Submission and Addiction [Part 20]
There's really no excuse good enough for how long it's taken me to post this. D': I'M SO VERY SORRY. Hopefully you haven't all abandoned me by now. <3
Adam stared into the mirror, looking at himself up and down. This would be the last time he looked into this mirror - the one that stood in his room in the palace. This was the last time he would stand in this room. He had just stepped out of a bath a few minutes ago, and was now only dressed in his undergarments as he waited for a servant to bring him clean robes to wear. His chest was still peppered with red splotches but he was breathing easily with no trouble and felt strong and sturdy on his feet. Hour by hour, the redness was fading from his skin. The tonic had worked miraculously.
He was finally free. Soon he’d be leaving and never have to look back. But was it worth it? It had been an absolute blood bath for the last two days outside the Pharaoh’s chambers. Every single one of Merrick, Dallon, Ahura, and Layla’s guards had either been killed or fallen with horrific wounds. Their masters had all but lost themselves in their hatred and greed, and it was an indescribable crime that they had thrown away all their guards’ lives as if they were nothing.
The other side of the world wouldn’t be far enough away from this palace of greed and corruption. Perhaps it was better for the Pharaoh, and the country as a whole, that the true self-serving nature of the Pharaoh’s family had been revealed. But still, Adam could not see his new freedom with the same happiness when he thought of all of the men who’d been killed - the enemy’s men, and the Pharaoh’s guards that had fought with their lives for days and suffered losses in order to protect him. All Adam did know for certain was his interminable loathing for this place and all he had experienced within its walls. He couldn’t wait until he was journeying away from here, Kris at his side, and the palace shrinking far behind him.
Adam was pulled from his thoughts when the door of his room opened. He turned away from the mirror. A servant girl entered the room and stepped up to him, holding out clean, freshly-pressed white robes. Adam thanked her with a small smile as he took the robes and slid them on. She also handed him a thicker traveling robe to put on over top before she left the room again. Adam tied back his hair. It had grown much longer and was in need of a cut.
“Adam?”
Adam turned when he heard Kris’ voice, and then saw him peeking into the room through the ajar door. He was also bathed and dressed in new robes, and Adam could see the slight swell at his shoulder from the bandages under his robes.
“Ready to go?”
Adam smiled and nodded, coming over to Kris immediately. He placed a small, light kiss on Kris’ lips.
“You really think you have to ask me that? Even if the Pharaoh hadn’t insisted on us washing up and he’d already let us leave, it wouldn’t be soon enough.”
“Where’s Michael?” Kris asked.
“I saw him a little while ago in the infirmary. He joined the fight not long after you raced in to bring me the tonic. He only has a minor scrape on his arm. He said he’d be ready to go in no time and he would come here to my room as soon as his arm was bandaged.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t make you wait,” said a voice behind Adam, before Michael’s hands were clasped around Adam’s shoulders and he had turned him around to face him. “You’re really alright? You’re all healed? Kris said you were on death’s doorstep only days ago and now…”
“I’m fine, Michael,” Adam assured him with a smile. “Better than fine. I’m finally getting out of this wretched place. But your arm?” Adam asked, looking towards the bandage wrapped around Michael’s forearm.
“It’s a scratch,” Michael said dismissively, turning to Kris now. “And you? Your shoulder really got sliced.”
Kris answered, “I lost a lot of blood and the wound got infected, but Adam cleaned it and wrapped it and took care of me while we were holed up in the Pharaoh’s rooms together, and then a nurse stitched it. So it looks like we’re all going to be alright.”
“We damn well better be, after all we’ve gone through. Now, what do you two say we get the hell out of here.”
Adam entered the grand hall for the last time. Kris and Michael would soon follow, as servants were fitting them with clothes and supplies for their journey away from the palace.
The Pharaoh had soldiers from his army stationed along the far wall of the grand hall. On the dais, he had had all of the thrones save for his own pushed over and crushed. The Pharaoh was seated in his own tall throne - the last one standing. He had his head leaning on his hand, looking harrowed and weakened from all that had happened. He was speaking with his advisors in soft, charged tones, his eyes now and then cutting over to where the Lord and Lady Merrick, Lord Dallon, and all of the royal wives were held in custody to the side of the dais. The Pharaoh’s guards surrounded them, barring them from any escape attempts by keeping them at spear point.
Adam was about to approach the Pharaoh’s throne, but then he hung back as the Pharaoh quickly rose from his throne and strode over to the captives. He waved his hand, parting his guards so he could approach. Lord Merrick and Dallon shrunk back when they saw him. Ahura and Layla were trembling. Even Lady Merrick looked unmistakably terrified, yet continued standing tall as her eyes fixed on the brother whom she had so gravely betrayed.
The Pharaoh’s gaze slid slowly over them. He remained in disbelief over what they had done. None of his anger at their actions had faded since he’d heard news of it. When his gaze landed on Nesa, huddled by herself off to the side of his other wives, he waved his hand to the guard standing beside her.
“Let her free,” the Pharaoh ordered. When the guard who’d been keeping her trapped with the others stepped aside, the Pharaoh held out his hand towards her. “Nesa, your virtue is a blessing. I see that you are the sole member of my court that I can trust, and I am grateful to you for remaining steadfast and true.”
She smiled slightly, reaching out to take his hand so she could come stand at his side, facing the others with him. He stepped forward, confronting the defamed Lords, and his wives and sister whom he had considered his allies only a few days ago. The betrayal struck him deeply, yet he knew it was for the best that their treachery had been uncovered.
As the Pharaoh’s gaze fixed on each of them one by one, they each shrunk back in fear. Lady Merrick was the only one who remained standing tall ahead of the others.
“I’m disgusted by each of you!” his voice boomed, lashing out at them like a physical blow. Lady Merrick finally began shaking like a leaf.
Now his voice dipped down to a soft, deadly tone with much more bite than his shouting. “For days I was fighting on the front lines, leading our army to protect the southern border from invasion. During war campaigns, it’s a well-known fact that I must rely on the family I left in the palace to support the war effort. But I failed to receive a single shipment of supplies, or even a letter with a shred of news! It wasn’t until I arrived home when I saw what you all had deemed more important than defending our border. Trying to murder one man who was already sick and dying - and whom you all knew was under my express protection. You all realized full well what you were doing was not only despicable, but also treason to my wishes!”
