This idea was actually inspired by my love of ancient Egyptian fanfics that focus and use historical accuracy (which as many of you know I am ADAMANT about) including Red Sands, Blue Lotus (my favorite ever), and especially an old favorite of mine that is going through a darker, more realistic rewrite, Sky Dancer. However, much as i loved these fics I came across the same problem: a darkly arrogant Pharaoh Atem who knows how to use his power and act like a pharaoh, but in balance, every story either had Yugi as a slave (see my notes for this one), servant who turns out to be some lost prince, a servant with a specific job like a scribe or a physician, or a foreign prince captured in war with a history of sexual abuse and is still pristine pure, kind and passive. Now, in the case where he's a scribe or a servant i understand why he's timid-he knows Atem is Pharaoh and the pharaoh is a god, but in all the slave fics i read, particularly the ones where he's been abused in the past his timid, passiveness just kills me! half the time time I'm screaming at him to do something or get angry or stand up to Atem's arrogance knowing full well it would only please him and not just give in...and eventually I realized if i was gonna get the fearless, feisty, stubborn and sharp-tongues Yugi who fights, I was gonna have to do it myself.

This is what i came up with!

WARNINGS: PAY ATTENTION THIS IS GONNA BE DARKER THAN MY OTHER STORIES: Violence, sexual scenes, semi-non con, Atem as a dark, arrogant and bloody lust Pharaoh, bad language, spanking, bondage and other intense sexual situations, mentions of blood, graphic violence, character death, torture, an intense emotional situations.

Summary: Taken from the only home and life he's ever known and whisked away into the surreal world of Kemet, Yugi defies his fate and escapes his ruthless captors—only to end up in the arms and mercy of the most powerful man in Kemet: Pharaoh Atem, who's just declared the bold, fierce boy will be his new Courtesan.

Yugi cannot imagine a worse Fate.

Ruthlessly seductive, terrifyingly passionate and scandalously charming, Yugi knows it's only a matter of time until the dashing King has his way with him, but feisty Yugi is just as determined to keep his fierce independence as Per-a'ah Atem is to seduce Yugi into his royal life, his arms and his bed.

But the King awakens in Yugi a fierce passionate desire stronger and more terrifying than any he's ever imagined, and a love so tender and kind, a part of him can't possibly believe it's real. But even as he grows content with his new life, and close to the people around him, something dark and deep calls him home to Greece, something that he cannot ignore. When his past comes back in the most heartbreaking of ways, everything Yugi ever believed about his past—and his future—will be tested. Yet even as dares hope for a happy future in his new home with a new family and with a man who loves him as deeply as he knows he's falling for Atem—how can he ever be certain the child he's carrying is his?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Dedications: Special thanks to Yesterdaymaybe for her fantastic betaing, Port-Cutlit-bowl, who has been co-author and with me from when this project was just a tiny idea in my head and a bunch of notes exchanged through e-mails

As always, read, review, comment, critique, ask questions, and got nuts!

PART I

Kemet

The Black Land

I

Paniwhotep Ib-nsu Meritwadjet

In which Yugi arrives in the capital of Egypt, escapes treachery, meets royalty, has the worst day of his life, and is given a new name, rank, position and title.

Recognition froze him in place.

Stunned mystification caused his eyes to bulge and words froze in his throat. Horror forced his breath from him in a single, strangled gasp of rage, recognition and regret; with it came a mixture of denial and disbelief so fierce that his knees weakened.

"My, my, my." The king's voice was deeper than Yugi had expected; it sounded so regal. "Quite the predicament we seem to have found ourselves in." He said it so casually and so haughtily, the words might as well have been a song he was singing. The arrogance of it took the young boy's breath away as fury cracked across his face, wild and all-consuming, and his eyes narrowed to slits.

The sound that escaped him was that of a living thing: raw, beastly and primal with the intent to kill. With an animalistic growl, Yugi pounced, his mind blinded with the fury of a lioness. However, his victory was stolen when he was seized from the air mid-leap as his arms were forcibly pulled back and bound by thick ropes. Yugi screamed and struggled, mad with fury at his robbed retribution and cruel treatment, but the guard's grip was strong and held him firm. His blazing eyes never left those of his betrayer.

A smile slit the king's face.

"How brazen of you to meet my eyes," Pharaoh praised back-handedly, lyrical with derision. Pharaoh, as Yugi had learned the king was called in this place—and there was only ever one at a time so there was no preposition—lounged on his throne; his face brightened with amusement and the slightest bit of irritation. One leg was thrown lazily over the arm of his chair, and from his hands dangled a ceremonial flail that moved about haphazardly, but was otherwise not used. The smirk on his face curled at the corners, and his eyes... Those eyes blazed like a crimson fire as bright as rubies, and yet they were as unreadable as stone. His whole presence was somehow both commanding and insolent all at once.

Yugi screamed again with the sound of a savage, furious beast. With a mighty, hidden strength, he yanked himself free from his captives and attacked once more. Again, he was captured swiftly and forced to the floor; he bit back a howl of pain when his knees hit the hard sandstone. A guard raised a hand to strike him, and he braced himself for the impact…

It never came.

Peeking out an eye, he saw the king hold up a hand, stopping his men; his face was unreadable and his expression was dangerous and daring. The guards looked at him stupidly, but at the king's commanding glare, they dared not question him. Dismissed with a glance from their master, they released the boy's arms and stepped back.

Yugi remained on the floor; his knees ached but his glare had lost none of its ferocity. Amused, the king rose from his throne and honored him with an inspection. Dropping to one knee, he met Yugi's vibrant eyes and cradled his chin in his thumb. Yugi snapped his teeth like a crocodile, but the king was faster and seized his chin and cheeks with a strong hand. He did not flinch once.

"It is unusual to find someone brave enough to look me in the eye." He sounded almost pleased. "Or perhaps a lack of discipline?"

Yugi wrenched his face away, growling. "You knew! You callous bastard! You knew who I was! Even then, you still—" He was so angry he could not speak.

Flashing images burned in front of his eyes and left him alone to wonder how he could've been so stupid.

X X X

Aegyptus was a wasteland: a vast and endless desert of ancient, barren sand. Yugi understood immediately why even the citizens themselves referred to it as Kemet—the black land. Even its capital was a broad, flat stretch of sand and stone, with looming rectangular walls, stone square buildings and interstitial alleyways that formed a labyrinth of white stone on either side of the singular sand road. Villas on the edge of the city towered overhead, and the geometric shapes of the king's palace with its massive pylon towered proudly over the populace. The market square was busy with hordes of traders selling their wares, and market-goers examining hanging fish and checking fruit for bruises.

Yugi saw none of this, however. Instead, he took special care to memorize the numerous sharp turns of this giant labyrinth, as well as the way barrels and baskets of exotic goods were stacked and stored. A sharp squeeze and tug on his arm dragged him along.

"Insolent child!" a burly man hissed in his face, squeezing Yugi's thin, pale arm with his thick, meaty fist. Spittle splattered through his half-rotted teeth, and his breath stank of dead fish and rotten meat.

Yugi shriveled with disgust and scrunched his nose against the foul smell as his eyes sharpened to a glare. He spat at the slaver, snorting with a hot indignance. The man shrieked and squeezed Yugi's arm tighter as he yanked his arm back to strike him, but Yugi didn't flinch. He simply smirked when another man grabbed his captor's arm and shook his head, hissing a warning through his teeth.

"Remember…price…unblemished…" Yugi tried to make out some of the words, but the dialect was harsher than most Canaanite dialects he was used to, and his Aramaic was poor at best. The man holding Yugi's arm growled at him, and, with more force than was necessary, dragged him back to the throng of people.

They were naked, save for the simple linen tunics and shifts they wore. The various colors of their skin and hair were smudged and dull with dirt, and their feet were bare and caked with sand and dried blood; shackles chained their necks, wrists, and ankles together. Yugi was fortunate that he was "pretty" enough that he didn't have to be bound by the rough shackles, for they would "mar his price": no one wanted a pretty slave to have marks or scars. Instead, his captors held him down and tied his hair into a knot with those of two other girls deemed "too pretty" for traditional chains.

The two slavers led them deeper into the labyrinthine city—further away from the bustling marketplace and closer towards its inner heart—where the walls of the palace towered fiendishly over the other buildings. As he approached the gates of the inner walls, Yugi noticed the maze of roads and houses getting smaller and more open as they wound deeper into the capital.

When they had reached their destination, the slavers forcibly shoved their captives into a small but open clearing, shadowed by looming walls. Stray dogs and beggars loitered on the side of the road, while a few women advertised their bodies in the shade of an abandoned building. Shady vendors marketed goods that were obviously stolen, while others hoisted naked men and women, chained together by their necks, before expensively-dressed buyers.

