Transcending Memories – 005
Tea heard as the pharaoh's voice carried down through the corridor causing her to come to a stop in the middle of the corridor. She wanted to turn to him and run into his arms, accepting everything he said. However, even she knew that wasn't possible. She truly didn't know how long she would be in Ancient Egypt, and she felt that it was wrong. She wouldn't cause any trouble for the plans already set-in motion.
The young dancer took one step forward, setting herself to run once more, just as the pharaoh yell out once more, "Guards. Stop her."
Tea watched as four guards began to surround her. Shaking her head, the young dancer pushed against the guards and continued to run. She could hear Atem yelling down the corridor at her, but she didn't take a chance to slow down. She ran around servants, other guards moving to different stations. She grabbed against columns using the energy to spin her in a different direction.
At the front gate, she watched as guards walked in. She quickly shoved through them, making her way outside the palace. Tea didn't stop. She continued to run down the village streets. She heard as horses echoed outside the palace gate. Tea didn't stop to look behind her. She disappeared between buildings noticing the edge of the town and the open desert.
Quickly, she pushed forward, hoping to make it out of the village and on her way. Tears were pooling within her azure eyes and splashing behind her. She didn't watch where she was going when an arm latched around her waist, pulling her up and over the body of a horse.
Tea tried pushing against whoever had her, but she heard his voice as another set of arms pulled her from one horse to the other. "Take her to my chambers, and do not allow her to escape," said the pharaoh as he watched as one of the guards transferred her from his horse.
Tea tried turning against the guard, but he wrapped his arms tightly around her. When they arrived at the royal chambers, she was pushed into the room with the door closed shut. Tea didn't understand what was happening. She was not someone important. Atem needed to focus on the political marriage between the two kingdoms, not a random dancer who got lost in time.
Tea began pacing back and forth within the room. She watched as the sun began to set within the horizon. Once, twice she thought she heard the door open, only to hear the switch of the guards. After her fifth or sixth pass of the chamber's door, she saw it open. A young woman dressed almost like the Dark Magician Girl walked in.
"I thought Isis said a new girl had arrived at the palace. Do you remember me?" she asked as she walked up to Tea, a huge smile across her face.
Tea looked her over before recalling one name, "I believe your name is Mana. Am I right?"
"Yes, and you are Tea, but how did you arrive in Egypt?" asked the young woman. Tea remembered her as a young child, but now she looked almost like a young adult.
"I actually don't know, to be honest. I was found in one of the far villages and brought to perform in front of the pharaoh. Priest Seto chose me as a member of the Royal Harem."
Mana laughed, "Wow, I am sure the pharaoh wasn't very happy about that. He told everyone on how Zorc was defeated. For almost a whole year, he didn't do much. We could tell he was missing his friends, but also someone really close to him."
Tea sighed deeply as she glanced around the chamber, "What about Lady Ebonee? Isn't she supposed to be his intend?"
Mana rolled her head left than right with a shrug of her shoulders. "Yes and no. Their marriage was to strengthen the two kingdoms. However, I do not believe either of them want to go through with it."
Tea moved to sit down within one of the many chairs. "He seemed pretty happy with her when I saw them together."
"Oh, he makes her happy with the small conversations they have, but there is no romance between them."
The topic regarding the neighboring princess was easily stopped, and both Mana and Tea began to enjoy the company, talking about many other things. Most of the conversation was about the magic that Mana had been learning. She was in training to become the next owner of the Millennium Eye. By time the conversation grew quiet, servants had entered the room, lighting the small candles placed through the room.
"Curious question, but why are you in the pharaoh's royal chambers?" asked Mana as she curiously looked around.
Tea shook her head, "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Well, if you need a place, come with me. We can share rooms."
"I appreciate that, but I am truly trying to leave the palace. Even if the marriage is a political one, I cannot stay around and cause any issues. It would be wrong," spoke the young dancer.
"I don't see what you could cause, but if you are needing a way out of the palace, I might be able to help you with that," replied Mana as she smiled towards the young brunette.
"She won't be going anywhere," spoke a deep, baritone voice from behind the young women as they sat upon the chairs situated near a small table. "Mana, leave now."
Both women gasped sharply as Mana jumped quickly from her seat and bowed before quickly running out of the room, shutting the door with a loud click. Tea knew who was in the room with her. Hard not to guess, especially since she was in his chambers.
Tea stood from the chair and turned around. Atem stood with his arms crossed over his chest. The long cloak that he usually wore sat laying over one of the extra chairs. She also noticed that the puzzle was sitting there, also.
"This isn't right," commented Tea dryly. "I should be trying to figure a way home so that I don't cause any issues."
Atem took a step forward before reaching out for the young woman. His grip was tight upon her arms as he stared into her azure eyes. "You are not going anywhere, understood. Lady Ebonee and I both agreed to end the relationship. It was for political reasons, nothing more."
Tea shook her head and tried pushing herself out of the arms of the pharaoh, but he held her tighter, pulling her against his chest. "Atem, let me go. This isn't right. This is your future, not mine."
"Do you know if you can return home? Do you even want to return home?" He asked, eyes staring into her own, demanding her to deny what she was thinking or even feelings.
