The Pharaoh's Kiss (Reincarnation Romance Chronicles Book 3) (5 page)

Chapter Nine

“Just lay back and listen to the sound of my voice,” David said as he took a seat on a small wheeled stool and pulled himself up to the table where I lay.

Alex looked around the room, examining the yellow tiled floor and walls. The far wall held rows of drawers with metal doors, for some reason he paled.

“What is this place?” He asked. “Won’t we get caught?”

“It’s the morgue. Don’t worry, they’ll be quiet,” David said with a shrug toward the wall. “Now come on, I haven’t done this since my intro to Psych class. Senna, just lay back, relax, and listen to my voice.”

I closed my eyes and tried to relax as I lay on the gurney in the center of the room.

“I want you to imagine yourself in a stream...”

“A stream?” Alex mumbled.

David sighed, “Do you want me to do this or not?”

“Sorry,” Alex said.

“Let’s go back,” David said, turning his attention back to me. “You feel yourself relaxing, going back, you see yourself arriving at the hospital, but you’re going back further. Can you see it?”

“Yes,” I said even though I wasn’t sure.

I took a few deep breaths and then I could feel myself sliding. I saw myself standing in the long haul, and everything, all my memories rushing past.

“You’re going back,” David said. “Back to that day in the Valley of the Kings. What do you see?”

“I see a poster.”

“What is it a poster of?”

“The mask,” I mumbled. “The gold mask.”

“What mask?”

I could feel the hot sun overhead as I looked up at the poster, letting the golden mask of the Pharaoh come into focus.

“The burial mask of Tutankhamun,” I said. “It’s on the poster.”

“Okay,” David said. “Now go back before that, back before your journey to the Valley, back before you saw the poster. What do you see?”

There was a pull, sending me down into the darkness. I didn’t hear his voice anymore. I no longer felt the cold, metal table under my back. I was far away from him and Alex.

Suddenly, I saw a beautiful room of smooth stone with history carved on its walls. A deep part of me said that this was the palace at Thebes and that same part knew that we had abandoned the city of Akhetaten.

“I will not start my reign in the dust of my father’s failure,” Tutankhamun had said.

How did I know that?

I came into some other me, another version of me. I sat on the floor at the foot of the throne. I could see the carved legs of the golden lions that made up the chair all the way down to the clawed feet. I felt Tutankhamun’s hand on my hair. It was such a simple gesture, but I could feel the emotion behind it.

A man, angry and gesturing wildly stood before us. His robes were simple, but fine, flaring out at he paced back and forth. He glared at the Tutankhamun and I with open hostility

“You cannot change the gods of the dynasty,” he said. “The priests will not stand for it.”

I rested my head on the Pharaoh’s leg, feeling the warmth of his body. I watched this man, knowing he was an advisor to my husband, as he had been to Akhenaten. My husband seemed to trust him as someone older and wiser, but I watched him as one would watch a snake.

“You forget Ay,” Tutankhamun said calmly. “I am Pharaoh.”

“Of course, my Pharaoh, but there will be unrest,” the man threatened.

Tutankhamun stroked my cheek, his voice turning soft, “Ay, it is of no consequence to the people. It was my father that changed the gods, I am simply correcting his error.”

“His error?”

“Yes,” he said more forcefully. “I will hear no more of it. See that it is done.”

“Yes, your majesty, if that is what you wish.”

“It is,” Tutankhamun said. “Now leave us.”

I watched Ay’s eyes fall on me, a flicker of lust in their darkness before he bowed and left us, ordering everyone near to follow him.

Once he was gone, I crawled up into Tutankhamun’s lap. He took me into his arms and cradled me there so that I could rest my head on his shoulder.

“I do not trust Ay,” I said, nuzzling his neck.

“He is stubborn,” Tutankhamun said as he stroked my leg through my gown. “But he is wise. He will help us make Egypt powerful once more. Together, you and I will create a dynasty that will be known throughout the ages.”

“Then why change the gods? If Ay thinks the change is a mistake, is it wise to go against him?”

