Title:  Passion - Chapter Thirteen – Losing Loved Ones

Rating:  PG13 for now
Author: Angela - jedinineofnine@hotmail.com - http://oocities.com/saturnfiction
Summary:  Something’s bothering Ardeth. Of course it’s never as simple as that.
Disclaimer:  No infringement intended.  I own Asenath, Drake, Samira, Mahmud, Abdu, Omar and Ali.
Prequel (which should be read to get this):  http://fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=654922&chapter=1
Codes:  Ardeth/Ancksunamun, Imhotep/Evy

*

The morning was growing brighter, Evy noticed with a scornful sigh. They had ridden all night so their ‘friends’ could escape the watchful eyes of the Med-Jai. Leaned against Imhotep’s warm back, Evy rubbed her cheek against his shoulder and yawned. The first stop would be to see Rick, then Jonathan if he weren’t there, but what she was really looking forward to was sinking down upon a soft bed.

As they reached the beginnings of Cairo, Evy could see people starting their day. This was about the time she would have been getting ready for work at the museum, had life not changed drastically with the first resurrection of Imhotep. Sometimes she wondered if she would have found someone else by now, had her path not changed. Absently, she kissed her priest’s shoulder and he tickled his fingers up her arm around his waist. “I must look a sight,” she complained, thinking about their rough journey. Not to mention she was half starved! Their companions had offered them a sustaining dinner last night, but she wanted something more substantial.

It occurred to her that Ardeth was probably in worse condition, knowing Ancksunamun. Evelyn let out a sigh at the pang in her heart, thinking, You aren’t going to do this. Not yet! She had promised Imhotep she would make a good effort to lower her stress. “You always look a sight,” Imhotep answered solidly, scratching his arm and nudging the horse a little faster.

Evelyn scowled and pinched his side, causing him to jerk a little. “I meant that in worship of you, my princess,” he assured her, but with him one could never tell. She poked him and he exhaled sharply.

They traveled on through the waking city until the hospital came in view, and she realized she hadn’t even told these men their destination. Yet the elder stopped his horse right in front of the building. “Here we are, Miss Carnahan,” he said, both men dismounting. The younger of the two men approached and helped her down.

“Thank you,” she replied, straightening her dress and looking to Imhotep as he joined her. He appeared to consider the men before them, but coming from a royal background, seemed to take their service in stride instead of questioning it. These things were owed a high priest. She wasn’t so ready to trust them, though. “You’ll want compensation for your trouble, of course,” she said loftily.

The older man laughed and shook his head, extending a grimy hand to shake hers. She took it reluctantly and gave him a wan smile. “No, Miss. We’re told Mr. O’Connell’s going to handle compensation. No need to trouble yourself. Drake would skewer my…” he looked her over, remembering it was a proper lady he was talking to, and finished lamely “…parts off. Anyway, I’m sure our boss’ll settle up.”

Evy widened her eyes in realization. “You’re from that crime lord?” She bit her fingernail. Her mind started turning wheels. “I should have known. Look, if I wanted to hire you for more…work, how would I go about making such an arrangement?”

Shrugging, the leader, glanced towards the hospital and answered, “I’m sure O’Connell knows how to get Drake’s attention. All our jobs come from him.”

Stepping aside to let the man reclaim his horse, Evy thanked him again and took Imhotep’s hand as they began away. “Those men came from the criminal, Imhotep. Maybe they could help Ardeth.”

Imhotep glanced after them, then looked her over gravely. “Coming from the source, I will understand if you are somewhat dubious of my reply, but I do not trust common criminals. They act without honor.”

“You’re right, Imhotep,” she breathed, offering him a kiss on the hand as she pulled him towards the entrance to the hospital. He opened the door for her with a pleased smile, and she grinned. “I am dubious.” Imhotep’s lips curled into a frown.

The reception area was still lit demurely, offering possible morning patients the prospect of not straining their eyes in bright whiteness. A lady at the desk looked up at the two travel-weary newcomers and began looking for the appropriate forms. Evelyn shook her head. “We’re here to see Mr. O’Connell. Is he here?”

At mention of Rick’s name the lady’s face went dark and cold. “Mr. O’Connell isn’t here,” she retorted curtly, making Evy wonder what in the devil had gotten into this woman.

