Home // Ardeth Stories // Antoine Stories // Oded Stories // Character Stories // UC Stories



Hope For The Future

by Ladybug


Chapter Nine



It was almost midnight when the four arrived back at Hamanaptra. The warrior on watch greeted them as they approached, and Ardeth stopped to talk to him as the other three went on into the ruined city. As they rode in, one of the men shouted in Arabic, and Abdul appeared from one of the tents.

“How did you return so quickly?” Abdul asked as he approached. “Where is Ardeth?”

“He stopped to talk to the man you have on guard,” Rick answered. “And Evelyn and I were already on our way here to find my sister. We met up with Ardeth and Emma at an oasis.”

Abdul nodded, then said, “Please come. We will get you set up in tents where you can clean up and get some rest.”

“Thank you,” Evelyn and Emma said simultaneously as they dismounted.

Abdul led them to the far side of the camp. He stopped at a large tent. “You and Miss Evelyn may stay in this tent. Miss Emma, your tent is across the way there.” He pointed to a smaller tent a short distance away.

“Thank you, Abdul. You’ve been very kind,” Emma said.

Abdul nodded his head once, accepting her thanks, then said, “Are any of you hungry?”

“I’m starved,” Evelyn answered.

“Me too,” Emma replied. Her stomach growled loudly at that moment as if to verify the fact.

“I will have one of the men bring you some food. You have fresh water in your tents to clean up. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must go find Ardeth.” Abdul turned and walked away.

“Well, I will see you two in the morning.” Emma turned to leave.

“Will you be okay over there by yourself?” Rick asked.

“I will be fine, brother. Goodnight, both of you.” Emma smiled.

“Good night, Emma.” Evelyn gave her a quick hug.

Rick bent over and kissed her check. “Good night, Sis. Glad you’re safe.”


It was an hour later when Ardeth finally made it into the camp area. Abdul had been updating him on their progress, and they had gone to the dig site to see how it fared. As he approached his own tent, he saw that a candle was burning in Emma’s tent. Surely she wasn’t still up, he thought. Pulling off his turban and removing all his weapons, he placed them inside his tent. He started to leave his tent, then changed his mind and went back for his scimitar. A good warrior was never without a weapon, even for a few minutes. Leaving his tent, he quietly approached her tent and debated whether he should call out to her or just stick his head in. Deciding that sticking his head in would be a bit rude, he decided to call to her.

“Emma?” he called out softly. “Are you still awake?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Come in.”

Ardeth opened the tent flap and looked inside. Emma was sitting on her pallet, looking at a book. As he entered her tent, he noticed her hair was no longer in a braid, but hung loose. It looked slightly damp and he guessed she had washed it. She was also wearing a white nightgown.

“Why are you still up?” he asked curiously, letting his gaze roam hungrily over her.

Emma glanced up at him and smiled. “I was studying through this chapter on the hom-dai again. I wanted to make sure that we don’t leave anything out this time.” She had gotten the nightgown and book from Evelyn earlier, before retiring. She could have kissed Evelyn for bringing her some clean clothes. She had taken a sponge bath and washed her hair. She almost felt human again.

Ardeth was breathless at the sight of her sitting in the candlelight. Her eyes reflected the flame that was beginning to burn deep within him. Slowly, without thinking, he began to move towards her.

Looking excitedly back down at the book, Emma continued her chatter. “This chapter on the hom-dai is truly fascinating, Ardeth. When Imhotep rises he will still be mortal. He can still be killed like any mortal, just as Rick killed him last year. But no matter how many times he is killed he will rise one year later until he is either permantely destroyed by reading the other two incantations or he is immortal again by the same reading, but by a different person. He will- oh!” Emma gave a small yelp as Ardeth yanked the book from her hand and tossed it to the side.

Dropping to his knees before her, his mouth came down on hers. He continued forward until Emma was on her back, and he was stretched out on top of her. Emma parted her lips in a soft moan, and Ardeth slipped his tongue in to plunder the inside of her mouth. Emma’s hands came up, and she thrust her fingers into his thick curls. Ardeth left a trail of wet kisses across her jaw to her neck, where he nipped and sucked at the tender skin.

“Does this mean you’re going to show me your tattoos now?” Emma asked, breathless.

Ardeth choked on his laughter. “Yes, my sweet lilith, I am going to show you all my tattoos now.” And much more than that, before this night is through, he thought to himself.

Rolling away from her, he stood and removed his robes, leaving him only in his pants and boots. Emma’s eyes grew larger as she saw his bare chest and the tattoos that ran across the upper half. He was all hard muscle, and she watched those muscles flex as he sat back down to remove his boots. Ardeth turned towards her as she sat up. When he would have taken her in his arms again, Emma rose to her knees and twisted to face him. She placed her hands on his shoulders and forced him to lie down on the pallet on his back. Once he was stretched out before her, she moved to straddle his waist. Placing her hands on his chest, her fingers began to trace over each symbol, caressing it lovingly.

