Stone King

Chapter Two

Silence.
I couldn't speak I couldn't even move from where I was standing. He just stared at me but he didn't move himself he was allowing me to process what he just said. My mind began racing. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. "Wait n-no no no." I shook my head repeating and he leaned forward while I took a step back. "Do not get near me this is not supposed to be real you were stone now you're a random naked man in my apartment saying I'm in danger and that your over two thousand years old?" He had a pained expression "I apologize I didn't want this to happen to anyone but seems like our paths have crossed." I looked at him dumbfounded. "What are you even saying..wait don't answer that let's go back to how my life is in danger?" I began to raise my voice and he took a step back. He sat down on my couch making it look small his jaw clenched. "The one who casted a spell on me will sense I am no longer imprisoned so he will send his servants after us." I shook my head "Nope! There is no us." He clenched his jaw "Elise I know this sounds difficult but it's true and I have to protect you." I shook my head again stubbornly. "Listen I'll let you sleep on my couch for tonight but you need to leave tomorrow early morning I can give you some cash and some local shelters but you can't stay here." He had a stoic expression but his eyes had a storm brewing within them. He nodded "Very well." I gave him an extra pillow and blankets and then went to bed.

I barely slept the night I kept my door locked but kept staring at it thinking he would barge through or something else he said curse and magic. I know what I saw and it wasn't something I was going to deny I know he was stone and turned to a real life man. Every detail I inspected on the statue the muscles and veins exposed all was real. I can't deny the fact that he was beautiful but nope not going there.

