Merenkahre examined the tablet for the upteenth time. Of course, he knew it was perfect, but he wanted to make sure. He was going to present it to his son tomorrow, as he revealed to the kingdom his choice for succession of the throne. While he had many, many children only two were of pure enough blood to be elligible.
Kahmunrah, his eldest son was loyal and always eager to please him. But, Merenkahre was certain, the boy had never held an original thought in his head. He was too easily swayed by his mother and their shared greed.
Ahkmenrah, his youngest son, was as free spirited as his mother. The boy was always sneaking off and sending his personal guards on wild goose chases. Though it was supposed to be unknown to him, Merenkahre had realized long ago, that Ahkmenrah would smuggle foods and ingredients to those in the kingdom who were in dire need of it. The boy had compassion, and would stop at nothing to do what he thought was right. Even if it meant going against his own father.
Shepseheret, his great royal wife, put her hand on his arm. "He'll love it." She said, encouragingly, her brown eyes shining with pride. He gave her a smile as he placed his hand over hers.
It wasn't even a contest really. According to tradition the son of the great royal queen would become the next king. But as current king he could name another son if that one was deemed not fit to rule. He realized most of his kingdom viewed Ahkmenrah as a rebel. But Ahkmenrah was chosen as the heir not only according tradition and fate but also according to Merenkahre himself. He realized that Mert, the previous great royal wife, would be displeased, as she had carefully bred Kahmunrah to be the next pharaoh. That woman knew how to make people miserable, but he had to consider his kingdom above all else.
Now if he could only find his chosen son as easily as he had the tablet, then all would be right with the world. He had commissioned the tablet to be made for his youngest son immediately after his birth. But such a powerful trinket could only be presented when the boy was old enough to understand such things.
An object this powerful needed its own full time guardians. He had hand-picked his top general's twin daughters, born exactly ten years to the minute before the tablet's creation, and trained almost since birth in every form of fighting known to Egypt and her surrounding nations.
After finishing his inspection, he held the tablet in his left hand and gestured for one of the tablet's guardians to retrieve it. All action ceased as a bright flash of light turned the whole room white. When they could see again there was a rather small person grasping the other side of the tablet. Due to the unflattering costume that the person was wearing, Merenkahre couldn't tell if it was a young boy, or a curveless girl. One thing was certain, the poor child was under far too many layers for the desert. Their torn and blood stained clothes as well as a still seeping wound spoke of the trials that they had very recently undergone.
His royal guards leapt into action, rushing forward to attack the sudden intruder in defense of their king. Merenkahre watched stoicly, as the stranger realeased the tablet, easily evaded the spears and swords and defeated all of his warriors, all without taking a single life. The twin guardians, whose sole responsibility was the tablet, had instantly retrieved it and waited for the newcomer to make a move for it. His wife was clinging to his arm, frightened.
When the last guard fell, the person finally took stock of the situation, taking in their surroundings. "What just happened?" she asked. The voice was clearly female, there was no denying that now. Her messy brown hair was cut short, as was common in this area but her wide, frightened eyes were bluer than the nile itself.
"I am Merenkahre, pharaoh of the nile, and father to the son of the sun. You will show respect."
Her forehead wrinkled. "Didn't we already go through this? How did you get here? I thought you were still at the museum?" His brows raised nearly to his crown at her imputence. Her eyes strayed to the window. "Where are we? And why is it light out?"
She was very insolent, but her unexpected appearance must be a sign. Since she was clearly not of this world, then she must be from the realm of the gods. Making a silent dicision he tapped his royal staff on the floor. "You are in my royal palace. It is light out because it is midday." The tablet was created for his son, it was only logical that this girl, summoned here by the tablet must also be meant for his son.
She made a sound of confusion. "Y-you're not speaking English." Her hands flew to her mouth, her left thumb unintentionally smearing the blood oozing from the gash on her cheek. "I'm not speaking English." Taking deep calming breaths, she slowly she let her hands down. "Wh-what's going on? Where am I?"
"You are in the royal throne room of my main palace." He was beginning to find her quite entertaining. Not that he would ever let it show.
Her mouth opened and closed several times before she could speak. She gestured to his men, some of whom were regaining consciousness. "Th-then those are-"
"Those would be my royal guards, which you have single handedly defeated." She was strong. Even if she wasn't from the realm of the gods, having her in his family would secure peace between her kingdom of origin and his own. And any children she beget would potentially carry her strength, which would be a great asset to the kings who would rule after him.
For a mere second she froze, staring unbelieving at her own handiwork, then ran like lightning out the open door. One guard having regained his feet reached for her, only succeeding in stripping her of the outer layer covering her top half. "After her," Merenkahre ordered, gesturing with his staff. "I want her alive and unharmed."
Alex had been running for what seemed like hours. Somehow, she wasn't quite sure how, she had found her way out of the palace. These roads were completely unfamiliar. What was she supposed to do now? She had seen enough time travel shows to know that she'd been sent back in time. That or she was having a very realistic nightmare.
Stopping to catch her breath, she yanked her tie off her neck and shoved it deep in her pant's pocket. She hadn't realized how torn the shirt of her night guard uniform had gotten until it had gotten caught on a corner and completely ripped off. But, she found herself thankful that her jacket and outer shirt were gone and that she had chosen to wear the sleaveless white undershirt. Who knew ancient Egypt was so hot?
Her break didn't last long, far too soon she heard the shouts of the soldiers and the clanging of their armor. Finding a small gap between buildings she slid in, as far as she could, until she bumped into something. Stifling a squeak, she turned her head towards the obstacle and saw a boy who looked as equally as shocked as she was. They quickly covered each others mouths to keep the other from screaming or shouting as the guards passed obliviously by. They listened for the clinking armor to fade under the sounds of merchants selling their wares. When the coast was clear they dropped their hands and heaved identical sighs of relief. A quiet, breathless laugh was shared between the two.
