CHAPTER TWELVE

Amira and Ardeth entered the tent and walked slowly towards its center. Amira watched everything closely, taking in all the beauty and legend surrounding her. The Elders sat on beautifully adorned, ancient chairs and she was sure that, a long time ago, these men had been great, fierce warriors. One of them motioned for them to sit on two deeply upholstered cushions on the floor and they obeyed, both noticing that Karim was among the Elders, a smile on his wrinkled face. He bowed respectfully and Amira smiled. She felt suddenly nervous, and took Ardeth’s hand in a vice grip wanting to make sure that he was with her, supporting her.

“Ardeth, Amira…” the Council’s spokesman, Abdul, greeted them both softly. “I’m sure you…”

“Sir,” Amira cut him off boldly, using Arabic and taking them all off guard. “If it’s your wish, you may speak your own language.”

“You understand and speak our language!” exclaimed Abdul, utterly amazed.

“Yes, sir.,” she stated.

“Then I will use my own language, Miss Peterson,” he said, nodding. “As I was trying to say, I’m sure you two are wondering why we summoned you to this meeting. Several days ago we talked to you, my Lord, sharing our thoughts were regarding some… concrete matter. You know how hard we fought against your decision, but this was of no importance to you. You told us that you would look for proof to justify your decision.”

Ardeth and Amira shared a knowing look and then looked back at Abdul.

“Unfortunately, Miss Peterson was shot when she was trying to save your life, my Lord. And we must thank her for her braveness. Your actions honor you, Miss Peterson.” At his words, all the Elders respectfully bowed to her.

Blushing, Amira asked. “Please… please, you may call me Amira. Yes?” she said.

Abdul chuckled. “Alright, Amira,” he nodded. Then, his eyes landed on Ardeth again. “What happened did nothing but strengthen the already tight bond between you two. And even knowing that, we stubbornly kept our position ‘til Karim told us about your dream and Amira’s story.” He stopped for several minutes trying to put his thoughts in order. “You both know that Amira’s story sounds too unlikely and unbelievable, too out of this world even for the Medjai. But we know that anything can happen regarding the ancient gods and goddesses. We need to see the mark of the goddess with our own eyes. We believe you now, do not think otherwise. But it would be a great honor to look at Bastet’s mark, to see it engraved in one of the chosen’s chest.”

Amira looked up at Ardeth and he nodded slightly. She then opened her blouse slowly and removed her necklace. The amulet was cold at last. Standing up, she walked towards the Elders, a soft smile appearing on her lips when she saw their reaction. Abdul opened his eyes wide, utterly speechless before the Mark of the Goddess. A surge of shame grew inside of him when he remembered his iron fight against his Chieftain’s wishes.

Amira closed her blouse again and returned to her place by Ardeth’s side. He stood up and addressed the Elders once more.

“Am I right to believe you wish to give us your blessings? You don’t object to our becoming man and wife?” Ardeth said firmly.

“Yes, my Lord,” Abdul nodded. “And we would also like to ask for your forgiveness. We doubted your word. We insisted you were making a mistake with Amira and refused to see how wrong we were in judging your actions. We owe you both an apology.”

Amira watched in awe how the Elders, one by one, bowed not only before Ardeth but also before her.

“You have my forgiveness, as well as...” Ardeth stopped and looked at Amira. She nodded with a smile. “As well as Amira’s. We wanted to have your blessings, especially Amira, who needed to know that she would be welcome as the Medjai Chieftain’s wife. I am glad that you could see beyond your prejudices.”

“The Medjai Chieftain’s wife?” Abdul repeated, grinning. “By Allah! When? When will you two make us a happy people?”

Amira and Ardeth joined their hands and chuckled happily.

“There’s nothing concrete yet,” Ardeth said. “But soon.”

