The Blue Lotus

by Marisa Chenery

  Mahes moved closer to the bed. He knew his brother was primed to attack. Having another mortal besides Kendra in the room was all it would take to set Nefertem off.

  "Kendra, I think it would be a very good idea if you left with Markus."

  It didn't take a genius to figure out what would happen after Markus and she left. Mahes would try to beat Nefertem senseless once again. She couldn't let that happen, not when the sleeping pills had worked so well before.

  "No, Mahes. I think you and Markus should leave."

  "You can't be serious!” Markus shot back.

  Kendra chose to ignore Markus and spoke to Mahes instead. “I won't let you beat him. The other method worked earlier."

  "Kendra, being here has intensified the change. He is beyond reasoning.” As if to prove Mahes correct, Nefertem growled menacingly.

  She knew it was risky, but Nefertem had said before she had an effect on him like no other before. She wasn't ready to give up on him just yet. “Please, Mahes, trust me. I can do this."

  Mahes studied Kendra's face. He knew what she wanted to do. He didn't know if it would work, but he didn't have the heart to deny Kendra this last chance to be with Nefertem.

  "All right. I will be right next door. If things go wrong for you I will break the door down if I must."

  Kendra smiled at him. “Thanks. Now get out of here."

  Unable to believe what had just transpired between Mahes and his sister, Markus began to protest. “I won't allow you to do this, Kendra."

  Grabbing Markus by the arm Mahes began to drag him from the room. “The decision is already made. Leave Kendra to do what she has to do.” Even though the other man dug in his heels, his strength was no match for Mahes's own. He easily propelled Markus toward the door.

  Before closing the door behind them, Mahes spoke to Kendra one last time. “If all goes well, I will come back in the morning. No one will interrupt you.” With the still protesting Markus in tow, Mahes closed the door with a click behind him.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Being left alone with Nefertem, Kendra wondered if she had been a little too hasty in her decision. He was beginning to show signs of interest in the room now that Markus and Mahes had left, but it was not with the interest a man would show. It was more like an animal searching for a means of escape.

  Taking a deep breath to boost her nerve, Kendra went and sat down on the bed beside Nefertem. His head snapped in her direction as he eyed her warily. Slowly, she reached out and gently caressed his cheek.

  "I know the real you is in there somewhere deep down, Nefertem, the one I fell in love with.” Not one emotion flickered in his gold eyes. At least he hadn't outright rejected her touch. Emboldened, she stroked his cheek again.

  The cat felt a sense of calmness fill him as the woman continued to touch him. It had very little to do with her possessing the pendant. It was simply because she was his mate. He had claimed her as such, physically and mentally, before the man had tried to push her away. Now with the man gone his body screamed for him to claim her as his mate once more, but he curbed the urge to pounce on her. As his mate, she deserved gentleness and respect. So instead, he closed his eyes and pressed her hand flat against his face. He made a low rumble of pleasure, to let her know her touch pleased him.

  Kendra felt her heart beat a little faster. Not with fear but with desire. She knew it was the cat that reacted to her, but that knowledge did not stop her from wanting him. Encouraged, Kendra leaned forward and gently brushed her lips across Nefertem's own.

  The light touch of her lips was all the cat needed. Releasing Kendra's hand, he gathered her up hard against his chest. He kissed her thoroughly. When her lips moved beneath his, he growled softly. Only with her did he feel whole. The fury he had felt before evaporated much like the hot, bright sun burns away the mist of an early morning.

  Kendra felt her body melt in response to being held up against Nefertem's hard chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck. When he demanded more from the kiss, she allowed him entrance to her mouth. There was no going back now, which was not something she wanted. Soon she wanted much more than his kiss.

  Unwrapping her arms, Kendra slowly ran her hands down Nefertem's shoulders and across his chest. As she reached the bottom of his shirt, she slipped her hands under it. She felt a thrill go through her as his stomach muscles quivered beneath her fingertips.