“Allah, help me,” he whispered softly in Arabic as he watched her. For a brief moment, Ardeth battled with himself. He should stop this and leave now. If he made love to Emma now, he would take away her right to choose, for the moment he made her his, the moment he claimed her innocence, then they would be one, and she would be his wife with or without her consent. But the feel of her hands on his body, the weight of her body straddling his hips, her fascination with his tattoos nearly drove him crazy and pushed all rational thought from his mind. He moved his hands underneath her gown and came in contact with the smooth skin of her upper thighs. He moved his hands higher until his thumbs brushed against the thick coarse hair that protected her femininity. He heard her gasp softly as their eyes collided. “Blow out the candle, kalila,” he commanded softly, his decision made.

“But I want to see you,” Emma complained. She leaned down and traced the tip of her tongue over the lines of a symbol that rested over his heart.

Ardeth sucked in his breath as he brought his hands out from beneath her gown to take hold of her shoulders. “Emma,” he rasped softly. “Do as I say, please. I will not have my men watching your silhouette from outside!” He watched as Emma battled with her own desires. “I promise you, kalila, when the time is right, I will let you look at me to your heart’s content.”

Emma smiled. “I will hold you to that, Ardeth,” she whispered, and she moved off him to blow out the candle. She had no idea the depth of Ardeth’s promise; she only knew that it meant that this would not be the last time they came together.

When she moved back over him, straddling his hips once more, his hands immediately grabbed her gown. Sitting up, he pulled it up over her head, tossing it to the side. Their mouths met in a heated kiss that threatened to burn them both. Ardeth’s hands moved to cover her breasts, cupping them, pressing his palms against the hardened nipples. The feel of his callused hands moving over her sensitive nipples caused Emma to moan softly. There seemed to be some connection, some thread connecting her nipples to the area between her legs, for every time Ardeth brushed the palm of his hand against them, an electrical current shot from her nipples down between her legs, causing a flood of hot liquid to pool there. Ardeth moved his hands away from her breasts and grasped her hips, shifting her, until that part of her that was a pool of liquid nerves rested against his erection. Even through the material of his pants, Ardeth could feel the liquid heat coming from her entrance. He growled softly as he began to rock her hips back and forth against him, torturing them both. Emma cried out against his mouth at the sudden ripples of pleasure that burst throughout her body. Ardeth released her hips and circling his hands behind her. He grabbed fists full of her long hair and tugged gently, breaking their kiss and causing her to pull away from him. He used the opportunity to dip his head down slightly and take a peaked nipple into his mouth, drawing it deep. Emma gasped and leaned back against the strength of his arms supporting her weight. Her hips continued the rocking motion that he had shown her, and she could feel something building inside her, something that she couldn’t name, but instinctively knew that if it wasn’t released, she would go insane. Ardeth released one breast and moved to the other. His lips closed over it, his tongue drawing the nipple inside the heat of his mouth and suckling it much as his future son would. Ardeth felt a quick tinge of jealously at the baby that hadn’t even been created yet, but pushed it aside as his mouth moved away from her nipple to trace tiny kisses along the gentle swell of her breast. Pausing for a moment, Ardeth did something that was normally not his way with women. He marked her. Emma felt his mouth close over the under swell of her breast, felt as he drew in a section of flesh into his mouth, then winced in a combination of pain and pleasure when she felt the hard suction he created with his lips as he left the little love bite on her tender flesh.

Releasing her breast, Ardeth fell back against the covers, pulling her with him, until she stretched out the length of him. He rolled her onto her back and moved his large frame over her, warming her with the heat of his body. Emma gazed up at him hovering over her. She could barely make out his features in the dark as she reached up to push his hair back away from his face. She combed her fingers through the thick curls and pulled his head down for a kiss. “Make love to me, Ardeth,” she whispered as their lips met. “Please.”

Ardeth groaned as he raised his head, the bulk of his weight resting against his arms on either side of her. “Kalila, do you understand what you are asking?”

Emma paused. She was trying to sift through the feelings and emotions that were running rampant through her. She traced a finger along the thin line of hair that ran along his jaw. “Yes, Ardeth, I understand.”

Ardeth captured her face between his large hands. “Look at me, kalila,” he commanded softly. Emma met his gaze and shivered. Even in the darkness she could make out the look of pure desire that filled his mahogany colored eyes. “Here me well, Emma, for after this there is no turning back,” he warned. “If I make love to you now, you will be mine, is that understood?” Emma nodded. “There will be no choices for you, kalila, you will not be able to change your mind. You WILL become my wife.”

Emma could hardly breath. His wife? Good lord, what was she doing? Her mind raced ahead to picture a life with Ardeth Bay, a life in the desert, with a husband who led a tribe that descended from a long line of warriors. A man, whose religion not only differed from hers, but would probably dictate that she become a part of it. Would his people accept her, an outsider? Could she walk away from him, the man who she now was coming to believe was her soul mate? Life with Ardeth would not be easy. She recognized this and accepted it. He was a leader, and as his wife, she would need to learn to submit to his authority, especially in front of his people. She could never undermine his authority, or his people would lose respect for him. Emma had always been strong willed, had always been independent, doing things her own way, taking orders from no one. Could she give that up for this man? Did she love him enough? Did he love her? All of these thoughts raced through her mind in a matter of seconds.

