Chapter Seven

"Falling"

Seti's Palace

Anck-su-namun's Chambers

Thebes, Egypt

1298 BC

The night had been long and restless for Anck-su-namun. Hour after hour only bringing new torments upon her. She was filled with nightmarish visions piling atop one another at enormous rates; growing more terrifying beyond anything one could imagine possible as the night hours crawled by with never ending intensity.

The visions were all the same: Pharaoh Seti I. Anck-su-namun could not escape them as they replayed for her in her mind, holding her more tightly than Death itself. She struggled to awaken, but couldn't, always being pulled back in, deeper than before. An end seemed nonexistent; she would be tortured for all time in this almost too real Hell her mind's eye had so sadistically created for her.

However, at times, the nightmares felt as if they were subsiding in their violence, becoming less graphic, less intense, making Anck-su-namun feel more at ease in these few moments of lapse. What caused this, she did not know, but her entire being was grateful for these few seconds of release.

Yet, there was one thing that she was able to notice about it. Whenever these moments occurred, she could make out a faint voice. It sounded distant, too far off to place, but rang with a familiarity all its own, soothing her, flowing to her like some Heavenly spirit sent to watch over her. Everything for the moment would abandon her, leaving her in peace. Many times she had tried to find the owner of this voice, run to it, but was never able to find the way, once again being consumed by nightmares of unspeakable natures, pulling her back into the darkness.

Anck-su-namun awoke with a start, her eyelids flying open, releasing her from the seemingly endless dreams. She could feel her heart pounding loudly within her chest, causing a rush of adrenaline to course through her veins. Instantly, her eyes darted fearfully around the room, trying to figure out where she was and slowly things became more clear to her.

It was her room. She could feel herself in her bed, the cool, silk sheets against her body, covering her; her head lain down upon a soft pillow. Nothing from her nightmares were present. She was safe. Seti was gone…at least for now, but the thought of him ever returning to her filled her with immense dread. At least for now she was free, and her dreams were over.

Anck-su-namun let loose a long, deep breath and closed her eyes. Thank the gods. Now if only she could stay safe like this forever…

She breathed deeply once again as the warm sunlight cascaded through her balcony, filling her room with light, as well as the rest of the palace, making it seem less foreboding and dark, as it had in the moon's pale light. The moon…when it came again after the course of seven days, she would have to return to him…and be in his vile grasp once again, her time of recovery over...

Anck-su-namun closed her eyes and fought back the visions beginning to seep in, for if they got a hold of her, they would surely stay. She had a week, for now it was just best for her to keep herself preoccupied of her coming fate. In the meantime she had other things to take care of. She had to prepare for the day.

As soon as she tried to sit up; however, an unbearable sharp pain pierced through her stomach and legs, shooting through her like shards of ice. They shot up to her chest and all throughout her body, making it nearly impossible to breathe. She froze, her body instantly giving way and falling back down toward the bed, racked with excruciating pains, her face grimacing and tears forming in her eyes. She had never felt, nor imagined anything of the sort in her life and definitely had not expected such a reaction from a mere attempt at sitting up. Seti had obviously done more damage to her than she had thought.

Hands immediately reached out to her and took her head into their grasp, cradling it in their palms ever so gently as they eased her head back down towards her pillow. Anck-su-namun's heart nearly leapt from her chest at the unexpected contact. Who was touching her? She had seen, nor heard no one in her chambers. Her mind raced.

"You must rest," said an all too familiar voice, quite soothingly. Anck-su-namun's heart skipped another beat at the sound of it and immediately turned her eyes to her bedside.

Knelt beside her was Imhotep with a very concerned expression upon his sweet face as he carefully placed her head back down unto her pillow.

Anck-su-namun found herself too far stunned to do or say anything in protest to his order of lying still. She was happy to see him, but was completely shocked by such a thing. It was the last thing that she had expected. All she could do was watch as he tended to her, carefully moving his hands down to lift the sheets back up over her, but as he did this, Anck-su-namun noticed something else and let loose a loud gasp, which simultaneously caused Imhotep to freeze in his actions. What she saw was certainly even more most unexpected.

