THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 41

"That's enough Smenkhhare," Thutmose said after taking away the wine cup from Smenkhhare."It's late."
"Leave......me Thutmose. Bri...ng back my wi...ne," he slurred as he tried to get hold of the wine.
" No. I'll take you to your room. Come here," he said as he lifted Smenkhhare's arm over his shoulder.
"Just let me be."
"If you have a problem just talk to me."
"No Thutmose....y...you don't know....what I...f..fe...feel h.here," he said as he pointed to his chest.
" Is it Meritaten ?"
" Oh don't men...tion that wo... woman's name."
" Let's go."
" I'm not done yet."
"I don't care."
Thutmose pulled Smenkhhare to stand up and they began to walk. Just then, they bumped into Baka.
"Is he alright ?" he asked.
"He's fine. He's just drunk."
"Oh."
"What are you looking at Baka ?" Smenkhhare shouted. He had hated Baka since the day his father compared them when Baka was a better archer than he was. There was nothing in the world that Smenkhhare hated like getting compared to anyone.
"Nothing my lord," he answered knowing very well that Smenkhhare wasn't his biggest fan. "Excuse me," he said and left after a quick bow.
Thutmose bore the weight of the drunk man on his shoulders and they came face to face with Astrid and Seti who had just returned.
" What's wrong with him ?" Seti asked and Astrid froze when Smenkhhare looked up to her.
" He just drank a lot. I need to take him to his room."
" Smenkhhare, I thought that you had stopped this," Seti said with disappointment clear in his voice.
" Well what can I do Seti if I can't have what I want ?" he said before looking at Astrid again.
" You need to get yourself together. This isn't you. I am disappointed," Seti said." Let's go Astrid."
He took her hand in his and led her away to their room.
" I am so disappointed," Smenkhhare mimicked Seti and rolled his eyes.
" Don't be rude. He has a point. You need to get yourself together."
" Not you too Thutmose. I don't need to hear this from you as well. Let me go," he said as he got away from Thutmose." I'm going to my chambers. Enjoy your night Thutmose."
He staggered all the way to his chambers and Thutmose just shook his head before leaving for his own.
Smenkhhare pushed the doors open startling Meritaten who was alone waiting for his return.
"Where were you Smenkhhare ?" she said as she rose up.
"Where else woman ? Drinking."
"Why do you keep drinking ? If this keeps up, you will lose your chance of inheriting the throne. You need to earn favour with the Pharaoh so you can succeed him."
"I'm not having that talk with you again. I'm sick of hearing it," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"I am really worried about you Smenkhhare. Stop drinking," she said as she knelt before him placing her hands on his thighs.
All his mind could think of was Astrid and how he enjoyed the brief kiss even though it was forced. Her small frame felt just right trapped between his body. His fingers itched to run through her hair that smelled so good. He had to get more of her and he found himself smiling.
"Smenkhhare, what's wrong ? Why are you smiling ?"
He did not hear her and began to giggle. Oh how much he would treasure that memory with Astrid no matter what. He looked at the woman before him and pulled her onto his body when he lay back on the bed. He turned and lay her gently on the bed.
Meritaten was now breathing fast. "What had gotten into Smenkhhare ?" she thought to herself.
He stroked her head as he traced his fingers on her face.
"I'll make you mine tonight," he whispered  before kissing her with a fiery passion.

Back in Astrid and Seti's room, the two lay on the bed looking at the ceiling together.
"I hope you enjoyed yourself today," Seti said after placing his hand on Astrid's hand.
"I did Seti," she answered with a smile.
"What's on your mind ? You seem to be lost in thought. Is everything alright ?"
"Yes. Everything is fine."
"If something bothers you, I'm here for you."
"Thank you," she said as she lay on his chest.
"It's time to sleep. I'm exhausted."
"Do enjoy your sleep."
"You too Astrid."
He kissed her and lifted the sheets to cover them before getting lost in slumber as soon as he had closed his eyes.
Astrid stayed awake remembering how their afternoon went. Seti had shown her the entire city and they went to the river. A tent was set up for them as they walked towards the river. He got into the water and he never let go of her hand when she got in to join him. He stared at her for a while.
"Why are you looking at me like that ?"
"It's your hair."
"What about it ?"
"I've seen very few women with long hair like that. The Egyptian women keep theirs very short so I find yours lovely. It's beautiful on you making you unique."
" Thank you," she said with a blush.
He moved his hand to her hair that was wet and clinging onto her skin.
"I love you Astrid," he said as he looked at her brown eyes.
"I love you too."
That was the first time they had told each other those words.
"It's amazing to hear those words coming from you."
"I love those words from you as well Seti. It's the first time we've said them to each other."
He moved close to her and held her in his arms.
"I love you Astrid," he repeated.
"I love you too Seti."
The evening went by fast after they had a swim and a meal afterwards.
That was the life she so wanted to have and she would fight for it despite the many challenges she would face including Smenkhhare. Forgetting what he had done to her would be the best idea so she would have peace of mind.
How was her family back in Alkion ? Were they happy ? Was the kingdom safe ?
Shutting her mind from all those questions and thoughts, she also drifted off into slumber.