Chapter 15

Adadanu drew nearer to his brother, fascinated by the spectacle in front of him. The two women worked as one, no they moved like dancers. Flawlessly without uttering a single word. The princess and her friend smoothly killed the six men.

He nudged his friend to get his attention, but he didn’t get a response from him. He kept watching as if he was under a spell, he smiled to himself. Enjoy yourself, at least for now, my friend. Then you will suffer, women like her won’t submit to a man easily.

Urmah felt his friend approach him, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of the small woman, princess Tiye. She was a sight to behold; her fierce expressions did nothing to hide her beauty. Her dark hair was wild framing her small face, her black eyes glowing within their depth.

Her red lips held a snarl that would scare the toughest of men, she shook was rage more than her little body can contain. She looked like a voracious animal that had him the urge to tame, his hands itched to touch her to see if her body ran hot as it looked, or all of this was just an illusion. Maybe his mind was deceiving him, because right there in front of him.

There was a female that looked like nothing he ever saw before, his blood stirred, heating through his veins. He wanted to grab her, bend her and rut her small curvy body like an animal. He wanted to feel her body beneath his, to hear her moans. To see how she comes undone by his hands. His breath hitched by the image his mind provided.

Yet again the scene changed drastically, that goddess of a woman fell to her knees sobbing, the anger that consumed her body turned into sorrow which had the same impact on its small figure. Her cries would haunt his mind forever, he understood the cause of this, but sadly he couldn’t relate.

He doesn’t share the same bond with his father. Still it hurt him to see her like this, now he comprehended the saying “How the mighty have fallen” He scratched his left pectoral, suddenly it does hurt and badly.

He ordered his men to clean the mess the females had made, and commanded everyone to go back to their tasks. This was a private matter between the two friends. The tall woman peeked and dipped her head slightly, thanking him. He just left for the back of the camp silently.

Tiye closed her eyes and took deep breaths to regain control of herself, and her emotions. Now wasn’t the time for weakness. Yes, she wanted to mourn her father, but before doing this she needs to avenge him.

So he can rest in peace. She was his only progeny; the burden is only hers. She untangled herself from Mandisa’s arms, and stood with her head held high. She needs to act like the queen who she is about to be. Mandisa understood, and bowed her head to her queen with reverence

“Your orders, my queen.” Tiye looked her in the eye before answering.

“We will stay away for a while like I said before, we need to think and put a plan to go back, to regain our honor.” The girl bowed again silently, Tiye batted her arm

“I’m sorry Disa for what happened to your father. I know how this is hard for you too, but you have my word sister. We will avenge the both of them, even if I have to die in the process.”

“And you have my word, my queen. I will protect you to achieve your goal, till my last breath.” They repeated their vows to each other, but this time her friend’s voice held conviction. She knew that it will never waste away.

A man approached them; the one who was standing behind the prince, the one who silent and have wise eyes, and bowed his head respectfully.

“Princess Tiye, prince Urmah requests your audience in his Tent.”

‘’Lead the way." Tiye and her sister followed him silently observing the camp and its residence, trying to determine if these people will be friends or foes. It is too late to erase what had been done. They saw everything and there was no way around it now.

The prince’s tent wasn’t something grand. It was the same as the rest of the camp. Nothing brash or fancy, unlike the Egyptian nobles who used to live in luxury even in the desert camping, she thought. Inside was even more modest if that could be.

There were some animals hides, a small hearth, and a few cups and ale jugs. It looked sparse.

“Welcome princess Tiye of Egypt to my humble abode.” The male greeted them sitting on bile of fur holding a cup of ale in his hand.

“Thank you, prince Abil ili, for your kind hospitality.” She returned the greetings with less enthusiasm.

“Please call me Urmah.” He gritted through his clenched teeth.

“Forgive my ignorance, but before you introduced yourself as Prince Abil ili. Son of king Abdi ili king of Akkad, or am I mistaken? Forgive my ignorance?” The confusion coating her voice was clear. She was confident that she heard him right, but his face was telling another story.

“You are not mistaken, but again please call me URMAH.” She just bowed her head acknowledging him.

Urmah watched the princess sit and get comfortable. Her voice was soft and sweet, like a cool wind, making his body shudder as a result.

“Now, tell me princess what your plan is? What would you do after getting such information?’’

“You won’t ask me about the facts that were stated previously? The entire ordeal might be a scheme and the man was telling the truth. And I killed my father the king.” She talked with defiance that stimulated him. He angled his body, giving her his complete attention.

“No princess, I know what happened wasn't the truth, you didn’t kill the king.’’

“And how are you so sure, if I might ask?” He took another gulp of his ale and ignored her stiff posture.

“Because I saw it in your eyes. Your sorrow went through my heart and soul princess, please accept my condolences.” He closed his eyes and thumbed his heart with his clenched fist, showing her that he felt her grief as if it is his own.

She watched him suspiciously for a moment “Thank you, but to be honest with you I still don’t know what I should do now. All I know is I need to hide to gather my thoughts and plan my return, to demand retribution and claim what’s mine.”

Urmah nodded approvingly “Then I will offer you asylum, here with me and among my warriors. You will be safe, you have my word.”

“Why?”

He repeated, “Why what princess?”

“Why are you offering to help me? You know this might bring you troubles.”

“Because I can do it, and my honor dictates that I help anyone in need.” Tiye kept staring at him silently.

He continued “I don’t have any other intentions princess; I am not that kind of male.”

“Then what kind of male are you prince Urmah? What would you get by helping me?”

“All I want is when I’m in a time of need, you will return the favor.”

The princess’s body relaxed a little “Then I accept your offer prince, thank you.”

They kept looking each other in the eye trying to read the other’s mind, but with no success, Urmah felt excited, his body was thrumming with a need. He didn’t understand what was it actually, but still he felt it. He was glad that he convinced her to stay with him, this was enough for now.

“Adadanu, escort the princess and her friend to their tent, and tend to their needs. Then assemble the men to go through what happed today.” His brother opened the tent to the two women and went to do as he was told; leaving him alone with his own muddled feelings.

But soon his brother returned invading his space “Are you sure of what you did? You know what you have just offered these two women?” As usual he looked worried and already over thought the situation.

“To tell you the truth brother, I don't know why I did that? All I know is I had to say those words. I had to make her stay.” He was being honest with his brother; he sat here repeating everything that happened and what he did in return. And still his mind didn’t offer him an alternative solution. Adadanu sighed and wiped his face tiredly

“Did you know what your father would do if he found out that you are hiding two fugitives?”

Urmah sneered “I don’t give a fuck about what he would do or think, but I know I would slit his throat if he thought of hurting her. I will never allow that.” His blood boiled from the mere thought of his father looking at her, not even touching. His brother gaped at him

“What the fuck, Urmah? Are you in the right state of mind? You would kill your father for someone you just met. I know you hate the male, but you never talked about killing him and meant it before.”

He threw the cup angrily and stood pacing the tent “Fuck me if I know, but since the moment I laid my eyes on her, I feel strange as if my heartstrings are tethered to…..something or someone. It is like I’m compelled to do so. I need to protect her, no I must.”

Adadanu flinched as if he was struck, and almost gasped when he saw the scared look on his brother’s face. And he knew this is what he was feeling. The princess is the foundation for what will come.

This is the start but for what? The beginning or the end of them all.