Yugi avoided them as he gravitated towards the center of the road to the protest of his fellow captives. He growled, biting back a yowl of pain, as his hair was pulled both by his own movement and the vengeful girls he was tied to, but he ignored their insults and sharpened his hearing elsewhere. He leaned closer towards the slavers and listened.

One of them was conversing with a wealthy-looking couple: a curvy, attractive woman covered in linens and fine jewels with her head bowed submissively, and an older, heavier man who boasted meaty fingers and a thick neck, and covered himself ridiculously in jewels, rings and gold. The stench of his perfume was so fierce, one would retch just from the strength of it.

"Shush!" Yugi snapped at his fellow captives, snarling like an angry beast. They sniveled in fear and silenced themselves immediately. Yugi rolled his eyes as he sharpened his range, listening for recognizable words.

The slaver was gesturing dramatically towards a series of dark-skinned captives, but his obese client looked away, unimpressed. Still, the slaver was determined as he focused on the fat man pathetically, eyeing his jewelry.

The man spoke emotionlessly. "Fair…young…beautiful…" He then turned to their group, and at once, Yugi could feel the man's beady eyes on him. The slaver looked delighted as he grabbed him and the two girls tied to him, shoving them forward. The girls cried out in pain as their hair was pulled while Yugi tried not to stumble.

More words followed as the slaver focused on each girl and gestured to their breasts and bellies. He grabbed their chins to elevate their faces and advertised their slender bodies and their olive skin. The man scrutinized all of them with his small, bug-like eyes; his mouth curved into a smile as he licked his lips. More recognizable words followed, wet with greed and excitement.

"Young… beautiful…trained… spirited…untouched…"

Finally, they came to Yugi, who was struggling in the man's arms, wrists flailing and teeth spitting like a viper. The slaver looked scandalized but the buyer looked delighted. He spoke a word Yugi recognized instantly.

"Nafrit…" Virgin… He'd long learned during his imprisonment that his captors—no matter how fierce he fought, how hard he struck, or how often he disobeyed—would not touch him. There was to be no strikes to his skin, no whip scars across his back, nor any rape of his person—not when he was more valuable as a beautiful, flawless virgin.

Suddenly inspired, the slaver dashed for him and optimistically yanked up his sheath. Yugi screeched and bashed with his hands. The fat, hairy man retreated like a dog that had been rapped across the jaw. He stared at Yugi, his beady eyes large and black with excitement and shiny with imagination. The glimpse had been enough as Yugi's eyes widened in understanding.

The slaver clapped his hands with a cry of glee, dragging Yugi back to reality. The other slaver, a brawny man, grabbed him and pulled a blade from his belt to slice his hair free, but the buyer cried out in protest. The slavers looked at the man stupidly, but Yugi understood: the man wanted him untarnished. If they were going to separate him from the rest of the slaves, they would have to untie his hair.

A plan flickered in Yugi's mind as the man worked at the knot. His eyes scanned the clearing, looking for the right exit as he positioned his body, ready to flee, but patience forced him still. Once the knot was undone, the man gave a cry of victory and turned to the slavers, gloating.

Yugi ran.

Taking advantage of his small stature, Yugi slid through the forest of legs as he weaved between bodies and hopped over chains. When he reached the edge of the clearing, he felt someone grab his arm and hoist him up. He immediately recognized his captor, who was smirking victoriously. Determined, desperate, and reckless of any caution, he grabbed the slaver's meaty wrist with his free hand and kicked him straight in his foul-smelling jaw—all in one swift motion. The man dropped him at once, and Yugi bolted.

He dashed back through the labyrinth he'd memorized earlier, jumping over cages of chickens and knocking down baskets of bread and barrels of berries. He could hear vendors screaming behind him as the slavers scrambled and crashed into their merchandise. Thinking quickly, Yugi jumped onto a vendor's booth and made his way up a staircase of crates and piled baskets. His arms reached for the edge of a nearby wall, and, with a sheer force of will that transformed into strength, hoisted himself up onto it, kicking the baskets and cages he'd used to climb up in the process. Once he steadied himself on the wall, he took a moment to look back at the slavers who were chasing him. He immediately spotted them unconscious in a pile of crushed fruit and bird feathers. He didn't wait to see more.

Carefully, Yugi ran along the thick walls, chancing glances down at the different clearings for a means of escape. At last, he found himself back at the heart of the city where the labyrinth opened to a single sand road and a bustling market place. He quickly climbed down and finally allowed himself to collapse in the soft sand as his lungs burned for air. His feet were aching with blisters and tiredness and his limbs were weak like wet leaves, but he could not stop: he was not safe yet—not until he'd reached the jetties.

Not until he was on a ship headed back to Hellas.

Suddenly, a shout erupted behind Yugi. He spun to find the source and his heart dropped: the slavers had spotted him and were heading straight towards him. With a titanic effort, Yugi stood up. Adrenaline forced his limbs to work as Yugi dashed through the streets. He slid into an alleyway and leapt onto a series of stone steps which led to upper-level roads and shops. He bolted up and raced along the ledge as the slavers below him scrambled about, confused.

Leaping from roof to roof, Yugi ran, desperate to escape. He bit his lip as tears stung his eyes. Not yet! He'd come so far already!

Salvation gleamed out of the corner of his eyes: a long, thick bough of some tree that Yugi could not name branched defiantly over a high wall, just within reach of a low-lying roof. Hope swirled in Yugi's chest as he scrambled over the ledge and toppled onto the roof. It felt wonderful to be on a solid surface, but there was no time to rest. He reached for the bough and grabbed a smaller branch in hand. He dared a glance at the deadly drop below, said a prayer to whoever was listening, and leapt up towards the branch. He screamed and seized it with both hands as the branch jiggled and shook, but it did not break. Breathing out a sigh of relief, Yugi hooked his leg over the other side of the branch and gave a cry of victory when his body rested peacefully on top.

Down below, his slavers rushed over, accompanied by several guards, and pointed towards him. Yugi cautiously backtracked towards the trunk, his knees scraping against the wall as he did so. Then, with an exhale of relief, he climbed towards the lower branches, almost giggling with victory. However, the branch he was on shifted, and a small crack was his only warning before it vanished beneath his feet; he plummeted towards the ground and landed in a bush.

"Damn it!" Yugi groaned, already sore. He rolled over, bashing at the pointy branches which were scratching and clawing at his already-beaten skin. He crawled out of the bush and felt grass beneath his fingers—fresh, soft, cool grass. His eyes popped open and his breath froze in his throat.

Towering trees and rich, leafy shrubs were speckled with beautiful flowers and succulent fruits; bright pink, yellow, green and crimson spheres hung from its branches like ripe jewels. Flowers of all sorts of colors had bloomed everywhere; some were shaped like stars and others like wheels, while the rest had burst open into tall slender hearts. The grass and soil beneath his feet was soft and squishy, and Yugi giggled as they tickled and massaged his sore feet and dry hands.

A light puddle led him towards a small stream that fed into a pond of clear-blue water encircled by stone. Yugi rushed towards it and dunked his hands into the pond, drinking handfuls of water between gasps of air as he splashed his face, arms and feet; the light, cool freshness of the water felt wonderful against his hot and dirty skin. He paused as he wondered absentmindedly, "Is this paradise?" How could something like this exist in the desert? He had seen no such greenery during their journey to the capital—there had been nothing but sand and tors for miles—though through snippets of conversation, he had heard of an "oasis" somewhere. Could this be it?

His heart soared. "I must be outside the city!" He leapt with joy. "I did it! I did it! I'm finally free!"

The sudden sound of thundering footsteps behind him robbed him of his victory, and dread seeped into his heart as shadows and voices echoed not too far away. The slavers had followed him, but he was determined to not let them catch him. Quickly, he dove into the jungle: he was convinced that he could escape his captors in this forest of massive plants. He spun around to the nearest tree—

—and smacked into a hard, fleshy wall. After toppling into a nearby bush, Yugi opened his mouth, protests and profanities light on his tongue, but his words died in his throat as a harsh, deep voice released a stream of curses. Yugi's eyes expanded as the man he'd slammed against rose like a crimson wave.

The man stared at Yugi, perplexed.

Yugi stared back wordlessly.

A curious mask settled over the man's face, carved exclusively from sharp, smooth angles; perfect cheeks formed a strong jaw that had dropped open in surprise. His face was framed by a forelock of golden bangs that blazed into a wild crown of black and crimson locks, which spiked and swayed like black, burning fire. The wall that Yugi had collided with was in fact a strong, sculpted chest; valleys of muscles and scars molded into a broad set of shoulders, and corded, muscular arms boasted a warrior's build. Naked skin glittered with a delicious caramel shade in the bright sun, and Yugi felt his mouth watering and his cheeks burning.