Narrowing her brow and putting on the most demanding expression she could, Evy crossed her arms and asked, “Well, where is he? I’m sure he hasn’t died!”

The receptionist made a show of straightening some papers, then glanced up and shook her head. “I’m sure I wouldn’t know, Miss. That ragamuffin called ‘Carnahan’ that’s been hanging around spirited him away last night, stealing a wheelchair and two boxes of gauze—probably so Mr. O’Connell won’t bleed to death wherever they disappeared to. The hospital administrator is very unhappy with them.”

Evy groaned, putting a hand to her forehead. “Oh good lord. My brother,” she murmured, turning to Imhotep and switching to the ancient tongue. “They’ve gone. No clue where.”

True to his nature, Imhotep’s face grew dark and pensive and irritated. Now that he could talk she was fairly certain that at least Jonathan would be treated to his share of stinging words. He said nothing, however, merely took her wrist and pulled her with him out the dark, wooden entrance doors. He was very moody just now and Rick and Jonathan had just inadvertently made things worse. “We’ll find them,” she breathed, following as he headed towards the hotel across the street.

“No, Nefertiri, I will find them!” Imhotep told her hotly, brushing open the doors as grand as any peeved king would. He turned around with hard eyes and pointed at her. “And when I do I will beat them both senseless for this lunacy!”

“Don’t you point at me!” Evy shouted, slapping his hand away. All went quiet in the lobby and she blushed, remembering herself. Straightening her sleeves, she marched past him to the front desk and asked if they’re rooms were still occupied. Rick and Jonathan’s were vacant, but she and Imhotep’s had been paid up for the week. Evy took the key being offered and swept up the stairs, leaving Imhotep to struggle in pursuit.

When they got to the room and entered Imhotep slammed the door behind him and retreated to the window to brood. Evelyn stationed herself at the mirror, rubbing her butterfly filled stomach and trying not to shake. This was the last thing she needed right now. She needed at least one stable person to keep sanity around here. Of course Rick and Jonathan can never be counted upon, she thought bitterly, raking her hair with her much missed brush.

She looked down at her still flat stomach, thinking how she knew very little about children. My God, I’m having a baby, she realized again. It occurred to her every few hours or so that it wasn’t just some story Ancksunamun had made up. She literally felt tired all the time now. Rick was going to explode when he found out. And what would Jonathan think? She wasn’t even married.

Evy glared at Imhotep’s reflection in the mirror, tempted to believe that was a good thing. But it didn’t stick. She supposed he had every right to be angry, as her…lover and the father of her child. Which brought something else to mind. “Imhotep? Have you ever been a father?” she asked him suddenly, wondering what he would be like in such a role.

The priest turned and regarded her for a moment, then turned back to the window, muttering, “No.” He exhaled impatiently and refused to add to that. Evy was half tempted to hurl her brush at him.

But anger gave way to tears, unfortunately, and she cursed herself for not being able to control herself better. But she was so tired. Wiping at her face and trying to muffle a sniffle, she wandered to the bed and sat down quietly. Evy didn’t quite hear as much as feel his presence come closer. She turned away when he knelt before her, but he made her face him. “I am so sorry, Nefertiri. I did not mean to upset you so. May the gods shield you from ever believing I am the monster I was.”

“I know you’re not,” she told him, crossing her arms to avoid contact—even if that’s what she needed most. She wiped her face again. “People fight. It doesn’t make them evil.”

He looked down into her lap and drew her fingers into his vision, speaking softly now. “I do not mean to disrespect you, princess. I realize the women of this time are accustomed to behaving as men, but Nefertiri, it frustrates me to no end that you will not let me protect you!” He hit the unoffending bed with his fight lightly, venting some of his anger.

She glared down, tempted to remark testily, but couldn’t help it. His expression and words made her giggle, despite prideful attempts to stifle it and remain highly miffed. His brow narrowed and she smirked, nudging his shoulder with her knee. “You big jerk,” she said with a sigh. She could feel those tears starting up again, and Imhotep could sense that. His own irritations forgotten, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pillowed his head against her belly. Evy sniffled, beginning to trace his shoulders, and said in a trembling voice, “I’m losing everyone I love.” His arms tightened around her.

