CHAPTER 25:

Ideologies Questioned

"Guess where we're going today?" Kiara spoke up the next day as she led her husband through the small jungle land near her kingdom. He trailed behind her at a calm pace since his long strides easily outmatched hers. Her eyes watched him with playful innocence as she hopped along by his side.

"You know I have no idea, these are your lands" he laughed as he squeezed her curvy waist with one of his hands. He trilled curiously and leaned down slightly, "Is it a surprise?"

"Maybe" she smiled coyly, giving nothing away, and laughed as they kept walking over the warm dirt. He looked over the side to study the bushy foliage with his fingers but she tugged the hand away before he could. She then added a quick order, "No observations, you'll ruin it."

"Is that why you didn't bring Asim?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. She nodded and hastened her pace, surpassing his spot on the straight path. He followed her and called out, "Are you trying to match my runs now?"

"Oh, I could never outrun a god" she laughed amusingly and looked back to give him a fond smile, "I'm happy enough to be married to one."

He smiled proudly behind his mask and caught up to her within seconds. Grabbing her body into his arms from behind, he nuzzled her neck as she stopped to allow his caresses. He purred softly, "I'm glad we're able to spend some time outdoor alone as a couple. It would be tedious to stay locked up in your room every day, knowing our independent personalities."

"Good, so keep following" she said and traced the outline of his cheek on the cold mask. Her warm body shivered against the metal cooling her skin as she caught her breath from the small run, "We're almost there."

The two kept walking together for a few more minutes until they reached a familiar sight. A beautiful clear waterfall cascaded down into a pool of water as the rocks formed a crescent half-moon shape around it. Kaen'Dre quickly ran over merrily, forgetting his mate entirely, and sat down on the warm rocks to hastily untie his sandals. He dipped his bare feet into the cold water and splashed them in enthusiasm, wiggling his toes as the water trickled between each digit.

"I thought you'd appreciate seeing our waterfall before you leave" she said softly as she gave him a content smile. Her husband looked as giddy as the child he'd been years ago as he unlatched his mask and stared at his reflection in the water, even if his sight interpreted in infrared only. Kiara walked over casually and sat down next to him to place her cheek on his shoulder. Kissing the spot, she asked, "Like it?"

"Love it" he purred and kissed her once softly. He cherished the small modest blush that graced her cheeks as he nuzzled her face, "I will never forget the place where I met you. I never forgot you as I wandered the heavens all these years and I never will. You will never fade from my mind so never worry of that, dear one."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, touched by his heartfelt words, and dug her face into his neck. She kissed his sweaty neck, not caring how the salty droplets tasted against her lips, and whispered, "We were destined to be kindred spirits, no matter what our people think of us."

"We were, weren't we?" he trilled softly and gently pulled her away to kiss her eager moist lips. He remembered their first encounter and believed her to be right. How could two different beings meet in the same area repeatedly without having no profound meaning to it? Realists would say otherwise but he didn't care. Out of everyone, she was his sanctuary. Who cared if they were different? When he traveled to hunt, he would never seek comfort from anyone and once she'd opened her kingdom to him, he accepted her into his private life freely. Now, they had to keep their own entangled life a secret. Her lips parted from his mouth and he smiled, "Will you swim with me?"

"Of course" she accepted gladly, leaning down to take off her sandals. Kaen'Dre simply ripped off his mesh and threw himself into the water carelessly. He splashed her with the water thrown up from his dunk and she groaned. Now her dress needed to be dried! Taking it off before he could wet it more, she stood up and placed it on a nearby branch so it could dry in the sunlight. She quickly ran to dip her feet into the water as the slated rocks burned the soles of her feet. Her mouth opened in a grateful sigh as the cold water tranquilized her stung feet and splashed her husband in return. Kaen'Dre pulled one of her feet playfully and she dove into the water to join him.

"I'm so glad we could get away" she smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She steadied her balance in the water as she embraced him, "After the attack, I didn't think my father would let me wander far. Luckily, my brother was able to use his rank to place more guards on the borders. So now, I can spend more time with you."

"I admire your loyalty to your people" he trilled as his mandibles grazed her delicate neck gently. Her shoulders arched against his own as her skin savored the rhythmic movements of his tongue. His mouth traveled up the side of her neck and his sharp teeth lightly bit her ear, "But if those criminals keep bothering you, I will hunt them down and hang their skulls off the palace columns to ward off any felons. I will not let anything cause you harm when I can stop it."

"You're so protective of me lately" she chuckled and kissed him as her fingers caressed his open mandibles, sketching their skin texture, knobby joints, and sharp tusks with her fingertips. Letting go of him after the gentle kiss, she caressed his lower mandibles fondly, "Hopefully, it will be over soon and we can have peace. I don't want to think about those sorcerers right now, you and I will enjoy our oasis."

