Chapter 3: Moonlit Desires…

At that exact moment, our eyes lock, the wind blows, and all 17 candles go out. I don't scream, instead I instinctively reach for his hands in the darkness.

"It's OK. Only the wind…I suppose we should go to sleep now…" Atem whispers. I can feel his eyes on mine still. I swallow hard and begin to draw back my hand, but he keeps a firm grip on it. "Thank you, Mana." he raises my hand to his mouth and I feel his soft, plump lips touch the back of it gently in a kiss. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end and chills coarse through my body. I silently thank Ra he is unable to see my blush.

"For what?"

"For staying by my side and being my best friend." He lies down and I do the same.

"You're so much more than my best friend, Atemu…" I say under my breath without thinking.

He yawns and covers his body with the sheets of Egyptian cotton. "Excuse me, I didn't hear what you mumbled." My face grows overwhelmingly hot and I feel as though I am going to vomit.

"Nothing." I say quickly. "I just meant you're my best friend too!" God of Ra I sound like a nervous idiot.

Atem doesn't question me any further though. "Very well." Is all he says before drifting closer to sleep. Is he mad at me? Or hurt? What if he did hear me after all…? "Goodnight Mana, pleasant dreams." He's still holding my hand. I smile.

"Goodnight, Atem, see you in the morning." I can see his face lit by the cool moonlight. His angelic eyes flutter shut and I sigh contently. I watch him sleep. His breaths slowing and his chest rising up and down. I touch his belly lightly and am amazed by how smooth it is. He moans a little and rolls onto his side. Now his face is even closer to mine. I suddenly have the urge to kiss him. His lips look so inviting and delicious. I crave a taste… I can smell him and his warm breath. I want him so bad, but what…do I really want? I kiss? A touch? A tight embrace…What in the world am I thinking?! Atem frowns in his sleep and beads of sweat have formed on his forehead. Suddenly, his crimson eyes shoot open. I gasp and sit up quickly.

"Mana…" Atem's voice is wavering and terrified. He's panting and his eyes begin to water. "I am now King…" We are silent, only our eyes focusing on each other. "I don't want to be Pharaoh! I don't want any power!" he pulls at his hair in a frustrated manner. "Am I being selfish? I mean Egypt does need a ruler, they need protection and guidance, but I am NOT the right one for the job!" Atem's tears fall and splash onto his clenched fists.

"But Atem, you are perfect. You are a born leader!" I try my best to soothe him. He shakes his head and inhales deeply.

"I am not a Pharaoh at all. I am a mere child that knows very little of keeping and entire kingdom safe from turmoil! I am nothing compared to my Fa – "

SLAP! I hit him hard in the face. He falls silent, freezes and blinks and bewilderment. I pull back my hand and look him directly in the eye. "Atem you are strong! You are brilliant! You are all your father was and more! In my opinion, you are better than your Father! You will be an excellent, strong, courageous ruler and you know how I know this?" He doesn't say a word. He just sits still and keeps eye contact with me. "Because Atem…you're such a great friend." I watch his red orbs brighten. Maybe now I should tell him that I love him? "And you're not a child. You're a man…to me any way…" I blush and look away.

"Mana, I…" His eyes glaze over and his body begins to fall. Without warning, I collide with the hard, marbled floor, the new King lying still on top of me. My breath catches in my throat.

"Atemu!" I try to lift his weight off of me. He is heavy and crushing my chest, but in a way, I kind of enjoy the feeling and pressure of him on top…

"Atemu!"

He does not move.

He does not rise nor speak.

He does nothing.

I panic. "A-Atemu!" I stop as warm air tickles my neck. He's still breathing. Did he really just fall asleep? I manage to push him off and drape him loosely over the bed. He looks so relaxed. I touch his limp hand and gently kiss his fingertips. His eyelashes rest upon his rosy cheeks. I stare in amazement, He is so beautiful. His chest heaves and a small hiccup releases from his mouth, or maybe it was a moan? I can't tell. Either way, I love the sound of it. I lean closer to his face, just to make sure he's alright of course…

I hover above him. My sandy, caramel hair falls over my shoulders and cascades down my back. I let it stay wherever it lands and swallow hard as I inch my lips slowly his. This is it. I swoop downward and…

Chicken out.

I kiss his eyes lids and crawl onto bed. I lay my head on his chest and drift to sleep with the rythem of his heartbeat stuck in my mind…