Abdul left his chair and walked towards them, asking them to stand up before him. Landing one hand on Ardeth’s shoulder and the other on Amira’s, he announced. “I, Abdul, as the Council of Elder’s spokesman, give my most sincere blessing to you, Ardeth, Chieftain of the Medjai and to you, Amira, Bastet’s Chosen,” he said. Then, beaming, he added. “And as a friend, all I can say is that I’ll pray to Allah, so His grace lightens your life together.”

And that said, all the Elders stood up and raised their hands to the voice of “Allah is Great! May He always be upon you!”

Ardeth and Amira smiled again, their faces reflecting their deep happiness. They thanked the Elders and said their good-byes, leaving the tent. The scorching sun welcomed them and they both grinned, lost in their own thoughts and enjoying immensely the chance to be together, showing their love to the world.

Naila had been waiting impatiently and as soon as she saw them, she ran across the compound with a big smile plastered on her face. There was no need for her to ask them anything. It was all written on their happy faces.

Wrapping Amira in her strong embrace, Naila couldn’t stop giggling and talking. “Oh, my, Amira! I’m so happy for you, sis,” she managed to blurt out between giggles. Then, turning around, she held Ardeth too, smiling when she noticed he had dropped his guard. “Good for you, Medjai Chieftain!”

Ardeth chuckled with amusement. “Thank you, Naila.”

“Now, spill it,” she said with twinkling eyes.

“Pardon?” Ardeth asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Spill the beans, enlighten me, tell me absolutely everything, oh Chieftain of the Medjai,” Naila said, rolling her eyes.

Ardeth laughed at her curiosity and obliged, telling sweet Naila what had happened before the Council. He decided, however to keep for himself a very important piece of information. He wasn’t ready to share the news of his impending marriage… at least not yet. He wanted to keep that little, harmless secret to himself and enjoy it only with the woman he loved. They deserved it. Allah knew they deserved it.

Later, they would share the news with the rest of his people, but not now. Now, it was their moment and by the look of understanding in Amira’s eyes, he realized she agreed. It was amazing, this connection between them. There were times when they didn’t even need to say a word. A simple gesture, a look, a barely perceptible movement and their hearts would beat at the same rhythm. And, oh, how he cherished their complicity. He had never had a chance to share his dreams, his thoughts, his worries, his joys so completely with any woman, with any one person, truthfully. It felt right. It felt wonderful.

He looked at her, thanking his luck once more and thinking how blessed he was for having found that loving woman to share his life and burdens with. Smiling, he took her hand in his and sighed.

“Come,” he said. “We need to see my mother.”

“Of course,” she nodded sweetly before turning towards Naila. “Come on, sis.”

The three of them crossed the campsite towards Sabah’s tent but little Khadija saw them before they had a chance to even make their presence known. Running as fast as she could, the child entered the tent and called out for her mother. “Ume! Ume, Ardeth’s here!” She shouted. “He comes with Amira, Ume! And they are smiling!”

Sabah was in her bedroom, embroidering and heard her daughter, coming in like a hurricane. She just chuckled when she realized she had left to greet her brother as she always did. She could easily hear in her mind Ardeth’s groan and then laughter, just exactly when Khadija threw herself against him, surrounding his neck with her slender arms. They were a blessing, those children of hers.

When she hear them all enter her tent, she stopped doing her chores and went to the main area to receive them. What she saw almost left her breathless… There was no need for words because they both wore their hearts on their faces. Her Ardeth… That stubborn, brave son of hers had finally found happiness. Could it be? Allah, it all was happening so fast! Yet how could she worry about Ardeth’s future and happiness, when the woman by his side glowed with her love for him? She was certain she had never seen anything so beautiful in her life.

“I can see that… that everything will be fine?” She spoke in her native tongue, her voice broken by emotion.

“Aiwa, Ume,” her son grinned and she sighed.

“Only Allah knows how much I have prayed for this day to arrive, ya ibney,” she admitted, smiling. She turned slightly to look at Amira and landing her hands on her shoulders she spoke in English. “Amira, I have no words to express my happiness, my daughter. You have brought light into my son’s life and there is no way I can ever repay you. You have my blessings, my children,” she ended, resting her hands on their bowed heads.

