"And this is for... Uncle Jon from Auntie Kit!"
Christmas this year was everything the idyllic holiday was supposed to be. Thick blankets of snow covered London and laid heavy on the O'Connells' manse. Their Christmas tree towered above the banister on the second floor; its boughs hung heavy with tinsel and baubles. Kit, Alex, Jon, and Katrina had tried their hand at putting candles on the tree as well but that only resulted in a burned rug and both Alex and Kit being sent to their rooms, despite the fact that Kit was a grown woman. Candles or not, the tree glittered in the pristine light shining through the windows on this jolly Christmas morn. Jonathan and Katrina had joined the O'Connells for the day and all assembled were in various pajamas, nightgowns, and slippers.
Alex tossed the round blue package at his uncle. Dotted on the furniture and floor of the parlor were various bits of wrapping paper as well as the disemboweled contents of the Christmas stockings. Jonathan had already peeled his orange and helped himself to the juicy flesh, scattering orange peel everywhere. He caught the package and ripped off the paper with a ravenous gleam in his eyes that was immediately snuffed when he saw his gift. "Socks?" He lamented, holding the bright orange bundle up in disgust. He shot Kit an unbelieving stare. "Really? Katrina, teaching Kit to knit was the worst thing you could have ever done!"
"You said your feet were cold back in October!" Kit replied, laughing. "Come on, put 'em on!"
"I don't –" Jonathan objected, separating the large socks from each other and giving them a disappointed look.
"Oh come on, Jon." Katrina urged, nudging him with a slippered foot. "It's Christmas!"
"Alright, alright." Jonathan shuffled some wrapping paper aside and toed out of his slippers. Giving a long-suffering huff, Jonathan tugged on the socks and flopped backwards on the sofa, his expression glum. After a moment and a wiggle of his toes, the man begrudgingly admitted, "Toasty."
"You're welcome!" Kit laughed, chucking a piece of wrapping paper at the man. He batted it away with a smile.
Rick and Evy shared an arm chair, Evy clad in a purple robe with mauve leaves threading their way across the fabric and Rick in pinstriped pajamas Evy bought for the occasion. Their arms entwined each other as they watched the others unwrap their presents and playfully throw the paper at each other over some joke or witty remark. Evy met Rick's eyes and she quietly said, "Your sister, I swear."
"Your brother." Rick countered. The pair smiled, leaning in for a kiss before looking back to their family as Alex tugged another parcel from underneath the tree. "Dad, this one's for you from Uncle Jon." Alex tossed the package to his father who caught it with one hand. "Honestly, I'm the kid here. Where are my presents?"
"All good things to those who wait." Katrina promised the boy, and Alex frowned.
Jonathan sat up, rubbing his hands together in glee. "Hope you enjoy it, Rick. Had to have it flown in from America." The casino owner gloated, flicking bits of orange peel onto the floor.
"Jonathan, you stop that." Evy scolded. "Honestly, your tea cup and saucer are right there –"
"The orange peel is good for the wood Evy!" Her brother objected, looking scandalized.
Rick used his mouth to peel off the first strip of paper, his free hand being occupied with holding Evy. "Huh. It's a baseball." Rick commented, shaking off the excess paper. It wasn't until he saw the black squiggles on it that he inspected it further. "L-Lou Gehrig?!" Rick's eyes boggled and his jaw gaped. He was absolutely speechless, which didn't happen often.
Jonathan smiled smugly, looking rather proud of himself. "Happy Christmas, Rick."
The doorbell rang, causing Rick to tear his eyes from his prize and find speech once more. "Izzy can't be here for dinner already, can he?" Rick asked, looking to Jonathan.
"He told me he was spending Christmas morning with the bird." Jonathan replied.
"And who's that?" Katrina asked. "Is it Mitzi, the blond swinger?"
"No, I mean an honest to God bird." Jonathan replied. "He bought a parrot – You're right, Rick, I think he's trying to be a pirate."
