Chapter 11

Servants come and clean up the mess that Atem and I had made at breakfast time before I am even given the chance to start picking up my plate. It becomes very annoying and frustrating. Sure, living here in the serene and majestic palace is wonderful and I am not one to ever complain about it where I live! I am so happy and grateful to be here in this huge place, enjoying an education, honor and protection! I love the long, grand halls and the multiple wings each leading to more and more gorgeous chambers and rooms! I love the tranquil garden where I can watch the lilac and lily grow. I enjoy my fresh baths and clean, civilized way of life. I would not trade it for the world and I feel awful complaining – but, the servants always seem to get in the way of things, including personal lives! I feel as though I am a child being cared for and cleaned up after by her mother constantly. It bothers me sometimes just how clean everything is! Often, I will make a small mess in my bed chambers looking for an outfit or the perfect piece of jewelry, leave the room, and when I return hours later after training or classes, my floor is spotless, bed made, clothing folded and draped over – it's crazy! It is as if I am not allowed to make a mess. Are messes frowned upon by royalty? Even if the "messes" really are not messes at all, and are simply organized, but slightly chaotic piles? Why should the palace always be kept so perfect? Sometimes, the very residents within the palace walls seem to be perfect too. I am not one of those perfect people. Humans are not perfect. I am only human. I make messes, and I like to clean up after myself. One would think that after all of this time living here in the royal palace that I would grow accustom to this type of pampering and luxurious lifestyle. Is it not every woman's dream to not be required to clean every single day after her husband, children and animal companions? I am just not the type of girl who enjoys being spoiled. I feel as if I am living in a place where everything must be flawless and meticulous at any given time of day, and I should be alright with this, but I am not. How can I be? I doubt I would fancy being the Queen. Then I would have even less privacy and even littler chances to make mistakes or messes and fix them myself. I would have a smaller amount of freedom than I do right now, which is not much, might I add, but I can choose my attire, my perfumes, my adornments. Gold, or silver? White, or tan? Aqua or rose pink? Does the Queen of Egypt, or any place for that matter have the choices that I have? Is everything planned out for her on an itinerary, broken down piece by piece in strategical order? Does she get to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the market place when looking for linens and jewels? Does she help in the kitchen prepare the meals for herself and her loved ones? Or do the servants and slaves of the palace wait on her hand and foot and not allow her to move a finger or use any of her brain? Do most queens and those of royal power even want to have the freedom to be independent and self-sufficient, responsible for their own lives and decisions? Hmm, I wonder.

A knock at my chamber door interrupts my pondering. "Mana," It is Atem. "are you ready to leave?" I walk over to his voice and turn the door handle, allowing him entrance into my room.

"Yes, just let me tie up my sandals." I sit on my bed and reach for my ivory, linen flats. Before I can begin lacing the cotton strings, a servant knocks at my door frame and hovers in the hall. I sigh and give Atem a look of frustration. Atem is getting better at reading my faces and taking hints. It's about time!

"Can I help you, Shaana?" He asks in a polite tone. I am shocked that he knows her name. There are so many servants, maids, cooks, and so on and so forth. Every day it seems as though more are added to the list of residency here at the palace.

Shaana shifts uncomfortably. She appears frightened by him or is it something else? I study her facial expressions. She bites her lip nervously. "Would you like a massage, Pharaoh?" She places her hands in front of her and lets them fall near her bare stomach. Her ebony, narrow shoulders are slumped and her lips are painted a vibrant red color. She rocks her hips slightly in an odd fashion. I notice that her attire is…unusually provocative for that of a servant. Normally maids and servants dress in plain, simple tunics and pants with no color or adornments, but Shaana looks very different from all of the servants that I have seen. Her ensemble resembles that of a belly dancer or a palace entertainer or…Oh, Ra! She's a concubine! She's a prostitute! A harlot! I glare at her in a way that is only noticeable to her and not Atem. He cannot see my face anyway from the direction he is looking. "I have special oils and many different – "

"No thank you, Shaana. I am fine and your service is not needed." The words slide out of his mouth like poison. He seems disgusted and I am too! I wonder who would send for someone like her, knowing that Atem is not like that. Of course, Atem is not like many Kings, or Pharaohs. I do not think the world will ever have a leader such as himself. The people of Cairo should feel blessed by the Gods, indeed.