“Shukran, Sabah,” Amira replied in Arabic. “I trust you’ll be a wonderful grandmother.”

Sabah frowned with confusion and Khadija gasped. Naila merely stared at her sister as if she had grown a second head. Opening her mouth she prepared to make one of her remarks but Sabah cut her off even before she had a chance.

“What… what… how… what do you mean?” the woman finally asked. “How… when did you learn to speak Arabic? How… how… how?”

Amira and Ardeth couldn’t help but chuckle before their obvious confusion.

“Sabah, you’ll know the answer to your first question in time,” Amira said quite evasively, still using Arabic. “As for your other questions… well, let’s say it’s a present from the Lady Bastet.”

“Okay, now, this is enough!” Naila finally exclaimed, her frustration as plain as her impatience. Her hands rested on her waist and one of her feet tapped the tent’s floor as she asked, “Will you please, translate into English? Just in case you don’t remember I don’t speak Arabic, that’s it! Other than the Lady Bastet, I didn’t catch a word!”

Amira looked at her sister in shock and then, a soft smile appeared on her face. “You’re right, sis,” she said. “I’m sorry. I totally forgot about it.”

Naila rolled her eyes. “Yes, right. I always knew I was kind of slow learning languages!”

Chuckling, Amira held her sister against her body and shivered with emotion when Naila returned her embrace. She explained quickly what they had been talking about and Naila grinned from ear to ear when her sharp mind started drawing Amira and Ardeth’s future.

“Amira,” Ardeth said, after they all were a bit calmer. “I would like to speak with you about something.”

“Well… I’ll have to check my schedule,” she joked. Then, she smiled and added. “I have time now, Ardeth. What is it?”

“In private,” he said, arching an eyebrow. “I have no intention of having three curious women hearing what I have to say.”

Sabah smiled knowingly. “Go, children,” she said. “Khadija and Naila will stay with me. I am sure I can find something to keep them busy.”

“Oh, I’m sure!” Naila exclaimed, scowling. “Especially now, when all I’d like is to be a fly on the wall.”

Amira laughed out loud. “Oh, but there are no walls out there, sis!”

“You know what I mean!” Naila insisted, frustrated.

Amira knew her sister and she saw her eyes shinning with delight. Knowing she was only acting, she kissed her cheek and took Ardeth’s hand, leaving the tent quickly.

“Well,” she said, narrowing her eyes under the scorching sun. “Now, where?”

“Would you like to join me for a horseback ride?” he suggested, looking at her seductively as he walked slowly.

“Now?? With this heat?” exclaimed Amira, knowing well it wasn’t the best hour to ride only for pleasure. “You must be crazy, Ardeth.”

His soft laugh filled her ears as a caress. “Oh, come on! It’s the best time to ride with no eyes around us, ya habibti.”

“But… but, Ardeth…the heat… I should have taken my hat,” she complained. But to not avail.

“It’s not a problem, young lady,” he said, smiling at her, as he headed his steps for the stables. “I have a solution for it. Remember I’m a desert man…” He replied, winking at her naughtily.

She sighed deeply and shook her head in defeat. She knew he was an absolutely stubborn man and was completely certain that it was impossible to convince him to change his mind once it was set. There was nothing to do but let him guide her and not complain. Maybe, he had a hidden surprise for her, after all.

Once in the stables, they saddled their horses in silence. Ardeth was done first, and came over to Amira, handing her a piece of cloth.

“What’s this?” She asked, frowning as she took it from his hand.

“It’s for your head. You should wear it.”

“Oh, yes! What a silly thing I am,” she muttered, shaking her head. Then, she put the long indigo piece of cloth over her head and tried to make a turban with it. But it was useless.