Kit laughed and stood, stepping carefully over the mounds of wrapping paper as she pulled her blue robe on over her white nightgown. "I'll get it." She stopped at the Christmas tree, plucking out a large packet. "Here Alex, this one's from me." The woman handed it to her nephew before weaving around the furniture towards the front door. Through the frosted glass Kit could see a dark figure huddled up against the glass, trying to hide from the cold. Perhaps it was a vagrant relying on the charity of others? Kit wasn't sure who it could be otherwise as she pulled open the door. A cold gust of wind blew in and Kit's jaw dropped in shock to see a frigid Ardeth Bay trying to stay warm in his black Medjai robes. "Ardeth!" Her arms immediately wrapped around the chilled man in an embrace, which he returned. The hug broke and Kit said, "Come inside! It's freezing out here."
"I know." Ardeth commented wryly, shaking off fine white dust from his clothes, the product of blowing snow.
"What are you doing here?" Kit asked, helping the Medjai step out of his outer robe and accepting his boxy hat.
"You wrote and asked about whether there was anything that could be done for you and Evy." Ardeth replied, pulling an oft-folded envelope with Kit's misshapen handwriting on it from the inside of his robes.
"But –" Kit objected, missing the hook as she hung up Ardeth's things on the hat stand. She didn't notice. "You could have just sent us a letter!"
Ardeth almost looked hurt by the suggestion. "I believe that I am better than receiving a letter." He huffed.
Kit's cheeks flushed and she sheepishly grinned. "No arguing that."
Evy lowered her head against the back of the arm chair for an upside down view of Kit and their guest. "My word, is that Ardeth?"
There was a sudden commotion as the family lurched into motion to greet Ardeth, but he raised a palm. "Please, don't bother yourselves, friends. I didn't realize it was a family holiday."
"Well come in, have something to eat, and here," Evy stood, pulling one of the other armchairs closing to the crackling hearth, "Have a seat by the fire." She insisted.
"Thank you. Don't bother yourselves, I shall just remain a silent observer until you are done." Ardeth gave them all a nod and took the seat next to the fire, flexing his hands against the heat. Kit lingered close to him, refraining from reclaiming her seat on the sofa.
"But why are you here?" Katrina asked, her brow furrowed inquisitively.
"We'll get to that after you're all done. I apologize for interrupting – Is that a sweater, Alex?" Ardeth asked as the boy pulled a rich red sweater with jagged golden bands on either bicep from the wrapping paper.
"It's from Auntie Kit." Alex replied, shaking out the overly large garment.
"If you had let us known you were coming, I could have made one for you." Kit informed the Medjai, grinning.
Ardeth returned the smile, thanking Evy as she handed him a cup of tea complete with several biscuits and an orange. "I could use a new sweater." The Medjai joked, his eyes glimmering.
"I guess I know what I'll be doing this afternoon then." Kit replied, grinning from ear to ear.
Rick was still enamored with his baseball, but he looked up to Ardeth long enough to ask, "We're not about to be hauled off on some hijinks to stop evil from taking over the world, are we?"
Ardeth smiled as he took a drink of tea, holding the bowl instead of the handle. "No, this is a personal visit. Not uh... business. I promise."
"Enough chatting, back to presents!" Jonathan insisted, clapping his hands and rubbing them together. "Alex, where's my present for Katrina?"
Presents were opened, wrapping paper burned, orange peel thrown at Jonathan, and Christmas morning turned into Christmas afternoon quite pleasantly. While Alex, Katrina, and Jonathan trotted up stairs to change from their pajamas, Ardeth finally disclosed the reason for his visit to Evy, Rick, and Kit. "Kit asked whether or not the Medjai knew of any way to reveal memories from the past?"
"Yes." Evy confirmed. "I have searched through all I can to find anything mentioning Amunet, but seeing as the Bembridge Scholars were unsure why Seti I died so early when his father and son had such longevity, it's not surprising to find nothing on the handmaiden of his daughter." Even though the Egyptologist's words were calm, her expression was one of frustration. "My dreams have almost stopped, and –"
"You want to know what happened to Amunet so it can calm your heart?" Ardeth asked. The women nodded, urging him on. "We do have methods, but they cannot be disclosed in a letter, nor are they anything that can easily be done by outsiders. I mean no offense."