“But Pharaoh!” Ahura cried out to him, falling onto her knees as she attempted to plead, “We could see that he was deceiving you! We were acting to protect your throne!”
“You were acting out of greed, because you feared I may have grown closer to him than to you. You wanted my favor, and you wanted my power. But you have nothing to lament, Ahura. I knew from the start that neither you nor Layla would ever be fit to share my throne.” His eyes carelessly left the two young women as they started weeping.
“And let me make quite sure that you all understand,” he continued, “that Adam was innocent of every single one of the crimes you suspected him of. So, let us start the sentencing at the beginning.”
He pointed to Lord Merrick, who was huddled behind his wife. One of the Pharaoh’s guards stepped forward to seize the man by the arm and drag him outside the ring of guards and in front of the Pharaoh. The man was tossed onto the hard ground before the Pharaoh’s feet, and the guard stood looming behind him to make sure he didn’t move.
“Lord Merrick,” the Pharaoh addressed him, watching him with distaste. The older man met his ruler’s eyes fearfully, making no move to rise from the floor. “I didn’t care for you from the start. But I never thought you would do something so vile.” Fear visibly flashed in Lord Merrick’s eyes when he suddenly realized that the Pharaoh knew everything.
“Brother, what do you mean?” Lady Merrick demanded from where she was still being held by the other guards off to the side of the dais. Her eyes were darting back and forth between her husband and her brother, failing to understand.
From the other side of the large room came the soft sound of footsteps moving over the floor. A few seconds later, Adam had come to stand at the Pharaoh’s side.
When Lord Merrick saw him, he stammered out, “I-…I’m sorry…”
Adam’s eyes narrowed as fury pulsed through him. “You can’t possibly think that’s good enough.”
The Pharaoh began in a voice plenty loud enough for everyone in the room to hear him, “You were the first out of anyone in the palace who knew Adam’s name. You invited him to spend a weekend in your company at your private estate. You waved such a large sum of money under his nose that it would have been senseless to refuse. During the time you played host to him, you showered him with gifts, expensive clothing, and gourmet meals.”
“And jewels,” Adam added softly, his jaw tense.
“…and let’s not forget jewels. Tell me, Lord, did he ask you for any of these things?”
Lord Merrick, his eyes fixed on the ground and face flaming in humiliation, shook his head.
“And wasn’t it you who initiated any relations with him?”
The man nodded miserably.
“And when your wife caught you in the act, you lied through your teeth about who you’d been unfaithful with. You said it hadn’t been your idea, and that he’d conned all these things out of you. But everything you told her was false. The opposite was true.”
“What?! That can’t be! You’re lying!!” Lady Merrick screamed, two of the guards holding her back.
“For once, he’s telling the truth,” Adam said coldly. “It was all his doing.”
“Lord Merrick,” the Pharaoh addressed him as the man finally, slowly looked up to the monarch. “Beginning today, I banish you. You will never step foot in this country again.”
The man cried out in protest, beseeching the Pharaoh for mercy and forgiveness as the guards began to drag him away. Without a hitch, the Pharaoh continued, “A single trunk of your belongings may accompany you, and you will take no more gold than what is necessary to purchase food.”
The Pharaoh then turned to face the other criminals. “Ahura. Layla. I am disappointed that you two allowed yourselves to be swept up so quickly in this tangle of lies. Your murderous treason cannot be forgiven. The same punishment extends to each of you.” They had both already been crying, but then a new round of tears came along with cries of protest.
“Oh, stop crying!” Nesa whispered to herself, exasperated. Adam heard and smiled slightly in amusement.
“Dallon,” the Pharaoh went on, turning to face the next offender. “You were never one of the few trustworthy of the nobility. In fact, I never liked you much at all, especially not after the things Adam’s told me regarding the way you’ve acted towards him and Kris. Banishment. I don’t ever want to see you step foot on my soil again.”
The Pharaoh moved on without a hitch to the final person standing behind the ring of guards - Lady Merrick.
“Sister,” the Pharaoh said grimly. She was watching him warily, like she knew what was coming and already resenting him for it…but there also seemed to be a hint of doubt on her face, like she was finally realizing the truth of what had been going on this whole time. She was finally realizing her grave, grave mistakes.
“I was under the impression that I could trust you. I left for the war campaign confident I was leaving my palace in your good, capable hands. Your actions have wounded me the deepest. Your blind devotion to your scum husband and his lies plunged all of us into turmoil. The cruel, degrading way you treated Adam was inexcusable. Even if your husband’s accusations had been true - there is no crime worthy of your methods of punishment. I would consider having you lashed to match the scars Adam will bear on his back for the rest of his life,…but fortunately for you, I will never sink to your pitiful level of vengeance and hatred. You abused your power, sister, and you abused my trust. Not only do I banish you, but I also strip you of all your power and status. I cast you out from my family. You will leave this country with no servants, no riches, no companions, and no brother.”
Adam watched as the woman’s jaw tensed and her eyes glossed over with a wet sheen. In his opinion, no punishment was extreme enough after the living hell she had plunged his life into.
“Take them away and let them prepare to leave,” the Pharaoh said dismissively as he turned away from their direction, a hand resting over his eyes. “Watch them - one trunk each and no more. Later I will set up the rations of food and the minimal money they will need.”
Adam couldn’t help but watch with the thrill of victory as the criminals were led from the room at spear point. Dallon and the Merricks looked disheveled and crumpled - beaten. Adam saw Lord Merrick try to reach out to his wife in something like an apology. She pushed him away, but with no real heat. She knew there was nothing to fight over anymore.
The two fallen wives were the only ones who hadn’t yet resigned themselves to their sentence. Still, they struggled against the guards restraining them, and called out to the Pharaoh, pleading. The guards started pulling them from the room. The two women saw Nesa standing a little ways away from the Pharaoh, nearer to them.
Ahura called out to her, “Nesa! You wouldn’t turn your back on us, would you? Talk to the Pharaoh, help us!”
Nesa only watched them for a moment before looking away.
“When have either of you every helped me? All you’ve ever done is push me down and out of your way. You deserve this for all that you’ve done.”
The two older women shouted cruel obscenities at her as the guards restrained them. The Pharaoh turned towards Nesa when he heard their voices, and he reached out to place a reassuring arm around Nesa. She turned her head and smiled at him gratefully. They watched together as the five exiles were dragged out of the grand hall.
