A/N: I know what you guys are thinking. Two updates so close together?! Whaaaat.
Crazy hey? Haha. Anyway I hope you all are enjoying the new updates!
The next morning there was a constant urge to bang her head against the nearest wall. So many things were said out of anger that she could not take back. She actually had the gal to call Anck-su-namun an adulterer; of course it had been an English slag so there is a huge chance he had not understood. Hopefully. She could not be so hard on herself though because she was not completely out of turn; The woman was, in fact, an adulterer. it did not mean she had the right to insult her though. Then to add to it all she swore at him for, and she quotes 'quelling his lust between her legs'. Subtle, Eve. Real subtle.
Nevertheless she had indeed made some kind of progress. Some of Imhotep's presciently stiff poise had an aberration. There was a face behind the mask and deep down a part of him wanted it to be seen; or least, she presumed so. It had to get stuffy constantly pretending, He did an awful lot of it. He had to pretend not to be jealous, not to love. Gods, he had to pretend not to wish death upon his king. Not that it was something he could act upon; They both knew how that ended.
She suffered a wheeze of shot nerves. So tense. Her mind was so preoccupied with the stress that she had not noticed the murmur of a man's voice directed her way.
"Daughter." It came harsher. She straightened her spine expeditiously. Sleep deprived eyes jetting the elderly man's way. He was watching her attentively, concern set into his brows. She smiled with a light heart in return. Silently recognizing his unease.
"All is well." She whispered trying to settle the deep set worry. The poor man had be to see her daily after she collapsed in his arms. Fearful that he might lose his cherished only child. Day after day she continued to attempt convincing him of her wellbeing, that he had much more important things to worry for then an ailing woman. The humour did not become him. Instead he took on a stern look and shook his head. Nothing is more important. He would say. It was practically suffocating at times. It had been a long time since she last had a parent worry over her actions.
Unwilling to acknowledge more unwanted conversation she returned her gaze to the event. Among the beautiful dancing woman was a feast of feasts, then the countless offerings from the people to pray for the princess's recovery. So many had gathered to honour her and wish her well.
She at first found herself wandering the crowed, talking to the souls within. They flocked to her side with praises. The princess must have been much beloved by her people for they fallowed her like a herd. She smiled kindly and spoke softly. Enjoyed each story until the guards caught on to her wandering and forced her to return to a sitting position. They were sticks in the mud.
She ate her meal quietly. Watching the twists and curves of the lively dancers. They jingled and glittered. Adorned with beautiful and colourful gowns. Stunning. She wondered if she could learn to move the way they did, and how they had come across such erotic movements.
"Lovely is it not child." The woman's voice lingered. She caught it with a sense of knowing. She knew of whom the voice belonged, of course, It haunted her waking dreams. The woman chuckled when Eve did not return her joyful attitude. "Do not be so disjointed, Nefertiri. With your aptitude for physical knowledge the longing in your eyes is noticeable."
"It is not something a princess of Egypt may indulge in, Anck-su-namun" Or a proper English woman for that matter, Eve quickly noted.
"Such movements are favourable in both battle and life." Anck-su-namun had this stomach turning smirk on her broad lips that made Eve want to slap the woman. She knew exactly how much the concubine used such knowledge to her advantage. Ignorant hussy, boasting such ludicrous things to the Pharaoh's daughter. The woman believed she was being clever, hinting at things she believed no one to knew but she was wrong. Eve knew all to well of what she spoke.
"Would you permit my ability to learn these techniques dear Anck-su-namun?" She let the bitter sweetness of her voice cascaded a glamour of interest. "Never know when one could used such abilities. Snare myself a man; or perhaps even two." She drawled out the last part with a knowing smile.
There was a flicker in the woman's black eyes. A question, A worry, but it was heavily painted over just as her skin had been. Eve noted the golden artwork quickly. No smudges; Yet, that is. "Well, if that is your desire flower. Then indeed you may."
Anck-su-namun abruptly excused herself and retreated to the Pharaoh's side. She tossed an uneasy gaze her step daughters way every now and then but Eve knew that she would not hear from her for the rest of the evening; at least not intentionally. It was obvious that Anck-su-namun worried the princess would snitch out their sins to her father, little did she know that Eve was attempting to protect someone from such a fate.
As the night dragged on the room was beginning to feel stuffy. Hesitantly she escaped her father's side without notice. She needed to find air. Not just any air but crisp night air on her hot skin. She rounded the corner with knowing eyes. Smile wide on her lips, she practically danced her way down those empty halls. With a smirk she attempted a move she watched the sultry woman performed. With a proud strut she pretended she was seductive primitive woman who knew all in the ways of men. She shimmied her hips and hummed to a music that found itself lingering. It must be exhilarating when one constantly felt unpowered. She wondered if this is how the concubine always felt. If so the woman must be awfully full of herself.
"Explain it to me then." Eve paused at the hushed snarl. She haunted to the sound. Currently she found herself standing in the middle of a four-way intersection and reluctantly she began to look down each hall in search of the voices. She acknowledge that this was probably a horrid idea but she found herself finding that fact irrelevant.