She was clothed, somehow placed into her white nightgown. Instantly her mind whirled for an explanation. How could this be? She could not remember dressing herself; in fact, she could not remember much of anything now that she thought about it. Only a few memories seemed accessible to her, coming to her in only tiny flashes as she struggled to quickly piece them all together. What had happened?

Staring down at herself, unable to look away, she studied everything before her more and more and what she discovered next nearly sent her for a loop.

Her wounds had all been tended to, the blood completely wiped away without trace. Her eyes widened at the mysterious sight as she continued to ponder everything, trying to take it all in, to make sense of it, which seemed utterly impossible at this time.

Had he done this? If so, why? Questions began to fill her mind as she started to come to her senses a bit more about the whole situation. What had possessed him do such a thing and why was here in her room? Did he not know the severity of being near her like this? Surely he would get himself killed for such an act. If someone were to find out-

Anck-su-namun darted her eyes back to him, pale with apprehension from all that swirled through her mind.

"Are you mad? What are you doing here?" she cried, feeling herself turn even paler with worry as she looked into his eyes. They could both be killed for this. How long had he been here? He looked so tired, as if he had not slept at all…through the night...

Anck-su-namun suddenly felt her stomach fill with dread at this. If he had taken care of her, tended to her wounds, been there the whole night, everything…then that meant that he had had to touch her…

The second Imhotep witnessed Anck-su-namun's reaction to him being there, the feeling that he had done her some wrong quickly seeped in. Perhaps he had been mistaken in thinking that she would feel more at ease upon knowing that he had watched over her while she had slept? His heart sank at this likelihood. He had never wanted to cause her any grief.

Many times he had thought about leaving, fearing for this response if she were to awaken, but every time he had even tried to turn away from her, he had found himself once again returned to her bedside; leaving her had not been an option and he could remember the entire night so clearly…

The halls had remained empty and silent in the minutes that followed Anck-su-namun's loss of consciousness, allowing Imhotep to pass through without worry of any unwanted encounters on the way to her chambers.

Upon arriving, he had washed and cleaned the numerous cuts marred upon Anck-su-namun's naked body, running a dampened cloth along them as lightly as he could, erasing any traces of blood, which Seti had so generously bestowed. He had even rubbed warm oils upon the bruises and muscles, meant for making the body to relax and easing its aches, in hopes of causing her to lie still so that she may give her body some time for recovery.

Upon her wounds, he had applied special medicines to each and every one, not leaving a single scrape untouched. He refused to leave any for infection, in fact, he had used several medicines, potions, and herbs to heal her, the best that he had; nothing was too good when it came to Anck-su-namun.

Out of these, some were used in an attempt to reduce her relentless nightmares and constantly, fluctuating fever. He had prayed for them to be enough to make her rest, even for a minute, but none had seemed efficient enough to do any good and he had often cursed to the Heavens that they had failed him when he had needed them the most.

Upon finishing with the care to Anck-su-namun's injuries as best he could, Imhotep had found a white, silk nightgown resting upon one of her many pillows. Carefully, he had taken it into his hands and prepared to dress her. He had felt awkward about it at first; quite unsure of how to best go about such a thing, as he had never dressed anyone in his entire life, but he had wanted to make her as comfortable as he could and so he had decided to proceed.

After coming up with a quick plan for how to perform such a task, Imhotep had carefully slipped the gown onto Anck-su-namun, being mindful of all her injuries as he had done so. He had found himself almost too afraid to touch her, for chance of hurting her even more and never had he trembled so in his life.

Once he had finally gotten the gown on, he had tucked Anck-su-namun into bed. Making sure that the sheets were all the way up to her chin, to keep out any cold air. She had been shaking so much earlier that he had feared for her health, for there was a good chance she may have become ill, and so, Imhotep had sat himself beside his love upon a settee, so that he would be near should she need him.