The moment the doors closed and it was silent again, the Pharaoh let out a loud breath. He moved to his throne and fell into it, resting his head in his hand. All that had happened had visibly shaken him.
The sound of voices came from the door beside the throne platform. Kris and Michael finally entered, dressed to travel and with packs strapped to their backs. Adam’s eyes lingered on Kris for a few moments, but he knew he couldn’t leave quite just yet.
Adam walked up before the Pharaoh’s throne. As the king looked up, Adam moved down to his knees and pressed himself to the ground, forehead touching the stone floor and his palms spread, arms extended in front of him.
“My Pharaoh,” Adam said, his face still near the floor but speaking loudly enough to be heard, “I will never be able to express enough gratitude for everything you’ve done for me and Kris. Thank you. I thank you endlessly.”
The Pharaoh rose from his throne and stepped down the few stairs. He kneeled down and lifted Adam back to his feet. When their eyes met, Adam was keenly aware of Kris in the room watching them.
With the Pharaoh’s hands still lingering on Adam’s arms, he said to Adam, “I did what I knew to be right. There’s no need for you to waste your breath.” Then his hands fell away from Adam’s arms and they stood facing each other.
Seeing as this would probably be the last time he would stand in the Pharaoh’s presence, Adam almost felt an obligation to lean up and kiss him or touch him somehow. But Adam could feel Kris’ presence behind him, and he wasn’t willing to renege on the promise he’d made to Kris to never again share his affections with another. The Pharaoh just smiled like he silently understood.
He said only loud enough for Adam to hear, “If I had someone like Kris, someone willing to do the things he did for you, I would never be untrue to them either.” He didn’t reach out to Adam. The Pharaoh looked down to his wrist and slid off a silver armband. He held it out for Adam. “It’s engraved with my seal. If you ever find yourself in a mix-up, this will get you out of trouble.”
Adam’s gaze fell to the armband and he took it carefully. “Thank you,” he said as he slid it onto his own arm. “And, I don’t mean to disagree with you but…” Adam looked up at the Pharaoh, then glanced quickly over to where Nesa was standing a ways away from them. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure that I didn’t have my own Kris.” The Pharaoh’s gaze momentarily shifted to Nesa where she was softly conversing with one of the Pharaoh’s advisors. When she noticed her husband’s gaze she smiled shyly. “During the time Lady Merrick kept me chained in a cell during your absence, Nesa snuck in to take care of me. I got to know her enough that I can assure you she appreciates your company because she appreciates you. She’s never played the game your other wives did.” The Pharaoh’s gaze lingered for a few moments on the young woman Adam was speaking about.
When the Pharaoh finally looked back to Adam, he smiled. “Isn’t it time for you to be leaving? You’ve waited long enough for this day.”
Adam bowed his head. “Yes. Thank you, Your Majesty. May you be well.”
“I wish the same for you.”
Adam finally turned to leave, moving towards where Kris stood. As Adam walked away from the Pharaoh, he finally realized why he and the other man had seemed to be drawn to each other - why they’d found something like solace in each other. They shared the same lives with the same fears. Each of them had felt like people only sought them for self-benefit, the Pharaoh for his power, and Adam for his sexual promise. They had both lived solitary lives with the fear that no one would ever love or care for them simply because of the person they were.
But Adam had been fortunate enough to find Kris, and he would never want more or anyone else.
Kris smiled when he saw Adam coming over to meet him and he held out his hand. Adam took his hand and held onto it tightly.
“Servants packed up everything for us, some food, fresh clothes, and other supplies for traveling,” Kris said, gesturing to the pack on his back. Michael came up to stand with them. Adam looked up to Michael’s face before focusing on Kris’ again. He was silent for a few moments, just watching Kris and thinking about what was to become of the three of them now that Adam was freed and they were once again at liberty to go wherever.
Kris finally asked, “We’re not going home, are we?”
“Can we, after this? Even with the Pharaoh’s protection, I’m not sure I would feel safe there. And besides, was it really a ‘home’? It was where I worked for years and years. All I would be able to remember there is all the people I’ve served. I’m turning over a new page and moving on from that life, and moving somewhere new sounds like the best way to do that.”
Kris squeezed Adam’s hand. “My home is wherever you are.” Adam smiled at him and lifted a hand to touch his cheek.
Michael cut in, “How about we get out of here before you two start kissing in a way unfit for public places?”
Adam laughed, “Yes, let’s.” And with Kris at his right, an arm curled around the smaller man’s shoulders, and Michael on his other side, they left the palace.
The Pharaoh could not keep himself from watching them until they disappeared from view through the doorway. He was certain he would never forget Adam’s face or a single detail about him. He remembered the night when he’d first spoken with Adam about sharing his throne, and Adam had rebutted the offer. Adam had told the Pharaoh that any love he thought he felt for Adam he was only mistaking for the temporary excitement of lust. The Pharaoh wasn’t so sure Adam had been right. But it didn’t matter. Adam was entitled to the freedom that should never have been taken from him at all, and he deserved to spend his life with the man he loved and who made him happy. The Pharaoh knew - futile as the effort would surely be - the best thing for him to do would be to try and forget the man who’d woven such a spell over him.
“Pharaoh?”
The Pharaoh made himself turn away from the doorway Adam, Kris, and Michael had just walked through, and he turned towards Nesa. “Are you alright?” she asked.
The Pharaoh smiled and nodded. He curled an arm gently around her slim waist to draw her in against his side.
“I’ll be fine. As long as I’ve still got you, we’ll continue on together,” he said to her, and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll have to have a new throne built for you. A larger one.”
Adam, Kris, and Michael mounted three of the Pharaoh’s horses and set out for the tent. Before they went searching for a new place to live, they had to collect Adam’s chest filled with all the gold and jewels he had amassed. It was what would enable them to start a life somewhere new.
When they reached the tent, Michael went inside and carried the chest out to strap to the back of Adam’s horse. Adam and Kris stood inside, taking one final look around.
“There’s really only one thing I want to take with us from here,” Adam said, and Kris turned towards him to listen, “The memories of us.”
Kris smiled and moved to take one of Adam’s hands between his own.
“We’ll always have those. And we’re going to make plenty, plenty more.”
The three of them rode out towards the markets. They would take the trade routes that extended past the marketplace. As their horses slowed and the roads became crowded with people moving back and forth between merchants’ stalls, Michael told Adam, “We should stop for a few jugs of water while we’re here.” Adam nodded in agreement and dismounted.
