.

Influence

El3v3n

All characters belong to their respective owners.

A.N. This is a side story of sorts to "Electrum," but having read it is not necessarily required for enjoying this story. It occurs some time after the end of the story. It does contain mature sexual content that might not be everyone's cup of tea, this chapter has some suggestive content but chapter 2 is much more mature. Also, this story is an idea that was spun off a comment Sesshy's Mistress made!

Serenity drew in a steadying breath, remembering to keep her face neutral. She was attempting to look calm and poised, if not aloof. At least, that's how the Pharaoh always looked as he reigned over the business and small disputes of his lands. He was a different man when presiding over high crimes or threats of violence to his country or people. Then, he was absolutely terrifying to behold. She didn't think she could ever pull that off, and she hoped she would never have to.

Mana had insisted that she dress the part of Egypt's queen for the theater of the Pharaoh's court. Serenity didn't see what was wrong with her typical choice of dress that reflected the princess she had been before coming here. She preferred to wear white and neutral colors with delicate jewelry.

The dress Mana had insisted she wear was beautiful, but much too extravagant to her tastes. Gold was the color worn by the Gods, and as the wife of the Pharaoh she was considered among the divine. Shimmering gold silk clung to her figure, but was open enough not to be uncomfortable in the day's heat. The fabric dipped low along her breasts, and crossed along her middle affording glimpses of her waist and just a peek of her navel. It was floor length, but unrestrictive as its high slits reached mid thigh. Her jewelry was studded with lapis, and she wore gold bands on her wrists and ankles.

Kisara had helped her with makeup, dusting her eyelids and the dapples of her cheeks with gold and lining her eyes artfully with kohl. At a glance, Serenity could hardly recognize her reflection but, she was the picture of what anyone would expect of an Egyptian Queen.

She could sense that the royal architect was hardly pleased to be meeting with her. While she was still learning the language here, the disdain in his tone could be universally understood. Serenity had only been the Pharaoh's wife and queen for a few months, and the architect was usually privileged to a more preeminent audience.

Upon arriving, he had implored to meet with the Pharaoh's high priest or grand vizier when he learned he was away. He was clearly a man of high standing. She had learned many things since directing her studies to Egypt related matters, and among them was the importance of buildings and structures. Particularly, those dedicated to the Pharaoh or other Gods were given special attention.

Serenity had asked Mana yesterday if she should postpone this meeting due to its importance, but the magician dismissed the idea. Atem had said he trusted her decisions on any matter, but it would have been nice to have his counsel. She was still new to all this, after all.

'They're just plans,' she reminded herself, 'It's not like they're going to begin building tomorrow.' The thought comforted her, but at the same time, she couldn't help but be a little perturbed by the man's behavior toward her. These were only initial plans to brainstorm a new temple, nothing was set in stone.

"Your grace," the translator captured the Lunarian's attention. Serenity momentarily lost her poise to smile upon the girl. Pageti was young, no more than a year or two her junior, but she had been helpful and completely without malice. Mana and Kisara were her advocates as well, but they were often tasked with their own business to attend to.

"Lord Senenmut would like to know your thoughts on his design." Pageti was well trained to deal with these matters, but Serenity could sense she was uncomfortable. Perhaps Senenmut was familiar with the Pharaoh, but it had been nearly a year since he had last visited the palace and had only been aware the King had married through the announcement the Palace had made. Atem had never mentioned anything about his mother or whether the previous Pharaoh had a Queen. If he did, she wondered if she presided over business. By the way Senenmut regarded her, he didn't seem to have much respect for her station or person.

"Well," She began, turning her attention to the architect. "Of course I think they are impressive, just like the other buildings you have designed. However, the location appears to displace one of the larger markets, which I do not think is a wise idea."