It had been a long and torturous night, without giving Imhotep a moment's rest from any of it. He had watched Anck-su-namun to no end, always at her side, tending to her, wanting to do anything in his power to help the one that he loved so dearly. Nearly watching the agony racked across her beautiful face had caused him sufferings beyond imagination. He had almost not been able to believe the amount of fear, with which she held upon it.

Trying to envision the kinds of nightmares and feelings that Anck-su-namun had been living had proved absolutely overwhelming, causing him several times to pray to the gods that they would grant him the ability to take such atrocious and abhorrent dreams from his love, even at the cost of keeping them for himself for all time; nothing else had mattered at that point and he had felt so powerless throughout the whole ordeal.

Anck-su-namun's head had rapidly moved from side to side as she had somehow, amazingly, remained in a deep sleep, even while kicking her legs about wildly as if she were being attacked at various intervals. Little whimpers and cries had also escaped from her mouth and she would often mumble incoherently into the night; her cries only growing more and more as the time had passed, proving that the remedies, which Imhotep had used on her, were becoming even less effective.

In a desperate attempt to try to nullify her cries and to aid the medications, Imhotep had done his best to make sure that Anck-su-namun knew in some way that he was near her. Several times he had found himself leaning close to her ear, stroking the top of her head, pushing her bangs away from her sweet forehead, and whispering to her that she was safe, he was with her, and that she need not be afraid. Once he had even caught himself placing a kiss to her forehead when he could think of nothing else to do.

As dawn had approached, Imhotep had begun to realize many things about himself and the current situation. The number one thing being that he had not been able to tear himself away from Anck-su-namun. He had had to know at all times if she was alright; afraid to leave for even a second, even at the risk of being caught. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do to protect her that was within reach of his powers; she was more important to him than his own life. Being by her side for so long had only made him see it so much more.

He had never cared for anyone or anything as much as he did her. When he was near her he suddenly felt as if he had found some missing piece of himself, something that finally filled some empty void within him. He had felt that his world was finally alive, his heart awakened for the first time in his life. What he had been searching for, that unknown cause of his restlessness, had been found in Anck-su-namun…and he was beginning to wonder if his heart had been trying to tell him to find her all along...

Imhotep snapped back to reality, ending his reminiscing as a painful realization came through. He may have found what his heart had been searching for and what could finally made him complete, but the reality of everything only filled him with a new pain, one that was almost unbearable: He could not hold onto what he had found…

Having Anck-su-namun before him and being unable to reveal his true feelings for her, was about the most painful sensation he had ever experienced, which seemed to be a running trend as of late. How could something he loved so much, cause him so much pain? And if he loved it so, why couldn't it be? It angered him to no end that he could not be with her; drove him mad. He wanted nothing more than to hold her, and love her, but she was Seti's…Seti, that vile serpent of the underworld…

Imhotep closed his eyes for a moment, looking away from Anck-su-namun. He did not wish for her to see his rage for the Pharaoh in his eyes. He calmed himself to rid of the malicious thoughts that were beginning to overpower him.

Anck-su-namun only stared at Imhotep, plagued with uneasiness. What exactly had he done? Her mind began to flood with ideas of what may have happened, causing her anxiety to build. True she felt better, her muscles feeling more relaxed, her cuts no longer burning, but she could not help but wonder; the previous night seemed to had robbed her of all her ability to trust. She felt so unjust, robbed of the person she use to be. Was she losing her mind? She searched herself for some rationality in all that was happening. Looking down at herself once again made her find one.

Imhotep had dressed her. He had not left her in what she had been in the previous night; her torn and tattered robes. He had actually taken the time to dress her, and not only that, he had even tucked her into her own bed. He had truly had cared for her…not hurt her…She instantly felt herself relax at this, but at the same time, she went into a state of awe.

