Unfinished Gems

Sands of Time - 4

Chapter 4

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Atem was in a very good mood. He had a special surprise for his wife, particularly since her birthday was coming up. She had openly admitted she hadn't really celebrated it for most of her life because her relatives were less than pleasant towards her, and he was eager to make it special.

Particularly after she had coyly told him something that had everyone in a particularly festive mood.

Avatre was pregnant with their first child. While she couldn't tell the gender yet, his healers and Isis had confirmed she was indeed with child. Likely after a particularly 'fun' evening in which Atem discovered the source of why the bandits all knew of his wife as the 'she-demon'.

The sight of his lovely wife blowing armed men up with her magic was particularly...exciting.

Which was why Atem was having the palace artisans creating something particularly special for his wife. A crown, one that was properly fitting for the 'Phoenix Queen', as everyone was calling her now.

Anyone who dared to say she was 'unsuitable' for such a powerful post was silenced after that prank she played on the palace, revealing her Animagus form. Only someone truly blessed by the gods of magic could take an immortal and sacred beast as their spirit animal.

Set might complain a bit about the price tag, but he could admit that at least his king knew how to spoil his wife...and that the gift in question was entirely appropriate.

A royal should look...well, royal. Avatre's taste ran a bit more simpler than most queens which made catering to her whims a bit easier on the budget, but also meant she would come up as 'lesser' when compared to the more gaudy women who ran the noble circles.

Which was why Atem was having a special and very distinctive royal crown made in honor of his beloved wife.

It was stylized phoenix crown based off Avatre's animal form. She had been all too happy to pose for the royal painters so that they might recreate it on her bedroom walls, unaware that Atem had suggested it with an ulterior purpose.

The craftsmen, eager to complete such a request from the Pharoah himself, were pouring all their skills and effort into the task.

It was almost complete, which he was rather happy for. He had inspected the crown itself, along with the earrings and necklace that would go with it.

Atem raced home to his wife. With her pregnancy confirmed, she had agreed to limit her 'adventures' with the bandits until their child was born.

She had chuckled ominously and joked that she had only agreed so the fools could build their numbers back up long enough for her to 'get back in shape' magically.

A few weeks later, Atem eagerly awaited for his wife to arrive. The whole city was celebrating not only the fact that they had a future heir on the way, but also the fact that their king's wife was turning a year older.

It didn't hurt that Avatre had taken it upon herself to ensure that all the healers in the capital were each given copies of the knowledge she possessed and were instructed to share it as much as possible with anyone who showed talent. The number of deaths in Egypt had gone down significantly.

Avatre turned to face him, a slight bump on her stomach showing her pregnant state.

"So what exactly have you been sneakily working on behind my back, my love?"

Atem warms at the loving term of endearment. He couldn't believe he had been so lucky to find such a wonderful wife.

He calmly moves aside to allow the palace slaves to bring in the boxes. Avatre's stunned delight when they opened it was perfect.