Title: Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun
Author: Dragonwrangler
Rating: M
Feedback: Please.
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh is owned by Kazuki Takahashi. I do not make any money from these stories and only write them for my own entertainment and the entertainment of any who wishes to read them.
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Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun
Chapter Two
Ciorstag slowly pulled her awareness out of the healing spell and regarded Atemu as he too rose up from the spell's trance. Crouched before him she watched him blink a few times before his sight turned outward, his crimson eyes slowly focusing on her.
It had taken longer than she would have liked to move Atemu to the palace, the confusion in the courtyard demanding the attention of Atemu's father. Taking advantage of the delay Ciorstag spent most of the time cleaning the blood off Atemu so she could get a good look at the wound. She also took a moment to show Gaighdon what part of the spell she needed him to hold in place while she recovered some of her strength.
Once she had finished, the wearer of the Millennium Eye informed them that, outside of the prince's attackers and his guard, everyone who had been within the temple during the attack were alive but completely unaware of their surroundings. Offering her help, she scanned one of the priest's minds for a presence but, like the young man named Seth, was unable to find any trace of the man's soul. Atemu's father had finally left behind Akhenaden and Set to organize the care of the victims and uncover the purpose for the attack against the temple and the prince.
Ciorstag stood up and crossed her arms, watching Atemu's eyes carefully as they track her movement. She had kept a loose touch on the spell as they made their way to the palace and knew Atemu had been in considerable pain by the time they had passed within the palace walls.
Atemu had not allowed himself to show the pain as he walked through the palace; only letting a grimace slip past his control when he reached his own quarters and dropped onto the cushioned bench he now sat on.
"How do you feel?" she asked, guessing she would not get an honest answer.
He surprised her by answering, "Like I've been trampled by a herd of cattle." He smiled ruefully and shrugged before saying, "However it is not as painful as I would have thought."
She let her senses spread out beyond the healing spell and found that his pain had dropped slightly, although that may have been caused by the spell being stabilized. She found herself grinning at him as she said, "Well, just give it time." He slumped a little before she added in a more serious tone, "I will tell you that you can't strain any of those muscles near the wound. The spell will absorb a great deal of normal movements without difficulty but if you pull too hard it will rip that wide open. If the spell pulls apart before your body can anchor the cut together it will not be possible to close the wound again."
"How long will he need to be careful?" Mahado asked as he stepped into view, Gaighdon standing behind him. Ciorstag had not realized they had come into the room.
"The spell will speed up his healing but I would still give it six or seven days." Ciorstag turned to face Mahado and said, "After he's cleaned up the wound should probably be tightly wrapped to keep him from accidentally pulling anything."
"Which muscles should he not strain?"
Ciorstag turned and found three girls, no older than Atemu or Mahado, had slipped into the room. One stopped to stand beside her facing Atemu, arms crossed, while the other two moved to the opposite side of the bench. She noticed Atemu's demeanor lighten as the girls encircled him.
"I assume it's the muscles around where the blood is smeared, correct?" The girl continued cautiously, nodding at the blood that had spread past the spell when Ciorstag had switched with Gaighdon upon reaching the palace.
"Yes."
Turning to Ciorstag, she asked again, glancing at Atemu out of the corner of her eyes, "And those are the muscles he should not strain?"
Suddenly understanding what the girl was asking and why, Ciorstag smiled and said, "Correct. None of those muscles should be strained, and that includes the back muscles. Other than that, he is fine"
Relief flooded the girl's face as she nodded to Ciorstag.
Turning back to Atemu the girl said, amused as comprehension suddenly filled Atemu's face, "Well, it seems your bed will be a bit cold for the next several days, husband!"
"It will not!" Atemu stated indignantly.
The girl leaned forward and purred. "Oh yes it will, and if you try to find another to warm your bed it will stay cold for much long than that."