He was both devastatingly disappointed and heartbreakingly relieved to find that the man wore a long wrap of gold cloth around his waist, though the expensive material did nothing to hide his powerful legs or well-kept feet. His sandals were simple and he wore no jewelry, but this did nothing to mar his magnificence—if anything, it only enhanced his natural perfections in a kind of stripped-down elegance. Most fascinating about the man, however, were his eyes—dark, deep and penetrating even in their shock, red like flames, and devilishly alluring yet incredibly dangerous.

Yugi whimpered.

All at once, the shock vanished from the man's face as his lips curled into a curious, Cheshire cat grin; the sharpness of his cheekbones made it look fierce as well as captivating. Shadows danced across his eyes, blazing with mystery and amusement, and he said something Yugi couldn't understand, but the deep alto tone made him shiver.

The man scrutinized Yugi curiously like a kitten with a new toy. Then, he smiled, and rose a hand as he curled his fingers invitingly. Yugi immediately shook his head, suddenly shy. The man closed his eyes, breathed deeply through his nose, and moved closer, but Yugi matched him in his retreat, step for step. Amusement danced in the man's eyes, enjoying the cat-and-mouse game, while Yugi's heart pounded in both fear and something else that might have been called desire. He tried to run, but the man was faster and pounced. Seizing his arm, he spun Yugi to face him and captured his lips in a deep, searing kiss.

All the breath in Yugi's body vanished as shock forced his lips to open; the man was quick to take advantage of this as he slipped his tongue into Yugi's mouth. Regaining his senses, Yugi screamed and bit hard on the invading appendage. When the man released a pained sound, Yugi shoved him away and struck him hard across the lower jaw. His rage was so strong, the man stumbled back from the force of it and dropped to the ground. He touched the abused area curiously, as if surprised, but when he turned to Yugi, there was no anger in his eyes; instead, his face was bright with amusement.

"Now, that was quite uncalled for, wasn't it?" he said so deeply and indigently that Yugi did not know whether to shiver or scream.

He did both. "Uncalled for?!" Yugi leapt to his feet. "You just grabbed me, forced a kiss on me, and that was uncalled for?! You—you—"

"Forgive me, sweetling, but when I saw you emerge from my most beloved papyrus flowers, near naked and dripping with water, I thought that the gods had gifted you to me as a reward for my good service."

"Well, I am certainly not a gift, and—" Yugi stopped his rant. Realization struck him like an arrow. "You…you can speak Hellenic?"

"I can, little flower, but it is not I who is speaking Hellenic, but you who is speaking Kemetic." The man rose to his feet as smoothly as a shadow.

"I'm what?!" Yugi exclaimed, baffled and unable to believe what he had just heard. He didn't notice the man advance until he lifted his face and met the young man's eyes. Frozen in surprise, all protests died in Yugi's throat. The man seized him by his arms and gently pushed him back into the bed of flowers; Yugi shivered beneath him, unable to look away.

The man smirked as his free hands stroked the odd, golden necklace at his chest: it was a strange, triangular pendant that had a stylized left eye, set with a thin white stone pupil, which dangled from a bright, silver chain. "That kiss wasn't just for pleasure, my sweet." He held up the necklace as it glittered in the sun. "Djehuty, or Thoth as you may know him, is the god of wisdom and language, and this necklace is his eye. I am one of his relatives by descent, thus his magic is a part of my own. As such, I have given you the fluency of my language, though I must say that this is quite odd, since most need a longer time for the magic to work. You must have a true gift for dialect for it to work so quickly."

Yugi's eyes widened. "So you—I—kiss…"

The man chuckled. "So charming." He leaned closer, stroking Yugi's cheek with a cool finger. Yugi's heart palpitated in his chest and he shivered. A gasp that may have also been a moan escaped his mouth, and his tired limbs relaxed.

"And such a beauty…" the man whispered seductively. His breath burned across Yugi's cheek, ghost-like and feather-textured. His fingers spidered up Yugi's leg, his clothed thigh and his hip. "You must be a gift from the gods sent just for me."

At once, the words clicked in Yugi's mind; shyness and fear vanished, replaced with fury and determination. "Why, you—" Yugi spat and shrieked, wiggling and thrashing to get free, but the man's grip was strong. "I belong to no-one!" With all his strength, he brought up his knee, but his height and position got in the way and he missed the man's vulnerable groin, striking his hip instead. The man stumbled more from shock than pain, and Yugi shoved him away as he rolled over and sprinted down the path, desperate to escape. He did not see the man smirk behind him, nor hear him laugh a laugh of victorious determination and joyful sport.

Perhaps if he had, he would've avoided running into the very guards and men he had been trying to escape.

Perhaps he would've avoided being recaptured by them and nearly dragged back into the slavers' arms.

Perhaps he would've seen the guards drop to their knees in respect and force the slavers to as well.

Perhaps he would've seen the man they called Pharaoh, and recognize him as the king.

Perhaps he would've seen the slavers apologize for such disturbance, and ask to simply leave with their disobedient servant in need of punishment.

Perhaps he wouldn't have bitten the hand covering his mouth, and shouted that he was not a servant nor a slave, but a free man kidnapped and captured from Hellas.

Perhaps then, Pharaoh would not have ordered his release, and commanded them all to be brought before his audience chamber to face judgment.

Perhaps, he could've even bartered for his freedom…

If only he'd known that that young man who'd kissed him in the gardens was Pharaoh…

X X X

The king's mouth twisted into a sneer, but then it untwisted, unwound, and folded into a sort of secret smile. He was no less beautiful now than he was then, even though he was donning a ridiculous costume.

The flaming spikes of his hair were hidden beneath the oddest headdress Yugi had ever seen: it was a sort of trapezoidal shape that fanned out like a lion's mane of blue and gold stripes, and drooped down over his shoulders. His tunics were made of fine, rich linen and a heavy, golden wrap; a thick, bejeweled belt hung around his waist. His broad shoulders were covered by a golden, half-moon collar, heavy with jewels, and a crimson cape spilled out over his upper-body. His bare feet were encased in glittering gold sandals; his biceps and forearms were hidden in multiple golden armbands; and every one of his fingers were encircled with rings. He looked in every inch the commanding, regal power that Yugi had feared when he had entered the room. But, at the sight of those glittering eyes and that rakish smile, all that Yugi saw was the boy whose arms he'd all but fallen into like a dreamy-eyed maid.

Rage twisted Yugi's heart, and his head throbbed from the realization.

"Bold one, aren't you?" Pharaoh said patiently, like waiting for a child to finish its tantrum. His next words were lyrical and nonchalant. "Now then, how is it that you came to find yourself in my private gardens, fleeing from my Medjay, and brought before me, charged with disturbing my beloved kingdom's peace?"

Yugi's expression dropped. The indifference of the tone and the sheer arrogance of it took his breath away. His freedom, his life, and his death were probably going to be decided very soon, and the king simply looked…bored?!

Fury burned Yugi's vision red, and he ignored the guards and everyone in the room completely as he threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, is that what they told you?" Then, he scowled mirthlessly, as though to break the man before him in half. "That I was some disobedient little servant who dared to disturb the kingdom's peace? That I was some criminal that they wanted recaptured so that they could punish me in their own way? Are those the lies that those brutes—those slavers—told you?" He choked on his words, sick with loathing. "Are all who serve you so gullible and stupid?!" The ice never left his eyes.

The guards scowled like they wanted to break him in half, but they did not dare disobey their king.

The smooth lines of the king's neutral glare fell into a severe frown. "Slavers?" His gaze shifted to the boy's captors, whose faces were sweating from what the king was certain was not heat.

"He's a liar!" one of them screamed, his voice shaking. "He's always making up stories and—"

"Silence!" shouted the king, his face a mask of rage and disgust. A pair of soldiers snapped to attention and struck both men hard to the ground. They crashed pitifully.

"If they dare to interrupt the king's justice again…" Pharaoh paused deliberately as a smile slit his face, "…cut out their tongues."

The slavers shut up immediately.

Yugi couldn't help but smirk; he neither flinched nor looked away when the king's eyes were on him again.

"So bold…" Pharaoh licked his lips. "Tell us, small one, what have you to say in your defense?"

Yugi squared his shoulders and stood straight, refusing to be shamed. "My defense..." He let all his anger, hurt, rage, betrayal, tears, mourning and heartache—all the emotions he'd felt for everything he'd lost since that awful day in Hellas, right up to the moment the man before him had tricked him into thinking he was wanted—bleed into his voice. "Tell me, oh so Great Pharaoh," he spat vehemently, as if the title were dirt on his tongue.

He inhaled sharply and met the king with a harsh glare. "What crime, exactly, am I defending? Was it a crime that, when those men and the rest of their brutish band broke down my door and invaded my home late in the night, I grabbed and fought with whatever I could until I was caught and had to be dragged out, instead of getting out of bed and offering them whatever they wanted from my modest house? Was it that I cursed them, threatened them, and kicked them until they tied up my feet, chained my hands and gagged me with a cloth, instead of offering them my wrists and nodding my head like a good little captive?

