'Quit being a coward.'
Naima had been standing behind the wooden door to her chamber for longer than she cared to admit, the uneasiness gnawing at her like some ravenous black hole. She could not bring herself to open the door and face this conversation she knew was waiting for her. But the rays of dawn were blind and deaf to her plea. A slit of yellow and orange had appeared on the horizon, and she swallowed her dread and forced her legs to walk to the hospital where Penthu sat so innocently. So blissfully unaware of the fact that his world would be turned upside down in a few short moments.
She took a step inside the hall, surreptitiously glancing toward Penthu's office.
There was a silent pause while they exchanged looks.
"You're leaving me." His voice boomed like a clap of thunder.
All of the color drained from her face. She stopped clear in her tracks.
"How— how did you know?"
Penthu's hard, silent stare could have slapped her across the face even from where she stood.
"The Pharaoh came to my chamber late last night and spoke with me." he muttered. "He plans to take you as his wife. And you will be the new Queen."
She took a step back, bewildered. Atem somehow already handled it. He must have done it while she slept last night. Naima sighed in relief internally, grateful for his foresight, but outwardly she cringed. Underneath Penthu's angry glare, there was such pain in his voice. Such disappointment.
".. Sorry." Naima offered quietly. It became difficult to stifle the feeling that perhaps she had led him on or lied to him somehow.
Penthu simply glared at her in silence and Naima shifted her weight uncomfortably. After a few tense moments, his shoulders slumped and he let out a heavy, defeated sigh.
"Come in here…" he mumbled, gesturing her over to her usual chair across from him.
Naima settled herself while he took a long drink from the goblet next to him.
"This is the Pharaoh's order. I did not have a choice in this matter." he said bitterly. He raised an eyebrow toward her, throwing a hand up in futile, exasperated frustration.
"This came out of nowhere."
"Um.…yeah, I guess."
Penthu's hard, sour stare was unrelenting.
"I had my suspicions and I heard the rumors about you two, but still I did not believe it." He swirled his goblet, glancing down at the dark liquid in it. "How wrong I was… You and the Pharaoh…"
Naima did not miss the subtle eye roll he threw her way.
"That did not take long I see…"
"I.. did not see this coming, Penthu." Naima said. "I would have told you sooner, and helped you find a replacement if I had known."
Penthu's eyes narrowed in that sharp, precise way of his, as if he was a snake honing in on its prey.
"You did not see it? Or you did not want to see it?"
Naima pursed her lips, readying herself. A pit of anxiety began roiling in her stomach.
"Is this what you want? To become Queen? You do not seem very excited about it." he barked. "Most girls your age would be ecstatic."
Naima shifted in her seat as he continued, "One thing you must stop, Naima, is that when something is not right, you ignore it and put your head in the sand while everything around you crumbles."
It was as if he had shot an arrow directly through her chest. She clenched her fist as she writhed in her seat.
"Penthu, it is not that." she asserted. Tears prickled behind her eyes. "I am okay with being the Queen."
His lips curled, knowing fully that he had her right where he wanted her.
"Oh, you are okay with it…." His sarcastic, mocking tone bit her in all of the most vulnerable places. "Not very convincing, Naima. Who are you trying to fool here? Stop lying to yourself."
Her temper was a simmering pot that had just boiled over. She smacked the arm of the chair in indignation.
"I'm not lying, god dammit…" she burst out.
Penthu bore his teeth. "Then what?!"
"To be the Queen…—" Naima began loudly. And then she stopped herself, softening. Fighting with Penthu would do her no good. She took a breath, willing the flames of her anger to subside.
"To be the Queen is much more responsibility than I had ever dreamed of having, and I fear that I will do a shit job, and make a fool out of myself, and out of Atem."
Penthu remained silent for once. She slumped back into her chair, her face in her hands.
"I want to do well. I want to do a good job. I want to be a good Queen to the people of Egypt… and to Atem. But I'm not sure that I can. And what if I can't… I will be known throughout history as a failure."
Something twinkled deep in Penthu's eyes. He continued to stare, assessing.
"Naima… you are too hard on yourself." he said eventually.
This was quite the statement coming from him. Naima raised an eyebrow and fought the urge to laugh.