Atemu glare at the girl but Ciorstag could see there was little force behind it. He was biting the edge of a smile, his eyes now dancing with a challenging look, his pain apparently forgotten. She stared back at him with an equal mix of challenge and mirth on her face. They stared at one another, oblivious to those around them until Atemu broke eye contact. With a sigh, he fell across the bench, dramatically throwing his arms wide. "What is left for me to do, then?" he said in mock despair.
He blinked in surprise as the smaller of the two girls behind the bench suddenly bent over him. "You did promise to teach me to play Senet when you were not busy with duties, husband"
The third girl leaned over and added, "Yes husband. And you also promised a quiet trip down the Nile for us."
"Appropriately covered, of course." chimed the first.
Atemu propped himself on his elbows and opened his mouth to speak to the girl before him but stopped at the sight of the calculating look on her face. "What?" he asked cautiously.
She stood staring at him with arms still crossed before turning to look at Mahado. Mahado started and seemed torn between either bowing to her or backing away. Ciorstag fought a smile. This was beginning to feel like those long winter days when she and her sister by law would stir up the court to entertain themselves.
The men always dreaded those day.
The girl let Mahado hang a few moments longer before giving a long suffering sigh and said, "I suppose I will have to put him in your care to get him cleaned up, Mahado. You won't put the wrong ideas in his head."
"I can clean myself, wife!" Atemu shouted in protest, although it was obvious he was enjoying the game his wife had started.
Swinging her gaze back to her husband, she said "Not the mess on your back you can't." Without breaking her gaze with Atemu she stated, "Mahado!"
"As soon as I can, Ifenete!" he almost shouted.
"Mahado!" Atemu looked at him in amused astonishment.
Giving Atemu a slightly guilty look he nodded at the girl and said, "You may be destined to become Horus reborn but when she has a son, she will become the mother of a god and I do not wish to be on the wrong side of the mother of a god."
She'll become what?
"She's not yet!" Atemu yelped.
"Oh!" she said delightedly. "And whose fault is that!"
He grinned back at her, "I will have plenty of time over the week to correct that."
"You'll try." She shot back before adding, "Besides, this is probably Amun's way of teaching you the self control of a true Pharaoh. You would not wish to disappoint Amun would you husband?"
With a burst of laughter, Atemu finally gave in. "As you wish, first wife. Since I expect I will be left in your care I will accept for the peace in our household that it is not my place to argue with you on this subject." He threw his arms out and said, "I am yours to command for the next several days." A gleam entered his eyes as he added, "But when those days are up I expect my bed to be more than warm!"
"If you survive the next few days I'm sure that can be arranged." She looked at him a little longer as if waiting for him to do something. She continued to stare at him until a confused look crossed his face before turning to Ciorstag with a sigh.
"I hope you will forgive my husband's manners, since he does not deem it worth his time to introduce his wives to his guests." she said, rolling her eyes.
Dropping his head in defeat, Atemu said through his smile, "When did you give me a chance?"
Ignoring him she said, bowing slightly, "I am Ifenete, first wife of the Crowned Prince." Gesturing to the other two girls she said, "Meskera and Nekhennan share the honor of Prince's wife with me."
"I am named Ciorstag de Dalriada." Nodding toward Gaighdon, who had watched the whole exchange between the couple with an amused, knowing, look, she said, "And this is my cousin, Gaighdon."
Gaighdon bowed low and said, "Thank you for allowing us into your home, Ifenete. Forgive us if we are intruding on your hospitality."
A look of surprise crossed Ifenete's face as she answered, "You saved our husband and our friend. You are hardly intruding on our hospitality."
Turning back to glance at her husband Ifenete said, "The Crowned Prince will be expected to appear before the people before the day grows old. I expect Pharaoh will also wish an audience with all of you. Would you join us in our quarters to refresh yourself before that time, Ciorstag?"
"I would be thankful for that, Ifenete."
Glancing at Mahado Ifenete stated, "You will also see that Gaighdon's needs are met, Mahado."
Smiling, Mahado answered, "Yes, Ifenete."
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Atemu watched Ifenete and Nekhennan sweep Ciorstag off to the women's private quarters within the Grand Palace, the youngest of his wives, Meskera, skipping ahead to ready a room for their guest.