“You should look at yourself. You look…all a Medjai,” said Ardeth, giggling softly at her failed attempts to make a decent turban.

“Hey! Don’t laugh at me!” she scolded him as she pinched his arm, once, twice. That only made him giggle even more. “Very nice, Chieftain Bay! Laughing at your future wife, eh? Stop now and fix once and for all that damned… thing over my head.”

Ardeth, instead of taking notice of her, took her between his arms and pulled her against his strong chest. His laugh lessened bit by bit until it vanished completely as he nailed his dark eyes on her green ones. Then, he bent down his head until his mouth was at mere inches from hers. Amira, who didn’t expect that reaction from him, caught her breath instinctively. She loved when he embraced her as tenderly as he did; she adored when he caressed her as a man did to a woman; she felt she was in heaven when he kissed her that sensual way he did. But yet, his nearness was still a bit overwhelming for her. All of him was overwhelming. Though, she knew she should start to be used to him and to his unexpected reactions. After all, they were going to become man and wife soon, weren’t they?

“If you think that doing this it going to make me forgive you for laughing at me, you’re wrong,” she firmly pointed out, pretending to be upset.

He didn’t swallow her performance. “Are you… sure?” he whispered seductively, increasing his grab around her waist and pulling her towards him. “You already know I have many methods to change your mind very quickly.” Before she had a chance to protest, he closed the distance between them and possessed her lips passionately.

Amira couldn’t fight against his kiss; instead, she surrendered totally. Her arms impulsively rose to his neck and wrapped it softly, as her fingers began to play with his long silky hair. Ardeth’s hands didn’t stop caressing his beloved’s back, slowly, with intensity as if he wanted to memorize forever each little inch of her body.

When that fervent kiss broke, their breathing was labouredly. Ardeth leaned his forehead softly against Amira’s as his breath came back to normal. She gave him an in-love smile as she also tried to recover from his devastating kiss. Ardeth’s were always like this, and honestly, she loved them.

“Chieftain, you should know I also have my own methods to change your mind,” she whispered mischievously as she removed a rebel lock from his handsome face. “And they’re as effective as yours.”

“I know, ya hayati,” he replied, kissing the tip of her nose. “And also, that you can be as dangerous as me.”

“Hmmm… interesting,” she said seductively as she winked at him.

Ardeth returned her wink as he stepped back a bit, loosening his grab around her. “Let me help you with this,” he suggested as he removed the indigo cloth from her head. It was obvious the sensual moment was over now.

“Alright,” she muttered, sighing deeply.

With several quick movements, Ardeth successfully placed the long cloth on Amira’s head. He stepped back a bit to watch her and the smile that appeared on his lips was a clear proof he had made a good job with it.

“How do I look?” She asked as she delicately touched her turban.

“Beautiful, Amira. It suits you fine,” he answered, placing a soft kiss on her lips. He, then went to his horse and pulled his own cloth from a saddlebag. He covered his head in a matter of seconds and then, motioned for her to take her reins. “Come on, Amira. Let’s go now.”

She nodded at him with a smile. Once outside, he helped her mount on her horse and then, he did the same.

“Where are we going?” she asked as she covered her face with the rest of the cloth that hung on one side. It was at that moment, when she could smell his particular aroma in that veil. Mmmm…really, good. She couldn’t help but close her eyes for a moment to fill herself with Ardeth’s scent. But he broke her thoughts…

“What about if we go to the temple?” he suggested as he also covered his face. “There we’ll be better and cooler.”

“It’s a great idea,” she agreed, nodding.

“Come on, then,” he said, pulling the reins towards his right, guiding his horse towards the end of the village.

“Let’s go,” added Amira, imitating him.

They rode in silence, one next to the other, until they were on the outskirts of the village. Then, they headed their horses towards the direction to the temple. It was dug into the rocks, hidden behind a large crack in the mountain, and was their favorite place to be alone. On their way, they talked about the last three days, commenting on the bad and the good things happened, and above all, they expressed openly their happiness that everything turned out well, after all.

