~FINALLY! HERE IT IS! Phew I never thought I would get this chapter done much less get back into the groove of writing this story. I needed some down time to get my head straight and the story back on track. I hope you like it and thank you for your continued support. Please as always give me feedback let me know what you think!~ **Maiko :3**

Part III Chapter 17: The Origins of Eshe

There was going to be a feast in Eshe's honor and also because it was her birthday. She walked Nyx back to the stables Atem by her side after meeting up with Mahad and Jono. Both of the other men could not believe it was her. She gave them all sly smiles her violet eyes sparkling with mischief. After that she was escorted to the healers by an irritable Seraph immediately to make sure her fall from Nyx hadn't left any other injuries other than the bump to her head.

"My lady. Please do not run away from your guard like that again. Something far worse could have happened to you." Seraph lectured from behind the silken curtain, to give Eshe' privacy, as the healer dressed her minimal wounds.

Eshe rolled her eyes as the Healer put a small amount of salve on some scrapes along her arm. As the healer finished she shrugged on her robe tying it and pulled the curtain aside. Seraph quickly averted his eyes seeing the beautiful image of his lady improperly clothed glaring at him.

"My lady please...put on your proper attire." he pleaded

"Seraph PLEASE. I am covered stop being so overprotective." Eshe snapped

"It is not proper my lady." The healer said reiterating Seraph's point

Eshe turned glaring at the older woman "You were not being addressed old woman who gave you permission to speak."

The servant quickly bowed her head in apology "My apologies my lady I spoke out of turn."

"That you did. Take your leave now." Eshe ordered still irritable. The elder serant bowed deeply leaving her Seraph frowned at Eshe who was now of age and pushing the limits of his patience. If she wasn't the Pharaoh's daughter and his charge but any other woman he would have given her a sound thrashing for her behaviors the past few days.

"The healer was right to agree with me you did not have to take out your irritation on her my lady." Seraph scolded her and Eshe could hear her old guard's displeasure with her in his voice. He had looked after her since she was a child and despite her father was one of the few men whom she looked up too and would also listen too. Despite the hell she and her personal magician and guardian, Mana, would give him throughout the years. Mana was finishing up her training in upper Egypt and would join the court shortly to resume her duties as Eshe's guardian.

Eshe looked up at him sighing "You are right. I am just...so happy to finally have some freedom after being under lock and key for nearly four years."

"I understand my lady, I truly do, however there are dangers you are not aware of in this land even on palace grounds. Thankfully it was the Prince who found you and no other vagabonds that have been known to trespass on these lands from time to time." Seraph said getting and additional, thicker, robe and draping it around her shoulders.

"Have their been such occurences?" Eshe asked in surprise. The palace and royal lands were usually heavily guarded and patrolled to think that someone could slip past her father's soldiers was surprising.

"Yes. There is a bandit whom is known as Bakura who has dared to challenge your father and has almost made past the guards to this very palace. He has a powerful Ka he has learned to control and is not afraid to use it." Seraph said

"I have never heard of such a thing. A commoner being able to control a Ka and one so powerful?" Eshe said curious laying a finger on her cheek.

"My lady should not concern herself with such matters it is under control the of the Pharaoh's personal magicians and guard." Seraph said

"That is a good thing with the Sennen items they will be able to defeat this scourge readily." Eshe said

"Let me escort you to your chamber maids so they may ready you for the feast my lady." Seraph said and Eshe nodded letting her guard take her to her chambers.

Atem's mind was still buzzing with the thought of Eshe. To think how beautiful she had become was astounding. He would have to keep an eye on her at the feast tonight. There were rumors going around since coming of age and her new found freedom at her return to Egypt she had been rather free with her attentions to others. Atem frowned thinking of her shaming the royal family by being a notorious flirt. Eshe had always been too free-spirited and he blamed his father for that one he spoiled the girl and cater to her every whim.