Guiding their horses by the reigns, the three of them waded through the crowd, looking for a stand that sold water. Kris spotted one and pointed, and Adam followed him. Kris was already talking to the man standing behind the stand when Adam noticed that Michael wasn’t following behind them.
Adam looked back and saw Michael still standing a ways down the road. Adam was about to call out to him, but then stopped when he saw that Michael’s eyes were fixed unwaveringly towards something in the distance. He looked transfixed. Adam tapped Kris’ arm and handed him his own horse’s reigns while he went back to see what was the matter with Michael.
“Michael?” Adam asked when he reached the larger man’s side. Michael pointed in the direction where he’d been looking.
“That woman there. The one looking at the silks. Do you see her?” Adam squinted as he searched for her, then nodded. His eyes widened suddenly as he thought he recognized her.
Michael asked him, “Isn’t that Samira? She’s quite a bit older but…”
“No, I believe you’re right. It must be her.”
Adam turned towards Michael, watching him watching her. He still hadn’t looked away. Michael suddenly lurched forward, hurrying towards her.
Kris reappeared at Adam’s side then, holding three jugs filled with water. “Where is Michael going?” he asked.
“You see the woman standing there? With the yellow head wrap? Her name is Samira. She used to work for my father before she was sold. She’s the one Michael was in love with.”
“Samira,” Michael said in an urgent voice when he reached her. She turned around to find the source of the voice that had called her name. When she saw Michael, her eyes and mouth fell open into matching displays of shock. She was silent for a few long seconds as she struggled to process the sight of him. He couldn’t look away from the beautiful, wet pools of her dark brown eyes.
She exclaimed his name in shock, “Michael!” and then she was throwing herself against his chest. Michael was easily twice her size and he could effortlessly crush her in an instant. With the shocking disparity of their sizes, he held her with surprising tenderness, holding her gently against him, yet the trembling of his hands gave away the desperateness of the embrace.
“What are you doing here?” he asked her, pushing her back gently so he could see her face. “You were sold….I remember the day he took you away..”
“My master passed away. He was elderly and ill. He left me a sum of money at his death though, and I’ve been living a simple life on my own in these parts.” She reached for him again, and he cupped her cheek tenderly with one hand.
Adam and Kris had followed Michael over and when Adam spoke Samira’s name, she pulled back from Michael, looking a little embarrassed. When she turned to look at Adam, another shocked expression came to her face.
“Adam? Is that you?”
“Indeed. How surprising it is to see you here! I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
“I didn’t either. It’s good to see you well.”
“As it is you.” Adam put an arm around Kris’ waist, pulling him forward slightly. “Samira, this is Kris.”
She greeted him with a smile and an, “It’s nice to meet you.” Kris nodded the same and bowed his head slightly to her.
“Michael, have you been with Adam all this time?” Samira asked, looking back to Michael.
Michael nodded, “I helped him escape the house not long after you were sold. We traveled here together and we’ve been here since. Recently we came into a bit of trouble with the royal family. It’s all resolved now, but we were looking to travel and find somewhere new to live…” When Michael fell silent, he stepped closer to Samira again and slid one arm around her small frame. “Adam, I don’t think I can go with you and Kris.” She rested one hand on his broad chest, looking up at his face hopefully.
Adam’s face was unreadable, the line of his mouth serious as he nodded. “I know, Michael. I understand.”
“That would be alright, Samira? If I stayed with you and…”
“Hush, Michael. You ask the silliest questions.”
Kris noticed Adam reaching a hand inside his traveling robes, searching for something.
“Michael,” Adam said, bringing Michael’s attention back to him from watching Samira adoringly. Adam produced a large leather pouch from the inside pocket of his robes. Kris had seen him pick up a handful of gold pieces from his chest earlier and store them in the pouch for accessibility.
“Take this,” Adam instructed, holding it out to Michael. “I won’t take no as an answer.”
“Adam,” Michael said with a sigh, about to protest.
Adam cut him off, “No, for years you haven’t let me pay you for all you do for me. Shut your mouth and take this.”
Michael sighed, just eyeing the pouch for a few seconds before finally reaching out to take it. Adam smiled, about to say something, but Michael roped him in, wrapping his arms around Adam and pulling him into an almost crushing hug. Adam threw his arms around Michael’s shoulders and pushed his face in against Michael’s shoulder. Michael practically smothered him, lifting him clear off the ground.
After he set Adam down again, he pulled back to look at him, his big hands still holding onto Adam’s arms. “You take damn good care of yourself. And if I ever hear that you opened a new business, you better believe I will come find you and bust the pretty right off your face.”
Adam laughed, shaking his head. “That’s one concern you can do away with. Kris is everything for me.”
“And Kris!” Michael continued, looking over at him. “You do anything bad to Adam and you’ll have me to answer to.”
“Another needless concern, Michael,” Kris said dismissively before Michael came over to hug him as well - much more gently though.
Before he pulled back, Kris heard Michael murmur near his ear, “You have no idea how happy you’ve made Adam. Thank you for saving him.”
“Thank you for taking care of him until I came along,” Kris responded, “You don’t have to worry. For the rest of our lives, I’m going to love him and look after him.”
“You’re a good kid, Kris. I always liked you,” Michael said with a smile, ruffling Kris’ hair a bit.
On his way back to Samira’s side, Michael hugged Adam one more time. Then he slid the pack off of his own back and handed it to Adam. “Here, you and Kris still have to travel.”
Adam nodded and slid the pack onto his own back. “Kris and I should get back to the horses.” Michael nodded as he returned to Samira’s side. “Took good care of him, Samira,” Adam said with a smile, “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime catch.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I know,” she said, smiling brightly as she slid a hand into Michael’s. Michael was watching Kris and Adam with the closest thing to a teary smile that a man his size could possibly display.
“Farewell, you two. May fortune be with you,” Michael called as Kris and Adam started walking away and back towards where the horses were tied.
Adam and Kris linked hands, and reached their other hands high into the air to wave goodbye.
