by Diana Kirk
It was done. Tem removed her binding dresses, lay back across the bed, and smiled. Warm contentment grew from the base of her spine. With Kensu out of the way, her plan was now set in motion. The gods be willing, she would soon be rid of Alex and her defiant slave, forever.
By morning, she would be well aboard her vessel when chaos erupted. There could be no suspicion cast upon her. Tem yawned and settled back into the softness of the bed. She would rest a while and let dreams of success fill her with the pleasure she so richly deserved.
"WHAT'S ALL this?" Alex said, surprised by Tarik's sudden entrance into their dining room. His arms were filled with scrolls and tablets of every shape and kind. In one smooth motion, he tumbled them onto the table in front of her. She picked one up and unrolled it.
"Are these the scrolls you wished for?" Tarik said.
"The song of Isis?"
He nodded. "There are many copies here in Abydos. Isis is the goddess who protects this city of her birth. You know the verse? Sing for me, wife."
"I don't know if I can. If I remember right, the notes were written on the scroll."
"I know of no such thing as notes." His brows furrowed and he gazed deeply into her eyes. The room swayed and her stomach fluttered. A mere glance from him had the power to make her dizzy. How had she come to this point? What karma had pushed her from her time into his arms? After the happiness of their night together, how could she ever think of going back? She should just stop this silly perusal and get on with her glorious life.
But still, these hieroglyphs aroused her curiosity. Their words were strangely familiar, yet something was missing. The notes. She'd remembered a note scribbled at the top of each symbol. And when she'd sung the words--probably the magic ingredient--that had set the time-warp in motion.
Alex fought to remember how she'd felt when the walls rumbled and the floor quivered beneath her. Her heart had knotted in her throat. She'd been afraid. Could the missing ingredient be fear?
If that was true, she'd be here forever. Right now, at this very moment, she felt nothing but peace and contentment and extreme joy.
Her husband may have inundated her with papyrus, but she was sure none of these were the scroll. And here, in his sumptuous villa, she wasn't standing in the middle of a cold, dark tomb afraid of what was about to happen. She paced the room in the house she'd come to love. "Somehow, I don't think this'll work."
Tarik smiled. "Nor do I. Yet, to ease your thoughts, you must try." He pointed to the hieroglyphs. "Sing the words."
She took a deep breath. "Paif I memrti, maa utat em."
"Go on." Tarik smiled and held the scroll for her. "Your voice is pleasing to my ears."
"Oa ma, henk ab er nek sah an qem xerefu, akeru apt renpet er tetta." She stopped, glanced around, and stared at her husband. "Not so much as a quiver."
"Perchance this is the wrong one?" He rolled out another and read the words. "They are all different and yet some may be only slightly altered."
"Enough to change the outcome?"
"I do not know."
Alex picked up a tablet and compared it to the scroll. "No. I think the writing is all the same, only there was something strange about what happened in the tomb. The one I remember was unlike any you have here."
She pointed to the one he held. "These are almost new. The one I read from was ancient. Why, it almost crumbled in my hand. Perhaps it already did, and I'm trapped here forever."
"You feel trapped?" His gaze darkened like a sudden desert storm.
She rushed across the room and threw her arms around him. "It's a figure of speech, my love. If I have to stay here, trapped in two-thousand BC for the rest of my life, there's no one else I'd rather be with."
Tarik kissed her hungrily, his lips moving over her face, her jaw, her neck. "Your words frighten and excite me, all at the same time."
The heat of his touch fueled something deep inside her and
she returned his embrace with equal passion.
"From now on, whatever happens, our destinies have been joined and I can't imagine what'll happen if we're ever separated. Maybe that'll be the end of the universe as we know it."
He lifted his gaze to the heavens. "I doubt that, wife, we belong to the universe."
Tarik moved his hands lower on her back and she shivered. "I hope they all go back to Thebes so we can have the house to ourselves."
He grew very still, stiffened, and drew away. "I am remiss."
"Tarik what is it?"