He bathed and let his personal servants clothe him. Dressed in his royal best he entered the throne room and hall where the feast was being held. He honestly had no interest in any of the nobles and their gossip he was only coming to this feast to keep and eye on his sister and because it was his royal duty. He took his seat by his father and watched as they paid favor to him and mingled amongst themselves. It only took a few short minutes for it to completely and utterly bore him. Karim, Ishizu, Mahad, Shada, and Seth were stationed throughout the royal hall in specific locations with their items. Akunadin was in the temple that amplified his powers of his item, the Sennen eye, so that he could see the dangers if they were to come. This was common practice since Bakura had made his presence known in the land. Their key positions gave them the ability to have an advantage in order to protect the royal family with their magic.

There suddenly was collective gasps from the crowd and Ahkenaten looked up curiously. His usually stern face brightened into a wide and proud smile as he laid eyes on his beloved daughter. Atem looked up following his father's gaze and his heart leapt into his throat. Walking down the main center of the hall was Eshe' she practically floated into the room. Her long abundance of midnight hair was loose adorned with a jeweled gold circlet with golden chains tangled about her tresses reaching almost to her heels. Her dress was a lumniscent almost see through material gold and white with the traditional gold belt about her waist with a long silken train. Her petitie ankles had golden bangles as well as her wrists that jingled as she walked. One band in particular caught his attention the Ruby encrusted bracelet on her right wrist that had once belonged to her mother. With her kohl lined eyes and rouged lips and cheeks she looked like a proverbial goddess. Atem had to swallow hard as she approached and bowed to her father.

"My Pharaoh and my prince. Thank you for your kindness in throwing a feast for me." she said

Ahkenaten smiled and descended his throne sweeping her into an embrace. Though she was an illigitimate child Ahkenaten had always publicly accepted her as his daughter. Though she would never hold a right to the throne, nor would any of her childen, she was a still a child of the royal house and would be treated as such. Her future would be to be married to a grand noble and live in wealth abundance.

"My beautiful child you are most welcome. Please enjoy your evening. The Lady Eshe has returned and has come of age. Let us celebrate her beautiful and fertility!" Ahkenaten said boasting loudly to his court

Shouts and applause rose amongst the nobles and Eshe smiled gracefully bowing to the crowd before taking her place on her father's right but on a lower step. She would never be able to sit on the throne directly but would still be given a place of honor as suited her station. The evening carried on without much more excitement. Several men came to introduce themselves to Eshe and Atem stiffened ready for her reaction hoping she would remain proper and not make a full of herself. To his surprise she acted almost bashful and thanked them for their attentions, favors, and gifts. Atem knew he should be relieved but an anger bubbled in his chest. It wasn't until later in the late evening when some of the nobles had become filled with wine that a rather ludicrous suggestion was made by his father that surprised Atem but then again his father was slightly inebriated.

"My beloved daughter your Aunt tells me you have been schooled in the ways of the dance and that you were an apt student. Would you please grace this humble court with your talents?" Ahkneten said smiling

Eshe looked equally as surprised as Atem. Shimon, her father's personal advisor leaned down into his ear whispering, Ahkenaten scowled whispering back. Atem had the suspicion that Shimon was trying to talk his father out of this ridiculous idea.

"Father, I am sure Eshe is tired she had been through a lot in the past few days." Atem interjected and Eshe gave him a glare to which Atem was surprised to see. Certainly she didn't want to dance in front of these nobles like a common harlot?

"Nonsense Atem. Eshe if you would." Ahkenaten said turning to his daughter.

Eshe nodded bowing her head gracefully. "As my Pharaoh wishes."

Eshe had been surprised but slightly pleased by her father's suggestion. This entire feast was incredibly boring and to think the banquets and feasts she used to attend in Persia were so much more lively filled with music, animals, performers, and such. She had forgotten how boring the common celebration in Egypt could be compared to Persia's exotic party flare. Although it was considered improper she would indulge her father it surely would not be looked down upon if the Pharaoh so wished to see his daughter dance. Then when Atem had interfered she felt a well of anger hit her. Did he think she was scared? Did he think her fragile and unable? She would prove him wrong she would prove them all wrong.

"Let me change my Pharaoh and I will be right back." she offered

"Of course."