Whatever had made this man care for her? The answer to this question eluded her at all costs. She wasn't anybody important, or special, she was Anck-su-namun, a concubine to a lecherous snake who ruled over Egypt by an evil twist of fate.

She studied his face, his eyes, everything. Even now he seemed so caring towards her, just as he had been from the very start and every time it only seemed to grow…She could feel her earlier worry about him returning to her as he finally answered her question.

"You needed medical attention…" he responded slowly, moving his eyes nervously away from hers every now and then, "I took it upon myself to care for you…I did not wish…to leave you…" he finished softly, feeling himself beginning to be drawn into her eyes, but quickly broke away. He cleared his throat and added to his explanation in order to hopefully hide his feelings, "in the care of another…Are you feeling better?"

Anck-su-namun remained silent for the longest while, studying his face. "Yes… Thank you…" she whispered, looking at him quizzically as he pulled the sheets up over her once again with a tiny, modest grin. She noticed he seemed to be doing his best to avoid direct eye contact with her. Somehow she felt that he was trying to hide something and she began to feel a little uneasy once again.

Her mind began to wander back to the night before. How had she gotten back here anyway? The last thing that she remembered was being in the halls…with Imhotep… He had been holding her…Anck-su-namun felt her heart skip many beats at this thought, but she pushed it away as hard and as quickly as she could. The mere feelings that she got from him at times frightened her.

Instead, she tried to think back to what had happened after all that, how she had returned to her room. Little bits and pieces of her memory began to come back into her mind. They seemed fuzzy at first, but she fought to pull them through. The last thing that she could remember was a noise…Yes, she had heard a noise in the halls, Imhotep had walked away, and then… blackness… There was no more after that.

Anck-su-namun's eyes widened at the darkness that she saw in her mind, and she immediately tried to sit up in a panic, but was caught again by Imhotep, who gently pushed her back down.

"Please…do not move so," he pleaded into her eyes, his face close to hers. He did not wish for her to have a relapse of the night before, not when she had just come back to him. She was weak and needed to stay completely still if she hoped to recover anytime soon.

"What happened last night? How is it I came back to my chambers? I remember hearing a noise! What was it? Please! Please tell me that no one was near! That no one saw us!" she begged, her fists tightening around the silk sheets within her hands.

Imhotep smiled and lifted his hand to gently stroke her face. At first, Anck-su-namun jumped from his touch, but the gentleness at which he did it, quickly soothed her and she found her eyes closing from the feel, her breath slowing.

"Shh… Do not worry so. You lost consciousness and so I carried you back here. I assure you that no one knows of anything. There is nothing for you, nor I to fear…" he reassured her lovingly, seeing as how she was beginning to become worked up once again. He wanted to calm her, let her know that nothing was wrong, even though he himself felt that the sound last night was not as unimportant as he had just told her.

No matter, he would deal with it later. She needed him right now. That was all that mattered. He was just glad that she was finally awake! It had driven him mad sitting in wait for her to wake up, wanting to know that she was alright, to hear her sweet voice and see her beautiful smile once again that so barely showed, but always melted his heart.

Slowly, she lifted her hand, taking his in hers and looked into his eyes. "Thank you…" she whispered, squeezing his hand tightly, covering it now with her second, "Imhotep…"

Imhotep's heart nearly leapt out of his chest from her unexpected touch. She was no longer afraid of him…He was thrilled beyond words. His eyes gazed back into hers and he smiled from her words. They were usually so few, but he loved every one, especially when it was his name. The way she said it just entranced his very soul.

In the meantime, Anck-su-namun felt herself still holding her breath from his response. That was the sweetest, most kindest thing anyone had ever done for her. Everything he had done was. Anyone else would have surely left her to die or fend for herself, obeying the law that she was to remain untouched…but Imhotep had not…He had done just the opposite, broken it and not cared, except for her, and he was still here to show it. He was unlike any other…

In her mind, played his voice, repeating to her that there was nothing to fear, instantly draining her worries in the constant flow, her eyes closing. For once she felt that everything would be okay, that maybe her life would get better. A tranquil and protective feeling washed over her, but then suddenly something struck her. A realization sunk in.