Tea dropped her eyes to stare at the ground before her, "Honestly, I have no idea. This is like a dream come true. I watched you disappear. My life was never the same since that day."
Atem raised his arm to wrap around the back of her neck, gripping the skin tightly. "Then stay. Don't leave me." Leaning forward, the young pharaoh grasped the lips of the young brunette before him. A short gasp escaped her lips, but soon her body was relaxing towards his.
He kissed with a passion that pulled at her heart. Memories of being with him through the difficulties and fun times raced through her mind. While the situation wasn't exactly how she planned it, being with him was the only thing she ever wanted. Atem wrapped his arms under her legs, lifting her from the floor. They never broke away as she wrapped her legs around him, allowing him to walk over to the huge bed and lay her gently down upon the soft materials.
When breathing became an issue, they separated to lean foreheads against each other, "I want you more than anything," spoke the pharaoh as he slowly gathered his breathing. "But, as pharaoh, I want to do this right."
"Please…." She begged as he placed soft kisses upon the side of her face to trail them down her neck.
"To hear you say that pushes even my limits." He quickly stole her breath away with another heated kiss, nibbling against her bottom lip before trailing over it with his tongue. "But I cannot take your virtue especially since I am pharaoh."
"What do you mean?" Tea watched as Atem rolled away to lay upon his back.
"If you will allow, I will court you. When we are wed, then nothing will stop us."
Tea sat up quickly and moved from the bed. She slowly started to walk away, tears beginning to burn within her eyes as she gently shook her head. "You are to wed the neighboring princess. This has to stop. I cannot interfere."
Atem growled before pushing off the bed. He reached for the young dancer's arm, forcing her to turn towards him. "Damn it, Tea. Stop fighting this. You know just as much as I know that we don't want this to end."
Tea ripped her arm from the pharaoh, "And, we don't even know how long I am here for. This could be a dream. I watched you leave. I saw your tomb. You are dead, Atem. This isn't real."
Tea walked away from the pharaoh. She slammed the door open causing guards to jump and quickly turn upon her. They saw within the room the anger radiating from the eyes of the pharaoh as the young brunette dancer continued walking away. One guard took a step forward, but a spear stopped him in place as that man glanced over his shoulder to their mighty ruler.
Atem was never one to push people, to bring harm to them, even if his limits were pushed. He breathed deeply through his nose as his fists hung at his side. His bangs covered his eyes which were a dark, deep violet. He watched as the young dancer took steps away from him, the pharaoh.
Atem shook his head. Who did she think she was, especially in this time period? He might have given her a title of nobility that allowed her some free roam, but that did not allow her to speak to him in such tone. Atem chuckled. What was he even thinking? That woman had a fiery spirit. She stood up to Seto Kaiba when even Yugi didn't understand who he was at the beginning. He knew even then that she was someone not to trifle with, but also one that he wanted as his own.
Clenching his fists even tighter, he felt his muscles tighten and relax as he took off at the young woman. Her voice was swallowed by the gasp as he grabbed her shoulder and shoved her roughly against the wall. The two guards quickly leaving the hallway.
Tea stared up into the dark eyes of the pharaoh. His grip upon her was tight as he shoved her against the wall. She tried moving away, but he pressed with his chest, forcing her legs to spread as he brought one leg in between. "You are in my time, Tea. No one, and I mean no one is given the rights to speak as such to me."
Tea scuffed as she turned her head away, "As if you would do anything dangerous to me. I know you."
"Maybe if I was still a spirit with the Millennium Puzzle, but not here. I am pharaoh of Egypt." His voice held bite as he spoke each word.
Tea rolled her eyes and shoved at the man forcing him to take a few steps back, "Oh my gosh, will you just give it a rest. I am leaving. Continue with your plans. This is your life, not mine."
Atem breathed deeply as his hands clenched tightly. He watched as Tea threw her arms into the air before turning away and walking once more. Once more, he had to close his eyes and breathe. This was Tea, but at the same time, he was pharaoh.
Tea continued walking away. She wanted to believe in everything. She wanted to know that this was real, that she was once again with the man she fell in love with. However, the thoughts of ruining a plan especially when she didn't know if this was real or not, that was something that didn't sit well with her. Even when Atem was still looking for his memories, she wanted him to stop. She didn't want him to continue on with his destiny. However, she knew that was something that couldn't be prevented, just as the wedding between to kingdoms shouldn't be stopped.
Tea was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice as the pharaoh marched towards her and shoved her roughly against the wall. His voice was teetering on darkness as he whispered in her ear, "You were wanting me earlier, but I was wanting to do it right. I can easily have your virtue removed. Push me any farther and you might wish hard enough that this isn't real." Atem stepped back allowing the young woman to fall to her knees. "Guards take her to her chambers. Have one guard remain with her along with two of her handmaidens. She is not to leave her chamber unless I come for her. Understood."
Tea tried voicing out to him, but one look within Atem's eyes told Tea that he was close from breaking any promise he held to himself. Slowly, she stood and began to follow the guards to the room that was assigned for her. She watched as Atem stood outside, arms crossed over his chest. It was the last thing she saw as the door was closed.