*

The floor was chilly against her side. Ancksunamun lay beside her sleeping slave, reveling in the quiet time she had to watch him and pet him. They lay on her open robe, but even still it was not enough. Ardeth stirred in his sleep, looking troubled and handsome. He would not survive here without sustenance other than these walls and whatever food she could bring. He was going to have to get out of this grievous room. Last night had been a major victory in winning him, so today she felt she could reward him. She would give him back the world.

In earlier hours she had left him behind to tiptoe upstairs and get the water she had taken from the Med-Jai. Ancksunamun had wanted to awaken him then, that she could see how he would react to the knowledge of last night now that his head was clear, but she had let him sleep. He was mortal still. In the future that would not be the case, for she herself was now immortal with the power of Set. She intended to keep him through all the ages of this world.

For now, however, she wanted to enjoy this. He was beautiful in his mortality, in his sleep. After she changed him he would never need sleep again. But she would take advantage of the time she had left. Ancksunamun brought the water bottle to her fingers and poured some of the cold liquid, then brushed them against his lips. She smiled when he stirred.

“Ardeth,” she whispered softly, brushing his hair back almost lovingly. He was so very beautiful. “My love?” Ardeth breathed out and brushed against her fingers as she tempted him awake once more.

His hand came up and gripped her wrist gently, pulling her distraction away so he could continue to rest, but she wouldn’t let up. The priestess brought her mouth to his and offered a warmer tease. “Are you thirsty?” she asked and he tiredly nodded, now looking up through heavy-lidded eyes. His expression was neutral, neither hateful nor angered or even accepting. Apathetic almost. And rightly so, she supposed. He had been through much yesterday, his emotions likely darting from one to another until finally his grief overtook him.

She brought the container to his lips and gave him water, watching his face as he drank gratefully. A small trail of the coolness began caressing the side of his mouth and now thirsty herself, Ancksunamun bent down to kiss it away. It surprised her when he shoved the bottle from her hand and pulled her closer, asking more. “So soon, my love?” she breathed, pushing her hair back and regarding him. “I understand last night, but are you truly ready to give yourself to me?”

At that Ardeth sat up, looking down at the robe they sat on. He was trying to hard not to hurt, she could see, trying not to surface his anger. “I can’t go back. I can’t be who I was before. To care is to die.” He whispered the last and looked up with questioning brown eyes that made her swallow. “Are you done with me now that I have given all? Will you set me aside?”

Putting her fingers to his lips and pulling him into her arms, she whispered, “Never, Ardeth. I will never let you go.” He looked neither relieved nor upset at that answer, but responded to her closeness with a kiss. Ancksunamun strayed her hand to his still open pants to find his hip again. “What do you want?”

“I want to hurt them,” he replied in such a low, deathly tone she thought she heard wrong. But his emotionless, cold eyes suggested she hadn’t as he started caressing her bare thigh. It was a heartless touch. “I want to hurt those who hurt me. Those who helped you make me what I am becoming.”

Ancksunamun looked his face over and considered his hard tones. To care might be to die, but that wasn’t stopping him—not as much as he wanted it to. Crossing her arms coolly, she said, “And what are you becoming?”

His hand stopped rubbing and the caress turned into a rough squeeze. His grim smile was real this time, not faked for the sake of Nefertiri and her priest. “Don’t you know? I’m becoming a monster, Ancksunamun.” Ardeth let up on her leg and she looked down, seeing red marks. Before she could speak he had her in his arms, that painful intent again soft and seeking.

“And why does it make you angry?” she breathed, closing her eyes as he nuzzled her throat and inhaled.

He brought his face up to hers and gave her lips a quick swipe. “Because it’s wrong.”

Ancksunamun laughed at that, touching his face and stalling his passion. “If it is wrong why do you change at all?” she asked, feeling the need to find out what was going on in that mind of his. It was almost unsettling to see him this way, almost too much to hope for.

At that Ardeth pushed her away, his pretty eyes downcast and hurt. “All of my life,” he began softly, absently picking at the robe beneath him, “I’ve been the hero. I’ve sacrificed much for the sake of what is right. Look at my reward. It doesn’t matter anymore, Ancksunamun. I cannot stop it. I don’t have that kind of strength.”