  He couldn't take much more of the exquisite torture she was putting him through. Her touch was driving him wild, literally. Reaching his limit, he took control of the situation.

  Twisting with Kendra still in his arms, Nefertem moved so she lay back on the bed. He stretched out beside her. Releasing her mouth, he slowly undid her blouse. Every inch of skin he exposed he pressed his lips to. Kendra shivered beneath his touch. Popping open the front clasp of Kendra's bra, Nefertem sucked her nipple deep into his mouth.

  The mewling sounds Kendra made fanned the flames of his desire higher. Needing to have her stretched out before him in all her naked glory, he roughly pulled off her blouse and the skirt she wore. Her bra and panties quickly followed. Nefertem let his eyes rake over Kendra's body. The cat was pleased with what he saw. His mate's body was flushed with desire, wanting him.

  Kendra longed to touch Nefertem. Pushing on his chest, she rolled him onto his back and straddled his thighs. Taking hold of the bottom of his shirt, she pulled it up and over his head, leaving his broad chest bare. Leaning forward she trailed kissed across his bronzed skin. Reaching his flat nipples, she let her teeth graze across them. Nefertem bucked under her. Feeling the power she had over him, Kendra moved down his body till she reached the waistband of his pants. She made short work of undoing them and sliding them from his body. Now free from the constricting confines of his pants, his cock stood at the ready.

  Wrapping her fingers around his thick shaft, Kendra slid her hand up and down on him. She could feel Nefertem grow even harder. Needing to taste him, she leaned forward and stroked his entire length with her tongue. Nefertem shuddered. When she took him fully into her mouth, he threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her to him. Kendra alternated between sucking and wrapping her tongue around his sensitive tip. Looking up, she found Nefertem watching her. Kendra felt her body clench at the raw look of desire he wore on his face.

  The urge to possess his mate could no longer be denied. Taking hold of her, Nefertem pulled her away from his body. Surging off the bed he moved her so she knelt on all fours in the middle of the mattress. Moving behind her, he spread her body open and pushed into her hot opening, making her his. Taking hold of her hips, Nefertem pumped his cock in and out of her body. Kendra rocked back matching his strokes.

  Kendra moaned softly at the sensation of Nefertem filling her, stretching her. Having him take her this way, she could feel him hitting her womb with each thrust. It had only been a matter of days since he had last made love to her, but it had felt more like an eternity. No man but Nefertem made her body crave his touch so, and no other would.

  As he pumped inside her, Nefertem reached around and rubbed her clit in time with each hard thrust he made. He pushed her ever higher till one of the most intense climaxes she had ever felt, claimed her. Kendra couldn't hold back the moan of pleasure that slipped past her lips. As her body climaxed around his, milking him, Nefertem threw back his head and with a deep throated growl, quickly followed suit.

  Feeling spent and content, Nefertem rolled onto his side and pulled Kendra close. He let his eyes slowly drift shut. He would let his mate find some rest, but only for a short time. He was far from being done with her. He had to possess her more than once this night. Nothing else mattered but that.

  * * * *

  The new day's sun had not long begun to brighten the sky when Markus was jerked from a deep sleep by someone pounding on the door to his room. His first reaction was to look over at the other bed. Mahes lay there watching him.

  "I guess I will answer the door.” He said grumpily. Throw
ing off his covers, Markus got out of bed and crossed the room to the door. Throwing open the door, Markus was roughly pushed aside as Tory barreled into the room.

  "Where is she, Markus?"

  "Not here obviously."

  Scott, who entered the room at a more sedate pace, said, “Sorry about the early hour. I couldn't keep her away any longer. If Tory had had her way she would have been knocking on your door a lot earlier than this."

  Markus knew there was no question of Tory leaving them to sleep any longer. From past experiences with her he knew he would never be able to oust her from the room now that she was in it. The woman could be as stubborn as a mule. Most especially when it came to situations where Kendra was involved.

