The Pharaoh's Thief (AtemXFem!Reader)

Chapter 7

"Pardon me, I must have the wrong room." Atem steps back.
"No, you've the right one. The healer told me to put on something else, my other clothes were too heavy."
"Well then you certainly look --" he looks at you from head to toe, " -different."
"No clue if that was a compliment or an insult. Now I have two questions."
"May I come in?" he asks, pulling at his collar absently.
"Yeah." she turns, swaying her hips as she walks, "First, what did you do with my sword."
"It was take to our armory. We do not permit guests to have weapons inside the palace."
"Well then can I have it back?"
"Not until the healer says you are in high enough health."
"Or I can put him out of his misery and smoke his room with Oleander."
"I beg your pardon?" Atem looks at them confused, "What is this... Olly-ander?"
"It's a flower, common poison. makes a funny joke."
"And the joke is anothers death?" he scoffs, "Barbaric."
"You're the one who beheads thieves and stones criminals."
"You're correct there. What was your second question?"
"You were having something made for me?"
"A traditional garb yes. I had assumed you had nothing else to wear."
"That's kind of you, but unnecessary." she smiles, fidgeting with the wet tip of her braid. He steps closer to her and she looks him in the eyes, without her boots he is slightly taller than her.
"I do what I can for guests." he blinks slowly, matching her gaze again when he opens his eyes. She takes this time to look at the black ink under his eyes, the odd headpiece he wears, and the large gold sheets hanging from his ears.
"You're more adorned than a bride." she immediately places a hand over her lips, a small smirk showing through, "Pardon my manners."
"There are no manners to be pardoned." Atem matches her smirk.
"I've a question your royal pain." she tilts her head.
"A third? By all means ask it." he tilts the opposite direction.
"How is your swordsmanship?"
"Atrocious." he leans in, their faces inches apart.
"You had better hope it is as good as your courting. I challenge you immediately." she flickers her eyes to his lips and back to his eyes.
"We'll have to see then..." he leans in more, and just as his hand is snaking around her torso Rogue opens the door and Atem jumps back.

"Capt'n, we got an issue with the men. They're fighting over some ale on the ship and ain't listening to reason."
"Tell those lolly gagging sons of bitches to come here. The Pharaoh just agreed to a parry with me." she smiles at the Pharaoh, raising her chin.
"Un-wise of you if I may say." he looks at the Pharaoh as well.
"I challenged and he accepted. A man has far too much pride for their own good. You best go prepare to meet a match, dear highness." Atem leaves the room without a word, "Rogue."
"Yes capt'n?"
"Bring me my boots. And my scarf. I shall meet you in the courtyard with my sword hopefully.
"Aye." he makes to leave, but stops at the entrance, "Best be careful not to fall for this one Capt'n"
"A Siren lures men in. I choose to use my body while they use their voices." she fixes her braid, "What information have you gotten that the men are celebrating over?"
"We learned that the temple holds stone slates. We do not know what they are, but we figure they might have something to do with the treasures of this land."
"Good work." she dismisses him and he leaves.

_________________

After a tiring hunt for her sword, a threat made with the smith, and getting lost twice, ____ finally makes it to the courtyard. Many a people are gathered, all muttering to the people next to them 'only a fool picks a fight with the Pharaoh'  ,'I hear they challenged him.' , 'does this person have a death wish?' ___ ignores their talk and continues to the center, where you can clearly see Atem standing, "Afternoon Pharaoh." she nods her head, gripping the sheath of her sword.
"Are you prepared?" he questions as Rogue comes through the crowd with her scarf and boots.
"I will be once I get my boots on." she ties the scarf around herself tight and sticks the sheath between the scarf and her body, bending over she puts her feet into the boots and buckles them up. Standing to her full height, she stride forward to meet the Pharaoh, "Let's make a wager, shall we?"
"What is the wager?" he asks, gripping his sword.
"If I come to be the victor, you will answer any questions I have with fullest truth."
"And if I'm victorious?"
"Whatever you wish." she gestures down her body, "But I will offer this: I'll allow your priests to examine my sword, they seem... rather intrigued in it according to the smith."
"And then here is my request..." he leans in and whispers in her ear, her eyebrows raise in surprise, "Reasonable?"
"I'll accept. I did say anything."
"Then we shall start." He smirks and turns to walk a few paces back, she follows suit, "The match will be over when one of us is pinned, loses grip of their weapon, or has a blade to a vital area."
"I accept."
"Then, let us --" he steps back and draws his sword, as does she, "- begin!"

___ makes the first lunge, aiming to strike a low blow. She is met with his sword and is easily deflected. Stepping around she moves to disarm him but he sweeps the sword to the side with his, pulling a fast one on her he moves to strike at her wrist, but she turns last second and blocks it with her sword. Noticing that hers is longer, she gets an idea and retreats, The Pharaoh follows. Dancing him around a ring of people was great fun for four minutes until he was getting tired of chasing, and started to slow, that's where she moved him to the center of the ring and struck him immediately with the tip of her blade, cutting the string holding the odd puzzle on his neck. It falls to the stone with a clank and many gasps are heard. ___ gives a knowing smirk while stepping in, preventing him from getting the puzzle. He blocks her advance and side steps the jab, he grabs her forearm and pulls it behind her, rendering her sword arm useless.

"Surrender?" he whispers, and his words flood back into her mind 'If I win you will join me in my quarters this evening, alone.' the very thought made her shiver and she snaps at him.
"Not to a fool like you." and she bashes the hilt at her left side against his knee, making him falter and let go of her arm, and once she's free she steps away, turns and -
"TIE" Rogue yells. Her sword pointed at his throat and his ready to stab her in the heart. both lower their weapons and the crowd hoots and hollers.
"Well neither of us won, so how about a compromise." ___ asks.
"I'm listening." The Pharaoh pics the puzzle up from the ground and holds it it his hand while sheathing his sword.
"I meet you in your private chambers this evening for dinner and we have guards present. You must also answer one question for me, truthfully." she sheaths her own sword and unties the scarf, handing both to Rogue who had come up.
"Deal. I'll see you tonight fair lady."
"I'll see you soon, treacherous beast." she pipes back and he chuckles while walking away.

"That didn't go how it usually does."
"They never do when someone else has a Millennium item." Siamun says, "It's possible she knew your puzzle was...?"
"Impossible. She doesn't even know what her own sword is."
"Are you looking to get that out of her tonight?"
"Or perhaps court her. It really is a game; and you know the hunt isn't nearly as fun as taking the shot."
"In my whole life of being your advisor I've never heard you talk in such a way."
"Really?" Atem looks down at the man.
"You've never even talked of a suitor in such a way."
"They are all so young, and most are only in it for the treasures, or the title." he sighs, "No use when they could die giving an heir."
"Point taken." Saimun agrees, nodding, "Just don't let your guard down this evening. Who knows what she might pull."