They began scooting out of the gap, and Alex nearly gasped when recognition dawned on her. He had ditched his collar and jewelry somewhere, and was wearing only the short skirt and sandals, like she'd seen in pictures of ancient Egypt. There was a scimitar strapped to his waist. He was younger and over a head shorter, but this was difinitely Ahkmenrah. The familiar face eased her anxiety almost instantly, and she no longer felt like she was alone in this new, ancient world. She wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. This was the first time she'd seen him in actual daylight. His sun kissed skin had always looked out of place inside of the museum.
He wouldn't recognize her, she realized, and it nearly broke her heart. How much could she tell him without changing the future? Would he even believe her? She thought back to their first meeting. 'Do you truly not remember me?' he had asked. He remembered her then. Three thousand years from now he would still remember her. That realization made her heart skip a beat and she had to fight a sudden wave of homesickness. But he had never said anything more on the subject when she had pleaded ignorance. Perhaps because he didn't want to change her future? Or was it his past he didn't want to change? Is this how he felt, when she couldn't recognize him? She wasn't sure how old he was now, but he a had maybe a couple more years before his untimely demise. Would she be able to let it happen as it was supposed to? How would it affect the future if she tried to keep that moment from happening? Is that why he had never told her how he died?
She was getting a headache. "Wibbly wobbly timey wimey," she said, deciding to do what she'd always done when life threw impossible things her way. Go with the flow.
"What?" He asked, clearly confused.
She shook her head. "Sorry. It's nothing." She held out her hand. "My full name is Alexandra Marie Phillips, but I much prefer to be called Alex." Instead of shaking her hand he clasped her forearm. Ignoring the shocks that still went through her body at his touch, she smiled up at him. It was easier to do now. While he was still taller than her, he was closer to her height now. She didn't have to look up quite so high. She knew that wouldn't last long, though.
Never in his life had he experienced the sensations that were flowing through his body at her touch. Brown eyes alive with curiousity and uncertainty, he returned her smile. "I'm," he paused, the smile vanishing, before being replaced by a fake one. Though he had never seen her before, it felt as though he'd known her forever. And he definitely would have remembered if he'd met her before. From her pale skin, eyes the color of the sky, and the strange garments she wore, there was no denying that she was a foreigner. He found himself wanting to trust her with all of his secrets, but he wasn't sure that she could be trusted. "I'm Menes."
She raised an eyebrow, a look of suspicion passing quickly over her face. If she suspected, then she had decided to play along for now. "Nice to meet you... Menes." Taking her arm back she continued, "So, what are they after you for?"
Sneaking out again after his father had forbidden it. "I'd rather not answer that," he said, grinning sheepishly and nervously running a hand through his short dark brown hair. "What about you?"
"Same as you." She smirked. They shared another laugh.
He suddenly noticed the mean looking wound on her face, and the smile vanished. "You're injured." He gestured to her cheek, which had split back open, and was bleeding freely.
"Just a scratch," she answered, shrugging it off. He squelched the sudden need to tend to a strangers well being.
They heard the guards approaching again. "This way," he hissed, grabbing her wrist and taking off at a run. He knew these streets like the back of his hand. Much to his father's displeasure he was constantly sneaking out of the palace. Sometimes it was for some rare alone time. Between the wives his father had forced on him, both of them within the last three months, and the royal guards who his father had recently assigned to him, following him literally everywhere, the palace had started to feel far too stuffy. Sometimes he would sneak out to bring neccessities to friends when they had a need.
He cast a subtle glance to the strange girl beside him. There was something about her that was drawing him to her. She wasn't struggling against his grip in the least, though she clearly had no idea were he was taking her. He could be taking her to slave traders for all she knew. Which begged the question: Why was she trusting him? It made him feel a little guilty for not even trusting her with his name. Perhaps she was simply waiting for him to let go, before she tried to make her escape. To test his theory he released her wrist. To his surprise she continued to run beside him. He led her into the slave district, where they were able to slow down and catch their breath. This was where many of his closest friends lived.
An old woman, carrying a pair of full water buckets on her shoulders, called out to him. "In trouble again, Menes?" she asked. He rushed to help her.
"Only a little this time, Savta." He took the burden from her as they began walking towards her house. She was easily the oldest person in the kingdom, and insisted everyone call her grandmother. He doubted if anyone knew her true name anymore.
Her still very sharp eyes noticed his companion. "And who is this?"
"This is Alex. She's a friend." Alex silenty watched the two converse as though she wasn't even really there. Most people probably would have been aggravated, but she was curiously entertained.
"A friend indeed," the old woman teased, instantly spotting the connection between the two.
"I only just met her."
She chuckled. "But you look good together." They both blushed.
"Savta," he frowned. "I'm...married." He spit the word out.
"Was it your choice?" She looked closely at his down turned face.
"No. They were both...forced on me."
"They?" The old lady sighed and clucked her tongue. "Menes, you are always getting into trouble."
Realizing that he'd made it sound like he'd impregnated the girls and was forced to take responsibilty, he paled. "It's nothing like that, I swear on my honor." He wanted to explain that the marriages had strictly been political, but that would give away his true status, which could potentially ruin the relationships he had forged here. He set the buckets outside her door. Suddenly the clanging of armor could be heard once again, this time coming from the opposite direction they had run from.
The old woman's face became serious. "Just how much trouble have you gotten into this time? Those do not look like your father's soldiers." There had been rumors that an enemy was planning on invading. Everyone, except the boy himself, realized his father's love for him. If he was captured, it spelled the end of this kingdom.
"It is only my brother's army. He must have been successful in conquering the invading forces." He froze at his own slip up. "How did you know?"