The voice; Imhotep's voice… It was the one…the one that had been calling to her in her dreams. Imhotep had been trying to reach her while she had slept, the entire night… A lump formed in her throat at this. She did not know what to say, the whole thing was just so unbelievable. She opened her eyes, her gaze directly falling to him.

Imhotep paused, smiling at her, still remaining close to her face. Her gaze captivated him. He could feel her breath upon his lips as he hovered close to hers, making his tingle. He remained still, not moving any closer or further; he just looked at her. He still almost could not believe it, she was awake and seemed to have recovered quite a bit in such a short amount of time. He unknowingly continued to stroke her soft cheek and a joy filled his entire heart as their hands remained together.

Imhotep was so close, just inches from her and Anck-su-namun knew why. Her earlier worry about him was now confirmed. He loved her. Why else would he be doing what he was? She could even see it in his eyes. It was unmistakable.

In her heart she felt a warmth beginning from the very core. It tingled and rippled in her chest, then finally spread throughout her entire body. She trembled as it filled her, her eyes filling with tears. Someone loved her and not just anybody, Imhotep loved her…This fact not only made her happy, but caused worries and fears of unimaginable sizes to set in, frustrating and frightening her, but yet she could not pull away from him, nor did she want him to pull away from her. She was so mixed with inner turmoil about what to do and how to feel that she wanted to cry.

Gradually her face became hot and her heart beat increased by his gentle caresses of her face, beginning to send her into a peaceful trance. Moment by moment, she became pulled more into his deep gaze. His eyes filled her very heart with a glow she could not describe, one she had never felt before; they were so deep, so intense, so beautiful… she forgot all else when she was in them…

Imhotep suddenly blinked, realizing at last how dangerously close to her he was. By the eye of Re! I have done it again! he cursed. He quickly pulled himself back, hoping that he had not already caused her to be uncomfortable from such gazes he given to her. Had he stayed any longer, he would have surely done some stupid act. He had felt himself longing to kiss her once again upon her lips. By the Gods! He had to get a hold of himself; otherwise she would no doubt discover his love for her.

Anck-su-namun swallowed nervously and turned her gaze away from Imhotep to hide her coming tears. What had that all been about? She had been pulled into his gaze before, but never like that. Her stomach instantly turned with fear and she shook her head, blocking out all explanations. If the reason was what she thought, she did not want to know it; did not want to think it! The tears that had been building in her eyes finally released and streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably and she immediately lifted her hands to her face in order to hide herself from him.

Imhotep looked at her, riddled with guilt. What have I done? How could I have let myself do such a thing? he cursed again. He should not have leaned as close to her as he had. He had made a stupid mistake in doing so and now Anck-su-namun was in tears and all because if his selfish heart. Is there nothing I can do right by her?"

He worriedly lifted his hands out to hers to gently pull them away, but Anck-su-namun forcefully pulled back from him, jerking free with an angry sounding cry and he immediately let her go. He would let her do what she wished; he was not like Seti.

"Anck-su-namun, please tell me what is the matter!" he begged, wishing her to look at him, his heart wrenching, but Anck-su-namun only seemed to cry harder at this request. Imhotep instinctively pulled her to him as gently as he could from her laying position, to hold her against him, while he tried to get her to face him with his other hand, but she still would not allow him and he wanted to cry along with her in frustration.

"Tell me please!" he pleaded again. She whimpered through her hands and gagged a little, still seeming like she wanted to hide it, but yet wanted to get it out. He could tell she was struggling with the answer and he wished more than anything that she would tell him so that he could fix it.

"I-I…" she started to stutter, but only broke off into more tears.

Imhotep leaned closer to her in desperation, brushing the hair away from her covered face. "You what?" he asked, very concerned, his pulse racing. By the Gods! What is the matter? he demanded in his mind. This is all my fault!

