Chapter 16

I collapsed onto my bed. Anger ranged through my body. Who did he think he was? Son of a god my ass. Those eyes that had once been filled with laughter and love were now filled with hatred for me. I could feel a wave of sadness replace my anger. No, I didn't want to feel sadness, I wanted my anger to remain and me blind me from my truth feelings.

I pushed myself up from the bed and ran out the door. He was not going to win this fight.

The daunting door seemed to laugh at me as I stood motionless in front of it. It's not that hard, just open it. I pushed against the door before I lost my nerve.

It didn't budge.

I tried again. The door remained shut. Out of frustration, I hit the door with my first. That was a mistake. Air rushed past me as the door was suddenly opened.

Ramesses was looking at me, face to face with those same anger filled eyes.

My mouth opened, and there was no stopping what came out. "You are a selfish, spoiled, ungrateful, child."

He didn't say a thing back. I paused. I hadn't planned on silence.

"Is that all? You're making a scene," he said glancing down the hall.

"No," I said, "I got quite a few more choice words to you."

Ramesses grabbed my arm and pulled me into the room. I was taken aback for a moment. The walls were covered it colorful murals with rich fabric draped over all the furniture in the large room. Ramesses sat down among  the rich fabrics and looked at me.

My courage faltered. Why wasn't he saying anything? You can't have it out with someone if they keep it all in.

"You said you had some things you wanted to tell me," he leaned forward, "I am listening."

I felt the sadness dissolving my newly regained anger. My eyes wandered around the room trying to find the words a few moments ago I was so sure I was going to say. Ramesses stood and walked over to me. I studied his face. I couldn't understand the expression that had replaced his anger. Regret? Confusion? Exhaustion?

He stood and One of his hands reached up to touch my face, but he lowered it back down and turned with a sigh.

"No, tell me what you were going to say," I demanded.

He looked back, "Why can't you understand that everything I do is to protect you."

My face must have shown my surprise at his answer.

Ramesses shook his head, "Do you have any idea how important you are to me?"

Naturally I lied. "Of course I do."

Rameses sook his head, "No you don't, or you would have listened to me." He laughed, and it scared me a little. "I can't even explain what I feel for you. I barely know anything about you, yet I feel like I have always known you. It doesn't make sense."

He looked at me standing in the middle of the room. "Come here," he said.

I thought about it.

"For this once, just listen to me."

I walked over to him.

"Now was that so hard?" he asked leaning closer to my neck. His lips traveled down my neck and back up to my mouth. "You are a mystery to me Natalie," he kiss me, "but tonight, I am going to leave you with no doubt about how what you mean to me."

I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me to the large bed. Words that had once been so important to say faded from my memory at his touch.

If you asked me in the morning, I would still count this as a win. But something murmbered in the back of my mind. The words Adom has said all those months ago, "You will be safe, as long as Ramesses is on your side." My fate was not my to control. And that realization terrified me.

Chione quietly opened to door to Natalie's room. Finding the room empty, she smiled to herself. She mulled about making sure everything was in order for when her mistress returned. She was about to leave when a stack of linen fabric caught her attention. A look of confusion then concern crossed face.

"I don't understand your meaning," Nabneteru said to the little servant girl.

Chione sighed and explained herself again giving Nabneteru a knowing look.

Recognition dawned on his face, "I see," he said, "you must promise on your life and all you hold dear that you keep this information to yourself."

Chione nodded.

"I must go find the Queen, and you bring Natalie to me," Nabneteru said.

"I can't," Chione said.

"Why in the gods' name not?" Nabneteru asked already exhausted by the situation.

"She didn't come to her room last night," Chione said with another knowing look.

Ramesses watcher her chest rise and fall. He knew no more about her than the day she had suddenly come into his life. She was like the wind always there, but never constant.

There was a small knock at the door. He got up slowly as to not wake her. He opened the door to a small mousey servant girl.

"Is lady Natalie in there?" she asked in a whisper.

"Who is asking?" Ramesses whispered back.

She looked panic, "No one, just me, her servant."

Ramesses smiled at the young girl, "Yes, but I don't think she will be needing you anytime soon."

The girl nodded and made a small bow before walking off.

Ramesses made his way back to the bed. Natalie turned over.

"Who was that?" she asked without opening her eyes.

"No one important," Ramesses said.

She seemed content with that answered, and she rolled onto her stomach next to him. Ramesses ran his hand up and down her spine till her breathing returned to the sleeping pace.

Queen Tuya didn't say anything in response to the news Nabneteru had just told her. She could use this to her advantage if she played her cards right.

Nabneteru looked nervous waiting for her response.

"Are you sure of this information, I can't have any more mistakes," she said.

"Her servant is quite sure. She says she hasn't collected any monthly bleeding linens in three months," Nabneteru said.

The Queen stood up from her chair, "We will use this to our advantage, Ramesses needs to produce an heir soon. This could be a blessing from the gods."

"Or a curse," Nabneteru said quietly.

"We will not let it become that," Queen Tuya snapped.

"But Natalie is not of royalty or noble blood," Nabneteru countered.

"Ah, but perhaps she can be." Queen Tuya paused. "We must work quickly if this plan is to work."