A/N: After this, the story's going to focus back in on Adam and Kris' relationship. In the following chapter (possibly chapters) they'll be figuring out their new life together and sorting through the final untouched issues in their relationship. I've really been looking forward to writing the upcoming parts with just the two of them, and I hope you guys are looking forward to reading it. Thanks so much for all your reads, comments, and love. Can't say how much I appreciate it. :)
Adam stared into the mirror, looking at himself up and down. This would be the last time he looked into this mirror - the one that stood in his room in the palace. This was the last time he would stand in this room. He had just stepped out of a bath a few minutes ago, and was now only dressed in his undergarments as he waited for a servant to bring him clean robes to wear. His chest was still peppered with red splotches but he was breathing easily with no trouble and felt strong and sturdy on his feet. Hour by hour, the redness was fading from his skin. The tonic had worked miraculously.
He was finally free. Soon he’d be leaving and never have to look back. But was it worth it? It had been an absolute blood bath for the last two days outside the Pharaoh’s chambers. Every single one of Merrick, Dallon, Ahura, and Layla’s guards had either been killed or fallen with horrific wounds. Their masters had all but lost themselves in their hatred and greed, and it was an indescribable crime that they had thrown away all their guards’ lives as if they were nothing.
The other side of the world wouldn’t be far enough away from this palace of greed and corruption. Perhaps it was better for the Pharaoh, and the country as a whole, that the true self-serving nature of the Pharaoh’s family had been revealed. But still, Adam could not see his new freedom with the same happiness when he thought of all of the men who’d been killed - the enemy’s men, and the Pharaoh’s guards that had fought with their lives for days and suffered losses in order to protect him. All Adam did know for certain was his interminable loathing for this place and all he had experienced within its walls. He couldn’t wait until he was journeying away from here, Kris at his side, and the palace shrinking far behind him.
Adam was pulled from his thoughts when the door of his room opened. He turned away from the mirror. A servant girl entered the room and stepped up to him, holding out clean, freshly-pressed white robes. Adam thanked her with a small smile as he took the robes and slid them on. She also handed him a thicker traveling robe to put on over top before she left the room again. Adam tied back his hair. It had grown much longer and was in need of a cut.
“Adam?”
Adam turned when he heard Kris’ voice, and then saw him peeking into the room through the ajar door. He was also bathed and dressed in new robes, and Adam could see the slight swell at his shoulder from the bandages under his robes.
“Ready to go?”
Adam smiled and nodded, coming over to Kris immediately. He placed a small, light kiss on Kris’ lips.
“You really think you have to ask me that? Even if the Pharaoh hadn’t insisted on us washing up and he’d already let us leave, it wouldn’t be soon enough.”
“Where’s Michael?” Kris asked.
“I saw him a little while ago in the infirmary. He joined the fight not long after you raced in to bring me the tonic. He only has a minor scrape on his arm. He said he’d be ready to go in no time and he would come here to my room as soon as his arm was bandaged.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t make you wait,” said a voice behind Adam, before Michael’s hands were clasped around Adam’s shoulders and he had turned him around to face him. “You’re really alright? You’re all healed? Kris said you were on death’s doorstep only days ago and now…”
“I’m fine, Michael,” Adam assured him with a smile. “Better than fine. I’m finally getting out of this wretched place. But your arm?” Adam asked, looking towards the bandage wrapped around Michael’s forearm.
“It’s a scratch,” Michael said dismissively, turning to Kris now. “And you? Your shoulder really got sliced.”
Kris answered, “I lost a lot of blood and the wound got infected, but Adam cleaned it and wrapped it and took care of me while we were holed up in the Pharaoh’s rooms together, and then a nurse stitched it. So it looks like we’re all going to be alright.”
“We damn well better be, after all we’ve gone through. Now, what do you two say we get the hell out of here.”
Adam entered the grand hall for the last time. Kris and Michael would soon follow, as servants were fitting them with clothes and supplies for their journey away from the palace.
The Pharaoh had soldiers from his army stationed along the far wall of the grand hall. On the dais, he had had all of the thrones save for his own pushed over and crushed. The Pharaoh was seated in his own tall throne - the last one standing. He had his head leaning on his hand, looking harrowed and weakened from all that had happened. He was speaking with his advisors in soft, charged tones, his eyes now and then cutting over to where the Lord and Lady Merrick, Lord Dallon, and all of the royal wives were held in custody to the side of the dais. The Pharaoh’s guards surrounded them, barring them from any escape attempts by keeping them at spear point.
Adam was about to approach the Pharaoh’s throne, but then he hung back as the Pharaoh quickly rose from his throne and strode over to the captives. He waved his hand, parting his guards so he could approach. Lord Merrick and Dallon shrunk back when they saw him. Ahura and Layla were trembling. Even Lady Merrick looked unmistakably terrified, yet continued standing tall as her eyes fixed on the brother whom she had so gravely betrayed.
The Pharaoh’s gaze slid slowly over them. He remained in disbelief over what they had done. None of his anger at their actions had faded since he’d heard news of it. When his gaze landed on Nesa, huddled by herself off to the side of his other wives, he waved his hand to the guard standing beside her.
“Let her free,” the Pharaoh ordered. When the guard who’d been keeping her trapped with the others stepped aside, the Pharaoh held out his hand towards her. “Nesa, your virtue is a blessing. I see that you are the sole member of my court that I can trust, and I am grateful to you for remaining steadfast and true.”
She smiled slightly, reaching out to take his hand so she could come stand at his side, facing the others with him. He stepped forward, confronting the defamed Lords, and his wives and sister whom he had considered his allies only a few days ago. The betrayal struck him deeply, yet he knew it was for the best that their treachery had been uncovered.
As the Pharaoh’s gaze fixed on each of them one by one, they each shrunk back in fear. Lady Merrick was the only one who remained standing tall ahead of the others.
“I’m disgusted by each of you!” his voice boomed, lashing out at them like a physical blow. Lady Merrick finally began shaking like a leaf.
Now his voice dipped down to a soft, deadly tone with much more bite than his shouting. “For days I was fighting on the front lines, leading our army to protect the southern border from invasion. During war campaigns, it’s a well-known fact that I must rely on the family I left in the palace to support the war effort. But I failed to receive a single shipment of supplies, or even a letter with a shred of news! It wasn’t until I arrived home when I saw what you all had deemed more important than defending our border. Trying to murder one man who was already sick and dying - and whom you all knew was under my express protection. You all realized full well what you were doing was not only despicable, but also treason to my wishes!”
“But Pharaoh!” Ahura cried out to him, falling onto her knees as she attempted to plead, “We could see that he was deceiving you! We were acting to protect your throne!”