"I-I think I-" she cut off and rapidly shook her head and sobbed with more intensity. "I-I cannot! I am sorry!" she cried through her hands.

"Sorry?" he asked, totally taken aback. What had she wanted to tell him? What was she holding back?

"I-I did not mean to cause you so much trouble last night and to worry you so…" she lied, hiding what was growing in her heart, "I-I…"

Imhotep reached out and gently touched her hands, causing Anck-su-namun to freeze and stop her apologies. He could not understand why she was sorry, but knew she was lying about something and it pained him that she did so. It made him yearn to tell her even more.

Anck-su-namun finally allowed him to lower her hands, but she cast her eyes down toward her covered legs, tears trickling down her face and causing it to glisten in the morning's light. She could not look at him. His lips parted and he began to speak, losing control over himself in his desire to help her.

"Anck-su-namun…I-"

Before either could say anymore, the door to Anck-su-namun's chambers suddenly began to open. Both of their heads shot to the doorway in sheer panic and Imhotep leapt up from Anck-su-namun to make some distance between them just as a Med-jai warrior stepped into the room, one which Anck-su-namun recognized as the protector of Princess Nefertiri.

She held her breath, her body feeling numb with fear, except for her pounding heart. What would happen next could mean the end or the rest of her life and she prayed that this man would not be as vengeful as the one he guarded. Please let him not suspect anything, she pleaded to any god that would listen, if they did indeed exist. After last night, she was no longer so sure and she clutched tightly to the sheets, which wrapped around her, shrinking back into her bed.

Imhotep seemed much calmer than he had a moment ago about the whole thing, as not an emotion showed upon his entire face and he stood tall with a confident and powerful air, captivating Anck-su-namun for some mysterious reason as she gazed upon him, beginning to wish she could possess such an ability herself, to mask out everything, to keep her own secrets safe within her.

As she watched, she longed to know what was going on behind those eyes of his; his entire look gave him a mystery, which drew her in more and more and she knew now that she should not worry. He would protect her. He would keep his word, like all his others.

Imhotep looked to the med-jai, as if waiting for him to speak. In his mind he tried to decipher just what his friend's intensions were. He thought back to the sound the previous night in the halls and his anger rose. He cursed himself for being so careless. He should have investigated everything, by now it could be too late. Why? Why had he been so stupid? If they had indeed been seen, then this encounter would not be so pleasant and his friend would not just be giving him an angry warning. It seemed he had lost his senses along with his heart.

Asim had at least cut him off before he had poured his heart out, Anck-su-namun may still be safe, but if she was not, he would never forgive himself.

Asim remained silent in the passing moments, looking from Imhotep to Anck-su-namun suspiciously. He could have sworn he had seen his friend holding her once again. The situation seemed more complicated than he had first thought. He took a deep breath, why did this have to happen?

Anck-su-namun began to not feel so well in the passing seconds. The silence was driving her mad. What if this was beyond Imhotep's control to protect her as he had promised? They would both be dead…She fought back the pains she was getting in her chest from her overpowering fear as the color began to leave her face. Please let everything be alright! Let Imhotep get us out of this!

At that moment, the Med-jai's eyes settled upon the High Priest. He looked at him sternly, as if giving a warning with his eyes and spoke.

"We must speak…" said Asim in a way, which gave Anck-su-namun chills to her very soul. He knows, she thought with dread.

"Very well…," nodded Imhotep, "I will meet you beyond the doors…" he replied impassively. Asim only hardened his gaze, but nodded in acceptance and exited the room as Imhotep turned to retrieve his robes from the settee. He brought his eyes up to Anck-su-namun's.

"You have my word I will protect you…You have nothing to fear," he whispered to her as he was bending to pick it up. She nodded nervously back to him, still not so sure, tears in her eyes.

"I will return when I can and we may speak so more, if you wish."

"I would like that very much," she whispered, barely audible.