Emma moved her fingers from his jaw to trace lightly across his full bottom lip. She felt her heart swelling with love for this man. She didn’t understand it; she didn’t even try to pretend that she did. She only knew that this man was meant to be hers. Suddenly it all became clear to her: her life, her training and study of Hamanaptra and the curse of Imhotep, the knowledge that she had of the desert and its ways, was all preparing her for this. The sudden knowledge made her smile, and she lifted her head to press her lips to his. “I understand and accept my fate that is now bound with yours. Make love to me, Ardeth Bay!”

Ardeth felt as if the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. His mouth covered hers in a deep kiss. His hands began to roam over her body even as hers began to roam over his. Her light touch was driving him to distraction. He wanted to be buried deep inside her. It was becoming a need that was as necessary as breathing. Her legs curled around his as he ground his hips against her. He felt her shudder violently beneath him.

“Ardeth,” Emma pleaded. “Please hurry. I need you to take away the ache.”

Ardeth rolled away from her, cursing in Arabic. He removed his pants, then was back, moving over her, settling himself between her legs. Her eagerness was almost his undoing. He kept telling himself to slow down, that she was an innocent. He did not want to hurt her and make her first time one of pain. He slipped his hand down between their bodies and found the hidden treasure between her legs. Ardeth was not prepared for the intense need that slammed through his body when his finger parted her and dipped into the liquid heat at her center. He bit down on his lower lip to keep from responding to the screaming need of his body. His sex pulsed and pressed against her inner thigh as his finger stroked her. He heard her soft whimpers as her hips pushed up, trying to take his finger in more. Not able to stand it anymore, he removed his finger and guided his hard flesh to her entrance. He sent up a prayer to Allah for strength to hold back and not hurt her, then he was pushing inside her.

Ardeth eased inside her, filling her slowly. He pulled out and eased inside again until she was adjusting to having him there. The tendons in his neck were taunt, the muscles in his back tensed as sweat trickled down his temple and his body broke out in a light sheen of perspiration. Emma was nearly beside herself with the desire to have him completely fill her. She tried to thrust her hips up, but Ardeth clamped his hands down on her hips. “No, kalila, this first time will be painful for you when I tear through your hymen. We must move slowly, so the pain will be less.” He kissed her gently. “But I promise you before this is over, you will not be feeling any more pain. Trust me, love.”

Emma gasped as she began to realize just how big Ardeth was. She felt stretched and full, but no pain as of yet. It was still very pleasurable and the tight ball that threatened to explode within her was back and once again threatening to consume her. “I trust you, Ardeth.”

Ardeth groaned as he buried his face in her neck. He eased inside her, sinking until he finally reached the barrier that would change everything for both of them. He caught her hands and laced his fingers through hers pushing them back onto the pallet. He took a deep breath, nuzzling the skin just below her ear. He shifted his hips, rubbing his hard length against her sensitive jewel, hoping that he could diminish some of the pain of breaking past her hymen while she was experiencing her first climax. He felt her tense beneath him, her fingers tightening around his. One more shift of his hips and she cried out, her body convulsing beneath him. Ardeth lifted up, then surged his hips forward, breaking past the last barrier and sinking to the hilt inside her tight sheath.

Emma felt the tear and the quick pain that intermingled with the intense climax that shook her body, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Ardeth released her hands, and she wrapped them around his neck, her legs around his waist as he began to cautiously move within her. Ardeth could not hold back any longer. He sent up another prayer to Allah that he would not hurt Emma, and he began to thrust his hips hard and fast. Emma gasped at the quick movements, but quickly caught the rhythm and met him thrust for thrust. Moments later, Ardeth growled out his own release as he drove his essence inside of her, filling her womb with his seed. Emma held him close as he collapsed on top of her, crushing her down into the mass of covers. When they had both regained their breathing, Ardeth eased carefully out of her and moved to her side. Pulling her against him, he wrapped his arms around her.

“Are you alright, kalila?” he asked softly, his warm breath puffing gusts through her hair.

“Yes,” she answered with a satisfied tone in her voice. Ardeth tightened his arms around her, squeezing her gently. He stroked the length of her back until he felt her completely relax against him and he knew she had gone to sleep. Ardeth sighed as he held her in his arms. The future was set for them. By the will of Allah, if they made it through this next mess with Imhotep, then Emma would become his wife.

A short time later, Ardeth watched Emma sleeping. He could just make out the outline of her face from the moonlight that crept in from the entrance of the tent. He had never felt more content than he did right then. Emma opened her eyes and looked into his face. She smiled when she saw him watching her.

“How long have you been watching me?” she asked a bit shyly.

“Not long.” He smiled back, and then frowned with concern. “How do you feel?”

Emma stretched like a lazy cat. “I feel wonderful.” Emma began to blush. “Did I,” she paused then tried again. “Did I please you?”

Ardeth reached for her and pulled her to him. “More than you’ll ever know,” he said gruffly, kissing her firmly on the mouth. Emma snuggled up to him happily, her fingers tracing little circles across his chest.

“And did I please you, my little lilith?” Ardeth asked

“Mmmm, quite so,” Emma answered, tracing lazy circles lower to his stomach.

“We should get some sleep. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.” Ardeth rubbed his hand up and down Emma’s side. His other hand came over and caught her fingers just as they began to trace light circles down to his private area.