Each one of his wives had been a political marriage arranged by his father to strengthen those ties he had deemed important to the Kingdom's peace and, much to his surprise, he was fond of each of them, with Ifenete turning out to be his favorite.
When Atemu remembered how much of a pain he considered her when he was younger, he was amazed he was as happy as he was with her now. As the daughter of the High Priest of Amun- Ra, Atemu had met Ifenete several times on his visits to the great temple at Karnak and each time they met, they had argued about everything and anything they could think of. Pitting his mind against Ifenete's fiercely practical one had often resulted in many of their arguments simply degenerating into who could shout the loudest.
However, even though they still fought as they used to, Atemu could not deny Ifenete had proved herself equal to the duties expected of a Great Wife. She had quickly learned his moods and would adjust the household to fit those moods, knowing instinctively when he needed soothing or when he needed someone to vent to. If he could choose Ifenete now, he knew he would never need to worry about his private affairs as he took care of the Kingdom.
However, his upcoming marriage to Dakhamazu, daughter of the Hatti king, could disrupt those plans.
He sighed then winced as a snap of pain flashed across his midsection. He knew he could not fool Ifenete or the others, he knew by the way they had circled him they knew exactly how badly he was hurt, but he felt it his duty to try to distract them from their worry. Therefore, he had acted as if nothing was wrong and was glad when they went along with him, although most of their acceptance of the illusion may have been simply relief. He knew someone of the court would have informed them of Isis's vision almost as soon as she had seen it.
It had also given him an opportunity to shove his own memories of the morning to the back of his mind. He was having a little trouble accepting exactly what he had experienced.
The vision of the sword buried in his body refused to go away.
Straightening, he found Mahado and Gaighdon watching him closely.
Dragging his thoughts from his wives and hoping to distract Mahado and Gaighdon from his pain as well, Atemu asked, "What did your cousin mean when she said in the name of Danu? Who is Danu?"
Surprised by the question, Gaighdon shrugged before saying, "According to the legends of my people, the Tuatha de Danann are descended from the children of a powerful sorceress named Danu who fought in a great battle that destroyed the continent our ancestors originally came from."
"Destroyed?" Mahado asked as he stepped close to Atemu. Gaighdon came up on his other side and the two reached down to pull him to his feet. Atemu gritted his teeth and tried to listen to Gaighdon over the roar of pain from his body as he answered, "Yes. The stories state that the Ard Righ believed the only way to save the world was to destroy the clans and start over. Danu was one who stood against him. It was said that it was a bitter fight that no one was able to win." Atemu saw a concerned look cross Gaighdon's face as he tried to find a comfortable standing position.
"Would you allow us to carry you?" he asked.
Atemu shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment. "It is not unbearable and this way I will know what to expect later when I will not have either of you to support me." Taking a deep breath he called on the Puzzle to help pushed the pain back to the edge of his awareness and nodded for them to let go. He started walking to the bath he knew would be waiting for him and asked, "Why would a leader destroy his people? How could he think that was the answer?"
"The stories never say. It is possible they refer to a sickness that swept through the land, affecting all that it touched."
Atemu glanced at Gaighdon as he said, "A sickness?"
"Yes. The bards say that something was affecting the people, corrupting them and that the Ard Righ was acting for what he believed was for the good of the people. They never cast him as being evil or wrong, only lost in his sorrow for what had happened to the clans." He shook his head. "The stories are very old and incomplete. We have forgotten what finally caused events to escalate out of control or what caused the land to sink under the sea."
"The bards do say that the Ard Righ still wanders the world searching for a way to raise up the ancient homelands and return the world to the peace it once knew."
Before Atemu could ask how that could be a voice squealed, "My Prince!"
Glancing over his shoulder Atemu saw a familiar ball of energy in the slight form of a girl his own age rushing toward him. He braced for the hug Mana was about to engulf him in when Mahado suddenly caught her around the waist and swung her off her feet. Surprised, she froze in Mahado's embrace, her legs tucked up toward her chest as if she were jumping into one of the garden pools. Mahado held her in the air a moment before cautiously setting her back on her feet. Without letting go Mahado said, "Do you wish to get the Prince in trouble with Ifenete?"
