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Love of the Desert [[ShadyxHoudini]]

Tahirah wanted to nuzzle her nose lightly against his but she held back, smiling at his words. "I'd have to admit that... The view isn't so bad from the new side," she agreed, leaning into his hand just enough to be considered friendly and her eyes closed, sighing lightly. She knew they couldn't sit like this forever. As she nuzzled her head lightly into his tunic she tried to breathe in as much of his scent as possible. She tried to take it all for what it was, in that moment, knowing very well that the two of them may never have a moment together like this again. Her eyes fluttered closed when he began to speak - she didn't want to hear this part.

When he pulled away she lifted her head and watched as he looked around, sighing quietly. "I understand," she said, ignoring the slight pain in her heart. She wouldn't be able to be close to him all the time. They would have to hide and lie and deceive about what their feelings were and while that didn't sit well with her, she knew it was the only possibility available. "It probably isn't wise," she whispered in agreement, shuddering lightly as his hands smoothed over her goosebumps. "I should go tidy up your room or something... Someone will get suspicious," she confirmed, almost wincing slightly as she pulled her body away from him, slowly sliding herself off the bed and onto her feet at the foot of it. "Even if I don't want to leave... We both have responsibilities," she said, her throat almost burning as the words trickled out. All she wanted to do was stay with him, but that was impossible. At least not now.
 
He nodded in agreement, sharing her reluctant acceptance of the fact that they must part ways, hopefully only temporarily. He smiled at her continued use of the river metaphor, before listening to her offer to tidy up his room. It saddened him a bit to realize that nothing he could do would release her from these menial responsibilities. He stood up with her, taking a hold of her brown, worn hands, and interlocking them with his. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, holding his smooth lips there for several seconds after, tasting some of the dried sweat on her brow, inhaling the smell of her, wishing he could hold it in his nostrils to savor when they were apart. "I suppose it would raise some suspicions if no one saw you around my room." He let go of her hands, dropping them to his side with a sigh, before thinking of something. "I have to go there and prepare for dinner. Perhaps if I help you with the chores, it will give us some more time to talk."

In reality, he had never performed a chore in his life, never made a bed or cleaned anything. But it made him feel good to offer. He didn't have much time before he would be expected at dinner, but was willing to do about anything at the moment just to have a few more minutes with her. How hard could it be, anyway? "I don't think we should walk down there together, though. You go first, and I'll go a different way a few minutes later."
 
The feeling of her fingers fitting so nicely between his made her close her eyes with a smile - maybe it was just her imagining how good it must have felt, how good it had to feel, but she reveled in it for what it was worth anyways. She leaned into him a little when he pressed his lips to her forehead, wanting so badly to just lean up and kiss his lips again, to feel their softness against her own, but she held back knowing that if she did, they might never leave this room - and that would be bad for the both of them. Her breathing steadied when he spoke and she nodded her head before leaning back a bit to watch him talk.

Tahirah blinked rapidly for a second before glancing around - him help her with the chores? the offer was sweet, but she couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever so much as picked up a basket in his life. She wondered if someone seeing the Prince helping a slave do work would be more or less bad than seeing him touching her. Her body shivered lightly at the thought as he continued to speak. "I'm not sure if you helping is the best of ideas, Hamadi..." she said truthfully, furrowing her brow lightly. Even still she smirked afterward and shook her head lightly. "But then again, I guess from this perspective, nothing about this is the best of ideas," she smiled at him lightly, flashing her white teeth before glancing at the door. "I will see you in your quarters in a little while," she said, for a split second imagining what else that could mean in a different time, were they maybe different people. Tahirah shook the thought from her head before squeezing his hands and turning to leave through the large doors. She closed them behind her and stepped down the hallway toward his room - she knew that a quick break at that point was what they needed. They'd see each other again soon, but to stand and linger with him would make everything harder.
 
After Tahirah left, Hamadi breathed in the air of the room he was now alone in. Although it had only been a moment, everything seemed emptier, now that she was gone. He yearned to run after her down the hall, push her up against the wall, and kiss her passionately, to let his hands wander up and down her back, her round, dark neck. He stopped and wondered why she didn't think it was a good idea for him to help her with the chores. Besides the fact that he may not do a good job, he thought that it might be fun. And besides, no one would enter his room without knocking anyway.

