Escaping into the city with Bes was a far easier task than what Bailey had anticipated. She smirked having a slight suspicion that he did this more frequently than he'd let on. It was a side of him that she never really expected, but she supposed that she should have she should have seen some hint of it, seeing as he had always treated her rather gently.

She glanced to him and met his gaze. This time she couldn't help but be surprised that the normally hard gaze he wore in his dark-brown eyes were soft, and filled with mirth. His mood seemed happy and mischievous. He seemed...free. It was as if Bailey was seeing him for the very first time since she had come to Ancient Egypt. However, it went against everything she had learned about him in school, everything about his always cruel ways to his people. She studied him, wondering if his heartlessness was just an act.

It must be, she decided, he needed to keep it up so that he didn't have anyone opposing his rule over Egypt.

Well, she guessed, was a good thing that he did. However, she knew that there was always another way than being cruel to ones people.

Her focus quickly shifted to her surroundings as the sound of their feet padding against the sandy streets echoed about the exterior walls of the buildings surrounding them. It was then that she noticed that they had been avoiding the streets that saw any heavy use. Whenever someone would come near where they were walking they would hide until the person passed. When they rounded a corner she saw a couple of children quickly running up the street, towards them, playing some sort of game. Bes grabbed her hand, pulling her behind a wall of crates, watching as they went. They stayed there for a little while, allowing their breathing to calm down.

As they crouched down Bailey could finally feel the full extent of the suns rays on her bare skin, she could feel her skin slowly burning and cursed, causing Bes to turn to her with a confused expression which quickly turned into concern. "Are you unwell," he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah." She breathed. "I'm fine. I just wished I had put on some of my sun block before sneaking out."

"Sun block?" His confusion was etched onto his tanned face.

"Uh. It's a type of lotion that helps protect your skin from the rays of the sun...err...Ra."

"Ra is the great God of the sky and is one of our protectors, and is the Father of the Gods. He would not do anything to harm any of his subjects."

Bailey sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, biting her tongue to try and stop herself from saying anything. She was quite enjoying the peaceful moment between them and didn't want to ruin it but starting another argument with her husband-to-be.

Husband-to-be. God that sounded so surreal to her. Like it was some sort of dream. She knew that she would never admit to it, but she felt scared as fuck at the prospect of being married, let alone being the Queen of Egypt. She hoped that she would be able to convince Bes to change his mind about the whole marriage thing, because at the rate that things were going, she was never going to make it home.

Her heart ached. Her friends and family. Everything she had once knew and loved would be practically ripped from her and stomped on. She pushed the unwarranted thoughts back, she could feel her mood dropping, and by the look on Bes' face, it was like he could sense the sudden change to her demeanour. He sent her a concerned look and she gave a smile, trying to reassure him that she was alright. However, even to her, the smile was forced and did not reach her eyes.

She cleared her throat, suddenly uncomfortable under his gaze. "So...where are you taking me?"

He smiled, grabbing her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You shall see."

She scoffed, this time rolling her eyes. "Oh come on! Not even a hint?"

"It is a surprise. First things first, we must meet with someone before we go."

"Okay," she replied slowly, wondering where on earth he was taking her. Excitement bubble inside her at the thought of him surprising him, but she controlled it, but not by much. They came out from their hiding place and continued on down the now abandoned street. Bailey glanced up at the bright blue sky, smiling when she spotted a few fluffy looking white clouds travelling slowly across the sky.

She loved being outdoors. Always had, ever since she had been a kid.

As Bailey took a step, she gasped, stumbling as she tripped over something, and almost bumped right into Bes. Well, actually she did, but they both would have toppled over if he hadn't stopped in his tracks, and braced himself for impact. His strong, tanned, muscular arms wrapped themselves around her waist. His dark orbs searched her light ones, silently wondering if she was alright. Her face felt hot, but she wasn't sure if it was because of the close proximity that they shared or the because of the long exposure to the sunlight, but when his hot breath hit her face, her heart jumped and her abdomen tightened.

She noticed that Bes' face was slowly itching its way towards her, even as she was moving towards him, as if an invisible force was pushing them together. And, before she knew it, their lips touched, moulding into one another.

She was stunned to say the least, she watched as he closed his eyes, moving his lips against hers. She gave into her own temptation, closed her eyes, and kissed him back, both of them fighting for dominance. However, in the end, it was Bailey who submitted, allowing Bes to take control of the kiss. She felt his tongue lightly trailing her bottom lip, requesting permission to enter. She eagerly allowed him entrance, almost moaning at the taste of him. The feeling of newly grown whiskers caused her temptation to rise.

As if on their own accord, her arms manoeuvred around him before finally snaking around his neck, bringing him closer, deepening the kiss. She smiled into the kiss when she heard a moan escaping him, his chest rumbling against hers.

