I soon discovered a problem with our current position and when I cleared my throat Rath looked up. "Jade, is something wrong? I'm not making you uncomfortable am I?" Rath asked, eyes wide but I hurriedly shook my head waving my hand towards the stone slab we were currently sitting on.
"It's this stone slab. I don't know about you, Rath but it kind of makes my legs ache." I replied and he chuckled, lightly tracing my jawline with his fingers.
"If you would like we could move somewhere else though I am not sure where." Rath answered and I looked around my eyes searching the room. As soon as I laid eyes on the bed I smiled turning to find Rath peering at the bed with a faint grin on his lips. "I believe I know the perfect spot." He added, helping me from the slab before we headed for the bed.
Once I sat on the edge Rath climbed onto the bed beside me and I smiled to myself, pleased with my idea as soon as he started to lightly kiss my shoulders picking up from where he had left off. "I'll admit it has been a few centuries since I last spent any length of time in a bed." Rath told me, his fingers moving to the bandages covering my chest and as he slowly unwrapped them I silently prayed to whatever Egyptian gods might be listening that no one would interrupt us this time.
"I haven't slept in a bed for a while now too, Rath." I replied and he raised an eyebrow at me looking at me over my right shoulder. "Only a few days of course." I added with a small voice cringing at how dumb I sounded but Rath just laughed, returning his attention to my bandages. He only left two bandages covering my chest and after he set the other discarded bandages on the bed he leaned in close, kissing the spot directly between my shoulder-blades. When I let out a breath Rath's mouth moved further down draping one arm around my waist once he heard me breathing a little harder.
"You know we don't really need to breathe anymore." Rath commented, nibbling the base of my spine when I opened my mouth a groan escaping. "Though I am sure you have already noticed that. From what I can tell you are exactly like us, no internal organs or bodily fluids to speak of." He told me, distracting me somewhat and as I turned my head he lifted his head.
"I have noticed I don't have a heartbeat or a pulse, Rath." I answered and Rath just shrugged, draping his other arm around my shoulders. "Neither do you." I added as an afterthought and he nodded at me returning the kiss I gave him. Rath made a noise in his throat once he felt my tongue brush his but after a slight hesitation he copied me, earning himself a low groan. We broke off the kiss both with slightly darkened skin and I coughed, looking at his bandages with a slight frown.
"Yes you are right, Jade. If I am allowed to remove your bandages, most of them anyway, you should be able to do the same." Rath said with a faint smirk but I shook my head sitting back instead. "Oh so you want me to remove my own bandages while you sit there?" He asked me and I quickly nodded getting a smirk. Giving me a slow grin Rath reached up, grasping his hat before he slipped it off. Setting it down on the pillow nearby he reached for his head bandages first and I tilted my head to one side as he carefully unwrapped his head.
"Huh I never knew you had hair." I commented as Rath dropped his head bandages beside his hat before he fixed me with two raised eyebrows. "Hey I haven't seen you without your hat." I muttered and he chuckled as I looked at his shaved head a short ponytail hanging near the base of his skull. "It's a good look." I admitted and Rath nodded, trying not to get distracted as his fingers moved to the bandages covering his shoulders and chest.
I couldn't tear my eyes away as he unwrapped the rest of the bandages depositing them in the growing pile though once he stopped he noticed that my shoulders were quivering. Rath froze as I wrapped my arms around my stomach sitting with my legs folded under me as I fought to get my shaking under control and Rath reached across, lightly touching my shoulder. The moment I jerked my eyes wide Rath sighed and I stared at him as he gently lifted me onto his lap, my head settling against his now bare chest.
"It is alright, Jade." Rath soothed and I sniffed, burying my face in his chest as he started to gently rub circles over my back. "I should have realized this was all new to you when we were watching the magic box. If you are comfortable we don't have to be intimate." He said, looking on when I raised my head tears streaking my face.
"It's not your fault, Rath. I'm the one who thought I was ready for this. How could I be so stupid?" I stammered but Rath shook his head, pulling me into a hug and I sniffed as he rubbed my back. It took a few minutes but once I started to feel better I lifted my head to find the scholar staring directly at me.