  "Relax, Tory.” Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Markus watched Tory scan the room. “Kendra is with Nefertem."

  "Alone?"

  "It was her decision. Not mine, believe me."

  "Tell me you at least tried to change her mind."

  "Of course I did, but Kendra is all grown up. I have to respect her choices in life. I may not like it, but I will accept it."

  Tory gave Markus a hard stare. “Why is Mahes here with you instead of being with Nefertem?"

  Mahes chuckled from where he still lay in bed. “What Kendra and Nefertem were doing did not require an audience. It would not be something Kendra would appreciate, my being in the bed next to them."

  Markus waited for the blasting Tory was sure to give both Mahes and himself. Surprisingly, it never came. Instead of ripping a strip off them both, she just walked over to a chair and plopped herself down in it.

  "What is this? No ranting? No raving? You must be losing your touch, Tory."

  "There is no point in doing any of that. What is done is done."

  "I think you are losing your touch in your old age."

  "Stuff it, Markus. Far be it for me to take this last chance Kendra has with Nefertem away from her. Since nothing terrible happened during the night, she must have been able to calm the savage beast in him.” When no comments were forthcoming from the three men, Tory continued to speak. “Okay, before one of you goes and checks on Kendra, what do we do first today?"

  Mahes sat up in bed, being mindful to keep the sheet covering the lower half of his body. “I have to go to Ptah's temple. It is imperative that I try to contact my father. Sooner the better."

  "All right, then what are you waiting for? Get your ass out of that bed."

  Mahes gave Tory a crooked grin. “If you insist.” He threw the sheet back and stood up. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at her. Tory's face turned a gratifying shade of red.

  Quickly putting her head down, Tory looked down at the floor. “I can see you need a few minutes to get ready. I will wait for you out in the hall.” Keeping her head averted, she quickly left the room.

  After the door closed shut behind her, all three men began to laugh. Mahes grabbed the pajama bottoms he had stripped off before going to bed the night before. He pulled them on. “I must apologize to you, Scott. I could not resist."

  Scott chuckled. “Tory did walk into that one, I will admit. She will think twice the next time."

  "Don't count on it.” Markus laughed. “But I must say it looked good to see her so flustered. That doesn't happen very often."

  "I guess I had better change, then go check on Kendra and my brother. I do not think it is wise for any of you to go near Nefertem. It will probably undo what Kendra tried to do during the night.” The other men nodded their heads in agreement.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Kendra awoke to the sensation of being held close by a pair of strong arms. She smiled to herself and snuggled in closer. The night she had spent with Nefertem was everything she could have asked for. Though he had not spoken a single word, it turned out not to be necessary. He had shown her how he felt about her, more than once, in a way mere words could not express. Wishing this would not end, Kendra cuddled as close as she could get in his arms. His only reaction was to hold her tighter.

  Before Kendra could drift back to sleep the sound of the room door being quietly opened brought her back to wakefulness. Cracking her eyes open a slit, she watched as Mahes slipped through the door and softly closed it behind him.

  Coming to kneel down by the side of the bed Kendra lay on, Mahes held a finger up to his lips so she wouldn't speak. “We are leaving to go to Ptah's temple.” Mahes spoke in a soft whisper. “Do not let Nefertem leave this room and do not let anyone else in here besides myself. Nefertem is calm now, but that will change in an instant if another mortal comes near him. I know you can keep him controlled. You have the touch, Kendra. I will return as soon as I can."

  Kendra silently nodded her head that she understood. Mahes brushed her cheek with a finger. “I won't come back until I get an answer.” He left the room as silently as he had entered it.

  * * * *

  It was only a short trip to travel from Cairo to Memphis. Since Kendra and Nefertem were staying behind at the hotel, Markus, Scott, Tory and Mahes were able to pile into one taxi. The journey itself was a hot and dusty one. Tory spent the time staring out the car window watching the scenery go by. Being the only one who had never been to Egypt before, she was fascinated by all she saw. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe to be in a place that had survived through the ages and had such ancient roots.