She let go of him to swim underwater for a minute as Kaen'Dre simply rested against the smooth round rocks. Closing his eyes, he let the therapeutic sounds of the waterfall fill his ears as it cascaded into the pool. He loved the water, he rarely visited places like these to relax and now he had a private pool to himself and his mate. The moment was simply carefree with no one to bother them about each of their duties and the troubles plaguing anyone. Whenever he was with her, he wanted to tell everyone around them to shove it and leave them alone so they could have peace. Ever since they had met up, they could only find solace in each other's arms but that too would soon end.

I have to meet up with my brethren, he thought as he opened his eyes and furrowed his brows in a scowl towards the water. How will I explain this to her when they come to the city?

Looking up, he spotted his mate playing with the waterfall by splashing her hands against it. She gave him an adoring smile and he nodded to her as he chuckled at her child-like behavior. She was so easily amused by the slightest things. Remembering last night, he purred at how eager she'd been to learn a new mating position and how her body had tossed back and forth in ecstasy against his hips. Deciding that he'd rather be near her than watch from afar, he swam lazily on his back until his hard head bumped into her back. She turned in surprise from the unknown touch as he laughed and looked up at her. She pushed him in the opposite direction and he groaned in complaint as his body glided away.

He tilted his body back in its vertical position in the water and poked his mate's back five times with one hand. She cried out from the sharp and tickling sensation as she tried to swim away but he easily out swam her and grabbed her with one arm. She squirmed but it was futile against his unwavering strength. She'd never outmatched him during their first fight or training, and she doubted anyone ever would.

"I must train you more" he trilled as he led her body towards the rocks and away from the waterfall. She relaxed in his grip and let him draw her towards the ledge, glaring at him for making her feel useless. He gave her a impish smile, "I forget how weak mortals are in physical strength. By the time I'm done, I could make you a lethal warrior."

"I'm not weak against people" she whined as she gave him another glare. He let go of her and she fell into the water causing her to swim quickly and grip the ledge before her flailing limbs caused her to sink. In anger, she spit out water and exclaimed, "Kaen'Dre!"

"I apologize" he responded instantly at her panicky look. Her body clung to the rocks like an infant to its mother and he helped steady her grip. "Are you all right?"

"Perfect, it reminded me of our Nile trip" she answered grimly and the light bulb lit up in his head in reminder. He apologized again and nuzzled her face with his as her cheek pressed against a cold rock, "I don't want to remember it."

"I will never leave your side again" he promised and purred softly to make her feel better. She nodded quietly as her fingers gripped the ledge tightly but he grabbed a hesitant hand into his. Squeezing her smaller hand, he sighed, "I was a fool that day and I won't make you cry again. I was trying to sever my ties to you but I couldn't and I'd never want to."

"Maybe we could visit another area of the Nile to make new memories" she said meekly as she leaned in to embrace him tightly, trusting his words. The simple reminder of how close she'd come to loosing him bitterly stabbed at the idea he would leave soon nonetheless. Banishing the thought, she suggested, "We could spend an entire day there, rent a room in an inn, pick a building to eat on- don't laugh."

"I'm sorry we can't eat together like most couples" he said, feeling bad for her and self-pity for himself. If it wasn't for his secrecy and species, she could eat anywhere with any human male. But she'd chosen him and here they were. Frankly, he'd been surprised a human of her rank hadn't demanded more of him to appease that shame. Instead, she dismissed it with a small shrug and an affectionate kiss. Returning it eagerly, he purred, "However, there's something else we could do as a couple."

"Kaen'Dre, just because we're married doesn't mean I'll bed you every day" she pointed out defensively and he felt embarrassed, thinking he'd pressured her unconsciously. Her eyes met his and she stated clearly, "I am your wife but I will not be a pleasure appeaser at every whim because I hold that title. We are equal, understand?"

"Of course, Kiara, I'd never see you as such" he agreed firmly, hoping he hadn't upset her. He forgot her way towards mating was different than his kind, they would be eager to please their mates but his own was. . .feisty. And he liked it. Pressing his forehead against hers, he didn't blink or break eye contact as he assured, "I would never take what we do for granted or for personal pleasure only."

She nodded in return and dug her nose into his neck to say, "I know, I want to be sure you won't stray to that form of thought one day. However, I like making love to you now that I'm used to it so. . ."

"So?" he added in too so he could know what she was thinking. She gave him another shy smile and kissed his neck in soft feathery pecks.

"Only once today" she allowed and caressed his chest with her fingers. "But let's swim first."

She let go and swam towards the waterfall as he groaned. He followed her slowly, relishing the cool water against his warm reptilian skin. Kiara swam in and out of the waterfall to let the cold water drench her skin and undergarments as she saw her husband. Diving into the water, she met up with him as he dipped his head back into the water to soak his long dreads. She smiled and kissed his damp cheek as his golden gaze met her own and he waved his mandibles in acknowledgment.