“You were acting out of greed, because you feared I may have grown closer to him than to you. You wanted my favor, and you wanted my power. But you have nothing to lament, Ahura. I knew from the start that neither you nor Layla would ever be fit to share my throne.” His eyes carelessly left the two young women as they started weeping.
“And let me make quite sure that you all understand,” he continued, “that Adam was innocent of every single one of the crimes you suspected him of. So, let us start the sentencing at the beginning.”
He pointed to Lord Merrick, who was huddled behind his wife. One of the Pharaoh’s guards stepped forward to seize the man by the arm and drag him outside the ring of guards and in front of the Pharaoh. The man was tossed onto the hard ground before the Pharaoh’s feet, and the guard stood looming behind him to make sure he didn’t move.
“Lord Merrick,” the Pharaoh addressed him, watching him with distaste. The older man met his ruler’s eyes fearfully, making no move to rise from the floor. “I didn’t care for you from the start. But I never thought you would do something so vile.” Fear visibly flashed in Lord Merrick’s eyes when he suddenly realized that the Pharaoh knew everything.
“Brother, what do you mean?” Lady Merrick demanded from where she was still being held by the other guards off to the side of the dais. Her eyes were darting back and forth between her husband and her brother, failing to understand.
From the other side of the large room came the soft sound of footsteps moving over the floor. A few seconds later, Adam had come to stand at the Pharaoh’s side.
When Lord Merrick saw him, he stammered out, “I-…I’m sorry…”
Adam’s eyes narrowed as fury pulsed through him. “You can’t possibly think that’s good enough.”
The Pharaoh began in a voice plenty loud enough for everyone in the room to hear him, “You were the first out of anyone in the palace who knew Adam’s name. You invited him to spend a weekend in your company at your private estate. You waved such a large sum of money under his nose that it would have been senseless to refuse. During the time you played host to him, you showered him with gifts, expensive clothing, and gourmet meals.”
“And jewels,” Adam added softly, his jaw tense.
“…and let’s not forget jewels. Tell me, Lord, did he ask you for any of these things?”
Lord Merrick, his eyes fixed on the ground and face flaming in humiliation, shook his head.
“And wasn’t it you who initiated any relations with him?”
The man nodded miserably.
“And when your wife caught you in the act, you lied through your teeth about who you’d been unfaithful with. You said it hadn’t been your idea, and that he’d conned all these things out of you. But everything you told her was false. The opposite was true.”
“What?! That can’t be! You’re lying!!” Lady Merrick screamed, two of the guards holding her back.
“For once, he’s telling the truth,” Adam said coldly. “It was all his doing.”
“Lord Merrick,” the Pharaoh addressed him as the man finally, slowly looked up to the monarch. “Beginning today, I banish you. You will never step foot in this country again.”
The man cried out in protest, beseeching the Pharaoh for mercy and forgiveness as the guards began to drag him away. Without a hitch, the Pharaoh continued, “A single trunk of your belongings may accompany you, and you will take no more gold than what is necessary to purchase food.”
The Pharaoh then turned to face the other criminals. “Ahura. Layla. I am disappointed that you two allowed yourselves to be swept up so quickly in this tangle of lies. Your murderous treason cannot be forgiven. The same punishment extends to each of you.” They had both already been crying, but then a new round of tears came along with cries of protest.
“Oh, stop crying!” Nesa whispered to herself, exasperated. Adam heard and smiled slightly in amusement.
“Dallon,” the Pharaoh went on, turning to face the next offender. “You were never one of the few trustworthy of the nobility. In fact, I never liked you much at all, especially not after the things Adam’s told me regarding the way you’ve acted towards him and Kris. Banishment. I don’t ever want to see you step foot on my soil again.”
The Pharaoh moved on without a hitch to the final person standing behind the ring of guards - Lady Merrick.
“Sister,” the Pharaoh said grimly. She was watching him warily, like she knew what was coming and already resenting him for it…but there also seemed to be a hint of doubt on her face, like she was finally realizing the truth of what had been going on this whole time. She was finally realizing her grave, grave mistakes.
“I was under the impression that I could trust you. I left for the war campaign confident I was leaving my palace in your good, capable hands. Your actions have wounded me the deepest. Your blind devotion to your scum husband and his lies plunged all of us into turmoil. The cruel, degrading way you treated Adam was inexcusable. Even if your husband’s accusations had been true - there is no crime worthy of your methods of punishment. I would consider having you lashed to match the scars Adam will bear on his back for the rest of his life,…but fortunately for you, I will never sink to your pitiful level of vengeance and hatred. You abused your power, sister, and you abused my trust. Not only do I banish you, but I also strip you of all your power and status. I cast you out from my family. You will leave this country with no servants, no riches, no companions, and no brother.”
Adam watched as the woman’s jaw tensed and her eyes glossed over with a wet sheen. In his opinion, no punishment was extreme enough after the living hell she had plunged his life into.
“Take them away and let them prepare to leave,” the Pharaoh said dismissively as he turned away from their direction, a hand resting over his eyes. “Watch them - one trunk each and no more. Later I will set up the rations of food and the minimal money they will need.”
Adam couldn’t help but watch with the thrill of victory as the criminals were led from the room at spear point. Dallon and the Merricks looked disheveled and crumpled - beaten. Adam saw Lord Merrick try to reach out to his wife in something like an apology. She pushed him away, but with no real heat. She knew there was nothing to fight over anymore.
The two fallen wives were the only ones who hadn’t yet resigned themselves to their sentence. Still, they struggled against the guards restraining them, and called out to the Pharaoh, pleading. The guards started pulling them from the room. The two women saw Nesa standing a little ways away from the Pharaoh, nearer to them.
Ahura called out to her, “Nesa! You wouldn’t turn your back on us, would you? Talk to the Pharaoh, help us!”
Nesa only watched them for a moment before looking away.
“When have either of you every helped me? All you’ve ever done is push me down and out of your way. You deserve this for all that you’ve done.”
The two older women shouted cruel obscenities at her as the guards restrained them. The Pharaoh turned towards Nesa when he heard their voices, and he reached out to place a reassuring arm around Nesa. She turned her head and smiled at him gratefully. They watched together as the five exiles were dragged out of the grand hall.
The moment the doors closed and it was silent again, the Pharaoh let out a loud breath. He moved to his throne and fell into it, resting his head in his hand. All that had happened had visibly shaken him.