"Was it that I kicked and screamed and fought as they tore apart my modest home, and set my family's farm ablaze—" He had to stop and look away as tears burned in his eyes. Images of the tiny house being ransacked for valuables—of their barn going up in flames and of the animals they had cared for fleeing in terror—flashed behind his eyes, burning them with unshed tears. All he could do then was scream, too shocked and devastated to do anything else; he screamed and fought and thrashed like a mad, wild beast until the kidnappers beat him unconscious.

He forced back his tears, found his resolve, and continued. "Was it that I did not follow the orders of my kidnappers properly and silently like a good little boy, and fought so ferociously that I had to be beaten unconscious? Or maybe it was when I was aboard their ship, and refused to clean, work, or eat the moth-eaten porridge that they would forcibly shove down my throat. It might even be that I attacked any man I saw who'd dare to raise a whip against another prisoner, who'd been worked to nothing but skin and bones, and was about to die from heat and thirst. Was that my crime?" Yugi spat, then paused, eyes closing in controlled rage. It was a miracle he'd survived with his virtue and skin intact; he'd had no fear in him then, and he did not now.

Yugi opened his eyes, slow and deliberate. "No, of course not…" he said, his voice low and dangerously calm; the force within it was like a stone dropping in a well. "It must've been that I had the courage to escape when they dragged me to some rich fool who wanted a virgin to rape." He repeated the words exactly as he'd heard the man say it, and his disgust was so violent that he shook from it. "Or that, when they lifted my clothes and untied my hair, I ran and fought with all my might to escape.

"Yes, I suppose I did disturb their peace by robbing them of the fortune that I'm sure that fat brute would've given them in exchange for me, and I suppose I did force them to chase after me. And, when they called for some guards for help, and they asked why, I suppose I did make it quite difficult for them to think of a worthy-enough lie to tell them that wouldn't result in them confessing their crimes and having their heads put on spikes.

"However, I certainly don't feel guilty about all the trouble I've caused them with my actions, instead of stripping my clothes and standing still like some cage beast, ready and willing for auction, and then lying down and spreading my legs like a good little whore once I was bought and paid for." He stopped, shaking, rage, fear and indignation so fierce in him for a moment he could not speak.

Finally, he lifted his face, and as he met the king's neutral eyes, he said, "Well, it does not matter. You can give me back to them, but know that I will never stop fighting, and I will never stop running, because as soon as I get the chance, I will escape again." For a moment, he thought he saw a flash of pity within the king's eyes; the humor from the blazing bright rubies had vanished, and they had dulled with anger and rage into a dark, bloody crimson.

"That, Great Pharaoh, is what I have to say in my defense," Yugi finished, letting all his scorn bleed into his voice, and spat at his feet.

The room gasped, but Pharaoh simply smiled. "What awful manners you have. But I suppose it cannot be helped, given the sheer gruesomeness of this situation." He rose from his throne, his cape falling like a river of blood down his back, and turned towards the two men who were shaking nervously between his fiercest guards.

"So, you gentlemen are slavers?" he inquired, almost sweetly.

They stuttered stupidly, bowed their heads, and answered, "Y-y-yes, my Pharaoh,"

"Then you are aware of the laws governing slaves and servants, and its regulations in my country?" Pharaoh asked evenly, though his smile was frozen and hard—so much so that Yugi thought his teeth might crack.

"Of course," both men nodded graciously, smiling with obedient humility. One of them stole a glance at Yugi and flashed a wicked smirk—the kind that promised brutal, awful things that he would enjoy, but Yugi would not. Pharaoh took notice of this and his eyes narrowed. With a nod, a guard struck the brute down with such force that he wailed like an injured child and whimpered just as pathetically.

"Oh do you now?" The king's voice was sweet with gibe. "Then you are aware that, unlike the slave trades of our foreign cousins, those of Kemet are a private affair—one that is to be done personally between the buyers and sellers. You are also aware that any man, woman and child that is sold as a slave in my country—be it as a royal resource from war, as a punishment for a crime, in payment of a debt or in regulation of foreigners—must be done in the audience of court officials, temple priests or the local council with proper documentations securing the rights, liberties and talents of all those under a slaver's care. Most important of all, you are aware that under no circumstances is a slave or servant to be sold into concubinary without prior permission. Am I correct?" He strode across the room, voice rising in volume and his anger reaching for them like barbed tendrils.

"Well?!" His voice thundered throughout the audience chamber. It was the voice of a god that was not to be denied, or else the very wrath of heaven would be brought down upon them. "Speak!"

The men dropped to their knees as their tongues knotted, save for pleas and begs of mercy from the king, but the king would have none of it. He struck the slaver who had dared to approach him with such force, he cracked against the ground. He proceeded to kick the other in the gut, and the fat brute toppled.

Pharaoh rolled his eyes and snapped, "Perhaps you thought so little of your king that you dared to flash those silver-tongued lies in my court, take back the boy you have wronged, and be on your merry way. Is that it? Or perhaps you thought yourselves so clever and so highly of yourselves that you meant to outsmart me, take your prisoner, and be on your way with a good laugh. Either one is treason."

They both protested immediately and were rewarded with violence. "Did I order you to speak?!" Pharaoh delivered mercilessly.

The whole room shuddered under the force of his words. Some closed their eyes while others looked away, but all stole a quick glance at Pharaoh's wrath.

Yugi, however, could not look away. He knew he should've been disgusted by Pharaoh's violence, and felt pity for the men he was beating despite what they'd done and who they were; he should've been trembling, frightened or terrified of the wrath which could be turned on him at any moment, for a god's wrath was never satisfied.

Instead, all he felt was delight.

When Pharaoh was finished, both men had crumbled to heaps on the floor, shaking and tearing, pitifully silent. He turned away and returned to his throne. The god's eyes were hard and blazed with wrathful fires that could out-burn the sun. "Arrest them."

The guards were quick and brandish to put both men in chains; they bound their hands behind their backs, their ankles together, and their necks to their wrists. The slavers looked to Pharaoh with pleading eyes, but wisely said nothing.

The king's face was hollow of emotion; his eyes betrayed not a flicker of thought. "You will lead a small army of my best guards to where this underground slave ring is being held. You shall leave immediately so as to prevent you from warning your comrades, or conspiring in some stupid scheme to escape and outwit my men. I want this ugly business done." He said the last sentence with authority, like it was an edict that would not be changed. "Should my men even suspect you of misleading them," he turned to his guards, "they are to cut off your fingers and toes." The slavers quivered in trepidation.

A flicker of a smile flashed across the king's face, but just as quickly vanished when his eyes fell back on the slavers, hard and merciless. "When you arrive, you will present my guards as potential buyers, and you will have all the buyers, sellers and slaves brought into the open. Then, when it is done," his eyes shifted to the guards, his face adorning a smirk, "you will enslave all the vendors, and you will drag them through the city in chains and to my dungeons to await trial. You will then bring me all those there as buyers to me, also through the city in chains. Let it be known far and wide that no one may escape the gods' justice."

The king turned to two men and a woman to the left of his throne; they were all dressed in fine linens and gold decorations with the badge of a priest somewhere on their uniform. "Isis, Karim, Oda, I want you to lead them. See that every man, woman and child is freed from their shackles. Keep families together if you can, and bring them here. Take care and treat them gently—doubtless they have been through enough. I want them all washed, fed, rested and treated by Ra's descent." He then added softly, "I also want you to be patient with them, as I suspect many have yet to learn our language."

The three priests bowed with soft smiles and left the room, summoning the guards to follow them as they did so, and dragged the slavers behind them. A swirl of satisfaction shot through Yugi as he watched his former slavers chained and sniveling like the pathetic cowards they were. The retribution was sweeter on his tongue than any wine or honey.

"Now, for you my darling." Pharaoh's voice boomed and echoed in Yugi's ear, and his heart stopped. He spun back to the throne. It was at that moment when he realized that his guards were gone, and his hands and feet were released, but he knew that he was in no way free.

"You've come so far, sweet child from across the the great green," Pharaoh cooed. "So dreadfully far indeed, yet in the face of such horrors, you have never once lost neither your desire for freedom nor your will to fight. Such courage is truly admirable, and such willfulness is as rare as it is desirable. Even now, you stand before me, Great Per'a'ah, King of the Black and Red Lands and Ward of Two Ladies and Two Lords, yet you still speak in such a way, and do so without fear. Such rare talent deserves a reward."

Yugi shot up at Pharaoh's praise. He was—the King of Kemet—was congratulating him? Praising him? He gasped, unable to believe his luck, but the king's eyes glittered, and he had already anticipated the "but" of the promise before the king had even voiced it.