"Relaxing?" she preened giddily as she slicked her wet hair back. He nodded and grabbed her by the waist in one rapid movement as he raised his head out of the water and bit her cheek. She blinked from his agility rate and let out a laugh, "I'll take that as a yes."

"You're dripping wet" he laughed as the beads of water rolled down her face. She laughed as well since the water made her more energized and happier. His face leaned against hers and his tongue lapped up the droplets trailing down her cheek as she murmured his name quietly. Her emerald eyes watched him finish and his own golden pools met hers silently for a few seconds as they watched each other for the next move. She gave in from his intense gaze and kissed him with ardent haste and he opened his mouth in surprise to return it.

His tongue rolled over hers in a continuative dance as her arms wrapped around his neck securely to press her body against his. He wrapped an arm around her as her lips released him and brushed passionately over his face while he grinned excitedly towards her actions. His body heat rose and easily warmed her arms and face as beads of water dripped down his dreads and onto her hands which were massaging his scalp.

"My, aren't you an eager one?" he purred softly and she looked up in shy embarrassment, stopping her caresses. As she blushed softly, he grabbed her top undergarment and tucked his fingers in between her breasts. He traced a mandible over her cheek as he suggested, "Why don't you get out of these wet garments? There is no one here but us and we have complete privacy."

"Hmm, I suppose so" Kiara said lightly and leaned up to kiss his neck eagerly. He purred from the ongoing caresses as she breathed against his skin, "I would say, why not get comfortable on that smooth flooring over there?"

He quickly shifted his eyes to her line of sight to see where the rock ledge evened out into a smooth slate. Kissing her once, he purred, "Why not express our love in the place we met? Mark it as our own territory?"

"You sound more like a mortal everyday" she chuckled softly and raised an eyebrow as she looked up, "You could never turn mortal, could you?"

Kaen'Dre managed to keep a calm outlook while his brain ran around in circles. He wasn't even a god, but he lived way longer than humans anyway. His emotions were reaching breaking points when it came to this specific female, even his brethren were amused by it! He really should've downloaded information about humans into his gauntlet's memory base to keep up. Uttering a small sigh, he declared, "No, I could never turn mortal but I am realizing that you've changed my attitude since meeting."

"Good, I don't want anything awful to happen to you" she smiled in relief and praised him with small kisses as she whispered, "You're a wonderful man and you should last until the last mortal in existence dies. I know I'll die before you while you remain ageless but. . .I would never want you to suffer that fate due to our relationship."

"You deserve a kingdom with the way you speak to me" he purred as he caressed her hair with his fingers and nuzzled her face. Why did he have to keep deceiving a good innocent female like her? He hated himself for it as his chest constricted but he managed to say, "I am sorry that we can't last like a normal couple and I will suffer terribly myself when I do lose you one day. Yes, I will last longer than you but I can never be mortal, that much is clear. It's almost like a curse, for your love I'll do anything but I can't make you last at my side."

"Don't jinx us, it only makes it worse" she quickly stopped him as he looked at her fondly. Worriedly, she scolded, "Now stop that 'curse' talk before something bad does happen. We're together and happy, that's what matters. The future can kick itself for all I care."

"Perfect, join me over there then" he trilled as he let go of her, gently this time in order not to surprise her. He swam towards the rock ledge as she watched him swim, his lean muscular body gliding into the water easily without effort as his muscles tightened as he used his arms and legs to move gracefully like a natural born creature of the water.

"No, I'll join you once you're out of the water" Kiara said to herself as her emerald eyes kept watching his handsome body carefully like a spectator. She watched him reach the ledge and lift himself up effortlessly as water cascaded down his body like miniature rivers. His muscles rippled as he stretched and shook his hair to air-dry it and she sighed dreamily, "That man deserves to be ogled."

XXXXXX

"So the other towns are protected now?" Kiara asked as her fingers smoothed the linen fabric of her skirt. A few days had passed and she stood by the palace entrance as she and her brother watched the city and its constituents passing by as the afternoon came to a finish. The soft lukewarm breeze passed by her bare arms in farewell before it would turn into the chilly desert winds of night.

"Yes, I've made sure sufficient troops are posted" he assured with a nod as he leaned against one of the thick limestone columns. Its evaporating warmth seeped into his skin in comfort as he rested on it and traced his fingers over some of the carvings mindlessly. He watched the traders packing up nearby to head towards the next kingdoms to swap goods and information. Looking at his sister, he added, "I only wish I knew what those rogues hope to accomplish. They cannot be idiotic enough to attack a kingdom like ours when their numbers are so few."

"They're underhanded, they'll pick at the slightest opening they see" she said simply, her lips thinning in distaste. "How will we be rid of them? Has father insinuated a plan of sort?"

