Bes watched intently as both his Royal Court member and Bailey had a conversation. He could not see Mahina's expression from where he was, but the angered look lingering in Bailey's eyes were enough for Bes' curiosity to spike.

He watched as Bailey rubbed angrily at her face once Mahina left her to her own thoughts and she turned her back to him, leaning against the railings. His anger flared slightly, just what exactly was spoken that would cause such animosity between the two?

Excusing himself from the table, Bes made his way to Mahina who had gone into the main hallway. When he called her name, she halted, looking at him with a startled expression.

Immediately she bowed. "My King. To what do I owe the honour of your attention?"

"Rise." He commanded. "What was said between both you and Bailey that would cause such a reaction?"

"May I ask to what you are referring, my liege?"

Bes' patience was wearing thin, his eyes narrowing, "You may be my elder but I am no fool. Now, what was said?"

"I told her that her presence may cause a disturbance and that she should be careful in what she does here, my King." She replied after a moment of silence.

Anger flooded through his veins and without fully realizing what was happening, until a resounding slap could be heard followed by a yelp of surprise and pain, he had struck Mahina. Glancing down at her, Bes noticed tears welling up in her eyes as she bit her bottom lip to keep from speaking out of turn, her chest heaving.

He should have felt bad. He should have apologized for his actions. Would he? No. He had been taught to never show compassion. It was a weakness that would always be used against him. It was a mistake that he would never make again.

"How dare you," he growled out. "You do not have the authority to tell her of things that may never come to pass. Do not be so bold to think that you be on the receiving end of my anger, Mahina. Get out of my sight, wench."

"Y-yes, My King." She replied shakily, bowing. "It will not happen again."

"Indeed it will not. Get out of my sight!"

With graceful haste, Mahina headed down the corridor. Bes sighed as he saw her disappear around the corner and after a moment or two he himself went to find Bailey and speak with her.

It wasn't hard for him to find her as she was still in the same place that she was before, this time, however, a beautiful melody that was her voice permeated his mind. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open slightly as he observed the young woman before him. After she had began humming he stepped forward, clearing his throat.

Bailey jumped, whirling around to face him. Her face turned a soft shade of pink. "H-How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough to learn that you were bestowed with the voice of a goddess." His voice was almost a whisper as he stepped closer to her, hands clasped behind his back. "What were you singing?"

"It was a Gaelic song that my mother used to sing to me whenever I was upset. It is called Be Strong, My Love, For I Am With You." She chuckled, "A long title, I know, but it'd be shorter in the actual language that it was written in."

He regarded her for a few moments before he spoke. "It would not surprise me if the words uttered by Mahina would cause anything but turmoil. Please accept my apologies. It will not happen again."

Bailey's jaw dropped slightly. "Okay..." She said after a moment of stunned silence.

Bes' brow rose in confusion. "Is this all the gratitude that will be bestowed upon me, woman? Speak! What is the matter?"

Bailey growled, noticing his continued use of the word 'woman' had yet to disappear as her hazel orbs flashed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Nothing. I'm just surprised is all."

"By what, may I ask?"

"You." She chuckled, shaking her head. "For our Ancient History class one year we had to do a presentation on a Pharaoh from the Middle Kingdom, the time period in which we are in now. I chose you. Even after all of the research, it said that you were nothing but cruel, heartless, not giving a fuck about other people, did things only for your own prosperity. Now, I look upon the same King I read about and even though he may be an asshole at times, he's trying to be civil to me. Don't know what to think of it. And, honestly, yes I was upset by what Mahina said to me but I also know that is the truth. My actions could very well fuck up what was supposed to happen."

"There is one thing that I admit." He started after a moment of contemplation. "I am cruel and heartless. It was the way that my father raised me and his father raised him. Showing compassion is a sign of weakness."

He turned from her then, letting out a sigh. "The Gods have you to us for a reason. If things are supposed to happen differently, then so be it. Mahina can be a fool at times and her words should not to be taken too seriously. Do not fret, Bailey."

I'm not, she thought drily. "Sure. Whatever you say."

"I will take my leave but once I am finished with my meeting I expect to see you so that I may take you for a tour."

