Well, this is it. Ladynoir July! 7 (technically 8) more stories and then it's over.

This one u could call an AU. It takes place in Ancient Egypt.

Teeny warning; light sexual reference here.

Ladynoir July 2023

Day #8: In Another Life

Ancient Egypt. When Pharaohs ruled the deserts. The people looked to their Gods for salvation and guidance, but they also looked to their heroes.

For they had Gods on Earth. Two of their own had been blessed with magical powers that helped them greatly. One of whom, was their prince.

Prince Aasim was gifted with the power of destruction. While that would at first glance seem like a deathly and evil power to possess, he used it for the greater good. His cat-like appearance that came with these powers also served his people well with helping rid their houses of vermin.

The other with such a gift was Maymun. At a young age, she was brought into the palace as a servant. She worked hard, studied, grew, and became a priestess, helping advise the Pharaoh on important matters. She too had been blessed, with the power of creation. Her very being brought good luck to their people; bountiful harvests, little disease, few deaths, few accidents, as well as happiness and joy throughout the kingdom.

Aasim and Maymun had known each other since they were children. They played, fought, talked, laughed, learned, and flirted together. And when they were each gifted with these miracle abilities, they became even closer.

One afternoon, Maymum was in the palace's study, reading over some reports. She wore a silky scarlet red gown with black polka-dots—attire that came with her powers which she wore proudly—with golden accessories on her wrists, ankles, neck, and head. The gold band on her head bore a ladybug ornament in the center. Wrapped around her waist, she carried her yoyo; a mighty weapon and/or useful tool. And, of course, the earrings that granted her such power.

As she looked over the papyrus on the table, her senses suddenly told her that she was not alone. But she didn't flinch. She knew this presence all too well.

"I know you are watching me, kiti," she said without looking away from her work.

A chuckle could be heard from the rafters. Then a young man in black jumped down, landing flawlessly on his feet.

He was muscular, wore a black schenti, with gold accessories around his ankles, wrists, and neck. His headdress was also black, in the shape of a cat's head. The back of his schenti also came with a black tail, trailing behind him as he walked. His weapon; a silver baton that grew into a long staff, was attached to his back. Lastly, the black ring upon his finger; the source of his power.

"How do you do that, sayidati?" he joked. He often spied on his lady from a distance and she could always call him out on it. "Purrrhaps you have also been blessed with vision as well," he said, making his way over to the table of boring work stuff.

"Tikki has told me of no such power," she said, still trying to focus on her work as she spoke. "Has Plagg even told you of the black cat's special stealth of any sort?" she finally looked up at him from across the table. They'd only had their special powers for less than a year, so they still had more to learn.

"Only that I am quick as such a cat, and my ebony attire helps me to blend into the night," he said as he moved around the table until he was standing right behind the fair priestess. He wrapped his arms around her middle and leaned his mouth close to her ear. "How else could I sneak out to see you at the late hours?" he whispered before kissing her ear and purring for good measure.

Maymum moaned for a second but regained her wits in time to pull his arms apart and step away. "Ai! Kiti, I told you, we mustn't," she lightly scolded him.

True, they had stolen numerous romantic moments together behind closed doors or within a shadowy corner, adored one another, and were even engaged to be married soon—right after Maymum became of age in just a few months—but they had never gone further then that.

"Why?" Aasim whined. He loved when his lady played hard to get but they were alone and he was bored. All he wished for at the moment was a bit of affection from her. Cats always craved affection. "You love me, I love you. We will be married before you know it," he persisted, stepping closer to her again.

"But we are not yet. And I am not a concubine," Maymum said with her back to him.

Hearing her say this brought a frown to Aasim's face.

As the prince, Aasim had access to many women who were there purely for his entertainment. He'd been with a few of them, but Maymum was the only one he truly wanted.

Before they had been chosen, Aasim had tried to convince her to sleep with him. Maymum had declined, but only because she was a priestess. If word had gotten out that she was sleeping with the prince, how could anyone take she seriously as a priestess?

After they were chosen, after they were engaged, she still insisted they wait. But Aasim was determined to change her mind. Maymum was adamant, but welcomed him to try.

Aasim approached her, going to her front and taking her hands. "Of course you are not," he told her tenderly. "You are a gift. The chosen one to wield the power that has brought good fortune to our city. A hero, a priestess." He tilted her chin up to look at him. "my dearest, most trusted friend," he added. This brought a smile back to Maymum's lips. "I promise, no one would think less of you if we slept together unwed." He said this not to convince her, but to reassure her of the insecurity she'd been struggling with even since they were young. That she had to be perfect, do no wrong, otherwise she'd let everyone down.

She wasn't like her dearest cat. She was a poor girl who had nothing when she arrived at the palace. She fought and worked hard, earning everything she had now. So, she had to keep earning it. Do everything possible to insure she didn't break any rules or look less than worthy. Like she didn't belong there.

Maymum looked Aasim in the eyes. "It is written that we are destined to be. Our miraculouses alone are, but we ourselves are as well, which must be why we were chosen. You, a strong and admirable prince. And I-"

"A brave, kind, clever, and beautiful priestess," he finished for her, making her blush. Even with her insecurities, she knew that, even if she strewed up, even if no one else found her worthy, Aasim did. That alone gave her the constant strength to believe in herself as well. "No one but you could ever be my queen. To rule beside me, serving and protecting our people." The prince cupped her cheek tenderly.

Maymum smiled, then leaned in, kissing her beloved. Aasim placed his hands on her waist, pulling her in closer. "I love you, kiti. And I will be honored to be your queen," she said after pulling their lips apart.

"To spend your life and then eternity with me?" he asked, grinning.

"Not long enough. But it's a start," she replied. Even endless time didn't sound long enough to be with him.

"How about the next life?"

"And then the next, and the next," she trailed off before pulling him in for another kiss.

They both prayed to the Gods that the future holders of their miraculouses loved each other as they did in this life.

I picked these Arabic names because their meanings fit the characters personalities well and they also started with the same letter as their 'French names.'

Arabic is the main language of Egypt.

Aasim- protector, guardian

Maymun- luck

Kiti- kitty

Sayidati- my lady

Schenti- a wrap skirt wore by men in Ancient Egypt

See u all again on the 11th ;D