"None taken." Rick replied.
"But I must warn you, if we call these memories forth – from both of you," Ardeth began, looking to Kit and then Evy, "They may reveal more than just what you want to know." Ardeth paused, hesitant to continue. "It could rip the veil separating your former consciousnesses from your present ones. You'll no longer be just Evelyn or just Kit, but truly Evelyn and Nefertiri at the same time, or Kit and Amunet." Ardeth's golden eyes sought out Kit's blue ones. "Would you be willing to risk that?"
Kit looked to her sister-in-law, taking her hand. "Evy wants this to be settled. If she's up for it, so am I." Her fingers gave Evy's a squeeze.
Ardeth gave a solemn nod. "Then come. There are some things we must do first."
Amunet's breath wheezed fast and rapid as she slipped into the mastaba outside of Cairo's walls. The inky night had cloaked her between the city gates until she entered the large mud brick tomb. She followed the passageway leading to the interior of the crypt and up ahead she could see the flickering of torch light against the hieroglyphed walls. The young woman had no idea why Nefertiri and Ramses had allowed Anck-Su-Namun to be laid to rest in a tomb reserved for the dead of noble families, but now was not the time to dwell on the fact. Amunet's sandals made almost no noise against the mud brick as she drew nearer to the light.
Hair hung in heavy dark curtains on either side of her face and Amunet's blue eyes sparkled as she approached a bald man. His back was turned to her as his priests worked to break the seal on the door where the pharaoh's concubine was buried. Amunet raised a hand to touch the man on the shoulder, but he whirled around, dagger raised and lips curled in a snarl. His hand snatched hers and as he went to thrust his blade into her chest, Imhotep faltered and his blade stopped short.
"Amunet?" He breathed. He lowered the dagger, fingers still curled around the young woman's arm. "What are you doing here?" Father asked daughter harshly, his words barely more than a rushed hiss.
Despite her best efforts, Amunet's eyes became wet. She glared up at her father with impudence. "What are you doing here, iti?" She asked. "If the Medjai find you, you will die." Her stomach shivered in the brief silence that followed as her father's dark eyes bored into hers.
After a moment, Imhotep's expression softened. His fingers relinquished Amunet's arm as he spoke and sheathed his blade. "That does not matter anymore. Do you not see what is at work here?" Imhotep grew excited, almost frantic, joining his hands with his daughter's. "If I can bring Anck-Su-Namun back, if I can triumph over Anubis and death – Imagine Amunet!"
"Can you hear yourself?" Amunet scolded, pulling her hands away. "What if you cannot? What if this all fails? What if you are known as nothing more than murderer of Seti –"
"It. Will. Work." Imhotep insisted. His hands flew up to cup his daughter's face, one thumb rubbing her cheek as he continued. "I am blessed by the gods themselves to have come this far! You should take heart, my child, for when this is all over you shall be a princess among slaves –"
"I do not care!" Amunet cried. "I was – I am satisfied being your daughter. I want nothing else but to be the daughter of the pharaoh's trusted high priest." The young woman went quiet and then gently added, "Mother's been gone for ten years. You're all I have. If the worst happens –"
The seal of the crypt hissed open as it was finally breached, filling the passage with the smell of putrefaction. "My lord, we've opened it!" One of the priests called as the slab was slid out of place.
Imhotep looked back to the opened crypt, his face alighting with rapturous joy. Without looking to his daughter, the priest pulled away. "I must go Amunet –"
The girl grabbed her father's arm, tugging on it. "Where are you going?" She questioned. "Tell me, I can – I can meet you there. I can help. Let me help you, iti. I do not want you to die." Big tears rolled down her cheeks. "Or I can tell Nefertiri and Ramses you went elsewhere. I can buy you some time. I can ensure your success."
This sudden turn-around in Amunet surprised the man. "My sweet child…" Imhotep whispered, resting a kiss upon her brow. He embraced her, wiping her tears with the sleeve of his robe as he whispered into her ear. When he pulled away, the man advised his daughter,"Do not return to your mistress, do not even return to the palace. Just go. Meet me there and you will soon have a new mother – and our family will be more powerful than Nefertiri or Ramses or Seti could have ever dreamed."