Shaana looks a little disappointed. Good! I smirk and am tempted to stick out my tongue, but I am a lady, or at least, am trying to be a lady, so I refrain and maintain my composure like Atem. "Yes, Pharaoh. Thank you Pharaoh. I apologize for bothering you." She bends her skinny body awkwardly in a bowing fashion. Her breasts jiggle as she moves and bounce rapidly when she stands upright again. I roll my eyes. I wonder if her parents are aware of her current, and less than prestigious "occupation". I know for a fact that my parents would be ashamed of me. Especially my father. It does not matter though, because my parents are no longer among the living. Their spirits have moved on into the afterlife, now. I do not remember much about them besides how handsome and strong my father was, and how beautiful and elegant my mother was. Both of my parents were slaughtered in a violent attack that occurred within my old village. It was Atem's father who rescued me and gave me shelter, food, and love.

Shaana exits the corridor and hallway. I can hear her bare feet slapping on the floor and echoing off of the walls. I have never seen a person with skin as dark as hers. Atem leans on my bed, arms folded with his hands tucked under his head, propping him up slightly. He sighs loudly. "I wish that they would all just disappear." His voice is low, but I can hear his anger. "This happens often, these women come scantily dressed and ready to go…" he laughs unexpectedly. "As if I am that desperate for a woman's touch that I would settle for a girl who has slept with multiple men?" He shakes his head and ruffles his hair with his fingers. "I cannot imagine making love just for the sake of making love. Isn't it supposed to mean more than that?" Atem clears his throat and rolls onto his side on my bed. My sheets are getting wrinkled from his body movement, but I could care less. "I always assumed that sex was the outcome of loving another individual, not just some activity to be done out of boredom or lust and desire, but more of a passion, a burning, undying love for someone…"

My breath catches in my throat and my chest feels as if it is a furnace filled with fresh flames and embers. A hundred butterflies fly and flutter in the pit of my stomach.

"What do you think, Mana? What is your opinion on sex and love?" He sits and playfully swings his legs on the side of the bed, just as an impatient child would do. I can't help but smile.

"Well, " I twirl a piece of unruly hair with my finger. "I believe in love and passion. I feel very strongly about loving and wanting a person in all shapes and forms." I bite my tongue and wonder if that came out the way I wanted it to. "I think that people view sex as simply that, sex. A man and a woman and their primal, naked bodies coming together." I can feel my face heat and my heart beat a little faster. "But," I sit next to him on the bed and look into his eyes. "making love isn't like sex at all, because the two people who are coming together as one love each other fully and unconditionally." His eyes are fixated on mine. I feel under a spell of some sort, and I am the sorceress here! I cannot help wanting to be kissed by his royal lips right now. I find myself inching closer to him. Atem either does not notice, or is allowing me to do so. Does he want to kiss me too? I tilt my head and bite my lip nervously. Atem continues to gaze into my eyes, unmoving and unfaltering. It is almost as if he is some sort of trance. In this moment, I feel overwhelmed and dizzy. I notice Atem's cheeks are a light pink color, almost feverish looking. His breathing is irregular and shallow. It seems like he is holding his breath, but why?

"I feel the same way, Mana." He says in a gentle, quiet voice. He leans in closer to me and I breathe deeply, taking in everything that is happening. His scent is making me weak with excitement and passion. I feel the same wetness in my legs as I had the other day. My abdomen burns and my knees shake. I control my shivering to keep it unnoticed. Oh, Ra! Heat is filling my entire body. His face is so close to my own. My girlhood is throbbing and my inner thighs quiver. It is taking every ounce of self-control to not pounce on him right here and now and kiss him passionately, all over his tan, stunning, body. Atem wraps his one arm around my waist, bridging the small gap that was between us seconds ago. With his other hand, he lifts my chin and brings his lips right before mine. Our mouths hover before one another. "Mana, I –"

"Prince Atem!"

We pull apart quickly. I recognize the voice that is coming from the hall. It is Priestess Isis. Luckily, Atem and I were able to separate before she reaches my chamber door, which, was of course, left wide open.