"She never objected to me hugging the Prince before!" Mana answered breathlessly. Gaighdon's sudden laughter drew Mana's attention to him.
Looking at him in surprise she said, "Hello, who are you?" She leaned forward over Mahado's arm to look closer at Gaighdon, adding, "Wow, how did your ears get like that?"
"Mana!" Mahado exclaimed. Atemu tried hard not to laugh.
"What?" she asked innocently, twisting to look up at Mahado.
Still laughing as he answered, Gaighdon said, "My name is Gaighdon de Dalriada and I would guess the same way yours got the way they are."
"Oh! I suppose that would be true." She turned to look at Atemu and was about to speak when her brown eyes grew wide, her hands flying to her mouth. "You are hurt!" she accused.
Smiling, Atemu said, "I think you can let go of her now, Mahado." Stepping closer to Mana, Atemu caught her hands and said as he pulled them down, "I'm all right Mana." He watched her bite her lower lip, her eyes uncertain.
"Are you sure?" she asked, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
"I do not believe Gaighdon's cousin would have left the prince's side if he were not." Mahado said.
"No she wouldn't have." Gaighdon said then added under his breath, "And Goddess protect anyone who tried to cross her concerning that.'
"Your cousin?" Mana asked, confused.
"Yes, she cast the spell that saved the prince. She is with Ifenete and the others right now." Mahado answered.
"Oh." She glanced at each of them, still chewing on her bottom lip, before looking down at her hands. Atemu loosened his grip on her wrists, allowing her to slip one hand out to rest it against his chest. Her eyes lost their focus for a moment, then she scrunched her nose and said, "You're not all right, you're using the Puzzle so you can move around!"
"I would be able to tell if he was doing any damage to himself. He is simply blocking some of his pain. You must allow him that." Gaighdon said. Atemu glanced at him in surprise. He had been unaware Gaighdon was still linked into the healing spell until now.
"We would not have let him walk if we thought it would cause him harm Mana." Mahado added.
She slipped her other hand out of his hold and crossed her arms. "Well I don't think you should be up.", she said snapping the heel of her foot down in indignation.
Atemu smiled again but said firmly, "There are things I still need to do today. As soon as I am able I will rest."
"I am sure Ifenete will see to that." Mahado said then added, "You may wish to speak with her and see if she has need of your help, Mana."
"I will." She stated. Leaning forward, she carefully rested her forehead against the crown Atemu wore to gently rub her nose against his. "You will be careful?", she asked softly.
He nodded, "I promise, Mana."
"Good." She straightened and turned to Mahado. "Where will I find Ifenete?"
"In the women's quarters." he answered.
Glancing at Gaighdon, she bowed slightly and said, "I am pleased to have met you, Gaighdon de Dalriada. I hope we will meet again soon." She waved then turned quickly to head back down the hall leading to Atemu's rooms.
"She's an energetic one." Gaighdon said as they continued on their way. "Is she a heka caster? It didn't take her long to catch on that you're using the Puzzle right now."
Atemu nodded. "She actually has the potential to be a very powerful magician. That is if anyone has the patience to put up with her."
"A lot of patience." Mahado said, shaking his head. "May the gods help whoever gets that job."
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The low murmur of voices was the only indication of the size of the crowd that had formed outside the palace to see the prince Ciorstag had. When they had passed through the city, she had stayed so focused on Atemu that she had not noticed how large it truly was.
Glancing out of the shadows at the back of the wide balcony that faced an immense plaza Ciorstag realize that the crowd now dispersing back into the city would equal or exceed in size all of the Dunne-sith that had settled in Dalriada. She was amazed that a city at the edge of a desert had the ability to sustain so many.
"Quite a sight isn't it." Gaighdon said as he came up behind her.
"Yes it is." Turning Ciorstag spotted Atemu as he settled into a chair set slightly behind his father as the Pharaoh entertained. As she watched him she asked, "How is he holding up?"