“Party pooper,” Emma teased, closing her eyes.

Ardeth gave an exaggerated sigh. “Allah help me, I have created a monster.” He heard her soft chuckle, and he smiled as he drifted off to a restful sleep.

Just before dawn, Emma awoke and found Ardeth gone. “Ardeth?” she called softly, sitting up.

“I am here.” She saw his form in the darkness. He knelt down and kissed her passionately. “It will be light soon. I didn’t think it would be wise to be seen leaving your tent after daylight,” he said after he lifted his head.

“I know you’re right, but I wish you could stay.” Emma felt her insides turn to mush after his kiss. “I want to feel you again.”

Ardeth groaned, his body instantly responding to her words. “Me too, kalila, me too.” Reaching out, Ardeth gently caressed her cheek with his fingers. “When this is over, we will talk about our future, but for now we must concentrate on defeating Imhotep, alright?” he told her, wanting her to know that he had meant what he had said about her becoming his wife.

“Alright,” Emma answered. Ardeth kissed her once more and then moved away. Opening the tent flap, he looked around to make sure no one was watching. He turned back to Emma, giving her a long look, and then disappeared into the early morning darkness.

Emma sighed happily as she lay back down. Her thoughts turned to the night she had just spent with Ardeth. He had been so gentle, yet so wild in his lovemaking. She could tell that he had held back, not wanting to hurt her. She could feel the soreness beginning to seep in between her legs, a remembrance that she was no longer a virgin, that she belonged to Ardeth now. Emma carefully thought about his words before he had made love to her. He had warned her, and she knew that if she had told him no, even as far as they had gone, he would have pulled away and left her tent. Ardeth was a man of honor, and he would never take a woman by force. A thought suddenly occurred to her. Just how many wives was he planning to have? Emma sighed again, crossing her arms over her chest and hugging herself. Well if she had anything to say about it, she would be his only wife! She would not share him, and Emma hoped that with as much as she was giving up to be with him, that he in turn would give up something for her. Rolling over on her side, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chapter Ten

Emma woke several hours later. Missing Ardeth, she reached out and touched the place where he had earlier lain next to her. She could still smell him, that musky scent that was all his own. Standing up, Emma winced a little as she moved across the tent. She was definitely sore now. Cleaning up and dressing in a long tan skirt with an ivory blouse, Emma left her tent to face the morning.

Exiting her tent, Emma looked around and spotted Evelyn pouring herself a cup of coffee nearby. She headed towards her. “Save some for me,” Emma called out.

Evelyn turned and smiled. “Good morning, sleepy head.” She picked up another cup and poured some coffee in it. Handing it to Emma, she asked, “Did you sleep well?”

Emma sipped the hot coffee. “Yes, I did,” she answered, but was really thinking, ‘I didn’t sleep much at all.’ Emma looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ardeth. “Where are the boys?”

“They are off helping with the dig. Are you hungry?” Evelyn asked.

“Yes, actually, I am starved,” Emma answered as her stomach growled loudly.

“I guess so.” Evelyn laughed as she began to fix Emma a plate of food.

They sat, and as Emma ate, they talked about what was to come. Evelyn hoped they could find the book of Amun-rah, and Emma was concerned that Gerald Tate still lurked about somewhere.

“Oh, I’m sure that he’s dead, Emma. You shouldn’t worry about that,” Evelyn said when Emma had brought up her concern.

“I hope your right, Evy,” Emma answered, lost in thought.

“Emma,” Evelyn began. “I don’t mean to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but I wanted to ask you something.”

“Sure, Evy, you know you can ask me anything,” Emma answered, curious what her sister-in-law wanted to know.

“Well, you know how Rick hates it when I meddle, but well, I wanted to find out what you thought of Ardeth Bay,” Evelyn asked.

Emma choked on her food. Concerned, Evelyn pounded on her back as Emma coughed. “Are you alright? My goodness!”

When she could speak, Emma answered, “I am fine.” Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Why do you want to know what I think of Ardeth?”

“Well, it’s just that I told Rick before we discovered you’d been kidnapped, that we should introduce you to Ardeth. I just thought you two would get along well, that’s all. And now that you two have met, I just wanted to know what you thought of him,” Evelyn rambled.

“Really? You and Rick talked about Ardeth and me? Hmmm, interesting,” Emma said, hoping that she wouldn’t give herself away. Well, Evy did have the right of this one. She and Ardeth definitely got along well, though it was a bit touch and go there in the beginning. It was hard for her to believe that she had just met Ardeth night before last. Things had moved so fast, the attraction between them so strong.

“So, what do you think of him?” Evelyn prodded, interrupting her thoughts.

“I think he’s an overbearing, egotistical, arrogant jerk who can be too bossy sometimes,” Emma answered with a straight face, and believed that every one of those adjectives described Ardeth perfectly.

Evelyn studied Emma closely, then smiled. “I knew it. You do like him.”

“Am I that obvious?” Emma asked with a grin.

“No,” Evelyn answered. “But you and I are a lot alike. I think Ardeth is incredibly handsome. I may be married but I’m not blind.” They both giggled.