"However," the king held up a finger, "I do believe you've earned yourself a small punishment." He beckoned Yugi towards him, but Yugi didn't move: he recognized that gesture, and was not eager to face the consequences of it.

"For what?" Yugi demanded. A chorus of irritated and disgusted growls from the court followed his disrespect, but the king's smile only curled more.

"Entering my private gardens without my permission," he began, counting Yugi's offenses with his fingers.

"I was escaping—" Yugi's protests were interrupted by the guard behind him, who'd had enough of his rudeness and smacked the back of his head. Yugi yelped, rubbing the abused area.

"None of that," the king said, low and harsh, but then continued in a playful tone. "Touching the king without his permission and nearly injuring his person—"

"That was an accident!" Yugi countered. The room became alive with stunned gasps and horrified stares. "I was running for my life! How was I supposed to know where I was going?!"

"And that is why it is minor," the king concluded before continuing the list of his crimes to Yugi's shocked bewilderment. "Unlawful seduction of the king's person."

"You kissed me! And held me down!" Yugi protested.

The king simply smirked as he added, "Disobedience of the king's advances, and attacking him unjustly when you did so—"

"All I did was push you off me!"

It was only after he saw the king's smile that Yugi realized that his protests had done nothing to explain his actions, but simply confirmed his guilt. With a furious growl of indignation, he bit his lip to keep silent.

"Refusing to meet the king's commands." He hadn't stopped running when the king commanded him to. "Fleeing interrogation." He had ran when the guards came after him. "Disrespecting higher authorities." He had kicked and screamed the entire time the guards had dragged him here. "Failure to cooperate with higher authorities." He had refused to speak before this whole farce of a trial even began. "Speaking out of turn repeatedly." Even Yugi couldn't fathom an excuse for that one. "Consistently meeting the king's gaze without his permission." He was pardoned for that one. "And finally, disturbing the king's peace with unlawful acts of beauty."

Yugi rolled his eyes and wondered how many of those "offenses" the king had invented right then just to embarrass him. He growled with annoyance more than anything else. Damn, he could only hope that the punishment would be minor as well. Five lashes, perhaps? It was the best he could hope for.

The slavers had been reluctant to strike or whip him during those torturous nights he was in their custody, too fearful of damaging his exotic beauty with scars and bruises and thus marring his price—his beauty had been his savior in that regard. Being the rebellious fighter that he was, they'd simply denied him food until he was too exhausted and weak to attack, and then provided him with just enough to keep his body from turning to skin-covered bones.

He would receive no such mercy here.

"Now, come here," Pharaoh's command brought him back to his senses. The king smirked and beckoned him forward once more. "Come now, or it will be worse for you."

Deciding not to push his luck, Yugi obeyed. He deliberately took small, even steps, stopping just below the throne. He hadn't stopped glaring at the king.

Pharaoh chuckled, "I see we're going to have to work on your willfulness, my fiery beauty."

Before Yugi could brace himself for the whipping, Pharaoh snatched his hand like a root ensnaring dirt, and, with a sharp pull that threw Yugi off balance, laid the honey-skinned boy over his lap. Silken, textured fingers ran up the shivering boy's thigh, lifting his shenti and caressing the soft curve of his upraised bottom. Yugi gasped and squirmed in shock and mortified horror.

The snickers of the court around him echoed in his ears like alarm bells. "As punishment for these offenses, I hereby sentence you to ten whacks," Pharaoh declared. He grabbed one of the firm globes within his reach and squeezed lightly. Learning forward, he whispered low enough for only Yugi to hear, "Let's see how enticing you look when this," he squeezed again, "is as crimson as your face."

Before Yugi could utter a word of protest, a tan hand came crashing down on his backside with a resounding "smack". He shrieked, mortified. Did he just? Had he just? Had the king just…spanked him?! Like a spoiled child? In front of everyone?! The snickers were now a raging shout and the women in the room were giggling behind their hands. Yugi could feel his face burning up in embarrassment, much to his chagrin.

He squirmed, pushing on Pharaoh's knees, and was rewarded with yet another smack. He yelped in surprise, then shrieked when the third came right after. The fourth collided with his bottom before he could even catch his breath, and the lack of recovery time between it and the previous slap made it sting even more. The fifth, sixth, and seventh came in such quick succession that the shock, more than anything else, was the worst. By the ninth strike, his heart was palpitating and he'd lost all will to squirm. Then came the tenth and final strike; Yugi heaved a huge sigh of relief before Pharaoh suddenly decided to add two more whacks for his defiant gaze and his squirming before setting him back on his feet.

Yugi's shenti fell back into place as he rubbed his red, abused bottom; he winced when the rough fabric brushed over the sensitive skin. Humiliated more than anything else, he forced himself to block out the sniggering and giggles and arrogant smiles of the king's court. The room was silenced immediately when Pharaoh threw out his arm and glared sharply. He then turned back to Yugi as his lips curled into an arrogant smirk that slit his face.

Yugi's brows furrowed and knitted together, his amethyst eyes bright and blazing. "Your Highness," he spat. "My reward?"

The merry wickedness glittering in Pharaoh's eyes brightened the crimson of his orbs into a burning scarlet. "Willful and spirited," he mumbled, just low enough for Yugi to hear. He then raised his voice in a grand, booming spectacle. "You are strong and bold, little Yugi. So clever and sharp, yet quick to strike, just like a cobra…and the Great Serpent Goddess is well loved and honored among our ancestors."

Then, Pharaoh did something extraordinary. He removed his deep blue headdress and revealed his crown of flaming black locks dipped in deep crimson, adorned with a forelock of gold. He then stroked the charm on its forehead, and that was when Yugi saw it: a beautifully intricate snake curled into a circlet of gold. Its head reared up at the center like a cobra, set with pair of finely-cut amethysts for eyes.

Pharaoh looked at Yugi, and for a moment, he was not the cold, cruel, cunning king that he was just, but someone else—someone greater. He was someone with a blazing fire in his eyes, and a smile that curved wickedly with promises and pleasure. A lone finger stroked down the snake's head so delicately and intimately that Yugi felt his own spine shiver. He feared that if that very finger were to touch him, he would burst into flames and moan as he burned.

"Yes, the royal family does so love her serpents." His words were like a dreamy hiss. It was only then when Yugi recognized that this was the face of the king: the face and form that had tantalized him so easily in the gardens—the face that set his body and soul afire, and left him all but weeping for more.

The King of Two Lands—Pharaoh, Per'a'ah—had the blood of the sun god running through his veins—a god of heat, fire, strength, pleasure, unquestionable love and incomparable desire—and now that god wanted Yugi. He could feel his knees shaking against his will; it was a miracle of his remaining strength that they did not give out beneath him.

"Truly a treasure," the sultry voice hissed like a serpent enticing a bird into its fangs, honeyed and poisonous, as he set his headdress aside. He was the king no longer, but a god, and a god had no need for silly trinkets to display their power. "It would be a true shame to lose one so intriguing," he praised in a voice rough and deep with desire. "One such as yourself deserves so much better than the life of a common serf." He quirked a smile.

Although he was confused by his words, Yugi recognized that smile at once: he understood its meaning, and it struck him like an arrow to the heart.

"Therefore, as a reward for such courage and strength, you shall remain here in the palace with all its pleasures at your command…as my personal courtesan."

The room erupted in cheers; congratulatory applause was all Yugi could hear as he stared at the face of the man he was now inexplicably bound to. His words dropped like stones in a well, and their rippling effect bound him worse than any manacles or chains.

"You will be given rooms of grandeur befitting of your status. The palace and all its rooms and halls, gardens and libraries, will be yours to explore and to use as you desire. As mine, you will never need to fear for your safety, for you will be under my protection: any act against you, no matter how trivial, is an act against me, and will be met with severe retribution. My guards are to protect you, my servants at your command, and your place will be at my side.

"You will receive all these freedoms and gifts, but all that I ask for in return is: your companionship; your obedience when I ask for it; your conversation when I am in need of a challenge; your talent to entertain me after the long days; and your comforts through the long nights. Do this, and whatever you desire shall be yours."

Yugi just stood there, listening; his face was a mask of horror and shock. Pharaoh was justifying himself now, explaining away his enslavement and bribing him with gifts and promises so he could pretend he was doing Yugi a kindness.

But he wasn't—he was doing far worse. He was imprisoning him in a gilded cage like a bird that was expected to sing, fly and do tricks at his master's command. Yugi felt himself swoon and took a hesitant step back as the truth sank into his bones. A fate far worse than death or enslavement awaited him…

He was to be this man's hetaera.

"No," Yugi refused. He said it so softly that he barely heard the whisper as it left his mouth, yet somehow, the sound had caused the cacophonous cheers to stop. He took another step back as his hands shook. This time, however, Pharaoh frowned and matched his retreat, step for step.