"Queen Tem." He hurried toward the door. "I forgot my duties as royal physician. The whole night has passed without my tending to her. I have never forgotten my place in Pharaoh's court, before." The storm cloud grew in his eyes again. "I am to be punished."
"For what?" Alex stepped after him and grabbed his arm. "She's not sick. I'd stake my life on it."
Tarik's brows furrowed. "You may have to."
"Wait, I--" The door closed in her face. "I'll never get used to this place," she said to the wall.
It wouldn't do to piss off the whole royal court. Especially if she and Tarik had to live here for the rest of their-- She couldn't even think the words, so she'd say them out loud. "Lives!"
There, she said it. "For the rest of our lives!"
"MY LORD and Pharaoh, I beg your forgiveness." Tarik bowed and spread his hands in supplication.
"What is this?" Mentuhotep stood and placed his hand on Tarik's head. You do not grovel to me. I will not permit it."
"I have neglected your wife, Queen of Egypt, Mother of the future of the Nile, Daughter of I--"
"What caused this neglect?"
"My passion for my wife. I left the bedside of Queen Tem before I ministered to her illness and I did not return. I neglected my royal charge unlike my father and his father and his father before--"
"Stop!" The pharaoh covered his ears as if to block out Tarik's words. "We are alone together, you and I. I will not stand for courtly effronteries in the privacy of my rooms. Had you not been so besotted by love for your wife, you would have seen that woman is no more ill than I am. It will do her good to sulk in the dullness of her rooms."
"But Mentu--"
"After nights of love, you of all people should recognize my plight with this woman. I am bound by history to remain joined with her as husband, yet my heart belongs to another."
"Yet, Neferu is still your lady wife." Tarik studied his king, puzzled by the man's hesitation to have the woman he desired with him always. "And you are Pharaoh. No one can keep what you desire from you."
Mentuhotep smiled wryly and sank onto a chaise in a not so very courtly manner. "Ah, one would think it was so. Yet, if I have Neferu nearby, Tem would see my pleasure in her and her vicious jealousy would result in Neferu's death. So I keep her away in a hidden place where no one can find her. Only seldom am I able to steal away and join with the woman who owns my heart. Do you understand this, my loyal friend?"
Tarik gazed down at his pharaoh's sad face and knelt before him. "I beg your forgiveness that I did not notice your pain all these long years. I have done you a great injustice."
Mentuhotep sat up straight and placed his hand on Tarik's shoulder. "Nay, you have always been at my side when summoned and you have shared my boyhood unto manhood as a friend." He stood and paced the room. "And so you neglected the Queen in her royal chambers. I would almost give up my royal birth to see the sight of her in her chambers, waiting for your return."
Laughter filled the room. A laughter from deep inside the King. Mentuhotep was pleased. How strange everything had been since he'd met Alex. How strange, indeed.
TARIK BENT down and carefully examined Tem. He lifted her defiant chin and gazed deeply into the dark menace of her eyes. What evil secrets did she harbor there? What cunning and resolve that the mighty Pharaoh feared her wrath?
He looked deeper. From beneath her long lashes, her gaze was clear. He laid the flat of his hand across her forehead. Her tanned skin remained cool and without fever.
Other than her sullen expression, she was the vision of health. She had deceived Mentuhotep, and even himself, with her feigned sickness. But for what purpose? He narrowed his gaze and smiled.
"Ah, the elixir must have--"
"Elixir? Hah! You don't remember, do you?" She sat up straight and folded her arms high across her chest. "The elixir you speak of could only heal the floor. Your bride dropped it."
Tarik stared down at her. "Then you did not need it to restore your health. Alex did you a great service. Last night, I failed to see your recovery and had you taken the preparation, it might have harmed you."
"In what way?" Her brows furrowed and she pouted her lips.
"It is a magical potion bearing the blessings of Isis," he lied. "`If ye be sick, she will take the sickness away. If ye be false, she will give you all the troubles you seek. If there be no illness present, the drink will be the cause of great pain and suffering.' So sayeth the great pharmacopoeia."