He looked at her through piercing eyes. “Do you understand? I needed my people and they turned their backs on me! I needed Evelyn and Imhotep to rescue me from you, but they left me to die here! I know that is what I wanted, but in my selfishness I cannot stop the anger and betrayal I feel!” His expression made her look away, but he continued in low tones. “How could they leave me to this ruin? Have I done nothing for them? I…I hate them.”

Bowing his head, Ardeth clenched his hands and struggled with the feelings surging through his being. She wasn’t sure whether to mourn for him or celebrate his lack of faith. Ancksunamun decided to do both. Reaching for him, her hand met his silken hair and brushed it away from his face. He was making excellent progress. It still troubled him that he was changing, but that was expected. What counted was that he knew he could not stop it.

“My poor, tired Ardeth,” she said, drawing near so she could touch him. That cut on his arm caught her eyes again. “We must leave this place today, lover. I have other things I wish to attend to.”

“Killing Evelyn?” he asked neutrally.

Ancksunamun laid a kiss on his wounded arm and shook her head. “That I will leave to you, since she hurt you. If you wish it, anyway. I want the seals and I want the Books.”

Bay looked up and impulsively curled a hanging strand of her dark hair around his finger. “I assume my people have knowledge of where they are, but I wonder why you want the Books. It was my idea they weren’t required to raise Set.”

“They aren’t,” she replied, kissing the finger that touched her hair. He was so different than Akhenre. Something she had more desire to possess. The way Ardeth looked at her now—a mixture of both lust and hate—made her shiver in want. “With the Book of the Dead I will resurrect you as an immortal. For as long as I live upon this earth I will own you, my Ardeth. In this form you will not live for as long as I shall. Therefore I must change you.”

He looked suitably uncomfortable at that. “Will you have to curse me?”

She shook her head. “No. The spell will not curse you, love. Just change you. Bind your soul to the earth. After that only the Book of Amun Ra can kill you. It sounds like what Imhotep suffers, but you will not be a walking plague.” Her slave looked away, apprehension still behind his eyes. It was a frightening thing, being changed into something you don’t identify with. But she would be here for him. Ancksunamun took his cheek and drew him close to her, sending a hand into his pants to rub his hipbone. “Will you do it, lover? Will you take the Books from them?” She smiled when he tensed under her caress.

Ardeth laid back and pulled her onto him, nodding in acquiescence as he embraced her body to his. Large, hot hands traced her nudity, making her shiver in anticipation of the storm to come. “I will do what you ask, Ancksunamun,” he breathed into her, then tasted the inside of her mouth in a demanding way that threatened her air supply. When he let go the smile on his face was playful and dark. She realized that broken to her obedience or not, he was going to be a hand full even still when he rolled onto her and touched her face. “And you,” he whispered huskily, teasing her lips by hovering inches away from them with smoldering, desire-filled eyes as he touched her. “You will give me all I ask.”

At that she laughed, pushing his shoulders away. “Oh, I will?”

The Med-Jai laughed lightly, drawing her arms above her head and pinning them back. Ancksunamun swallowed when he trailed the inside of her arm with kisses. “You asked for this. You made me this.” His eyes locked with hers, grave and firm. She knew he meant it, but couldn’t decide how when he added, “You will pay for it.” She gave up on figuring it out when his mouth dove over hers again.

*

Marcher - *chuckle* I couldn’t help it…besides, Ardeth could use a moment to relax. ;) Thanks!

Hadassaknamu – Hehehe…thankya! Here’s some more Evy/Immy stuffs…:-O Hope you enjoy!

Lula – Thanks for the review! It’s a “use your imagination” type deal, but I did write a more extended love scene for my other story, Speak Softly, which’ll be posted sometime in the futureness. But yeah…I try not to write people as TOTALLY evil or totally good. :-D She’s just insane enough to hurt him badly to get him to want her.

Deana – Yeah, our poor guy’s given up. After so much abuse and forcing him to do bad things, plus ruining Abdu’s life, well who could blame him for slipping out of the loop somewhat? *sniffle* Thanks!

Everyone else, hope you don’t think I’m too evil to Ardeth! Lol ;-) -Angela