Chapter 3: Comfort

One push was all it took to send us to the brink, the moment that all of those caresses, sweet whispers, and kisses had built up to. it was always in this moment that all of our love would pour out into each other and our minds, souls, spirits, and hearts would meet, becoming one. As his body rattled, gasping for air, his arms still around me, holding me close to him, Ramses would rest his forehead against mine. Soothing words of love would leave his lips as he kissed me again before our bodies finally untangled from each other.

When I sat up, getting a drink of water from the bowl one of Rameses's Servants had brought to his chambers (I rarely drank wine due to the hazy effects it would have on people if too much was consumed), I felt his arms snake around my waist, pulling me to him.

"Just what do you think you are doing?" Ramses whispered against my shoulder as his chin rested there.

"Just quenching my thirst." My voice was quiet as I put the goblet of water to my lips. Unlike wine, the water felt cool and refreshing as it slid down my throat. I could almost feel the coolness seeping into me, flowing to every inch of my body.

His lips curled into a smile against the skin on my shoulder as they gently brushed over it. "You always drink water over wine, why is that?" Ramses asked curiously.

I just shrugged, not really knowing why myself. "Probably because wine can turn one into a fool." I answered. Ramses laughed lightly and gave my middle a soft squeeze.

"Maybe." The Prince let out a soft breath, a contented sigh greeting my ears. I allowed myself to be settled against his chest and rested my head under his chin.

The night was cool, dark and quiet as we sat there. I could smell the incense still burning from a nearby brazier, the ember slowly dying off. Ramses' chest was a comfortable kind of warm, one that always made me feel safe. And the beating of his heart was like a soft humming lullaby, lulling me to sleep.

Just when I was close to drifting off, a thought entered my head, a thought that I always pushed away and buried deep in my soul. As if hearing the thought, Ramses kissed my temple, his hand brushed against my arm in a soothing touch.

"Maya."

"Mmm?" I answered with a small, sleepy groan, my eyes remaining closed as I allowed this rare moment of peace to wash over me.

"You and Moses will be sixteen soon." Rameses's soft voice roused me out of sleep. My eyes opened and I looked at him.

"And?"

"And?' and I was thinking of doing something nice for you. Throw a feast or perhaps a nice boat ride down the Nile?" His voice became excited at the prospect of spending my birthday with me. "Just the two of us, the whole day without anyone else."

I felt Ramses' hand moving to my lower arm and just rubbing it softly. I just shifted to get more comfortable and looked up at him. The light of the only lit torch in his room casted a golden tint on Ramses' already bronze colored skin.

Compared to him, my skin was paler, duller. Only in the sun would my skin look a bit darker. I already knew, from seeing the slaves side by side, walking around us whenever we were getting lessons from Seti on the various temples and seeing Moses when one passed by, that my twin brother and I were the children of Hebrews. Why else would we have been floating down the Nile River when our stepmother found us?

Seeing Ramses' hand holding my wrist brought about all the usual insecurities of my Hebrew heritage and playing at being Egyptian Royalty. I immediately pulled away from my lover, sitting at the edge of his bed now.

"You don't like the sound of that, do you?" That hurt tone his voice made me flinch. Rameses's pride always made him more susceptible, open to having his feelings hurt and he's upset, he would lash out unintentionally.

I know because I've witnessed first hand when Moses' would goad him into helping with a prank and when father scolded Ramses for allowing himself to be led astray, my lover would become angry and upset. He even punched Moses once.

I shook my head, imagining the sad look in his eyes and the frown upon his lips. "No, it's not that, Ramses." My heart prickled at the thought of my stupid insecurities hurting Ramses, and my family.

"Then what is it, Maya?" The proud first crowned Prince of Egypt suddenly rose from the bed. He knelt before me, taking my hands into his once more. "Talk to me, tell me how I can make the hurt go away."

My heart skipped a beat, fluttering with joy, but this floundering insecurity of mine hung over me like a heavy rain cloud. Tears burned at my eyes, but only for a second as I breathed in deeply, blinking them away. When I opened my eyes, I pulled my hands out of Ramses and held out in front of me for him to see.

"Ramses, look at my hands. Now look at yours. Look and tell me what you see?"

Confusion darkened his facial features as his expression turned from sadness. Ramses did as he was told, the eighteen year old holding his own hands next to mine. Our fingers barely touched as he studied our hands side by side. His face softened and he took my hands into his, planting kisses on each of my palms. "I see the hands of a beautiful girl and the hands of her confused lover." His tone was playful, but his eyes were serious.

A sigh passed my lips, disappointment creeping its way into my heart. "You don't see the difference in our skin color? You don't notice that I have the blood of a Hebrew coursing through my veins?" I asked. I was getting frustrated at this point and with this agitated feeling came the feeling of guilt, sadness, and feeling trapped. It was the start of another one of my nightmarish episodes, ones that only Ramses could prevent.

"Maya? Of course I see the differences, but what does that have to do with you and me? With us? You may have been born among the slaves, but you are a Princess of Egypt, raised by my parents. The Gods sent you and Moses to my family." Ramses gripped my hands firmly, sensing the start of one of my episodes. "The two of you were part of my family, my siblings and now you, you are my lover, my soul mate, and nothing can change that. When I become Pharaoh, you will be my Queen and no one will dare question your slave background. I will decree that you are forever Egyptian Royalty if I have to!"

I flinched at hearing the word Slave. It was a bitter word to hear passing from the lips of my lover. Feeling drained from my small outburst, I rested my forehead on his shoulder, slipping my arms around his torso. "How do you always know what to say to placate the demons inside me, Ramses?" I mumbled as he hugged me against his body.

"I've had years of practice." He whispered. Ramses held me at arms length, his gaze studying my face, searching my eyes for the answer to an unknown question. Before we said anything else, he leaned in close and captured me in a kiss, his hands on my shoulders.

My heart seemed to jump to my throat as we shared a kiss. My hands curled against his chest, only to lay flat, all tension leaving my body.

"I love you, my sweet beloved Mew. Never forget that." He whispered as I allowed him to lead me back to his bed once more.