The few minutes he waited seemed like an hour, and finally he headed out of the room they had shared their first intimate moment in, carrying the tray with him. He took a circuitous route through the kitchen, dropping off what remained of their lunch, and headed back up to his room. He paused for a minute before opening the door, his heart racing. He pushed it open to find Tahirah making his bed and fluffing his pillows. Of course, it had been made already by Akila, but she was redoing everything, it appeared. He walked briskly over to her, giving her an unexpected squeeze on her the curve of her hips. As she turned around, he picked up one of the pillows and pushed it playfully against her chest, holding it by the sides. "So you don't think I can handle this stuff?" he asked her with a grin, showing all his white teeth. He felt so relaxed, calmer, to be back in her company.
 
Tahirah walked briskly down the hallway and into his room after bowing her way past the guardsmen. She glanced around the room and smirked a little - Akila had done a fine enough job, but she could tell the subtle difference between what he liked and what she had done. This almost made her prideful - that she could make him happy, even in this small way. She walked over to the bed and only wished to climb into it, however, and wait for him to come find her. Her mind wandered for a bit before she began straightening and fluffing the pillows until he came in.

Her body jumped lightly when he squeezed, but she smiled and glanced up at him, still holding one of his pillows. "Well," she started, smiling after his wide grin - it was so intoxicating being around him. "Honestly? No. No offense, but... The only experience you have with linens is laying within them," she teased, smirking at him. She even dared to flash him a wink before she turned back to the bed to set the pillow down. "Though, if you'd like to try, you're welcome. Looks like I have to finish folding those sheets and your robe over there. Akila must have been taken away from that," she noticed, the basket still resting on the table. She smirked a bit and cautiously pushed the pillow back at up, raising a brow. Her movements and body were still a little stiff when she spoke to him, but it was clear things were getting easier. After all, they'd already shared a kiss - what was a little joke between them now?
 
Hamadi laughed aloud at her "no offense" comment, realizing how inappropriate it would be under normal circumstances, but recognizing now that it was an indication that she was a little more loose around him. He blushed a bit at her wink, replying "I guess you're right, but who's to say I can't learn now to play a maid." He walked over to the pile of sheets, folding one into a square, thinking he had done a decent job, until he compared it to one folded by Tahirah, a crisp, smooth perfect fold. "How do you do this?" he asked, laughing, his eyes locked across the bad with hers.

Just then, a loud knock came at the door. Hamadi froze, standing up straight, away from the sheets. He wasn't sure what he ought to do to occupy himself. He just stood there, glancing quickly and nervous at Tahirah. "Come in" Hamadi yelled. A guard entered immediately, saying "Good evening, my Lord. The Pharaoh wishes to know if his son is feeling well, and if you we be joining him for dinner." Hamadi cleared his throat, before saying: "Yes, I'm feeling much better. Tell him I'll be there shortly for dinner." As the guard left, closing the door behind him, he widened his eyes across the bed to Tahirah, mimicking fright, as his heart slowed down a bit from the speed it had been racing it. "I better get ready and get out of here before we get caught." He headed towards his dressing room to put on something more formal for dinner.
 
To make the Prince blush was an accomplishment and she just smiled at his words, turning to look as he went to fold one of the sheets. "As I said, feel free to try," Tahirah mentioned, watching him fold the sheet, giggling lightly when he held it up. She moved closer, too close for anyone to see before the knock startled her. She stepped back immediately and grabbed the sheet from him, moving a few steps away, all the way to the end of his bed, actually, before he summoned the guards to allow them inside. She didn't lift her head to whoever entered and instead focused on refolding the sheet that Hamadi had done.

Once the person left, Tahirah cautiously looked up at him and smirked lightly at his expression. "Of course," she said, nodding her head lightly. Almost sadly she watched as he walked away, sighing quietly to herself. By the time he came back she would have the basket of sheets folded and would be working on his robe, using the table off to the side to finish it. She began to hum quietly to herself, something she often did when she was working alone. Her sandals glided across the floor with ease as she lifted the robe into a papyrus-lined box, put the lid on it and carried it toward the large open armoire in his room, still quietly singing to herself. She lifted the box above her head and slid it onto the shelf while he changed his clothes. Her next task would be to just generally tidy up around his room and bring out the book he liked to read before bed. Her mind wandered, then, wondering if she'd see him before they both went to bed for the night - or if watching him walk off to dinner was going to be it for the night.
 