While Serenity did not yet fluently speak the language here, she had heard Atem speak often enough that he rejected any and all ventures that could interfere with trade in the capital. Even with access to the fertile soils of the Nile, the Kingdom still relied on goods from other lands and had dedicated a strong infrastructure to facilitate exchange for them. As soon as Pageti relayed the translation, Senenmut huffed and indicated to his servant to retrieve the plans and approach the throne.

The guards standing just beyond her reacted instantly, barking warnings and barring the men from getting any closer by blocking the path with their weapons. Instantly feeling uncomfortable in the tense situation, Serenity assured the guards to allow the architect to approach. They shared an uncertain look, but dropped their weapons and the man and his apprentice stepped up on the dais. While the young man carrying the opened scroll hung his head in reverence, Senenmut showed no such respect as he brazenly met Serenity's gaze. She had never seen a subject approach the Pharaoh in such a way, but she didn't mind. None of her mother's people approached her with fear and she didn't see the need to expect it, either.

He began making his case that the building did not interfere with the market, but the first of Serenity's studies had been focused on memorizing on how to get around in her new home. Atem preferred that she didn't go on ventures without him, but if she was going to use her transport key, she needed to have at least a rough idea on where she wanted to go for the magic to work properly.

She stood from the throne to get a closer look at the scroll held open by the apprentice. The guards shifted uncomfortably, but didn't move to stop her. Pageti stepped forward, concern etched across her features as the architect smirked down upon the petite queen, even less intimidated by her at seeing her deceivingly slight build.

"This map is outdated," Serenity indicated with a sweep of her hand, pointing to where the structure was drawn immaculately precise to the map's dimensions. "The market has expanded since," she reached lightly touching the parchment to indicate where it had grown when suddenly her hand was caged by another and flung away from where she was reaching. Serenity was stunned, staring at Senenmut in disbelief as he growled a command to her. She didn't need to understand it to completely to know he didn't want her to touch. Before she could muster forth a response, a deep commanding voice rang around the room, making all those within become stiff with fear.

"Redi sa re!"

In a flash of red, another was between Serenity and the architect, sending both he and his apprentice flying backward off the platform with a shove of his arm. The large scroll toppled into a crumple on top of them, no longer so precious in the instant. It took Serenity a long moment to register that it was the Pharaoh that stood before her, his long crimson mantle flying behind him as he moved to bark at the guards, cowering before him despite their towering height and weapons.

Her heart swelled for a moment, forgetting the tense situation only briefly as she admired his lean form accented with simple gold bands and the crown on his brow. It had been days since she had seen him, but at the moment he was furious and that was clear even if she couldn't understand the content of his savage words.

"They did nothing wrong," she spoke up, her voice bringing silence to his tirade. He turned to give her a fierce look, fury dancing in his hot red gaze. Even if his anger wasn't directed to her, his powerful presence still gave her pause.

"I allowed him to approach. Please do not fault them."

Grumbling something under his breath, he turned back to the guards. He spoke to them in their native tongue, much more evenly, but still commanding and they answered with a bow. Hustling past the two sovereigns, Serenity watched as they grabbed the architect by the arms and began dragging him to the front of the room despite his complaints. She turned back to the Pharaoh, feeling a bit guilty for his stressed appearance as he stood with grit teeth and pinching the bridge of his nose. After a moment, his eyes flew open and scalded those kneeling ahead of him and daring not to lift their gaze.

"Rewi, her neb!" He roared.

He had ordered them all to get out, and no one paused to question it. Every breathing soul immediately heeded the King's command, even the royal staff hurried from the dais and filtered out the great room's sole entrance. Everyone except for Serenity who stood, stunned.

Did he wish for her to leave, also? He hadn't spoken a word to her since he arrived, and she was suddenly concerned he was upset with her. Serenity couldn't recall the last time she had seen him so angry. Mind swirling with thoughts, she turned to make her way to the exit when she was stopped by his hand on her waist.

She watched as the guards at the entrance pulled the doors shut, making a great booming sound that echoed throughout the empty space. His touch was warm and firm on her bare waist, a sensation she had longed for in the passing nights. And yet, despite missing him she feared meeting his gaze. Perhaps he was upset with her for not carrying out her duties appropriately, and in the moment found herself dreading that disapproval more than anything.

