Amgyptapan

Chapter 6: Confessions/The Battle

The two weeks passed without much incident. Nothile had the privilege of learning the customs of the demonic empire. Pharaoh Amenemhet merely acted as if each passing day was a mere nuisance. Nothile could feel himself falling in love with Serina.

Today marked their return to Thebes. Instead of four, there was six returning to Egypt. Thankfully, since the Pharaoh and High Priest did not want to waste another night, the six were returning by way of flight. Chief Shalom had a net for the horses made so that they could be carried in his demon form, and he would carry a net with the chariots in his mouth. Serina would carry Pharaoh Amenemhet, Nothile, and the two servants on her back in her demon form.

At the moment, Serina and Nothile had stolen away to talk in private. The chariots were being tied safely inside their net so they would not break during the trip. The two servants were trying to calm the horses so they would allow their net to be harnessed to them. Pharaoh Amenemhet was currently trying to come to terms with Chief Shalom's transformation into his dog form.

"Serina, what happens after the defeat of the Hun-Ply?" Nothile asked, his hands on Serina's hips.

"I suppose my father and I will return here. We shall never again set eyes on one another." Serina answered.

"What if I gave you a reason to remain in Thebes?" Nothile asked, "A reason to stay...with me."

"What is it you are telling me, Nothile?" Serina questioned, puzzled.

"I am telling you that I care for you. I wish to be with you in the ways a man can be with a woman. I am asking if you would consider me as your...Bonded." Nothile said.

"Do you mean it, Nothile?" Serina inquired, her heart being faster.

"I do. Before I met you, I felt as if a piece of me was missing. You are that missing piece." Nothile admitted with a tone of affection.

Serina replied, "In my years since coming of age, I have never met any quite like you. I accept what you request."

"You will be mine, then?" Nothile wondered, excited.

"I will, if you will also be mine." Serina seriously teased.

Nothile smirked and nodded. Over the time that the four humans were in Sudan, Nothile had learned quite a bit about demon mating rituals. To agree to belong to someone, you denounce the attention of any other. Nothile understood what it would mean to only accept the touch of his Bonded, his mate, a fate that would not bode for the Pharaoh, but was more than acceptable to Nothile.

The two suddenly heard Chief Shalom calling for them and that it was time to leave. A look to one another spoke more than they were ready to blurt out now that Serina's father was looking for them. The look meant that the duo would speak of this matter at another time. Both immediately set off to where the two monarchs were currently waiting.

Chief Shalom, Pharaoh Amenemhet, and the two servants stood waiting in a huge desert-like area. Nothile had been told that this was the area that demons used to transform safely. Serina and her father stepped away from the four humans so they would not be harmed. A bright light enveloped the two individually.

Within seconds, the two lights grew bigger and bigger until they were about the size of the duel arena! The larger of the two giant dogs, who was clearly male and Chief Shalom, leaned forward to grip the handle of the net with the chariots in his mouth. The net containing the horses was tied around his middle. The smaller, female dog gently lay down so that the humans could get on.

Without anymore delay, both Chief Shalom and Serina set off towards Thebes. Due to their size and speed, the heat and sand of the desert below passed swiftly underneath them. Before long, even the area of desert where the humans had camped on their way to Sudan was passed. They soon arrived on the outskirts of the city.