Penthu sighed. The mood in the room appeared to have calmed once again.
"Perhaps this is my fault, since I know I have been very hard on you. I do not deny that. But it is only because I believe in you… and look at how far you've come." he said, pride brimming in his voice.
"I don't know what I will do now, without you. But, what I do know is this. That Egypt has gained a truly remarkable Queen."
Penthu sat back in his chair, a shrewd smile at the corners of his lips.
"The Pharaoh Atem is like his father in many ways. He is not stupid by any means. He knows what will benefit him, and what will not. Which means, Naima, that he has the uncanny ability to know exactly what he must do in any situation. He picked you for a reason, and I guarantee that it is not because you will look pretty sitting next to him."
Naima's cheeks became hot.
"You seem to think that you will somehow single-handedly destroy Egypt by your own ineptitude… I am here to tell you that that is ridiculous, Naima. Sure, you will make mistakes, but do not be afraid of failure. Allow yourself time, and be kind to yourself. You will learn, you will adjust.."
He leaned forward, fire blazing in his eyes.
"I want you to know that if there is anyone I would trust as my Queen, it is you. I implore you Naima. Trust yourself, and —" He raised an eyebrow, lowering his chin, as if he knew more than he let on. "Do not be afraid to be daring, to make ripples…."
The chair legs squeaked as Penthu stood up.
"Now… what I want you to do is keep your head held high, and become the Queen that you were meant to be… make your mother proud. You will be great."
-o0o-
"What will you give to the Pharaoh?"
That question, innocently posed by Eliyah, had been slowly and painfully needling at her over the last week. Naima was aware of the royal custom of an exchange of gifts, but she was embarrassed to admit how grossly unprepared she was. Each day she stared hopelessly at her own stash of money, a laughable paltry sum compared to the resources that Atem had at his disposal. Anything that she would purchase for him would look absolutely ridiculous.
Meanwhile, picking the right clothing for the occasion had been a welcome distraction. Piles and endless piles of dresses from nearby cities were sent to her to try on, and Eliyah had stuffed her into every single one of them until they had finally found the perfect one — a fitted white silk dress with a simple neckline and a long, gold-flecked, sheer overlay that would float behind her in a warm breeze. It was important that she look the part, she was told.
Because apparently, there would be a ceremony.
A ceremony.
She had never felt more like a villager than when she had balked at the mention of a wedding ceremony. A marriage in her own simple village bore no expectation of any sort of marriage ceremony or lavish gifts. People simply moved in together. It was simple and practical.
But this was royalty. She was royalty. Or least, she will be.
Eliyah had informed her that typically a royal wedding ceremony and celebration would be absolutely enormous, with preparations spanning several months and foreign dignitaries from all over the world in attendance. But, considering the current climate, Mahad had suggested a small, discreet ceremony with only a few select guests, and Atem agreed that it would be best.
Despite this, there was no expense that was spared for such an occasion. Jewelry had been rushed to the palace from leagues away just for her to try on, and the palace was already being redecorated with whites, golds and reds, fresh plants and flowers. Apparently, only people of importance and proximity would be in attendance, although Atem had made sure to arrange a special calvary for Nafi to attend. And of course Zahra would be there.
On the morning of the wedding, she thought of them in order to distract herself from her nerves. She also thought of Atem, his kind and patient face awaiting her at the front of the temple where she would promise her life to him in front of the Gods. She thought of what she dreamt last night, both of them looking out into a kingdom of a million people as the sun rose above the city.
Naima also couldn't help but to think of her mother, and wondered what she would think of her, how she would now become the Queen of the land she had once cared so much for, and if she was watching over her in the afterlife…
People continued to flit around her left and right, walking in and out of her chamber, carrying things, telling her to do this and do that. But as she stood there in between the flurry of activity around her, she took a moment to close her eyes and breathe, the golden, buttery midday sunlight warming her face, and she savored this moment of calm —
"—Ouch…"
Those damned straps on her dress had pinched her skin again.
"I am sorry, my Queen." A servant mumbled as she tied up her dress from behind.
"Fit for a Goddess…" Eliyah said, straightening out the lines of fabric behind her.