The lady chuckled again and patted his cheek. "You are a brilliant and kind hearted prince, who takes care of even the lowest of your people. I am old, dear boy, it would take someone much more cunning than you to fool these tired eyes. And you look just like your mother. There is a reason she is called the glittering jewel of the nine kingdoms. I'll tell you the story next time." She pulled away. "Now, young Ahkmen, take your girl and go, before you are found out. God knows your brother would try to use this against you." She turned and paused at her door. "A boy of your stature is allowed multiple wives, no? You should marry this one too." She went in.
"Savta!" He wan't sure he wanted another wife. The current two were already vying for his attention. After a moment of staring after the old woman, Ahkmenrah grabbed Alex by the hand and off they went again, before they could be spotted by the returning soldiers.
Almost as soon as they reentered the main district the guards spotted them again. Their slight builds allowed them to squeeze through alleyways and hide in places that the buff, armor clad guards had no hope of entering. They stifled giggles and playfully shushed each other every time they had to hide.
Even if, in this time period, he was almost ten years younger than she was, Alex had to admit this was the best first date ever. It made her miss her Ahkmenrah, the one she'd been forced leave in the future. Only mere moments before her arrival here, she'd been able to finally put aside her all her doubts and fears to tell him how she truly felt. They hadn't even been given a chance to talk with eachother about the status change of their relationship. She'd been yanked into the ancient past before that.
This Ahkmenrah was happier, more care free, and carried a barely controlled hyperness. Her Ahkmenrah had been simply self controlled, an obvious leader who often appeared to carry the weight of the world, or at least the weight of the museum, on his shoulders. It was strange and intriguing to see him like this, and to realize that the ancient king she had grown to love so deeply had once been a regular kid.
In this era, he might be alive, but he was also married. That put a stopper on any romantic relationship she could potentially have with him here. Not to mention that he was even younger now and she'd had enough issues working through the age gap in the future.
She held back a heavy sigh. Some people just weren't meant to be together. She and Ahk seemed to be two of those people. But she could and would, at the very least, continue to be his friend and body guard.
Shortly before dusk they began leisurely strolling down random streets. The soldiers had long since been called back to the palace. "What family are you staying with?" Ahkmenrah asked. "I will escort you there."
She stopped in her tracks, nervously rubbing her neck. "I, uh, I don't really have anyplace, or anyone. It's kind of a long story. But don't worry. I'll figure something out."
He seemed confused. "So you've been travelling alone?"
She nodded and shrugged, "You could say that."
"How could your husband allow such a thing?"
Alex realized that it was all but unheard of for a woman her age to not yet be married. She shrugged it off, choosing honesty. "There's never been a husband." His eyes seemed to gain a spark at that knowledge.
"Your father then?"
"He's...been gone for awhile." And yet he hadn't even been born yet. She had, breifly, considered trying to send a message to him, but thought against it. Any message she could send, wouldn't survive the three thousand year journey. Plus if her parents had been alive, she would never have gotten or even needed the job at the museum. And she would never have known Ahk as anything other than the exhibit of a long dead king at the museum.
"It's a wonder you haven't been killed. Come with me, back to the palace. I'm sure my father will let you stay if you explain your circumstances."
"Yeah. I really don't think that's such a good idea." His dad probably wanted her dead after she took out his guards like that. Considering how many guards had come after her, she was fairly certain that going back to the palace would not be good for her health.
He took her hand. "I insist."
"No." She tried to yank her hand back, but he held fast. She put on her oh-no-you-didn't face. Usually it would freeze him in his tracks, but this Ahk didn't seem to understand her at all.
"I cannot in good conscience, leave you to fend for yourself." His heart was in the right place, but he needed to know that she knew how to handle herself.
Rather than answer, she ducked and spin kicked his legs out from under him. As she pinned him to the ground, an arrow landed where his head had been only a second before. What she had been going to say flew out the window, and all that came out was, "Well, that was unexpected."
He stared at her in shock, as she pulled him back to his feet. "Definitely getting a work out today," she said, dragging him along as she ran. Their attackers managed to cut off every exit, herding them down a dead end. They wore no armor. Only their eyes were visible through the black cloaks that covered them from head to toe. All seven carried swords, but only two had bows and arrows.
"Assassins," he said, unsheathing his scimitar to catch an enemy blade. "Stay behind me."
She huffed, patience finally snapping. "Boy, puhlease." She danced around him instantly taking out the nearest enemy with a single blow. Alex took out five while Ahk fought his first. With his opponent finally dispatched, he moved to next only to realize there was none. He looked at the pile of bodies, then at Alex who was leaning against a wall waiting for him.
"Oh." He sheathed his sword. "I understand now." They stood looking at each other, before busting out laughing. Her wound had opened back up again. She could feel the blood running down her face, but continued to ignore it.
Just as they began to lower their guard, Alex saw movement in the corner of her eye. She dashed in front of Ahkmenrah, shielding him with her body. The arrow meant for his heart caught in her shoulder. Moving quick as lightning, he relieved a fallen assassin of his bow and an arrow and felled the sniper. He rushed back to her side, appearing far more concerned than he should have been for someone he had just met. The old lady was right, he really was always getting into trouble. Gingerly holding her shoulder, she gave a weak chuckle. "That was a close one."
A wave of exhaustion passed through her. She'd lost a lot of blood over the last two days. She could hear him talking to her, asking her something but she couldn't make out what he was saying, or even summon a response. It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't slept in almost forty eight hours. No time like the present.
Ahkmenrah returned to the palace nearly in a panic over the unconscious girl in his arms. His father had met him at the entrance, intent on a scolding and a punishment. At least until he recognized the girl. It would seem that fate had spoken once again. "Father, please let her stay. She saved my life by taking an arrow meant for me. She has nowhere to go. It would be dishonorable to leave her on the streets."