"Is this how you allow others to speak to you when I am away? Order you around as if you were their slave?" The unexpected humor in his tone had her turning under his palm, meeting his gaze with her mouth hung open in surprise.

His eyes were gentle on her, mouth tugged into the same self-assured smile she was all too familiar with. Atem was an intense and commanding person to most who encountered him, but she noticed his demeanor was something different entirely when alone in her presence. He traded the ferocity his station demanded of him for a soft voice and words for her in private. She had heard Mana say on several occasions that Serenity brought out the best in the Pharaoh, but she rarely was able to appreciate it with such a drastic example.

Wordlessly, she studied his expression, and the fine and angular structure of his face. Handsome and confident, he exuded all of the nobility attributed to his name and birthright. He had grown taller since the day she first met him, though he hardly needed a lofty height to impress his authority on anyone.

Despite the both of them being sovereigns, they were still young and reaching their peak maturity. The changes in him were all the more apparent in his short absence, her noticing the difference in size between them in both height and the cords of muscle lining his arms. His tunic and shendyt were loose, but she knew from experience that the rest of him was similarly solid, traced with graven contours of muscle and perfectly bronzed skin. Her cheeks grew red, chastising herself for her wandering thoughts given the situation. He had only just returned after being gone two days - could she wait an hour before fantasizing about him without clothing?

She heard him chuckle, and with a hand on her cheek he leaned in to kiss her, lingering on the touch as if it were any normal meeting between them. As wonderful as it felt to receive him, Serenity was quick to remember what had occurred just minutes before.

"No one has been ordering me around," she answered, when they parted, to the tune of his hum and a questioning raise of his brow.

"Well, except you - you are the Pharaoh, after all." He laughed at that, taking her by the hand he spun her around, causing her to land neatly in the seat of the throne. He stood ahead of her, with a simply admiring look. After a moment, he sighed.

"As I have told you, you are Queen - a station as equal to mine as can be. You are under no expectation of obeying anyone, least of all, me." She wrinkled her nose at that, having a good idea as to what he was lecturing her about.

"Everything was going fine," she fibbed, and it was obvious as her gaze had slid away from his. "I'm not sure what his issue was but I was-" she paused to sigh herself, looking back to meet his eyes.

"I guess I could use some more practice with all of this."

A moment of silence spanned between them, and she watched as his eyes passed over her. He left no part of her unappreciated, gilding her as if she were the architect's masterpiece. Perhaps it was due to a cloud passing overhead, but she saw his eyes darken. It was a look she had seen before, and it made her heart pound.

"I am sorry you had to endure Senenmut," he spoke, his voice deep, and dark like the velvet of her seat. "If you are so keen on forgiving him, perhaps you will accept recompense on his behalf from me." Her cheeks flooded with color as he sank to a knee before her, bringing her hand to his lips that only partially concealed his smile.

"How can I accept that?" She couldn't help but reflect the curve of his lips. "When you have done nothing to offend me?" It was true. In jest or not, she could never make demands from the man who freely offered her whatever she wanted.

"Perhaps not," he kissed her knuckles, before lifting his gaze to square with hers. "But do I really need a reason to pay proper respects to my beautiful queen?" Her face blazed hot. His question was innocent, but the sensual tone of his voice was not.

"N-no," she internally cursed her stutter, but Atem couldn't look any more pleased.

"Good," he replied, letting his eyes and the fingers of his other hand run along the outside of her thigh. He hummed to himself when his touch left the silk and made contact with her skin. The high slit of her skirt ensured he had gratuitous access to the pale flesh he loved to touch and tease. Her breath hitched beneath his rough fingers and hot touch, a sound that would only encourage him.