"You would risk death to your queen? Your wife prepared the potion--perhaps she meant me harm."
"Nay, my Queen." Tarik swallowed around the lump in his throat. He knew all too well what she meant. She was vain and prone to suspecting her court of having the same murderous intent she harbored. Her wrath had already been awakened by his momentary lapse in judgement, but now it was time to assuage her. Alex was too vulnerable, too easy a prey with Tem only a few doors away. Without leading her on, he must slow her jealous rage. He had only to appease her for the next few days, to let her think he cared more than he did. Until the time she returned to Thebes, Alex would be in great peril. He must do everything he could to distract and flatter the Queen away from thoughts of Alex.
It was obvious Tem had been neglected by the pharaoh. Mentuhotep cared naught for this woman's feelings. Although justly caused, Tarik understood the nature of her affectations--she had hoped to force Mentuhotep into a jealous rage.
Every being, no matter how vile in nature, needed the affections of another. And though Tem's nature was that of a scorpion, she still craved the attention of her husband. No doubt, she had seen the great regard which he and Alex had shown for each other. Tem's jealous heart would not rest until his thoughts were turned away from his wife to her. Barring that, he would have to give Alex the scroll and show her the way to the tomb. But he could not bear to lose her. Not yet, anyway.
Before another moon gave birth to the heavens, Tarik would speak to Pharaoh about keeping Alex here in Abydos and away from Thebes. From that point on, until the Queen died or was put away, he must never let his wife be near this viper, again.
Unbidden thoughts swirled in his head and he reached out and lifted the Queen's hand to his lips.
"Ah, noble Queen, my prayers to Isis have been answered." His voice softened to a seductive whisper. "You are again the beautiful and forceful mother of all Egypt. You are again the pleasure of all those who would present themselves before you."
Her eyes darkened and her suspicious voice grew husky. "Tarik, my love. You have been very naughty to neglect me so. I must leave for Thebes at once." She ran the tip of her tongue along her lower lip and lounged back against her pillows. "Why have you done so? Do you not find me pleasing?"
She peeked up at him through lowered lashes. "If that is true, then I must return to my palace alone and without adoration and affection. It is no secret my husband openly reviles me."
Tarik knelt at her bedside, grasped her hand palm up, and gently kissed it.
"Nay, my Queen, it is not so. You may return to Thebes with all the honor and love my heart has to give for you are most pleasing to me. I am derelict in my duty to you." He cast his gaze to the floor hoping to conceal his lie. "But you must remember, I have been forced to honor Mentuhotep's wishes in taking a wife of his choosing. I am no longer free to openly adore you and it pains my heart to neglect that which I hold so dear." He rolled his gaze heavenward and shrugged. "Ah, to be with one so inferior to you as Alex."
A smile lit Tem's face and she leaned forward, tracing her fingers along Tarik's cheek. "Do you swear it?"
"I do so swear, my beloved Queen." Nay, Isis, do not strike me dead for these lies. I do so to protect my beloved.
He bowed and kissed the hem of her skirt.
In the open doorway, stiffened by anger, Alex watched the tender scene with horror. Her husband had betrayed her. Only moments before he'd plied her with words of love and now, he was professing his undying love to that vile, vicious bitch.
She shrank back against the wall out of sight. Her heart labored against her ribs and she fought for air. How could she have been so stupid?
"Alex, what are you--why are you--?"
Alex ignored Seta's query and continued rummaging through the chest.
"My bag--my clothes--where are they?"
Garments flew through the air.
"But the Master--" Seta's pleading voice filled the room. "What has happened?"
"He's not my Master."
"He is your husband."
"Oh, you think so? I'll tell you what happened." Alex glared at her and jutted her chin. "No. I can't talk about it." She shook her head. "Suffice it to say he forgot he was married. He's nothing more than...than..." The words caught in her throat. "That lying bastard. And what's so funny, it's the same in my time. They try to put a new spin on it, but it's still an age old dilemma. He's been caught with his kilt down, so to speak."
Seta's breath drew in sharply. "His kilt?"