I look over to my clock and it's 6:45 am. I groaned as I felt my headache coming back with a vengeance. I swung my legs to the side and had to mentally push myself to walk out the door. I hesitated and looked in my side mirror I was wearing no pants just an oversized shirt and my hair in a messy bun. I looked like a mess something I rarely cared about since I live home alone but I practically had a god of a man sleeping on my couch. I searched for pants quickly and tipped toed out. I mentally prayed he wasn't going to be there that maybe it was just a dream but unfortunately there he was passed out on my couch laying on his side with his arms crossed still in the trench coat. I quickly tip toed to the bathroom did my business and grab some medicine to cure this stupid headache and tip toed back. I stopped once I heard him breath in and out heavily I was frozen in the middle of the living room watching him sleep. I couldn't help but stare at him he really was beautiful his dark brown curls laying perfectly above his eyebrows. I remembered his eyes they were honey brown closer to auburn made me think of a warm sunset. I immediately jumped back as his eyes flicked open. I held my hand to my heart "Geesh you could have killed me." I said catching my breath but I was more so embarrassed than scared. "You shouldn't creep up on a pharaoh." I raised an eyebrow "What's that supposed to mean?" He stood up and walked towards me I took a few steps back but with each stride he gave us no space. "Pharaohs are educated and also trained to kill." His voice was deep and made me tremble but wasn't sure if it was fear or desire. His eyes were glowing and the aura he was giving off was a bit intimidating. "Umm so you w-would have killed me?" I said gulping and he brought his strong hands by the side of my face "I would have if you were an enemy." I wanted to faint okay I was definitely turned on. But I shook my head and pushed him back "This is not ancient Egypt so there will be rules until I help you on your feet." He smirked. "Where the hell did this cocky personality come from he was just a confused statue guy last night." I thought as I felt a shift in his demeanor. I walked across the living room giving us space. "First rule no violating each others space I don't know what they did in your time but this time we are more civilized and women are respected." His eyebrow's furrowed "How insulting you would think I disrespect women." I rolled my eyes "Rule number two you stay in the living room do not go anywhere else unless you go to the bathroom which is over there." I pointed down the hall but he kept his eyes on me. I cleared my throat "Rule number three more so not a rule but you have to answer my questions." He nodded and sat down with his legs spread my eyes quickly averted "First let me get you some clothes. I ran to my room and looked in a box of Brett's stuff I was suppose to return to him. I pulled out a hoodie and sweat pants and grabbed a pair of athletic socks I had. I returned with clothes in hand and saw him petting my cat who usually hides when guests are around but here she was purring away. "Here are some clothes they should fit." He stood up and took off the trench coat and unwrapped the cloth around his waist I quickly turned around "You could have gone to the bathroom!" I yelled out and he chuckled "You could have left the room but here you are." My hands clenched by my side now he was getting annoying. He tapped my shoulder and I turned around the clothes fit him but they appeared to be tight fitting. I couldn't help but compare Brett and Caesarion. Brett was 6'1 and was very vain he worked out all the time that's where he also found the time to cheat on me, Caesarion was larger than Brett in height by 3 inches and in muscles his hands were big enough to wrap around my throat single handed. I cleared my throat and nodded. "Very well. Now my questions." I sat down on my barstools at my kitchen island a bit far across from him I needed to keep my distance. "First off what is this shift in personality you were a confused lost man last night and you're now different." He smirked "Being trapped in stone for thousands of years can cause the mind to let's say hard to catch up. So all my thoughts everything I've absorbed while being in stone took a bit to process." I raised my eyebrows "Ah so like a computer downloading data." He turned his head confused and I shook my head "Never mind. Second question why did you all of a sudden say I'm in trouble?" He sighed "When I was released I felt a tug on my soul it's still linked with the magician that cursed me and he's going to find us soon so if he finds me he finds you." I nodded and stood up "Well that's the reason why you should leave." He shook his head "It's not that simple Elise." My heart hammered. "What do you mean?" His eyes were stormy and seem to be battling with what to say next "You'll have to trust me." I scoffed "You are a random stone person how the hell can I trust you I don't trust anyone that I don't know." He stared at me and I felt uneasy but not by his stare more so inside I did feel like I needed to stay with him that I did trust him. "Why me?" I said almost in a whisper wanting to cry. "I'm sorry Elise I can't answer every question but I promise you I will protect you as long as your by my side." He stood up and walked over to me and wiped a tear that I didn't know slip down my left cheek. I was so overwhelmed. But something inside me was steering me in his path but my modern instinct wanted to scream and run away I wanted everything to be normal I was tired of being a punching bag for Brett I was tired of being the meek quiet best friend. I was tired of so much never been on my own and when I broke up with Brett I was finally feeling empowered and ready to take on the world and be social but then ancient man here ruined everything. "You're quiet." I sniffled "Of course I'm having a hard time processing all of this." He looked almost apologetic. He stepped back and sat down. "I haven't had time to process anything until today. My mother murdered, my brothers and sister taken away and I was beaten, tortured and lied to and then after all that I was entombed in stone." I saddened at the thought almost feeling guilty. "May I ask what exactly happened? From records historians translated that you were killed by Augustus or Caesar Octavian." His fists clenched. "What is found by modern man of the past will never speak true of what happened." He closed his eyes collecting himself before proceeding "A man appeared at our palace one day and stated he was the most powerful magician sent by Thoth and can grant any wish so my mother allowed him in and he showed us magic as said. He gave her potions to keep her beautiful and he gave her more knowledge and he did anything my mother commanded. As he did everything she asked he always did so with a smile and it always unsettled me. I've told my mother not to trust him but she always rubbed my cheek and assured me she was going to be okay." He took a breath "One day he told my mother that Octavian was going to show no mercy and come to take reign of Egypt and will kill us all. So my mother panicked and sent my siblings off but since I was the oldest the magician stated that I was to go with him since I was to be pharaoh and he will keep me safe. My gut instinct told me not to trust him but I was 17 at the time and went with him." He cleared his throat and it almost felt like the room got darker "It was all a trap, a lie! He placed me in a dungeon in an unknown location and he had tortured me for 6 years. I prayed to the gods, to Horus and he answered. He gave me his strength and half his powers. Once I got strength I planned my escape but it was if the magician knew this was to happen he was angry as he kept me alive for reasons he didn't say but he knew this second path about Horus coming to my aid. Since he couldn't kill me he cursed me." I was silent feeling sad and angry. "I'm so sorry." I said finally but all he did was nod. "Do you know the name of the magician?" I asked curious maybe I could find some information. "I'm forbidden to speak his name it's apart of the curse all I have is his face in my memories." I huffed feeling defeated as he felt. Even if I were to help him I don't know where to even start. My stomach started rumbling out loud which caused him to turn his attention to me. I looked at him sheepishly "Sorry, I'm hungry we should eat I know a spot right down the street we can grab a bite and then head here the less we stay out in public the better." He didn't argue which left me to run and slip into a pair of jeans and a hoodie. I let my honey brown curls out and slipped on a pair of big sunglasses to shield my eyes from the public from my hangover god only knows I probably look like a train wreck.