“I am Pharaoh,” Tutankhamun said as he kissed the base of my throat and brought his hand up to caress my breast, “I want nothing of my father’s reign to last after what he did to my mother and what he tried to do to you.”

“But don’t you understand?” I said softly, throwing my head back as he freed one of my breasts from my gown. “None of that matters now.”

“It does to me,” he said as he kissed my flesh. “We will make Egypt great again, you and I together and every deed of my father will be forgotten. That will be our victory over him.”

He eased me off his lap and up into his arms. He stood, turned, and placed me down upon the throne. He knelt down before me, pushing my gown up to my hips, and pushing my legs apart.

“Together, you and I will create the kingdom of Tutankhamun,” he said as he pulled me to the edge of the chair. “And our sons will rule for all eternity.”

He kissed me then, running his tongue over mine. I moaned, feeling his excitement through his robes and my body responded. I wanted him. I needed him inside of me, giving me sons, and making his predictions come true.

His hand came up to tangle in my hair and lean me back against the throne, the other sought out my moist folds. I griped the golden winged serpents that made the arms of the chair as he drew my wetness out.

“Ankhesenamun...” He said as if whispering a prayer, “My Ankhesenamun...”

I felt him between my legs, his manhood escaping from his robes. He was at my opening, straining to enter me, stretching me as he pushed inside.

I arched my back as he took me, driving him deeper. Words fell from my lips with each thrust, but I was no longer aware of what they were.

Chapter Ten

Suddenly, there was a loud clap and I was pulled back into the here and now. My eyes darted around the room, looking for anything familiar. Where was the throne? Where was the history on the walls?

David cleared his throat, “Does anyone else think it’s hot in here?”

The hospital...I’m at the hospital...

I looked around and saw both David and Alex staring at me strangely. Blushing, I sat up, careful not to make eye contact with either of them.

“Well,” David said. “You told us who you
were,
but nothing about who you
are
.”

Alex came over and took my arm, helping me stand, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Come on,” David said. “I’ll show you all out and you can... Go take a cold shower.”

I could feel myself blushing again. I reached for Alex’s hand.

“Was it really that bad?” I whispered.

He smiled, “It was pretty hot.”

“Great...” I mumbled as I followed him out of the morgue.

David walked us down to the elevators and pressed the button, “I’m sorry the results weren’t better.”

Alex shrugged, “You tried. I’ve got another friend trying to track something down with her fingerprints, but he hasn’t called with any news. It looks like we’ve reached a dead end.”

“I wish you all the best,” David said as the elevator doors to the right opened. “Alex, stay in touch.”

We stepped into the elevator just as the doors to the left opened. A handsome young man stepped out and walked up to David.

“I’m sorry, I’m looking for the morgue?” He said and glanced our way, just as the elevator doors closed he looked back again.

The sun was blindingly bright as we stepped outside the hospital and walked across the parking lot to the car. I was silent for most of the ride back to the hotel, trying to hold on to whatever it was I saw.

Was that real? Was I somehow Ankhesenamun? What about Alex? Was he Tutankhamun?

“Are you hungry?” Alex asked as we pulled up to the hotel. “We could have an early dinner if you like?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled as I got out of the car. “That’s fine.”

Alex took me by the hand and lead me once more through the lobby and over to the restaurant. Once again we sat at a small table lit by a single lamp, but this time Alex reached across the table to cover my hand with his.

“Are you really okay?” He asked.

“I think so,” I said, pulling my hand back as the waiter brought glasses and a bottle of wine to the table.

Pouring me a glass of wine, Alex sighed. “ I’m sorry that didn’t work out better for you today.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” he said as he handed me the glass and poured his own. “We’re no closer to knowing who you are.”

“But your friend seems to believe in who I was.”

“Do you believe it?” Alex asked.

I shrugged, “I know it sounds crazy, but what choice do I have? It’s the only thing that I seemed to have any clue about.”

“That’s true,” he said with a teasing smile. “Does that mean I have to start calling you Ankhesenamun?”

“Only if I have to call you Tutankhamun,” I said without thinking.

