Chapter 31-

Ravena tightened her fingers absently against the rough bark of the tall tree on the hill above the Medjai camp. The night sky was an abyss of darkness, endless against the landscape of heart-stopping space. In the middle stood the core of its perfection, the moon. Ravena was unable to tear her eyes away from it and the twinkling stars. Never before had she seen such beauty, she never had the time. But here in this desert, this endless kingdom of nothing, held it’s own treasure of culture and enchantment, she could experience this mysterious place.

Ravena placed a trembling hand against her pounding heart, stretching her fingers. She couldn’t sleep, tomorrow her life was going to be so much better. Paris was coming. After Evy killed Imhotep, things happened so fast. Ardeth wasn’t dead, Ravena thanked God a million times for that, he was just wounded. Luckily, the Medjai leader was almost completely recovered. Evelyn was doing much better, although no one knew why she held such a sad look on her face. Ravena contacted police in Italy, who immediately searched for Antony Turner, the man who was holding Paris captive. The discovered him right away and placed him under arrest, and in his small apartment, they discovered the little, blonde-haired girl, trembling in fear. Paris would be placed on an airplane, and Ravena would reunite with her at the airport. She couldn’t wait to hold her daughter in her arms again, to sing her lullabies and spend all the time she could spare with her. Ravena closed her eyes, her long lashed skimming against her pale skin, and dreamed of those future possibilities. Suddenly, she jumped in fear, a strong hand gently closed over her shoulder. Ravena sharply turned her head around and sighed in relief, it was only Ardeth. She gazed in mesmerizing tranquility and fell deeply in the black pools of his eyes. Ravena’s face quickly changed with worry, and spoke to him softly but firmly, like a wife.

“Ardeth! You have just been wounded, you should be resting.”

Ardeth gave a small half grin, sliding his hands down her shoulders to her waist.

“I’ll be fine, I woke up and you weren’t there. I should be the one asking if you’re all right.”

Ravena breathed in a small sigh.

“I’m find, it’s just everything that happened in the past couple of weeks, it changed my life completely. Not to mention Paris is coming tomorrow. Will she be mad at me for not protecting her?”

Ardeth shook his head and closed in on her, his hips pressed up against hers.

“Why would she, you protected her the best you could. I can’t wait to meet her, I wonder if she is as wonderful as her mother.”

Ravena looked up at him lovingly, smiling the most beautiful smile anyone could ever receive. She placed her hands around his neck and leaned in closer.

“I love you Ardeth,” she whispered in his ear.

Ardeth breathed in her lilac scent.

“I love you too.”

With that he lowered his head and gave her a passionate kiss. Her lips parted and his tongue entered, their bodies pressed more and more closely together, pelvis to pelvis. The heat intensified as Ravena wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. When they separated, it was because they needed to breathe. Ardeth lifted his head and something flickered in his eyes. He pressed his lips against her ear, and whispered softly.

“Ravena, will you be my wife?”

Ravena lifted her head in surprise, gazing at him for a moment. A smile lit up her face as she replied.

“Yes, oh yes Ardeth!”

A grin consumed his face as he laughed and attacked her with a kiss, but not before he swung her around in a joyous circle. Ravena looked at him expectantly.

“When do we tell everyone else?”

Ardeth had already figured that out.

“Tomorrow, after your daughter arrives.”

Ravena nodded her head in agreement, smiling softly.

“I think that’s perfect.”

Ardeth winked at her, took her hand, and started towards their tent.

“Come,” he whispered, “let’s make the most out of tonight.”

Ravena giggled and latched onto him, turning away from the glistening moon and the shimmering stars, weaving their path into the night.

‘Who would have thought that getting kidnapped would be the best thing to ever happen to me?’ she wondered in amazement. Then, as his mouth found its way to her throat and her hand around his shoulders, she corrected herself. ‘The second best thing.’

The End, at least not for them.