“Uh oh, Ardeth, we are in trouble now,” Rick said loudly as they approached the two giggling women.

Ardeth frowned, not catching the joke. “Why are we in trouble?” he asked, his eyes solely on Emma.

Rick shook his head. “You’ll learn. One of these days, old buddy, you’ll learn.” Turning his attention to the ladies, Rick said, “Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning, Rick. Good morning, Ardeth,” Evelyn said as she received a kiss from Rick.

“Good morning, Evelyn,” Ardeth answered, his gaze still on Emma.

“Good morning, brother.” Emma said. Looking up at Ardeth, she smiled. “Good morning, Ardeth.”

“Good morning, Emma.” Ardeth said softly, looking at her tenderly.

“Ignore Rick, Ardeth,” Evelyn said with a smile, noticing that Ardeth’s gaze never once left Emma. “He always thinks that when two women are giggling that trouble is brewing.”

“No,” Rick corrected, reaching for a cup of coffee. “I always think that when you and Emma are giggling that trouble is brewing.”

Ardeth tried to follow the thread of the conversation, but couldn’t take his eyes off Emma. He desperately wanted to be alone with her. The short time they had shared together last night had only whet his appetite for her. He could feel his body already reacting to her nearness. Emma poured him a cup of coffee, and he sat down next to her, taking the cup from her. He sat close enough that his leg touched hers, yet far away enough that it didn’t appear that he was sitting too close.

“Hey, listen you two,” Rick started, referring to the two women as he sipped his coffee. “We are going to be pretty busy today helping with the dig, so I want you to stay out of trouble.”

Both Evelyn and Emma gave Rick a dirty look. “Really, Richard,” Evelyn stated. “What kind of trouble are we going to get into out here?”

“Well gee, Evelyn, let me think.” Rick crossed his arms and tapped his foot, pretended to be thinking. “I think the last time we were out here, you raised a mummy. Isn’t that right, Ardeth?” Rick asked, turning to Ardeth. He frowned when he saw how close Ardeth was sitting next to Emma.

“Yes,” Ardeth answered. “And I’ll be damned if I’m going to get onto the wing of an airplane again, either.”

Emma giggled. “I heard about that,” she said, and began to laugh at the image she had in her head.

“It wasn’t funny,” Ardeth answered, annoyed. It just made Emma laugh harder.

“I don’t know, ol’ buddy, I thought it was pretty amusing myself.” Rick grinned.

Ardeth gave Rick a “go to hell” look, but when he turned his gaze on the laughing Emma, he smiled. His body clenched as her laughter washed over him. He really needed to get her alone, and soon!

“Well, since I have neither the book of Amun-Ra nor the Book of the Dead, I don’t see anything disastrous happening. So don’t worry about us,” Evelyn stated.

Rick grabbed his wife and pulled her close, kissing her firmly on the lips. “Sweetheart, wherever you go trouble follows. And when Emma’s with you that trouble doubles. Now Ardeth and I need to get. All I ask is that you guys don’t wander off. Stay near the camp and stay together.”

Evelyn started to open her mouth to protest, but Rick cut her off. “Please, Evelyn.”

Evelyn sighed. “Oh, alright.”

While Evelyn and Rick were arguing, Ardeth looked down at Emma. “Walk with me a moment,” he commanded, then winced as he heard his tone. “Please,” he added, eliciting a smile from Emma. The two stood and quietly moved away from the arguing couple. Ardeth took her hand and led her around to the other side of his tent. He stopped and turned to face her. “I wanted to give you this,” he said as he released her hand. He reached into his robes around his neck and pulled out a necklace on a strip of leather. He pulled it up over his head, then taking it in both hands, he placed it over Emma’s head. Reaching back he pulled at her braid until it was through the strip of leather. The necklace rested heavily against her breasts, and Emma fingered the unusual looking piece before looking up at him for an explanation. “It is a talisman that the men of the Med-jai wear. Each talisman represents the lineage of that person. When the warrior finds the woman who is to be his bride, he claims her by placing his talisman around her neck so that everyone knows that she belongs to him.”

“Oh!” Emma answered softly looking up into Ardeth’s dark eyes. “So this is like an engagement ring?”

Ardeth smiled at her reasoning. “Yes, you could put that way,” he answered as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips.

When he broke the kiss and pulled away, Emma looked back down at the talisman around her neck and fingered it some more. She wanted to ask Ardeth about his taking more than one wife, but she wasn’t sure how to word it so that it didn’t offend him. “What is on your mind, kalila?”

Emma glanced up at him and smiled. “Am I that obvious?”

Ardeth returned the smile. “I don’t think you would know how to hide your feelings, Emma, at least not from me.”

“I wanted to ask you as question,” Emma said, looking back down at the talisman.

“About?” He took a step closer to her and tilted her chin up with his hand until their eyes met.

“I am quite familiar with the ways of the desert, Ardeth. I know that the men are free to take more than one wife, and well, I, uh, that is…” Emma swallowed hard. Ardeth laughed; he couldn’t help it. She was jealous of the possibility of him taking another wife besides her, and it greatly amused him. Emma glared up at him, hurt by his laughter. That he would find amusement at her expense when she was trying to be up front and honest with him about her feelings really hurt her.