Someone cleared their throat, causing both of them to quickly break away from their heated make out session. Their gazes were somewhat dazed as they turned their attention to their onlooker. An elderly looking woman with long, greying hair, which was tied back by a ribbon, looked at them with amusement. Her dark eyes lingered on Bailey for a moment before she turned her attention to Bes. "My, my, my, Bes. You have found yourself quite the woman."

The way she addressed him shocked Bailey. She looked curiously at the woman, before turning to Bes. His face was flushed, and his eyes were cast downward, avoiding the woman's gaze. The woman slowly made their way over to them. "My dear child, you should know better than to be embarrassed by me." She chuckled. "Bes, are you going to introduce me or do I have to do it myself?"

Bes' attention snapped to her, then, to Bailey, he cleared his throat. "Bailey...this is Asenath...my tutor. Asenath...this is Bailey...my betrothed."

The woman who was now introduced as Asenath turned her gaze quickly to Bailey, her eyes shone with surprise and happiness. "Bailey? I have not heard of that name. What does it mean?"

"Uh..." Bailey started, wracking her brain, trying to remember what her mother had said about what the meaning of her name was. It took a moment but it quickly came to her. "It means man in charge."

Which, she had to admit, was creepily coincidental to her future title as Queen. She almost laughed. Or cried. She didn't know what to do at that point.

"I have never seen skin that pale before, where are you from?"

How was she supposed to explain that one, but, thankfully, she was rescued by Bes who responded next. "She is from a small country that is far away. We hadn't heard of it, never had visitors from it, until now. I have yet to send an emissary there to find out more about her people."

Good luck with that one.

Bailey got this distinct feeling that the woman knew that Bes was lying, but never pressed on the matter. She smiled. "She seems like such a sweet girl. I hope she does you good."

Bes rolled his eyes.

"Come inside. Before someone takes notices that our Pharaoh is standing, without guards, in the city street."

Without a word they followed her down a winding path before coming to a door. She opened it, before allowing the two of them inside. Making sure that no one followed them, Asanath closed the door behind her. She turned her attention to Bes, frowning at him.

"How many times have I told you that it is dangerous for royalty to be out without an escort, Bes?"

No answer.

She yanked on his ear, causing him to yelp in both pain and surprise. Bailey covered her mouth to hide her smile and to keep from laughing. It was amusing to say the least.

"Answer me when I speak to you, child! How many times?"

"Too many to count, Asanath."

She let go of his ear and sighed, ignoring the glare she was currently receiving as Bes rubbed his now sore ear. "What brings you here to this desolate part of the kingdom?"

"We need disguises, Asanath."

She eyed him cautiously before walking into the next room.

Bailey's eyes swept about the room, it was small, smaller compared to any room that she had been in at the palace. The room was dark, with a splash of sunlight that filtered in through a small window, framed by a couple of jars to either side, above a small table. All in all it was pretty plain. Which surprised Bailey. If this woman was, or used to be, Bes' teacher, why didn't she have a room at the palace?

"It is because of something that my son has done that I am not allowed in the palace."

Bailey jumped, whirling around to see Asanath holding some fabric, her eyes swirling with pain and shame. Bailey's mouth dropped. "How did you-?"

"Know what you were thinking?" She finished Bailey's sentence. "I was Bes' tutor in the art of magic. I can hear your thoughts." She turned to Bes, her eyes narrowing. "Which is

why I would like to know why you lied about where she came from when I could easily slip into your mind and find this information out, myself?"

He shrugged. "Habit."

"Get out of it." She barked. "I am not going into detail unless Bes would like to indulge them to you."

Bailey looked at Bes with questioning eyes, but he did not meet her gaze, nor did he attempt to even acknowledge that she was looking at him. Bailey sighed, knowing that this was an argument that she would not win. Though she couldn't help but wonder what had happened that had caused them to be both so secretive.

"You will learn soon enough what has happened."

Bailey was starting to get pissed off, "Can you please stop reading my mind? It feels uncomfortable to know that you can." She snapped.

Asanath only chuckled, passing her a piece of the fabric. "This will protect your skin from Ra." And she gave the other one to Bes. Bes immediately placed it over his head, smoothing out the wrinkles that had formed, and took a wig that was also in the older woman's hands and with near expertise placed it on his head, adjusting it slightly as he allowed the hair to fall around his face, before bringing up the hood.

Bailey was mesmerized by how this changed him. It wasn't much of a change, but it was enough of a change that it made him seem even more handsome then he already was. She licked her lips, but pulled herself out of her daze, and in one swift motion allowed the itchy material to fall around her, she felt like it was a poncho of some sort, but didn't really know what they called it in this time. Sighing again, she followed suit and pulled the hood over her head.

Bes and Asanath exchanged whispered words before Asanath stepped back from him and gave them a smile. "Good luck. Bailey, you will have a wondrous evening. I bid you farewell." She bowed. "Until we meet again, my king."

