Chapter 3

Akhenaten spent more time within the prayer chamber of the temple than most people spent praying in any given week. He prayed to be led to his destiny, to fulfill the will of the gods. He wept freely, for he knew he was alone. He expelled through his tears the negative things within that had been like toxins to him, making his very soul ill.

It seemed to him that the gods were the only ones listening to him at the moment, and he was okay with that. He did not really want to tell everything to a person - not yet, anyhow - because people had a way of taking things out of context, and of spreading rumours.

When he left the temple, he felt much better, and indeed, enlightened as to what he must do about some things. He also saw that the sun was fast setting, and he must leave now to keep his promise to Ksunamun.

Ksunamun began to feel this day would never end. She'd been thinking about the prince constantly. His face was etched in her mind now, that look in his eyes - she shivered.

She had never felt like this until now. Oh, she had appreciated the male form. She had seen plenty of men. It was no trouble to, because with the sweltering weather, most men left their torsos unclad while they toiled. Bit this - this was different. This man was forbidden fruit. This man was everything that she was not allowed to want, not even allowed really to talk to. He was not only quite handsome, but rich, He had status in the kingdom, he was by law only to wed a princess. He was to be pharaoh. He was her wildest daydreams coming true. This couldn't really be happening to her, could it?

She closed her eyes against the setting sun. It was beautiful, but she wanted to shut it out. Ksunamun felt the beginnings of a smile on her lips. This was Atem-Ra's work, wasn't it? Her prayers were being answered, weren't they? So, what was the point in admonishing herself for talking to the prince? For feeling these feelings she felt for him? Atem-Ra had caused their paths to cross, so he obviously ordained it. She sighed and decided that whatever happened, she would go along with it. Maybe she could be his slave? That in itself would be a good life, she knew. But she'd not tell Akhenaten of her magic. That would be her secret. It must be so.

The ride went quite smoothly, that was, until he was about a mile from the oasis.

Sutekh had tripped on something, Akhenaten surmised, because his front legs had collapsed under him, and he was having trouble getting to his feet again.

Akhenaten dismounted Sutekh, and the beast struggled - and finally managed to get to - a standing position. Akhenaten then realized that the horse was now too tired to even carry his master's weight, a slight one hundred and thirty pounds.

The Prince felt pity for Sutekh. He had gone an awful distance that day. He grabbed Sutekh's reins and coaxed him to walk.

"Come on boy, I will walk the rest of the distance with you." the Prince murmured, stroking the horse's silky black muzzle.

Horse and Prince walked slowly through the desert, and Akhenaten was glad it was cooling down. The sun would only remain for another hour, he guessed. That would be long enough to get to the oasis - and more importantly, to Ksunamun.

As he and Sutekh reached the Oasis at last, Akhenaten called out, "Ksunamun?"

"I'm by the stream." She replied.

The Prince felt another shiver at the sound of her voice. Oh, that voice! He'd stake a wager that she could sing well. "Just a little more, boy, then you can rest all night." Akhenaten whispered.

Sutekh snorted, but followed Akhenaten all the same. Akhenaten sighed inwardly when his eyes beheld Ksunamun, her hair now braided, she was crouched down by the stream. She appeared to be fishing.

"I came back." Akhenaten said needlessly.

"I'm so glad you did." She said sincerely as she turned to him, giving him a beautiful smile.

"We can't go to the palace tonight, though." Akhenaten hesitated.

"Oh, and why is that?" She wondered innocently.

Akhenaten offered a lopsided grin. "Sutekh, here, my horse. He's too tired. I had to walk the last mile here because he was much too weak to carry me. He can barely drag his own hooves now that we're here."

"Where did you go?" She asked bemusedly while Akhenaten tied Sutekh up in an optimum area for food and water.

The Prince scratched the back of his neck. "Well, from the palace to here, then back to the palace, then to Ombos, then back here." Seeming to feel he needed to add to his explanation, he pointed out, "He's not used to that much travelling."