Ardeth caught the flash of hurt before she covered it up, and his amusement faded quickly. “Forgive me, kalila,” he said and drew her into his arms. She was stiff at first, but after a moment she relaxed against him. Ardeth held her for a few moments before setting her back from him, so that he could look at her. “It is true that I have the freedom to take more than one wife. Our tribe allows three wives, but it’s a decision made by the man as to whether he will take more than one.”

Emma straightened her shoulders and looked up at him, meeting his dark gaze head on. “I won’t be one of three or even two wives, Ardeth. I will not share you with another woman.”

Ardeth’s lips twitched as he tried to hold back a smile. “So my little night demon doesn’t like to share her toys, huh?”

Emma knew he was teasing her. “Not this toy, I don’t.”

Ardeth leaned forward until they were eye to eye, nose to nose. “Then I swear to you now, Emma O’Connell, on my honor, that you are the only woman I will marry.”

Emma’s breath caught in her throat at the intense look he was giving her. She nodded quickly. “Okay.”

Ardeth straightened. “We should return to Rick and Evelyn, now,” he said as his hand came up to grip her arm gently, just above the elbow. They walked back together.

Rick looked around to find Ardeth and Emma gone. “Where did those two take off to?” Rick asked as he stood.

Evelyn stood up with him and looked around. “I don’t know, but leave them alone, Richard.”

“Leave them alone?” Rick asked, turning to look at Evelyn. “We don’t have time for them to play the lovebird game right now.”

“Love bird game?” Ardeth asked as he and Emma came up behind Rick.

Rick jumped, startled. “Oh hey, buddy. You ready to go?” He glanced down at Emma’s flushed face and noticed a necklace around her neck that hadn’t been there before. He started to ask Emma about it, but she moved towards Evelyn, and they walked off together with a wave. Rick focused his curious gaze on Ardeth. “You going to explain?”

Ardeth returned his gaze. “Explain what?”

“Where you two disappeared to and where Emma got the necklace?”

“We walked over by my tent and I gave her the talisman,” Ardeth answered simply and turned to walk away. “Come on, we have work to do.” Rick knew it was the only answer he would get out of Ardeth, so he shrugged his broad shoulders and followed his friend.

It turned out to be a long day for Evelyn and Emma. They explored the area some, but not being able to leave the area hampered their fun. Evelyn had asked Emma about the necklace, and Emma only said that Ardeth had given it to her. She would not elaborate any more than that. Though she was dying of curiosity, Evelyn respected Emma’s privacy and didn’t ask any more questions about it. Neither one of them saw the short, fat man watching them the entire day from his hidden perch up on the hill.

It was after dark before Rick and Ardeth finally returned to the camp area. They were both dirty and irritable. Evelyn and Emma hurried to get the two men something to eat as they attempted to dust themselves off as best they could.

“Any progress?” Emma asked, carefully handing Ardeth a plate of food, then settling down next to him.

Both men shook their heads. “Damn thing keeps caving in no matter where we dig,” Rick grumbled, accepting the plate of food that Evelyn handed him. “I don’t see how Imhotep can rise if he’s under all that sand and rock.”

“I wish there was some way we could be sure of that,” Evelyn said softly, sitting down next to Rick.

“Well we can’t stop trying,” Emma announced. “We can’t just assume Imhotep can’t get out.”

“You are right, kalila,” Ardeth agreed softly, his irritation of the failed day fading in her presence. “When it comes to He Who Shall Not Be Named, we can assume nothing.”

“Alright, alright,” Rick growled. “If all else fails, we’ll just kill the guy again, find the book, and wait another year.” The men ate in silence while both Evelyn and Emma told of their own uneventful day.

Finally, Ardeth put his empty plate aside and stood. “I must go and rest. I have watch later tonight.” Giving Emma a long look, he turned and left.

“Ya know sis, Ardeth told me he kissed you,” Rick announced after Ardeth was gone.

“What?” Emma’s head snapped around to look at Rick.

Evelyn looked at Rick in surprise. “You never told me that.”

Rick glanced over at Evelyn. “You never asked.”

Evelyn swatted Rick across the arm and turned to Emma. “And why didn’t you tell me this?”

“Oh, didn’t I?” Emma blushed with a sheepish smile. She heard Rick snicker, and she frowned. “Just what else did he tell you?” Emma asked, wondering if Ardeth told Rick about last night. Surely not, she thought. She couldn’t imagine Rick sitting there calmly if Ardeth had told him he’d made love to his sister.

“Nothing really. He told me that he kissed you. I guess because he wanted my permission to pursue you. Poor guy, he really doesn’t know what he’s getting into.” Rick smiled.

“Your permission?” Emma asked, shocked.

“You have to understand where Ardeth is coming from, Emma. Out here in the desert things are done differently,” Evelyn butted in. “They have strict laws. If Ardeth kissed you, then it means he is very serious about you, and I would bet plans to take you as his wife.”

Oh god, if they only knew! Emma thought, then it suddenly occurred to her that the men of the desert never took foreign women for their brides; it was like a taboo. So then why did Ardeth want to marry her? Especially if he is the leader of his tribe. His people would never accept her. Emma suddenly felt panicked. “Evy, I didn’t think he would be allowed to do that. I’m an American, isn’t that like taboo?” she asked.