Ardeth got his horse closer to hers a bit more; he wanted to take Amira’s hand, to feel her warmth. Behind her veil, she smiled lovingly when she felt the soft clasp from Ardeth’s hand. Removing his veil, he returned her smile, nailing his dark eyes to the only part of her face he could see; her wonderful green eyes. He thought they were tremendously beautiful and deeply mysterious. Each time he looked at them, he couldn’t help but have the same sensation he got the first time he saw them, exactly that day she lifted her head to thank him for having caught that little thief. What a magical moment…

They had only half of a mile left before arriving at the crack in the mountain, when Amira released his hand.

“Let’s see who will be the first one to reach the temple!” she exclaimed as she set off her horse, without waiting for seeing if he was following her or not.

It caught him unaware and he couldn’t react as quickly as he would have had his mind not been fogged with thoughts of love. He didn’t mind, however. If she wanted to play, he was willing to give her an advantage. After all, he knew this landscape better than her.

“I’ll catch you, Amira Peterson!” he shouted as he replaced his veil on his face. Then, he spurred his black stallion, riding behind her as fast as he could.

“I think not, great chieftain!” she replied, removing her veil just enough to stick her tongue out at him. Once that was done, she returned the cloth to its place and kicked her horse to put more distance between her and Ardeth , so she would be the first one to enter the narrow crack in the rocks.

“We’ll see…!” he burst out loud as he couldn’t but chuckle. He admitted he was enjoying that competition between them. Even more, he felt excited in anticipation for what could happen once they were in the temple.

Although he was used to carrying out speedy gallops with his stallion, he knew it was going to be a hard race. Amira’s horse was faster than his own, and deep down, it annoyed him to admit that detail. She arrived at the crack sooner than him, and after maneuvering her horse precisely, she approached the thin entrance, with Ardeth mere feet behind her. She was quick to cut him off, forcing him to let her pass through the fissure in the mountain first, since it could just enter a horse at once.

Ardeth shook his head in defeat, hearing Amira’s mocking laugh.

“I’m winning, great chieftain!” she shouted at him, turning around to see how close he was behind her. Oops! Just some feet. Too close, really.

“It’s not over yet, dear Amira!” He pointed out with a naughty smile on his face. “Let’s see who’s the first one to enter the temple.”

Amira laughed again to get him more nervous. She guessed he couldn’t stand she had won the first part of this race. She knew the second part was still ahead, and she spurred her brave horse ahead once she saw the end of the crack. She concentrated on the last feet and went out of it like possessed, raising a sand cloud behind her.

Ardeth closed his eyes to avoid the sand. You are so bad, Amira. Then, digging his heels hard into his stallion’s sides, he opened his eyes and realized she could end up winning after all. Nothing was lost yet, and he decided to take another tactic. He knew what she would do exactly when she arrived at the temple. He only had to wait…

Amira stopped her horse just before the stairs and leapt from him in a hardy orthodoxy way. Once on her feet, she began to go upstairs as if the very devil was chasing her. At that moment, Ardeth knew it was his time. He incited his stallion once more time, heading towards her, just as she turned around a bit to see where he was at those moments. Her eyes opened wide when she realized Ardeth hadn’t any intention of stopping his horse and much less, dismounting. He was planning to race his horse into the temple!!

“What the hell are you doing? That’s cheating!” She exclaimed, before running again towards the temple entrance.

He didn’t answer her; he just went upstairs… with his horse under him. It was too late for Amira; she knew it when she felt his arm wrapping strongly around her waist and placing her on his saddle. It was easy to him; after all, he was a muscular man.

“That’s cheating, Ardeth! You played dirty,” she protested, squirming between his arms, which didn’t loosen his strong yet gentle grab at all.

He couldn’t help but laugh while they finished going up the rest of the steps until the temple entrance. Then, he left her on the floor before he slipped down from his horse.