"Surprisingly well. He seems to have figured out how to use the Puzzle to manage the pain."
She looked at Gaighdon in surprise. "Really?"
Gaighdon nodded. "I don't believe he is completely aware of what he is doing. He appears to have some conscious control over the Puzzle but the rest he just does instinctively."
"It certainly is an unusual talisman." Ciorstag said. " I can't think of anything in the Bardic records that mention one with power like I sensed from the Puzzle."
"Mahado said a little about that while we were cleaning up. He said that each Millennium item has a specific purpose, the Eye gives one the ability to read another's thoughts, the Rod the ability to control a person, and so on. But no one is sure exactly what the Puzzle does besides being able to unite the power of the other six."
"And they were made to defend this Kingdom?" She stared at the prince a moment, adding, " It sounds like a heavy weight for one as young as Atemu to carry."
"No, not for him." Gaighdon said thoughtfully. "He seems to be one of those who were born to carry such responsibilities."
She glanced back at Gaighdon and suddenly realized he had changed his blood-splattered clothing for a crisp white kilt and open collared, sleeveless shirt, the golden dragon torc and arm tattoo that marked him as a council chieftain now clearly visible. His eyes had been lined with the same black substance that one of Ifenete's handmaidens added to hers, making his amber colored eyes even more expressive. She smiled as she teased, "You'll have to wear that when we return home, Gaighdon. I believe Moira would enjoy seeing you in it."
"It certainly is more comfortable in this heat, as I'm sure that is.", he said, gesturing at the thin pleated sheath dress Meskera had given her to wear. He gave her a sideways glance as he continued, "And I suppose you're going to tell her everything, aren't you."
"Do you really believe she won't get it out of you eventually? Besides, she's grown used to you getting into this kind of trouble. And considering those two are no older than your own sons I believe she will understanding why you did it." She shook her head, still smiling, as she added, "You'll have to do worse than that for her not to renew vows at Bhealltainn."
Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, Ciorstag turned and found the man Atemu's father had introduced upon their arrive to the palace as his Chief Vizier Siamun approaching them. As he reached them, Ciorstag and Gaighdon bowed, surprising the man slightly. Before she could speak Gaighdon said, "Chief Vizier, please convey to Pharaoh our thanks for allowing us to continue to aid your prince." As they straightened, Ciorstag gave him a curious look, sensing there was more he wished to say. He glanced at her a moment before continuing, "However we ask for your tolerance. We are unfamiliar with the ways of Pharaoh's court and hope that you will convey our apologies if, in our ignorance, we cause offense to anyone."
Ciorstag could see in the man's eyes the smile that she assumed hid beneath the fabric that covered the lower half of his face. She guessed the man could easily hide all of his emotions, allowing him to give the facts of a matter without tainting the thoughts of the one receiving them: a valuable talent for an adviser. "It was suspected that you may not be at ease with the protocols that are expected of others. I have been asked to answer questions you may have and give some instructions that will help you feel a little more comfortable." He looked at them with a critical eye, a sharp intelligence showing that little escaped his attention. "I suspect, though, that you are familiar with the basic rituals of a royal court. " He turned toward Ciorstag as he said, "I believe it was your brother who was said to lead your people?"
She smiled and answered, "Yes. My brother has led our clan, the Duine-sith, for many years, inheriting the leadership from our father some time ago." She gestured to the lavish décor of the palace. "Pharaoh's court, however, is beyond anything we have experienced." She frowned slightly as she tried to remember something she had learned when she was a child. "If I understand what the Scotia traders taught us the title of Pharaoh has a different meaning than that of Ard Righ. That this is something more than simply a royal court."
Gaighdon added, "We also do not know how to address him properly for no one has told us his name"
Siamun shook his head, "We do not speak Pharaoh's name in his presence. Pharaoh lives in both our world and that of heaven. He is Horus, beloved of the Aten; it is he who keeps the world in balance. In a sense the palace is a temple and it would be unthinkable to us to address him as other than Pharaoh for we do not have the right to speak directly to a god."
