Where The Sands Sleep

Rodessa: *Quiet voice* I miss you too… It’s harder now that your not with me, you know that?

Huxian: I know...But it’s not forever. Just remember that. And I’m always at the end of the phone if you ever need to get anything off your chest. You know that, right?

Rodessa: Yeah…. Oh! I promised you a story. It’s a short one - I need to translate the rest. Hopefully I’ll have that done by our next phone call...hopefully.

Huxian: Hey, no rush. Translating practically dead languages isn’t easy, after all. I can wait. Just let me know when you’ve done it. For now though...what have you got for me my dear storyteller?

Rodessa: Well…I guess I can’t leave you hanging

*She flashed a smile at him as their eyes locked. Almost cat like, she stretched in the water, leaning forward an almost coy lilt to her lips as she leaned against the edge of the bath, addressing him. If Huxian didn’t know any better, he’d have thought that she was being playful.*

Rodessa: Hey now, no peeking. I’m going to get out now.

Huxian: *Teasingly* Awww, no show?

Rodessa: I’ll be your private dancer, when I at least have underwear.

*Yep, that was definitely a note of playfulness in her voice. Huxian couldn’t help but chuckle, leaning his head against his hand, a lazy grin crossing his face*

Huxian: Meow...kinky.

Rodessa: *Chuckle* Perv.

Huxian: *snicker* What? Oh, come now, you know if the positions were reversed you’d either A, have a little photoshoot, B...well, be all over me, or C...All of the above.

Rodessa: There’s nothing wrong with looking at the art gallery. Are you saying I can’t take the exhibit home with me? I mean, we do live together.

*At those words, his smirk stretched wider, tilting his head so that he was looking up at her through hooded eyes, pinning her with a stare that might have been more befitting a fox staring down a tasty rabbit. When he spoke, his voice was a purr, an almost seductive command rather than playful comment*

Huxian: My thoughts exactly....With that as the case, surely the reverse is also true. So let me admire the art too. You’ll let me...won’t you?

*The tone sent a shiver down Rodessa’s spine, as if his eyes and very words were caressing her skin, lighting that spark in her once again, a fire that only Huxian seemed to illicit. Licking her lip, mouth feeling oddly dry, she said nothing as she emerged from the water, back turned to the communicator. She could feel his eyes almost like a physical presence, even though he was in a completely different country. Quickly, she did her best to suppress the crimson jumping to her cheeks. Whenever she had taken photographs of him in various stages of undress, he never seemed to flinch or fluster, even playing up to the camera, all in an effort to get her to react in some way he could tease her about.

Not about to let him think he was getting to her, she dragged a towel over to her, still not turning to the camera for more than a coy glance over her shoulder. They had been comparing this to ‘art’, so why not mimic the marble statues of women who had cloth draped tastefully yet sensually. The ‘cloth’ in this case being the towel, but it still worked to cover her skin, leaving only a hint peeking out for Huxian to catch glimpses of. She could feel him watch, heavy with interest. Every time she shifted, peeking over as she drew up her damp hair so that she could dry her back, she could see him watching her almost as if she was an art piece, one that he wanted to run a finger over in order to feel it’s very texture.

She couldn’t help but flash him another smirk, mouthing ‘pervert’ to him as she stepped out of the bathtub, lifting her legs to elegantly rest on the side of the bath as she ran the towel over them, making sure to arch a little, give him little hints, but nothing too overt. Just enough to keep his interest. Finally, she straightened, towel held to obscure her modesty as her lips twisted into a coquettish smile.

Rodessa: Oh...While you’re no doubt enjoying your own company...and that of your left hand, I presume.

*A playful lighter emerged from the speaker*

Huxian: Ha! You wish. Though...I might have good dreams tonight.

Rodessa: *Quiet voice* ...Me too

Huxian: *Sly grin* Oh? But I’m not the one who was giving you a show...or is it because you liked giving me one? Is that a little exhibitionist streak you never told me about? I’ll have to bear that in mind. Wouldn’t want to cause as scene unintentionally. Intentionally, on the other hand…

Rodessa: *Raised Brow* Dumbass.

Huxian: What? No rebuttal?

Rodessa: You and I both know I’m vanilla as hell. I don’t even like it when I’m getting hot an’ heavy with a lover and the lights are on, so what make you think-?

Huxian: I’m starting to think that you’re mixing a little ‘sin’namon into that vanilla and you’re just in denial….but I’ll let you keep riding that river boat for now. After all, I still want my story. *Playful pout* You still haven’t given my story, Rosebud.

