A/N Standard disclaimer here... I don't own any Yu-Gi-Oh characters, the only one who is mine is Safiya.
A/N When I realized how short the last chapter was, I decided to post a second one. Sorry that the lengths are so erratic. I'll try to even them out a bit.
That night, Safiya went to her room singing a song like none she had ever sung before. The sounds that flowed from her mouth were like those from a beautiful bird welcoming the morning. She was normally very shy about her voice, but those who were lucky enough to hear her sing claimed to have never heard such a beautiful sound. But tonight, she sang her heart out, not caring who heard her. Unfortunately, someone who did hear her did not appreciate the sound.
"Safiya." The low growl sent shivers down her spine, and she immediately ceased singing. Since she was Seth's personal servant, her room was only separated from his by a thin curtain, and she often forgot this. She consciously slowed her breathing and calmly stood, preparing herself for the wrath she was about to receive. Within seconds, the High Priest had thrown the curtain aside and lunged at her. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his room.
"You think I didn't notice what happened today?" He slapped her across the face, sending a burst of stars through her vision. He threw her to the floor, where she waited for his next move. "The way you looked at the Pharaoh today, the way you've been smiling, the way you've been singing, it makes me sick!" He reached for his whip and proceeded to beat Safiya, ripping open old wounds on her back and legs, and creating new ones at the same time. But not once did she utter a sound, refusing to give him the pleasure of hearing her cry out in pain. Instead, she thought of Atemu and the kindness he had bestowed upon her that day, and in doing so, she was able to ignore the pain of Seth's jealousy.
After some time had passed, he tired of her. "Get out of my sight and remember this when the Pharaoh crosses your mind next." Safiya carefully rose to her knees, bowing to her master. She then returned to her room and waited until he fell asleep.
When his breathing slowed and she was sure that he was asleep, she quietly slipped out of her room and headed towards the Pharaoh's quarters. She passed his guards while hiding in the shadows and entered his room unseen. A single beam of moonlight cast a silver glow upon the Pharaoh's bed, illuminating his peaceful figure. Safiya noiselessly moved to his bedside and knelt, unsure of what she was doing.
Before long, the pain of Seth's beating caught up to her and she began to weep softly. The Pharaoh awoke to the noise and shot up to a sitting position. "Who's there?"
Safiya quickly dropped her face to the floor. "It is I, my Lord, your humble servant Safiya."
The Pharaoh's features softened when he heard her voice. When his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he found her bleeding figure beside his bed. "Safiya, what are these wounds upon your back?" He climbed out of his bed and dropped to her side, concern etched into his features.
With tears wetting her cheeks, she spoke. "My Lord, I do not want to cause strife in your palace. I am not sure why I came here. Please forgive me." She rose to leave, but before she could get far, she felt a gentle hand upon her wrist.
"Safiya, whatever brought you to me must have been important. Please, stay. At least allow me to clean your wounds."
"But, my Lord—"
"Please, call me Atemu."
"Oh no, my Lord, I could not."
His eyes glimmered in the moonlight, and a half-smile crept across his features. "Do not make me decree it."
Safiya smiled at the Pharaoh's humor. "Atemu," she whispered, allowing the name to play on her tongue.
"Now please, allow me to clean those wounds."
"Alright… Atemu."
He helped her onto his bed and had her lie flat on her stomach. He lit a torch and gathered some wet cloths and bandages. The wounds upon her back and legs were vicious, and he could think of no justification for such hatred. He gently pulled her shredded garments away and wiped away the drying blood. To his horror, he found numerous scars covering her skin.
"Safiya, who has done this to you?"
"My Lord—"
"Atemu," he interrupted.
"Atemu, I do not want to cause strife within your palace."
"Yes, you said that before. Is it Seth who has done this to you?" She said nothing, but simply turned her head away from him and began to weep once more. "Safiya, he has no right to do this to you. Let me speak to him—"
She jumped up, startling him into dropping the cloth in his hand. "My Lord, you cannot! If you say anything to the High Priest, he will surely kill me!"
"If I am not mistaken," he said slowly. "He is killing you now." As she thought about his words, she dropped her head in shame.
"I beg of you, please do not say anything to him."
He hesitated, then sighed heavily. "You are a strong woman, Safiya, and I respect that. I will not say anything to Seth. But in return for my silence, you must agree to visit me every night."
"But my Lord," she whispered softly. "He does this every night."
A wave of disgust crossed his face, followed by a wave of sympathy for the girl. "Then allow me to tend to your wounds every night."
Tears fell from her eyes again, but these were no longer tears of pain. "I agree, my Lord."
"Please, call me Atemu."
The two talked long into the night. Atemu finished cleaning and bandaging her wounds while they spoke of family, friends, dreams, and everything in between. When the conversation began to die down, she began to sing. The song had a gentle and soothing tone, and was meant for Atemu's ears only. She sang of a savior in the night with a gentle touch and a kind heart. The Pharaoh soon fell asleep to the sounds of her voice, and she quietly returned to her room.