"I love you, iti. If the worst should happen, please, please know that I love you." Amunet promised, clutching at her father's hands.
"My lord Imhotep! We must hurry!" The same priest who announced their success called once more.
Imhotep smiled. "I know, my lotus blossom. Now go." Without looking to see whether his order was heeded, Imhotep turned and headed for the crypt. Amunet ran from the passageway, tears striping her cheeks and sandals slapping against the brick.
"Where is she?" Ramses demanded, pacing in Nefertiri's quarters. The newly made pharaoh was an impatient man barely older than his sister. His head was newly shaven, ridding himself of the lock of hair he had worn on the side of his head and preparing his royal scalp for the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. He had developed a habit of rubbing his close-shaved scalp in irritation over the past few days, and he was doing so now.
Nefertiri sat on her lounge chair as still as a statue. Her eyes had not seen cosmetics for days due to the amount of weeping she had done since her father's murder. Her white cat Neit sat in her lap, tail twitching as they watched the young pharaoh pace. "Not everything can be done in haste, brother."
"It is pharaoh now, Nefertiri." Ramses halted in his pacing, jabbing a finger in the princess' direction. "And I swear, if your little handmaiden has run off to help her father, Horus help me –!"
"She would not." Nefertiri replied, her words curt. Neit's tale twitched and the cat fixed the man with a beady stare.
Doors rumbled open at the entrance to Nefertiri's apartments. The white cat leaped from her mistress' lap as Nefertiri stood. There was the sound of clanking weapons and the slap of sandal against floor and finally Amunet batted aside the sheer curtains, falling to her knees at Nefertiri's feet. Members of the Medjai followed her.
Amunet's eyes were red and swollen from sorrow. Her breast rose and fell with exertion. She prostrated herself before Nefertiri, something that visibly rankled Ramses. "He means to take Anck-Su-Namun's body to Hamunaptra." The young woman gasped. "He means to bring her back – to spit in the face of Anubis and... He believes – he believes –"
Nefertiri fell to the ground in front of Amunet, coaxing her to look up. She firmly grasped Amunet's face in her hands. "Shh, you are safe here." She comforted. "What does he mean to do?"
"I – I am not sure." Amunet admitted. "He said that by the time he was finished, he would have more power than you, than the pharaoh." Amunet's face trembled in Nefertiri's hands and another tear fought its way down her cheek. "But he has already departed, he must be followed and quickly."
"You heard her!" Ramses barked to the Medjai. "To the chariots! Do not stop until he is dead, and punish him accordingly beforehand!" Amunet let out a heavy sigh, her body wracking with sobs at the pharaoh's words. The Medjai marched out, their calls ringing through the courtyard as they assembled. Nefertiri stayed on the floor with her handmaiden, doing the best to comfort her. The pharaoh strode to the balcony, watching the Medjai until they departed. When they did, he turned back to the two women. "I wish for both of you to stay here until the matter has been handled." He decreed. "I shall return when I receive word on their success." And with that, the pharaoh strode from the room, leaving the two women alone.
Amunet wept and, for a moment, Nefertiri did too. The princess pressed a kiss to Amunet's cheek and protectively embraced her. "Thank you." She whispered. "If justice is not served – Even if they do not find your father, thank you." Amunet said nothing.
Time refused to pass in Nefertiri's apartments as the two women awaited word that Imhotep had been capture or killed – or even that he succeeded. As dawn broke on the third day, Ramses entered his sister's apartments to find the princess and her handmaiden asleep in Nefertiri's bed. Instead of waking them, as he thought to do, Ramses sat in the lounge chair and waited for them to waken. Nefertiri was the first.
"Ramses – Pharaoh." She corrected herself, and then her stomach plummeted. "Has –" Nefertiri's words awoke Amunet, and she sat up ramrod straight. The handmaiden didn't dare speak a word; she only fixed her gaze on Ramses.
The pharaoh nodded at his sister. "Imhotep was captured before he could bring Anck-Su-Namun back from the dead. He was... treated severely."