  Mahes also watched out the window. The land of his birth had changed so much, but there still were aspects of it that he found familiar. And the closer they got to Memphis, the more he felt as if he were going home.

  Reaching their destination, Markus paid the taxicab fare as the others started to make their way to the ruins of Ptah's temple.

  The temple was situated in the centre of Memphis. In its prime, it had been enormous, but today it was only a ruin. Though it had been brought down so low by the passage of time, it still was an impressive sight. There were fallen blocks from the once massive hypostyle hall, huge remains of statuary, and a few well preserved structures. One such structure was the burial house of the Apis bulls where the fragments in Memphis, Tennessee had come from. This was where Mahes had decided to try and contact his father.

  It was still fairly early in the day, so there were not many people visiting the ruins. Even if there had been a crowd, it wouldn't have bothered Mahes. The conversation he hoped to have would take place all in his head. No one would overhear what was said.

  Moving a short distance away from Scott, Tory and Markus, who were now investigating the ruins for themselves, Mahes mentally called out his father's name.

  "I am here, my son."

  Mahes was pleased to hear his father's voice coming through strong and clear. “Nefertem needs your help, father."

  "I will offer what help I can, but what I can do is very limited, as you know."

  "Yes, I am aware of that. All I ask is for you to tell me what you told Nefertem about the hidden library. The power in the stones he had used to contact you was very weak and he did not hear all of what you told him."

  There was a long pause before Ptah spoke again. “You do realize time has almost run out."

  "Yes, that is why we have come to Egypt. Nefertem was able to get that part about where to find the library."

  "You have brought him to Egypt! Do you know what you have done?"

  "We have him under control, for now."

  "How? No one has been able to control him when he reaches this stage. Not even Pharaoh who possessed the pendant could."

  Mahes made a chuckle only his father could hear. “Well, Pharaoh was never the woman Nefertem loves."

  "So it is true. Nefertem has finally lost his heart to a woman."

  "Yes. It would seem because of that very reason Kendra has kept him reined in, but I do not know for how much longer."

  "All right, I will tell you what I told Nefertem when he contacted me. What you do with this information is up to you."

  Mahes spent the next few minutes listening as his fat
her told him exactly what they had to do. When Ptah reached the end, he broke contact with his son. Mahes stood watching the others of his party as they moved about the ruins, allowing the information Ptah had given him to sink in. Despite the thousands of years of life he had lived, this was one secret he had not known about. Scott would be over the top when he found out. Only it was a shame that he would not be able to use the new found knowledge to further his career for this secret was one the rest of the world could never learn about.

  * * * *

  Kendra did not go back into a deep sleep after Mahes's visit. Her mind would not settle, which made sleep almost impossible. Eventually she drifted into a light sleep that left her tossing and turning.

  After a few hours of such sleep, her movements roused Nefertem. He brought her to instant wakefulness when he pulled her bottom in closer to his hips and kissed the back of her neck. Kendra purred with pleasure. He only had to give her the briefest of touches and her body came alive. Reaching up and behind her, Kendra buried her fingers into Nefertem's silky black hair. Closing her eyes, she let the waves of pleasure wash over her as he cupped her pussy in his large hand.

  Nefertem filled his lungs with his mate's scent. She smelled of woman and sex. For him there was no stronger aphrodisiac. All he wanted to do was bury himself within her body's warm embrace. An eternity of having her would never be long enough.

  Before he could join his body with hers, a voice boomed inside his head. “Nefertem! Why are you not doing what I have charged you to do?” Even when he reached the stage where he no longer understood others’ speech, he always understood his mother and could communicate back to her. But that ability was very limited at best.

  "Something more important.” He could feel his mother's anger wash over him.

  "How dare you! Whatever you feel is more important than the task I set for you, do away with it."