Once we got to the cafe down the street I ordered two steak and egg subs and a latte for myself. I was in a rush to head back to my apartment as I didn't want to be seen by anyone even though living in Boston was a crazy busy city. Once we entered in my apartment I gave him his sandwich. I watched him look at it curiously and then he went from one bite to larger bites. I giggled and he looked at me embarrassed. "My apologies never realized how hungry I was after being trapped. What was this delicious meal?" I smiled "It's steak and eggs I figured it you would like it. I usually go for something healthier but on my hangover days I eat this." He nodded "It was a delicious choice." He looked at my latte "What is that?" I opened the lid and brought it to his nose he leaned back but I nodded my head saying "It's called a latte it's espresso with steamed milk." He looked at it curiously and wrapped his hand around mine and leaned the cup towards his lips taking a sip. His eyes closed and he made a hum almost like a low groan. He lowered the cup his hand still over mine. He opened his eyes slowly staring deeply into mine and huskily said "That is delicious." I began chuckling lightly even though my mind was in a haze. He smirked "What's so funny?" I pointed to his upper lip "You have milk foam on the top of your lip." He let go of my hand and wiped his lips and like that our trance broke. I began unwrapping my sandwich as my stomach began to growl but was interrupted with my phone buzzing I forgot I left it behind. I wanted to ignore it but it constantly buzzed. Caesarion looked around "What is that buzzing?" I got annoyed not being able to take a bite. I went for my phone and looked to see I got 7 miss calls all within a minute from Sarah. "What the hell?" I was confused until she called again and I picked up "Finally you fucking picked up!" I huffed "Well I left my phone I've been busy.." she cut me off "Busy with what? Have you not watched the news?! They are saying there was a theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the FBI are involved they questioned me about you I think they are making you a suspect!" My heart began beating faster and I ran to the tv changing it to the local news in big letters BREAKING NEWS: ANOTHER THEFT AT THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM A PRICELESS STATUE STOLEN!
Internally I began to panic as my eyes widen and I looked at Caesarion he was looking at the TV too very seriously. "Elise are you listening to me?" I completely tuned her out as she spoke all I heard was FBI thinking I'm a suspect and the news drowning her out. Luckily on the news it didn't announce who they suspect or post a picture of me which I was thankful for because it would ruin me. "Elise what happened I thought you went home why are they suspecting you and they said two guards saw you and Brett is saying you were acting weird." With a mention of Brett's name my mind snapped and my blood began to boil. "Do not believe him and do not let him talk to the FBI about me." I was seething at this point. Brett was a vengeful person even if it cost a life he didn't care because no one was allowed to say no to him. "Woah Elise calm down!" I snapped "Listen I met a guy last night on my way out and went home with him and that's..." I stopped looking at my phone I thought to myself fuck they are listening "I have to go Sarah." I hung up and I smacked my forehead and immediately regretted it. Even if they were listening they know where I live! I wanted to pull my hair. My anxiety increased my paranoia. I should have acted normal but I was a terrible liar and on top of that I have a cursed king in my apartment who is saying danger is coming. I looked at him and he looked at me serious standing tall. "Caesarion we need to leave." He nodded "I know." I shook my head "No you don't know the trouble you caused me! The damn FBI thinks I stole a statue which is you and they are going to show up any minute we need to go!" I began hyperventilating he walked up to me and caught me as I fell he crossed my arms over my chest and held my back against his chest and began breathing deeply. His chest rose up and down making my body move which made me breathe in sync with him. I began to calm and looked down at his hands. My cheeks began to warm and my mind having a hazy cloud I almost felt drunk or was it exhaustion from last night to today? Whatever it was I was growing tired and being in Caesrion's arms made me feel oddly safe. "Calm Elise we will get through this. We have a journey ahead of us there's more I need to tell you." I groaned wanting him to shut up. "Please don't I just calmed down." He chuckled deeply and helped me up. I sighed "I know where we can go to stay low but it can only be for a day then we have to leave the country the problem is you don't have a passport but good thing is I know a guy that can help." He stood still just holding me and I pulled away he hesitated before letting me go but I quickly ignored it as I wanted to focus on getting the hell out of the city. I packed my bags and put my cat in a carrier I refuse to leave her behind. As soon as I looked to Caesarion I jumped as someone was knocking on my door.