Sabra looked out on to the waters and bent her head low. She relaxed her shoulders and gave a low sigh. It finally sunk in, the war may have finished but it was far from over. She rubbed her tired eyes and looked out at the water. She gave a smile at the memory of Ahkmenrah unwittingly drinking the salt water.

She closed her eyes. She would do anything to go back to then. To a time of peace and happiness. She turned her back to the water and walked back down the deck to her cabin, hoping that sleep would come soon.

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Kahmunrah woke to sweet silence, yet the screams still rang in his ears. His heart was filled with the millions of voices of those who no longer graced the earth, they were all gone. He held on too them because he wanted to remember them and their sacrifices.

He breathed in deep breaths, until he forgot the nightmares.

He slid out of the bed and looked across at Ahkmenrah. He looked as if he had been awake for a while watching him.

"I tried to wake you up." said Ahkmenrah. He smiled. "You almost throttled me. Bad dream huh?"

"Worse that before..." mumbled Kahmunrah massaging the bridge of his nose. "How come I never know when you're having a nightmare?"

Ahkmenrah shrugged. "Maybe I go into paralysis or something. I don't know."

"Are they bad?"

"They do get bad from time to time." then seeing Kahmunrah's pained expression he said. "Don't worry Kahmun they are not as bad as yours. I haven't suffered that much."

"Wake me up next time." said Kahmunrah firmly. Then changing into a finely woven kilt he left room. He had not forgotten Khufu's words to see him in his chambers. He hurried quickly down the halls until he reached the old man's chambers.

He knocked the door and waited. After a moment it opened. A grinning Khufu greeted him.

"I see you have come. I was afraid you wouldn't." Then he pointed to a chair "Please sit."

Kahmunrah obeyed.

"You were going to tell me about the crown."

"All will be told in time. But how is my daughter?"

"Ismara is doing well..." then it hit him. "Wait you know?"

"I'm her father Kahmun. I should know. That makes you my son-in-law."

"How did you...?"

"How is Ahkmenrah?"

"He's doing well. But I don't understand...."

"Do you trust me?"

"I don't under-"

"Do you trust me?"

"I well...you saved us...I do...I trust you but please tell me where..."

"You and I are very much the same..."

"What?"

"Oh Kahmun it is true. I can see the younger me in you. Ambitious, smart and fiercely passionate about the throne."

"Your talk runs in circles."

"Let me explain. You do no think you could have had the throne?"

"Never. Ahkmenrah was chosen and the choice of the previous king holds."

He had barely finished his sentence when Khufu threw a document in front of Kahmunrah. He pointed at a sentence.

"Read it. Out loud."

"The choice of the King holds" read Kahmunrah "Till the throne has passed to another man. For the King is god upon earth and his choices hold true." He looked up at Khufu "I've read this a hundred times Khufu. I know it means till death, one can't abdicate."

"But a man has taken the throne after Ahk." Said Khufu. "Sargon has. He took it by force."

Kahmunrah shook his head "If I hadn't thought of that then Ahk would never have imagined it even in his wildest dreams."

"How well do you know your brother?"

"I've known him his whole life."

"But Kahmun have you ever wondered why you always got in trouble but Ahk didn't even though he was the catalyst of all mischief?"

"Father wanted me to learn responsibility because a King must..."

"Then why aren't you King now? Why is Ahkmenrah king? Why does he remain King? I too once thought your thoughts but being in this court is like playing in a dangerous game. I've played this game for many years. Do not take me a fool."

Kahmunrah stood up, behind his icy expression he hid a fire of rage and indignation. How could Khufu suspect Ahk?

"Thank you for your opinions Khufu." He said stiffly. "But I assure you I know my brother's heart more than most. He is not one to cheat."

With that he stormed out of the room.

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Ammon jumped over the fence where he knew Tchanun would be tending to his cattle. Apparently being a minister didn't help you escape daily chores from your mother.

He stood for a while watching Tchanun whistle softly walking carelessly amongst the cattle, his skin glistening in the sun. He looked so different from the boy who had lost his voice. He almost seemed at peace. Though Ammon knew that was far from true. He waited till Tchanun had walked close by. Then he pulled Tchanun to him by the hem of his kilt.

Tchanun didn't resist for he knew just by the way his kilt was being tugged that it was Ammon. He felt himself turn looking straight into almost black eyes, he felt his skin touch that of his lover's and melted under the warmth. Ammon placed his lips against his cheeks, then his lips, then lower and lower down his jaw and neck savouring the sensuality of the moment.

"I missed you." Ammon whispered.

Tchanun laughed "It has only been a day."

Ammon replied by running his hands across his collarbone. Tchanun felt a tingle of joy. It was like tasting a forbidden fruit.

"Have I told you how much I missed this." Asked Ammon.

"I'm not so sure."

He went lower to his chest. Another bite of the forbidden fruit. 

"How about this?"

"Maybe."

He went lower to his stomach. Yet another bite.

"And this?"

"I don't recall."

Ammon went lower yet, his hand slipping through the kilt. Gods help them if anyone saw.

"What of this?"

Tchanun grinned. He could feel the blood rise and his heart beat quicken. 

"Now you're talking."

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Chapter 71 up and running. Tell me what you think. Love you all! 😘