The sound of voices came from the door beside the throne platform. Kris and Michael finally entered, dressed to travel and with packs strapped to their backs. Adam’s eyes lingered on Kris for a few moments, but he knew he couldn’t leave quite just yet.
Adam walked up before the Pharaoh’s throne. As the king looked up, Adam moved down to his knees and pressed himself to the ground, forehead touching the stone floor and his palms spread, arms extended in front of him.
“My Pharaoh,” Adam said, his face still near the floor but speaking loudly enough to be heard, “I will never be able to express enough gratitude for everything you’ve done for me and Kris. Thank you. I thank you endlessly.”
The Pharaoh rose from his throne and stepped down the few stairs. He kneeled down and lifted Adam back to his feet. When their eyes met, Adam was keenly aware of Kris in the room watching them.
With the Pharaoh’s hands still lingering on Adam’s arms, he said to Adam, “I did what I knew to be right. There’s no need for you to waste your breath.” Then his hands fell away from Adam’s arms and they stood facing each other.
Seeing as this would probably be the last time he would stand in the Pharaoh’s presence, Adam almost felt an obligation to lean up and kiss him or touch him somehow. But Adam could feel Kris’ presence behind him, and he wasn’t willing to renege on the promise he’d made to Kris to never again share his affections with another. The Pharaoh just smiled like he silently understood.
He said only loud enough for Adam to hear, “If I had someone like Kris, someone willing to do the things he did for you, I would never be untrue to them either.” He didn’t reach out to Adam. The Pharaoh looked down to his wrist and slid off a silver armband. He held it out for Adam. “It’s engraved with my seal. If you ever find yourself in a mix-up, this will get you out of trouble.”
Adam’s gaze fell to the armband and he took it carefully. “Thank you,” he said as he slid it onto his own arm. “And, I don’t mean to disagree with you but…” Adam looked up at the Pharaoh, then glanced quickly over to where Nesa was standing a ways away from them. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure that I didn’t have my own Kris.” The Pharaoh’s gaze momentarily shifted to Nesa where she was softly conversing with one of the Pharaoh’s advisors. When she noticed her husband’s gaze she smiled shyly. “During the time Lady Merrick kept me chained in a cell during your absence, Nesa snuck in to take care of me. I got to know her enough that I can assure you she appreciates your company because she appreciates you. She’s never played the game your other wives did.” The Pharaoh’s gaze lingered for a few moments on the young woman Adam was speaking about.
When the Pharaoh finally looked back to Adam, he smiled. “Isn’t it time for you to be leaving? You’ve waited long enough for this day.”
Adam bowed his head. “Yes. Thank you, Your Majesty. May you be well.”
“I wish the same for you.”
Adam finally turned to leave, moving towards where Kris stood. As Adam walked away from the Pharaoh, he finally realized why he and the other man had seemed to be drawn to each other - why they’d found something like solace in each other. They shared the same lives with the same fears. Each of them had felt like people only sought them for self-benefit, the Pharaoh for his power, and Adam for his sexual promise. They had both lived solitary lives with the fear that no one would ever love or care for them simply because of the person they were.
But Adam had been fortunate enough to find Kris, and he would never want more or anyone else.
Kris smiled when he saw Adam coming over to meet him and he held out his hand. Adam took his hand and held onto it tightly.
“Servants packed up everything for us, some food, fresh clothes, and other supplies for traveling,” Kris said, gesturing to the pack on his back. Michael came up to stand with them. Adam looked up to Michael’s face before focusing on Kris’ again. He was silent for a few moments, just watching Kris and thinking about what was to become of the three of them now that Adam was freed and they were once again at liberty to go wherever.
Kris finally asked, “We’re not going home, are we?”
“Can we, after this? Even with the Pharaoh’s protection, I’m not sure I would feel safe there. And besides, was it really a ‘home’? It was where I worked for years and years. All I would be able to remember there is all the people I’ve served. I’m turning over a new page and moving on from that life, and moving somewhere new sounds like the best way to do that.”
Kris squeezed Adam’s hand. “My home is wherever you are.” Adam smiled at him and lifted a hand to touch his cheek.
Michael cut in, “How about we get out of here before you two start kissing in a way unfit for public places?”
Adam laughed, “Yes, let’s.” And with Kris at his right, an arm curled around the smaller man’s shoulders, and Michael on his other side, they left the palace.
The Pharaoh could not keep himself from watching them until they disappeared from view through the doorway. He was certain he would never forget Adam’s face or a single detail about him. He remembered the night when he’d first spoken with Adam about sharing his throne, and Adam had rebutted the offer. Adam had told the Pharaoh that any love he thought he felt for Adam he was only mistaking for the temporary excitement of lust. The Pharaoh wasn’t so sure Adam had been right. But it didn’t matter. Adam was entitled to the freedom that should never have been taken from him at all, and he deserved to spend his life with the man he loved and who made him happy. The Pharaoh knew - futile as the effort would surely be - the best thing for him to do would be to try and forget the man who’d woven such a spell over him.
“Pharaoh?”
The Pharaoh made himself turn away from the doorway Adam, Kris, and Michael had just walked through, and he turned towards Nesa. “Are you alright?” she asked.
The Pharaoh smiled and nodded. He curled an arm gently around her slim waist to draw her in against his side.
“I’ll be fine. As long as I’ve still got you, we’ll continue on together,” he said to her, and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll have to have a new throne built for you. A larger one.”
Adam, Kris, and Michael mounted three of the Pharaoh’s horses and set out for the tent. Before they went searching for a new place to live, they had to collect Adam’s chest filled with all the gold and jewels he had amassed. It was what would enable them to start a life somewhere new.
When they reached the tent, Michael went inside and carried the chest out to strap to the back of Adam’s horse. Adam and Kris stood inside, taking one final look around.
“There’s really only one thing I want to take with us from here,” Adam said, and Kris turned towards him to listen, “The memories of us.”
Kris smiled and moved to take one of Adam’s hands between his own.
“We’ll always have those. And we’re going to make plenty, plenty more.”
The three of them rode out towards the markets. They would take the trade routes that extended past the marketplace. As their horses slowed and the roads became crowded with people moving back and forth between merchants’ stalls, Michael told Adam, “We should stop for a few jugs of water while we’re here.” Adam nodded in agreement and dismounted.