"Sorry sister, but you know nobody outside the Memphite army can know of military strategy" her brother teased in known fact. She rolled her eyes and nodded reluctantly, once again rebelling mentally against her societies rules. Deciding to throw his sister a tidbit, he confessed, "But I will say this, if it continues, I will send scout groups to track and destroy them."

"So what will we do for now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. She was pleased that her brother shared that thought with her instead of keeping her shut out, like most males within the palace. Didn't they know how much she sought to aid them as an equal? She went on with a firm tone, "We cannot do nothing and appear like a weak kingdom. If so, we'll be like Saqqara and I have no intention to letting our lineage fail. Our kingdom has stood too long to be brought down by a devious band of sorcerers."

"Nor do I, Kiara" Atem said firmly as three scribes exited the entrance to the outside. They bowed to the two siblings politely and they nodded in farewell as they left down the steps, their scrolls clattering against each other in their separate sacks. Tucking his hands behind his back as the scribes faded from his sight, he continued, "I will continue what our father has achieved and make sure this kingdom stays in our family. If I am not here, then one day you'll continue it unless I have an heir. Our kingdom will keep flourishing and will fade as a powerful icon as our last descendant enters the afterlife. I am sure the gods will bless us for running our lands very well."

Our lands could have no better pharaoh than he one day, she thought proudly. Songs will praise his achievements far beyond our years.

"I am glad you will be Pharaoh, no one else is worthy of the title" she smiled appreciatively and looked up at the pinkish blue sky overhead. "Good thing mother didn't have a spoiled child before you or we'd be sunk."

"Probably would've beheaded or poisoned us" Atem chuckled as he grinned widely and brushed back a lock of black hair. His carefree and positive attitude returning once again, "There are some desperate heirs out there. Fear not, I'll never hurt my reckless sister. You seem to do it on your own despite my warnings."

"Stop being a parent, you're a brother" she groaned and wrinkled her nose at the comment. Her brother simply laughed and she couldn't help but smile in return at his jovial and infectious mood, "You're meant to annoy when you're not acting high and mighty."

"And you're meant to nag me to death" he retorted with a smirk and she fought the urge to kick at his leg. His grin widened haughtily and it reminded her of their childhood days when he'd kicked her leg and made her spit out her food from shock during dinner. Both children had been sentenced to their rooms that night.

"Oh, you-" she began but was interrupted as Set popped in from behind them. They both greeted him with a nod as he hunched over to catch his breath but made a small bow as always. Kiara sighed at the gesture, "Set, stop that. How many times must we say to never do that?"

"You're royalty, I must" he pointed out as he straightened back up in perfect posture and pushed back strands of tousled hair. Looking at Atem, he informed, "Your father has requested your presence in the throne room. He wanted your opinion regarding a matter with Armana about the rogues."

"Right now?" he groaned, uttering a small sigh. He'd wanted to take a bath before any emergency meetings but he couldn't refuse when the pharaoh issued an order. His shoulders slumped and he mumbled, "Duty calls."

"I'm not sure if it is of high urgency but I wanted to inform you nonetheless" Set finished and relaxed on the column where Atem was. The prince looked at his friend with an amused face. Only his best friend would make sure everything was on time and in the perfect order if he had to do it himself.

"So you ran all the way here? You could've taken it slow, you were panting like a jackal in the heat" he chuckled and patted his friend's back.

"I will not slack off when my Pharaoh personally asks that I relay a message" Set pointed out snippily and crossed his arms, he was raised to obey rules and he would die following them. His chin raised up proudly as he stated, "I will always obey the pharaoh's every order on the dot."

"Fine, you can do it when I'm pharaoh then, I'll make you take a week off" Atem laughed in sweet revenge and waved at them in farewell as he left to head back inside. Kiara shook her head as she laughed agreeably to his words and looked at Set, who thinned his lips and knew he'd never obey such a ludicrous order. He gave her a nervous smile once he met her gaze and looked down worriedly at his feet.

"What is it, Set?" Kiara asked softly, sensing his apprehension. Like Atem and Aziza, each friend could read the other like a book when they were hiding problems. She gave him a sympathetic smile and asked, "Is something wrong with the kingdom?"

He looked up, startled and hesitated, "No. .well. .no. But there is something I need to get off my chest. Kiara, I've been gathering information on Kaen'Dre-"

"How dare you? I told you to leave it alone!" she instantly cut off, her body tensing from betrayal and anger that he'd done that without her permission. Kaen'Dre was her husband, if she wanted to know something, she'd ask him, not go behind someone's back. She would never do such a thing to any of her loved ones and keep it from them. Furrowing her brows, she held back a stiff voice, "If you were my friend, you'd trust me with what I'm doing. I trust him and there's nothing you can say to change that."