Remembering Mahado's comment about Atemu and Ifenete Ciorstag asked, "Who is Horus?"
A glint of humor sparkled in the Vizier's eyes. "You truly are strangers to these lands."
Gaighdon laughed softly, "We had no idea that we would end up in your kingdom. We would have been more prepared if we had."
"I believe you would have." Siamun answered. He continued by saying, "The story of Horus is quite long but since I believe you wish to know how Pharaoh and Horus can be one I will tell you this much. Horus protects us from the chaos that the god Seth brought into the world. Without Horus the world and the people of the sun would have been utterly destroyed."
"But because the chaos that lies at the edge of existence will always be, Horus was reborn within Atemu's father when he became Pharaoh, as he had done with Pharaoh's father. And when the ba of Pharaoh dies then Horus will be reborn within the Crowned Prince when he ascends, allowing Horus to protect us as he always has."
Ciorstag saw a troubled look crossing Gaighdon's features. A look that Siamun saw as well.
The Vizier gave Gaighdon a quizzical look. "Something about my answer appears to bother you for some reason, iry."
"Iry?" Ciorstag whispered.
Gaighdon shrugged, a little embarrassed, slipping a moment into the language of the clans to say, "Apparently it means guardian. It is how I was introduced after you left with the prince." He turned back to the Vizier and said, "Forgive us." The Vizier nodded his understanding as Gaighdon continued. "It sounds as if you are saying that Atemu will give up his name and who he is when he becomes Pharaoh. This troubles me. To our people, names are all important. A name carries within it everything that you are and will be. To abandon one's true name for a title, to not be allowed to hear or speak ones' true name, is unthinkable."
"Ah, iry." Siamun answered in a serious tone. "He could never abandon his name. For us that is also unthinkable. Without his name, Pharaoh would be barred from entering heaven and his ka would wander eternity, never knowing rest, never knowing peace, unable to experience ever again the pleasures of life that exists all around it. It is the ultimate punishment."
Siamun frowned slightly. "I am uncertain how to explain further. I do not know what terms would help ease your mind on this without knowing more about your ways. Perhaps I should say that we all know Pharaoh's name," he gestured toward an elaborately painted wall, pointing to an oval design holding several symbols within, "for it is written throughout the Kingdom for all to see and honor. We simply do not speak it within his presence."
Gaighdon smiled slightly and shook his head, "I am not sure that I understand but you have reassured me that my fears are perhaps unfounded." He shrugged and turned to Ciorstag. She smiled, suddenly understanding his worry. The naming of one's children and aiding that child to find their adult name was perhaps the greatest responsibility of a parent. One Gaighdon would be facing in a few months when he gave his oldest son the name the boy would carry into the adult world.
Turning to meet the Vizier's gaze Ciorstag asked, "Will there be anything expected of us for the rest of the day?" She could hear music beginning to fill the room as a troupe of acrobats moved about, entertaining the crowd within.
The Vizier shook his head. "Actually, Pharaoh asked nothing more of you until tomorrow when he will meet with all who survived the attack at the temple in the presence of the Priests of Wedju. He hopes that some sense may be made of what happened. All Pharaoh wishes of you tonight is that you both partake in his hospitality and become more comfortable with your new surrounding."
"I can also give you some idea of what you can expect tomorrow during your meeting with Pharaoh." He bowed slightly before adding. "At your convenience, of course."
Ciorstag nodded and said, "We are yours to instruct, Chief Vizier."
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Sleep circled around the edge of Atemu's awareness, not quite within his reach. He was not concerned that he could not sleep; he found that sleep was not what he wished for tonight. His mind kept trying to review the events of the day and he kept pushing them back: and his body continued to inform him that he had seriously abused it and that he was going to pay for the days events tomorrow while in audience with his father.
He rolled onto his side, relieving the pressure against the wound on his back. He had stripped off the wrap of bandages that had kept him from moving too much but he was still finding it difficult to settle on a comfortable position.