There was so much gold on her body, so many jewels. She positively shone and sparkled in the light. The amethyst ring on her finger was probably worth a years worth of her pay, and the gold bracelets on her arms had been rushed from Nubia special for her. They were like bricks on her arms and clinked with every movement.
"Not a Goddess…" Naima said, adjusting the heavy gold breastplate atop her dress. "A Queen."
"What is the difference?" Eliyah asked her as he and a few other servants began to quickly braid her hair.
Naima considered the question before she smiled. "There is a big difference. A Goddess is immortal, a Queen is not."
"Mmm, I disagree." Eliyah said, squinting at her hair in concentration, his hands braiding furiously. A golden headdress was somehow woven atop her head in between the braids.
"As a Queen, you will be remembered throughout history. Just because you depart the physical realm, does not mean you will truly die. Statues of you will be built, pictures of you painted. Books will be written about you. Your physical body may die, but your spirit lives on through memory. That, my Queen, —" He smiled at her in the mirror. "—Is immortality."
Perhaps.
Her eyes glazed over her reflection in the mirror, the sight strange and unfamiliar. A Queen stood before her, but a girl's heart still beat in her chest, wild and frantic.
"Eliyah…"
He was bent down in front of her again, now painting her eyelids with a fine powder made from crushed Lapis Lazuli.
"I'm scared."
"I would be surprised if you weren't." he said. He lined her eyes with precision, the black kohl stinging at the moist pink of her eyelids.
"Does this mean we won't be together anymore?" she mumbled.
He smiled, his dark eyes narrowing in on hers. "I believe that is your call now, my Queen."
Oh, yes. This role did come with perks.
Naima smiled. "I suppose you're right."
Eliyah had quickly mixed a deep red pigment, dipping a brush into it and painting her lips. A swift knock on the door had startled everyone, but fortunately it did not cause Eliyah's careful hands to falter.
"It cannot be time already…" Eliyah muttered, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
Naima's stomach flipped.
The door creaked open and she could have cried at the sight of two wonderful, familiar faces that emerged from the crack, faces that she had not known she desperately needed to see until now.
Nafi and Zahra crept into her room with smiles plastered on their faces, and Naima had to bite down on her tongue in order to keep the tears in her eyes from ruining Eliyah's hard work. Zahra was wearing a fitted linen dress with a golden necklace and her hair was actually brushed and out of her face, and Nafi was wearing his finest clothing, perhaps borrowed, with what appeared to be every single piece of jewelry he owned.
She shot up and threw her arms around Nafi, whimpering like a child.
When Naima had written to him about her engagement, Nafi had not said much in his letter back to her, only to offer his congratulations and that he looked forward to seeing her. His lack of response had confused her, and she assumed that perhaps he simply did not know what to say. But as he stood before her, his eyes glowing with such pride and happiness, Naima considered that perhaps the proper words did not exist.
"Look at you… my little girl, the Queen of Egypt… I'm so, so proud, Naima…" he muttered into her hair.
"I never thought I would see the day. I thought surely that you would be alone forever, married to your work…"
Of course he would think that. Naima giggled a bit. "Did you think it would be to the Pharaoh?"
She watched as he looked at her. His silence spoke volumes. He smiled and laughed and appeared lost in a thought for a moment, and Naima almost pressed him for details.
Meanwhile in between the silence, there was a strangely palpable awkwardness between Zahra and Nafi that was obvious as soon as they entered. It was as if they had not spoken in ages and were trying to be cordial. It almost became difficult to ignore.
"You sure look like a Queen, sis." Zahra said and hugged her tightly. "Can't believe my big sister is getting married and gonna be the Queen… Hey, when you're busy with important things, don't forget about me, okay?"
"Or me either…" Nafi said. His smile was easy, but his eyes were solemn.
They both were serious. Naima was both floored and horrified.
"You really think I would forget…?"
But, that discussion would have to wait.
Because several servants appeared in the door, all of them smiling and bright and eager.
"The ceremony is about to start. The Queen must come now."
-o0o-
The hot, parched earth cracked against her ornate shoes as she made the walk toward the small temple at the far end of the palace. Two servants walked behind her carrying the back of her dress, and one walked next to her with a small parasol to shield her from the sun. She resisted the urge to wipe the newly forming beads of sweat from her brow, and mused that they would probably evaporate in seconds anyways. Any drop of moisture would not stand a chance in this arid, sweltering heat.