Eshe walked with her servant and quickly changed from her ellaborate gown to something more suitable. She put on a shorter, lighter skirt, a tighter and more revealing top, and braided her hair. Leaving her jewelry on she rentered the royal hall with a dark blue cloak on. Ahkenaten had arranged for a fluitist, drummer, and ministral to come to the hall to provide music. They were versed in Persian music.

Eshe walked towards the thrown feeling all the eyes on her as she bowed deep to her father and Atem. She looked up smiling and staring pointedly at Atem before looking back to her father.

"As my Pharaoh wishes I shall indulge you all with a dance from the halls of the Persian royalty. Though uncommon for daughters of the royal family to perform in Persia it is a widely common practice. Every young woman is taught this particular dance when she has come of age to celebrate her cross over into womanhood." Eshe announced

Ahkenaten smiled as she qued the musicians before kneeling down to the floor in a complicated sort of bow that reminded him of a wilting flower. Atem frowned watching displeased by his sisters behavior but she had captured the attention of the court readily. The music began and moving much like a snake she stood her head still bowed moving her arms in a complicated pattern. When she raised her gaze she grasped her cloak pulling it off and revealing her dress beneath. Atem felt every male part of himself surge to attention. Eshe continued to move in graceful and seductive movements leaping gracefully, bending, turning, and dipping inhumanly. Again Atem thought of a desert cobra the dance was seductive but not whorish much much more than that it was quite beautiful. Eshe's body was the epitome of womanly curvy, lithe, muscular all in one. Unlike the delicate almost thin women of the noble class here.

Finally she finished her dance wilting back to the ground arms splayed out as if she were flying and kneeling. The court immediately errupted into applause and cheers. Ahkenaten descended his throat and grasped his daughter's hand pulling her to her feet. Eshe faced him with a bright smile.

"My jewel that was beautiful you have your mother's grace." He said gently

Eshe nodded to him and accepted back her cloak from her servant. Atem had descended from the throne coming to his father's side and facing Eshe who gave him a proud look.

"Father. I think it has grown rather late allow me to escort Eshe to her quarters." Atem pleaded

Ahkenaten sighed "I suppose if Eshe is ready to retire."

Eshe bowed her head to her father "Yes my Pharaoh the prince is quite right it is far past for me to retire I thank you for your leave."

"Rest well my child." Ahkenaten said kissing her forehead gently as Atem lead her from the room.

As they entered the hall Eshe turned to him only to see raging ruby eyes and a strong hand grabbed her upper arm before pushing her harshly into a stone obelisk.

"How dare you! How dare you display yourself in such a shameful way." Atem growled although his anger was more directed at his own lack of control in the emotions of lust and passion she had awoken in him.

"I was only doing what my Pharaoh wished of me. Let go." She said in a deadly low voice glaring right back at him.

Eshe watched her beautiful brother glare back at her before he lunged forwards and crashed his lips to hers. She let out a start yelp as he pushed her back into the column. No man had ever touched her in such a manner and it wasn't something she was prepared for. After getting over her initial shock she pushed him away harshly both of them breathing hard. Grasping her cloak tight to her chest she looked at him in shock and hurt.

"Wh-why did you do that?" she whispered

Atem looked at her "Because I wanted too. I have wanted to do that since you were thirteen but father forbade it."

He finally admitted it to her. Eshe's eyes widened in response. That was why her father had sent her so far away to Persia to keep her away from the attentions of her brother. It made sense because he was a prince probably already bethrothed and here she was the bastard child of a concubine.

"Do you, do you lust for me Atem?" she asked curiously

He scowled closing his eyes leaning towards her bracing himself with his arms on either side of her "Ra help me, yes I do."

"Why? Why me?"

"Because you are a goddess in the flesh sister. Every time you enter a room all eyes alight upon you. There is no other beauty in Egypt like you and I am not the only one who sees it." Atem said releasing a shuddering breath

Eshe was startled by the admittance she felt like a little girl again and not the confident assured young woman her Aunt Esther had trained and raised her to be. In Persia women were practically men's equals here in Egypt women had power but not like in Persia they were still seen as pawns to gain dowries and favors. Men could take whatever they wished from them without consequence.

Eshe raised her hand and slapped him harshly making him actually stumble away. Her hand stung but she faced him with burning hatred in her eyes.