Bailey could only nod, watching as the Pharaoh left her there. Closing her eyes, she turned, allowing the distant sounds of people chattering, young children playing, and workers working to let her mind ease a bit, but not by much as she mulled over what both Mahina and Bes had said.

Had she really been sent there for a reason? And if so, what sort of skills or knowledge could she bring to the proverbial table?

xXx

Bes leaned against the stone wall, thinking. It was certain that he was indeed curious about this strange, bold woman. What he wasn't certain of was the particular reason as to why he was feeling the way that he was about her. He brought his hand up to his chest in a futile attempt to calm his rapidly beating heart. Why was he so worried about her well-being?

Growling in frustration, Bes pushed off from the wall, knowing that there was one man in all of Egypt who could help him with his feelings. At least, he hoped. As he walked he ignored all of the servants who had ceased in their work to bow to him.

It did not take the Pharaoh long before he found himself standing outside of Amun's bedchambers and after a slight moment's hesitation he lightly knocked on the door and, without waiting for a reply, pushed it slowly open.

Stepping in, Bes was greeted by the sunlight streaming into the room and the sweet smell of roses. Amun, who had been sitting at his escritoire located near the balcony, looked up, immediately standing and giving him a small bow before straightening, a crooked smile plastered on his face.

"My King, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"

"I've come to ask for advice, old friend."

"Oh?" Amun inquired, playfully jabbing Bes in the ribs. "The Great Pharaoh of Egypt is asking his advisor for advice. This is, indeed, a moment that shall be committed to memory for all eternity."

"You are humorous, my dear old friend." Bes commented drily, rolling his eyes.

"I do try, My King." Amun chuckled. "What is it that you needed?"

"Mahina and Bailey had an unwarranted conversation this morn."

"What was this conversation regarding?"

Bes immediately informed Amun what had happened between the two women and Amun nodded, his eyes darkening even more at the Pharaoh's declaration. He, too, was furious.

"Mahina is a young woman who needs to realize that she must consult one of us before doling out advice or information. I apologize greatly for her actions, My King. I will talk to her about her actions and the words that could very well harm all of us. I suggest we discuss what is happening with the other nobles so that this does not happen again. If what our sources say is true, the rebellion taking place in Lower Egypt could quickly come here if they find out what we know."

"I agree." Bes replied, sitting himself upon the bed, sighing. Amun's brows furrowed with wonderment. He had never seen such actions coming from the younger man.

"There is something else that troubles you, my liege."

Bes was grateful at times for Amun's astute observations. Bes gave him a small smile, standing up from the bed and heading over to the arches leading to the balcony. "You do know me well, Amun. Yes. There is another matter to which is troubling me."

"What would that be?"

"I am...experiencing strange thoughts and feelings regarding the unusual young woman we had found." Bes closed his eyes for a mere moment, "I am not quite sure what to make of them. She has been on my mind since that day. Ra, whenever her own temper flares mine does as well."

Amun studied the young man closely for split second. "I believe that you are falling in love, my King." When Bes gave him a cold look he quickly went on. "And do not give me that look. It is the only explanation. I must ask, my King, is it a possibility?"

Could Amun be right? Was he falling in love with Bailey after a few days of knowing her? Bes silently asked himself if he loved her. Several times in fact. He sighed. "I...I believe I am...at least I think it is love, it feels like love...but it has not been enough to know her! What if this is just an infatuation because she is different than any other being on Earth?"

"My King, love takes many forms and comes to us in many ways." Amun paused, regarding Bes silently for a moment. "As marriages are formed even if the betrothed do not know one another very well." Amun ignored the way Bes glared at him, taking a step closer to him. "I see that there is more than just infatuation in you when it comes to the young lady. Why not take her as your Queen?"

"She would never accept such a thing," Bes bitterly replied, "We are two very different people. And she seeks a way to return to her time, her home. It would never work between us."

"Perhaps love is why the Gods brought her to us, My King. Perhaps they intended for you to marry her."

Bes glanced back at Amun. "And if she refuses?"

Amun laughed. "You are Pharaoh, when has a refusal ever ceased your attempts to claim something that you desire?"