Only in the safe shade of the temple did she feel some relief. Her vision flashed white as her eyes adjusted to the lower light, and she eventually took in the sight of the shrine absolutely packed full of people, every single one of them looking straight at her.
Her heart began to pound. There were both familiar faces, and unfamiliar faces in the crowd. She quickly spotted Nafi and Zahra at the back, and then Eliyah standing inconspicuously off to the side. She saw Penthu further toward the front, his face in his usual stony expression. And then Mana, who was beaming and waving at her. The entire court stood by the front wall. But it was only when she fixed her gaze toward the front, at where Atem stood, that she finally remembered her purpose.
He was nervous.
Naima could tell as much. He didn't… look it, though. His face was blank, and his stance was one of a Pharaoh who was dressed in the finest of gold and linen and jewels. The Millennium pendant sat heavily against his stomach.
But it was the way his shoulders stiffened, or how he kept on clenching and unclenching his fist by his side, or how he couldn't stop looking at her as she stood there. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't think, and then their eyes met, and Naima couldn't stop herself from walking toward him even if she tried. The entire temple went silent as she made her way toward the front, next to him, the light tap of her footsteps echoing against the stone walls.
Atem extended his hand out toward her, and she took it, taking her place next to him. He cleared his throat as they faced the statues of the Gods, and he was so, so nervous. But he looked so cute like this, she could have giggled she weren't so stiff from her own damned nerves.
Shada appeared in front of them carrying a ragged book that looked older than time itself, the binding on it creaking like it could fall apart in any moment. But he paid no mind, opening it without hesitation before launching into a sermon of endless chanting, prayers, petitions… For blessings, for a prosperous union that was fruitful of many children, for happiness. This ceremony was clearly ancient, and likely one that tens or even hundreds of Pharaohs before them had underwent, and now it was their turn. Atem's turn. She thought of it as they lit a torch together— a symbol of their union.
"Now for the presentation of gifts to the bride and her family."
Naima's mouth became as dry as the desert around her. Her hand brushed against her pocket. But … it was a presentation… not exchange. She gave Atem a sideways glance.
Atem reached toward his side and produced something gold and shiny. An amethyst bracelet, set in a simple style, and yet from the size of the stone and the cut and weight of the gold, it could have been worth twenty years of her own wage. The stone shimmered in the sunlight as he gently took her wrist and slid it through her hand.
Before she could even react, he smiled, turned his head to the side and gestured.
Out of the shadows of the temple wall, Binra emerged leading a dapple grey Arabian horse behind him. A gelding, with soft eyes and a gentle demeanor. His coat gleamed in the light of the afternoon sun, a black mane and tail smooth like strands of fine thread.
The breath in her chest sputtered from her mouth.
"For me?"
Those words burst out of her without any thought. Of course that horse was for her, but… it was so much… too much. No one had ever given her such a gift.
"For the new Queen, from the Pharaoh." Binra said, bowing his head.
Everyone, including Atem, was silent. She was pelted with stares as people waited for her to say something, a word of thanks or appreciation.
"…I love it…" she mumbled.
What a pathetic response, truly. But anymore and she would have turned into a blubbering mess.
More servants now emerged from the sides of the temple, carrying baskets of anything and everything. Gold and coins, grain, fruit, fine fabric, jugs of wine, and so, so much more. They surrounded Nafi and Zahra.
"Gifts of thanks and gratitude to the family of the new Queen." the servants said as they set the baskets down.
That was all she could muster. Her lips began quivering with what was surely the beginning of tears. She looked at Atem, her face filled with everything she could not say, desperately hoping he would understand.
"This…" she muttered under her breath, in a small trembling voice that only he could hear. "All of this… means so much to me… no one has ever—"
He brushed his thumb against the side of her cheek, as if to say that he understood. Naima wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around him and say everything that was on her mind. But… everyone's prying eyes were still on them, noting every move they made.
Meanwhile, Nafi had emerged in the front.
