Greed

the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of spiritual; also called avarice or covetousness.

The raucous celebration echoed throughout the stone hallways. Women, music, libation, and comradery awaited his presence. The guest of honor, Commander Richard, should be with them, joined in their revelry, but his mind and heart sought other temptations.

He slowly stepped into the empty room. Gilded by the gods, the throne gleamed before him in the moonlight, the cool night air easily passing over the balcony and into the exposed room. The sound of his steps echoed as he slowly approached it, gliding his fingertips on the golden armrest. He smiled, glancing around the empty room, he took a careful seat in his pharaoh's rightful place. His eyes closed in bliss.

He felt a nonexistent power surge through him. Though he was content with his position of commander, he couldn't help but wonder what it must be like to be bestowed with the power of a pharaoh. He could imagine the piles of treasure surrounding him, the sweetness of delicacies presented before him upon golden platters, and the fragrant perfumes of adoring women laying kisses at his feet. To live a pampered life of bliss would be paradise. He sighed contentedly.

"Enjoying yourself?"

His eyes shot open, searching in the dark for the familiar smooth voice that haunted him even in fantasies. It was her that he imagined at his side. His heart. His queen, Michonne.

She calmly stood at the doorway, appearing regally ethereal. She wore her white, sheer linen gown that caressed the curves of her full breasts and tiny waist. Her decorated black braids swayed with every move of her elegant neck. Her dark skin glistened under the moonlight, tempting his yearning lips.

A surge of desire overcame his senses. He wanted to take her in his arms and trace every mound and valley with his tongue. He wanted to hear his name pass through her supple lips as he filled her with his aching desire over and over again. His pharaoh's woman was something more he would gladly possess if he could. Though for the moment, he could do no more than arise from the throne with an over-gracious bow.

"Forgive me, my queen. Curiosity has provoked a bout of insolence in your humble subject."

"Insolent, indeed."

His eyes shot up at her knowingly. Though her face appeared unimpressed, her voice suggested otherwise.

She gazed at him distrustfully for a moment before tilting her head in curiosity. "Were you not enjoying yourself at your celebration?"

He eyed her carefully. He did not want to upset his queen yet he could not bring himself to lie to her. "I am appreciative to my pharaoh and queen for bestowing such an honor upon a meager servant such as myself."

She glided further into the room, nodding her head as she indifferently examined the shadows cast by the moon, shining against the columns of stone onto the floor. She paused when she was a few steps away and regarded him coolly. "That does not answer my question, Commander."

He swallowed thickly, forcing his hands into fists to prevent himself from reaching out to her. To hear her say his title was enough to provoke a shiver of need down his back. He wanted her. Now.

Calm yourself, he reprimanded himself. Though the tension was palpable, he could not risk her reputation. He could not defile her majesty. Though, if she were to desire him as he did her, he would gladly fall to his knees and beg to taste her.

He licked his dry lips, images of the places he would taste invading his mind.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight, my queen." He dared to look up at her, the passion in his eyes revealing his true feelings, his traitorous mouth speaking for his heart. "Though I must admit your presence has increased my pleasure immensely."

She gazed at him skeptically. Though his words flowed like honey, they had a bitter flavor. He was unsatisfied, focused upon that which he could never possess. She pointedly turned her gaze to the throne. "It appears the source of your pleasure lies upon the seat of my pharaoh's throne."

He tilted his head and stepped closer. "Does it?" He stared intensely, his eyes wandering down to her lips.

She carefully studied him. She understood his look of desire but was more concerned with his insatiability. Greater men before him had succumbed to their avarice only to fall from grace. She had no desire to see him fall. She narrowed her eyes. "Are you not satisfied with that which you have been given?"

"Are you truly concerned with my satisfaction, my queen?" He eyed her suggestively, daring to draw closer to her.

She pursed her lips, tilting her chin in offense. He was inebriated by thoughts of covetousness. He was of no mind to reason let alone listen. She turned to leave.

"Forgive me, my queen. I did not intend to offend you. Please, stay."

She stilled, refusing to resume his game of chase yet far from eager to retire to her chambers. Her clashing emotions warred within her until his voice, now closer than before, stirred her.

"My queen?"

His fingertips lightly grazed her bare arm. Shivers ran up her back, arousing a sharp inhale. Her eyelashes fluttered as she felt his fingers gently caress a trail down her arm. She turned her head to gaze upon his offending hand. Her breath quickened. Were she a weaker woman, she would succumb to the desire pooling in her loins. But she was not weak. She was a queen, a queen bestowed with a duty to her pharaoh and people. To yield to his covetousness would be an unforgiveable transgression.

The instant she felt his warm breath against her ear, she turned away brusquely. "Leave," she commanded, her breath shallow and quivering.

He stilled though his heart beat violently against his chest. She had given him a command yet he could not bring himself to follow her orders. Longing had clouded his mind. He desired her like no other woman. His nose gently prodded against her hair. He could not leave without an answer. He closed his eyes and huskily whispered, "Why?"

She swallowed thickly, turning to confront him. She raised her chin defiantly, fire in her eyes. No lowly subject had ever acted so insolently in her presence. "You have mistaken my charity for consent, Commander. I do not desire your corrupt caresses or false declarations of devotion. I am the queen of your pharaoh, I shall not lower myself to your unworthy level. We are not equals and I am not yours to take. Leave at once or you shall not live to see the dawn."

Though her reprimand had nearly pushed his desire beyond reason, he managed to restrain his urges. He searched her eyes one final time before bowing his head in assent. He silently abandoned his infuriated queen before she followed through with her threat.

As he made his way back to his celebration, his body shook with restrained laughter. Their brief interaction had sealed his fate. He made himself a vow. He would have his pharaoh's power and riches but, most importantly, he would have his queen.

Aaaand I'm back!

Sorry about the hiatus, real life got in the way. But I hope you enjoyed the update!

This chapter was a mix of greed and lust, I didn't intend for it to be that way but we're talking Richonne here. I'm learning quickly that lust is not optional. :)

I wanted to try out an Egyptian royalty kind of a vibe. I imagine Michonne would be a perfect queen and Rick would be the rebellious subject in that kind of scenario. Hopefully, that came across in this story.

I'm currently working on sloth (amongst other updates) so hopefully that'll be up soon. But in the meantime, let me know what you thought!

Your hard-at-work writer,

semul