Imhotep smiled softly, his heart reveling in her answer. How he wished he could stay longer. He felt he was leaving a part of himself. He prayed that he would still see her again, for all he knew, this could be the last time and that thought made his heart break.

"If you wish to speak with me sooner, you know where to find me. I am most always at the temples," he said quietly.

"I am sure I will be fine, but I will send for you if need be…" she answered, "Thank you…"

Imhotep grinned at her with sadness in his eyes and started to lift his fingertips toward her cheek to caress her soft skin one last time, to remember her, he just could not help it, but stopped midway.

"Forgive me…" he whispered and stood up, wrapping his robe around him before he told her. "I must leave and straighten this out, but everything will be alright, Anck-su-namun…I promise you…"

He gazed upon her one last time and then turned for the double doors. Anck-su-namun watched him walk the whole way until he had exited the room and a feeling of emptiness washed over her. She was alone…but the sound of him saying her name rang in her mind.

"Imhotep…" she breathed as a tear rolled past her cheek and she pulled the covers up to her chin. Tears filled her eyes, expressing her sorrow. He had been gone nearly two seconds and yet she missed him already. She had never realized how alone she actually was until now. For the first time someone had reached her, connected with her and she longed for his return…If that were possible…All she could do was pray…

Outside the doors, Imhotep and Asim stood. The halls were empty as Anck-su-namun was on the far side of the palace meant for only Seti's concubines. The two of them were silent for the longest while, as neither knew what to say, but both knew what was coming no matter who spoke first. Asim finally broke the silence, bringing forth what they did not to be said.

"Imhotep, I know what happened last night," said Asim slowly with sadness and worry in his eyes. He had no idea what to do about this.

"I do not know what you mean," replied Imhotep, looking his friend in the eyes and playing dumb. Asim shook his head in amazement. He had figured that Imhotep would try avoid the subject.

"I saw you and the pharaoh's new mistress in the corridors last night, you cannot deny it…I saw it all…My Friend." He went silent, watching for Imhotep's reaction, but his look remained empty, emotionless, even at this.

Imhotep searched his thoughts for what to do. He was a bit relieved by the fact it had only been Asim that had caught them, but he still could not risk revealing his love, not even to his dearest friend. He had to think of how to handle this, convince Asim that last night had been nothing, but he felt that that task would prove more difficult.

Asim looked at Imhotep in concern, trying to figure him out. He had to know. It had certainly seemed as though his friend had fallen in love, but he had to find out for himself, be absolutely certain. After that, the trick would be to find out just what had happened between the two of them…He prayed that Imhotep had not done anything he would regret, he would hate to see anything happen to him, especially over one of Seti's.

"You love her do you not?" he asked, breaking Imhotep's thoughts.

Imhotep's eyes nearly bugged at this and his jaw dropped, as his arms shot to his sides in pretend shock, a scoff escaping his lips.

"LOVE? My dear, Asim, have you lost your mind?"

Asim only shook his head and gave a stern look, even while a smirk was held across his face, "Do not play dumb with me, My Friend. I have known you far too long to know when you are lying. What I saw last night was surely love. You have fallen in love with one of Seti's whores and you cannot try to tell me otherwise!"

"Asim, you could not be farther from the truth! She was hurt and needed my help. It is my duty as a priest to do such things."

"I do not think that when the gods gave out the duties for the priesthood that they did included holding and touching one as you did in those halls, especially one that is forbidden! Had I not knocked over that planter last night when I had, you would have surely kissed that little wench!"

Fury shot through Imhotep at a level he could almost not contain and he forcefully grabbed Asim by the shoulders, shoving him up against the wall and holding him by the throat. He was furious, burning. He had never before laid a hand on anyone in anger, especially his dearest friend. His mind was whirling with rage, nearly out of control. How could he call her such a thing? All his anger and frustration from the night before and the fact that he could not be with Anck-su-namun came flooding out at abnormal rates. He could not take it anymore. He would show him once and for all he did not love her, he had to protect her and he would teach his friend a lesson in the process.