"My Pharaoh," he said, bowing deeply. "You are too generous…"
She had never felt so much love swell in her heart when Atem shook his head and said, "You have allowed me the gift of your daughter. It is clear how much you love and care for her. You have raised a truly exceptional woman under extraordinary circumstances. You should be proud."
Atem placed his hand on Nafi's shoulder.
"I promise you that I will treasure her for the rest of my days."
Nafi lifted his torso to glance at him, an enormous smile on his face. "I do not doubt it, my Pharaoh. You are a great man."
He is. And perhaps that was when it dawned on her the true extent of how lucky she was. That she, a village healer of all people, was marrying the Pharaoh. How she even got to this point is something she still did not understand, and yet as she looked at Atem, every single doubt that had ever crossed her mind and every alternate path she considered just seemed so ridiculous.
Of course he was for her, how it was supposed to be. Her husband. Strong, smart and confident, and yet kind and gentle. He was the only one she wanted to be with, the only one for her.
The sun began to set and she hardly listened as the ceremony continued on. She caught herself glancing over at Atem, catching glimpses of him before she returned her gaze to the front, wondering how long it would be until the night fell and they could leave this stuffy temple. Until she could finally feel his arms around her in peace and quiet at last, without the curious eyes of too many people. Her hand brushed against her pocket again.
By the time Shada had finally made the closing remarks and ended the ceremony, the full moon had risen above the horizon like an enormous pearl amid hues of dark blue and purple, the stars above them glittering like tiny little diamonds. True to Mahad's orders, there would be no celebration, no dancing. No food or music or long winded speeches about the kingdom they would rule together. It was only the two of them, quietly bidding each attendee farewell in what was likely her very first official Queen duty.
Exhaustion was a blanket over her mind and senses. Even lifting her feet off the ground was too much of an effort. Naima debated asking Atem to carry her as they both quietly made their way back to his chamber, a cool night breeze greeting them as soon as they entered.
The first chair she saw, she sank into.
"Ra…" she muttered, kicking off her shoes.
It was a sizable chair, with wooden arm rests and an ample cushion against her aching back. She reached behind, impatiently fumbling around with that stupid golden breastplate on her chest that had been pinching her skin all day.
"Here.." Atem said. He slipped behind her quietly, and she felt his careful fingers loosen the buckle before he slid it over her head with ease.
It was like a brick had been lifted off of her. She rubbed her chest with her palm.
"Today was very, very long." she mumbled.
"Yes, it was." he said.
He remained standing behind her, gently rubbing her shoulders.
Fatigue began to spread down her body. She closed her eyes.
"I think you're trying to make me sleep…" she teased.
She did not need to see his face to hear the smile in his voice.
"Not at all." he said.
She almost objected when he paused, until she felt him lift the headdress off her head ever so gently. And then he moved downward to the heavy gold bracelets, delicately slipping those off her arms too.
"Feels much better…" Naima mumbled, eyes still closed.
Atem made a soft sound of agreement behind her.
Naima turned around, eyeing him in the darkness. The moonlight shone at his back, but the hue of his eyes still glowed in the low light.
"I love everything you gave me today, I really do… Thank you… And thank you for what you did for my family.."
He traced the outline of her jaw, her hairline. Her skin prickled with gooseflesh at the touch of his fingertips.
"Good. You're welcome" he said.
"You know," she said. "I got you a gift too…"
Atem perked up. He looked taken aback. "You didn't have to."
Naima smiled and stood from the chair. The sheer fabric of her dress rustled in the breeze as she faced him, moonlight bathing her face.
"I wanted to, because… tradition."
She reached down, fumbling with a small bag that Eliyah had covertly slipped to her after the ceremony and pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle, still warm. The rich, aromatic scent of spices wafted around them as she unwrapped it.
"First, I thought after this long day, you might be hungry. It is Ta'amiyah." she said. "It's fresh. Eliyah went out into the city and got it for me just a few moments ago."
He looked down at the two bundles in her hands like he couldn't believe it, and then he began to laugh. He picked up the bundle and rolled it over in his hands.
"I haven't had this in years." he mumbled.
"I figured."
He eyed the food in his hands for a little longer, and smirked at her in that hungry, facetious way of his. Before she knew it, his hands were around her waist, and he pulled her to his chest.
