Moonlight painted the palace in cool hues as torches and lamps illuminated the grounds and every room. The Pharaoh and her children were gathered in the Queens dining quarters, joined by Prince Louhan and his attendants, Halfway through their meal and in good conversation. The Queen and her children were slightly off put by how little Prince Louhan had said throughout the conversation. They were not used to someone being so quiet other than their servants. Despite how little he had said, Amun-Khet was spellbound by the musical sound of the Prince’s voice every time his mouth opened. It was sweet and warm; delicate as a flower petal. He spoke Arabic very well, no doubt having studied it a great deal in preparation for this task. Tayn still continued to do most of the talking for the Prince and spoke Arabic as if it were his native tongue. Even the Queen had congratulated him on his excellent speech, to which Tayn turned as red as the sash around his waist.

   “If you are in need of any more supplies Prince Suzaku you will let my attendants know?” Queen Nephris said.

   “Of course” the Prince responded. “And if it pleases you great Pharaoh, I prefer to be called Louhan by allies and friends.”  

   “Very well” the Pharaoh said with a smile. 

   Amun-Khet, finished a sip of wine and leaned forward slightly, looking at the Chinese Prince from over the golden goblet.

   “Thane told me that you did not bring much in terms of bathing supplies” Amun-Khet said with a tilt of his head. Prince Louhan blushed slightly, taking a drink from his goblet to hide his face.

   “Oh that will not do” Queen Nephris said kindly. “Thane” she called. The boy quickly moved to her side. “Will you please ready some supplies from Amun-Khet’s room”-she turned to Prince Louhan-“He always has a surplus of oils and fragrances. I’m afraid he gets his love for it from his mother.”

   “I would be glad to choose the supplies for our guest myself” Amun-Khet said directly at Louhan. “I can then walk you through what each is for” he said flirtatiously. “Ones to cool the flesh…others to warm it” he said, pressing his lips against the edge of his goblet, drinking slowly.

   “Amun-Khet” the Queen said chidingly, “Mind yourself please. My son likes to tease. He has been that way his whole life. Tayn will you please let me know what other supplies you are short on. I will not have his Highness do without a single pleasure while he is here.”

   Amun-Khet took a sip of his drink, hiding the devilish smirk brought on by his mothers timely words. Halfway through his sip he stopped himself, fighting within his own mind.    

  What on Earth is wrong with me? He thought. I’m acting a complete fool. Why do I feel this way when I look at him? I just met this man and yet…I want him more than anything. Great Anubis guide me. All signs point to this man being The Firebird from my dreams. If that is so then why am I running towards him and not away from him? What do the gods have planned for us?

   “Prince Amun-Khet had offered to take Prince Louhan around the palace and its grounds” Tayn said.

   “Did he?” Nakh said over-dramatically towards her brother. Amun-Khet narrowed his eyes towards her. She just smiled brightly at his reaction. “How wonderful that my brother would offer his time.”

   “I think that’s a wonderful idea” Queen Nephris said. “What a perfect way to spend your first evening here in Egypt. Amun-Khet knows this palace even better than myself. I think you should go right after dinner.”

   “Well I’m full already” Amun-Khet said exuberantly. “Prince Louhan hasn’t touched his food in some time so It appears he has had his fill as well. Shall we go then Prince Louhan?”

   “I do apologize” Queen Nephris said. “I have a habit of going overboard with how much food I request. Nakh can eat as much as two grown men on her own so I never know how much to have prepared.”

   “Yep” Nakh said as she took another bite of goat, “Remember that” she said almost threateningly to the armed guards behind Louhan, “I can eat as much as two grown men.”

   “It would be offensive to leave before Pharaoh Nephris has dismissed us” Louhan said flatly. Amun-Khet’s head tilted sharply with a wide smirk. The other Prince simply laid his hands on his lap, awaiting the Pharaoh’s next words.

   “Isn’t that refreshing” the Queen said turning her head to her son, “A respectful AND dutiful Prince.” She turned then back to Louhan, “Well I do believe I have eaten my fill as well and will simply remain here to lounge. You are both dismissed. Thank you for joining me for dinner your Highness. I pray you sleep well tonight. We will save official business for tomorrow after you have eaten and had fair time to wake.”