Yugi shook his head in violent protest. "No," he whispered hoarsely. "No, no, no, no, no!" He suddenly rattled off in a chorus of syllables and spun on his heels, making a mad dash, and screamed when the guards caught his arms and pulled him off his feet. "No!" He thrashed in the guards' arms, ignoring the twisting pulls on his skin. "No! No! No!" He pushed his weight onto his heels and dug his bare feet into the ground, but the guards simply lifted him up and hauled him backwards while he kicked, struggled and screamed "no" continuously.

They dragged him back towards the throne where Pharaoh stood, shaking his head. "It seems that you have not yet learned your lesson," he sighed.

Yugi froze at the nonchalant tone. it wasn't angry or amused. If anything, Pharaoh sounded disappointed. Gone was the seductive god who teased him. In his place was the king, and the king sounded…bored? All the fear left Yugi's face as it transformed into a cold, furious fire. This man—this arrogant, selfish creature—was gambling with his fate, deciding his life, and he just sounded bored?

"You bast—" he started to scream, and tried to spin around to lunge at him, but the guards stopped him and tossed him carelessly towards Pharaoh. He caught Yugi easily, trapping him in his strong arms, and made his way back to his throne as Yugi struggled and glared the entire time.

He made a wet tutting sound, shaking his head and wagging his finger like a parent scolding a disobedient child. "Now, I have no choice but to punish you again." Yugi opened his mouth to protest, but was suddenly spun around; he found himself once again laid across Pharaoh's lap. Horror made itself known in his thoughts as he felt his shenti lifted once again; his sore bottom was still stinging slightly from his earlier punishment.

"No!" Yugi shrieked, pushing on the man's knees and trying to get up, but a strong, broad hand held him down. Still, he fought; still, he struggled; still, he screamed.

Then, Pharaoh spoke. "For each defiance," he began in a formal declaration, like he was signing a new law into action, "you will receive an additional spank. My current count is fourteen."

The number alone filled him with horror and made his ass burn. "What?! No!" Yugi shrieked.

"Fifteen," Pharaoh concluded, and the hand came down.

Yugi screamed as his earlier humiliation and shame came crashing back, along with the horrible, stinging pain. He whimpered brokenly, and his struggles ceased as he panted hard.

"Count them," Pharaoh suddenly ordered.

"What?" he blinked in a broken voice.

He swatted Yugi across the backside with a firm crack, leaving a red imprint.

"Count them, Yugi," Pharaoh warned playfully, "or you'll receive more than you've already earned."

"You've got to be jok—ah!" He didn't even have a chance to speak when the hand came down again, harder and firmer than before.

"It will be you who will suffer for your own stubbornness," Pharaoh sang as he smirked again. "Now, do as I say, or it will be worse for you." He cracked his wrist; Yugi shrieked but stubbornly remained silent.

Pharaoh sighed, sounding disappointed. "Very well." He spanked again with a little more force, and Yugi bit his lip but was unable to stop himself from whimpering.

"St-stop!" Yugi half-commanded and half-pleaded.

Pharaoh frowned and spanked him again, hard.

"Stop!" Yugi screamed, desperately. "Please," he said, genuinely pleading this time. His bottom burned, and it stung so much that he could feel it through his skin to his bones. It hurt. "Please, stop."

The tiniest remnants of a smirk crossed Pharaoh's face as he looked down at his handiwork. A thrill of pride shot through him as he admired the red imprints he'd left on the boy's bottom; its beautiful, rosy color was the same as his little captive's flushed face. It sent a spike of arousal through him, and his member suddenly felt constrained under the fabric of his shendyt. Yugi's own growing hardness was pressing against his thigh, and nearly caused his self-restraint to break, but his well-crafted control remained intact. Soon, he told himself. Soon he'd have this willful beauty in his arms and his bed.

"Count, little flame," he told the raging spitfire sprawled across his lap, "or it will be worse." Another spank followed. By now, Yugi's bottom was flaming red and stinging; the skin was hot under the touch of the king, who was smirking with a twinge of arousal. He could feel his fiery defiance weakening as Yugi squirmed on his lap.

"Count!" he roared. The resounding smack cracked like thunder across Yugi's bottom.

"Six!" Yugi shrieked. "That was six. Are you pleased now—ah!"

Pharaoh spanked him again, giving Yugi no time to recover, and another followed straight after. "Seven. Eight," he counted, breathing raggedly.

"Good, little spitfire," Pharaoh said proudly and almost soothingly as he rewarded him by gently massaging the abused bottom. Silken fingers stroked the tender flesh with feather-soft lightness; it was a cool, welcoming relief from the rough sting, and despite himself, Yugi moaned. Then, the fingers came away and the hand returned with a firm squeeze that sent him yelping. "However, your punishment is not over yet."

He spanked him again, gentler than the others before it, but just as firm. "Nine," Yugi counted, swallowing a scream. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the next whack; his bottom stung so badly.

Pharaoh grinned, and his grin was a wicked thing, full of desire. Never had anyone impressed him or intrigued him like this boy did: many of his captives would've broken and pleaded for forgiveness by now—a sight and sound so much more rewarding and less brutal than any physical beating or whipping. Yugi was indeed strong, and his pride was a fierce thing—a true spitfire indeed. He couldn't wait to taste that fire and have it sprawled over his sheets, but first, he had a punishment to administer.

Three times, consecutively and in quick succession with little time for Yugi to recover, Pharaoh spanked him.

"Ten eleven twelve!" Yugi expelled in a high, single syllable. He heard the whimper in his own voice, and Pharaoh must've heard it too, if that proud chuckle was any indication. His rear end was stinging, and, more embarrassingly, his member was sliding over Pharaoh's thigh and hardening, to his own disgust. He barely had time to catch his breath before Pharaoh's hand returned with a hard whack.

"Th-thirteen," Yugi said, voice straining and suddenly dizzy. Just two more, he told himself. Only two more and it would all be over.

Above him, Pharaoh's smile curled. He gave the scarlet flesh in his hands a light squeeze before he cracked his wrist once more, striking at a new angle.

"Four—teen." This time, his voice broke. His ass was on fire: the over-sensitized skin was so sore and tender that even the simplest brush of air made it sting.

Just one more, he told himself. One more, and he would be free.

"Almost there, my fiery little beauty," Pharaoh whispered in his ears, the words almost soothing and soft as a kiss.

Yugi shivered, waiting for the final blow, and the deliberate pause was pure agony—he was waiting and expecting for it to come, but he never knew when it was coming. He could hear the snickers of the guards and the giggles of servants, and he could see the smiles the courtiers hid behind their hands. His face burned worse than his bottom; his shame was on display for all of them to see.

Then, with more force than all of its predecessors, the king struck.

"Fifteen!" The word was a shriek that tore itself from Yugi's throat and bounced off the walls in an echo of shame. He collapsed over Pharaoh's lap, panting weakly as his eyes bit back stinging tears. "Fifteen," he repeated with a choked sob.

Yugi put up no protest when Pharaoh carefully lifted him off his lap and stood him upright on wobbly legs; he was grateful when Pharaoh's arms steadied him. His shenti fell back in place, concealing the throbbing, burning redness of his shame, but it was by no means forgotten. He moved his hand, letting his fingers barely brush his bottom when the muffled cloth rubbed against the irritated skin like a coarse, scratchy rope.

He glared at Pharaoh, indignation burning in his amethyst eyes. They were on fire, and the king wanted it.

Pharaoh leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead as a small reward. "You did magnificently," he praised, his voice rough with desire and lust. Yugi bit back a yelp when the king gently caressed his fiery-tinted globes.

"Oh gods," he moaned as the fluttery fingers massaged his stinging rear gently and tenderly. Soft and feathery strokes like bird wings brushed across his overheated skin; the sensation was cool and tender like raindrops, mixing pleasure and pain.

Then, all of Yugi's nerves came electrifyingly to life and he was suddenly aware of where he was standing: he had his back to all the inhabitants in the room and was in front of the king, whose hands were on his ass after just spanking him in public. He almost burst into tears. Punishing him just wasn't enough, so now the king had to humiliate him as well? There would be no recovering from this after today. No matter what happened tonight, whether he shared the king's bed or simply slept on the floor of his chambers, there would be no denying it. By dawn, the rumors would be spread and the entire kingdom would know it as fact: he was the king's whore.

When Yugi looked away, ashamed and refusing to show tears, Pharaoh simply kissed his cheek and removed his hands, leaving Yugi standing there, vulnerable and exposed. "You counted beautifully," he praised highly. "I am truly impressed and very pleased. Many before you had broken by then, and yet you did not."

Yugi shot up and opened his mouth to snap, but immediately caught himself when Pharaoh's face scrunched into a frown and his eyes narrowed. "Choose your actions wisely, little viper. I am content to punish you all day if that is what it takes for you to learn your lesson, and I will not hesitate to do so."