Her face was against his body and his scent filled her nose.
"Do you like it?" she murmured.
"It is the best gift I have ever received." he said. He stroked her hair.
Naima snorted. "Is it really?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because," he said. "It is from you."
"Good." Naima said.
"I have something else."
"Hmm?" His attention piqued again and he finally released his grip on her, eyeing her carefully as she reached back by her side toward the object she had tucked close to her body for the entire day. Something she had spent hours working on, forever waiting for the right moment…
She placed a small jar into his hands.
He took it, studying it curiously.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
He pulled the cork off the top, and almost instantaneously the smell of strong herbs cut around them. An herbal balm that she had painstakingly created from scratch using whatever free hours she had, imbuing it with her own healing energy.
"For when your days become too much…" she said. "You breathe it in or you can rub it on your skin, and it will help you relax."
He stared down at the bottle both in curiosity and surprise. Naima held her breath as he took it from her and sniffed it lightly, pausing, as if he was trying to gauge how it worked on him.
And then he smiled, and relief flooded through her.
"This was very thoughtful of you." he said.
"I did not want to simply add to the pile of jewels you already own." Naima said.
He moved in, closing in on her again, and the young moonlight now shone upon both of them, streaks of milky white peeking in between the palm leaves. His eyes sparkled and the sight of it made her her knees almost buckle as he traced his finger along her chin, his other hand along her waist.
It was as if he could not resist touching her. She quivered as his hand wandered up her arm in a light caress, tracing the seams of her dress, the back of her neck.
A coy smile had crept onto her face. "The Ta'amiyah is getting cold." Naima said nonchalantly, relishing in his touch.
His answering smirk roused a fire in her and she did not even bother to fight it as he gripped her body, holding her to him.
"I'd rather have you instead."
"You already have me." she mumbled into his chest and neck. "I'm yours… And you're mine."
"I've always been yours." He pressed his cheek into her hair. Naima tilted her head up to meet his gaze.
The glimmer in his eyes was so soft and so pure as he murmured, "You looked so beautiful today… You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And now you're mine."
"Always…" Naima said, tracing lazy a finger across his collarbone. He shuddered under her touch.
"Atem…"
She tilted her head up. His expression was gentle, and yet somehow burning, unrelenting.
"Atem, I want you to know that I am proud to be your Queen. I am ready to take my place next to you, and help you to build the thriving, prosperous kingdom that you have always dreamed of. I want to be a part of it." She loosened a shaky breath from her chest. "I am learning, always. But I promise you… that I will do my best."
Pure joy lit up like a fire upon his face and his eyes shone like rays of golden sunlight. Before she could even react, his lips found hers. He lifted her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his hips. He was moving under her, walking somewhere, and she could feel the sheer trail of her dress dragging on the floor. She didn't care where they went, if only she could still feel his lips, his body against hers.
He stopped, and she was almost sorry when he laid her on her back, onto the soft cushion of his bed. She kept her legs wrapped around him while she sat up and made a frenzied attempt to loosen the tie that kept her dress in place. He also began to undress.
But the stupid strap would not loosen and she debated ripping the fabric as she struggled.
"Fuck this dress.."
He rolled his eyes, smirking, before he gripped the sides of her dress with both hands and forcibly pulled it down her body and she squealed. He slid it through her legs and tossed it off to the side flippantly.
He was ravenous and she was desperate as his eyes devoured her body and his hands gripped her rear. He crawled overtop her, his body covering hers, his skin warm and smelling of citrus and spice.
Their lovemaking was not a passionate storm, nor was it a slow steady ache, but a song between them. So lovingly he caressed her, his mouth and fingertips gliding across her skin and her breasts. As soon as he went lower in between her legs, Naima threw her head back into a pillow.
He took his time with her, now much more confident in his touches and gestures. He flicked his tongue against her and began steady circles until she was was moaning, writhing off the bed. And then it was after she came that he crawled back up as she caught her breath, still sweating and undone. He took a moment as she breathed, pressing his forehead against hers, before he found her core again and thrust into her.
Her back arched as he settled in her, his lips on her neck and her earlobe kissing her as her own soft moans echoed into the night air. The way he moved in her was not timid, nor harsh, nor gentle either. It was just… right. Everything was. She lifted her hips to match him before she felt him stiffen atop her and shudder, spilling into her.
