The Garden Of Egypt

Ch. 4

Omari glared at her from the ground.

"What's stopping you from killing me right now?"

Ebony glanced towards the door and whistled. Lotus came in with Azizi and they took Asim away. She sat down and tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"I need a distraction to keep the rebels busy. I cannot keep Asim safe if all their attention is on me."

"You were supposed to kill him."

Ebony folded my hands on the table.

"Yes. Keep this in mind, I have the antidote. You are poisoned. Keep them distracted long enough for me to get him safe, and then I'll give you the antidote."

Omari sighed, his face grim. "Fine. How do I know I can trust you?"

"I give my word as the queen." Ebony straightened. "Good luck, High Priest. I pray that Horus will give you courage." With that she slipped away and hurried to meet with Azizi down in the hidden cell. Lotus was working her magic, seeing if she could break Asim's curse. Ebony joined them and it made her heart ache to see Asim tied in a chair like that.

"Your majesty. I broke the curse that was upon him, but he'll need time to recover, both mentally and physically. Omari suppressed his memories of you and his past, twisting everything."

Ebony knelt down, gently cupping Asim's cheek. His eyes were closed and his head hung low. With her other hand, she smoothed back his black curls. What a relief. She would have him back. She looked up at Lotus.

"Are the ropes necessary?"

She shifted uncomfortably and glanced at Azizi.

"Just in case he decides to be difficult."

Asim leaned into Ebony's hand, making her look back at his face, meeting his open golden eyes.

"I won't be difficult." His eyes became sorrowful. "Ebony... Can you ever forgive me? Forgive what I've done?"

She gave him a sweet smile.

"There's nothing to forgive. Omari was controlling you. I'm afraid there are...others who won't see what I saw."

Asim huffed softly, a scornful smile on his lips.

"After what I've done? There's no way they would believe me." His voice softened. "It's a miracle you do."

Azizi scoffed.

"We don't have enough time for lovey dovey stuff. We have to get His majesty out before Horus or anyone else finds him."

Ebony slipped out a small dagger and began cutting the ropes binding Asim to the chair. She helped him stand and he rubbed his sore wrists.

"Thank you, my love."

Ebony kissed him softly before gently stepping back.

"I can hide you in my maze. I can take you there. We need to hurry!" Placing a cloak over Asim, they all ran through the dungeon and hurriedly sneaked outside near the garden. Asim was amazed to see how much it had grown. Ebony pulled him through the maze, changing the path behind them as they went. They had just reached the center when they heard explosions coming from the castle. The attack had begun. Ebony urged the others to go. Asim glanced back and stopped when he saw she wasn't coming.

"Let's go, my love."

"I'm keeping them distracted, my king. I need you to go ahead."

"I can't let you do this alone."

Ebony cupped his cheek and stroked her thumb along his jawline. "You can and you will. It is my duty to protect you and I shall. Run along now, I'll be right behind you."

Asim took her hand and kissed it. "Promise me."

"I promise. Now go!"

They parted with a sweet kiss and he hurried down the path to freedom. She covered their progress and went to her MoonShine blossoms and destroyed them. That's when Horus arrived.

"Your majesty! Are you alright?"

Ebony looked up, dirt and grime covering her head to toe.

"Yes...I am alright. It's just..."

Horus came closer, and she noticed he had a scabbard hastily tucked through his belt, a hilt sticking up. He was armed.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Ebony shook her head, determined to keep Asim safe.

"No. It's just my maid...she took him. She took him..."

Horus gritted his teeth and grimaced.

"It's okay. We'll track them down. We have the High Priest imprisoned and the castle is ours. I'll be crowned in the morning. However, we're missing a queen. Will you take that place? I shall treat you like the queen you are."

Ebony smiled and shook her head.

"That is a great honor, but I will have to refuse."

"Ah, forgive me. Why are you refusing?"

Ebony felt her power flex and grow, the far reaches of her maze disappearing.

"I must decline, Horus because I...wish to live my life as I wish. I have served White Sands well and I wish to find a new purpose."

Horus watched her face. It was schooled into a perfect mask of indifference.

"I understand. Will you stay and care for your garden??"

Ebony nodded and the maze walls crumbled and regrew around them. Horus glanced at her in alarm, only to see she was indifferent.

"The heat was finally too much for it. I will depart now, fare thee well, Horus." She began walking deeper into her new maze. Horus grabbed her arm and pulled her close, kissing her. Ebony put up a struggle, fiercely pushing him back. She rubbed her lips and backed away. Horus gazed at her in pure admiration.

"Please, be my queen! You are magnificent, beautiful and brilliant. This kingdom needs you!"

"I told you no! Let me be!"

Ebony hurried away, without once looking back. She searched for her father and when she found him, whispered her farewells.

"I'm staying in the garden with Asim. We're going to build our life anew"

Ammon held his daughter's tiny hand, not wanting to let go. He hadn't seen her in nearly a decade, and he longed to spend more time with her. He merely smiled and hugged her tightly, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"Go. Find him. I will wait for as long as you need, My MoonShine." Ebony smiled and kissed him on the forehead and he watched as she jogged into the maze, fog cresting the entrance. The wind picked up and Horus joined Ammon.

"You're not going to stop her?"

"How could I, when she would slip through our fingers?"

Horus unsheathed his sword, ready to cut her down if the need arose. His hand shook. Ebony stood in the entrance, the wind swirling the sand around her. Her gown and shawl rippled violently, as did her hair. Horus changed his mind and sheathed his sword, stepping closer. Ammon stopped him, holding his arm out. He knew his daughter better than anyone and kept his agenda hidden better than anyone. He knew what she was planning and fully supported it.

"Wait!" Horus froze. They watched as Ebony closed her eyes and clench her fists. "Gods of Egypt, I was afraid of this! She's going to–" Her Father never got to finish. With sudden explosion, thick green vines sprung from the ground heading straight for them. Horus tackled him and a vine hit just where he had been standing. When they scrambled to their feet, she was gone.