Hamadi quickly changed into a more formal deep blue skirt and white silk vest, something more appropriate for the royal table of his father. He put on his wig and headdress and a plain gold belt before heading back through his room. He didn't have time for a bath, but felt fine without one. After all, Tahirah had touched his skin, kissed his lips today for the first time, and it wasn't something that he wanted to wash away. When he was separated from her, he would be able to touch his own cheek and almost feel her hand there in his imagination, still feel her soft lips on his. He walked back through the door of his large room, seeing that Tahirah had finished the sheets and was on to other chores.

He walked over to her, wrapping his hands around her back, and leaning in until their foreheads were almost touching. "I don't know if I'll see you again tonight. My father has been taking an interest in talking to me a lot lately. And he always likes to have entertainment after dinner. Don't work too hard here on my account, please." He leaned in a little closer, bridging the gap between them, and kissed her lips softly again, opening his mouth a little bit this time, closing his lips gently around her bottom lip, and pulling it out a little bit with the hold of his mouth. "I'll miss you, Tahirah," he whispered, knowing that it was true. Although he would see her, feel her skin, taste her lips in his dreams, he wouldn't feel complete again until the next opportunity to be with her.
 
As if reading her mind his words rang through her like a bell. She twitched her nose lightly but still laid her body into his. The kiss, however, pulled her out of her own thoughts for the time being and she closed her eyes into it's softness. The feeling was not yet familiar - and she only hoped that it wouldn't ever get to that point. She wanted it to be new and exciting every time he touched her, every time she felt his body pressed against hers. Slightly shorter than him, Tahirah shifted herelf a little and smirked softly when he pulled away, scanning her eyes over his face. "As you wish," she responded to his comment about not working too hard. Tahirah figured it was a bit of a joke by now - treating him like a Prince when he came up to her and grabbed her with little shame. Then again, in here no one was looking - anywhere else would be a definite difference. "I wish I could see you before I sleep," she whispered back, daring to reach her fingers up to his face, stroking them along the skin.

If she was going to get punished over this at any point in her future, she was going to make the best of it while she could. The feelings were so new and raw that she wasn't sure what to do with them. Even still, she settled back a bit into his arms and sighed quietly. "You'd better go... Before your father gets anxious. Even you can't keep the Pharaoh waiting," she teased lightly, though the smirk this time seemed to hold a touch of sadness. "I'll miss you too, Hamadi," she purred softly into his ear because his head was already bent down to her level. She dared to gently kiss at the area just under his ear, taking in his soft smell. "But I know you'll visit my dreams," she continued softly, nuzzling her nose into the same spot. She pulled away, removing her hands and her body from his arms in a slow, fluid motion. "Tomorrow, after the sunrise. As with every morning, my Prince," she said, trying slightly to lighten the mood in her own small sort of way.
 
He snickered at the 'as you wish' comment, reaching out and messing up her hair playfully. His thought that the purr of her voice was driving him crazy until realizing it was nothing compared to what he felt when her moist kiss touched his skin, under his ear. As a tingle of excitement coursed through every vein in his body, he shuddered slightly. Despite his longing to hold her tight to him, he let her step back from him. "I promise to visit your dreams if we don't see each other sooner," he whispered softly, "as long as you'll visit mine". He laughed next at her 'my prince' farewell. "You really have a sense of humor. I wish I would have known that sooner. I wonder if there's anything else you're hiding from me?"

He stepped towards the door, giving one last look over his shoulder, taking in her appearance, trying to record it in his mind to take with him for the evening, before winking at her and heading into the hallway. He thought to himself that it would be no use despairing, he would see her again soon enough. As he entered the dining room, he took his place at the table, alongside his father, his mother, sisters, and several high officials of the land. "I'm feeling much better than yesterday, thank you for asking," he responded to the many inquiries about his health. As the delicious meat, fruits, bread, and vegetables were served, he took and ate what he could, but his heart wasn't in the meal. Every slave darting deftly around the room brought his one love to mind. He saw her face in every glass of wine, smelled her scent remaining on his skin.

"I hear you have been having difficulties with your language lessons, Hamadi," his father said quietly as dinner wound down. "Apply yourself to those, diplomacy is the way of the future." Hamadi nodded in agreement. "I've arranged for the finest dancers and musicians we have to lift your spirits from being ill," his father told him. Disappointed that any chance of seeing Tahirah again that evening was likely dashed now, he watched the skilled musicians play the harp, cymbals, horns, and tambourines. Trained dancers, so light on their feet, tiptoed through the air to the delight of all the royals. At the end of the evening, as he said farewell to all his dinner companions, and headed back to his quarters, he knew that it would likely be too dangerous for Tahirah to still be lurking around the palace, and not at the slaves' quarters. He grudgingly accepted the realization that he wouldn't see her again until the morning.
 
