The Pharaoh's Concubine (Completed)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Why is there a snake skin on the prince's bedroom floor?! I need to go find him and make sure that he's okay! I should look for him at the watch tower where I spent time with him last night.

I race to the tower, and I'm relieved when I see a silhouette standing there. But as I approach, I realize it's not Prince Userma.

"Miss Nefari? I wasn't expecting to see you up here." Tiola said to me widen eyes.

"I wasn't expecting to see you up here either, Tiola." I said to her.

What should I ask her?

"Tiola, what are you doing up here? It's the middle of the night." I asked to her.

Tiola looks away in embarrassment. "I'm not sure if I should tell you, Miss. It's foolish, really."

I approach Tiola and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Tiola. You know you can tell me anything, right?" I said to her.

A cute smile tugs at one corner of Tiola's mouth. "His name is Kamon. He's the stable boy here at the palace. I've barely said two words to him but... I can't stop thinking about him." 

A wave of affection for Tiola takes me over. "You have a crush on the stable boy?" I asked to her.

"Crush? Oh no, Miss! I don't wish to crush him at all! I wish to... spend more time with him." Tiola said to me.

I let out a hushed chuckle. "And I'm sure sure one day you will. Not that I'm any kind of expert but... If you need any advice on navigating the world of dating, just let me know, okay?" I said to Tiola.

Tiola hugs me tightly. "Thank you, Miss! How are things between you and the prince now that he's married to Nefertari?" Tiola asked to me.

"Well... I'm not so sure. Maybe if I find him, I'll be able to find out." I said to her.

"If you're looking for him, he's down at the prince palace fountains. It seems he couldn't sleep either. Look, you can see him down there." Tiola said to me as she points over the tower.

I lean over the tower balcony and see Prince Userma sitting on the rim of one of the fountains, staring into space. A feeling of relief that he's okay washes over me.

"Thanks Tiola. I'm going to go speak with him." I said to Tiola.

****

As soon as I reach the fountains, I see Prince Userma get up from where he was sitting on the rim.

"Nefari? How did you know I was down here?" Prince Userma asked to me with a widen eyes.

"Tiola showed me." I said to him.

"Tiola? So that's three of us who cannot sleep tonight." Prince Userma said as he goes quiet, and I can see that his eyes are red raw with emotion.

"What's the matter, My Prince?" I asked to him.

"When we were a the dining table earlier today, it... It hit me that you will not be my concubine forever. One day you are going to return to your own kingdom." 

He's really struggling with this. What should I do? 

"My prince, it won't be anytime soon. Even if I wanted to return right now... I couldn't." I said in a sad tone.

"I... do not understand. What is stopping you from stealing one of the palace horses and riding back to your kingdom tomorrow morning?" Prince Userma asked to me.

"Aside from my feelings for you, I can't return to my kingdom because..." I hesitate, unsure what to say.

Should I tell Prince Userma about the stone?