“It was only a game,” he stated as he removed his veil. Then, he got closer to her and encircled her waist, this time more softly. “Don’t be upset, ya hayati.”

She averted her eyes as she pursed her lips, pretending to show him she was actually annoyed, however she was fighting hard to not burst out laughing. Putting a finger under her chin, he made her turn her head towards him as he nailed his eyes to hers.

“You’re not a good actress, Amira,” he stated with a half smile on his lips. “I can see you’re trying to fool me, aren’t you?”

She said nothing; she kept still, almost as a statue, hypnotized by his gaze.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” he insisted, this time wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling Amira against his chest. “If you don’t want to talk…” One of his hands rose and touched delicately her cheek.  “…remember I have some methods to change your mind…” And his half smile turned into a wicked one.

She didn’t think twice. Tiptoeing as tall as she could, she took possession of his sensual lips fervently, and kissed him senseless. Once she broke that kiss, she noticed the astonished expression he had plastered on his face.

“Well, look at you…” she teased him, a naughty smile on her lips. “You seem you’re still in shock, great Chieftain.” And then, she laughed wickedly.

“I see your annoyance has vani…”

“Oh, God! Don’t be silly, Ardeth,” she cut him off, caressing his cheek kindly. “I was just kidding you, boy.”

“I knew, habibti,” he said, releasing her waist to take her hand and entered the temple with her by his side.

“Oh, yes, yes… sure,” she replied, giggling. “Anyway, I have to add something else.”

“What else?” he asked, arching an eyebrow as he sat down on a fallen column. Then, he motioned to her to do the same next to him.

But she chose his lap to make herself comfortable; his knees would be a far better seat than the hard rock. Anyway, Ardeth didn’t dispute her decision.

“What else, Amira?” he insisted as he wrapped his arm around her waist possessively, keeping his beloved close.

She tilted her head and whispered into his ear, “You are a cheat and a bad loser, Ardeth Bay.”

“Me???” he growled. “What about you, Amira Peterson? You still can’t stand it that it was I who won.”

“What?? You…” Her eyes nailed his with deadly intent; she was truly upset with him, or at least it appeared so. Her words, too, were angry. “How dare you say such a thing? You know you played dirty and on top of everything, you try to make me think you’re not a cheat. Sorry, but you’re the only loser here. You are…”

She couldn’t finish her reproach; his warm lips on hers were the ones to blame. The Medjai kissed her ardently until her muffled protests vanished completely, becoming instantaneously, a trail of deep moans. When their lips parted, Amira was breathless.

“For… for God’s… sake, Ar… Ardeth!” She took a deep breath in. “If you keep kissing me like this…” One more deep breath in. “…I’ll end up raping you at any moment. God! You’re going to turn me into a senseless woman…”

His fresh laugh wrapped her softly. “Oh, Amira, Amira… It’s you who provokes in me that urge to kiss you so, my love.” Then, he tenderly caressed her cheek as he smiled at her. “I love when you take out your strong temper. Your eyes sparkle with fury and your cheeks become redder…” His smile became wider. “You know, my little one, when you show that part of you, I can’t help but think that night at your Uncle’s party.”

“Do you mean when you and I really met?” Her voice sounded suddenly softer, a weak smile on her lips. Actually, the fact that Ardeth had mentioned her that made her little anger disappear instantly, and of course, it touched her deeply.

“Yes, exactly,” he replied, taking her hand and kissed it softly. “You know, I recall when you dismissed that snooty Englishman. What was his name?”

“Horatio Mayflower,” she growled with repugnance, which made him laugh out loud.

“Oh, yes! You were extraordinarily accurate by then. I thought for a moment I’d have to interfere after all, despite your silent plea, but I realized your words were precise enough to not need my intervention. I’m certain they stabbed like daggers into his pride,” Ardeth stated, staring at her with so much love. “I’m very proud of you, Amira Peterson. You’re a strong and brave woman and I’ll be very pleased becoming your husband.”