Tahirah almost chased after him, almost made him stay, dragged him back into the room and begged him to claim 'ill' once again. She wanted to snuggle her head into his clothes, bury her face in his smell and dive deep into his eyes. She wanted to be wrapped in his arms for longer, held tightly in their strength. Even the thoughts made her smile as he walked away, knowing she'd dream of him. Today they had shared many things - laughs, touches, feelings and, most importantly, that first kiss. Her eyes closed as the doors to his room were shut behind him and her shoulders slumped lightly against her will. Why was she so attached so fast? She'd felt the Prince's lips against her own but two or three times now and it was like an addicting drug - she just wanted more.

She used a hand to straighten out her hair before she finished up in his room. Tahirah set everything just the way he liked it, but delighted in putting her face to his blanket and taking a deep breath before she knew she had to leave. The girl was off to help in the kitchen - so she knew when Hamadi was done with dinner. She managed to sneak out into the hallway and see him as he passed by. While she was uncertain if he had seen her - and he wouldn't have been able to acknowledge it anyways, surrounded by nobles as he was - but the glimpse she caught was enough to content her for the night, knowing that the morning would bring his face to her once again. Hours later she was allowed to go to bed, though sleep wasn't easy - she tossed and turned for a bit before drifting off slowly.

The sun seemed to rise too quickly that next morning - she was groggy - but at the same time, not quickly enough. Tahirah had closed her eyes again for more sleep before realizing it was the morning and the morning meant seeing the Prince. She sprang out of bed and, for the first time, was the first person dressed for their chores. One of the other slaves examined her back which seemed to be healing nicely (she cringed at the thought of ever having to show the Prince her scars at close proximity). Soon enough she was sent off, as usual, to bring the Prince his breakfast. Even the baker and the cook noticed a touch of extra enthusiasm in her step even as they were the same grumpy souls they had always been.

"My Prince, your breakfast has arrived," the guardsmen said a few minutes later, knocking on the door and looking down at Tahirah who had since calmed herself, keeping her eyes on the floor as she was told.
 
As he entered his bedroom, he found it empty, as expected. He quietly undressed, imagining that Tahirah was wrapped up in his sheets, and he could climb in alongside her, cuddling up, the contours of their bodies in unison. After dazing out, imagining this fantasy for a few moments, he undressed and got into the sheets. He tried and tried to sleep, knowing that if he could only doze off, not only would she inhabit his dreams, but hers would be beautiful face that greeted him at dawn. Although a couple of sleepless hours passed, he hadn't slept much the night before, haunted by his guilt, and eventually his body gave in, and sleep came to him.

When his eyes next opened, he nearly leaped out of bed, realizing that the ray of sun coming into the room meant only one thing to him, Tahirah's arrival was near. However, it was still too early for that, so he got out of bed and went into through the next door, drawing himself a bath. This was something that he never did before breakfast, but he wanted to be at his best when she arrived. He soaked for a while, breathing deeply of the salts and oils that mixed with the warm water. He imagined that in just a few moments, he would have someone to talk to, someone that he felt he could share anything with, deep feelings, humor, just anything. This was something new to him. He had been trained in all the expected formalities, never to share true feelings, and this humble slave girl was teaching him something more valuable than any lesson he had learned from his father or his tutors.

As he got up and dried off, he had just gotten into a plain white skirt and a brown sleeveless vest, when he heard the knock at the door. He heart raced, even though it was a male voice, he knew what it announced - the awaited presence of his lovely 'slave'. "Send her in," he replied, barely hiding his glee from his voice.

((Feels kind of funny to keep saying he's getting into a skirt, but I know they wore those - don't know what else to call it. xP))
 
Hearing his voice, even muffled through the doors, she let slip a quick smirk as the doors were pulled open. Tahirah walked still with her eyes downward - with other people looking on, she had to be careful. Her breathing was slow and quiet before she stopped in front of him, carrying the tray of assorted breakfast foods. "Your meal, Prince," she said softly as one of the guardsmen behind her nodded and they closed to the doors just as tightly as they had been closed before. Finally Tahirah breathed out, but couldn't seem to manage to bring her eyes to his. It was almost as if she was afraid that yesterday was just part of her dreams and that if she lifted her head, he would strike her and it would all fade away.