"How?" Nefertiri asked. No tears glistened in Amunet's eyes at the news. She sat as though she were a statue.
Ramses looked hesitant to impart the method of punishment, but finally he spoke. "The Medjai administered the Hom-Dai."
"What?!" Amunet demanded, the volume and intensity of her voice causing the royal siblings to flinch. Amunet did not look somber; if anything she looked angry, outraged even. "What were you thinking?!"
"You forget your place, girl!" Ramses rebutted, his complexion turning ruddy with anger.
"If he ever rises, my father will be invincible!" Amunet continued, disregarding the pharaoh. "If anyone is ever fool enough to bring him back to life, not only will we suffer, but the whole world as well!" The young woman rose from the bed, approaching Ramses. "Did you forget that Your Majesty?"
Ramses struck the young woman across the face for her impudence. Amunet's head whipped to the side, but she made no sound – she merely glared at the pharaoh, as still as a statue. "It does not matter. We have the guardian of the Bracelet of Anubis on our side, do we not?" Ramses looked to Nefertiri, who was watching her brother in disbelief. "And we have the Book of Amun-Ra. There is nothing to fear." An uncomfortable silence rested throughout Nefertiri's apartments. Annoyed and still angered, Ramses shook his head. "It is done. Father's murderer is taken care of." He looked pointedly at his sister. "Make sure to keep your handmaiden in line, Nefertiri."
"That is enough, Ramses." Nefertiri snapped. Her brother's eyes narrowed into a glare, but he said nothing else as he walked from his sister's apartments.
Silence prevailed for a moment. "Amunet..." Nefertiri began softly once the pharaoh had gone. "If I had thought Imhotep would have endured the Hom-Dai –"
Amunet silenced her with a shake of her head. "We both knew my father would be punished. This is worse but –" Her voice broke and she took a moment to compose herself, wiping tears away with her palms. "It is done. My father had to suffer for what he did to Egypt when he murdered your father. I just... I wish things could be different."
"As do I, Amunet." Nefertiri commiserated, rising from her bed and crossing to her friend. "As do I."
"If you do not wish me to be in your service any longer –"
"I would never dismiss you." Nefertiri interrupted, taking Amunet's hands in hers. "You're more than my companion, Amunet. You're my friend." She smiled softly. "I would even call you my sister. Have we not grown together? Played together? Learned together?" Nefertiri shook her head. "Despite what Imhotep has done, I could never hate you for what he did. You are my closest friend."
"And I always will be." Amunet promised, squeezing Nefertiri's hands.
A sharp smell brought Kit back to her senses. She blinked twice, her vision slightly blurry. It cleared after a moment and she sat up, her head swimming. Ardeth pulled the bottle of smelling salts away from her, handing them to Rick. Kit could hear Jonathan and Katrina talking in the kitchen, and distinctly heard Alex complaining, "Aw, come on Uncle Jon! Kat, I am doing all the work with this God dang goose!"
"Watch your language, Alex, or I will tell when your mum comes round!" Jonathan threatened.
"I dare you to." Alex rebuffed. "And then I can tell her that you and Katrina –"
"What did you need help with?" Katrina interrupted. "Ah yes, the goose! Let's get busy."
"Is everything alright?" Ardeth asked, sinking on the sofa next to Kit, minding her legs. "Are you... yourself?"
Kit blinked twice, the overwhelming rhapsody of emotions she had just experienced silencing her for a moment. Cautiously, she nodded. She felt like herself and knew little else of Amunet other than what she had just experienced as the daughter of Imhotep. Evy let out a little moan on the sofa opposite Kit's and stretched, slowly pulling herself up to sit.
"Did you –?" Evy swung her legs over the side of the sofa, almost hitting her hovering husband as she did. "Did you get all of that?"
Kit nodded. "From the mastaba to Ramses declaring Imhotep suffered the Hom-Dai, I saw... felt everything."
"So I –I didn't hurt Amunet." Evy paused, biting her lip. She almost seemed afraid to ask when she queried, "Did I?"