His damp skin stuck to hers, and his hair was in her face, but she didn't care. Another breeze had rolled through the windows and offered some relief, but not much as both of them laid there in each others arms in a sweaty, hot mess.
Atem finally rolled off her and she sidled up next to him, basking in the lazy, sweet afterglow as they laid together in quiet, lightly touching each other.
"Do you want to bathe?" he asked eventually.
Naima smiled, her eyes still closed.
"Does that mean that I smell bad?"
He smiled sheepishly. "No. But, it has been a long day."
Naima nuzzled her head against the sweaty skin in the crook of his neck.
"Only if you bathe with me."
The granite floor was cold and slippery against her feet as he led her across his chamber into the bathroom, both of them still naked.
It appeared a hot bath had already been drawn earlier before they both arrived into the chamber, likely by thoughtful servants. The water had since cooled down to lukewarm but was good enough for her as she stepped into the basin, water enveloping her like a soft hug, the scent of citrus and flowers filling her nose.
Atem sat down next to her.
"Mmm…" She dipped her head back and wet her hair before drifting over to him and straddling his hips in the water, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Remember when we went to that oasis?"
His eyes were thoughtful as he looked up into her face.
"I wanted to swim with you, like this. But you didn't want to go in the water."
He appeared to be recounting a memory as he broke his gaze away from her, instead looking distantly at the far wall. His fingers rubbed the skin of her arm absently.
"Going there with you is one of my fondest memories." he said finally.
Naima raised her eyebrows as she glanced at him. Perhaps most adventurous.. but, fondest?
"All of them with you are." he said.
"Especially back then. But, that one…" He trailed off.
"Why that one?"
He brushed a stray lock of wet hair out of her face.
"I got to see you out of your shell."
"..My shell?"
"You are so protective of yourself, Naima." he said. "No one would ever know or even guess that you jumped off a cliff into water. But I saw you do it. And that night, I saw the real you. Funny, daring, adventurous. You hide it from others. But that night, you let me see it. You let me experience a part of you. It was an adventure I will never forget."
She pursed her lips. "Even what happened after?"
He was silent in thought.
"I wouldn't change anything." he finally said.
Naima found his hand in the water and threaded her fingers with his. "We will capture him." She grabbed some perfumed soap from the side and began to wash his torso.
"If I have to make it my own personal mission… I will."
And as she slid the soap over his skin, he placed his hand atop hers, stopping her. Naima looked up.
"We are a team." he said with a smile. "We will do it… together."
Oh, right.
He really meant it. And the realization pitted in her stomach that perhaps for this entire time, she has been quite silly. That she was never nearly as alone as she always thought she was… and that maybe, things would actually turn out… okay. Naima mulled it over as they both took their time washing until the water eventually became cold.
Her stomach rumbled loudly as they exited the bath, eyes fixating on the Ta'amiyah that still sat untouched on the table. She lunged for it and took a bite.
"Mmm… It's still good!"
Her mouth was full of food, her words muffled. She offered it to Atem. "Want some?"
He smiled and took a bite from her hand, and she giggled as she wiped a bit of sauce from his lips. And in that moment, she could not even fathom that she had so adamantly said no to this before.
Because she was home, he was her home.
His eyes shone when he looked at her, radiant in the moonlight as she smiled, took his hand and led him back to bed. And as they laid together, their love a quiet hum between them, she knew that there was nowhere else she would rather be.
Author's note:
-First, SO sorry for the delayed update! I promise this story is not dead! Over the last few months I moved houses and started a new job so that has taken up A LOT of my time and energy. I do anticipate being able to write a bit more now that things have settled.
-If you guys are interested in literary devices, I wanted to bring attention to the symbolism of horses in this story. Horses were very rare in ancient Egypt and only very wealthy, important people owned one. Note that in chapter 1, Naima had never ridden a horse and was hesitant when Atem invited her to ride with him. There is a slow progression throughout the story with her getting more comfortable around horses and better at riding. And now in this chapter she received one as a wedding gift — a symbol of her new status as royal. I wanted to point this out in case it was too subtle.