Ankh and Thea spent the following day with Lapis, pouring over various rolls of parchment. They scrutinized every angle, called out every suspect. Then, a list was drawn up of viable suspects. By the time the list was made, a deep night had fallen, and they were working by candlelight. 

Thea yawned, unable to suppress it any more. Lapis yawned shortly thereafter, and then broke into a laugh. 

"I think we should call it a night," Lapis said once he was done yawning. 

"Agreed," Ankh said, rubbing his eye. He hadn't worn any sort of make up today, nor his wig. Thea noted he also hadn't shaved, a six-o'clock shadow on his face and his natural hairline becoming visible. 

The trio stood. Lapis bowed to Thea and Ankh. "Well, I bid you both a good night."

"Goodnight," Thea replied from her seat.

Ankh was on his feet too, and also bowed. "We shall reconvene in the morning."

Ankh and Thea watched the vizier leave. One of the guards bowed to Lapis, and followed him out--no one close to Ankh traveled without armed escort anymore. Ankh dismissed the second guard. This guard hesitated but, fearful of disobeying the Pharaoh, bowed deeply and left. 

As soon as the door was shut, Ankh went to Thea, took both her hands, got her to her feet, and kissed her. Thea felt herself flush immediately, a shiver running through her body. It was nice; it was very nice. She squeaked when Ankh paused only a moment to kiss along the side of her neck. By the time he had reached her collar bone, she was very aroused.

"Oh God," she muttered, closing her eyes, "don't stop."

He didn't, moving aside the cloth of her shirt. Thea's breath hitched and she shivered again, feeling his lips on her breast. She squeezed him tightly a moment, but then her eyes snapped open.

"Wait, stop--stop."

Ankh righted himself, looking at her with lovingly patience. "I'm sorry--have I made a misstep or other transgression?"

 "No," she said, voice panting.

Ankh looked confused. "Have you never laid with someone before?"

Thea felt herself explode into a blush. "No, it's not that."

"Then what is it, dear Thea? Please, tell me so I can make you comfortable."

A million thoughts tumbled through Thea's head. There was something there, something she wanted desperately to say that was on the tip of her tongue, but she wouldn't allow it. She wouldn't allow herself the pain of vulnerability.  

"I have strong feelings for you, Ankh, I do," she told him desperately. 

Ankh smiled.

"But..."

His smile wavered. 

Thea wrapped her arms around herself and turned away from Ankh. She walked away from him a few steps, running her hands up and down her own arms. She closed her eyes and sighed sadly, one hand coming to rest on her shoulder. When she spoke, she turned her head slightly. "I fear what I feel is infatuation. Nothing more, nothing less."

For a while Ankh was quiet, and Thea felt near tears. She knew his soul already. She knew if she said no, he would respect that. Thea knew in the deepest recesses of her heart that he was a good man, someone that knew no meant no. Thea knew he would never abuse his power and force himself on her. 

Arms wrapped around her, and she startled. Ankh was behind her. He kissed her cheek, and then rested his chin on her shoulders. With his other hand, he covered her own that was on her shoulder. He swayed them gently as he spoke.

"Dearest Thea..." Ankh said quietly into her ear. "I think I might love you. It might be infatuation, too. I respect your mind, I respect your body. In my mind, infatuation and love are the same. One simply lasts longer than the other. I want to express my love to you, physically, regardless if my heart will be in love with you forever or just for a fleeting amount of time. But Thea."

He stood and gently turned her around. She looked up at him. "My heart is in love with you right now, and that's all that matters. We can wait."

But they didn't wait. With those words, Thea allowed herself to open up to a man, something she hadn't done since her fiance had left her at the alter years ago. She allowed herself to feel love with abandon, even though it might burn her in the end. Ankh had spoken the words she had feared enough to not let them leave her lips, had been brave enough to admit he loved her in spite of the short amount of time they had known each other.

And as they made love, a thought occurred to Thea, something she had never surmised with her long lost fiance. Love is love. Love is love. Thea would decide if this was perverse and hedonistic later. Tonight, Thea allowed herself to love without fearing the repercussions. For once in her life, Thea did something spontaneous. 

For once, Thea felt alive.

~

Thea went to bed happy. Even as the guard--the reminder that her life was in danger--lead her down the hallway with a torch, Thea didn't care. For once in her life, she felt like everything had aligned. She knew that wasn't necessarily fair to her ex. He had given her everything, but everything was the problem. She had felt stiffed, smothered, unable to live life for herself. He had wanted to marry her because he loved her; Thea wanted to marry him because it was safe. It was practical. 

She had been crushed at the alter. Afterward, Thea had made a high wall around her heart, not allowing a man between her legs since. The curator had feared pleasure would turn into love. She had been a scorned love, vowing to herself to never love again. And she hadn't--until now.

By the time they reached her quarters, Thea was humming a soft tune to herself. With a smile and a bow, she bid the guard good night. She then shut the door behind himself, knowing he was going to stand guard the entire night.

Thea brushed her hair and took a bath. Afterwards, she changed back into her night gown. Some perfume had been left, and she dabbed some on her wrists, taking a moment simply to enjoy the heavenly smell. Feeling happier than she had in a very long while, Thea easily drifted off into sleep.

Thea wasn't sure how long she had slept for. When she opened her eyes, it was still dark out. Besides opening her eyes, she didn't dare move. As tears welled in her eyes, and dripped down her nose and face, she wanted to scream--but she didn't. Instead her lip quivered and she prayed to Aqen for help. She had never prayed so hard for anything in her entire life.

A whimper escaped Thea's lips as a snake slithered along the side of her face, it's tongue darting into her ear.