Merenkahre raised a brow at his son. Never had the boy been so verbally insistant about taking care of another person. Always his son would do it himself in secret. Never had the king seen destiny so determined to put two people together. "Prepare a room for her and summon the healer," he commanded the servants. He returned his attention to his youngest son, as the girl was transferred to a guard, much to Ahkmenrah's ill hidden displeasure, and carried off. "Now your punishment for sneaking out." Normally it would only be a scolding, but the boy had known that assassins were after him and that the person behind them had yet to be found. He could have been killed. The only fitting punishment he could give him was the one that all of his other children would have seen as a gift. "You will not be tending to your lessons for a week."
The prince's face fell. "A week? But why? Please not the lessons, surely my actions weren't that detrimental."
"Tell that to the girl with the arrow in her shoulder." Ahkmenrah's face flushed with guilt and embarassment. "The lessons," the king repeated. "For a week. Or she goes to the streets." Of course, he was bluffing, but his son wouldn't know that.
"Yes, sir," he replied and left, anxious to check on the girl. Another first. The boy never passed up a chance to debate his punishments.
Kahmunrah sat at a table, in the wives' quarters, across from his mother, Mert. The servants had been instructed not to enter the room until after he had gone. He had returned with his troops, from a successful campaigne to eliminate yet another threat to the kingdom. His father should have been proud, but had seemed unimpressed. "You are the golden child," his mother said. "The king could never choose a headstrong, rebellious son over the loyal, obedient son." She popped a grape into her mouth, while he took a delicate sip of his wine.
"And yet he ith thtill fatherth obviouth favorite. The throne ith mine. I won't let him thteal it from me."
"I am the pharaohs full sister and and his wife, no royal blood could be more pure than yours. He would be a fool to choose Ahkmenrah, tradition or no. But you are right, we shouldn't take risks. Rah knows how much sway that woman holds over your father. Did you do as I bade you, my prince?"
"I hired the motht feared group of athathins in all of the nine kingdomth. And yet they failed me. They were beaten by a little girl. I thuppose, if you want thomething done right, you have to do it yourthelf."
"Patience, my son. If the pharaoh finds out that his favorite son died by your hand, he will disinherit you completely. It is better to give the assassins a second chance, let them take the blame. You can convince your father that it was an attack from one of the neighboring kingdoms."
"What if they fail again? Father hath brought that foreign wretch into the palace. And my dear brother theemth to have been bethoted by her."
"If you refuse to pay the assassins they will, undoubtedly reveal you to your father. And if you must pay them, you may as well do so after they've done their job. If the girl continues to be a hinderence, we shall simply have to do away with her too."
"Yeth, mother. You're right, ath alwayth. I will never underthtand how father could choothe Sheptheheret over you."
Her head jerked up so harshly that her headpiece went askew. "I told you never to speak of her," she shrieked, then calmly fixed her wig. "That woman is of no importance. To ensure that you get your rightful place on the throne, it is that woman's vile offspring that must be dealt with. When he is out of the way, your father will have no choice but to name you heir."
Ahkmenrah and his mother sat at on the edges of the bed at either side of Alex. The healer had undressed her completely and cleaned, treated and bound her shoulder where the arrow had struck her. A healing poultice had been applied to the gash on her cheek, and Ahkmenrah found himself dragging a knuckle across the skin below it. His mother called him on it. "I've never seen you so tender with a woman. Not even your wives and sisters." He pulled his hand back as though he'd been burned. She laughed at his reaction.
He placed a hand over his heart. "Mother, what is this? I've only just met her, and yet I can't bear the thought of leaving her side."
She smiled knowingly at him. "Let me tell you a story-"
He interupted. "Is it the one about you and father in the garden?"
"Yes and no. You see, there was more to it than just a garden stroll. When I was younger I would dress up as a slave boy and sneak out of my father's palace. I would do this even when we traveled to the neighboring kingdoms. It gave me a chance to explore and make new friends. One day my father brought me here, to forge a peace treaty with the pharaoh, your father. We had been formally introduced that morning, and I knew that my father would use me as the seal, offering me to the pharaoh as his token of peace. That night I snuck out as I normally did, wondering if this would be the last time. Only this time I was so distracted that I forgot to watch where I was going. I ran right into Merenkahre, knocking us both down. I was so frightened at the time wondering if he would order me killed. He'd only seen me for the briefest of moments, earlier that day, yet he saw right through my disguise, as though he'd known me for my entire life."
"What did he do?" Ahk had never heard this story before. Savta had told him that he took after his mother, was this what she had meant?
"He made me swear that I would return by midnight. And when I did he ordered a servant to guide his new slave through the servant's corridors so he could go home to his parents in the slave district." Ahkmenrah was in rapt attention. "In that moment he not only gave me freedom, but he also stole my heart, ensuring that I would always return to his side. It took until the next day in the gardens before I could steal his in return. The point is that it doesn't matter if you've known a person for your entire life, or for a single day, it only takes a single instant to realize you're in love with them."
Sensing that it was the end of story, Ahkmenrah turned his attention back to Alex. "So," he started, slightly uncertain. "I'm in love?"
She put her hand on his cheek to make him look her in the eye. "That is something only you can answer, my son."
He satared back down at Alex. Just being next to her made him feel complete. He hadn't even known he was incomplete until he met her. It was easy picture her as his wife. She would be his main wife, and if his brother became pharaoh instead of him, she would be his only. He would be able to free the other two then. He could see her swollen with their first child. Their son would have her blue eyes and his sense of adventure. He saw them grow old together, surrounded by their children and their grandchildren. Then he thought of losing her to sickness before old age could come, and it felt like his heart would break. He once again placed his hand on his chest. "I'm...in love."