"You should expect that any subject of this court should address you wearily. You are the Queen and your authority is as influential as mine." He looked at her again through heavy lashes, passing the pads of his fingers over her undergarments. The Pharaoh smirked ever so slightly when she gasped and squirmed.

"They can kneel and avert their gaze, but any man who lay a hand on you should expect to lose it." Momentarily leaving her body, he pushed his hands into the seat, greeting her lips with a kiss that made him groan.

"Only a divine touch is fit to worship your body," he mouthed against her lips. His hands were lost beneath her dress, massaging her toned thighs until they relaxed under his palms. He swept an exploratory brush of fingers against her center, and smirked against her mouth when she whimpered.

"My touch." He growled the words into her neck, following them with sultry kisses as he continued to touch her, pressing and rubbing his fingers against where she was sensitive and hot. A strangled cry escaped her, and she chewed her lip shut upon remembering where they were.

"Atem?" she breathed his name, her eyes shadowed with pleasure as his fingers smoothed along the hem of her underwear.

"Shh," he replied, pressing a kiss to her ear as his hot touch dipped beneath the fabric and caressed the delicate skin.

She answered him with a quiet moan, letting her eyes flutter shut as she relished in his skilled ministrations. Despite her previous inexperience with sex, it hadn't taken Atem long to learn how to pleasure her in a manner she never fathomed. He took his time mapping every inch of her body with his hands and mouth, memorizing where and how to unravel her.

A delicious shiver washed over her as she was overwhelmed by his attention. His mouth was hot on her neck, greeting it with taunting, open-mouthed kisses. But it was his hand that was rattling her the most.

For a man of such might and ferocity, he touched her with the utmost care. His fingers were soft on her, gliding against the smooth folds as if they flower petals and easily bruised. She rasped a breath when he found her apex, massaging the sensitive nub in slow circles. A warm, pulsing pressure began to pool in her belly, swirling with a need that hadn't been there before he created it. He let his touch drift lower and groaned when his fingers were greeted with her silken heat.

"You are wet," he growled in her ear, "How am I to resist that?"

Her eyes opened, and her chest heaved. If she had been capable of forming coherent words, she would have reminded him that he had been the one to seduce her. Instead she caught his wine-colored eyes, completely clouded with lust as he moved to spread her legs wide enough to accommodate his broad shoulders. Eagerly he dipped his head into the crux of her legs, dragging his kiss against her inner thighs. A heavy blush flooded her cheeks when she gathered what he intended to do to her.

"Y-you-, we," she stuttered, her core trembling with need when she felt the heat of his breath against her. The thin fabric between them offering her little protection. "Not here." Serenity whimpered, shivering when she received a dark chuckle in response.

"And why not?" He pulled back, turning his focus to tugging away the soaked silk that was hindering his plans. Pushing her dress up, he spread her legs to his liking, sighing as he admired her. He muttered something in his own tongue that was vaguely familiar to her. It sounded a lot like the blessing given at the Pharaoh's table, before he was offered a feast.

"Am I not Pharaoh of these lands? This palace?" he paid her a teasing smirk. "If I am expected to make the laws here, I say I can indulge my queen when and wherever I wish." She wanted to argue. Tell him to stop. But the part of her trembling with need silenced her tongue so that he could bring her to bliss with his.

Smiling, he leaned forward, making her cry out when he licked her inner thighs. He drew dangerously close to where she was dying for him to kiss her when he suddenly paused.

"Serenity," he spoke, pulling back once more to earn her gaze, a hand thrust lazily into his hair as he leaned against the throne. "I could care less if everyone knows I have you locked away in here, pleasuring you senseless. But you should know," he paused to smirk, "that the lot of them are waiting just beyond the door."

A.N.: I know people are out there wanting updates and the *cough*sequeltoelectrum*cough*, but this was just something I had the muse for so I thought I'd post it. It's just a two-shot and I'll post the second chapter (which is honestly a lot of fanservice but still a resolution to this!) if there's enough interest (10 reviews!). Please let me know what you thought!

Love,

El3