Chapter 7: More than just a Festival…

Seth watched his cousin from his seat. Slight fear still lurked in those proud crimson eyes, he carefully observed. And although he was right in assuming that something shook the other to the core, he desperately wanted to know what it was and make it pay for doing that to his Atemu.

"Seth, are you even listening to me?" his father asked, catching his attention. Faint red graced his cheeks as he turned to the elder priest and shook his head, "No. I was distracted, I apologize," he answered.

"As I was saying, the investigations regarding the pharaoh's assassin led to someone named Ranmen of the southern borders. You, being the chief High Priest now, has to do something about that—"

"Ranmen, huh? So this guy sent for the man to kill Ate—I mean, pharaoh?" Seth interrupted, taking no heed of his abrupt promotion.

"This, however, requires perfect and careful planning. We could not afford the mastermind to escape," Akunadin warned. Seth nodded in agreement, "I know that, High Priest Akunadin. And to make sure that everything occurs exactly as planned, I will go with the troops," he said.

Akunadin frowned at his son, to why, Seth wondered.

"The night is getting older, I will retire now, High Priest Seth," Akunadin told his son, patted the other on the back (despite the knowledge that the other hated it) and left.

XXX

Atemu stared outside, his mind wandering off. He sighed, how could he celebrate if he knew Ranmen was up to something? Try as he may, he just couldn't take his mind off the other's warning.

"Is the celebration not to your liking, your majesty?"

The pharaoh started slightly before looking at his adviser and shook his head, "I am having the time of my life, Shimon, don't worry," he lied. Nothing was wrong with the festival; it was lively and relaxing… for the people.

Shimon gave a sigh of relief, "Would you like another cup of wine then, sire?" he offered. Atemu smiled, "Just one, all right, Shimon?" he answered. Shimon bowed, "Yes, sire," he replied and left to get the said cup.

Of course, expecting an aged adviser to get him a cup of wine in a short period of time is ridiculous. The monarch rose and walked towards the balcony. The night air always seemed to calm him.

"Not enjoying yourself, pharaoh?"

Atemu turned around to meet his cousin's gaze, slightly shaking his head, he answered, "Not quite, to be honest. I suppose I was still distracted."

"About earlier?" Seth asked, "You do not have to worry, Atemu. I'll take care of everything," he assured his cousin, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. Atemu's tensed shoulders relaxed a bit before hugging his cousin, "I've been rather distant to everyone, haven't I?" he asked.

Seth hesitated, "Quite. But everyone understands, Atemu, no need to worry your heart out again," he said, hoping that small fact would comfort the other. Atemu smiled a little and embraced the other, seeking comfort in those strong arms.

"Atemu," Seth said, wondering if anyone would notice them in the balcony. They would really be a sight to behold, wouldn't they?

Atemu buried his face deeper into the other's chest, not quite sure if his cousin would hear him mutter, "I never felt so scared," he whispered.

Seth's features softened upon hearing the confession, and his protective instincts overtook him again. "Hush now, don't worry," he replied sincerely, rubbing circles on the monarch's back, "I promise I'll find a way to stop him."

The tri-haired pharaoh looked up and met softened cerulean orbs, "You will?" he asked, his voice etched with profound concern and love. Seth nodded, "I do, you don't believe me?" he answered.

"Of course I do," Atemu replied, "But what if you get hurt, Seth? I wouldn't know what to do if something happens to you."

Seth smiled, "I promised I wouldn't leave you, remember? And since when do I break my promises?"

Atemu smiled in return, "You better not or I'll never forgive you!" he replied, his spirits lifting as he kissed his priest chastely on the lips. But instead of ending the kiss, Seth smirked and deepened it, stealing the pharaoh's breath all the way.

The monarch gasped; giving Seth the opportunity to take their kiss to a more intimate level and plunged his tongue inside the other's honeyed mouth.

When the kiss ended, they were both gasping for air, cheeks flamed red. Seth smiled at his cousin while the other glared at him, "Seth! What if somebody saw us?" he asked, it wouldn't help if anyone would witness that display of affection.

"Atemu, this is a festival. Relax," Seth answered nonchalantly, "And besides, you wouldn't deny it was good," he teased, a smirk gracing his fair features.