   “Thank you Great Pharaoh” Louhan said, standing from the table and bowing.

   “Alright then” Amun-Khet said, moving towards the Prince, “I know exactly where to start.”

   “Shall we accompany you your Highness?” Tayn said, rising from his seat behind the Prince.

   “No need” Amun-Khet said. “We have guards throughout the Palace so he will be completely safe. Besides, he will have me at his side.”

   “Your Highness?” Tayn asked in confirmation. Prince Louhan turned to him and nodded gently.

   “Tell the others to get rest. You have all done wonderfully” Louhan said.

   “Thank you, your Highness. Enjoy your walk.”

   Tayn bowed to the two Princes and then again to Pharaoh Nephris and Princess Nakh. He then exited from the room along with Louhan’s other attendants. Amun-Khet then strode to the doorway and turned around to Louhan.

   “Follow me your Highness.”

   Pharaoh Nephris watched the two men walk away together. She then slowly reclined on the large pillows around her as Nakh continued to eat with great joy.

   “I haven’t seen your brother this enthusiastic about anything since the battle with Gaul. I wonder what has stirred him?”

   Thane continued to clear his masters dishes from the table, while trying to avoid the Queens line of sight.

   “Thane” the Queen called, much to Thane’s terror. “What do you think of the Prince’s behavior?”

   “Prince Amun-Khet often dreams of traveling the world. Meeting a Prince from a foreign kingdom must be exciting for him, what with the prospect of being able to ask questions he has desired the answer too for some time.”

   “That does indeed sound like my son” Nephris said fondly. “Perhaps my son will get a companion out of this venture as our kingdom gains an ally.”

   “Perhaps” Thane said, as he turned back around nervously.

   “I wanted to ask you” Amun-Khet said as he and Louhan stepped into a large circular vault, “Why your attendant seems to do much of your speaking for you? Does speaking displease you?”

   “I speak when necessary” Louhan responded calmly, looking up to the high domed ceiling of the vault, marveling at the beautiful painting of stars that covered the surface. A smile slowly began to form on his lips. Amun-Khet leaned forward and stared.

   “So you can smile” he said teasingly. Louhan ended the smile and regained his tall posture. “I was wondering if those lips were capable of more than a blank expression. I wonder what else they are capable of.”

   “Are you truly so confident to speak so?”

   “As often as I can” Amun-Khet said with a grin. “If you like the ceiling in here, then I know exactly where to take you next. Follow me your Highness” he said with a teasing bow. Louhan shifted his eyes in exhaustion and followed after the Jackal Prince.

   They passed through two small hallways and then spilled out into a huge hanging garden with flowers of every shape and color. Vines and greenery cascaded down from raised platforms and pillars throughout the space. At the center there stood a pyramid structure made of crystal that reflected the moonlight, illuminating the entire garden in shimmering patterns. Louhan couldn’t hide the awe that filled his face and eyes. His lips parted and the corners of his mouth curled slightly. Amun-Khet smiled mischievously as he watched Louhan step down into the garden like a spirit entering into a heavenly realm. Suddenly Amun-Khet’s heart began beating with intense speed. His face flushed and his hands began to sweat. Seeing the Prince react so strongly to Amun-Khet’s surprise and knowing that he was the cause of the Prince’s current state, was far more intoxicating than he was ready for. Having control over the beautiful man’s emotions in this moment was addicting. He had to fight strange urges within him that were new and foreign. 

   Prince Louhan turned his head, slowly lifting his eyes until they matched with the eyes of the Jackal Prince. Amun-Khet went red hot from head to toe and his mind began to buzz and blur his vision. The feeling became more clear with each passing second for his body was beginning to react in a very clear way toward the vision before him. The moonlight was kissing Prince Louhan’s skin and it made Amun-Khet jealous. The dark strands of Louhan’s long hair tossed in the night-wind, pulling away from the Princes smooth neck. Amun-Khet traced the intoxicating line’s of the young man’s neck and jaw until his eyes landed on the Prince’s soft pink lips. He returned his eyes to the stunning pools of jade that were Louhan’s eyes, and realized beyond all doubt what he was feeling and what he wanted from the man before him.

   I want him to be mine.