"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past…"

Isaiah 43:18 NIV

𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑𓁑

"The Pharaoh needs you." she hummed gently.

"But I need you." he softly replies as he gazes at her face.

"After everything we've been through, I just want to get away from the palace. Just you and me, no sacred guardians, no Millennium Items, no royals," whispered Set, "No more lies."

Kisara smiled before she pressed herself against him, causing him to groan at the feeling of her puckered nipples against his chest.

She talks to him, in her soft soothing voice. Her fingers gently stroked his hair at the same time. Soon he's on his back, Kisara on top of him. Now it's her who makes love to him lazily under the sheets.

"Kisara," he gasps, tightening his hands on her waist.

"Set," she whispers.

He's so close when-

His eyes open wide as he sits up from his bed, coughing and feeling as if he walked through the scorching desert. His hands touch his throbbing throat. The pain feels as if he was drowning. He notices his hair is soaked; so are his sheets. Wincing he presses his other hand on his sweaty forehead.

Set cursed at the piercing headache forming. His vision was spinning, and he felt sticky. Looking down at himself, he was perplexed at how he was drenched with himself.

What?

Noticing the wine pitcher beside his bed, Set's headache worsened.

Did he drink before going to bed?

He reluctantly lies back down on his bed.

Ignoring the wine pitcher, his thoughts go back to his dream and the woman he loved.

"Kisara," he whispers carefully before closing his eyes. Just saying her name was a sacred prayer for him.

He remembered her white blue soft hair. Her pale skin and her vivid blue eyes. Her soothing voice and-

He stops himself before he goes down that tragic memory path again.

It's been a long time since Kisara's death and Set had never dreamed of her so vividly.

Why now? Why had he dreamed about something so intimate? What in Ra's name was that?

Why was this particuilar dream so vivid? As if she was actually here with him.

It was driving him insane.

Kisara

The pounding in his ear becomes aggressive before he realizes someone is knocking on his chamber's door.

What's going on?

"Pharaoh Set?"

A moment later the Chief Physician along with some servants and guards surround him.

"Yes?" he managed to ask as the headache continued to worsen.

"How are you feeling? You had a fever but it appears you recovered from it."

"My body feels awful and my head is aching." Set groaned.

"I shall make your medicine and it shall be done when you've eaten breakfast. For now your servants will take you to your bath. It has been prepared for you, my Pharaoh. You have a full schedule today & your advisors are waiting for you. Your servants here will undress you in a moment."

It appeared as if the medicine hadn't helped with Set's headache.

"My Pharaoh, is the Queen carrying an heir yet?"

He glared at the priest who shrunken back in fear.

"I apologize if I have offended you, my Pharaoh."

Set said nothing.

"Kemet grows anxious at the thought of no heir, my Pharaoh." another Priest added.

"It's been almost a year since you've wed Mana. Is she infertile?"

"My Pharaoh I believe it's the perfect time to finally bed the harems. At this point an heir from any woman is desired."

"You can take another wi-"

"Enough!" Set slammed his hand on the table and abruptly stood up, his dagger eyes looking at each priest firmly.

"The only wife I have taken is Mana and I intend to only keep her. I don't want to hear another word from any of you talking ill about us still not conceiving a child. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my Pharaoh!"

"Who is she, Isis?" Mana slowly asked as she carefully studied the child hiding behind the priestess.

The young girl was around 10 to 12 years and wore a similar outfit like Isis's. Her hair dreads were covered with colorful beads.

"Her name is Ahmanet." Isis replied, turning around to gently push the child forward.

"You must not be a disrespectful child, she is our Pharaoh's Crowned Wife, our Queen." Isis scolded.

Mana smiled softly at the blushing child.

"My beloved Queen," Ahmanet acknowledged with a deep bow. Mana gave her a small nod before focusing back on her friend.

"Ahmanet is a family relative of mine, a niece. I have chosen her as my future successor. She will be the wielder of the Millennium Necklace." Isis revealed as she placed her hands on Ahmanet's shoulders.

Mana's eyes widened at the information as the pretty girl straighten up and looked proud of her future title. Her brown eyes sparkled as she looked at Mana.

Mana's heart swelled in pain as she thought about how long ago she was in Ahmanet's place; glowing in pride beside her master, visioning how she'll make her master proud at being his future successor.

Her master… her dear master.