Rodessa: I’ll drown you fluff. Keep teasing me and your new home will be Atlantis.

Huxian: I’ll just have to take you with me then. Although I’m pretty sure that Atlantis would probably keep us just for amusement value.  

Rodessa: What…? You’re so weird. Oh! Give me a sec.

*Shaking off Huxian’s comment - that man could be so prone to odd flights of fancy every now and then. She had to wonder about that imagination of his - Rodessa finished dressing herself in underwear, finishing the ensemble with a near see through robe. That done, she made her way to where she had left her notes after translating the various texts, grabbing her stockings and the rest of her garments, as well as oils from her cabinet, sashaying as she got to work clothing and grooming herself. She could still feel his attention on her as she brushed the communicator so that if faced the bed at just the right angle while she lazily pulled on her stockings, partly in tease and partly to give her a moment to gather her thoughts for the demanded story. Finally, she began her performance*

Rodessa: This story begins with the Maji and the young prince traveling through the night market. If I’m not mistaken, it was their first night into one of the old cities…

….

*While the air was often scorched during the day, the night air was often chill with the absence of Ra’s light. The moon’s rays offered little in way of heat, its bleak glow offering only a cool, distance.

Pulling his clothes closer to himself in an effort to ward off the chill, Nkosi shivered*

Nkosi: Nubi...I’m cold…

Nubia: Then come closer to me, little one.

*The boy did as he was told, offering not even a token of protest for the sake of pride, even when she wrapped him in a thick travel blanket she withdrew from one of their packs. In all honesty, Nubia was surprised the boy had fared so well. Unlike herself, who’s duties had her travel through blazing sun and frigid nights, this was the first time that Nkosi had traveled any distance away from the Pharaoh’s protective wing.

It had been a week since the two of them had began their journey through the kingdom, alone but for the small group of disguised soldiers, brought along at Nubia’s insistence (something that Amen certainly had not protested), if only as a precaution. Even at the outskirts of the capital, there was always a threat of something going wrong.

As they approached, Nubia dismounted the camel, careful not to dislodge the child, before lifting him to the ground. If nothing else, the movement walking would provide would help to warm the boy up as well as stretch their limbs. Handing the reins to one of the guards so they might care for the beats in their absence, Nubia lead Nkosi to one of the stalls where a delicious scent wafted, quickly bartering for food for herself and her young charge.

Meanwhile, Nkosi gazed around the market, his eyes glittering with awe and wonder, tiredness and bone deep cold falling away as it hit him once again that he was finally able to truly begin his search for the perfect bride for his great brother. He had never even seen that many people in one place outside of parades (and even then, they were never going about their daily lives) It was as if, before his eyes, the world had become an endless sea of people, living their lies the way they knew how. Few could be righteous, even fewer could be worthy of even being in the presence of a living god. Even so, as small and naive as he might be, it was his responsibility to separate the wheat from the chaff and find that one perfect person worthy to be his brother’s bride.

...Oh….gods….what had he got himself into…?

Biting back the moment of panic, he scowled at himself. No, he couldn’t think that way. He had promised his brother, his pharaoh, that he would do this. He couldn’t doubt himself. Not now. He couldn’t afford to fail-

His thoughts were interrupted as he felt Nubia’s caress over his head, his brow loosening at the gentle touch*

Nubia: You needn't start right away. We’re on our way to the inn, for now. If you see anyone you wish to speak with, inform me and I will escort you. I will also offer council. Remember, you are not alone in this, my young prince.

*Oddly, her words help to soothe the cold dread that had been tightening in his chest. That was right. He wasn’t alone. He had Nubia right there with him. If there was anyone else in the world other than himself that knew Amen and respected him the way he did, it was her. She cared for both of them. She would never steer him wrong or leave him to flounder, nor would she let Nkosi miss any hidden corruption or lies in someone he chose to speak to that might later taint Amen and the kingdom.

Assured, the prince nodded, a small smile gracing his lips before he squared his shoulders and strode with as much grace as his young body could muster in the direction that Nubia had indicated, her silent presence following close behind.

The inn wasn’t too far away and it didn’t take long for them to reach - a comfortable looking place that, while certainly not too the high quality that might have been offered if their true identities were known, it was cozy enough and the material of the sheets were soft and warm against night chilled skin. With a hot meal in his stomach, wrapped in snug blankets and cradled in Nubia’s arms, somehow the pressure of the task at hand no longer felt so crushing.

With Nubia at his side, he would be able to press on without falter. Tomorrow would be a new, brighter day.*

[END]