He brought his face close to Asim's and glared into his eyes menacingly, his eyes like daggers, piercing the soul, every rational thought was gone from his mind.

"If you knew you me as you say you do, My Friend, then you should know that I would not betray my king, nor the gods for some lowly whore of Thebes, especially one belonging to our pharaoh! I think it best you learn to decipher compassion from love, you have been with Nefertiri far too long! It is obvious that the neglecting of your duties has taken its toll!"

Imhotep pulled Asim away from the wall and then shoved him back against it as hard as he could, causing a crack to form in the stone. He growled in vehemence and released his grasp upon his throat, turning with blazing eyes, he walked off down the halls before he did anything else, cringing that he had had to say such things about Anck-su-namun, but it had been the only way to show his friend and he hated himself for it.

Asim was left holding his neck, sliding to the floor, coughing and gasping for the air, which he had been robbed of him. Perhaps he had been mistaken?

Unknown to Imhotep and Asim, the doors to Anck-su-namun's chambers had not closed all the way and she had heard the entire conversation down to each horrifying last drop.

She lay in her bed, sobbing even harder than she had even the night before, her heart aching beyond anything humanly imaginable, and she wanted to be sick. Millions of questions with no answer filled her troubled mind.

How could he have said such things? Why? Last night he had said that she was not a whore and should not think herself as one, and now he was calling her that and worse and just when she had begun to trust him and even-

Anck-su-namun screamed and cried even more, her every despair flooding the room. Her other fear was now a reality, she had thought that she had blocked it out, stopped it from happening and that it had only been a fear of hers, but…it was too late, it had happened and she was scared to death. She had fallen in love with him, totally and completely. He had stolen her heart.

She looked down at her nightgown and touched her cheek where he had caressed it earlier as she cried. It just wasn't fair! Just when she had thought that he had loved her, truly cared, she hears him say such things! A lowly whore! Her heart wrenched, she felt like she was dying.

Oh how she wished that Anubis would strike her down right there, make all the pain vanish forever. Perhaps if she could feel nothing, be void of love and emotion of any sort, she would be free of all hurt and suffering, she would not have to fear Seti, and most importantly, she would not have to worry about placing Imhotep's life in danger. Yes, if she could feel nothing, then in some way she would be free…free of all this, this endless Hell.

"I-I hate my life!" she cried in between gasps for air and tiny coughs, becoming hysterical and unable to contain her cries at all. She was becoming dizzy from the intensity and her head throbbed.

How could she let herself do this? She had never wanted to fall in love, that was something not meant for her and she had accepted that long ago. So why did she let herself become attracted to a man like that, have feelings for, and let into her heart? She had only set herself up to get hurt. She should have known better than to think that someone would actually have a love for her. The world was a terrible place and nothing was ever what it seemed. If her own parents had not even wanted her, how could she have thought that Imhotep had? She hated herself for it. She was a fool and probably deserved it all. Yes, she deserved all she got for being so stupid!

Deep inside a part of her was trying to tell her that he may have said it to convince the guard, but it had sounded and felt so real that she found it nearly impossible to listen. How she wanted Imhotep to have lied to him; wanted to be with him, but there were so many conflicting emotions within her that she also did not and she was terrified by them all beyond belief.

She let out an even louder cry and coughed from the severity, screaming from the physical pain that it caused her as she grabbed her stomach.

Oh why was her heart aching so for him to love her so when the rest of her was against it? Why couldn't she decide? It was her own self, her own decision, her mind, her will, why was the answer so hidden from her? Why couldn't she know what she wanted anymore? She hated Seti! She felt like ripping out her heart and screaming at it for an answer. What had happened to her? What did he really feel? What did she feel? She did not know anything anymore!

Anck-su-namun threw the blankets off of her as hard as she could and tried to tear the gown off that he had placed on her in a fit of hurt and rage. She was completely lost to everything, but it caused her so much physical pain that she could not get it off and fell against her pillow crying and holding her stomach.