His face darkened, “Do you really think that?”

I stood and went over to him. I took his face in both of my hands. He looked up at me with deep chestnut eyes and I could see the kohl rimmed eyes of my visions looking back at me from the depths. I lowered my lips to his and brushed his lips with a feathery kiss.

His hands came up my waist, the fingers slipping just under the hem of my cami. I pulled away and smiled down at him.

“You kiss me the same way he kissed her,” I whispered.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Alex asked. “We can have food brought up to the room later.”

To answer, I took his hands in mine and pulled him to his feet. He kissed me again, passionately, despite the other diners muttering about bad manners. I pressed myself against him, feeling the tension of desire in his body.

I barely remembered walking back to Alex’s room, but suddenly we were there, he was closing the door and pressing me up against it. He pinned my hands above my head with one hand as the other cupped my breast.

“Senna...” He moaned as he brought his lips to my neck.

I wrapped one leg about his waist and pulled him closer to me, feeling his hardness straining against his jeans.

Alex slid his hand up my chest and throat so that he could tilt my face up to his, kissing me and teasing my mouth with his tongue. I kissed him back eagerly, wanting to taste him.

He pulled me away from the door and across the room to the balcony. He reached around and placed my hands on the balcony rail. I looked out over the Nile to the Valley of the Kings in the distance.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Alex mumbled into my hair.

“Yes,” I said in a gentle purr as he pushed my hair aside and kissed the tender skin where my shoulder and neck met.

I felt his steamy breath on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of him. I could feel his body heat radiating across my back and shoulders. Suddenly, every nerve in my body awakened as if anticipating his touch.

There was the rustling sound of him removing his clothes and then he was pulling me back against his bare chest. I trembled as he slid the straps of my cami off my shoulders and down my arms, then he unfastened my shorts and let them fall to my feet. I felt the breeze of the early night against my skin. I gasped as he reached his hand around to caress my breast while the other moved lower between my legs.

Yes...Yes...

I didn’t think of the people in the other rooms or worry that someone might look up and see us there naked as his fingers probed my opening, his thumb rubbing against my pubis. His every movement brought all my nerve endings to life. My legs were going weak, parting on their own until it was only him that was holding me up.

Just as I was about to climax, he pulled away. I fell against the rail, looking down at the Nile below. Alex guided my trembling legs apart. I anticipated his fingers again, tilting my hips toward him.

I felt him at my entrance, he reached around and placed my hands on the rail and held them there, covering my hands with his. He eased himself up inside of me, slowly, deliciously.

He moved slowly, in and out of me, each movement sending a wave of pleasure through my body. I exploded only to come back again and again.

“Senna,” he mumbled into my hair as his body shook, “I love you.”

I looked out across the Nile to the glowing lights of the Valley of the Kings. As I stood there, with his naked body still pressed against mine, I knew I loved him too...Just like before.

Chapter Eleven

I felt myself falling, spinning down into the darkness. There was nothing above me and nothing below. I was floating in a fog until the world turned, and then I was rising up towards a distant light.

The heat of the torches was hot against the side of my face as I found myself standing in the dim hallway. I could feel the silken fabric against my legs and the cool touch of the gold bracelets at my wrists.

There was something wrong... Very wrong. I felt it as an unsettling panic inside as I looked up at the painting of Tutankhamun on the wall and the feeling grew.

There was a prayer in my mind, repeating over and over. It was simple, powerful, and instantly sent a chill through me.

Don’t let him die... Don’t let him die
...

That was it. Tutankhamun was sick, very sick, maybe dying. Even in my dream, I could feel myself crying. That other me couldn’t imagine a life without him.

He can’t die
...
He can’t
...

In the memory of that other me, I saw him laying feverish in the bed. Servants tended to him as he struggled for each ragged breath. I looked back up at the painting and returned to my prayer.

I heard footsteps in the hall coming closer. My breath caught. Was he dead? Had my husband, my love, crossed to the beyond?

“My Queen?” The maidservant said softly.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to hear what she had to say... Not yet.

“Your highness?”

