"This is so wonderful. I always knew that the two of you would tie the knot sooner or later." Sati said happily as she poured Eshe a drink while they sat in Eshe's quarters.
"You really think so? I mean since the first day I met Armakan when were children I feel for him but did you really think we would marry?" Eshe asked as she took the offered drink.
"Of course, you two dance around each other like snakes charming each other in a dance." Sati replied with a beaming smile.
"I see." Eshe replied with smile.
Her cheeks were a flamed with a crimson blush as Halima coiled himself tighter around her neck.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Has a date been set?" Sati asked.
"No, he is announcing the betrothal today to the council. Though he told me he did not care if they agreed to the marriage or not. I know Imhotep and Mahado will give their support but the others I do not know." Eshe said as sipped her drink.
"I know one way to find out." Sati said excitedly to her friend.
As soon as Eshe set her drink on the table beside her, Sati grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her set. Sati dragged Eshe to the door.
"I know a way to ease drop on them without them ever knowing but we have to be quiet." Sati said as she dragged her friend out the room and into grand hallway.
Eshe followed her friend through various hallways until they came to a wall. Sati pushed on the wall and a door appeared. Eshe was dragged into the secret hall and the door shut behind them.
Eshe felt Halima quiver from the sudden change of temperature in the hall.
Eshe brought out her lux stone and it illuminated the way for them.
"They say that the queens in the past would use this passage that runs behind the throne room if they are not allowed to partake in political sessions. So they would come here to a certain spot where they can listen without anyone ever knowing." Sati explained in a low voice.
The two of them walked to a spot where they could hear voices through he wall that separated them from the throne room.
The two of them could hear an angry voice that was on the verge of yelling.
"You dare question my mentality? I have had it with your berating of the Lady Eshe! She has shown kindness and yet you scorn her! Then you question my mentality when I announce my decision to marry her! I should kill you for those vile words you have spoken to me!" Armakan said angrily, almost on the verge of rage.
"Please forgive me your highness. I did not mean such disrespect, I only question why her of lowly status." A voice said.
"Nut (nuu-t) is getting it this time. He has always been against everything the pharaoh wants to do. I am surprised the Pharaoh hasn't thrown him out. " Sati explained.
"Really?" Eshe asked.
"Yea, I heard that he was very angry when you arrived and healed the pharaoh. He was the one who told the magicians in the palace heal our once stricken pharaoh on pain of death. I was glad when you came because he backed away a little until recently." Sati explained.
"I see, so I must be weary of him?" Eshe asked.
"Very weary for he might go after you, but don't worry. There are people here that will protect you." Sati said.
Eshe sat on a stone bench in a garden. In her hands was the lapis bracelet she always wore that was given to her by Armakan when they were both just children. It was also the vessel her Djinn resided in as well. She had not told anyone of her Djinn in fear that she was being viewed differently.
She let out sigh as she looked up at the sunset filled sky.
'I have to tell him so that he not only knows but so he does not be fearful about my protection.' She thought to herself.
"You seem deep in thought." An all too familiar voice said behind her.
"And you sound exhausted, Armakan." Eshe said with a smile.
"That noticeably?" He asked as he sat down next to her.
"A little, was it the advisors again?" She questioned even though she knew the answer.
"There's no need to concern yourself with them. You have allies and I am here to protect you from those who do agree with our union." Armakan told her as he wrapped an arm over Eshe's tanned shoulders.
"That is what I want to talk to you about actually. I want to bring ease to your weary mind."
"How so?" He asked with curiosity.
"Remember when you gave me this bracelet?" Eshe asked she handed it to Armakan.
He retracted his arm from around Eshe and took it in his hand.
"Yes I remember I cant believe you still have this and it fits you." He said with a grin.
"Look closer love and you will find something on it."
Armakan held the blue lapis bracelet closer and saw the faint lines of a Djinn attached to it.
"You're a Djinn user?" he asked shocked.
"Up in the north I encounter the Temple of my Djinn unknowingly. It took me a long time to figure out that it was a trick of the desert. I gained a new friend that day and unfortunately that said friend could not remember her name so I renamed her, Bastet." Eshe explained as Armakan gave her bracelet back.
"She taught me how to defend myself against bandits. She furthered my skills from what my father taught me when it came to defending myself. I wanted to tell you because I did not want you to be fearful of my safety and that I can take care of myself." Eshe said with a smile.
"You are always full of surprises you know that? You always have been. It does but my mind at ease a little but I want you to be careful and stay by close to Sati as well." Armakan told her.
"I will love. I am always careful." Eshe said before she gently placed her lips on Armakan's, making him blush slightly.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the delay. I have had extreme writer's block. I know this is short but I will try to make the next one longer so don't worry. I am getting back to this story. I have been reading a historical biography of Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut. It's a really good book and I highly recommend it. PM me if you wan the author of it and you can get it if you interested in it.
Until next Chapter.