"You should not feel stupid, Jade. You know I would not push you into anything you were not comfortable with." Rath explained and I managed a brief nod, a weak smile crossing my lips when he reached up brushing away a tear with his thumb.
"Thanks, Rath. I just really thought I was ready for this but maybe I'm not as brave as I thought." I replied and Rath just snorted, his hand covering my right cheek and I raised an eyebrow at him. "I really wanted to be closer to you but then I just got so scared."
"Jade, you protected me from Chontra and stopped Presley from being kidnapped by Scarab. At the time we didn't know that they were after you instead but you were still very brave. You still are and don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Rath answered, making me feel better when he lightly kissed my forehead. When his lips moved down towards my mouth I kissed him, draping my arms around his neck finally noticing that I'd finally stopped shaking.
"I still think we should give Rath and Jade more time alone together." Nefer-Tina sighed as she followed Ja-Kal into the sphinx and Armon gave her a tiny grin.
"Nefer-Tina, we have been gone for hours and we need to recharge. What do you think would happen if Scarab decides to show up again and we have exhausted our powers?" Ja-Kal countered and Nefer-Tina rolled her eyes, wondering why Ja-Kal could not understand that Rath and Jade were a couple now. Though as they entered the room with the sarcophagi they stopped in their tracks each mummies' eyes widening at the sight of their fellow guardian and his girlfriend curled up together on the bed usually reserved for Prince Rapses.
At that moment I had my head resting on Rath's chest one arm draped around his waist as he smiled at me, his arm around my shoulders. "Even though our earlier date ended up ruined this more than makes up for it, Jade." Rath whispered and I just sighed, so focused on Rath that I didn't hear whispering though Rath did. Once he turned his head he froze with one hand now resting on the small of my back his eyes slowly widening the second he noticed that Ja-Kal, Nefer-Tina and Armon were staring at us.
"Rath, is something wrong?" I asked, lifting my head slightly finding our friends standing several feet away and I cleared my throat as I narrowed my eyes, which helped to hide my discomfort at having an audience. With an audible sigh I shifted back from Rath who sat when I did and without speaking he helped me re-wrap my bandages before he started on his own. As soon as he replaced his hat Rath climbed from the bed before he crossed his arms staring at our friends with two narrowed green eyes.
Looking directly at Ja-Kal, who I noticed still had wide eyes, Rath cleared his throat.
"Why do you keep insisting on barging in on us, Ja-Kal?" He grumbled and Ja-Kal narrowed his eyes at the scholar. Shaking my head I climbed from the bed moving close to Rath and he turned his head to find me standing at his left shoulder.
"Rath, it's not worth getting worked up about. We'll just have to find somewhere far away from the sphinx when we have our next date." I told him setting my hand down on his shoulder and after staring at me for several seconds Rath finally nodded at me.
"See, Ja-Kal? I told you this would happen." Nefer-Tina commented as I stood on my toes and Rath couldn't help a blush when I kissed his cheek. "We could have given them another hour."
"I know, Nefer-Tina but our first duty is to Prince Rapses." Ja-Kal answered, glancing over to see me and Rath holding hands making the mummies' leader smile. "I have never seen Rath so happy before. Even back in Egypt he never spent any time with a woman except Chontra."
"Yeah and we know how that turned out. Still at least he's finally happy with a woman who clearly cares about him." Nefer-Tina said and even Armon grinned as Rath coughed when I gave my mummy boyfriend a quick kiss despite knowing everyone else could see us.
"Rath really likes Jade huh?" Armon added and Nefer-Tina and Ja-Kal nodded, all happy despite feeling a little guilty at barging into their third date. "Wonder where they'll go next?"
"As far away from the sphinx as we can get." I commented, having heard everyone talking about us and Ja-Kal cleared his throat. "Yes I heard every word and I understand why you all came back so quickly. You did swear an oath to protect Presley after all."
"Thank you for being so understanding, Jade." Ja-Kal answered and I just shrugged, releasing Rath's hands so I could nudge the hunter in the side.