Ardeth and Rick watched in silence as the pair talked, both oblivious to what the women had experienced. "I don't think so." Kit replied. "I think she wanted Imhotep to face justice and..." Kit threw her hands up in the air. They fell back down. "Evy, what does it matter? Amunet obviously held no grudge – And if she did, it doesn't have to affect us now."
"But –"
"Evy, it's all in the past." Kit said firmly. "Let it go. I'm me and you're you and we don't have to be chained to the actions of people we aren't anymore."
The Egyptologist looked like she was going to argue for a moment, but she stopped herself. Instead, she reached across to the sofa, squeezing Kit's hand.
"So... is that settled?" Rick asked cautiously. His expression was one of bemusement, but not curiosity.
"I think it is." Evy said with a smile. Her grin was quickly wiped from her face as a crash resounded from the kitchen. "Alex? Katrina?" Evy asked, rising from the sofa.
"Bet it's Jonathan..." Rick said under his breath and the couple swiftly left the front parlor for the kitchen.
"It's difficult for me to gauge," Ardeth said, looking back at Kit after his eyes followed the O'Connells from the room, "But I'm guessing you saw what you wanted to see?"
The woman paused for a moment before speaking. "I think Amunet sold Imhotep out." Kit replied. "She was very angry, very hurt. But she still cared for him... Even if her father was a killer."
The pair sat in silence for a moment before Ardeth stood. "I suppose I should take my leave. I've already interrupted your holiday –"
"Oh no you don't!" Kit objected, grasping Ardeth's hand to stop him. "Stay. Please stay. I mean... We are not letting you out in the snow on Christmas, and that trip back to Egypt, that's a doozy." Ardeth smiled at Kit's insistence. Kit gave him an admonishing look. "Besides, all you've had is tea and biscuits. Dinner's almost done – Provided Alex and Jonathan didn't ruin it."
"I heard that, Auntie Kit!" Alex cried from the kitchen.
"It was Katrina, I'll have you know!" Jonathan chipped in. There was another crash and a yelp from Jonathan.
Kit raised a hand to her mouth to hide a snigger while Ardeth gave her a smile. "I would like to avoid the snow for as long as possible. And avoiding it while staying with you and your family does sound pleasant."
Kit dropped her hand to reveal a wide smile. "It's settled then." Teasing, she leaned forward and added, "Who knows, maybe you could borrow some of Jonathan's clothes and fit right in with London."
Ardeth did not look thrilled at the suggestion. "...I think not."
Almost a week passed. New Year's Eve arrived and the place to be in London was Ahm Shere. Automobiles lined up around the block, exhaust spouting in cloudy plumes through the winter air. The interior was jam-packed with patrons gambling, drinking, and eating as a jazz band played the casino's main floor. The swingers, cocktail waitresses, and cigarette peddlers were all decked out in costumes with innumerable sequins and false jewels to ring in the New Year. After some conversation, the O'Connells and their guest had accepted Jonathan's offer of celebrating the New Year inside the Diamond of Osiris. They arrived a couple of hours before midnight, walking the traffic jam of automobiles and the few people huddled outside the doors, hoping that they could get inside.
Jonathan was the first to greet the party as they entered. "There you all are!" The casino owner was dressed in blinding white coat and tails. Diamond cufflinks that Alex could swear were as big around as his eyes almost blinded the boy as his uncle chucked him beneath the chin. Jonathan surveyed the party, exasperation clearly on his features as he surveyed Rick in his regular trousers, suspenders, and shirt with nothing but an old brown overcoat to try and hide his usual fare. "Could you not at least dress up, man? It's almost the New Year!" Jonathan scolded.
Rick gave a shrug. "Are you going to get after Ardeth for not changing either?" Indeed, the Medjai was draped in his customary black robes, looking shabby compared to the casino's other occupants.
"I could have loaned you a suit, you know." Jonathan reminded the Medjai.
Ardeth shook his head. "I am quite content with my own clothes. And I think I would have to grow shorter to be able to fill them out as well as you."
"That's right!" Jonathan concurred. "You're too damn lanky to match my girth."
"My thoughts exactly."