"Kiara, he belongs to a group of beings who come to our kingdom every one hundred years and that time is now" he explained calmly as she gave him a heated look. He knew he was walking on hot lava with her as continued, "Soon, they will come and perform a ritual that is meant to strengthen their kind's honor."

"I know, Kaen'Dre's told me that!" she pointed out sharply and crossed her arms. Why was he telling her what she already knew? And most importantly, where did he get the information? Not even she could get it when she was younger and wanted to know about Kaen'Dre's origins. Her eyes narrowed as she stated coldly, "We don't keep secrets from each other."

"Did he also tell you that if their ritual fails our kingdom will be extinguished into dust?" he demanded and her eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. Kiara's mind was skeptic to believe it instantly, so far everyone who knew of Kaen'Dre didn't like him much. He took her facial expression as a positive in his favor as he continued, "I assume he didn't, which should raise a warning in your head. Kiara, soon those beings will be here and they will begin their ritual and we must host it, according to the tradition established centuries before us."

Warily, she dared to ask, "What tradition?"

"They will clash with other beings, 'serpents of the underworld' the previous dynasties called them" he explained carefully as he remembered the scrolls he'd read for the past days. He had to find very old scriptures and ask Aziza to help translate some terms their current language didn't use. Either way, he knew something big was coming and didn't know if it was good or bad, except that they would be in the middle of it. "Kaen'Dre's people are brilliant beings of hunting and if they fail to contain those serpents when the ritual takes place, our kingdom will vanish to maintain the balance between all our realms."

Kiara stared in shock at the revelation and was in disbelief Kaen'Dre hadn't told her any of that. She remembered he'd told her he had come to bring them under control but not this! What madness would be unleashed upon their lands? What would those serpents do? Mainly, why had Kaen'Dre kept this from her? This was no little matter! Didn't he trust her with that important issue?

"What is the ritual?" she asked quietly, her stomach sinking and knotting in dread. She began to pace on the steps to release her rising worry, taken back by that revelation and why it had been concealed.

"I do not know, only they know what must happen" Set sighed and ran a hand through his hair as she shook her head in disbelief. He knew her reaction would be furious and scorned but in his view, she needed to know what she was dealing with. "The scriptures did not say but the Pharaoh will know when they arrive to meet him. Soon we will celebrate their arrival and prepare for this sacred tradition."

"Perfect, we have enough trouble with the rogues as it is!" she exclaimed bitterly and placed her hands on her hips. With a mumble, she whispered, "Maybe I can ask Kaen'Dre to stop them if this is true."

"Do not trust him, Kiara" he snapped crossly, making her eyes widen at his bold order. Quickly recovering, she narrowed her eyes at him objectively. Set sighed and wondered how he could make her open her eyes about the unsafe being without possibly losing his friendship with her.

"I trust him with my life, I will never go against him" she hissed protectively at him. Kaen'Dre was her life partner, she would not forsake him for others. She loved him with her very soul and she'd give anything to see him safe, even if it was against her friends. "My beloved is a powerful god-"

"I am not so sure they are gods, Kiara" Set interrupted with a disappointed sigh as her mouth gaped in angry shock at his accusation. Before she could retort, he stated firmly, "I follow the gods teachings and I am their loyal follower. Back in previous dynasties, people were more gullible to believe beings different from them as supernatural. We are changing into new and more powerful dynasties as time flows, our thoughts will accustom to it as well. Our gods act and look different than Kaen'Dre, people in old ages called them gods but I don't know what I would classify them as. Yes, he looks nothing like a mortal and is much more powerful, maybe even more intelligent, but it doesn't mean he's a god. There could be other possible explanations. If he is using our gods as a cloak for his own agenda, I will publicize him as a fraud."

"He is no liar! I've seen his people, they look exactly like him and they carry things no mortal has ever seen or used" she objected as she tried to deflect the doubting thoughts arising in her mind from his argument. No, she would not believe such insinuations! Not about her Kaen'Dre. He was everything but a liar! She snapped angrily and clenched her fists, "They are gods, you said it yourself that we've worshipped them. Kaen'Dre is honorable and I have no doubt he belongs to the heavens."

"Then why has he kept all this from you?" he demanded instantly, making sure she'd at least hear his opinion. He waved his hand over the city to his right, "Why has he kept hidden from us if he truly deserves our praise? Gods are meant to be praised by their loyal followers. So why does he hide quietly in the shadows like a cunning hyena? He is not who he says he is, Kiara. I don't want him using you for his own personal means."

"He would never! He loves me!" she screamed, surprising the older male. She'd never raised her voice in that tone against him, yet again, no one had accused her beloved as a traitor. Her chest heaved in rapid breaths as her hands tingled from her shocked nerves and she clenched them to regain a calmer composition. She shook her head and tried to shut out the prodding questions trying to break into her mind and warp the loving thoughts towards her husband. She refused to let that door open and step into a world that brandished him an impostor. He would never lie to her, he said so! He promised. In shaky breaths, she mumbled to herself, "He loves me, he would never betray me. He's always been open and honest with me."