Guiding their horses by the reigns, the three of them waded through the crowd, looking for a stand that sold water. Kris spotted one and pointed, and Adam followed him. Kris was already talking to the man standing behind the stand when Adam noticed that Michael wasn’t following behind them.
Adam looked back and saw Michael still standing a ways down the road. Adam was about to call out to him, but then stopped when he saw that Michael’s eyes were fixed unwaveringly towards something in the distance. He looked transfixed. Adam tapped Kris’ arm and handed him his own horse’s reigns while he went back to see what was the matter with Michael.
“Michael?” Adam asked when he reached the larger man’s side. Michael pointed in the direction where he’d been looking.
“That woman there. The one looking at the silks. Do you see her?” Adam squinted as he searched for her, then nodded. His eyes widened suddenly as he thought he recognized her.
Michael asked him, “Isn’t that Samira? She’s quite a bit older but…”
“No, I believe you’re right. It must be her.”
Adam turned towards Michael, watching him watching her. He still hadn’t looked away. Michael suddenly lurched forward, hurrying towards her.
Kris reappeared at Adam’s side then, holding three jugs filled with water. “Where is Michael going?” he asked.
“You see the woman standing there? With the yellow head wrap? Her name is Samira. She used to work for my father before she was sold. She’s the one Michael was in love with.”
“Samira,” Michael said in an urgent voice when he reached her. She turned around to find the source of the voice that had called her name. When she saw Michael, her eyes and mouth fell open into matching displays of shock. She was silent for a few long seconds as she struggled to process the sight of him. He couldn’t look away from the beautiful, wet pools of her dark brown eyes.
She exclaimed his name in shock, “Michael!” and then she was throwing herself against his chest. Michael was easily twice her size and he could effortlessly crush her in an instant. With the shocking disparity of their sizes, he held her with surprising tenderness, holding her gently against him, yet the trembling of his hands gave away the desperateness of the embrace.
“What are you doing here?” he asked her, pushing her back gently so he could see her face. “You were sold….I remember the day he took you away..”
“My master passed away. He was elderly and ill. He left me a sum of money at his death though, and I’ve been living a simple life on my own in these parts.” She reached for him again, and he cupped her cheek tenderly with one hand.
Adam and Kris had followed Michael over and when Adam spoke Samira’s name, she pulled back from Michael, looking a little embarrassed. When she turned to look at Adam, another shocked expression came to her face.
“Adam? Is that you?”
“Indeed. How surprising it is to see you here! I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
“I didn’t either. It’s good to see you well.”
“As it is you.” Adam put an arm around Kris’ waist, pulling him forward slightly. “Samira, this is Kris.”
She greeted him with a smile and an, “It’s nice to meet you.” Kris nodded the same and bowed his head slightly to her.
“Michael, have you been with Adam all this time?” Samira asked, looking back to Michael.
Michael nodded, “I helped him escape the house not long after you were sold. We traveled here together and we’ve been here since. Recently we came into a bit of trouble with the royal family. It’s all resolved now, but we were looking to travel and find somewhere new to live…” When Michael fell silent, he stepped closer to Samira again and slid one arm around her small frame. “Adam, I don’t think I can go with you and Kris.” She rested one hand on his broad chest, looking up at his face hopefully.
Adam’s face was unreadable, the line of his mouth serious as he nodded. “I know, Michael. I understand.”
“That would be alright, Samira? If I stayed with you and…”
“Hush, Michael. You ask the silliest questions.”
Kris noticed Adam reaching a hand inside his traveling robes, searching for something.
“Michael,” Adam said, bringing Michael’s attention back to him from watching Samira adoringly. Adam produced a large leather pouch from the inside pocket of his robes. Kris had seen him pick up a handful of gold pieces from his chest earlier and store them in the pouch for accessibility.
“Take this,” Adam instructed, holding it out to Michael. “I won’t take no as an answer.”
“Adam,” Michael said with a sigh, about to protest.
Adam cut him off, “No, for years you haven’t let me pay you for all you do for me. Shut your mouth and take this.”
Michael sighed, just eyeing the pouch for a few seconds before finally reaching out to take it. Adam smiled, about to say something, but Michael roped him in, wrapping his arms around Adam and pulling him into an almost crushing hug. Adam threw his arms around Michael’s shoulders and pushed his face in against Michael’s shoulder. Michael practically smothered him, lifting him clear off the ground.
After he set Adam down again, he pulled back to look at him, his big hands still holding onto Adam’s arms. “You take damn good care of yourself. And if I ever hear that you opened a new business, you better believe I will come find you and bust the pretty right off your face.”
Adam laughed, shaking his head. “That’s one concern you can do away with. Kris is everything for me.”
“And Kris!” Michael continued, looking over at him. “You do anything bad to Adam and you’ll have me to answer to.”
“Another needless concern, Michael,” Kris said dismissively before Michael came over to hug him as well - much more gently though.
Before he pulled back, Kris heard Michael murmur near his ear, “You have no idea how happy you’ve made Adam. Thank you for saving him.”
“Thank you for taking care of him until I came along,” Kris responded, “You don’t have to worry. For the rest of our lives, I’m going to love him and look after him.”
“You’re a good kid, Kris. I always liked you,” Michael said with a smile, ruffling Kris’ hair a bit.
On his way back to Samira’s side, Michael hugged Adam one more time. Then he slid the pack off of his own back and handed it to Adam. “Here, you and Kris still have to travel.”
Adam nodded and slid the pack onto his own back. “Kris and I should get back to the horses.” Michael nodded as he returned to Samira’s side. “Took good care of him, Samira,” Adam said with a smile, “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime catch.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I know,” she said, smiling brightly as she slid a hand into Michael’s. Michael was watching Kris and Adam with the closest thing to a teary smile that a man his size could possibly display.
“Farewell, you two. May fortune be with you,” Michael called as Kris and Adam started walking away and back towards where the horses were tied.
Adam and Kris linked hands, and reached their other hands high into the air to wave goodbye.
A/N: After this, the story's going to focus back in on Adam and Kris' relationship. In the following chapter (possibly chapters) they'll be figuring out their new life together and sorting through the final untouched issues in their relationship. I've really been looking forward to writing the upcoming parts with just the two of them, and I hope you guys are looking forward to reading it. Thanks so much for all your reads, comments, and love. Can't say how much I appreciate it. :)