It was nearly midnight by the time Merenkahre and Shepseheret finally made it to bed. She told her husband how their son had taken to the newcomer. The boy had refused to leave her side. The pharaoh was pleased, and shared with her his desire to bring the girl into their family. "She has the countenance and bearing of a royal," Shepseheret told him, resting her head on his chest. He rested his arm around her shoulders. "If she is a princess of her country, imagine how strong their warriors are."
"Which is precisely why our son must marry her," he replied. Even if we hear nothing from her place of origin, imagine the strength and power our grandchildren will possess with her as their mother. We must not let her become an enemy. If everyone in her country is as she is, we would be utterly destroyed."
"That reminds me, love. Mert wishes to meet with you in the morning."
"What is it she wants this time?"
"She refused to speak with me about it."
He sighed in defeat. "Tomorrow I will summon her."
"She did not seem very pleased with the arrival of Alex."
"Alex?"
She nodded against his chest. "According to Ahkmen, that is the girl's name."
"Such a strange name."
"I think it suits her."
He chuckled and held her tighter against himself.
Merenkahre waited in the throne room, while his lesser wife was summoned. His great royal wife sat in her throne beside his own.
The mother of the pharaoh's eldest son strolled in proud and aloof. Upon seeing the the queen, she forgot herself. "I will not tolerate that woman here."
The pharaoh stood in his anger, banging his staff sharply against the floor. "She is my great royal wife, you will show respect." Shepseheret stood beside him, placing a loving hand on his arm. Almost instantly he was calmed, and they returned to their seats. "Why did you wish meet with me?"
"I came to advise against letting the imposter remain in the palace."
His grip tightened around his staff as he continued with his duty of listening to his subjects. "What is your reasoning?"
"She is a foreigner. We know nothing of her origins, nor where her loyalties lie. She is a danger not only to you, my pharaoh, but to our entire kingdom. You should throw her out like the trash she is."
Shepseheret reached over and placed her hand over his. He cast her a glance and returned her grip. "Your fears are unfounded. She risked her very life to save that of my son. Her loyalties are clear. As for her origins." He paused. If he told her that he believed the girl to be from the land of the gods, Mert would give the girl no rest until Alex was tied to her son. "Her origin is of no concern to you."
"My lord, for all we know this could all be a trap. Perhaps she is the one behind the assassination attempts."
"Why would they harm one of their own?"
"I believe it was a trick. A ruse to earn your trust." A smug look creeped up her face. He could tell that she didn't believe he would be able to disagree with her logic. Maybe, if he had believed her, he would have put the girl to death himself. He was certain that was one of Mert's goals.
The assassination attempts had been ongoing for many months. He had witnessed first hand Alex's arrival the previous day. That Mert had so easily blamed the girl made him suddenly suspicious. He was certain that his suspicians were unfounded, but to be safe he would have to place a spy in the wives' quarters. One of his most trusted servants would be transferred by the end of the day. He banged his staff against the floor again, signifying that he had come to a decision. "The girl, Alex, will remain in the palace as an honored guest. I will hear no more on this subject." The smug look was instantly replaced by one of disbelief.
"My lord pharaoh," she began to protest.
The staff was banged against the floor again. "I will hear no more," he repeated. "Begone from my sight." The guards rushed to ensure that his command was fulfilled.
Alex felt something warm and damp glide across her face. She swept it away with her hand, groaned and rolled away from it. Her face buried itself contentedly into her pillow. There was a giggle. "Are you finally awake?"
Before her brain could register what was happening, Alex's body shot up and slammed itself to other side of the bed. The bed vanished out from under her, and she fell hard on her shoulder. A cry of pain escaped from her. Where had the wall gone? Her bed was supposed to be against the wall. Finally prying her eyes open, she stared at the ceiling. This was way too big and fancy to be her room. Her head slid to the side. Were those jewels embedded into the ceiling? And what was she wearing? Previous events began filtering in.
"I didn't mean to scare you," said the kind voice. A woman was walking around the bed. She was beautiful, and familiar. She helped Alex up.
"Where am I?"
"You're in the palace, dear. Oh, you're bleeding again." The woman turned her face to what Alex assumed was the door. "Guard, summon the healer and my son."
"In the palace? Why am I not in the dungeon or something?"
The woman smiled and guided her to the other side of the bed. "Would you prefer to be in the dungeons?"
"No. Of course not." Alex held her shoulder as she gingerly sat on the bed beside the woman. "How long was I out?"
"Three days."
"My friends will be worried by now. I need to find a way home."
The woman remained silent for a moment. "I was a witness to your arrival. You defeated eight of my husbands royal guards all by yourself, without killing any of them, then you escaped from the palace and evaded the search parties all day. You are very skilled."
"Umm, thanks?" Alex wasn't sure how to respond to this.
"You also risked your life to save my son. We are grateful." Son? This was Ahk's mom? She was so young that Alex hadn't recognized her. She must have outlived Ahk by several years. Alex felt sorry for what this kind woman would soon have suffer through, but knew that telling her would change all of history. "The gods have brought you to us for a reason. We do not know why or how. But, if you tell me where you're from, perhaps the pharaoh can make some travelling arrangements"
"I don't know about any gods, and home is... too far away." Alex said. "I don't even know how I got here, let alone how to get back. But I do know that home is too far to just travel to."
Shepseheret put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Well, you will always have a home here."
Before she could continue Ahkmenrah, now in his royal garb, burst through the door, followed closely by a much calmer healer. "You're awake," he exclaimed, rushing to her and grasping her hands. "I was worried." His eyes roamed down her form, and she found herself becoming a little self conscious.