"I can see that. That would be a lot of running around for a well-seasoned heavy labour horse. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to stay here until morning."

"That's fine with me if it is fine with you."

"Of course it is. There's no one else I'd rather be stuck out here with." She shrugged. "Got any food? I'm lousy at hunting."

Akhenaten took the saddle bag from Sutekh, and placed it at Ksunamun's feet. "Well, I've got a couple of apples, some beef, and some pomegranates. It is not luxurious, but it is food."

"It sounds good to me. I haven't eaten a thing all day." She opened the bag and withdrew a pomegranate as Akhenaten sat beside her.

"There's also a goblet in there. If your thirsty, use it to get the water from the stream. It is better than using your hands. Dryer, and warmer." he paused, "Why don't you dig it out for me, and I will get a drink for us to share."

"Alright." She agreed as she clenched her teeth to hold the fruit from falling. She dug around for a moment, and produced the goblet. For a moment, she just stared at it. It was the most valuable thing she'd ever held in her life, she knew this at once. It was pure gold, the globe so large that both her hands barely encircled it.

She handed it to Akhenaten, who dipped it in the water as though it were made of stone. Satisfied that it was full, he lifted it to his lips and quaffed deeply, immensely glad for the gift of the refreshing water to cleanse his palette of the pungent wine he'd had to consume at the temple.

"Would you like a sip?" He asked benevolently as he offered the goblet to Ksunamun.

"Sure." She accepted it, and sipped daintily, from the same spot that Akhenaten's lips had just touched.

Akhenaten felt that same desire grip him as he watched Ksunamun drink, her lovely lips pressed against the gleaming gold of the goblet. He licked his lips nervously.

"I will get wood to start a fire." He said, his voice raspy.

She lifted her eyes, her gaze following him as he got up and walked away from her. His strides were long, and fast, his pace saying he wanted to finish the task as soon as possible.

Ksunamun was secretly glad the Prince had kept his word and returned. She would sleep a lot easier knowing he was here. She had been frightened of having to sleep out here alone, because the oasis was big - she did not know if there were any dangerous animals around, and if there were, she had not the weapons or the skills to defend herself. Having a man around was a comfort, aye. Having a kind, handsome man near her own age around was even better. She would have liked the idea of being his slave, she knew he would have treated her well. But, if he knew a way to make her a home at the palace above the rank of a slave, she would do whatever she had to in order to get and keep it once it was secured.

It hit her then. A realization that caused her pulse to quicken, and her breath to become short. She was fast developing a strong affection the Prince. She longed for his presence, the sound of his voice. She knew she was being stupid, but it made her feel safe.

Akhenaten returned about twenty minutes later, carrying a massive bundle of neatly cut thin branches. Ksunamun noticed then, that he had a large sword in an ornate scabbard on his belt. She supposed that he'd used the sword to cut the wood.

"Can you do me a favour, Ksunamun?" He asked gently.

"What do you need me to do?"

He put the wood down in a neat pile. "Help me find some rocks so the fire won't catch on the grass?"

"No problem." She carefully placed the empty goblet back in the saddlebag, and rose to her feet.

Akhenaten removed his flowing cloak of deep violet. "Come here, Ksunamun." He softly ordered.

She obeyed him, just wanting to be close to the Prince. "What is it?"

"I want you to wear my cloak." He said with infinite tenderness, "It is getting cold."

"I do feel a bit chilly." she admitted as she allowed Akhenaten to envelop her in the warm cloak and fasten it around her neck. When he was finished, he embraced her, and held her in that embrace for long moment. Ksunamun hadn't realized just how cold it was. She was grateful for the warmth of the cloak, even more so for that of the embrace.

"We'll look for rocks together, alright?" Akhenaten posed, his hands resting on Ksunamun's shoulders.

She smiled gently, "Then, once we've got the fire built, we'll have to build a shelter. We can't just sleep on the ground."