“Well, the Med-jai are different. Normally you’re right, they don’t marry outsiders. But the men who serve as Med-jai warriors have special privileges that others don’t.” Evelyn paused. “For instance, Ardeth or any one of his men can marry whomever they wish, merely because of their duty as a Med-jai warrior.”

“How do you know this?” Emma asked curiously.

“He told us once, when he came to visit at the museum. I had asked him if he ever planned to marry, and he said he hoped to someday, but just hadn’t found the right woman. He then proceeded to tell us how the Med-jai had certain privileges that other tribes didn’t have,” Evelyn answered.

“Oh,” Emma replied, a sense of relief washing over her

“So don’t play games with him, little sister,” Rick warned.

Emma looked at her brother and smiled. “I wouldn’t do that, Rick.”

Their conversation turned back to Imhotep, and they discussed at length what their next move should be. It was getting late, and they had made no progress, when Rick stood.

“Ladies, I am beat. I’m going to bed,” he announced. “Evelyn, are you coming?”

Evelyn stood. “Yes. It has been an exhausting day of doing nothing,” she replied.

Rick turned to his sister and gave her a “here we go again” look and said, “Goodnight, Emma.”

Emma laughed and said goodnight to them both. She stood and went to her own tent, wishing that Ardeth were there waiting for her. But he wasn’t, and so she readied herself for bed and lay down, preparing to go to sleep. But sleep wouldn’t come. After what seemed like half the night, but in truth was only a few hours, Emma got up and slipped on her robe. Poking her head out the tent flap, she looked around and saw no one. She looked over to where Ardeth’s tent was and wondered if she should chance it. She wanted to see him, to cuddle next to him. So taking a deep breath, she quickly but quietly hurried over to his tent and called softly to him. When she got no answer, she began to wonder if maybe he was ignoring her. Then she remembered. Ardeth said he had watch tonight.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chapter Eleven


Ardeth sat on a large rock as he looked out into the night. It was a quiet night, and he wondered how much longer it would remain so. It worried him that they could not find an entrance yet to the ceremonial chamber. Ardeth did not like loose ends, especially when it came to Imhotep. And then there was Emma. He sighed heavily as he remembered the night before. He had not meant to make love to her. It had not been his intent when he went to check on her, but it had happened. And now they would be married. So far she seemed to understand and accept her fate. Her jealousy over the possibility of him taking another wife amused him and thrilled him at the same time. He was glad that she felt that way, and he liked the fact that she brought her question to him. It didn’t matter that he had had no intentions of taking another wife. Emma was enough for him. They would have a good marriage, he thought. With her temper and high spirit, it definitely would not be boring! Suddenly Ardeth felt a hand touch his shoulder and in one swift movement, he slid off the rock, drew his scimitar, and spun. Emma gave a little shriek and jumped back, tripping over her own feet and landing with a thud on her rear end.

Emma cringed at the Arabic curses and threats that came out of Ardeth’s mouth when he realized who she was. “You little fool,” he finally hissed in English. “I could have cut you in half before realizing it was you.”

Oh boy, he was very angry with her! She hadn’t meant to startle him. Ardeth put his scimitar away and held out his hand to help her up.

“I am sorry, Ardeth. I thought you heard me,” Emma apologized, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her up. “I called to you several times.”

Ardeth took a deep breath, trying to get his anger under control. His heart had nearly leapt out of his throat when he had realized he had almost killed Emma. He had never known that kind of fear and did not wish to feel it again. He was also angry with himself, for he had let thoughts of her steal his concentration, and she had been able to come up behind him without his ever hearing her. If she had been an enemy, he would have been dead.

“Why are you here?” he finally asked her. His voice was cold and emotionless.

Emma shrank back a little. He was still angry with her. “I missed you. I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would come and say goodnight.”

Ardeth sighed heavily, his massive shoulders rising and falling with the deep breath he took. “I miss you too, kalila, but you cannot come up here when I am on watch. It does not set a good example for my men. Now please, you must go back to your tent.”

Emma took a tentative step forward. “Did you really miss me, Ardeth?” she asked shyly.

Ardeth groaned softly. “How can you ask me that when my body aches for you?” He reached for her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her soundly.

Emma melted into him. She parted her lips in a sigh as his tongue swept in and plundered her mouth almost violently. All the fear and anger he had just felt he put into that kiss, and Emma swooned, her knees buckling. Only Ardeth’s strong, muscular arms kept her from falling to the sandy ground. But just as suddenly as the kiss began, it ended. Ardeth tore his mouth away from hers and nearly shoved her away from him. Emma stumbled back and barely caught herself from landing on her rear end again.

“Damn it, woman, go back to your tent,” he growled in frustration.

Emma smiled. He was hiding his desire for her behind his anger. “Will you come? After you’re through here?” she asked, hoping.

“Yes. Now go, you little lilith,” he barked at her. But as she turned and hurried off, he smiled. She really was his night demon, and his body hardened in anticipation for later.