Even still, she couldn't help herself. It seemed that the off-chance that it wasn't a dream was worth the possibility that it had been. She lifted her head at him with a smirk and, seeing the softened features of his face, her own tension melted. Still not completely sure that this was real, she stayed back and wrung her hands together. "Here you go. Breakfast as usual," she said quietly and took a few steps forward, placing the tray down on the bedside table. She took in a breath of his smell as she walked by - it seemed so much more vibrant and fresh this morning than it usually was. It made her smile softly and close her eyes as she turned her body toward him, having to bite her lip from showing too much excitement at being in his intoxicating presence.

(( Haha, yeah. You can call it a kilt, I s'pose, but that's sorta the same thing. xD Also, excuse the shortness/crappyness of this post... I was feeling a little stuck with what to do. >3 ))
 
As Tahirah entered, he tried his best not to grin at the forced pleasantries on her part. As he nodded and accepted the tray, her voice brought to mind their former routine for a moment, before everything had changed yesterday. But once the door closed, he immediately placed the tray on the bed, and let his biggest smile loose, grasping Tahirah in a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground, and swinging around in a circle, the girl in his arms, one hand wrapped around her upper legs just under her bottom, the other around her back. He just loved the feel of her body against his, tingling at the sense of her breasts pushed against his chest, her hips almost interlocking with his. He set her down, exhaling out the wonderful smell of her hair that he had just taken in.

"I couldn't wait to see you," he exclaimed quietly, knowing that the guards were still near the door outside. He leaned in and touched foreheads with her. "It's not breakfast as usual, because today you know how I really feel about you," he said, before rubbing the tip of his nose back and forth against hers. He picked up the tray, and held it out to her. "How about today, I serve you breakfast?" he suggested with a laugh. "You lay on the bed and play the princess."

((I did sort of write you into a corner with my last post. *raises hand and takes responsibility*))
 
Tahirah tried not to squeak too loud when he picked her up, also very aware that their were still people about - especially the guardsmen outside - that could hear them. She giggled a little and reveled for a second in the feeling of her body pressed against his. "Well good morning to you as well," she purred quietly, smiling when he rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. "Hmm, I do s'pose it's breakfast on the other side of the river today, isn't it?" she smiled, continuing the metaphor from yesterday. She kept herself close to him, so happy to know it wasn't a dream and this was real - he was real.

"Me? Play the Princess?" she said, trying to avoid gasping at the thought. She even blushed softly, shying away from the idea - it was enough that he had given her royal treatment the day before, but to eat his breakfast too? Her head shook softly. "You need to eat as well," she said, glancing around slightly confused, almost embarrassed. "I won't eat your breakfast, Hamadi," she insisted, glancing up at his face. "You don't have to apologize like this any longer..." she said, confused if it was an attempt to further alleviate his guilt from the previous day - he had to remember that she wasn't used to be treated with overall kindness yet and her reaction wasn't her being rude, but just trying to understand. "You have a long day ahead of you, as I recall," she reminded him gently, smirking a little. Maybe his day wasn't going to be as hard labor-wise as hers, but he still had responsibilities. "Unless I'm mistaken," she purred with a slightly raised brow, almost hopeful as if she expected that he would have a cleared schedule for the afternoon - but she knew that wasn't possible.
 
He kept smiling, as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end instantly at the sound of her purring voice. "You're the princess, I guess if you want to share your breakfast, I won't complain," he joked. He picked up a date, holding it up to her mouth in an invitation to bite it. "I plan to stay on the other side of the river, as long as you'll stay there with me," he whispered. He looked into her eyes, wondering if there was any way he might avoid leaving her today. "I'm not trying to apologize, Tahirah. I just want you to know how I think you deserve to be treated." He thought that she was a princess to him, regardless of what the world outside labeled her.

He thought wistfully of the day ahead of him, not looking forward to spending it without her. "I can't skip my language lesson this morning," he admitted, almost apologetically, thinking of his father's words the previous day. But then his eyes glistened with a ray of hope. "I think I could skip my lesson with the army captain this afternoon." He walked up to the bed, picking up the corner of the unmade sheets. "Do you think you could meet me by the river, away from the city a bit? What if I help you start on your chores here, before I have to leave for the morning?" His eyes glistened with hope, mind racing to create any way he might be able to spend time with Tahirah, imagining a pleasant afternoon on the banks of the Nile with his love.
 