She leaned forward a bit and kissed him gently, feeling totally in love with him.

“I will be, too, when I become your wife, Ardeth Bay,” she added, after breaking the kiss.

“Er… well, as long as you don’t think I’m a camel,” he joked, arching an eyebrow.

“Oh, my God! Ardeth!” she exclaimed, giggling, a hand flying to her mouth. “I don’t know how I dared call you this. But it worked to get rid of that worm named Horatio Mayflower. Definitely, I couldn’t allow him to keep on insulting you.” She cupped his face and caressed it lovingly. “You, my love, didn’t deserve such lack of respect. You are the Medjai Chieftain and he must honor you for this.”

He hugged her slender waist even more as he placed his ear against her chest. He could hear her heart beating strongly. Allah! He didn’t want to think what would have happened if that bullet had found her vital organ instead her shoulder. He would have died instantly; he would have turn into a specter, a dead in life. Without Amira by his side, he wouldn’t have wanted to live any more; he was sure of that. But fortunately, she was alive and soon, she would become his wife for the rest of their lives. Thanks Allah!

“By the way, Ardeth, what did you want to talk about?” Her voice made him return to reality.

He gave her a soft smile before answering. “Well, now that you accepted my wedding offer, I think we should make plans about it, don’t you think so?”

“Plans?” She arched her eyebrows. “Tell me, what do you have in mind, Chieftain Bay?”

“Er… well… we must admit this marriage is not going to be a normal one between two members of my tribe. Not at all,” he stated, staring at her intensely. “You’re Catholic and an outsider and I, well, am totally the opposite; a Muslim and a desert Chieftain. So, I guess…”

“Wait, my love,” Amira cut him off kindly as she smiled at him lovingly. “What are you trying to tell me? That we’ll need to find a way to make this union can be recognized by my Church? Is it that what you’re telling?”

He nodded firmly. “Don’t tell me you’ve not thought about it, Amira?”

“Of course, I have, Ardeth,” she pointed out. “But truth be told, I don’t mind at all at this moment if my Church will accept finally my marriage with you or not.”

“What?” He was shocked. “I know how important is to you your religion, Amira. How can you say now that?”

“Look, my love,” she started saying as she softly cupped his handsome face with her hands. “When I agreed to marry you, I did it with all its consequences. I knew one of them would be not being recognized as a married woman by my Catholic Church, because I’d do with a Muslim man.”

“But…” He tried to explain, but to not avail.

“Shhh… let me finish, please,” she asked him, silencing him with a finger on his lips. “I know how hard your life is, everyday fighting to survive here, in this arid land. You were truthful with me by telling me if I accepted to become your wife it wouldn’t be easy for me, but however, my love, I said yes. Ardeth, I love you with all my heart; you’re the man who I want to spend the rest of my life with. And what I care less for right now is if my Church will recognize this marriage or not. For God’s sake! I don’t really need to have my parishioners’ acceptance to continue with this. I know perfectly that before God’s eyes I’ll be a married woman, always, no matter if my husband is a Catholic or not.”

“Then…?” He arched an eyebrow, expecting Amira’s conclusion.

“What I’m trying to tell you, my love, is that I don’t want an outsider wedding. So, I’ll marry you here, among yours and the few ones of mine, in a tribal ceremony as a chieftain requires and deserves.”

“I see you have it quite clear, my little one,” he purred, smiling at her.

“Yes, and you?” she said, kissing the tip of his aquiline nose.

He nodded as he smiled broadly at her. “You honor me with your firm decision of choosing our tribal way to celebrate our wedding. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Ardeth, but it’s what I must do. After all, your people are going to become mine once you and I get married. I’ll need them all to help me to be used to live here, as another Medjai woman.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly at her words. “What do you mean, Amira? I thought you would want to live in Cairo, next to your sister and Uncle.”

