"Is there somewhere we can talk?" Thea asked Ankh, glancing at the guards. "In private?"

Ankh frowned deeply. "Yes, of course..." He snapped his fingers and the two guards looked at him, surprised.

"But, my King--"

"I will be fine," Ankh tersely assured the guard who had spoken. They both bowed deeply and hurried out of the room. "Thea, what's going on?"

"My job in my reality is to piece together vases from your tomb."

Ankh visibly paled.

"In the future, you're an unknown Pharaoh. Your tomb has just been unearthed. It was pretty much in tact, except for three vases. The vases are a tribute to you, your life, and your death."

"I...die?"

Thea bit her lip a moment, and tried to adjust her glasses that weren't there. To save her fumble, she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yes--you're murdered."

Ankh sat back down in his throne heavily. Thea knelt before him, putting her hands on top of his own. She smiled at him. "But Ankh! The vases have started to change!"

The King furrowed his brow. "Change? How?"

"I...I'm not sure how, or why." Thea squeezed his hands excitedly. "But there's reference to what happened--with our meal and the man being murdered. It wasn't there before."

Ankh looked deeply disturbed. 

"It appeared in front of my very eyes. It wasn't there, and then it was. And I know I'm not crazy--my co-worker Ahmed confirmed it."

Ankh's eyed narrowed. "Co-worker? A man?"

"Yes," Thea replied. "He helped me put the vases together, and he was actually the one that pointed out to me that the images had changed."

"Did he tamper with it?" Ankh questioned, rubbing his fingertips along his lips.

"That's what I thought, too, but he seemed as bewildered as I was! Plus there was a part of my dream, what's happening here, that he didn't know, and it was already painted on it."

Ankh rose to his feet and began to pace. It was awhile before he spoke. He stopped, turning to Thea. "This is all very...Strange."

Thea got up. "I know."

Ankh came to stand directly in front of Thea. He viewed her seriously, eyes outlined in kohl and burning. "May I admit something to you, Thea?"

"Of course."

Ankh dropped his eyes, looking ashamed. "I am not...a religious man."

Thea tilted her head to the side. "I don't follow. The priests blessed you--"

Ankh nodded repeatedly, cutting her off. "They did. And I worship our patron God, Aqen. I go to the weekly rituals, I pray to him, I talk to him. But in here?" Ankh pressed his hand to his chest that was bare today "In here I feel nothing."

Face now burning in deep humiliation, Ankh turned his back to Thea. He rose his head high as he spoke, Thea staring at his taught and defined back. "I feel a fraud, Thea. I don't believe in the Gods. I don't belief in the priests and their blessings. I don't believe in the afterlife, the underworld--none of it."

Ankh turned back around. Thea's heart broke at seeing Ankh's eyes which held tears unfallen. "How can one simple man be a God? I don't believe that Pharaohs are Gods incarnate." 

His voice began to shake, and Thea had to fight the urge to go to him and hug him.

"I have brother's and sisters, yet I was chosen. How can I, a flawed mortal man, be in my position?" Ankh scowled, looking down at his large upturned palm. "I am a King, I am a Pharaoh, I am a God. But it all just seems so wrong to me. I am but a mortal with blood coursing through my veins." Ankh closed his eyes, balling his hand into a fist. "There is nothing special about me, Thea."

Thea took large strides. She tenderly put her hand on his fist. Ankh opened his eyes, stubbornly not allowing the tears that were so visible to fall. He puckered his lips, nostrils flaring.

"Ankh...Oh, Ankh. But there is. Whatever is happening with me, with us, with the vases--it's all got to mean something."

Ankh's Adam apple bobbed up and down.

"I don't know what, or why, or who's behind it, but...Please don't put yourself down like that. It breaks my heart."

"I have thirteen brothers and sisters," Ankh lamented, his voice breaking. "Yet I am Pharaoh. Why? Why me?"

Thea now cupped Ankh's face with her hands, speaking in earnest. "You are loved, Ankh. The vases depict a kind ruler, a fair ruler. You were--are are--loved by all."

Ankh tisked bitterly and looked away, swiping his thumb along his right eye. "If I am so loved, then why am I being taunted? Why am I inevitably murdered?"   

Thea frowned, stroking his cheeks with her thumbs. "I don't know, but please don't despair. We'll get to the bottom of this, and I'll save you."

Ankh snorted. Even so he looked at her, eyes now shimmering in hope. "You will?"

"Yes," Thea said, conviction making her voice thick. "I will. A promise."

Ankh chuckled bitterly and shook his head. "Do not make promises that might be left unfulfilled, Thea."

"I'm going to save you," Thea said strictly, staring into the King's eyes. "I'm going to save you or die trying."

"Those are noble words," Ankh admired, now taking her hands that held his face into his own, rubbing his thumbs along the backs of her hands. "I do not want you to endanger yourself."

Thea laughed lightly and removed her hands. "Well, I don't really seem to have a say in the matter, do I, Ankh? Every time I close my eyes I end up here."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Ankh said, sounding amused.

"I'm trying to solve a murder mystery before it happens--not exactly what I'd call an ideal vacation," Thea replied with a laugh, crinkling her nose.

Ankh joined in her laughter. Thea felt revealed. It was nice seeing him smile, be merry. Tears and sadness didn't suit him. Even so, once the laughter died down, Ankh viewed Thea seriously once again. It struck Thea then how handsome he was, with his striking and yet somewhat boyish features. 

"Thea," Ankh said quietly. "I have never spoken out loud my...wavering faith with anyone. Can i trust you to keep that between you and I? It is extremely blasphemous." 

Thea decided to not resist the urge any longer--Thea hugged Ankh tightly. It was just a moment, but even in that moment Thea could feel Ankh gratefully relax in her arms. She pulled away, grinning at him. "Of course, Ankh. I wouldn't dream of breaking your trust."

He smiled, arms still wrapped around her waist. "Thank you, Thea."

The smile slipped from Thea's face. She suddenly got the uncanny feeling she was being watched. Confused, she looked around the empty chamber.

"What?"

Thea looked back at Ankh, her brow furrowed. "I just...feel like..."

Ankh rose his eyebrow. "Yes?"

Thea shook her head. "I just got the feeling we were being watched."

"Guards!"

Thea touched his forearm. "No...it's not a bad feeling..."

The guards entered. Ankh looked at Thea quizzically. After sweeping her eyes around the room a final time, Thea shook her head and smiled. "Never mind."

"Are you sure?" Ankh asked anxiously.

"Yes, I'm sure it was nothing."

And even though Thea thought she should be on edge, she wasn't. The presence she felt was oddly familiar. It was was warm and welcoming. Whatever, or whomever, was watching, meant no harm.