"I cannot explain what I do not know." Came the a voice in return. Eve rolled her eyes. Seems like two others had escaped her father's eyes. Speak thy name and they shall come, she sneered.
"You are his high Priest, you know all!" She pushed back. "How could that callow woman know our secret?" Realizing their direction Eve slowly crept forward and when she spotted them she halted. They had yet to realize she was present; No they were far to caught up in each other's eyes.
"I cannot say that we have been careful on the subject in question." Imhotep returned her concern with a emotionless answer. Eve cringed. She knew how infuriating that could be. Wait. Did Anck-su-namun just call her immature?
"Be serious my love." She pleaded. Delicately she swept her hands down his biceps. "What if she-"
Before she could react Imhotep had slapped her hands away. "If the Princess does know then I doubt she would speak such things to her Father. She cares to deeply about his wellbeing."
"You still attempt to push me away. Why?" She deliberately ignored the comment; actually the concubine seemed so aghast by his actions that Eve was unsure she even heard it.
"I do not feel the need to repeat myself to you woman." Eve watched as he turned her her direction. She froze like a deer who had spotted the hunter. She wanted to run at the way he glared her down. There she was, standing in the middle of the hall not even attempting to hide as she listened in on their conversation. Oops. That was her mistake. She was beginning to comprehend how suspicious it must look when she always found herself in the middle of their privet moments.
"Nefertiri, a surprise to see you here." Anck-su-namun quickly interjected.
"Forgive me." Eve forced a small bow. "I was attempting an escape to the outside. I had not meant to interrupt." She found she never lost contact with Imhotep, their eyes crackled in a wordless battle. His was one of acrimony and hers was more out of envy. Regardless both were two unmovable forces heading for a head-on collision.
"How long have you been standing there." The concubine drew herself closer with a heavy glare set in her obsidian eyes.
"Long enough. Your Priest is right, I am more concerned about protecting the welfare of others to flaunt your privet life around for the world to see." Eve felt a dangerous smile find its way across her face. "In fact I believe a thank you is in Oder; I have been protecting your little wrongdoings longer then you would know." She lifted her chin high and continued on her way. She felt the pride swell as her hips swayed. Yes, she wanted to flaunt her strength in front of Anck-su-namun, she will not be seen as some little girl who does not understand the world around her.
She spared Imhotep a sideways glance as she passed then allowed herself to give the concubine a quick full body examination. She found herself disappointed when she caught the distorted artwork on her back and arms. "Oh yes, before you return Anck-su-namun there is need of fixing your lovely paint. Wouldn't want father to notice would we?"
Eve had not bothered to watch her expression towards the comment. Instead she stared down the hall feeling more triumphant then she probably should have. She was certain that the concubine was more then likely enraged by Eve's smug attitude. The princess was feeling rather snotty about the whole situation, actually. As much as she hated to admitted it she realized that it must have been the jealousy.
Interesting emotion. It called forth an ego that she knew she did not possess. She swiftly walked taller and moved with a seductive grace moment she found herself in her step-mother's presence. This sensation screamed for her to outdo the woman in anyway she was able to. Though deep within her heart was the pestering embarrassment that fallowed such deeds.
Eve breathed in a deep as she could moment she reached the outdoors. She had been unable to reach the palace's entrance but instead she found a barren rooftop that was accessible from an open window. She smiled, taking a quick peek around her surroundings before climbing her way out. It was not overly difficult; it was just a hop, skip and a stones throw away, she grinned. If this did not count as un-lady like behaviour then she didn't know what would.
She bound her way across the set stones. Bouncing from one sill to another until she was able to climb to the roof in question. She dug her bare toes into the stone wall, fingers latched onto the roof's edge, and lifted. She could not contain the grin. The princess was much more agile and physically aware the Eve had been in her old body. It was something she was beginning to enjoy. She stood high, arms outstretched to the endless starry sky as the gratification filled in her insides.
She felt free. No duties. No concubine or Priest. No heart shattering jealousy threatening to drown her. Ah yes. She sucked in the night air. Took in the way It's creamy winds licked up any exposed skin. It brushed through each strand of hair longingly and sank past in wonderment. She longed to be one with the desert air; With the night sky. To be free of all of this damnation.
"You are an oddity." She frowned at the voice of the high Priest, of course he would have come looking for her after that display. She turned around to find the area empty. Not a soul in the distant windows. She cocked a brow. Where in the world was he? "Cast your gaze upwards Princess."
She did. He was leaning over a balcony rail, staring down at her with his usual mask. "Do you not have other duties to preform?"
"Indeed but when the Princess leaves without her usual guard then one must insure her safety." She scrunched her noes in distaste. She did not believe him for a second. "How did you manage to find yourself down there?"
"I climbed from the window down there." She tossed a quick hand towards the direction she came before sizing up the distance between her and the balcony. She could probably reach the bottom ledge if she took a running jump. It wasn't too high.
