A/n. so here we are again, another chapter, and as ever this is the time to thank all you lovely people who review, as for those who don't, well I really don't have much to say to you do I now?

Toni Isis, lucky fannah so good to see you back. Angel 1411, Rosie bec, Mandi-solo, lilylnn oh you guys you do make me smile.

New peps as ever make me a very happy little bunny. so hello superstar54! Adele, I really would love to post quicker than once a week, but if I did I wouldn't have time enough to write. Lol.

Onwards ever onwards…

Chapter seven. - Dangerous behaviour.

The hall he stood in was so large that Menka almost had to squint to see the other side. On every surface that wasn't covered with opulent food or drink there were piles of golden presents, gifts in every shape and size. On every wall were dozens of flickering torches that lit the room and illuminated every painted hieroglyph, bringing them alive. The flames flickered off the jewels that adorned the hundreds of scantily clad guests, creating a thousand coloured eyes winking back at him, and yet even with all this to distract him, as well as the music that was playing, his eyes never left the one person he cared about.

Performing a Dance in the middle of the room, dressed in the most stunning gown he had ever seen, and surrounded by many admirers was the birthday girl; Nefertiri.

Suddenly a hush descended over the guests as Seti materialized. With the widest smile he bid his daughter come into his arms, and hugged her tightly. After a moment or two, he produced what was to be the first of his many presents to his daughter- a pure golden armband that was adorned with precious stones. Clearly pleased by the smile that appeared on his daughters face, Seti ordered the musicians to play on as he returned to his throne. Overwhelmed somewhat by the amount of attention that was on her, Nefertiri glanced around the room, looking for the one person who would make her feel safe. She knew he was there; she could feel him. Her heart quickened a little, however, when she was unable to find him.

Following her father back to his throne Nefertiri sat in her usual position, at a lower level on the right of her father. The pharaoh's presentation of his gift signalled the start of the gift giving ceremony.

Quickly moving forward, many noble families lay their gifts at her feet. Nefertiri accepted each of the presents with a smile, as she continued to look around. She was forced to pay attention, however, as her uncle appeared in front of her, carrying his own gift, and kneeled to offer it to her. Turning to her father to question whether to accept it, Nefertiri was unsurprised to see him nodding his approval. She greatly suspected that her father had picked her uncle to be her future husband, and although appalled by this she played along for now. Reaching forward to except the open gold box, which contained a rather large and ostentatious ruby necklace, she was surprised to feel her uncle's forefinger caress her hand. The forbidden touch sent chills through Nefertiri and she pulled away quickly. Realising his action might give her power over him at a later date, she didn't comment on her uncle's dangerous behaviour. Gritting her teeth, she masked her discomfort with an overly large smile.

Watching intently, Menka felt a familiar protectiveness rise up inside him as he witnessed the forbidden act. No one was allowed to touch the princess. Looking around quickly, he realised no one else had seen. His jealousy grew as he saw Nefertiri smile at her uncle, and not object- she was obviously pleased with his action. Looking away, Menka felt sick. He wanted to object but he knew he couldn't, and not for the first time he cursed his job.

As she snapped her head away from her uncle's gaze, Nefertiri's eyes finally lit on what she had been looking for.

Slowly Menka began to finger the small wooden box hidden in his robes. He also had a present for Nefertiri, although after having seen what she had received from others, he was having second thoughts about giving it to her.

Looking up at a sudden change in the music, Menka felt his heart jump into his throat; Nefertiri was no longer on the stage, in fact, she was nowhere to be seen. Panic set in as he scanned the room and couldn't find her.

The hand that landed on his shoulder made him jump, as did the soft one that clamped across his mouth and dragged him behind a curtain.

"Nefertiri," his whispered, half out of relief as her smiling face came into view. Quickly remembering his position, he lowered his eyes. "Is there something I can do for you, my princess?"

Nefertiri just laughed lightly and quietly; she wasn't any more keen on giving away her hiding place than Menka was. "Yes Menka, look at me."

Looking up, he smiled again. Menka was well aware that the princess allowed him many privileges in private, but he wasn't sure if she counted hiding behind a heavy curtain at her own birthday party as such.

"I wanted to see you," Nefertiri continued once she could finally look in his eyes. "I was lonely."

Menka restrained himself from gasping. How could she be lonely when she had been surrounded by so many people?

"You had your uncle," he answered, unable to drive the image of her and the man sharing an intimate moment.