"I know this is upsetting-" Set began but she raised her hand angrily, her eyes livid in anger towards him and everything he threatened to destroy within her relationship.

"Silence! I will not hear any more slanders against him!" she yelled furiously, trying to control her hyperventilated breathing. She wouldn't let him get to her, her loyalty was to Kaen'Dre, not him. She kept repeating the same phrases over and over in her head before his words shattered them. "I trust him, he has never lied to me. You are deadly wrong, Set."

"Then ask him" he stated simply and hoped she wouldn't get hurt by the revelations. She was his friend, he'd lived side-by-side with her as they grew up together and he'd be damned if a threat presented itself to her and he didn't do anything about it. He wouldn't let a man no one knew ruin their long friendship. He sighed softly and gave her an honest look, "I will always seek your best interests, Kiara. You are my family and I will protect you from any possible harm. However, if he's a danger to the kingdom-"

"He isn't a danger, he would never harm anyone!" she exclaimed and he was about to remind her of his own incident when she went on, "He was protecting me, he wouldn't harm you, he told me himself. He is kind and honorable, he is not a deceiver."

"I hope for all our sakes that you're right" he said quietly and sighed as he looked down. He didn't want to rattle her mind and emotions more than he already had and decided to leave it at that. "Just ask him and remember what I've told you. If you want to see for yourself, ask Aziza for access and she'll take you to where the concrete evidence is. I would never lie to you unless I was sure, Kiara."

He bowed in farewell and left quietly, his heart ridden with guilt that he'd upset one of his oldest and dearest friends. He didn't want anything to happen to her, especially if that man was using her like a puppet for his own gains or simply concealing his tracks. Looking back at the worried woman, he kept walking into the palace, forgetting his next task for the pharaoh and deciding to drink an early glass of wine.

He's wrong, I know he is, Kiara thought as she crossed her arms and bit her fingernails nervously. He has to be, Kaen'Dre would never hide anything from me. But my friends would not hide things from me either. I don't know what to think.

We're married, we can hold no secrets, she thought with wavering firmness as her eyes watered. We assured each other of that in the temple.

"But that ritual. . ." she mumbled as her chest tightened from the overflow of emotions. If Set was right, then her kingdom could be facing catastrophe. Even if it was to appease the gods, did her kingdom have to face possible self-sacrifice?

"Please guide me" she whimpered to the gods as a trail of tears fell down her cheeks. She wanted none of it to be true but Set was right in one aspect. If she wanted to prove him wrong, she'd have to ask Kaen'Dre and see the archives. And if Set was right, could she accept the possible betrayal and handle it?

"Maybe he's right about the ritual and not him, it can't be true" she whispered weakly and clasped her hands together over her skirt. She desperately wanted answers but there was chance that the negative facts that Set had uttered were true. Spotting the temple nearby, she sniffled, "We just got married. Please don't tell me I married someone who's been lying to me. How can I possibly deal with that?"

XXXXXX

Kaen'Dre watched the blue sky from Kiara's balcony as he remained cloaked so he could remain unspotted. His mate had gone about her daily duties while he chose to remain in their room to stay hidden. He missed her, especially now that they were married, but they each had to keep up their daily tasks to remain unsuspicious. However, that didn't stop him from worrying about his brethren coming soon to the palace. He still didn't know how to tell Kiara about it without giving away his godly image but he couldn't find a way and time was running out.

I doubt the cloaking thing will impress oomans as being all powerful, he thought. Then in a negative voice that was similar to his kin, Oomans are awed by the smallest of things, they are still very underdeveloped.

"Stop thinking like them, I will not demean my mate or her people that way" he scolded himself with a growl, shameful that his upbringing brought those superiority thoughts to his mind.

He relaxed against the railing as he hunched over to place his masked forehead over the cool stone. Taking in a few deep breaths, he tried to calm himself but the same thoughts still poked at his brain. How was he supposed to tell Kiara? He kept procrastinating it for days and hoped he'd get the nerve to tell her soon.

I've faced kainde amedha but I can't tell my mate this, he thought shamefully. What kind of a male am I?

"She deserves much better than what I'm giving her" he sighed in self-pity and ran a hand over his covered forehead. The cold metal warmed under his fingertips as he tapped his claws against it. Uttering a low growl in frustration, he stood back up and watched the high buildings and small square-shaped homes of the city lazily, the fading sunlight illuminating them in an ethereal glow.

My Kiara cares so much for her people, I hope the Hunt will not fail for her sake, he thought sadly. I don't want anything to happen to these people. In this short time, I've grown slightly used to this place. Allegiance to prey is condemned as weak but how can I abandon my mate and remain loyal to my clan?