It seemed like another life. A life the gods suddenly took away from her.

"She's going to what?" Mana gasped, refusing to accept Isis's statement.

"I have chosen to not get married and dedicate my life to our Pharaoh and the court. Ahmanet will be taking my role when I pass." Isis replied, noticing Mana's displayed expression.

"I didn't get that offer." Mana bitterly thought.

"It's not fair. Why? Why?"

Isis frowned, noticing Mana's sulking mood. Isis dismissed the child away.

The child cast a small innocent smile at Mana and for a moment, Mana saw herself at that young age.

She was so young, innocent and pure. She had no idea what was waiting for her.

Mana looked away, not daring to see the child's eyes. It would only remind her of how once she was so eager like her.

A mirror of an illusional past Mana knew she could never relive.

"I'm not angry." Mana finally whispered once Ahmanet was gone from the garden.

"Oh Mana, please do not blame the court. Your role is so vital to our kingdom." Isis reasoned.

Mana smiled at her. Even with the royal title Mana thanked the gods Isis still treated her like a dear friend when they were alone. Isis was her only connection and reminder to her former life. A life she sometimes believes was a dream and not real.

"Yet it could have been any woman in Kemet." Mana whispered.

"Yes," Isis answers, "However, you were promised to our previous Pharaoh. Therefore it was only logical you wed Pharaoh Set."

"Was it really my duty?" she thought.

"Even the court was in favor of you to wed Pharaoh Set." Isis said with a small sad smile.

Mana frowned, recalling what was the main reason she was the perfect candidate to wed Set.

Everyone knew how frowned upon it was for a woman of less class to wed the almighty Pharaoh. It was a miracle that Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen and the court found Mana when the former prince was young.

They had trouble finding a betrothed for the young prince and had lost all hope until they met her. She came from a very powerful general's family and showed a high advance skill at a very young age. They contacted the Pharaoh's best sorcerer student, Mahad, about their bright child. When Mahad, the guards and Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen had arrived they found more than a promised student.

The young girl was of great beauty, talent and of social status. A perfect bride for the future Pharaoh. Her parents were honored with such a blessing and for a while Mana would attend lessons taught by Mahad at the palace alongside the curious prince who became one of her dearest friends. She was still young when her parents died from an unknown illness and Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen took her in. At first she and the prince were unaware of being betrothed. It was Ra's blessing that they fell genuinely in love as the years went by.

It was by tragedy that he had been taken from her so very soon.

When Set became Pharaoh, Mana became one of Set's high priestesses. She was wielder of the ring, new holder of the Millennium Ring, and part of the sacred guardians. However no matter how many titles she held she would always be the former pharaoh's betrothed since birth.

She could have fought hard and begged Set to marry someone else. Yet there were no daughters or eligible women of her status in all of Kemet. Even if Set married someone else, no matter how hard one tried, a commoner Queen could never reach the same level of respect and love like an elite born Queen.

Well maybe until now, Mana's situation wasn't looking good in any aspect.

Even though she had been promised to the former Pharaoh and came from a high social background, she could not give Pharaoh an heir.

Mana would probably make history as Egypt's first most hated high status Queen.

"If only he were alive." Mana thought as she twisted the ring in her finger.

"I miss him too," Isis whispered, "But it is a dangerous state, dwelling in the past. No matter how hard you try, crying, screaming, scratching, even pleading to the gods, you can never go back."

Isis placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Many people have gotten themselves lost dwelling in the past, promise me you won't."

Mana didn't say anything.

"Mana," Isis pleaded.

Gently taking her hands, Mana brought them towards her lips. "I promise." Mana swore, tears in her eyes as she gently kissed Isis's hands.

Author's Note(s):

Before you all get mad at me for the extremely late update I have a valid reason why I've been gone for more than a year.

In the past year I have graduated University (with honors), started working in my field, began Grad school, moved and lived in a different country and literally so much more I don't believe I can fit in this 'Author's Note'.

Words can't describe how thankful I am for having readers like you. Thank you for your patience and support. Thank you truly. No matter what happens or how long it takes I will never abandon my work, unless I die. They are all so dear to me.

I've been reading the comments and messages people have left me and I feel honored to have readers like you. I hope I won't let you down.

Please take care wherever you are and I hope to see you in the next update. To all the new readers; welcome! I hope you enjoy the journey with me. Much love always.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer vacation.