"I heard him. With the Queen. In her chamber." Alex choked back angry tears. "He professed his love to that--that--that barracuda."
Surprise shown in Seta's eyes. "You think so little of him that you would believe he does not love you?"
"I only know what I heard. Besides, our marriage is nothing more than a sham." She snapped her fingers. "A minor problem that'll be instantly rectified when I get back home."
Alex whirled and delved back into the chest. Why did it have to hurt so much? Ever since she'd arrived in this dust-bowl, she'd been miserable. If this was love, she wanted nothing to do with it. She'd be more careful in the future. In her future.
"Here." She fished out a simple linen dress, and hastily pulled it on. "There, that's better. I want nothing more from him. And as soon as I find my medical bag, I'm out of here."
She stopped short. The thought of her father finding the ancient remains of her medical bag flashed through her mind. What would her skeptical colleagues make of that? They'd scoffed at CPR, yet she knew the answer now. How ironic that she'd be the one to have performed it. A cold thought crossed over her soul. Was Seta the mummy she'd examined at Northwestern?
"Oh, hell. I don't need the bag, he can keep it. I'll get a new one."
"Where will you go?" Seta's voice dissolved into a sob.
"Anywhere. Away from him. I wouldn't want him to be exposed to someone so inferior--"
Seta's brows arched. "I am sure his words were not meant for your ears."
"You're preaching to the choir. I'm sure they weren't. But I heard them anyway." She waved her off and resumed her search.
"Stop this at once." Seta reached for her arm. "You say I am your friend. You must listen to me, now."
Alex stared at her with disbelief. Seta took a shaky breath and continued. "There could not have been meaning to the words he spoke to Queen Tem. They must have been said to protect you."
"From what?"
Her voice grew soft. "From Tem's jealous wrath. She is Queen and everyone knows she will not rest until all who stand in her way are destroyed."
"I can take care of myself." Alex shrugged. "I'm not standing in her way--just his. She can have him. I'm leaving and no one's going to stop me."
" I will go with you."
"No." Alex placed her arm around the other woman's shoulder. "You've got your own life to live. I'm not taking any--"
"Do this, or I shall tell the Master where you have gone."
Alex dropped her bundle and glared into Seta's deadly serious eyes.
She would give up the life she knew and the man she loved for her friend? Well, what would it hurt to take her along?
She shivered. Nothing mattered, anymore. Tarik had shown his true feelings. She'd burned her bridges and there was no going back. Best thing to do would be to just get out. Fast.
"All right. I'll take you, but only because you want me to." Her voice grew soft. "Now we must hurry before he finds out I'm gone."
"Mistress, do you think they will find us?" Seta followed Alex into the courtyard, but no one took notice.
"It's not like that first time, when we got caught at the ostracon. They won't bother us. Besides, now I'm just the old ball and chain. Maybe you should stay here after all." Alex opened the gate and strode through. "Just give me a direction to fix on, and I'll be on my way."
"I cannot leave you to the desert." Seta ran in front of her. "You will perish."
Alex stalked up the hill. "I'd rather eat glass than stay with that man one more minute. Can you understand that?"
Seta's teeth worried her bottom lip. "I cannot leave you alone." She glanced around as if expecting to be taken at any moment. "You have done too much for me."
Alex softened and put her arm around her friend. "You don't owe me anything. Please understand. I won't be upset if you stay here. But I can't..." she swallowed hard, "...not one minute longer."
Seta pointed toward the sky. "Ra grows weak and soon the spirit kas will walk the earth. We must wait until the morning."
Alex ground her teeth together. "No."
"Please, Mistress, I beg you."
"Seta, I've never tried to say or do anything against your beliefs, but there are no such things as ghosts. It's just dark and scary outside. That's all."
"Ghosts?" Seta's eyes widened and she shivered.
"If we hurry, we can make it to the tomb before it's totally dark. Then we can spend the night there." She tightened her grip on the frightened woman. "You'll be all right. I'll protect you."
"But Lord Tarik, will he not be much angered?"