Jonathan abandoned his efforts with his brother-in-law and Ardeth, instead turning to Evelyn and Kit. "Well, you two look lovely at least!" His sister wore a long shimmery black gown with a lace wrap hung around her shoulders. Kit's light gray gown was more modest with draped sleeves, but the back was cut low enough to give others a view of a sliver of her back. "Alex, well dressed as always."
"Per usual, Uncle Jon." Alex gloated with a smirk, straightening his red tie and rolling down the cuffs of his gray suit.
Jonathan beamed with pride at Alex's candor. "Katrina won't be joining us until after her set, but Ardeth, you have to try this game called blackjack..."
"Oh no you don't." Kit's left arm was already linked with Alex's but she looped her right arm around Ardeth's, pulling the Medjai away from Jonathan. "Your casino is not fleecing Ardeth. Not tonight, anyway."
"I was just gonna show him –" Jonathan sighed with exasperation.
"It is for the best." Ardeth promised, unable to contain a giddy smile at Jonathan's upset. "I only have luck when I wager on races."
"And shouldn't we be getting into the lounge anyway, Jonathan?" Evy insisted.
Jonathan grumbled as he led the party across the crowded main floor. "Bunch of killjoys, the lot of you."
The Diamond of Osiris was considerably less crowded than the casino floor, but the press of people within was still considerable. Couples in flashes of color and different styles of clothing whirled around the dance floor while other revelers ate, drank, and laughed. Katrina had already assumed the stage, singing a thoughtful ballad when the party entered. They had relatively little problem finding their table, the same one the O'Connells had sat at the night they met the lounge singer months ago. The curvy brunette gave them a wink as she began singing the chorus with gusto. "Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you..."
"Hey, sweetheart," Rick said to Evy, bouncing his eyebrows at his song-matching nickname, "Care to dance?"
"Do your worst, Mr. O'Connell." Evy replied, letting her husband escort her onto the dance floor where they were soon swallowed up by other dancers.
"Let's get us a bottle of champagne!" Jonathan proclaimed, waving over a waiter. "What's the New Year without a little bubbly?"
"Perhaps we should get some milk for Alex?" Kit suggested.
"Why can't I let loose with some lemonade?" Alex moaned. "It's New Year's Eve for cripes sake!"
"Maybe we can sneak you a glass of champagne, Alex." Jonathan suggested with a wink as the waiter popped the cork off the bottle, catching the falling foam in a fluted glass before it hit the floor.
"I don't think that would be wise." Ardeth objected.
"Who else will be able to drive you lot back home after tonight if not me?" Alex asked with a cheeky grin.
"You are a more responsible child than I ever was. That is to be commended." Jonathan said, toasting his nephew with his foamy glass. The waiter offered glasses to the Medjai and the woman, but they both declined. He left the bottle and Jonathan sighed. "What'd I say? Killjoys, the lot of you."
The conversation ended as the song wound down and applause echoed through the lounge. All present turned to look at the singer on the stage. Katrina grinned at the audience, pulling the microphone stand closer to her and she spoke. "Thank you. Now, as many of you know, this will be my last night performing as a singer –" Gasps of surprise and distress echoed throughout the room and the brunette laughed. "I know, I know, but I'm hanging up my microphone! I will be entering Queen Mary College in the new year to pursue a study in the fields of history and – Oh, thank you." The woman's emerald eyes sparkled at the polite applause riddled throughout the crowd. "And, unfortunately my lovelies, this will be my last song – my swan song, if you will." There were groans of disappointment, but Katrina hushed them with a gesture. "Not to worry! My faithful band will continue to regale you until well into the New Year! So without further ado, let me sing you my favorite song from when I was a girl – and may it come true for all of us in 1935!" There were a few cheers at that and Katrina's band struck up I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise.
Ardeth stood from the table, making sure that his robes were tucked properly. He smoothed down his hair and Jonathan asked, "Plucking up the courage to dance, are you?"
A slight flush colored Ardeth's face and he disregarded Jonathan's question. Instead, he crossed to Kit, bowing stiffly. "May I have this dance?" He asked, almost drowned out by the swell of the brass instruments.