Tahirah laughed a bit at his Princess comment again and then took a bite out of the date, chewing it slowly as she glanced out one of the windows. "I wouldn't rather be anywhere else," she said, smiling at him as she leaned a little closer, tilting her head lightly. When he mentioned about her being treated like this, she blushed softly, glancing around the room a little, flattered by his kind words and gestures. Still not used to being treated with excess kindness she seemed to wring her hands a little while he continued to speak.

When he offered to skip some of his other lessons she tried to hold back her excitement, but nodded her head lightly. "I should... I think I can get away at mid-afternoon for a while. I can meet you down where the river bends, about... 100 paces past where they wash the linens," she said, nodding her head with a small smile. Seeing the delight in his eyes made her just want to lay in his arms, to jump up and have him hold her like he did before. "I don't know for how long... But long enough. I would cherish any moment with you, Prince," she whispered softly, daring to take a few steps closer and close the distance between them. She grasped one of his hands and intertwined their fingers, squeezing each with a soft smile. She wondered if this was dangerous on more than a physical level for them - pretending that they could be like this forever, like this would work. It pained her to think that one day he would be wed off to another woman and, while Pharaoh's were known to have concubines and other such women around them, he would never be hers. The other woman would be more beautiful, more perfect, more royal - more everything.

Tahirah pushed those thoughts from her head - certainly they had an while to think about that, right? For now she tried to enjoy his smell, his touch, his company. Another time, another day. They would cross that particular tributary when it came about.
 
Hamadi couldn't contain his excitement at the revelation that they would try to meet along the river this afternoon, to continue their forbidden tryst. "I'll wait all afternoon for you there, whenever you can get away. If I have to wait all evening, all night, it'll be worth it," he declared, squeezing back at her intertwined fingers. He moving his hands away and held her hips, pulling her in closer to him, before suddenly picking her up again, this time sweeping her knees out from under her and cradling her in his arms. "Didn't I tell you to lay down and recline in bed for your breakfast? Don't you know how to obey a prince?" he laughed, laying her down on the bed, before hopping on the bed as well, hovering over her on his hands and knees, staring down into her beautiful brown eyes.

He picked up a piece of cheese from the tray that now sat next to the bed, delicately placing it in her mouth. "When you see me later, I'll be dressed modestly, like yesterday, so no one can spot me from far away." He next picked up another piece and ate it himself. He stared down at her a little longer, content to stay like that all day if he could, before rolling over and laying on his back next to her, finally rolling onto his side, facing her, and cuddled up next to her, his hand resting on his pillow and caressing her hair. It was quite a compromising position they were in. Should anyone happen across them, it would be difficult indeed to explain away. But Hamadi pushed such unpleasant thoughts to the side of his mind, enjoying the moment for now.
 
Tahirah gripped around his neck when he picked up her up, squeaking softly before laughing a bit at his comment. She was still feeling out the boundaries, the sensations, the feelings. All of this was brand new to her - not to mention fundamentally wrong from what she'd been taught. Even still, she tried to enjoy the time they had together. She smiled up at him, blushing softly as he hovered his body over hers. She wanted so badly to pull him closer, to just kiss him, but instead she opened her mouth and at the small wedge of cheese he gave to her. Tahirah chewed and smiled at him, watching his body and settling herself back into his soft sheets before he began to talk again.

"I will be there as soon as I can get away," she smiled at him and nodded her head lightly, leaning her body into his lightly. She wanted to lay cuddled against his body for as long as possible but she knew he'd be leaving soon for his lesson. She reached over to the tray for a piece of fruit and offered it to him, smiling softly before she leaned closer and kissed his forehead lightly. Suddenly awakened from this dream-like state she heard a knock on the door. Her eyes widened slightly and she looked down at him. Although she knew no one would enter without his permission, she also knew she had to get out of the bed. "Prince, your escort is here for your lessons," the guardsmen said through the doors as Tahirah tried to climb out of the bed. She glanced around for something to be doing and found a clean basket of linens that were meant to either be put up around his room or folded and put away. She smirked at him slightly, finding them almost getting caught a little exciting, before she turned back to her duties and waited for the escort to come inside.
 