"Brother you shall never lay a hand on me again." she hissed

Atem looked at her cradling his cheek and a busted lip angry. Angry he had lost control and angry because she dare strike him. Surprisingly that only made him want her more. He grabbed both her upper arms tightly pushing her back again. Eshe responded gritting her teeth fighting and kicking him. They both tumbled to the floor in a pile of limbs.

"Let go! LET ME GO!" she shouted

"You will learn your place!" Atem cried grabbing her wrists and her down straddling her waist.

Eshe looked up at him with hate filled eyes as he stared down at her chest heaving "Have you calmed down you hellion?" he asked

Eshe bit her lip looking away. He grabbed her chin jerking her gaze back to him. "Answer me or I will not let you go."

"Yes." she bit back him

"You will not scream, you will not run away, and you will certainly not hit me again is that clear?" Atem said in a cold and steady tone.

Eshe nodded and he let her up letting go of all but one wrist and Eshe was surprised that he actually helped her up. She turned to him unsure as he let her go she stood still as promised and silent. Atemu pinched the bridge of his nose sighing hard. What had he done?

"I will not apologize for my actions but I will say this you need to be more careful Eshe. You are not in the position to flaunt yourself as such no matter if father asks it of you. Do you wish to be treated as a common whore?" Atem asked

Eshe gave a sharp chuckle "First you treat me as a harlot than you ask me if I wish to be treated as one. Brother you are most confusing to me."

He sighed glaring at her. "I am but a man and when you danced...and appeared in that." He said gesturing to her state of dress "I will admit I lost control."

Eshe's smirk turned into an elightened smile and she laughed making Atem look at her with a quirked eyebrow "What in Ra's name is so funny?"

"To think that a mere woman, his younger sister no less, made the God Child feel the lust and passions of man. I do so like this." Eshe said smiling mischeviously

Atem almost blushed like a child "Eshe I warn you. You are playing with fire."

"Maybe I like the feeling of being burned..." she walked closer to him and placed a hand on his chest "Because sometimes I burn...down...here." she said running a hand down her abdomen going lower.

Eshe should be scared and should be angry but she would be lying if she wouldn't admit that she too had an attraction to her brother she always had. She gladly accepted his heated passion and lust filled kiss the second time because this time she had control.

"Eshe...we musn't." Atem gasped pulling back

"I do not care...will you help me with this burn brother? Or should I ask someone else?" she chuckled pushing her hips against his.

Atem growled lustfully picking her up as if she weighed nothing and dragging her to the gardens. There he laid his claim on her against a wall out of sight he fucked her like a common whore and she loved it. Despite the fact she was a virgin she moved and behaved like a wanton. Atem usually the one so in control of his women found himself giving in to a carnal desire. Afterwards they lay together side by side in the garden. Eshe was trembling lying on her side bruises on her body from their coupling. Atem looked over at her feeling guilt hit him.

"Eshe...are you all right?" he asked

Eshe sat up smiling looking at him "I am fine...sore...but fine. Now I see what the women talk of so openly."

Atem chuckled but looked at her concerned "This changes things between us."

"This changes nothing." Eshe promptly said pulling her curtain of hair around and straightening the tousled mess

"What do you mean?" Atem asked

"Father will never approve of this." Eshe said looking at him

"Than you wish to never be with me again?" Atem asked curious

"No I did not say that but we must be careful. Let us just take this time now and hold it close we must proced with caution." she whispered gently.

Atem sighed nodding "I agree. You have much changed sister."

"Stop calling me that. Call me by may given name if I am to be your lover." she snapped glaring at him.

He gave her a sly grin "Who said you were my lover?"

"I aim to be. There is no other woman proper enough to share your bed if not I? Unless you prefer common whores." She snapped

To think this slip of a woman was ordering the Prince of Egypt around. Her mesmorizing violet eyes bore holes into him and her stalworth resolve only aroused him more. He had never met a woman like her.

"No. I much prefer you sweet Eshe." He said grasping her chin gently. Eshe smiled letting him kiss her. Through him she would learn the secrets of her body and the power she possessed over men and in time love.