"How can I choose the duty to my people over the one I've promised to honor?" he sighed sullenly and slammed a heavy fist onto the stone ledge, cracking the stone in small web-like fractures. "Either way, I'll be betraying one."

He heard the door of the room open from inside and he tiptoed quietly toward the balcony wall to peek in. He spotted Asim jumping onto Kiara who gave him and hug and patted his back as she kept the door open. Ushering the leopard out, she assured she'd feed him dinner and the door would be open for him at night to come back. The cat gave a longing whine before leaving its solemn mistress to close the door.

Kiara latched it tightly and pressed her hand against the wood, hoping it could offer some comfort. She'd been wrecking her mind in the gardens for the past hours with the different possibilities of what Set had told her. After a few wet handkerchiefs of tears, she decided she would have to get everything over with to finally have some sort of peace. Turning around, she spotted Kaen'Dre enter the room in his usual garb as he took off his mask and gave him a small crooked smile while her stomach clenched in nervousness and her hands became sweaty.

"Kaen'Dre. . ." she breathed softly before running to him and wrapping her arms around him. She felt so weak and small when it came to confronting him. What would she do if everything they'd built was a lie? She didn't want her beloved to distort from a powerful honorable male into a strange traitorous being. Digging her face into his warm chest, she wanted to remain in his arms and leave the world alone. Forget what they thought, she wanted to remain in the image she portrayed him as. Stepping up on the tip of her toes, she kissed him softly, tasting his mouth with her own once again. After the bittersweet kiss that left his salty taste on her lips, she whispered, "I love you so much."

"What is wrong, Kiara?" he asked worriedly and squeezed her body closer to him. She clung to him tightly as she struggled not to cry in front of him. Kaen'Dre purred to her as he watched her eyes shut tightly and her fingers clutched his mesh firmly. She looked distraught making his senses alert instantly, "Kiara, talk to me."

"I don't know where to start" she sighed weakly with half-open eyes and traced her fingertips over his warm skin. Skin that was flexible and finely toned in a mustard color with beautiful muscle contours that had the strength to break and rip anything into pieces. Arms that could destroy but hold her so tenderly at the same time. He traced a mandible over her cheekbone as she kept going, "Kaen'Dre, I've been told terrible accusations about you and they have been plaguing my mind for the last hour."

He tensed up at her words and hoped it wasn't anything true. If it was, what would he do? Keep deluding her or come clean? He sighed mentally and squeezed her shoulders supportively. In a soothing tone, he asked, "What things, my love?"

"Set told me that you'll be having a ritual here, that you'll fight with those. . .those horrible black serpents!" she confessed worriedly as her eyes met his, searching them for answers. "And if you don't win, our kingdom will die. Kaen'Dre, is that true? Will your people come here soon? Will they make us participate in that?"

Damn it, that ooman found out first!, he thought angrily. What can I say? They'll be here regardless!

Hesitantly, he said in reluctance, "Yes. . .they will be here sooner than you think."

Kiara let out an anguished sound as he admitted to that horrible detail. Her kingdom would truly participate in a dangerous event with Kaen'Dre's kind. Even worse, those horrible creatures! Her skin still had chills remembering her personal encounter with them. She couldn't imagine how her people would cope seeing them. It was true. He was in on it and he had kept it undercover from her ever since he'd arrived.

He kept it from me, she thought in disbelief and felt disappointed. He lied to me.

"How could you keep this from me?" she whispered as she pulled away from him and looked away. Her mind was spinning as his lie unraveled in her mind and hoped the worst part wasn't true either.

"I tried, I've been going over and over on how to tell you" he admitted with an exhausted sigh as he grabbed her tense hands. "There was no way I could prepare you for this and I've been trying to think of it for the past days-"

"You lied to me on something important!" she burst angrily and squeezed his hands. Gulping slightly so her voice could remain steady, she added, "I could understand if it was something small but nothing to this proportion. This is my home, Kaen'Dre! How could you keep something that dangerous without trying to hint me at it?"

"I did not want you to worry" he said apologetically and tried to think of how to fix it. "You've been through a lot lately-"

"It's no excuse, I needed to know! My people are my responsibility" Kiara pointed out and let go of him to rub at her temples. How could she prepare to face possible extinction? She couldn't absorb how keeping her in the dark for her safety was better! Firmly, she demanded, "Kaen'Dre, why are they coming now?"

"Every one hundred years, a trial is held and members must partake in it while the mortal kingdoms host it for us" he explained as she listened to every word, hoping that he was being truthful now and gain knowledge that Set hadn't told her from his findings. "I am not in charge of it, I will only maintain the safety of these lands as the others fight the black serpents. It will take place at a temple and it will last for a day, depending if it passes or fails."

