Bailey sat on the balcony of what was her premarital room. She wasn't too impressed at being forced into marriage and wanted to so badly tell Bes where to go and how to get there. She shook her head, normally she would have fought back, but she knew that she had changed since being there. Perhaps not by much, and she'd never admit it aloud, but Bailey knew it and she hated it.

Her attention was drawn to the bustling and seemingly happy streets of the Kingdom. Would they be happy if they knew what took place beyond the palace walls? Would they be laughing if they were in her situation? She pursed her lips at the thought. Probably not. They weren't from her time and could truly comprehend the fact that woman actually had power. She closed her eyes, listening to the laughter that made its way up to where she was.

She smiled for a moment but then sighed. What she wouldn't give to be able to go out and look around the city for a bit. She bit her bottom lip in consideration. Feeling that Bes would not allow her to do without and escort. She felt a little rebellion rising up in her, because then again, she could always sneak out.

The more she thought about it the more she wanted to go out on her own. And the more she wanted to the more she was willing to sneak out without Bes knowing.

And boy did that bastard really deserve it.

After a few moments of internal debate, Bailey finally decided she was going to sneak out, to get away, just for a little while, even though she couldn't shake off the bad feeling that was now rising within her. And even with that feeling she felt excitement at the very thought of doing this without anyone knowing. Oh, she was a rebel alright.

Walking over to her bed, she found the simple, yet elegant dress that her maids had left out for her. Her hand touched the material and she smiled. It felt as soft as silk and was practically see-through. And, even though she didn't like that, she knew she had to blend in. She rolled her eyes. Even with the dress blending in was going to be hard. Her hair style was different than what was worn in Ancient Egypt, so how was she to explain that? She supposed she could always say that the Gods allowed her to have her hair like it was.

She cringed. She hated lying to people, but if it was to keep who she was a secret she would. She didn't need any outsiders knowing where she was from or that she didn't truly belong. The only ones who were allowed to know were the people at the palace.

In one swift movement she took off her spaghetti strap dress, that she'd unknowingly packed and placed it on her bed, before picking up the other dress. Bailey knew she had to fold it in a couple of places so that it'd stay in place. She wracked her brain, trying to

remember how they did it, and growled in frustration when she could only vaguely remember.

Yeah, she mused. She wished now that she paid more attention in class than what she had. Maybe then she'd be able to remember such a simple task.

Bailey's thoughts turned to her own personal maids, Amunet and Malinua, considering asking for help, but it would be suspicious. Well, that idea went down the drain. Knowing her luck they would be questioned on her whereabouts and possibly punished for not giving information. No. She didn't want that. Bailey focused her attention to the task at hand and eventually made it so that it would be wearable.

She silently giggled in glee as she studied her handiwork. She felt pretty damned proud of herself. Quickly she placed the fabric over her head and allowed it to flow to the floor. She loved the feel of it and it was nice and light in the scorching Egyptian heat.

Now she was ready to explore what would eventually be her kingdom. Her kingdom. Now that was an idea she never would have fathomed. She was to become a Pharaoh's wife. She wondered why. She wasn't anything special, albeit being from the future, and she thought maybe that's why Bes was forcing her to marry him, because there was no one else like her in the world.

The thought made her heart constrict and tears prick her eyes. She sighed, even though Bes was an ass most of the time, and acted like he was God's gift to humanity, he was still a lot better than most of the guys she had dated back in her time. At least here relationships weren't something to toy with. Then again, she remembered that most-maybe all-Pharaoh's had a harem of women who were, or becoming Pharaoh's wife.

She wondered if Bes had any. She didn't recall anyone ever mentioning it during her stay.

Perhaps he didn't have any. She felt her heart soar a little at this new found thought. If he didn't she wouldn't have to compete. Wait. Compete? Why would she compete? She wanted to go the hell home.

She sighed. Maybe she should just try to enjoy her time here. Shaking her head, peering over the edge of the balcony, she estimated how far to the ground it would be and she was quite happy to see that there were no guards around. Grinning, she swung her legs over, looked down, back to the room, looked down again, before slowly lowering herself and letting go.

She hissed in pain when she landed quite painfully on her feet, the shock going straight up her spine. Shaking her legs, letting the pain settle, she made her way towards the stairs that led to the exit of the palace grounds. She felt exhilarated and naughty all at the same time. Holding her breath, Bailey hid behind one of the pillars, glancing to the guards as they walked about the palace grounds.

The palace was heavily guarded. It was like they were waiting for an all out attack or something. Well, she mused, what with Bes' reputation as the most feared and cruel Pharaoh it wouldn't surprise her if someone didn't try to overthrow him as King of Egypt.

Bailey almost screamed when a hand was placed on her shoulder. She abruptly turned, ready to come face-to-face with someone who could possibly crush her plans of seeing the city, her heart both jumped and dropped in her chest when she saw that it was Bes. He too was crouched down behind the pillar with her.

"What are you doing out of your room?" Bes asked, not dropping his hand from her shoulder. His eyes searching hers for an answer. Bailey was slightly irritated at how he asked the question.

She shook his hand off and stepped back. "What? You don't expect me to be cooped up in that damned room all day, do you?"

"No, but that doesn't explain why you're hiding behind the pillars, while glancing from one guard to the next."

She mentally cringed. Her shoulders dropped. "I..." She glanced to the city and mumbled something incoherently. Bes prompted her to repeat herself loudly.

"Okay! I wanted to explore the city. Seeing as I'm to be Queen and will have to rule by your side I wanted to meet the townspeople."

"You could have gone without putting yourself through the trouble of sneaking around the palace."

She rolled her eyes. "And you would have let me?"

"Yes." He replied a little too quickly for her liking. She raised a brow, a silent demand to know why. He growled, rolling his eyes. "You are a persistent woman, you know that?"

"Yeah, I do." She snapped. "Now, answer the damned question."

His eyes started turning dark. "Don't speak to me like that."

"Then stop beating around the bush. Answer the question, instead of trying to avoid it. I hate it when people do that." And quietly, she added, "It makes me nervous."

"Alright." He growled, holding up his hands in defeat. He should know that when it came to Bailey, and though he had known her for a short while, that whenever she wanted to know something, she always got what she wanted. Any argument, except when it included the threat of death, she always won. His admiration for her grew tremendously during the time that he was with her, albeit, not very long on some occasions. Even

though Bes wouldn't admit it, he felt free, he felt alive with her. She had a spirit that he knew could never be tamed.

"I wanted to get away from the palace myself."

Bailey was taken aback by that answer. So far, from what she could gather, was that he only tolerated listening to his people and their problems if it benefitted him. Not once had she ever seen him leave the palace to go mingle with them. She eyed him curiously.

"Why? I never see you leave the palace."

He gave her a knowing look. "You're not the only one who has disguised themselves and escaped from the palace grounds undetected."

Bailey smirked and glanced to the city. "You want to go and explore?"

He held out his hand to her, which she took in hers. "We shall go." He leaned in close to her. "And that will be without an escort."