mind on some things and off others."

She froze in surprise when Set rose from the floor and held out his hand to her.

"Let me show you. Lotus, come here."

She walked over to him, a look of blank surprise on her face as he took her by the shoulders and turned her to face Atemu. The young boy had a curious look on his face.

"Per A'a, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my wife." She felt him hold her close, as Atemu's eyes widened and Mahaado choked. "We signed a contract and… Is something the matter, Mahaa?"

Mahaado's eyes narrowed at the use of his hated nickname.

"No, nothing's the matter. I was just wondering if a treacherous criminal like you even realises how gracious Per A'a has been. I would have had you executed like the beast you are."

"Mahaado! Show some respect for Per A'a's decision! And remember the fact you're in front of a lady!" Akunadin barked angrily at the magician, causing him to bow his head.

"You're right. I apologise."

Set smiled wickedly as she was hugged close to his shoulder, seeing Atemu look momentarily at his most loyal servant. It felt as if she was caught in the middle, a pawn in his grand scheme of re-ingratiating himself back into the royal court.

He had a long way to go. No one trusted him, except Akunadin and herself. Mahaado was the most vocal in his feelings. Karim, along with Shadahm was keeping quiet and holding his distance. They usually backed up Mahaado, though they were not afraid to voice their minds. Isis, as ever, kept her thoughts to herself.

"Of course I'm grateful. Per A'a has been most gracious," she heard him say, a snide tone in his voice that was directed at Mahaado. "You're just jealous that no-one wants you, not that I blame them. And I doubt you'll be desperate enough to sleep with that student of yours."

Mahaado took an angry step forwards, but was held back by Shadah.

She shook her head. Already, he was conflicting once more with those he hated, all of his own free will, and even after all that had gone on. He truly was not afraid to be himself.

She felt his fingers clamp down hard on her shoulder as Akunadin stepped forwards. Besides Shimon, he was the most senior priest here.

"Before the two of you kill each other, I believe that congratulations are in order? It seems as if the both of you have something to celebrate."

No one questioned the old priest about what he had known as Set continued to hold her close. There was a wry smile on his face, his free right hand clasping the Sennen Rod as Akunadin rested a hand on his shoulder in congratulations before pulling away. He then bent down to whisper into her ear.

"Are you ready, lotus? Our future starts here."

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