Yugi's rage suddenly transformed into panic as his hands subconsciously moved to cover his bottom; the sting shooting up his spine with a burning sensation was an even more painful and obvious reminder of the fate awaiting him, should he refuse to cooperate. Growling from sheer helplessness, he gritted his teeth and glared at the floor. The combination of anger and shame burningly settled on the king's feet.

"Good," Pharaoh approved. "You're learning."

The growl that escaped Yugi sounded more bestial than human, and his hands curled to fists at his sides. Pharaoh's eyebrows rose, impressed and intrigued. By god, the boy was fierce—fierce and strong, stubborn and proud, and a spiraling, raging storm of wildfire. Even in defeat, he refused to relent and obey, and instead stood his ground and stubbornly resisted with proud eyes and reluctant obedience.

"Even vanquished, you are spectacular," Pharaoh praised in a hoarse whisper. "I was wise to make you my own." He then stood, addressing all in the room, but his eyes were still fixated on Yugi, whose chin he took in his hand. With a small tilt, he lifted his face: arrogant rubies clashed with fiery amethysts.

"You belong to me now, little one," Pharaoh spoke grandly. He stood and waved his arms in a flamboyant fashion, more as a spectacle than a promise. "All that I own and all that I claim is now yours and are to lie at your feet. You will have servants to attend to your every whim, rooms made available to you in the royal wing, the finest jewels, silks and slippers for your wardrobe, and all the pleasures of my estate. These are now all yours to enjoy."

Then, he stopped and sat back upon his throne, scrunching his face in puzzlement. "But first, we must give you a title, for it would be a crime to not have your status properly recognized: I will not be shamed and have you ranked among my concubines and not my royal wives..." His eyes flickered. "As there is no official title for a king's personal courtesan, other than that of King's Companion or Favorite or Khekeret-nisut—all of which are horribly inadequate for the position you shall hold—I shall create one for you myself.

Yugi glared and hissed at him.

Pharaoh smirked. "I like that hiss, little viper, and you are very much like a cobra—so strong and bold, brave and clever, quick to strike and never afraid to back down… Yes, that is the perfect name for you!"

Crimson eyes glittered with excitement. "Henceforth, you shall be known by the royal name of Meritwadjet, for you have indeed been kissed by Wadjet and blessed with her strength and fire. She is the most beloved of the serpent goddesses who loves the king, honors him with her tender touch, and protects him from his enemies with her fierce fire and venom."

Pharaoh rose to his feet, excited like a child, and claimed Yugi's hands as he pulled him into his chest. Yugi hissed and protested when he ran his slender fingers down his arms. "Of course, a royal cannot have just one name." He kissed Yugi's cheek, ignoring the way he flinched, and licked his lips. "Because you rose from the very papyrus flowers that bear her name, I shall also name you Wadjmose, for you are indeed born from Wadjet—the green one—and because it is the favorite of my garden. Lastly," he said with a twinkle in his eye and a rakish smirk, "as you are freshly mine, I shall also give you the name Nafrit-wadjet. However, I doubt that title will be lasting very long." He gave Yugi a perverse wink.

Yugi blushed furiously and growled at the irony. Nafrit-wadjet—virgin of Wadjet. Never in all his life did Yugi want to hit someone so fiercely. His claws flexed, ready to strike, but the king was quicker as he pulled himself away and spun behind him; his hands found Yugi's shoulders and held him still. He then addressed the crowd as he continued his show. "That's three names, little viper! Be proud of them all, for they all speak of your worth to your king, and the goddess that brought you to him. However, we have yet to choose a proper title for you, for what is the purpose of names without a title to proceed them? Now, what should it be?" The king scratched his chin with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile that said he'd made this decision hours ago.

Finally, he stood and theatrically clapped his hands. "Ah, yes. The gods are truly in your favor. Henceforth, you shall be known as Yugi, Beloved of Wadjet, Born from Papyrus, and Virgin of Wadjet: Paniwhotep Ib-nsu. That is the perfect title for you, for you alone shall be the bringer of peace and satisfaction to the king's heart—my heart."

He stood before the court, tall and flamboyant, as he raised his hands. "Stand, all of you, and witness the newest addition to our court: Paniwhotep Ib-nsu, Beloved of Wadjet, Born from Papyrus and Virgin of Wadjet, who is the King's Cleverest Companion, His Most Favorite Friend, and His Dearest Beloved. All hail Paniwhotep Ib-nsu Meritwadjet!"

"All hail Paniwhotep Ib-nsu Meritwadjet!"

The court erupted in a repetitious cheer, and the room around Yugi was alive with contradictions. People applauded and cheered Pharaoh's decision and Yugi's own good fortune, but Yugi could also feel the glares of others on him: some were scowling in envy while others snickered behind their hands, making rude gestures and commenting on his bedroom talents. The continual press of their eyes made Yugi want to curl up in someplace cold, dark and empty.

Yugi shook in disgust. They could have this blasted position instead if they wanted it, since all he could see in his future was a gilded cage filled with food and toys for a pretty little song bird that was expected to sing at its master's call. It would be given and provided with everything it could ever need or want, but would also be forbidden from the bright, beautiful, blue sky and the freedom of flight.

"All that I ask for in return is your companionship," Pharaoh spoke. "I look forward to sampling all your services in time," he added with a whisper dripped in lust. A sly smile crept onto his face.

Yugi knew exactly what he meant, and it made him sick inside. That was it, wasn't it? The king would keep him fat and happy, and provide him with anything he wanted, as long as he behaved and sat still at court and laid down and spread his legs at night like a good, little bed warmer. He would take what he wanted until he grew bored of him, and then leave him to his own devices. What was even worse was that there was nothing he could do to protest against him: his throbbing ass was a quick reminder of that.

"Now, come here, my fiery little beauty," Pharaoh said sweetly.

Yugi heard the command and remained firmly in place, not wanting to give the man the satisfaction of his obedience.

Pharaoh frowned. "Now, Yugi."

Yugi snorted, glaring as he approached the throne with tiny steps that the king was not fond of. He stopped at the edge of the dais, waiting for his next command, but not without reluctance.

"Guard!" Pharaoh snapped; Yugi nearly yelped. A man came before him immediately and dropped to one knee. "Bring me a bench for my Paniwhotep Ib-nsu to sit on."

The guard obeyed, and not a moment later, a small bench was brought to the throne room and placed on the small square to the right of Pharaoh's throne—a place reserved for his courtesan, and, Yugi realized with a sick horror, his place now. His bottom throbbed in protest as he stood firmly in place, shaking.

"Take your seat, Yugi," Pharaoh ordered with a gesture of his hand. "You are my courtesan now—my Favorite, Paniwhotep Ib-nsu. Your place is now, and will always be, at my side."

"B-but," Yugi stammered as he stared at Pharaoh, dumbfounded, "you said—"

"When this particular part of your duty is not needed, you will be left to your own devices," he answered, taking another sip from the wine he'd discarded earlier. "Now, have a seat, love." His eyes narrowed. "Or would you rather that I have my guards make you?" he warned over his cup, just loud enough for Yugi to hear it.

Glaring, Yugi did as he was told, and carefully rearranged himself as best he could. Unfortunately, no position could protect his abused bottom from the pain of the wooden bench. He hissed and glared at Pharaoh's hand.

"I hate you," he muttered, hissing under his breath.

Pharaoh looked unfazed by the passionate declaration. "Willful and stubborn." He tasted the words on his lips like a finely aged wine, rich and sweet. "Oh yes, my fiery little beauty, you are indeed a treasure." He downed the last mouthful of wine. "And when we are alone," he whispered coyly, "you may call me Atem."

Yugi growled with indignant rage.

Atem smirked and gestured for the court to continue.

He gazed at Yugi, who was twitching and fidgeting uncomfortably in his chair, and almost felt a swell of pity for his latest treasure—almost. It would not do well for his reputation, nor Yugi's benefit, to have a disobedient child in such an important position, but Atem could not imagine anyone else but this odd, honey-skinned spitfire from Hellas sitting there. Everything about Yugi—his innocence, his spunk, his feisty, fiery pride and his wicked determination to be in control—sent his blood singing. Oh yes, Yugi was perfect…and all his…

Atem licked his lips. It was a shame the little one was so non-compliant: it had been so long since he had shared a night with a decent lover. The royal wives and concubines were very talented, but their obedient desire to please and their submissive sensuality did nothing to satisfy his lust. What Atem really relished was a fight in his potential lovers. He wanted a challenge and an equal, who would rival him mentally, spiritually, politically, morally and physically—everything a night in Yugi's bed promised. God, he wanted that fire sprawled across his sheets at that very moment.