I closed my eyes. I did not want to know. If she didn’t say it, I could believe for just a little while longer that nothing had changed. I could still believe that Tutankhamun would recover.

“My Queen?”

I took a deep breath and sighed, trying to brace myself. “Yes, what is it?”

“It is the Pharaoh.”

“He is dead?” The words cut my throat as I spoke them.

“No, my Queen,” she said quickly. “He is awake and asking for you.”

My breath caught in my chest and for the briefest moment, I felt faint. He wasn’t dead. I barely mumbled a prayer of thanks to the gods before I was running to the Pharaoh’s chamber. I pushed past the guards that moved too slowly, entering his room and closing the door behind myself.

He lay in his bed, a massive golden structure featuring a lion on each side. I walked slowly toward him, this man surrounded by riches, but knowing he would trade it all to be strong for his people once more.

I looked down at the shrunken figure in the bed and barely recognized him as my husband. Tutankhamun was a strong, sensuous man, but now he was thin with hallowed cheeks and sunken eyes. The sickness that befell him took his strength, leaving him sallow and weak.

Slowly he opened his eyes. It was then I saw the man that I loved, he was reflected up at me in those soulful eyes.

“Ankhesenamun,” he whispered, raising his hand up toward my face. His strength left him and his arm felt to his side.

I crawled into the bed beside him and smoothed back his damp, dark hair. I wrapped my arms around his frail body.

“My love,” I whispered into his ear. “My life.”

“I want you close,” he murmured.

“I’m here...I’m here.” I said as I lowered my head to his shoulder.

He fell back asleep, his body like a fire beside me. I lay there for the longest time, stroking his fevered brow and looking at his familiar profile.

This man was raised as my brother. I watched him play with a wooden sword in the courtyard of Akhetaten. Somehow, that small boy grew into the Prince that saved me from his father, and then became my lover, my husband, my reason for being.

“You were my king even then,” I whispered.

It was much later, long after the torches burned down when I at last rose. I kissed his smooth cheek, feeling that it was slightly less feverish. He slept on, looking younger than his years, but somehow older as well.

I walked back out into the hall, searching for a servant to bring fresh water, but I nearly collided with Ay.

“My apologies, my Queen,” he said in a whisper as he bowed. “Might I have a word?”

“No,” I said sharply. “You are forbidden from ever speaking to me outside of the Pharaoh’s presence.”

“Have I offended my queen in some way?”

I whirled around, “Yes, you offended me. I know you encouraged my father to take me as a wife before my mother’s body was even cold.”

“It was his right at the time as Pharaoh,” Ay said with an apologetic wave of his hand, but his eyes glittered in the darkness. “But my Queen, we both know he was not your father.”

“Excuse me?”

Ay smiled coldly, “We both know the Pharaoh Akhenaten was not your father.”

I glared up at him, but I couldn’t argue with the truth he spoke.

“How dare you talk to me this way!” I hissed instead, “You would do well to remember your place.”

He bowed deeply, “I mean no disrespect. My apologies, I beg for your forgiveness.”

I turned again to walk away, eager to return to Tutankhamun, but Ay called back to me.

“But my Queen?”

“What is it?” I demanded, pausing at the door, but refusing to look at him.

“I only wish to point out that you and the Pharaoh have no heir, and should he die, you are in a most vulnerable position. Foreign invaders could see it as weakness and attack.”

A chill ran up my spine, “That is not your concern.”

He stepped closer, I could feel his hot breath on my shoulder.

“It is something that concerns all of Egypt,” he said. “If you were to have a son, the Pharaoh’s legacy would go on and there would be no question of Egypt’s greatness.”

He reached out and touched my arm, “I could give you a son.”

I drew back, “I could have you killed for treason. Leave my sight immediately.”

I held my breath until he rounded the corner. Once he was out of sight, I opened the door and went back into the Pharaoh’s bedchamber. I went and knelt beside his bed.

“Please don’t let him die,” I whispered. “Tutankhamun, please, don’t leave me alone. You promised you would protect me...I beg you to keep your promise to me.”