Emma giggled as she hurried down the path back to the campsite. He said he would come and she would have another night with him. So intent were her thoughts that she did not see the short, fat man standing in the path ahead of her until she was almost on top of him. Emma came up short with a gasp.

“Hello, my dear. Remember me?” Gerald Tate asked.

“Tate! I thought you were dead,” Emma whispered, fear filling her heart.

“I almost was, no thanks to your boyfriend. But we have some unfinished business to attend to,” he snapped, stepping forward.

Emma turned to yell for Ardeth, but Tate’s hand came around her, and her nose and mouth were filled with chloroform from the cloth he slapped over her face. Emma struggled with him, her robe tearing and falling off her to the ground. As Emma lost consciousness, Tate lowered her to the ground. He then picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, carrying her off into the darkness.

It was about an hour later when the next warrior came on watch to relieve Ardeth. After giving the warrior an account of his watch and instructions for the rest of the night, Ardeth hurried down the moonlit path, anticipating his union with Emma. As he passed by some brush, his leg caught in something, and he stopped to untangle it. He frowned as he realized it was material from somebody’s clothes. He brought it up to examine it in the moonlight. Fear slammed through him, nearly bringing him to his knees as he realized it was part of Emma’s robe.

“Please, Allah no!” he whispered as he clutched the silky material in his fist and ran the rest of the way to the camp.

Emma’s tent was dark as he quickly approached it. “Emma?” he called out softly, not wanting to wake anyone if she was safely in her tent. There was no answer. His heart pounding wildly, he pushed open the flap and peered inside. His worst fears were realized when he found her tent empty. Closing his eyes tightly, for the first time in his life, he wanted to cry. He prayed in his heart that she was all right. He spun on his heels and began shouting for his men.

Within minutes all the med-jai warriors were standing in front of Ardeth as he explained to them that Emma had been kidnapped again, and he wanted everyone out looking for her. Rick and Evelyn heard the commotion and came out to see what was going on.

Ardeth approached them, not looking forward to explaining to Rick that his sister was kidnapped again and that it was because of him. “Emma’s missing.”

Rick saw the fear in his friend’s eyes. “Missing? But how did someone get in the camp? She was in her tent.”

Ardeth looked away, not able to look his friend in the eye. “No she wasn’t. She came to see me when I was standing watch.” Looking back to Rick, he continued. “I told her she shouldn’t have come, and I sent her back here. I should have escorted her. I should have known. It has to be Tate.”

Evelyn stepped forward and placed her hand on Ardeth’s arm. “Ardeth, you couldn’t have known he was waiting for her. We all thought he was dead. Don’t blame yourself.”

“Why not? I do,” Rick snapped. “You’re the one who is supposed to be in love with her. You’re the one who is supposed to be watching out for her.”

“Richard, that is enough!” Evelyn scolded, surprised at Rick’s anger.

Ardeth stepped away, clearly hurt by Rick’s anger. But Rick was right; he was supposed to be watching out for her. After all she was to be his wife! What kind of husband would he be if he couldn’t even take care of his own wife?

Evelyn turned back to Ardeth. “Ardeth, don’t listen to him.”

Ardeth gave her a sad smile. “It’s alright, Evelyn. Rick is right. It is my fault. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find Emma.” He gave Rick a last look, and then turned and walked away.

Evelyn turned on Rick. “I can’t believe you. I thought you were a better friend than that.”

“I can’t believe you are siding with him.” Rick gaped at her.

“Siding with him? Richard O’Connell, Ardeth is clearly devastated over Emma’s disappearance. If you would get your head out of your arse long enough, you’d see that. What Ardeth needs right now is your help and support, not your blame. He blames himself enough as it is,” Evelyn snapped at him.

Rick sighed as his shoulders slumped. “You’re right.” He looked at Evelyn with a chagrinned look on his face.

Evelyn reached up and kissed her husband on the cheek. “Go get dressed and help Ardeth find Emma.”

Rick nodded and pulled her close. “Where would I be without you, little lady?” he whispered in her hair.

“Most likely dangling from the end of a rope,” she quipped as she pulled away from him and went back into their tent.

Rick shrugged his broad shoulders and laughed. “She’s probably right,” he said to himself as he remembered how Evelyn had saved him from hanging a little over a year ago. He followed her into the tent and got dressed. A few minutes later, he located Ardeth close to where they believed Emma had been taken.

“I’m sorry old man. I didn’t mean what I said,” Rick apologized.

“Yes you did,” Ardeth answered, but then he smiled. “But I understand why you said it. There is no need to apologize.”

Rick held out his hand and Ardeth clasped it in his. Their eyes met. “I know you care for her, Ardeth. I know that you would have done everything in your power to protect her if you could, so don’t beat yourself up over this. We will find her and get her back.”

Ardeth nodded and released Rick’s hand. They continued to search for her throughout the night, but it was as if she had disappeared into thin air. As dawn approached, Ardeth sent Abdul and most of the others back to the dig site. They couldn’t stop trying to get through. He, Rick, and about a half dozen warriors continued to look for Emma. Rick had told Evelyn to stay with him. Since Evelyn was the only one who could finish off Imhotep, Rick didn’t want to take any chances that this Tate fellow might come after her next.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hope For The Future - Chapters 12-13