Still, Yugi was a stranger in this foreign land—and a virgin nonetheless—so he knew he had to be patient and bide his time. He had to give his little viper time to recover from the shock of the day's actions, and to adjust to his new home and his new role. It had been so long since he'd engaged in a true seduction, and Yugi's fiery determination and wit was certainly a worthy challenge. It would take so much more than one night to hold his attention, and Atem was more than willing to comply.

Perhaps, in time, Yugi would return his affections, and find happiness in his newfound home and position once he truly became aware of the freedom such a life offered. Perhaps, he too would find enjoyment in their challenge, and welcome the king into his bed and into his heart. Atem could just imagine that gruff, growling face morphed into a pleased and content smile, which would then flush with passion and beg with desire. Perhaps, even, if the gods were good, and with Yugi's permission, Mahad and Isis could work their magic, and Yugi would bear him a son.

Oh yes. Atem gestured with a hand for the maid to refill his wine cup, and took a long, slow slip. His eyes fixed on his beautiful little spitfire, who was struggling to stay still and regain his dignity despite the uncomfortable sting of his bottom. He smirked, glimpsing at his handiwork through the folds of Yugi's shenti. He couldn't wait to tame him, and, if he could manage that without too much injury, he couldn't wait to claim him.

"How many more are there this morning, Siamon?" Atem inquired.

The herald spoke without directing his glance away from his scroll, "Two hundred and seventeen."

Atem's fingers clenched his cup; he heard Yugi yelp beside him and watched as the boy collapsed in his chair, deflated and defeated.

Atem sighed. "Send the next one in."

Well, Yugi officially set the record for worst day ever. So here's my new story and if you haven't noticed it will be a LOT darker than my other stories, not just content wise but in terms of Atem and Yugi's personalities as well, and honestly, I CANNOT wait!

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! If you guys thought my plot twists were evil before just wait for the ones in THIS story! (Evil Queen sits on her throne and opens a new bottle of wine!) It is gonna be AWESOME!

Now, this will be the only update for now—a nice evil little teaser for all of you to get addicted to and moan over when the next one is gonna come out. I have practically this entire story outlined, about 65% prewritten an the whole thing needs to be edited from scratch, so with that said I plan on prewriting and editing as many chapters as I can in the coming month and then I plan on updating regularly starting this summer (preferably July 1 when I get back from the New York Faerie Convention ;) and only if work leaves me alone….so….wish me luck darlings!

Now, as with my other story Timaues of Locri (which if you haven't read please fell free to check it out, it's another historical fiction/fantasy story I love) I will end each chapter with some historical notes, glossary and definitions to clarify a few things.

Glossary and Historical Notes

Aegyptus: The ancient Mediterranean name for Ancient Egypt

Kemet: Literally "black land", what the Ancient Egyptians called Egypt

Djehuti: Greek God Thoth, Ancient Egyptian God of Wisdom and Language, writing and hieroglyphs; also called Theut

Historical Note: Unlike my other stories, I won't be using the millennium items in this, rather I want to use as MUCH of the Ancient Egyptians magic, amulets, and rituals as possible under the assumption that it's all real and actually works and I will explain more of that as the tory progresses because it will be used to explain a few things—including Atem's insurance that Yugi can give him children despite being a boy (and yes, there will be M-preg this story, I'm pretty into it as long as it makes sense and is believable though I think this is the first time it'll appear in written form after Frost King ;)

That reason, is also why Atem was able to give Yugi the ability to understand Egyptian by kissing him, using The Eye of Thoth as a talisman since Thoth, as many of you know is the god of wisdom, language and founder of the hieroglyphs and ancient Egyptian language, now the actual dialects have changed quiet considerably throughout the time periods especially between the Middle and New Kingdoms (this story taking place in the New Kingdom) so, I basically cheated and gave Yugi a way to know the language off hand (which was inspired by the Red River Manga, where the hero basically did the same thing to the heroine)

History of names and titles: now Pharaoh is purely a Greek invention and work based on the ancient Egyptian Per'a'ah, which means "King" or "ruler". As Yugi is Greek you will hear Atem referred to as both throughout the story though mostly in the beginning, as Yugi stubbornly clings to his Greek heritage. Also, an important thing I learned, Pharaoh, as a title DID NOT HAVE A PRONOUN OR PROCEEDING TENSE! You NEVER called Pharaoh THE Pharaoh, it was just Pharaoh, because saying THE Pharaoh was to imply that there was more than one, and there is only ever one at a time, so no, it is not a grammatical mistake or an implication that pharaoh, is THE ONE AND ONLY Pharaoh, it as just a difference in language, again the dialect is where it gets tricky

Notes of Slavery:

First and foremost, slavery in Ancient Egypt, WAS NOT and in NO WAY like the African slave trade that existed in the Americas and Europe until the Civil War (though it still does in some places) nor was it like that of Greece or Rome, in fact Slavery as a whole was not a common or regulated thing in Ancient Egypt until the New Kingdom when Egypt began to branch out into the world. This is not to say "slavery" did not exist, it was still there but slavery was not in terms of ownership or forced servitude, in fact it is difficult to research even by today's standard because the words "slave" and "servant" were so similar. Priests, for example were technically "Slaves to the Gods" though we know for a fact that was by no means the case. On average, there were three types of slavery: debt slaves: men or woman who didn't have money to pay taxes and thus has everything confiscated and sold himself and his family into slavery to pay off the debt and was freed once the work was done. Criminal slaves: these were free Egyptians wh committed a crime and were forced to become slaves as punishment and unlike temple slaves or war prisoners were frowned upon and treated more poorly because people were aware of their status as criminals. And finally, prisoners/captives of war, who were usually no better off than the common people or serfs and were integrated into smaller colonies and groups and essentially made part of Pharaoh's empire, given to temples, set up as servants in his palace, or the rewards to soldiers for good service. Their rights and living conditions were no different than that of the common people and they could own property, had the same rights as civilians and work a multitude of positions from household servants to assistants of governments. In fact many such slaves, who were foreign captives, if they were employed or owned by wealthier elites or even the Pharaoh themselves, could rise the ranks very easily and were often better off than most common people, because they lived on their master's estate and were given access to all its benefits depending on their position and ranks (this, of course, being what Yugi is). These slaves were also well liked among society despite their different skin colors (contradictory to popular belief) because they were seen as part of society. Sexual abuse of slaves was very rare. Though concubines were often traded as gifts among rulers, these were all men and woman who CHOSE and were trained in the position similar to modern-day prostitution but with no stigma attached and with much better environments, and sex with female slaves was very frowned upon because if the woman got pregnant it disturbed the peace among the household (which was sacred to the Egyptians) Rape, was also a crime be it of a slave or free Egyptian, in fact historical records show one case where a woman went to trial because her husband raped a female slave, not to divorce him or even to chastise the slave but on the Slave's behalf! A stark contrast to the treatment of concubines by Greek wives who saw them as invaders of their sphere of influence. There were no slave markets either, rather they were private affiars done between clients, or in the office of Court officials or local councils, and all men, woman and children needed to be documented with their name, special talents etc. Child slaves were also forbidden from doing manual work, and unregulated slavery or slavery done by kidnapping was not only illegal but highly frowned upon (if Atem's reaction wasn't hint enough) in fact families could often demand the returned ot their enslaved family members with compensation.

And finally, Yugi's names and titled: since there is no position for "mistress" in Ancient Egyptian, or official title, other than King's Favorite, Concubine etc, I decided to make my own, like the French did with Mistress, I can totally seeing Atem doing that. Also keep in mind titles go in order from last to first, so like the Pharaoh's name go in order and ending with his birth name. it is the same with Yugi, here are Yugi's names and titles:

Official title:

Paniwhotep Ib-nsu: the bringer of peace and satisfaction to the King's heart from "paniwi meaning the bringer, " and htp pronounced "'o-tep" meaning peace or satisfaction and Ib-nsu : King's heart, "ib" heart and nsu—king

Names:

Third Name: Nafrit-wadjet: virgin of wadjet (temporary title, obviously)

Second name: Wadjmose: Born from papyrus/wadjet from ancient Egyptian ms wadj from Mesu be born and waji meaning green or papyrus (wadjet means "green one" and the et ending refers to the feminine

First name: Meritwadjet: beloved of Wadjet, from "mert" meaning beloved and Wadjet

so Yugi's full name and title is Paniwhotep Ib-nsu Nafrit-wadjet Wadjmose Meritwadjet Yugi.

As always, read, review, reply, comment, critique ask questions have fun and go buts! i can't wait to see the feedback for this one!

Updates will be sporadic at best! i wanna get at least 5 to ten prewritten so i can update weekly or bi-weekly but my goal is to update regularly by the end of the summer, so be on the look out!

Next Time: Yugi is finally relieved of court, is given the grand tour of his new home, meets the Ipet and gets some new allies, receives a gift, finally has an audience with the King and a punishment occurs.