"That still doesn't mean I'm very happy about our date being cancelled so the next time Rath and I leave the sphinx you have to promise that unless it's an emergency you won't intrude on our date." I told them and Ja-Kal raised an eyebrow at me when I crossed my arms over my chest. "It's not a big ask but I'd like to spend a little more time getting to know Rath."
"Alright, Jade you have made your point. I agree to only contact you if you are out with Rath if it concerns Prince Rapses." Ja-Kal sighed, breaking into a smile as I stuck my hand out and after we shook on it I stretched my arms above my head.
"That's good to know. Rath, do you want to continue teaching me?" I called out only to frown when I saw Rath standing near a table holding up a scroll. "Or maybe you want to get back to your own studies." I muttered, wrapping my arms around myself.
I ended up watching the magic box, as my friends called it, for a few more hours before I slipped into my sarcophagus with watery eyes. Even when Presley showed up the next day, the first day of the weekend, I found myself too distracted to join him and the other mummies. Of course Rath noticed when I sat at the breakfast table and after he set down the book he was currently studying he walked over sitting beside in time to hear a sigh.
"Jade, what is the matter?" Rath asked and I looked up at him, fiddling with the amulet around my neck as I tried to get my thoughts into words. "Would you like to go somewhere more private to talk?" He said, glancing over as Ja-Kal and Presley practiced with the Boomer-Ra. Getting a slight nod from me Rath climbed off the seat following me through the stone archway and once we were out of earshot I ran a hand through my hair.
"It's kind of hard to explain, Rath." I told him and Rath just tilted his head to one side keeping quiet as I let out a breath. "Actually it's about yesterday and what...I thought I wanted with you."
Rath just blinked back at me and I cleared my throat seconds after he did, locking eyes before Rath finally found his voice. "Jade, I understand that you wanted to get close to me in that way but you were scared and that's alright. We have plently of time to spend getting to know each other since, well we are deceased."
"You really know exactly what to say to make me feel better about myself, Rath." I whispered and he broke into a smile, running his fingers along the wrist of my right hand before he wrapped his fingers around mine.
"For that I am thankful, Jade. Now would you like to practice with your weapons today?" Rath asked and I nodded, following him back into the other room only to jump back as the Boomer-Ra flew towards Rath and I, the weapon rebounded off the wall behind us before it flew back to Presley. "That was too close. Jade, you are not hurt I hope?" He asked me, checking me over and I shook my head at him noting the slight frown he gave Ja-Kal and Presley.
"Sorry guys but that was an accident." Presley called out, pulling back the Boomer-Ra once we walked past and I just sighed, headed towards the spot where we usually sparred.
Once I took my place directly across from Rath he waited as I gave the mummy a quick grin, rushing towards him and he chuckled as he dodged me knocking me down to one knee with a leg sweep. Rolling my eyes at him I spun around, kicking at his knee and Rath just jumped back catching my fist when I tried to strike his chest. "You'll have to do better than that, Jade." He teased, enjoying himself as I launched my other fist towards his face. He grasped that one as well and I yelped as he flipped me onto my back.
I hit the stone floor with a grunt and Rath stared down at me a tiny grin on his lips. Just for a moment he started to think I had already given up when I closed my eyes though as soon as he stood over me I cracked open an eye a smirk on my lips and he blinked at me when I grabbed his left leg with both hands.
Rath found himself flat on his back moments later and I grinned at him, quickly standing over him with my right foot pressed to his chest. "You didn't see that coming huh, Rath?" I teased him, brushing my hair out of my face and after a moment he cracked a smirk at me his leg shifting close to mine and I barely had time to realize he was only pretending to be off-guard when he kicked my leg, making me stumble and I felt forward landing with another grunt on his chest this time. "V..very funny, Rath." I gasped and he just grinned back at me, wrapping his legs around my waist before he rolled.
When I found myself lying on my back with the wizard sitting on my stomach I let out a shaky breath, equal parts impressed and annoyed that he'd taken me down so swiftly. "Okay you win, Rath but I'd like to get up now." I panted but Rath just shook his head slowly at me and my eyes widened when he leaned in close enough to plant a kiss on my lips. Though it didn't take a moment for me to kiss him back gripping the bandages on the back of his neck as our tongues touched.
