Pharaoh's First Love

page 24

“Come, have a couple bites at least. He’s not going to go anywhere and if you’re insistent upon staying up through the night watching over him, why don’t you give your body some strength to do so? You look up to him a lot huh? How old is he?” He wondered whether their relationship was close due to being similar in age, or if there was a gap that would have made a young Shelyn think that there was nothing her older brother couldn’t do when she was a child.
She didn’t move. Not a single inch. Even when he returned, she didn’t lift her head from his hand. Sniffling. Clearly, she had been choking down more tears. Fearing she would be removed for crying again.
The offering of food made her press closer to the bed. Her refusal to even dare become occupied with anything else.
"32...he is much older than I am... but he never shunned me. There was never a time he wasn’t offering his hand to me. He protected me. He was all I had when our parents took a job in the states...he taught me..."
She explained how dear he was to her. How much she loved him. 
"He is called Helm after the god blessed him. A courageous selfless act of protection...it was my fault. I was clumsy and wandered off. They boys...followed me. They...." she felt tears fall. "He saved me from a fall...from beatings...from being kidnapped...I was never supposed to let go of his hand...that was the rule. I caused him so much trouble and he always protected me."
She felt so guilty. "What strength do I have to change anything for him? If he dies, I will die with him.  I couldn’t forgive myself if he never recovers."
Calion pulled up a chair beside her, picking lightly at the food he’d brought, hoping that perhaps she’d be tempted to have even a small bite while the aroma of the foods wafted nearby. “What happened earlier has nothing to do with you though. You can’t put the burden on yourself for matters which were out of your control. I am quite curious when he wakes up though as to what had taken place.” Calion said… finding it a bit odd that the enemy would leave him alive, but he’d rather not think that there was something else going on.
“I have no doubts that he will awake once more and serve to keep you from harm like he has always. That being said… I will likely have his room guarded during his time to heal.” He said, biting his cheek at she retold a tale from the past which by the sounds of it could have had a very dark and traumatic ending had Helm not stepped in.
“You are close to your god, aren’t you? If you cannot give him anything more for the moment, perhaps you could offer up a prayer for his recovery? Unfortunately, Shelyn I believe all that is left for us to do is wait for him. At least he’s stables now.”
"My father says there is more than just the gods of Egypt. And sometimes some of us are just blessed for standing out to them. He told us to always pray." She looked to him once the smell of food finally hit her. It made her tummy knot. "His real name is Randal...he only became known as Helm after he was blessed." She finally admitted it. But Calion was right. All she could do was pray. Her eyes closed and her cheek rested on her brothers’ hand. In her heart she prayed. She prayed that her brother would be ok. That her parents would find a way to move through this.
But the more he ate beside her the louder her stomach cried out for food.
He granted her a moment of silence which spanned on longer yet for almost half an hour before he finally hesitantly raised his palm to place it upon her shoulder. By now it had become quite apparent by her stomach’s protesting that she was quite famished.
“It won’t do either of you any good if you remain hungry Shelyn. Try something? I’m sure Randal would be saying the same if he was awake at this moment. Plus… do you really want the first thing he feels waking up is guilt for not only worrying you, but also starving you? If you really begin pushing your luck I could simply order you to eat, but I’d rather not use my authority in such a way. I’m only trying to look out for you… which I’m sure is probably odd why I’m so concerned…” He shrugged. “I suppose, for the moment you’ve caught my attention, whether you meant for it or not.”
She leaned up. Looking at Calion. She really didn’t understand why he was so concerned? What would he get out if having her attention anyway? But she humored him. Taking only bread and picking it apart. Eating slowly. Small bites that warranted even the most devote monk to cringe. But this was as common for her while she was sad as it was for lotus to grow in the ponds. How could she eat and enjoy anything other than simple common bread when her heart was in disarray.
But even now she was in debt to the pharaoh. How could she leave his side. As her mind raced her right hand traced the bracelet on her left wrist, absentmindedly. She had not taken it off since she received it.
Helm however was breathing fine. Shallow breaths but at least he showed no sign of pain. Just watching his chest rise and fall left her with hope.
"You need to tell me...what exactly is it you want from me? I assume you simply wish to lay with me as if I were one of your concubines...am I correct?"
Her voice choking back hostility yet it was clear that despite her pain for her brother she wasn’t an idiot
Calion shifted his glance towards her and considered her words for a moment. A sly smile crossing his lips as he let out a gentle breath. “I’m not going to pretend like I wouldn’t mind that. Of course, it doesn’t quite seem that’ll ever happen, after all I can’t imagine you wanting to be labeled as a concubine. I suppose for now I see you as bit of a challenge. We don’t have to lay together, but all the same… I suppose I would like to know for myself whether or not we’d approach such things. Besides…” He shrugged. “Seems the gods only see it fit that there be one of me in the world for they have forsaken any chance at me having an heir. I suppose I can’t help but consider that perhaps you, blessed by the gods yourself, might have the capacity to produce a child.” Calion admitted, having no clue that Mirien was actually the one who could not have kids and it was in fact her who made sure all the pregnant concubines were dealt with before news of their pregnancy got out.
“Other than that, does it hurt just to want to learn more about you? Quite frankly you are striking and intriguing to me, but I do believe there is something deeper to learn about you rather than to just be satisfied by unclothing you and seeing what lays beneath the surface of your garments. Perhaps you don’t have interest in men though? Not that I’m going to judge you for it.”
Her face burned at his words. "Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not interested in woman." She protested. Heart racing even now that she knew his truth.
"Are you so foolish to truly think your ranks within your bed are unsoiled?" She asked. She had no clue about Mirien's dirty work. But it didn’t take a wizard to see how truly evil that woman really was. "Perhaps you have been poisoned and become incapable? Or perhaps you put trust in the wrong servants who simply poison others to insure you never have an heir? I mean I’m sure you bed your woman often. I find it hard to believe none would ever blossom with a child unless something kept it from becoming such. I do not think just become I’m blessed. I will cure you’re desire for an heir if you are the incapable one. And while I’m flattered you think such beings as we are capable...I’m have no intention of falling so far in debt to you that I am forced to resort to baring you a child."
So cruel even though her cheeks were pink. What would her parents think hearing him say such a thing? He could have any woman. Why her. But there were truths to her words. It could happen if he wasn’t careful. Or worse. Someone was killing his children. Who knew if he never asked questions? "Perhaps your concubines should have checkups? They are woman yes? You wouldn’t want them being sick and you becoming sick or waking up to a dead woman, would you?"
“We’ll see about that. It’s only been a couple days and already you’ve racked up enough debt to share a bed with me in the future. You’ll forgive me if I hope you are in need of further help. Don’t worry, it’s not like I am just going to jump ahead and as you to undress and spread for me, we can work up to it. Maybe it’ll only cost you a kiss for instance. A fun game I think~” He said in a rather amused tone. Both in hopes of trying to help put her mind off the concern she had at the moment for Helm, but also because it was difficult for him to not want to tease her when she blushed would so easily.
Furthermore… he did wonder just what would happen if he bypassed her entirely and asked her father for her hand.

“I suppose what you say is plausible. Are you suggesting I bed each of them again to test this theory and see if anything takes root?” He asked, reading her facial expression to see if it would bother her that he slept with others, or would she find him more attractive if he… at least for now kept himself celibate during his pursuit of her. “All the same…” He nonchalantly picked at some food. “We could just start with you and put this to the test anyway, since you’re here.” He couldn’t help but tease further.
She found this man had not an ounce of shame. And it hurt. Her brother would never behave like that. At least to her knowledge.