The dress they had put her in was thin, and clung to her almost like a second skin. It didn't help when the healer made her take the dress completely off to tend to her shoulder. Ahk was sitting beside his mother, both watching intently. He really did look like his mom. Alex was blushing terribly. She covered her breasts with her good arm. If she had known a little less about the culture she would have put up a fight. When she'd started working at the museum she'd done all the research she could on the exhibits. Especially the Egyptian ones. Nakedness wasn't a big deal to them. In fact, seeing women walking down the street without a top, or in a very sheer dress was fairly normal. As she'd seen first hand a few days prior. Still, she found herself wanting to curl up under a rock and die. Ahk was just a kid, he shouldn't have been looking. But he was, and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Sensing her distress, his mother diverted his attention.
Her humiliation deepened when she realized he had seen her naked, before she had ever met him. She found herself missing her Ahk again. The one who would have understood her feelings and either politely averted his gaze, or left the room completely. The healer finished tending to her shoulder and helped her back into the dress before applying a poultice to the wound on her cheek. Alex thanked her, as the healer bowed low to the queen and the prince and left.
With a smile, Ahk jumped to his feet and grabbed her hand. "Come, there's something I wish to show you."
"Ahkmen," his mother scolded. "Your father wishes to speak with her, and you have lessons to attend to."
His face fell. "Father forbade me from my lessons. They will continue in four days. It's my punishment for sneaking out." Alex stifled a giggle. Ahk would enjoy his lessons. At least that much hadn't changed.
"I see. And what was it that you wanted so desperately to show her, my son?"
Ahk blushed lightly. "I... wish to show her the gardens."
Shepseheret ushered her son towards the door. "Why don't you use all of that energy on your wives. I would like to see my grandchildren, before my time comes."
"Maybe later," Alex called as he was pushed out the door. It brought a smile back to his face. She swore she wasn't trying to lead him on. After all he was already married. But he was the closest thing to her Ahkmenrah that she had right now and she couldn't stand to see him disappointed.
He had told her shortly after they met in the museum that he'd had three wives before he was sixteen. When he had talked with the woman in the slave district he had made it sound like he only had two. She just hope she could get home before the third one showed up. Sure he was just a kid, but he was still Ahk. The knowledge that he was already married made her uncomfortable enough. Actually watching him get married might do her in.
After calling for a maid, Shepseheret turned to her with a smile. "The day of your arrival must have been very interesting indeed, for the two of you to have bonded so strongly in such a short amount of time. You mean much to him if he wishes to take you to the gardens."
"Why? What's so special about the gardens?"
"It's a special place for his father and I. Many of our firsts happened in that garden. Ahkmen has never shown any desire to take anyone to the gardens, until now."
Alex paled. "Maybe I shouldn't go with him then."
"Why not? Do you harbor no feelings toward my son?"
"No, it's not that. I do like him. Just not ... I just don't want to lead him on." She paused as the maid servant guided her to a vanity she hadn't even noticed was there. "I mean, I don't even know how long I'm going to be here." She snatched the sandals that the maid was trying to put on her feet. "I can do that myself, but thank you." She slipped them on and froze. "Okay, maybe I can't do it myself. How do you tie these?" The maid kneeled to tie them. Alex tried to ignore the awkwardness of being waited on in such a manner. "He's already married. Besides," she said turning back to Shepseheret. "I'm way too old for him." The maid grabbed a comb from the vanity and began to run it through Alex's hair. "That I really would like to do myself," she said taking the comb. "But thank you, so much." She began dragging the comb through her badly matted hair.
"Age is only a number, it has no bearing on the person. It means nothing. My husband is older than my father, but that doesn't stop me from loving him," Shepserehet reasoned.
Alex saw the logic and felt it was time to change the subject. "By the way, what happened to the clothes I was wearing?"
"I had them burned. They were badly damaged and terribly filthy. Besides, they were far too unflattering."
She stopped combing her hair and gave herself a moment of silence. Both to calm her temper and to mourn the passing of her cell phone, which had been in her jacket pocket.
Alex stood before the king, slightly nervous. He didn't strike her as a very friendly man. "Here are the things my servants took from your clothing." He gestured to a tray that one of the sevants was holding. She dashed forward to collect them. It really wasn't much. Just her cell phone, flashlight and keys. All three of which she hoped would stay with her when she went home. Archeologists would have a field day trying to figure out how a twenty first century cell phone showed up in ancient Egypt. But how was she supposed to carry them?
Merenkahre snapped his fingers and another servant showed up bearing a satchel for her to use. Was he psychic? "Tonight I will be holding a ceremony, at which I will reveal my decision about which of my sons will be my successor. You were chosen by the tablet and sent by the gods to ensure I made the correct decision. Which of my sons shall inherit my throne?"
She blinked then pointed to herself. "You're asking me?"
"Indeed."
"Ah..." She paused. What if Merenkahre was as contradictory here as he had been at the British Museum? If she said Ahkmenrah then he might choose Kahmunrah. But there was also the chance that he would follow her advice. "Which do you think should reign?" She finally asked.
He remained silent for a time. He had not been expecting that. He had been expecting her to name Ahkmenrah as heir. She'd stopped herself, he noticed. Perhaps she worried about how he would accept her suggestion. Smart girl. She would be Ahkmenrah's wife, provided she wasn't already somebody else's. "Perhaps the gods should have sent your husband instead. Then I might get a straight answer."
She felt her eye twitch. "I have no husband. Where I'm from women are independent. While some of us do prefer to have husbands, almost all of us are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. Unless you need another demonstration?" She asked gesturing to a nearby guard.
Merenkahre laughed, shocking Alex into dropping the flashlight she'd been putting in the satchel. Even the guards cocked a brow. There was no doubt in his mind now that she would join his family, but for such a self-sufficient woman this would require some trickery.