It wasn't until we heard someone clearing their throat that I finally opened my eyes, so focused on Rath that I completely forgot we weren't alone and Rath rolled his eyes. Once he climbed to his feet Rath reached down, helping up and as I dusted my bandages Rath raised an eyebrow. "It would be nice if we didn't have an audience." Rath commented and I tried not to giggle despite finding the way he scowled at our friends pretty funny.
"Hey it's not our fault you guys keeping making out every minute of the day." Nefer-Tina teased and Rath just threw his arms above his head before he walked back to his scrolls. "Ohh I think Rath's mad." She added with a smirk as I sighed, following Rath who picked up one of his scrolls.
"Rath, we did kind of forget we had company." I admitted and Rath sighed, still holding the scroll between his hands as he turned back to me. "Not that I care if everyone knows we're dating." I added and he finally chuckled, giving my forehead a kiss.
"I suppose we did walk right into that, Jade. I suggest we find somewhere private the next time our training ends with...what did you and Nefer-Tina call it?" Rath answered and after I repeated it he tilted his head to one side. "Making out? It sounds so strange."
"How about saying we were 'sucking face'? Or doing the tongue tango?" I suggested and his eyes widened, a blank stare from the mummy making me giggle. "Hey I have other names for it if you want." I added with a smirk on my lips as Rath's cheeks darkened.
"I believe we will continue to call it 'making out' for the time being." Rath agreed and I just shrugged, peering at the scroll in his hands. "No offense, Jade but you would not be able to decipher these hieroglyphics. At least not until you have more practice."
"No offense taken, Rath but I can read that perfectly well." I replied and Rath raised an eyebrow at me. "It says...not to believe everything to hear as the truth." I answered with a big smile and he chuckled at my teasing. "Had you going there didn't I, Rath?"
"Yes you most certainly did, Jade but you are not far off what it actually says. Still with a little more study you could read my scrolls." Rath admitted, his attention moving back to his scrolls and I just grinned looking over his shoulder as he silently read the scroll his lips moving as he did.
Rath's expression when he thought I could seriously read that passage was so sweet. Still maybe I could start reading his scrolls if I put more effort into my studies. That and if Rath can tug himself away from Prince Rapses.
"Jade, is something the matter?" Rath asked and I blinked not even aware that he was looking at me until I cloughed. "You seemed lost in thought."
"Sorry about that, Rath. Guess I was just thinking about my studies." I lied and Rath nodded, secretly pleased as he showed me the scroll he had been staring at. "Think I need a few more hours cracking the books."
"Mind that you don't or you might break one." Rath countered and I opened my mouth about to explain what I meant just in time to see the ghost of a smile cross his lips and I smiled back.
"You knew that I was joking didn't you?" I asked and Rath just shrugged, setting down the scroll before he reached for a book next. "Very clever."
"I try to be." Rath replied, a smirk on his lips when I leaned against the table. "If you are curious I am going to cast another spell on your amulet." He explained and I raised both eyebrows at him. "The spell that allowed Scarab to find you has been broken but it had me thinking that maybe I should cast another one that would allow me to find you if you were in danger."
"I appreciate that but are you sure I need the extra help?" I asked and Rath nodded, getting a slight grimace for his trouble. "I'm not mad if that's what you think I just...thought I could handle myself just fine."
"I know that, Jade but I wish to make completely sure that you were safe. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. When we had an argument and you left I..." Rath trailed off when I lightly bumped my hand against his chest.
"Hey don't worry about it, Rath all couples have fights sometimes. The important thing is we're back together." I replied and he nodded at me. The rest of the day went well and in between helping Presley study with Rath and Egypt-Su lessons with Armon I felt myself relaxing, finally glad that Scarab or Chontra hadn't shown their faces.
"I'm surprised Scarab hasn't tried to snatch Prince Rapses at all today." I commented and Presley looked over at me, sitting across from me in the Hot-Ra as we headed for the museum. Before we left I dressed in my human disguise, a fact I still found funny, along with the rest of the mummies.