"Can't you stop it?" she asked desperately and clung to his mesh. Her people were facing conflicts externally, they didn't need anymore to interfere. "We're not ready for this right now. The gods have all the time in the world, we only have now. Surely, they could understand our pleads?"

"It cannot be stopped, Kiara" he sighed gently and caressed her soft cheek as her face still remained shocked. Her forehead rested against his chest for support as he sympathized, "I wish I could but I have no control over that. I would never endanger your life but this is out of my hands."

"I feel dread over what will come, I remember facing it and the nightmares. . ." she whispered and hugged herself as a shiver shot down her spine. "I don't want my people to face that, two people have already died by those things! How could you bring this upon us?"

"We will keep them safe, Kiara" he tried to assure but knew half of the group didn't care much for the humans. They were prey after all and hunters were always superior to them, there was no sympathizing with those being hunted. However, he wasn't them and he had one to protect. He leaned down and kissed her deeply, "I would never let anything happen to you. I will protect your kingdom as well if that is your wish."

"Please do" she nodded quickly and reached out to touch his arm gently with her shaky fingers. He placed his larger hand over hers as she looked at him. Softly, she asked weakly, "Why did you lie, Kaen'Dre? I love you, you know you can be honest with me. I have never rejected you or told you otherwise."

"I love you too" he purred softly as guilt ate at him. The last thing he wanted was to upset her and make her cry. "I would never want to hurt you and I keep things to protect you, Kiara. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Then if you love me, you should be brave enough to confront me" she pointed out softly as she furrowed her brows and tried to keep her concentration going without breaking down, "You're supposed to trust me like I do you. Otherwise, we'll break apart if people can make us doubtful. I married you and I've been honest throughout everything. Have you?"

Damn, what can I say?, he thought. I'm not a god, I'm an alien, and this whole thing has been a charade? I'd break her entire belief in me.

He stayed silent, making her look away in disappointment. He'd been lying about something else as well. Was Set right? Was he a complete phony after everything they'd gone through? Did he love her at all?

Of course he does, he has to, she thought firmly. He married me.

'I don't want him using you for his own personal means', Set's voice reminded her.

Is he?, she asked, doubtfully. Even the mere notion made her guilty for daring to question his love.

"Kaen'Dre, do you love me?" she asked weakly, her eyes watering as her chest felt compressed. She wiped away a tear as she kept her blurry eyes trained on his completely. She didn't want to doubt him but all these accusations were erupting so many questioning thoughts in her. Her throat felt sore and raw just by the emotion of sorrow as she thought of the idea of a negative answer.

"Of course I love you, Kiara, I married you" he responded firmly and reached over to hold her face and dry her stray tears. Meeting her emerald gaze, he whispered, "Don't doubt my love for you, it is always there. I am deeply sorry I withheld this information from you. My kin are very secretive on it, I was only able to know of their possible arrival."

She nodded meekly and craved his gentle touches on her skin. However, she had to control her catharsis before it became uncontrollable. She hated feeling weak and vulnerable in front of others. It reminded her of the last time she and Kaen'Dre had argued and it hadn't ended nicely.

"Set told me many things about you and I fear they may be right" she admitted quietly as she tried to keep her mouth from becoming dry as she continued, "I want you to be honest with me from this point on. I must know the answer to my questions if I want to prove him wrong. Please don't let him be right, he sounded so sure but I know you'll tell me the truth."

He nodded slowly, knowing that if she asked the right things, she'd be heartbroken. He wanted to break that human male's neck for finding out information on him but he could do nothing now. If he revealed everything, would she still look at him the same way? Would honesty break or aid her trust in him?

"I will answer anything you ask" he agreed in a whisper and hugged her shaky form, hoping their marriage wouldn't go to shambles from his answers.

"Kaen'Dre, are you a god?" she asked instantly as her face took on a painful look. She needed this answer, whether it would calm or upset her. She believed he was one since the day they met and he'd told her himself he was one.

Was he lying? Was he never one to begin with?, she thought frantically.

Another part of her mind yelled defiantly, he has to be! What else could he be?

"Please don't lie to me, not now" she pleaded softly as he looked down into her emerald eyes as they filled with small tears. Her hands gripped his mesh tightly in case he threatened to leave, she sniffled to clear her nasal passages and asked in a clear voice, "Are you the god you claim to be? Please, Kaen'Dre, answer me."

And to think days ago, those eyes were shining with happiness, he thought regrettably. I have to tell her everything, I can't keep hurting my beloved.

He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to reveal his answer.

XXXXXX

End of Chapter 25. Yes, the story will begin taking on a different less happier path than before. After all, what other way would a woman react to learning her man isn't who he is? And in the middle of a hectic week? Thanks to my reviewers as always, I appreciate your feedback and to my readers.