Hamadi was entranced yet again by the sight of her eating, that lovely twitch of her nose that he loved so much, her cute, small teeth showing through when she opened her mouth. He was incredibly comfortable lying there in with her, taking in the warm, peaceful morning. He closed his eyes as she kissed his forehead, absorbing the vapor of her breath. He thought as he lay there of meeting with her later, with only the two of them together at the riverside, no one to keep them apart. That pleasing thought was suddenly jolted from his mind by the knock at the door. As Tahirah jumped out of bed, he wasn't sure what to do, so he stayed in the bed, on top of the sheets, shoving a pickle slice in his mouth quickly and chewing. "Enter," he replied.

His heart raced as the guard entered, terror coursing through his veins, even though the guard would have no reason to suspect anything, with Tahirah playing the part well of getting quickly to her post, and he eating breakfast in a leisurely manner, as he might on any given morning. As Hamadi got up and headed out with the guard, he snuck a knowing grin back at her over his shoulder, trying to capture her sweet smile, the curves of her body, in his mind to help get him through the morning. He followed the escort to the language lesson, once they started, trying his best to make up for his outburst the last time. Hamadi made an earnest effort to learn all the words and phrases the tutor reviewed with him. He kept watching the sun, though, looking forward to the moment he could dash out towards the river, towards the pursuit of his 'princess'."
 
Tahirah continued to fold the clothes, taking a quick look over her shoulder as Hamadi left. She caught the smile and nodded lightly as she moved towards the linen draped over one of the tables in his room. She would finish up her chores quickly - but still nicely - and would think about him, and that smile, all day long. Tahirah cleaned and moved things around, folded linens and skirts, as well as the formal robe he had worn to the banquet just nights prior. It smelled of cleaning oils and brought a slight pain to her back which was previously not bothering her much. He had irritated her scars some when he picked her up, but she was so entranced by his touch she hadn't really noticed, much less had the heart to say anything to him about it.

By mid-afternoon she knew Hamadi would be out of his language lesson and that she would have time to sneak away. Because the Prince had requested her back specifically she was no longer being watched - it was assumed she knew what to do and when to do it. At the time she was supposed to bring the Prince his lunch. So she went to the baker and the cook and grabbed what food was for him, snacking on some fruit that was supposed to sustain her. She carried it down the hall but instead of to his room, she placed it inside a small box that she put in a bag. He would be hungry, she was sure, and she was careful to carry a small flask of wine with her as well. While not completely proper - they would have to drink directly from the flask - she hoped he would appreciate her effort all the same. The guardsmen outside his room would not notice her not coming for his lunch that day and she was able to sneak out of the palace unnoticed. Or, if she was noticed, no one paid a mind. There were hundreds of slaves working on the palace grounds, everything from serving food and drink to tending to the gardens and patching the walls. One slave girl carrying a bag and a flask around in the mid-day sun was nothing out of the ordinary.

Tahirah moved past the women slaving in the Nile to fetch water and wash linens. Past the buckets and rows of water to be filtered and cleaned and down the river bank. She had taken off her sandals so as to not get them full of silt and her feet squished lightly in the ground that gave way a little. She moved around the river bend and glanced around - no one seemed to be looking at her, or seeing her at all and once she got full around the corner, she would be out of sight from most of the buildings and the people within them. Now it was only to find her Prince, hoping he had been able to get away to wait for her.

She squinted her dark brown eyes upward a little, looking for any sign of him before wiping her brow quietly. The hot Egyptian sun was relentless, even to her, so she could only imagine that the Prince was having a little more trouble with it."H-Hamadi?" she called, just above a whisper, afraid of making too much noise or calling attention to herself - especially if someone heard her calling the Prince by name.
 
He cordially thanked his tutor for the fine lesson when it mercifully concluded, passing through the kitchen as he left, taking a large loaf of bread with him, and folding it in a cloth. He wasn't aware that Tahirah would be bringing anything, and thought they might be hungry. It wasn't much, but he thought that it would be enough to stave off their hunger a bit, and at least in his own thinking, even stale bread and dirty water with Tahirah was preferable to a lavish feast in the company of any other. He scurried quickly back to his room, finding it empty. He changed into a plain, white tunic and worn sandals, wearing a long headdress to protect him from the mid-afternoon sun, as well as to serve as a deterrent against any who might recognize him wandering about the river banks.