"Could we not mention Scarab? I've had enough run-ins with him." Presley grumbled and I snorted, sitting beside Rath who raised an eyebrow at me.
"Pardon me but I'm the one who had to put up with him the most this past week. Him and Chontra." I pointed out and Armon chuckled as I shifted nearer Rath who didn't seem to mind having me pressed up against him. "Bit of a tight squeeze isn't it, Rath?" When he didn't answer right away Armon stared at him letting out a laugh at the blank look Rath had.
"He doesn't mind." Armon commented and Rath turned his head staring at the mummy who just grinned at him. "Hey it's the truth."
"I did not think we would end up needing an extra seat, Armon." Rath finally admitted and I just shrugged, wrapping my arm around his waist. "Though I am not complaining." He added with a tiny smile draping his arm around my shoulder and with a silly grin I rested my head on his shoulder pleased that he had only installed five seats in the Hot-Ra.
"So what did you want to show me?" I asked Rath once we headed inside the museum and he just smiled at me leading me further into the building. Just inside I saw Presley walking over to an older woman with hair the same shade as his and I smiled, remembering that this was Presley's mom. After Presley quickly introduced us and I received a long stare from Amanda, Rath took me by the hand and I followed him giving my friends a quick wave and a one-armed shrug.
After Rath led me further into the building he released my hand and I raised an eyebrow as he beckoned me closer to a glass cabinet. Shaking my head I headed over to it a faint smile crossing my face once I saw a series of canopic jars lining the inside of the cabinet.
"This is what I wanted you to see, Jade. Do these look familiar?" Rath asked as I leaned over peering at the jars for a few seconds before I nodded, straightening when he stepped up to the cabinet to stand at my side.
"Yes actually. When you were mummified this is where your organs were placed right? I mean not these exact canopic jars but you get the point, Rath." I replied and he nodded, chuckling as I placed my bandaged hand on the cabinet only to feel Rath's hand on mine.
"You should not touch that, Jade. The last time I did so one of the security guards did not like it very much." Rath said and I just smiled at him as he lifted my hand off the glass though when he didn't release it right away I felt a slight tingle in my stomach.
"Don't worry about it, Rath. Some people are so rude." I replied and he nodded at me, leading me around the Egyptology exhibit until we came across several statues lined up against the wall. "There's Horus, Bastet, Wadjet, Khnum and Anubis." I told Rath who stared at me and I turned my head giving him a smirk. "At least I pay attention when you're my teacher."
"So it would seem. I wish Prince Rapses would pay as much attention as you did during our lessons." Rath sighed and I just shrugged, patting his shoulder when he crossed his arms.
"Give him a break, Rath. Presley is a teenager after all and we were all the same during our lessons." I replied and he raised an eyebrow at me, draping his arm around my waist. "Well I'm sure you studied hard."
"Of course I did, Jade or I would not have been chosen as Prince Rapses' teacher." Rath answered, walking through the building with me. "Were you a good student?" He inquired and I chewed my lip my cheeks darkening and he chuckled softly, squeezing my hand as we made our way back to our friends.
"Not the best but I did try, Rath. Not everyone can be a perfect student like you." I counted and he just laughed as we returned to find the room empty. "Hmm this is where we left them right?" I asked him and Rath sighed, looking around the room before he spotted a set of footprints. Rath beckoned me to follow him and after we reached the footprints he stared at them, scratching his chin for a few seconds. "Those look familiar but those," I began as Rath touched the footprints I didn't recognize, "Look strange."
"Those look like shabti prints." Rath commented, quickly heading through the open doorway only to grasp my arm and I yelped as he pulled me back. "I was right. You stay here, Jade." He told me and I rolled my eyes following him as soon as he started to head for our friends who were fighting half a dozen shabtis in their armor.
"You do remember I can fight too now right?" I told him and he turned his head slightly offering me a quick nod and a grin before we touched our amulets.
