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Page 14 of Ra (The Scarab Prophecy #1)

“I’ll wait here,” she said, handing him the clothes she carried. “Just come show me what they look like if you want to, or not. Just don’t choose something that doesn’t fit. We can get you a different size.”

Ra watched as she walked over and chose a seat. He followed her over and dropped half the clothes in her lap. “I will come back for those.”

“You do that,” she said, tired of the whole situation and ready to leave the store.

Azi sat quietly, as Ra spent the next thirty minutes trying on clothes.

To her surprise, he only came back once to take the clothes she was holding for him back into the dressing rooms with him.

She spent the time on her phone, scrolling through lists of the original inventory she’d made when they first discovered and were cataloging everything in the Tomb of Ra.

She chose certain artifacts to be transported to the university and sent the emails to those who were responsible for such things.

She was deep in trying to craft the beginning of her speech when she heard a throat clear and looked up from her phone. “Oh, wow.”

Ra smiled.

“You look amazing.”

He smiled even wider. “Do you really like it, or are you just trying to make me happy so I’ll leave the store more quickly.”

Azi took the time to look from his polished and shiny leather shoed feet up to his navy blue slacks, to his stiff, white cotton, long-sleeved, collared shirt. “You could be a fashion model. Very impressive.”

He grinned. “Thank you, dear Azenath. Our employee-servant offered cultural attire, but I opted for the style of clothing your father wears.”

“Not even a galabeya?” the salesman asked.

“I think you should have at least one,” Azi said.

“We can also provide full suits if you have need,” the salesman said.

“You called him an employee-servant. You know he’s not a servant, right?” Azi asked.

“Yes. He is a sales-employee. But I don’t think he cares what I call him, as long as we exchange a great amount of money for the clothing.”

“He’s right,” the salesman said.

Azi shook her head. “Please add two suits, or maybe just one suit and one jacket that can match several of the pairs of slacks and shirts for a business look, and a galabeya.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the salesman said. “Give me just a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Ra stood before her as the salesman hurried off to find a jacket that would match the clothes he’d already chosen, and a suit. He waited until she smiled up at him before he spoke. “I feel that you were irritated with me before.”

“Before what?” she asked.

“Before I tried on my clothes.”

“I was. But I thought I did a really good job of holding my tongue.”

“Why were you irritated?”

“Because you have no right to tell me who I can and can’t speak to. Because you embarrassed me in front of a complete stranger. Because you overstepped boundaries you had no right to overstep.”

“He wanted to be more than a stranger.”

“He was trying to make a sale. And even if he did, what gives you the right to decide that? Nothing! Not a single thing!”

“You do not belong to him.”

“No, I don’t. I don’t belong to anyone but me. Which means only I have the right to choose who I will and won’t speak to, interact with, spend time with. And regardless of who it is I choose, it certainly won’t be any of your concern.”

Ra’s face transformed into a carefully crafted mask of tolerance as he stood with his hands in his pockets and let her finish speaking.

When she was done he knelt before her so that he was looking her in the eye rather than standing over her.

“There is something you don’t understand, dear Azenath.

Perhaps that is my fault for not being more clear. ”

“And that would be?” she asked.

“I waited a very, very long time for you. I chose you from among all that I could have chosen. I watched. I waited. I had no doubt then, and I have no doubt now — you are the female I need. I will not have a simple servant turning your head before you realize what you mean to me.”

“I found two jackets — one blue and one a dark gray. I’ll have to order a suit.”

“They will do nicely,” Ra said. “When you order the suit, please ensure that it is of the most elegant style available as I may have unexpected celebrations to attend.”

“A tuxedo?” the salesman asked.

“A slim cut, black suit will be fine,” Azi said, clearing her throat as she stood.

“Consider it done. And what will you like to look at?” the salesman asked.

“I’ll come back for mine. I think I’ve had enough shopping for one day.”

“I understand. Here’s my card, please ask for me when you come back if I’m not readily available.”

“We will. Thank you very much for your patience,” Azi said, as he led them to the checkout counter so they could pay their bill.

“We need to get your clothing, dear Azenath,” Ra said, holding her elbow and guiding her through the store as they followed the salesman.

“I just don’t have the head for it today.”

“You do not have time to avoid it.”

“I have things at home. I’ll find something.”

“Ma’am, if I may… I noticed a dress that I think would suit you well, and it would match the dark blue your husband seems to favor in his choices.”

Ra smiled at her. “Your husband would like that. And you have no more time. You need something now.”

“Fine. I’ll try it.”

He handed the cashier the arm loads of clothes he carried, and hurried off to where he’d seen the dress.

He was back momentarily with the navy blue dress he’d told her about, and two more similar in style.

One was a cream color, and the other was black; they were all tea length, fitted skirts with a kick pleat in the back.

The necklines of each was a little different from a ‘V’ neck, to a scoop, and then a keyhole with a delicate collar.

The blue was silk as the salesman had said, the cream was linen, and the black was linen as well with silk piping around the collar, the keyhole, and the sleeves.

The black dress was the only long-sleeved.

Ra took the seat she’d waited in as she tried on her dresses and came out one after the other to show him. Not because she valued his opinion, but because he wouldn’t stop calling out to her to come let him see.

The first she showed him was the blue. As she stepped out into the waiting area, he stood, his eyes glued to her. “You are stunning, dear Azenath.”

“It’s just a dress.”

He shook his head and smiled at her.

“Okay. I’ll take this one. I don’t actually mind this one.”

“I want to see the others, too,” Ra complained.

“I only need one.”

“No, you’ll need more than that.”

Sighing, she headed back to the dressing room and soon emerged wearing the cream one with the scoop neck. “Alright. What about this one?”

“It’s lovely. It makes you look kind.”

“Because I don’t usually look kind?” she asked.

“Kind-er,” he said, grinning at her. “And the black?” he asked.

“I’ll be back,” she muttered, shooting him side-eye over her shoulder a time or two as she went. Minutes later she came out wearing the black with the keyhole neckline.

“You are a vision that none can ignore.”

“Is that good?”

“It is. This one is more commanding than the others. Each will serve its purpose depending on how you wish to be received.”

“I only need one.”

“No, Azi. You need them all.”

“I don’t know…”

“Trust me. I know how to deal with powerful people. You will have need of them all at one point or another.”

“Will you need shoes, or other accessories?” their salesman asked.

She shook her head and smiled to herself. “No. Shoes is one thing I have plenty of.”

“I’ll ring them up.”

“Dear Azenath?” Ra started.

Azi looked his way. “Azi. Just Azi.”

“You established the names we call one another.”

“No, I didn’t. I was simply talking to myself, Ra.”

“Did you, or did you not call me dear god?”

“It was more like… dear god,” Azi said, using the correct inflection.

The salesman ringing them up couldn’t help but snicker.

“That is exactly what I said,” Ra stated.

“No, it’s really not,” Azi said.

Ra waved his hand in the air dismissively. “You lead me away from my point. What are you feeding me today? I am hungry.”

Azi sighed and shared a tired look with the salesman who did his best to fight off another smirk.

“I don’t know, Ra. What would you like to eat today?”

“I wish to sample all of the foods.”

“There is a restaurant nearby that offers an array of foods served buffet style. You can eat as many as you wish,” the salesman said.

“Thank you. I’m sure that’s probably where we’ll end up,” Azi said.

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