"Aah! Ah.." Teana yelped. Teana went into defense mode as someone covered her mouth to muffle her startled cry. Ready to kick her foot backwards at the person who grabbed her she heard her attacker speak.
"Shh..." Tea breathed I massive sigh of relief.
"Oh my gods, Atem!" She whispered, trying to keep her voice down."You scared me! I thought I could have been being kidnapped! You were seconds away from being hit!"
Atem gave a very uneasy, fake smile. "I...uh. Sorry, I just did not want anyone to hear us. I do not want anyone to find me."
"Wedding stuff getting to you as well, is it?"
"Yes, unfortunately. It is just all these people making a fuss about it and everyone asking me a million questions."
"Same." Teana sighed.
"Let us say we sneak out behind the palace? I can show you the gardens." Atem suggested. "I can tell from how the way you were hiding behind the pillar you want to get way as much as I do."
"And get almost attacked by a camel again?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
"Well no..." Teana paused as she heard two unknown speakers approaching. "You know what? That sounds lovely let us go!" She tugged his hand frantically.
She and Atem quickly dashed away. "How are we going to get past the guards Atem?" She whispered as they hid behind the wall.
"I will think of something." He got up from behind the wall and stood up doing nothing to hide himself.
"Atem! What are you doing?" Teana widened her eyes. He grabbed her arm pulling her up.
"Trying to get past the guards. Act normal!" He commanded.
Teana gave an overly fake smile to him and mumbled "Fine!" as Teana followed alongside Atem.
The two guards saw Atem and Teana approaching and bowed. Atem nodded. "The Princess and I are in need of fresh air. We wish to leave the premises and relax outside in the gardens."
"Your majesty... I do not think that would be wise. Your father did not give us any..."
"Oh please!" Teana batted her eyelashes. Atem raised his eyebrows.
Teana continued in a sweet voice. "Atem promised me he would take me to see the gardens, before we are wed." She sighed. "But with all the wedding preparations, it has been so hard to see Atem and have him take me. You will not make him break his promise will you?"
The other guard spoke up. "Aah, Princess I do not think that..."
"But then we will start our marriage on a bad start! So many bad omens! You would not want that to be your fault would you?"
"No, your highness...but..."
"Then allowing a couple to spend some relaxation before the day of their joining, is not a bad idea in its entirety, is it?" Atem quickly added happy that he could at least do something to aid Teana in her persuasion.
"You will allow us this small favor like the gentlemen you are, of course?" Teana questioned.
"Uhh, well...um..."
"Thank you then!" Teana exclaimed.
Before Atem was allowed a chance to react, Teana grabbed him and dragged him outside past the guards.
Atem's eyes were just wide open. "Gaah! How did you do that?" He stressed.
Teana laughed. "Oh, Atem. You need to learn to trust me." She winked. "Now where are these gardens you 'promised' to show me?"
"Ahh. This is so peaceful." Atem commented.
"Mmm." Teana agreed. They were both lying on the grass near the pond in the gardens with their arms supporting their heads behind them. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
Everything was so serene around them. The only noise that could be heard were the lulls of nature.
"Me too." Atem sighed in relaxation.
"No wedding to worry about." Teana stressed.
"Or having to have to carry on the bloodline." Atem added.
Teana softly laughed as she playfully whacked Atem's arm. "You and you Egyptians!"
"What, Nubians do not stress things of such matter like that?" Atem jokingly asked.
Teana paused for a minute. Atem was worried he had said something wrong. "I do not know." She replied. "I guess if I had been a boy perhaps it would have been stressed in that way. But as a girl, things were just done differently. My parents never said anything, or had to for that matter, everyone else did. I could hear what they said."
Teana continued. "Boys are not as celebrated as girls, so many people wished for my mother to have another child, a son. It just was not meant to be, my mother was unable to be child-bearing after me. So I was it. The sole heir. Some people pitied my parents, never to have a son. My mother and father, however treated me with much kindness and respect and as the only child, I was given more freedoms. My mother told me she never regretted not having a son and I believed her."
Teana looked up at the stars that were beginning to show and twinkle in the dark sky. "Some of the people in the kingdom did not agree with her. I was not deaf to what was said. Many of them said that I could still be worthwhile if I married a good man who would be a strong and successful ruler. Marriage was my only chance to show them I was worthwhile. Fate made it so that circumstances would allow this marriage to solve more problems than one for me."
Teana turned to look at Atem. Atem spoke up this time. "With or without marriage you are still worthwhile. In the eyes of those who disagree, I see idiots. You will always be worthwhile, no matter what occurs."
Teana smiled moving her head a little closer to him. "Thank you Atem." She whispered.
Atem smiled back and tilted his head. "You know..." he said. "When my parents first told me that I was getting married, I freaked out as to say?"
"Oh you did, did you?" Teana asked playfully, grinning while showing off her teeth.
"Uh-huh." Atem nodded his head. "I resented the betrothal. I could not believe my father was making me marry some pale-skinned Princess. Not only was she Nubian, but her skin would be so pale!" Teana giggled. "Who knew, that this Princess would make having pale-skin look so gorgeous?"
Teana blinked. "Atem, how...d-do you... feel about this marriage now?" She piped out in almost a whisper.
Atem moved in closer to her. "I admit, I feared being trapped into the obligation of marriage before I got to know you; but I must admit, I do not think that way anymore. If it is you that I marry, then I do not fear it. With you," he paused, "I think I would not look at marriage as something of obligation, but something to cherish and be desirable."
Atem moved in closer to Teana. His face hovering directly in front of her's. He stared at her lips and abruptly leaned in, but before he could, Teana embraced him, wrapping her arms around him. She then turned giving him a lingering kiss on his cheek.
His cheek?! Atem was taken aback, but did not show it. He had worked years to perfect his poker face.
Teana smiled back at him as she let go. Atem stared at her.
Atem blinked twice, trying to process what happened. Why did Teana reject his motion to kiss her? Was she oblivious to his intention? Or did she avoid his forwardness on purpose? Perhaps she wanted to wait until they were man and wife? Yes, that was more likely. That way it would be more special perhaps? Atem mentally sighed. At least tomorrow he was promised a kiss with her.
"It is getting late Atem. I think we should head back in, do you not think so?" Teana asked/
Atem smirked. "Yes, tomorrow we shall be man and wife."
Teana gave a fake gasp and put her hands over her mouth. "Atem shall finally become a man, tomorrow you say?"
Atem made a grunting noise and make motion to grab Teana, but she slipped from his grasp and surpassed a giggle. Teana slightly lifted up her dress and started dashing indoors while laughing. Atem rolled his eyes and chased after her. Well, whatever the case, being married to this woman was sure going to be a heck of a lot interesting.
Hehe. I'm evil aren't I? Not really. Don't worry the next chapter you'll get your kiss... I might even be nice and give you two...if maybe you guys motivate me with those lovely reviews of yours ;) Sorry about the longer update, I know I said I was going to try to update quickly, but I've been busy especially with school back in session.
****Next chapter is the WEDDING! Excited? I know this is what you guys have been waiting for! Review and let me know! (Please be patient for the chapter, it may take a little longer.) There will also be an important notice next chapter.
P.S The wedding is NOT the last chapter. Lots more in store for you! :)
***Another thing. I just wanted to especially thank all my reviewers. It means so much to me. I reached 100 reviews and above :O and I still can't believe it! Your reviews really keep encouraging me to keep writing and going. *Tears up a little* Thank you so much guys! :')
~Startistica