“What?” She was amazed by what he had just said her. “For God’s sake, Ardeth! Would you willingly live in the city where your duties are here, in your village? No, no…  My place is just here, with you and by your side and nothing else.”

“But…” He tried it again, but she didn’t let him speak.

“No buts, Chieftain Bay! If you had another thing in mind, I want you to delete it right now. I’m firm on my decision of staying here by your side as a chieftain’s wife must do. Another option is not going to work. Do I make myself clear enough?” She spoke resolutely, without any hesitation.

He stared at her totally astonished. By Allah! How stubborn that woman was. But yet, he loved her clear determination and couldn’t be more agreeable with it. After all, it seemed she was his perfect match and he knew he would never be regretful for having elected a foreigner as his wife. Amira was his chosen one, the one whom fate had collected on his way to share all a life together.

“Alright, Amira Peterson. I totally agree with your plans,” he admitted gladly.

“Perfect!” She bent down a bit and got her lips closer to his, as if with that kiss they were sealing that agreement.

Ardeth received Amira’s lips willingly as his hands enclosed her slender waist possessively to keep her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his strong neck while her still inexperienced tongue made an insecure wet trail on his lips. He understood her eager demand and gladly opened his mouth, greatly intensifying their kiss. Both of them surrendered to the immense passion that had built within them and became lost in the marvelous sensation of knowing that each was loved deeply by the other, that each already belonged to the other.

Once they parted the kiss, Ardeth locked his dark eyes with hers as he softly caressed her smooth cheek with the back of his fingers. “Anyway, I have to add I didn’t expect less from you. I was sure you were going to say something like that.”

“What? Won’t you be telling me that you were testing me, Mr. Chieftain?” She gasped as she leaned back a little, staring at him quizzically.

“Er… I’d say you’ve caught me,” he said, his face feigning innocence. “Are you upset?”

Amira looked at her handsome Medjai intensely, trying to make a deep hole into his soul, then, she averted her eyes from his. How hell did he dare? she thought as she felt growing her annoyance towards him. But that lasted just some moments, for when she landed again her look on Ardeth’s, she knew she couldn’t be upset with him.

“No, I’m not. Just a bit amazed,” she answered, a hint of smile on her lips. “However, I’m glad I said the right replies.”

“I was sure you wouldn’t fail,” he responded as he kissed the tip of her nose gently.

“Well…” She sighed deeply. “I think we should come back now, before I do something I’ll regret and end up twisting your arm for your insolence.”

He tightened his embrace around her slender waist. “I wouldn’t make it easy to you, my beautiful woman.”

“Really?” She arched her eyebrows as a naughty giggle escaped her throat.

He leaned over her lips, brushing them slightly and provocatively. “Sure.” Then, he got closer his mouth finally to Amira’s and kissed her ardently.

She answered his passion with the same she had inside her, the passions he had just awakened moments before. But although she loved feeling these overwhelming sensations, she realized there were more she still didn’t know about, and she was sure that time would come soon. When they were finally husband and wife…

Once the kiss finished, Ardeth and Amira went out of the temple and returned to their horses, still waiting at the entrance. He again helped her wrap her face with the borrowed scarf, and then gently assisted her as she mounted her horse before mounting his own. After all, he was a gentleman…

Later, they came back to the village, this time slowly, not racing their horses as they continued talking about their wedding plans. It was then when Amira gasped loudly, to Ardeth’s amazement.

“What has happened, Amira?” His voice sounded worried.

“Oh, my God! Ardeth… I’ve just realized something, something really bad,” she stated, totally shocked.

“What’s it?” he insisted, impatiently.

“We got an obstacle now, I’m afraid, a big one, Ardeth. And it’s… my Uncle,” she finally gasped, bursting into tears.

****

Translation:

Ume: mother

Ya ibney: my son

Shukran: Thank you

Ya habibti: my love

Ya hayati: my life

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The Mark of the Goddess – Chapter 13 (coming soon)