"With the strength of Ra!" We called out in unison and I struck a pose after my armor appeared. "Huh now how do I get...?" I started only to see Rath already holding his sword and as he raced ahead I held out my hands picturing my daggers until they appeared in a flash of light. "Oh okay. That's how you do it. Hey wait up, Rath!" I called out, shaking my head as Rath struck the first shabti that attacked him, splitting it in half.
"You snooze you lose, Jade!" Armon called out and I snorted, dodging two shabtis who collided with each other shattering. A third tried to attack me and I threw my left dagger, sending it through the shabti's head and as it crashed to the ground it shattered. "Ohh nice shot!" Armon told me and I nodded, retrieving the dagger I'd thrown before I went to help my friends In less than a minute all the shabtis were demolished and after I wiped at my forehead forgetting I didn't sweat I jogged over to Rath.
"What was that all about?" I asked Ja-Kal who walked over to a door before he lightly knocked on it. As soon as the door opened Presley and his mom, Amanda stepped out the latter looking around. "It's okay, Miss Carnovan. Those...thieves are gone now." I quickly explained, hoping she wouldn't look too closely at my grey skin.
"That's a relief. The museum just had a set of very valuable canopic jars donated and I would hate for them to have been stolen." Amanda said and I nodded, following the mummies outside. While Presley distracted his mother we quickly transformed out of our armor and back in our disguises we wandered back into the room. "I am sorry but until this mess is cleaned up we'll have to close this part of the museum's wing." Amanda apologized and I nodded at her, looking towards Presley who nodded towards the next room.
"I'll catch up with you guys back at the sphinx." He whispered to Ja-Kal who seemed uneasy but as soon as the museum's security headed our way we headed outside.
"Why would Scarab send shabtis after us especially in broad daylight?" Ja-Kal asked and I just shrugged thinking as we headed for the Hot-Ra.
"Maybe to catch us off-guard? We wouldn't be expecting him to launch an attack on us and Presley when he could risk being seen." I finally suggested and Rath nodded though Ja-Kal didn't look quite as convinced and when he shook his head at me I groaned. "Hey it was a good suggestion." I protested a little frustrated as three of the mummies headed for the vehicle.
"Don't let it get to you, Jade. He's still trying to get his head around the fact we have a new mummy and a woman at that." Rath sighed, patting my shoulder when I frowned at Ja-Kal's back. "But I am very impressed by the way you handled yourself."
"Really? Thanks, Rath but I've been watching how you battle the shabtis and Scarab and taking pointers." I explained and he chuckled, giving me a one-armed hug before we headed for the Hot-Ra. Even though I knew Rath was impressed by my improved combat skills I couldn't help glaring at Ja-Kal's back most of the trip back though when Rath reached over giving my left leg a pat I did feel a little better.
I wish Ja-Kal would trust me more. I mean I know I'm new to the group but I'm trying my hardest to fit in. Everyone else treats me like a friend...well in Rath's case more than a friend.
Looking over at me Rath felt a sense of pride at how well his girlfriend had progressed.
Jade went from knowing nothing about Egypt or combat to being a skilled fighter and very knowledgeable. She does have a long path ahead of her but I am very impressed.
Once we arrived back at the sphinx I started to head for my sarcophagus but Rath grasped my shoulder and I turned around blinking at him when he shook his head. "Rath, is something wrong?" I asked him and he leaned over whispering something into my ear. "Okay I'll follow you but I'm sure Presley will get back here soon." I muttered following him outside the sphinx though as soon as we stepped through the archway he stopped me.
"Actually I know Presley will be back shortly. I really wanted to talk to you, Jade." Rath told me and when I raised an eyebrow at him he smiled at me. "You impressed me today."
"Impressed you but not Ja-Kal." I muttered and Rath just sighed, reaching down before he squeezed my right hand. "Why can't he accept me into the group?"
"I know Ja-Kal will accept you as one of us eventually but he can be stubborn. Still you are getting to be an amazing fighter and I am proud of you." Rath told me and I lifted my head when he stepped even closer. "I was right when I said you would make a fine guardian."
Unable to speak I stared at him and Rath's lips curled into a smile, his arms moving to my waist as he tugged me into his arms.