He needed a distraction so his mind and body would give him peace.
As he curled up, suddenly afraid of what his mind would show him in his dreams, he heard footsteps whispering across the tiles behind him. Atemu did not tense at the sound and found himself a little surprised until he drowsily recognized the footsteps.
"Ifenete?"
He started to turn but she had already slipped under the sheets and molded her body to his, preventing him from rolling onto his back. She slid an arm around his waist, her hand briefly brushing against the scar the sword had left behind. She snuggled as close as she could against his back, her breath tickling the short hairs at the back of his neck.
"I thought the idea was to keep me from thinking suggestive thoughts, first wife."
A sigh slipped across his neck. "I know you summoned a Ka monster to protect yourself and Mahado. I know you will not have the strength tonight to follow through with your thoughts."
"Ah." Atemu breathed. They lay silent for a while, their breathing even and slow. Finding comfort in his wife's presence Atemu began to drift into gentle dreams but something kept pulling him back from the edge of the dreams. He opened his eyes and stared at the moonlight spilling into the room through the thin window. He felt Ifenete's arm tightening once again against his chest.
"What it is?" he asked softly.
For a moment there was no answer, as if she had truly fallen asleep, but then her voice whispered, "I had forgotten this part of being the wife of a prince."
"What part?" he asked, curiously.
She was silent a moment before answering in a voice he had to strain to hear. "Of you returning home covered in your own blood."
The words moved around his mind and he knew he should give her some words of comfort but none reached his lips. Silence settled over them and Atemu found himself drifting again when his wife's voice gently teased, "No words, husband?" Her voice betrayed her with a slight quiver.
Watching the moonlight's slow passage through the room he finally said, "I cannot change who I am." A sigh slipped past his lips. "And I can make no guarantee that this will not happen again." He felt her turn her head to bury it against the bed.
"Ifenete?"
A slight growl answered him. That was not the reaction he was expecting. He tried to twist around again but her hold became tight, holding him in place. "You do know," she said, her voice slightly muffled, "most husbands would feel it appropriate to lie in an attempt to keep their wife from worrying about them."
"True, but you have me as your husband." He paused a moment before asking curiously, "Would you want me to be like other husbands?"
She suddenly pulled herself up, propping her weight on one arm, so she could lean over to look him in the eye. Her movement had pushed the sheets back, allowing him to see her intricately braided black hair; and following the braids that had fallen forward over her shoulders, he found his gaze settling on the gentle swell of her breasts that was now brushing against his side.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"What?" He looked up at her face, forcing a look of innocence onto his own.
"I am attempting to have a serious conversation with you.," she said.
"Then why did you move?" he asked in perfect honesty.
She suddenly laughed and shook her head a moment before leaning against him to bury her face against his neck. He twisted under her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close, enjoying the feel of her against him.
"You weren't supposed to be able to act on those thoughts tonight, husband!" she said, still laughing.
"Believe me," he said, "you're quite safe from me having my way with you tonight, as much as I might wish it!"
She pushed back a moment to look at him, concern filling her face. His smile grew tender as he reached up to touch her cheek. "I can endure this pain for I need to you here. I do not wish to be alone tonight." For a moment the memories of the morning washed through him, memories he did not wish to view just yet. He met her eyes, pleading silently.
"Why did you not ask for one of us?" she asked as she laid back down on him, her head coming to rest against his chest.
He absently stroked her cheek, as he answered, "I didn't know I needed you." He stared at the ceiling a moment before saying, "But you knew, didn't you."
"I am your wife. Of course I did." She was silent a moment then said softly, her breath caressing his skin, "And I needed to hear the beating of your heart." She sighed in contentment and fell silent.
He squeezed her tightly and kissed the top of her head. Settling back, he continued to look at the ceiling awhile before saying to himself, "And you're much more comfortable than the sheets."
A groan slipped out of Ifenete before she replied, "After tonight you're definitely sleeping alone, husband."
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Ard Righ- High King
Tuatha de Danann (Irish)- People of the Goddess Danu.