Kiss of Death
Disclaimer: I own no characters from The Mummy (1999) except for my OCs.
"One should do nothing with a false heart." ~Papyrus of Ani, The Book of the Dead.
The tree bark dug into her back, grazing her skin. Her eyes were trained on the imposing figure before her, and she took a sharp breath. Imhotep's eyes shot down to her lips, and he smirked—that same sardonic smile he usually had. She felt a flash of annoyance. He was so pompous, wasn't he?
The once-dark moon shone over the grove, alighting the Priest's eyes. There was an unholy light in them that she had never seen before.
Imhotep advanced on her, pinning her between himself and the grove. There was nowhere to run. He grasped her hand, electricity shooting through her at the contact. The soft smell of kyphi flitted on the breeze. A shiver coursed through her, the familiar aura engulfing her senses.
Everything about her felt alive. Her senses were heightened. With a heartbeat in her ears, she could feel the undeniable essence of his power; it felt intoxicating.
"You have no idea what you're talking about," he said in a low growl as he pulled her closer with his other hand.
Opening her mouth, exasperation filled her, and she was overtaken by Imhotep's lips crashing down on hers. Everything halted. All she could feel was his soft lips and the way they took her own, possessing her. Ancksunamuns mind quieted, her body felt electric, and the world fell away to his essence. Her lips moved with his, lost in the lust that consumed her.
She felt as if she was floating on a cloud, and warm tingles moved down her spine and settled in the pit of her stomach. Imhotep kissed her as if he wanted to consume her soul, and she could hear those words from so many moons ago echo in her ears…You belong to me…
The hunger within her was growing as his fingertips drifted down her spine, tantalizing her with slow seduction. The other hand still held her wrist, keeping her as his, while his hand drifted back up to her face, cradling it with affection.
Dark, cold eyes filled her vision as she recalled who she was. Pushing away from him, Ancksunamun gasped for air, her head still in clouds. Her body was still on fire from his fingertips. The air felt cold against her flushed skin. The sounds of cicadas once again filled her ears, and a waft of lotus blossom tickled her nose. Wiping her mouth from the kiss, she saw his face fall.
"Do you know what you've just done?" she panted. The feeling of dirt below her feet brought her back to reality.
The cold eyes of the Pharaoh haunted her. She could hear his words of hatred booming in her ears. It would not do to forget who and what she was. Her heart throbbed in pain at the realization. Fear resided there, too. The way that Imhotep made her feel was dangerous.
"Yes," the Priest answered, his falconine eyes holding hers.
"Then why did you…?" Ancksunamun asked, silent tears running down her face. Confusion left her dizzy as she tried to make sense of her feelings.
"Because I've waited long enough."
Ancksunamun felt a lump growing in her throat, the tears dropping down her face, silent witnesses to her confusion. Abdomen beginning to ache, she grasped her stomach and stumbled away from him, panic filling her.
She broke into a run. Bursting out into the soft grassy area of the garden, sweat poured down her face, stinging her eyes. Cold dirt splayed between her fingers as she crumpled to the ground.
The moon above her watched as her tears flowed. Its silent passiveness instilled fear in her heart as she cried into the night. Rustling from behind her alerted her to the Priest's presence.
"No! We cannot do this…it is not safe…do you not understand the repercussions of what we've just done? You have effectively sealed our fate. My family…my sisters…we have just sealed theirs as well. Do you not think before you act?" Sobs wracked her body as she struggled to look in his direction. "I can't even remember the last time I felt that way…or if I have ever…" she blubbered, "All I can see are his eyes. I can't even remember what has happened! All I know is that he is most cruel. And now with my sisters…" Ancksunamun began to cry again, staring at the whitewashed ground. The silvery grass was a sheen in her tearful vision.
A kind hand landed on her back, and Ancksunamun jumped before righting herself. Not turning around, she looked at the Tamarisk tree—the same bench where she had dreamed about the man behind her—of him giving her a glass of pomegranate wine and his lips so sweet…
"I was not thinking. Forgive me… I've forgotten myself," she heard him sigh. He brought a shaky hand to his face, and she snapped out of her reverie.
She whipped around, "You! Why would I forgive you?" Tears flowed down her face. "You who has lied to the Pharaoh! To Amenhemti! Why must I live a lie?" Her eyes searched his handsome face, wild with the need for answers.
Imhotep's mouth opened and closed, for once at a loss for answers. Ancksunamun snorted.
"Of course," she said, beginning to feel faint. Tears drying on her cheeks, she felt the world starting to spin.
Imhotep stared back at her, his eyes wide.
"We must get you back to the infirmary," Imhotep said brusquely, his eyes harsh, save for the worried look on his face.
Ancksunamun felt her heavy eyes closing as the pain in her body left her exhausted. Strong hands hoisted her up from the ground effortlessly.