Nefertiri laughed again, as she realised Menka must have witnessed the caress. "Him? He is no one- it was you I wanted."

"I…I have a present for you," Menka stuttered as he desperately tried to keep hold of his own impulses.

Nefertiri's heart leaped as he produced the wooden box. She knew that whatever was in it would be the most precious gift she would receive today. Reaching out with a shaking hand she took it from him and slowly began to open the lid, and as she finally saw her gift, her mouth fell open. She was speechless.

"I know it's not much," Menka apologised, immediately interpreting her reaction badly. "I just made it so..."

He didn't get to finish, as Nefertiri threw herself at his hard chest and held on tight.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. "It's beautiful."

Menka felt as if his heart stopped in his chest as he held the princess tight in a dangerous clinch. The box held a delicate gold chain, and from it hung a large sun pendant. Many wavy rays emanated out from the central disc, each one ending in a razor point. It was the emblem often used to represent the god Ra, the god that Menkaura's name paid homage to.

Only as a man's voice became louder and he neared the curtain did the pair pull apart from one another.

"Will you put it on for me?" She whispered after staring deeply into his eyes. She turned her back after he nodded a response.

Taking the chain out of its box, Menka reached around Nefertiri's slender neck and lay it against her skin as he fastened it. Trailing his fingertips across her bare shoulders, he felt her tremble under his touch.

"You never need to be lonely," he purred, his lips brushing her earlobe as he spoke. "I will always watch over you and keep you safe- as will this," he said, running his hand over her shoulder and down her chest until it covered the large pendant he had just hung there.

"I shall never take it off," she promised faithfully, and clasped her small hand over his.

Spinning her around in his arms Menka could resist no longer, and as the princess's back hit the wall he kissed her. Their lips burning a memory onto each other that would last a lifetime Finally allowing themselves to acknowledge the passion that ran through both of them. Time stood still and the world crumbled around them as the kissed deepened.

If this spells death, Menka realised, then let me die.

"Nefertiri!" A voice suddenly boomed around the hall, finally breaking the lovers' spell. "NEFERTIRI!"

Realising too late that the music had stopped, they froze in each other's arms, their eyes reflecting each others' fright. "Pharaoh," she whispered in realisation.

Moving quickly and in fear for his love, Menka spun away from the wall and pulled the princess around. "Go," he prompted and pushed her gently towards the curtain. "Go!"

Still shaking with the excitement of the passion she had just experienced, Nefertiri didn't move.

Sensing her incapability, Menka leant forward again and kissed her neck gently.

"I'm with you," he whispered into her ear, and then pushed her forcefully through the curtain.

Stumbling back into a world she did not want to be in, Nefertiri grabbed the pendant around her neck instinctively for comfort as hundreds of eyes turned to her. Forcing a smile onto her face, and elegance into her stance, she began towards her father.

Throbbing from head to foot, Menka held his breath, and only released it as the musicians began to play again.

XXX

Sitting up, Rick gasped for breath. He had been dreaming- again! Moving quickly, he grabbed the book that was sliding off his lap and placed it quietly on the desk that his head had been resting on. Looking around he realised he wasn't the only one who had fallen asleep; Evelyn lay hunched in her chair, her head resting on the couple of books she had last been working from. Crossing to her slowly so as not to wake her, Rick looked down and smiled. She looked so peaceful and so beautiful. None of the worries that plagued her waking hours showed on her face. Deciding not to wake her, Rick slid his arms around her and scooped her up into his arms. Gently he carried her to their bedroom.

Returning to the library after fighting the strong urge to lay with his beautiful wife, Rick finally noticed that dawn was breaking. Remembering Ardeth's promise to return, Rick once again left the study to unlatch the front door. He did not want Evelyn disturbed before she had to be. After returning again to the library, he sat in Evelyn's seat and began researching the distinctive necklace that he had seen in his dream.

An hour or so after he began, Rick looked up- he had heard something move. Listening intently now, he heard two sets of unrecognisable footsteps entering the library.

"I'm telling you now," Rick began without turning around, "you had better have good reason for being in my house."

A/n. ok so maybe not the chapter that everyone was expecting, but still one of my favourites so far anyway, What do you think? If you don't review, I don't know? It that simple. And you wouldn't want me to be all sad and not knowing now would you, would you?

Oh you would? Well that's just mean, I'm thinking I'm going to cry!

Until next time ;o) pp