Kit smiled, looking to Alex quickly and asking, "You'll say no to any offer of liquor from your uncle, won't you?"
"I will, Auntie Kit, there's nothing to worry about." Alex replied. The mischievous grin that accompanied his words did little to sate her fears, but there was nothing for it.
"I'd love to, Ardeth." Kit replied, placing her hand in his. The Medjai clutched it tightly as they wove through the crowd, heading for an empty plot of dance floor.
Katrina crooned, "All you preachers who delight in panning the dancing teachers, let me tell you there are a lot of features of the dance that carry you through the gates of Heaven..."
"I confess," Ardeth began to admit when they finally faced each other on the dance floor, Kit's free hand on his shoulder and his own dangling at his side, "I do not know how to dance."
The woman smiled at her dance partner. "I'm told there's finer points to it, but all I know is to turn in a circle depending on how fast the music is. And your hand goes here." She gently guided Ardeth's free hand to her back before replacing her hand on his shoulder. "It's all spinning in circles from here."
Ardeth chuckled. "That I can do." He said, and for a few verses, the couple careened around the room at a slower and clumsier pace than the other couples. They passed Evy and Rick once, giving each other a nod before they disappeared into a swell of people. "I'll miss things like this when I go back home." Ardeth stated as the trumpet took a solo, his eyes leaving Kit's face for a moment to drink in the activity of the lounge. "The desert is so much more simple than this. The last time I was in London I didn't get to partake in more than an ill-fated bus ride."
Kit's eyes widened. "Is that why you were so fidgety when Alex and I took you to the theatre last weekend?" She looked horrified at the revelation. "...We could have taken Rick's car, you know."
Ardeth laughed again. "Don't trouble yourself. It was uh... Soothing. And proof that a stolen motor bus is handled much differently than when one is driven by a professional."
"Stolen –" Kit echoed and then, eyes rolling, she deduced what Ardeth was talking about. "Jonathan?"
"Jonathan." The Medjai confirmed.
Katrina began singing again, and though the song was exceedingly upbeat, the couple found themselves slowing in their dancing as they continued to speak. "You could stay." Kit suggested, giving Ardeth a sly smile. "Have Aasifa shipped here; I'll convince Rick to build stables for her."
Ardeth's deep laugh rumbled in his chest. "I do not think England's damp would agree with her." He lamented.
"Heated stables then?" Kit asked. They both laughed. "I don't see how well that would work with all the hay."
The Medjai chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Aasifa I could live without. But you..." The pair almost stopped their revolving. Ardeth's fingers curled around Kit's hand, warm, weathered, and gentle. "I will miss you, Kit. I've grown fond of your letters but your writing is not nearly as wonderful as talking to you."
"If you can't stay, I could come with you." Kit's eyes sparkled at the prospect. There was a beat of silence and then the hurried excuse of, "I'm a little tired of all of this snow anyway."
The pair did stop their dancing at this point. The Medjai could tell that, despite Kit's jests, her suggestion of coming with him was serious. "But what about Rick and Evy? Alex?" Ardeth paused. "Katrina? Even Jonathan? Won't you miss them?"
Kit changed into the shadow of a shy girl. Color flushed her cheeks as she quietly confessed, "Not as much as I'd miss you."
Ardeth's heart thundered in his chest and his entire being grew warm. He grinned at Kit, and she returned the smile. They said nothing, for words were not needed. Instead, Kit leaned to Ardeth, resting a head upon his shoulder as Ardeth's arm moved upwards to embrace her, his hand tightening around hers.
The trumpets ended the song with an excessive flourish and applause thundered throughout the lounge. "Thank you! Thank you!" Katrina cried as roses sprinkled the stage, landing at her feet. The applause continued even as she bowed off and as the pounding of clapping hands dwindled, Ardeth and Kit pulled apart.
"Come on." Kit urged, her hand hugging Ardeth's tightly. "Let's go back to the others – toast to the New Year and new beginnings." And with that, the couple weaved through the crowd, returning to their friends and loved ones a bit happier than they had been before.
Thank you for reading! Keep an eye out for the second installment of this AU series entitled "Withstanding Destiny" due out before Summer 2013!