He nodded, held out his hand, prompting Bailey to take it. "Now let us continue on with our journey."

She nodded, and took his hand, allowing him to steer her back towards where they had come from, except they took a different path. Neither one of them spoke until Bes had stopped, turning towards her. "Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just trust me."

She studied him for a moment before shutting her eyes. She felt his hands go over her eyes and if she could have she would've rolled her eyes. She swore she wouldn't have looked! "Are we there yet?"

"Not yet."

She couldn't help but ask again a few seconds later. "How about now?"

"You are pushing your luck, woman."

She smirked. "I do that a lot."

"Yes, you do."

"So..." She licked her lips, smiling. "How about now?"

Bes rolled his eyes. "Okay now..." He removed his hands. "You may open your eyes now."

She did and her eyes widened at the sight before her. They were at an underground waterhole, it was mostly dark, and how light was able to be reflected onto the surrounding walls of the cave, she didn't know, but it looked beautiful. She felt moss under her feet. Looking down, she smiled, kicking off her sandals and laughing, contently wriggled her toes in the moist moss. She was surprised, not really believing the sight she was currently seeing, but there it was in her own eyes. She turned her head towards Bes and saw that his poncho was off of him and he was now staring intently at her, a smile of his own plastered on his face.

"This underground watering hole has been here as long as I can remember. My friends and I would escape to this place, swim and play together until Asanath would come and retrieve us."

Bailey looked at the water. It looked so tempting, but there was one question currently swimming around her head. "Are there any snakes?"

"No, there are none."

She smiled as Bes placed a firm, yet gentle, hand to the small of her back, taking off his sandals as he guided her to the water's edge.

"How deep is it?"

"It just goes up to your waist."

He let go of her waist and went in first, turned, and held out both hands. She too, took off the poncho, throwing it with her sandals, and made her way over to Bes, grabbing onto his hands, all the while placing one foot in, then the next. She smiled, the water felt wonderful against her hot skin, and she sighed with contentment, and even more so when Bes wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin upon her head.

She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his waist, allowing her head to fall against his chest. She closed her eyes, actually enjoying the feeling of being in Bes' arms. The anger that she had felt earlier that day, and the day before, now seemed like a distant memory. Right now she felt safe and content being in his arms, even if she didn't fully know why.

His chest vibrated as a chuckle erupted. "How long do we stay like this?"

"Forever..." She replied, not moving her head from his chest. She smiled.

"Even though that sounds delightful, you know that we cannot continue this. Besides," he pulled her away from him and smiled. "We have to have a little bit of fun."

Before she could ask what he meant by that, he pushed her into the water; a yelp of surprise escaping her as she went under. She came back up and glared at him. "Oh, no you didn't. It's payback time!" And with that, she lunged, tackling him into the water as well.

Bes laughed, for once in his life, he felt free. Free of the responsibilities of being the Pharaoh of Egypt, the constant chatter from his subjects, royal court, and his family. With her he felt at peace. He looked at her smiling face and couldn't help but smile back. He couldn't help but notice that even in the dim light she still had the essence of a Goddess about her. She had opened his eyes and made him look forward to their future together.

She was the future Queen of Egypt, the Queen of his heart.

Eventually they played themselves out.

Eventually it was time for them to return to the palace.

They left hand in hand, both smiling at the other as they walked up the pathway out of the underground watering hole. Once they emerged, Bailey's brows shot up, feeling surprised that they had been there so long. The darkening sky was still beautiful as the sun was almost gone beyond the horizon. Now, as they walked passed Asanath's home, Bailey's eyes searched the walls, never noticing until now that they were lined with cloths, lit with fire, hanging from some sort of rod. She was surprised that it never burned. It lit their way.

When they went around the corner, Bes immediately pulled her down, crouching behind the same crates as before, or at least she thought that's what it was, when they saw two

shadows coming around the other corner, and soon heard voices. Two voices that were distinctively male. She peaked around one of the crates and gasped.

"It's Amun and some other guy," she whispered to Bes. Bes moved her out of the way he looked, taking a look for himself.

His brows furrowed in confusion. Why was Amun here? And at night no less. They both strained to hear what the two men were saying.

As they came closer, their voices became louder. The voice of the other man was raspy as he spoke. "What do I get in return for doing this?"

Amun chuckled lowly. "If you do this, then you get the future Queen of Egypt."

Bailey's eyes widened, having a bad feeling of what was to happen in the very near future. She looked to Bes. His eyes had once again hardened, this time with pure rage, though he didn't do anything merely continued to listen in.

The man laughed. "What's so different about this woman than any of the other noble women that have been given to me, Amun?"

"This girl is from a land far from here. She is as feisty as they come and she is a rare gem, a rare one, a ruby if you will. Trust me."

"Very well. I shall do so. For now."

"Excellent. Kill the King by the next full moon and I guarantee you that you will have your precious jewel."