A/N I don't own these guys, I'm just having fun with them.

WiNdScArBaBe: I'm glad that your light side approves of my story. Now to get the dark side to approve... Is there any hope? Hehe... And by the way, congrats for figuring out how to glare at yourself. :D


Again, she easily passed the guards, and entered the Pharaoh's room. She found him lying on his bed with a dimmed torch, waiting for her. When he first laid eyes on her, he rose and rushed to her side, seeing that she was unsteady on her feet. He helped her to his bed and as he did the previous night, he laid her on her stomach and proceeded to carefully clean and bandage her wounds in silence.

After some time, he spoke softly. "Safiya, he's getting worse. I need to say something or he will kill you."

Between shallow breaths she replied, "No my Lord, we made a deal. You cannot say anything to him."

He sighed. "What made this beating so much worse than the one last night?" Her silence gave him his answer. "It was me, wasn't it?"

"He saw you looking at me, and me looking at you, and it angered him. He feels that I am…" She drifted off, not completing her thought.

"What?"

"He feels that I am pursuing you."

Atemu, surprised, stopped bandaging her wounds for a moment. "And are you?"

"I told him that all I did was look at you, my Lord."

Feeling oddly disappointed, he continued to bandage her wounds. "Safiya, the next time you call me 'my Lord,' you will break my heart."

"I'm sorry… Atemu..."

"Now that wasn't so difficult, was it?"

"Harder than you think, my—" She stopped short, correcting herself mid-thought. "Atemu."

He leaned in close to her ear. "'My Atemu'…" He whispered softly. "I like the sound of that."

His warm breath sent chills down her spine. Sensing that he was done with her bandages, she gently rolled over onto her back and looked into his deep red eyes. When she saw the smile on his lips, she couldn't help but reflect it.

He leaned in towards her, closing the space between them. "Let me ask you again, Safiya. Are you pursuing me?"

She looked further into his eyes, trying to discern his meaning. Seeing nothing but love for her, she answered, "And what if I am, my Atemu?"

He leaned in to kiss her, but when his lips touched hers, she let out a small cry of pain. "Safiya, are you okay?"

She turned her face into the light, revealing her already swollen lip. Tears began to fall from her eyes, catching the light as they left glistening trails down her cheeks. With a touch as soft as the purest silk, he wiped her tears away.

"What did he do?" His voice was heavy with concern.

She leaned into his touch, welcoming it. To her, it had become a safeguard against the evil of Priest Seth. "This was the first time that he has forced himself upon me. He kissed me and bit my lip." She could sense the Pharaoh tensing. "But now that I am with you, my Atemu, all is well." He relaxed and kissed her forehead.

"Just let me know when I can do something, and it will be done."

"I will not hesitate, when I see that the time is right."

He was unsure of what she meant, but he trusted her. He moved farther up onto his bed and placed his head on his pillow. He motioned for her to lie beside him, and she did so.

"Stay with me tonight Saph," he whispered.

"Saph… I haven't heard that name for years. My elder brother used to call me that," she closed her eyes, remembering her family.

"Do you mind if I call you Saph?"

She smiled. "Not at all. It brings back good memories."

"Then please, Saph, stay the night. I want to hear more of your family."

"I cannot stay the night, my Atemu. If I am not in my room when Seth awakes…"

She didn't have to finish the thought for him to understand her meaning. "I understand. Then at least stay for a while longer?"

She nodded her head, and began to tell him of her family. She told him of her mother, father, and brother, and anything else that she could remember. When she sensed that he was tiring, she began to sing. With a voice to rival a nightingale, she sang a sweet melody about a brave young pharaoh who cared for and protected his people. Before long, the brave young pharaoh was sleeping peacefully.