"You will attend tonight's ceremony," he commanded. "While there, a servant will supply you with a cake. You are to present that cake to one of my sons. That son will be given the tablet and the throne. You are dismissed." He banged his staff on the ground and a servant guided her out.
He gestured to another servant to step forward. "Tell the royal cook to prepare a marriage cake for tonight's ceremony."
The ceremony was grand. There was music and dancers and she was pretty sure she was drinking something alcoholic. At least it took the edge off having to wear a dress and overly heavy jewelry. She had met Ahk's two wives. One was his half sister, chosen for him to keep the bloodline pure. The other was a princess from a neighboring kingdom, presented to secure a peace treaty. Both were only about twelve by Alex's guess. To her surprise, neither seemed disappointed to be married to the prince. Both had expressed hope in becoming the great royal wife, should Ahk become pharaoh. They also expressed hope that their respective wedding nights and the nights that had followed had produced an heir. Alex had held back a curse at this. They were still children themselves. Trying already to have children of their own. Despite its overall grandeur, there were some aspects of this culture she just couldn't stand. She guzzled the rest of her unknown drink and a servant refilled it for her.
Another servant blew a horn to garner everyone's attention. The king spoke, "It is time for the choosing." A servent came out of nowhere, passing Alex a cake. Remembering the king's order she shrugged, accepting it. The room was silent as she walked, only stumbling a little, toward Ahkmenrah.
She held out the cake. "Here. I'm supposed to give this to you." With a smile wider than any she had ever seen from him, he accepted and held it up for all to see. The entire room burst into cheers. She hiccuped in bewilderment, it was just a cake. Finding her goblet, she took another swig.
The king called for silence again. A servant presented him with the tablet. He held it up. "This tablet represents my will," he bluffed. It never hurt to add a little drama to this type of ceremony. "He who possesses it will inherit my throne." Kahmunrah stood proudly, ready to accept it, only to be passed by. "Ahkmenrah, my son, you have the courage and wisdom necessary to be a great king. When it is time, I know you will rule well." Eyes wide in disbelief, Ahk stood and accepted. Kahmunrah, ignored by all, stormed out. "Behold the tablet of Ahkmenrah." Ahk held up the tablet. Merenkahre gestured for Alex to stand up. "Behold the future king and his queen." Cheers resounded. Alex swayed a little, looking into her drink, maybe she should stop drinking whatever it was, it was making her confused.
His father reached over and flipped the center tile. All the statues came to life. Many of the guests screamed and ran only to be blocked by the guards. Alex snorted into her drink. Rookies.
Eventually the party died down. The tile was flipped again returning the statues to their normal state before sunrise. Alex was drunk. Shepseheret helped her to her room. "You sure this is my room? Looks different," she slurred.
"This is Ahkmenrah's room. You will be spending the night here with your new husband."
"Ahkmenrah," she sang. "I miss Ahkmenrah. Is he here?"
Shepseheret smiled. "He'll be in shortly, after he's spoken with his father."
Alex waved her hand. "Not that Ahk. I want my Ahk."
The smile vanished. "I'm afraid I don't understand. There is only one Ahkmenrah."
"I'm from the future." She threw an arm around the queen's shoulders, and held a finger over her own lips. "Shhhh, don't tell anybody."
Shepsehret sat on the bed beside her. "How far have you come?"
She held up two fingers and brought them close to her face. Then with her other hand forced another finger up and showed them to the queen. "Three thousand years."
"And Ahkmenrah is alive in that era?"
Alex shook her head a little too hard and fell into the queen. "No. The tablet brings him to life, but only at night. During the day he's a mummy." She giggled. "I'm in love with a mummy."
"And does he love you as well?"
"Yes, he does. He said so."
"How did you come to be here?"
"Dunno. The tablet maybe. I was touching it and something happened. I dunno." Ahkmenrah stepped through the door, and before he could get out a single word, Alex glomped onto him. "Ahk. I missed you."
He looked to his mother who made the drinking motion with her hand. "Good luck," she whispered, patting his shoulder as she walked out.
"Alex, I-" he was cut off as she kissed him on the mouth. His arms automatically held her closer.
He was too stunned to move as she pulled away. "Are you shorter?" She asked, then shrugged. "I missed you, Ahk," she pouted and leaned her head against his shoulder. Using her finger she drew random designs on his naked chest. "Don't ever go away again," she pouted as her hand started trailing downwards.
"I-I promise?" His voice cracked.
"Good" she said and threw him onto the bed.
Kahmunrah stormed into the wives' quarters. Except for his mother everyone had gone to the banquet. He called out for her. "That wretch thtole my throne." He shouted. "Am I not loyal enough? Have I not brought enough honor to my fatherth name? I have been trained thinth birth to be the nextht pharaoh. Why am I not good enough?" He raged on for several minutes before losing steam and collapsing into his mother's waiting arms.
She patted his head. "Be still, my son. It is not over. That boy is not pharaoh yet. There is still time to take back your place on the throne."
"There ith more. Father had the royal cook provide the intruder with a marriage cake. Rather than get rid of her, he hath made her my brotherth wife."
"That is good. He is young and disloyal. He will tire of her within a few scant days and she can't interfere with our plans when she is confined to her quarters with the rest of the forgotten wives. The assassins will soon be free to carry out your orders and your rightful place will be secured. One day out of every month, the pharaoh takes a walk with his...favorite wife and his youngest son in the gardens. The pharaoh will dismiss his guards, and neither he nor that thief of a son will carry any weapons. Their guard will be down and that is when your assassins will strike." They continued to plot until the party ended and the other wives began returning to their quarters.
Alex woke to a pounding headache. Hangovers were the worst. She sat up groaning, noticing a chill when the sheet slipped off. Just great. This was even worse than waking up in a dress. "My head," she grumbled.