He chuckled then. A sound that made her lose all focus. It was a lovely sound and something she once had been unsure he could even make. "Undoubtable." She took in the way one side of his lips slid out to the side in an unmissable smirk. The shimmer in his eyes. Butterflies made their way through her stomach and her heart skipped beats. This was a new look, one she had never experienced before at least. "Rebellion in your spirit. Such an anomaly in these times, specially from a woman." Abruptly the mask was replaced. His eyes turned cold to the night. "It was in those last few months that the princess began to engage in such things. You certainly appear to have picked up where she left off."
"Stop comparing me to her." She realized how stern she must have sounded. He returned those endless yellow eyes her way. They seemed to glow even in the darkness. They analyzed her bitter stance and regarded her acerbic expression. "I am no one but myself."
"That is where you are wrong. You are one and the same souls. You lived both lives and are cursed to continue to do so."
She backed up momentarily before coming full charge toward the edge of the surface she found herself on. She launched herself off. Like planned she caught the bottom of the balcony, what was unplanned was how sweaty she found her fingers. She quickly tried to regain her composure, attempting to lift herself to safety before she took an unfortunate fall. She squeaked when she slipped; the fear of falling welled up inside her heart. It was dangerously close to suffocating her in this swell of perturbation. She allowed herself a single glance down and instantly regretted it. There would be coming back from that.
"Are you mad?" Imhotep grasped her forearm, dangling half over the edge himself. She tossed a grateful grin his way and he took it with an unpleasant scowl. With a swing she reach up for his extending arms and with his assistance they brought her feet to the outside of the balcony. He hastily usurer her to the safe side of the rail, hands clasped to her shoulders. "Do you have a death wish woman?"
She laughed nervously. Sometimes she wondered the same thing. Why else would she fallow him like a love struck pup. "Forgive me. I was acting out of anger and thought that speaking face to face was more appropriate." The damnedest things crossed your mind when you are not thinking clearly. She was unsure if she ever thought clearly around this man. She smiled up at him nervously.
They sat there in silence. His hands still firmly sitting on her shoulder; bodies close and her backside still in proximity of the balcony rail. With the aggravated look abroad his lovely face she wondered if he was contemplating pushing her back over. It would be an unfortunate accident and she did seem prone to them of late. she was unsure if anyone would bat an eyelash at the idea of it. She could see a small war going through those magnificent orbs, so the thought was not completely unbelievable. Neither moved, nor did they say anything to break the silence.
He shut his eyes firmly with a groan and turned his head sharply. It was then those hands slowly slipped down her arm. Tracing each detail before hastily dropping away. He held so much hostility within his being. It was something, if she remembered correctly, he would use her often to help control. The idea took her aback. What on earth was he doing to help that now?
"I must return and I must suggest you do so as well princess."
She had not hesitated to catch his parting hand. Held on to the tips of his fingers gently and squeezed. "If you ever find need of me, I am here." She paused. "No matter what you believe our futures will never be the same regardless of what happens. It will not erase the things we have already experienced. The claim you have taken on this body will not disappear so simply."
He had turned on her so unexpectedly that she found herself practically sitting on the edge of the railing. He loomed over her like a demon ready to reap her soul. "You think it to be so simple. That the world is willing to bend to what ever you say and expect no consequence in return." His nose made a trail up her jawline causing her skin to bristle with a tinge long sensation and her breath to fall short. "You are naïve body of mine." His voice trembled like the echoing thunder and her body quaked beneath its presence.
"You believe things are more complex then they are." She challenged his knowledge. He was not the only one connected to the Gods in this situation. She personally believed to been in proximity with one just recently. It had been something not easily forgotten. "The body wants more then the mind can reason, or have I misunderstood?"
She dipped her face so it was inline with his own. Their noses brushed together and she slowed seconds away from his lips. "Minx." His growl of the words sounded more animalistic then human and it flared the desire building between her thighs. She did not dare to move. If someone was going to continue this it had to be him. She could not force this upon him the way the princess had done once before. This had to be his choice.
She found herself crestfallen when he turned his face away, eyes looming into the darkness of the night. "Good night princess." He shoved himself from his perch hotly and thumped from the balcony. She could hear him cursing under his breath the moment he left her side. Hatred bloomed off him like a pulsating wave. She flinched as he pushed over the decorative vase that once stood in the entry way. He allowed his violence to be reason enough to create chaos; Snarling and breaking things as he disappeared into distance.
She let out an exasperated sigh and dangled her strained eyes sideways. It was then she caught a sight that she had to double take. Her face must have drained of all blood as she recognized the figure of someone standing in a distant window: watching the event between the priest and herself.
Oh fuck.
Anck-su-namun radiated abhorrence towards what had just occurred between her love and the princess. There was no way she could have heard the exchange of words but Eve was sure the actions looked far worse. The woman turned on her heels and quickly left the view of her window.
Suddenly Eve felt she had just walked herself into the middle of hell.