As he walked down to the river, holding the folds of his headdress over half his face, he saw so many slave girls, all dressed the same. There were quite a few with Tahirah's build and hairstyle, and as he carefully searched through them all, he realized it wasn't only her shapely figure and pretty face that made her different from all the rest, but it was the electricity she always seemed to give off, her playful personality, and proud determination. He didn't see her initially, so carefully counted the agreed upon 100 paces past where he saw the girls doing the wash in the river. As he approached the bend, the area was quite a bit more desolate. It appeared that Tahirah had quite a bit of knowledge of rivers, both literal and metaphorical. She had picked an ideal location to meet. However, rather than wait in the sun, he retreated back a bit, under the shade of a few hearty desert bushes, which also served to conceal him somewhat from onlookers further down the river bank.

No more than fifteen minutes or so could have passed, before the prince started to close his eyes a bit, the warm midday sun making him a bit sleepy. But he was quickly jolted from his drowsy state by the sound of a timid calling of his name. He peeked around the bush to see Tahirah there, her beautiful brown skin glistening in the bright sunlight, a bag in her arms. "Tahirah," he called out excitedly, but not too loudly, leaping up and walking quickly towards her, his white smile reflecting the sun's glare. "You made it!," he exclaimed, taking a hold of her in an embrace.
 
Hearing him rustle around and then finally speak, she smiled and leaned into his hug, happily putting her arms around him as best she could with the stuff in her hands. "I'm glad I could get away. I had to work extra-hard to get ahead on my chores... But anything is worth this," she whispered to him and smiled, pulling away a little, holding up the stuff she had brought. "I think that... Well, I knew you'd be missing your mid-day meal. It's not a lot, but I just thought you might get hungry," she smiled softly, cautiously glancing around them. There wasn't really anyone close enough to recognize him, especially in his less dressy clothes, but she was still nervous.

"I think we can sit in this shade here," she said, pointing toward a large date palm tree. While still in it's early stages of growth along the bank, it would provide them enough cover to be able to see each other and not burn. She moved slowly so that he could follow before she sat down, her back to the tree. "I guess I should have brought some cloth or something..." she said, glancing between him and the ground, realizing he would have to sit directly on the ground. "I could go back and get something for you to sit on if you want..." she said, setting the bag down while offering him the flask of wine timidly, obviously slightly embarrassed by her 'mistake'.
 
He held their embrace for as long as possible, pulling away, and looking at her bag. He laughed, before saying "You didn't have to bring anything, but I would guess what you have is much better than my idea," holding up his loaf of bread. He scanned the river bank as far as he could see, wondering what would happen if someone spotted them. He looked towards the spot that Tahirah indicated, and liked it. It seemed nice, and shady, and also was blocked from view from the busier part of the river, by some tall reeds growing in the shallow bend of the river.

He took the flask of wine from her, smiling, and gesturing toward the ground with his hand. "Please, princess," he said with a big grin, and bowed slightly before her. "Sit and make yourself comfortable. I wouldn't think of making my lady fetch anything else on this hot day. Your mere presence is enough of a reward for me." He nuzzled her nose again, before reaching his mouth behind her head, and kissing her earlobe softly, then sitting down in the spot she had indicated.
 
Tahirah smiled when he showed her the bread he'd gotten and shivered softly when she felt his lips brush against her earlobe. Her eyes closed as he came to sit beside her and she couldn't stop herself from leaning into him a little. "It's warm, but beautiful out today," she said, looking out into the shimmering waters of the Nile. Here in this spot, downstream from where most of the activity of the city occurred, the water was a pretty blue and sparkled as it flowed over some of the pebbles and around the fertile silt that covered the banks. Her mind drifted toward swimming in the water with him, drifting around in the very soft current that nearly stopped around this spot. She glanced up at him and smiled a bit, moving herself so she could unwrap the food she had brought.

"I basically just took your meal and put it in here..." she said and nodded her head a little, the beads around her neck jingling softly when she moved. Tahirah removed the box she'd used from the bag and opened it, carefully picking up some food to feed to him. "I s'pose it's a little warm now, but, she smirked a little, taking a deep breath in. In addition to his smell, freshly blowing into her nose because of a soft wind, she smelt the food now and the fresh air of the outdoors. "How long until you have to leave?" she questioned quietly, moving her legs a little, letting her bronzed knee brush against the cloth of his tunic, quickly enough moving it away as she glanced around the again.
 
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