"Is it bad?" Came the question from beside her. She and the sheet fell off the bed, jarring her head and shoulder, making the pain double. She was lucky she hadn't puked yet. Ahkmenrah peaked over the side of the bed.
She looked at him wide eyed. "Oh crap." He eyes scrunched shut again. "What did I do this time?"
Confused, he cocked his head. "You have fallen out of our marriage bed."
"I know that much. Oh, this why I never drink," she said testily, the pain getting to her. She remained lying on the floor where she had fallen. "Wait. What? Marriage bed?"
"Yes. Our marriage bed."
"Since when are we married?"
"Last night. You presented me with the marriage cake and I accepted."
"Th-that was...B-but I had no idea. It doesn't count." What the freak was going on here?
He frowned. "I do not understand. A woman presents a marriage cake to her chosen man, if he accepts then it is a binding marriage contract. Is that not how it works in your country?"
"No. That's not how any of this works. Can't we just get it annulled or something?"
"You presented me with the marriage cake," he repeated. "Do you not wish to be my wife?" He looked so dejected that her heart broke for him.
"No. I mean, yes. I mean, it's...complicated." She let out a defeated sigh and covered her eyes with her hand. "Your dad tricked me. He told me to present the cake to the one I thought should be the next pharaoh. I didn't know it was a marriage thing. Can't we just annul it or get divorced or something?"
"If I were not the heir to the throne, separating wouldn't not be an issue. But since we shared our marriage bed and I am to be pharaoh, it's completely and permanently binding."
"Y-You mean we..." she trailed off, bits of her memory returning. Suddenly reliving the previous night, he gave her a wide, goofy grin. She pointed a finger at him. "You. You took advantage of a very drunk woman."
He covered the finger with his hand. "You didn't leave me a choice. It was you who took advantage of me." She blinked. Rolling over onto his back, he let his head hang over the side of the bed. He let out a contented sigh followed by a chuckle. "I can barely move. You are very limber and very strong."
In her drunken haze, she had only seen her Ahkmenrah. The older Ahkmenrah, the one that held her heart. Three wives before sixteen, he had said, and here she was. Lucky number three. "When's your birthday?"
"Twelve days from now. I will be sixteen. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," she lied, her eyes fixating on a jewel in the ceiling. If she ever got back to her own time she was going to kill him. How could he never mention something this important? Unless he wanted it to happen. If he had told her then she wouldn't have been tricked by the king. She wouldn't be married to Ahkmenrah. No wonder he'd had such a hard time when she'd started dating other guys. She was married...to Ahkmenrah. Skipping a beat, her heart let her how much it approved of the idea. If he'd told her details about his past, he would have been giving her the details of her future. She wouldn't be married to a future pharaoh, and she wouldn't be guilty of statutory rape. "Holy crap." She put her hands on her face and slowly drew them down. "I raped a fifteen year old prince."
"That cannot be considered rape, since I thoroughly enjoyed it," he admitted.
"Not helping."
"If you like we can try again. This time I'll take the lead."
"No!"
"I am your husband..."
"No." Forcing herself into a sitting position, she pulled the sheet around herself and leaned her back against the bed, resting her head next to his. She closed her eyes against the painful light. "I'm sorry, Ahkmenrah. Please understand. Where I come from age is an issue. If someone doesn't have their parents permission, they have to be eighteen in order to legally marry."
"My parents gave their permission and their blessing."
"Then the minimum legal age for marriage is sixteen. And anyone over eighteen cannot, from a legal standpoint, have...they can't... share a marriage bed with anyone under eighteen. I'm twenty four and you're fifteen. So, where I'm from, this is...so many levels of wrong."
She could almost hear him frown at the ceiling. He was so much like her Ahk, and yet so different. He was happier, and a bit more hyper, usually. "The deed is done. There is no going back." He was silent for a moment, contemplating everything she had told him over the past few minutes. "You truly believe I should be the next pharaoh?"
"Yes. Honestly, I think you'll be an even better king than your father." Just with a much shorter riegn, she added to herself. There was a knock on the door. Her eyes slid open to watch Ahk situate himself to sit beside her on the floor, before calling for them to enter. At the sight of his naked body, she closed her eyes. It was partly to quell the responces her body was having towards his and partly to hide from him another massive wave of guilt and pain. Two servants came in and started peeling the bottom sheet off the bed. "What are they doing?" She asked not daring to open her eyes.
"Checking for virgin blood. If there is none than when I am pharaoh, you can't be my great royal wife, only one of the lesser wives." Even though she had dated a few guys, she had never felt comfortable going that far. It didn't matter anyway. Since the moment she'd first met him at the museum several years ago, Ahk had been the only one that could turn her on. Not that she'd ever tell him that. This really wasn't how she'd pictured it. Last night had been both her first time period and her first time with Ahk. But between martial arts lessons and playing with Rexy, her body had been thrown about so much she was pretty sure she there wouldn't be any blood. Her eyes shot open at their cries of approval as they waved the sheet out the window. Ahk leaned over to kiss her on the healing cheek and whisper in her ear. "I'll never tell them it's from your shoulder." She wasn't sure if she wanted to hug him or slap him. Though she didn't want to be queen, being a lesser wife sounded even worse.
"Why am I the future queen? Why not one of your other...wives?" She hadn't expected to have such a hard time spitting out that last word.
"You are the one that I would choose." He shot her a sly smile. "And apparently my father approves." She felt him grab her hand and study her callouses before placing a kiss on it. "If I could do so without shaming my family, you would be my only. I cannot sepparate from my other wives, but I can promise you that from this moment on you will be the only one that I will ever touch in such a manner, and you will be the only one to hold my heart." She didn't know how to respond to that.