"But still…" A look on his smirking cousin…

"What if…?" another smirk from his Seth…

"This is a festival after all," he finally answered and pulled the other into a kiss.

XXX

Neither knew how they ended up in the pharaoh's chambers, nor did they remember who saw them (if somebody did see them). All they could think about was the struggling breaths, mind-shutting kisses and more pleasurable experiences.

Seth and Atemu fought for dominance in the kiss, either reluctant to give the other command. The priest pushed his pharaoh to the wall, making the other gasp in surprise as his hands were pinned above; his priest taking the chance and controlled the kiss.

"Not here… Seth, somebody… might see us," Atemu said in between pants, trying his best to make his brain function.

Seth pulled the other with him and raced towards the pharaoh's chambers, knowing no one would dare disturb them as he controlled himself from hoisting his bewitching cousin into his shoulders and run.

"Seth… are we really…" Atemu faltered as they entered the room, gaining their breath. The pharaoh stared at his priest, fear and apprehension marring his glittering blood-red eyes.

"If you want to, Atemu," Seth answered, his hormones raging so fast he might as well explode. But that wouldn't mean he would force the other when his cousin was anxious about this.

Atemu looked away, he wanted to and yet he didn't want it to happen. There was something thrilling about this, and yet so dangerous. It was like a dangerous game, and he couldn't resist a challenge. Could he? And besides, how could he deny his cousin anything when he completely trusted the other? He loved Seth, his cousin wouldn't do anything that might hurt him.

"I'm yours," he said and closed the distance between them.

Seth quickly regained control and pushed the other to the door, making sure it was locked before placing feathery kisses on the other's neckline, slowly disrobing the other with all the gentleness that seemed to drive his pharaoh naively crazy.

Minutes later, Atemu lied on the bed as the other removed their clothes, placing kisses on his body, his moans were his reply. His eyes widened in wonder upon seeing his cousin hovering above his manhood, "Seth?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Atemu, this won't hurt," Seth assured him and took his manhood into his mouth. The pharaoh arched and cried before being reduced to moans as the other sucked him continuously until he couldn't take it anymore and climaxed.

Seth smiled fondly at his panting cousin before kissing the other lightly, letting the other taste himself. "Seth?" Atemu whispered, breathless from the act, "I… uhh… that was…"

"Shh," Seth cooed and placed a hand on the other's lips, "This isn't over yet," he added and rose to look for a vial of oil.

A few moments later, he was straddling Atemu again, kissing the other, "I'm going to prepare you, all right, Atemu?" he asked. Atemu nodded, "I trust you don't worry, Seth," he said.

Seth smiled at his cousin before slicking his fingers with oil, "Tell me if it hurts, all right?" he said. Atemu nodded before crying in surprise as the finger entered him. Soon it was followed by a second one, then a third until he was once again reduced into moans and pants.

"Seth… please… it burns," he cried, closing his eyes at the euphoric feeling.

Before long, the fingers were withdrawn as the priest prepared to enter his cousin, "Ready, Atemu?" he asked.

Atemu nodded. With one graceful movement, Seth entered him, silencing him with a kiss as the erection penetrated the other's tight walls.

"Gods… Atemu… you're so… tight," Seth said, waiting for the other to relax. Atemu closed his eyes at the penetration, pain marring his features but after a while, he eased down a little, giving Seth the signal to continue.

A few moments later, Atemu cried out, Seth swallowing his cries with a bruising kiss before reaching his own release, pulled out of his cousin and collapsed beside him.

"I… that was wonderful, Seth," Atemu said in between the silence.

Seth smiled and draped a protective arm around his cousin, pulling the other closer to him, "Thank you," he whispered in the other's ear, knowing how it affected his pharaoh greatly.

"I love you, Seth," Atemu answered. Seth's eyes widened slightly at the confession before staring fondly at his cousin, "I love you Atemu," he replied and kissed the other on the lips.

"Goodnight," they both said before they fell into a relaxing sleep.

A/N: Finally! Hehe… I was up all night thinking of how the chapter would look like and now I finished it. Hooray! Sigh… too sleepy to think of other things. See ya soon, night!