"We're not—what?"

Lapis gently but firmly took Thea by arm.

"Come, Thea, we're almost back to the palace. Please just keep walking."

"Was Ankh," Thea stuttered in disbelief, "did Ankh—was it—"

"His idea?" Lapis questioned as they hurried up the steps, their guard detail still surrounding them. "No, that would be me, so do not be too mad with him."

Thea pulled her arm out of his grasp and glared.

"However, he did approve the idea."

"And what if something happened?"

Lapis halted, gently pressing on her shoulder to make her stop. "Thea, dear."

"Don't call me that."

Lapis frowned deeply and removed his hand from Thea. He looked hurt, but it was merely a passing look, one that he quickly masked. A pane of guilt washed over Thea, but then her anger took hold again. Passively, Lapis pressed his hands together and explained himself.

"I have been shot and mortally wounded. You have been shot and had a highly poisonous serpent placed where you sleep. Are we really safe anywhere, Thea?"

"You could have warned me."

Lapis outright laughed at her; it was cruel. "Would you have walked had you known?"

Thea wasn't going to answer that. Instead she furiously pursed her lips, and she could feel her nostrils flaring. For just the briefest moment, Lapis looked hurt once more, but then it was gone. Instead he simply inclined his bald head to her, and shut his golden-shadowed eyes.

"Good evening, Thea. I hope you enjoyed the pankration." Lapis opened his eyes and looked at her. "May the God's never weep tears of sorrow for you."

Lapis walked off, half of the guard regime breaking off to follow. The rest stayed with Thea. After watching Lapis' form grow smaller before finally disappearing around a corner, Thea sighed heavily. She had never heard that saying before, so she didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad one. It could be taken either way.

"Lady Thea," one of the guards said, pulling her out of her worry. "Lord Ankh has requested you meet him in the royal chambers."

Still feeling raw over the past twenty minutes, Thea rose a eyebrow testily. "Well now, we mustn't disobey The Pharaoh, hmm?"

The guards had obviously heard Thea and Lapis' conversation. She didn't miss a few exchanged looks between them. Suppressing a growl, she began to walk off towards the chamber, and the guards dutifully followed.

Thea was brought in through the main entrance to the hall. As she entered, so did Ankh through a door to the left near the back of the chamber. He was adjusting his large gold cuffs, and straightening his wind-blown wig beneath his tall pschent of red and white. He was flanked by four guards, compared to Thea's six.

Ankh lifted his head and noticed her when she was halfway to him. The pharaoh smiled broadly, changing his trajectory to meet her.

"Ah, Thea! I was hoping you were here!"

"Don't 'ah, Thea' me, like you're so innocent!"

Ankh abruptly stopped walking as Thea continued to stalk forward. The guards, noticing her upset, took on a defensive stance, long pole arm's at the ready. Ankh merely blinked, a look of confusion etched on his face.

"You used us!" Thea raged, pointing at him, other hand fisted against her hip. The two foremost guards created an 'x' in front of Ankh with their pole arms.

Briefly glaring at his two guards, Ankh moved the weapons away. Rather reluctantly they moved into a more relaxed stance, eyes honed in on Thea. Thea glared at them too before looking back to her lover.

"How could you?" she accused.

"Thea, please—"

"What if something happened? I'm your lover and Lapis is your best friend!"

Looking slightly embarrassed, Ankh held out a placating hand. "Thea, it wasn't my idea—"

"I know," spat Thea, "it was Lapis! And I am appalled he would even suggest such a thing!"

A door on the right back wall opened. Ankh and the guards turned while Thea looked over the Pharaoh's shoulder. A steady stream of even more guards entered. In the middle was a man, dressed in a regal fashion with a highly lustrous wig, fanciful bright green nemes, bare chest glistening, and a long black schenti. On his feet were expensive looking golden sandals; Thea immediately noticed they looked Greek, not Egyptian. As the entourage got closer, Thea realized it wasn't a wig this man was wearing, but had long black hair weighted down slick with oils. He also wore a green sash across his chest, which, once again, cued Thea in on a Greek influence.

Thea glanced at Ankh. His expression was taught and twisted. The Pharaoh was barely holding back, nostrils flared and trembling slightly. The man seemed simply tickled, holding out his arms wide.

"My dearest Ankh," the man greeted, shit eating grin on his face.

For a long while Ankh said nothing. Thea shuffled back in apprehension. Her lover's eyes were wild, his jaw clenching and unclenching. Yet still the strange man stood, arms outstretched as though waiting for an embrace.

"How. Dare. You."

Somehow the man grinned wider. "Whatever do you mean?"

If possible, Thea was sure Ankh would have spit venom from his eyes. "You. You come here—"

The man held up his finger a moment, and then clasped his hands. The sneering grin was ever present. "By your invitation."

A muscle in Ankh's cheek twitched. "You dare. Come here. Into my court. Dressed like that?"

"Do you like it?" the man said utterly delighted. "I rather like it myself. The highest fashion from both my current, and original, home?"

For the only time, the smile slipped a moment at the words "original home". The vile loathing that appeared for just the briefest moment rivaled Ankh's, and Thea shuffled backwards again.

"I should kill you on the spot," Ankh growled.

"And ruin your impeccable reputation?" the unknown man downright giggled.

Ankh lunged forward and no one stopped him. He grabbed him, and the pair briefly grappled. Through their struggle they spoke.

"You killed my mother!"

"Utterly unproven!"

"You're a scoundrel!"

"Unfounded!"

"I should have killed you when I had the chance!"

Thea gasped. "Ankh!"

But neither paid attention. "Then go ahead! Pierce my beating heart within my chest! I know you have a dagger—do it!"

Still they grappled.

"Ah, but you can't," the man taunted, and the pair stopped moving, breadth between them. "You've always been weak."

Ankh shoved the man away, who laughed. The king drew himself up to his full height. Ankh was a good head taller than the older man; the King broadened his shoulders, making himself appear even larger. A triumphant look smeared onto Ankh's face.

"Ah, dearest uncle, if I am so weak then why is it I who wears the hat of Kings and was gifted the sekhem scepter?"