"I…I will make this right. Just give me time," he murmured, his voice soft. "I will tell you everything, but first, you must rest."
The ground swayed as he walked with her cradled to his chest, his heartbeat rhythmic and soothing to her aching body.
"Okay, Lord Imhotep," she whispered, too tired to fight any longer, "I trust you." However, she wasn't sure why.
The kiss lingered there as the sun rose over the horizon, sealing their fate.
A dull ache awoke Ancksunamun, and she groaned as her heavy eyes cracked open. The soft glow of the infirmary candles danced in her vision. Vague shapes moved in her peripheral, but she was too tired to care who or what it was.
Closing her eyes against the pain in her lower belly, Ancksunamun heard footsteps approaching but did not have the energy to speak.
"Oh…dear, my dear Ancksunamun," she heard Hapu's voice reach her ears. "No, no, this will not do, oh…" he tsked as he adjusted the gauze holding her together. His soft hands worked miracles, and she again became cozy and comfortable.
"Rest and heal, dear one," Hapu sighed, touching his fingertips to her forehead, which were as light as a feather.
Any and all sounds muted after that as she fell into a dreamless sleep.
Her stay in the infirmary dragged on, and Ancksunamun, yet again, was tired of waiting. Lord Imhotep only seemed to appear when she was on the precipice of sleep, too worn out to speak.
Finally, after a blue moon, she had her chance to face him. He came to her early in the morning as she sat on the edge of her bed, feet dangling off the side. Neither Seti nor his croons had revisited, which left her even more anxious than if they had come to see her. The anger she felt toward Imhotep grew as the days passed. She had been losing sleep over their puzzling interaction in the garden. How dare he keep her here with no answers!
"Lord Imhotep," Ancksunamun said, a bite in her voice. "It is nice to see you."
Imhotep gave a curt nod before closing the privacy curtain behind him and turning to her. His eyes were pools of golden and earnest emotions as he asked for permission to sit. Settling into his seat, he stared at her as if trying to figure out what to say.
Heart beating, she could bear it no longer.
"You are driving me mad!" Ancksunamun quipped. "Please just tell me what you've come to say. We have barely spoken two words to each other in weeks. I deserve answers, or have you forgotten?"
Imhotep sighed and ran his fingers through his nonexistent hair before awkwardness again settled over his features.
"I am a man of my word, Ancksunamun…" Imhotep said, his voice low. "If you feel up to it, I want to speak to you away from here. The walls," he gestured to the flimsy curtain, "have ears."
Ancksunamun nodded as her feet touched the floor, restless from the weeks of being cooped up.
"Where to?" She asked, already itching to be away from the stuffy room.
"Follow me," he said, his eyes commanding her.
Imhotep was a bundle of nerves as he led Ancksunamun through the halls to his study. Her soft footsteps were comforting to his ears as they pattered behind him. Smiling slightly at having her follow him and having her all to himself, he led her to his office in his chambers.
Heart pounding hard in his chest, his breath coming out in slight gasps, he ran his hands over his scalp, his fingers catching on the little bits of hair he had missed this morning. Wracking his brain all night, and for the past few weeks, he'd been at a loss for what to say to Ancksunamun. And, really, what could he say? How could he even begin to explain anything?
Ancksunamun stood behind him, patient as a mouse, as he cleared a spot for her to sit, giving her his only cushioned seat. They sat staring at one another, and he grew more uncomfortable by the second.
"So?" she raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow.
Imhotep could feel his pulse in his temples with her being so close. Smell the vanilla and rose on her skin. Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he opened his mouth to speak.
"Why did you kiss me?" Ancksunamun blurted out before he could utter a word.
Blinking his eyes, Imhotep swallowed again, regaining his composure and sitting up straight.
"Before I tell you anything, I need you to understand that while my actions were indeed foolish, they were not something I regret." His eyes held hers, silently praying to the Gods that she couldn't see the terror in his eyes.
"And why not?" Her eyes held his, and her lips parted. Imhotep's eyes drifted down, feeling a stir within. Looking away, he swallowed down his discomfort.
"Because there is something I must tell you…but you will find me crazy, I am sure," he laughed, the sound feeling odd in his throat.
Ancksunamun laughed, the sound twinkling in the somberness of his barren chamber. "What could be so crazy? You are the most straight-laced, infuriating, perfect man I've ever met. Surely, nothing you could say would affront me so."
"Perfect, you say? I'm not so sure about that," Imhotep laughed again, rubbing the back of his neck as it began to prickle with heat. "But for this… I assure you, you will find me quite mad."
Imhotep looked again into her dark eyes. Lost in their depths, he felt himself barring his soul to her as he wove the tale of his dreams to the lady with the beautiful eyes.
