A Delicious Morning
Hot steam scalded my arm as I reached for another brownie. The decadent cocoa and sugar called to me. If Naveen didn’t wake up soon, he’d miss his breakfast, and I couldn’t muster up any regret. The way the sun glistened off the welted chips made them a delicious work of art. The burn was worth it when my mouth closed around the gooey treat. I couldn’t remember desserts being this sweet when I was human.
Perhaps the chocolate or the sugar had become sweeter from some process, but I was thankful for whatever it was. Chocolate made everything better, my burn slipped from my mind, and a moan escaped my lips. I turned away from the remaining two, reminding myself they were for Naven, and grabbed my espresso. It took Naveen a month to teach me how to use the machine. Now, the contraption made me delicious coffee and only burned me occasionally.
I carried my breakfast outside to the patio. The wide enclosure was more a porch attached to an apartment, even bigger than Naveen’s New York flat. The bright green cushions were comfy and so plump they swallowed me up. Nestled in, I relaxed as the sounds of traffic wafted up. A breeze was keeping the morning cool before the Egyptian sun rose fully. In the temple, the sounds of busy people teased me with their freedom and joy. Now, their sounds relaxed me as I zoned out. The last bite of brownie was a happy disappointment, but I found solace in the warm air.
These comforts were only a temporary solace. Every time I ate, I couldn’t push annoying fears from my mind. Living outside the temple felt like I was cheating. Dread made my chest tighten. Now that I was more aware of how much time I had been confined to that stone prison, the dread could easily turn into panic. Thinking of Naveen always eased my panic. I could come to him anywhere in the world, even if I had to return to the temple. When I ate and there was no stomachache, I would panic.
At times, I would feel the pull, but only as a phantom pain. Late at night, I’d stare at my hands, just waiting for them to vanish as I was pulled back to my prison. I would never let Naveen know just how little control I had over reappearing and disappearing. Knowing a person’s parent’s name was just a niche of mine. Probably from being a witch before I died. Leaving that book with him months ago had left me exhausted after making that portal. It had been my first and only one. I’d seen others do it, remembering how that skeletal monster crawled out of its portal made me shiver. If I hadn’t tried to run to Naveen when I did, the creature would have killed him and his friend.
Teleporting was the only good thing that came from this curse. Watching other… things taught me how to disappear from the temple. I worked hard at seducing Naveen’s mind into believing I was this all-powerful goddess. As much as I liked the idea of him worshipping me, I was just a woman. An old woman sometimes too scared to eat or travel too far. After the bliss of sunny mornings in bed with Naveen, I feared I’d feel the pull. The temple would drag me back, and I would wake up from this dream on the sandy, hard floor.
Seducing his body was an easy delight we both enjoyed. When I watched him be with women, it was when I thought I could never have him. Now, with every day that passed, I grew more possessive of him.
“Please tell me those brownies are for me?” Naveen’s voice was a low rumble.
I watched his hair hang over his eyes as he leaned through the doorway. His smile matched mine as we locked eyes. Those light brown eyes were warm, and the surrounding tanned skin crinkled with satisfaction. I arrogantly knew how much I satisfied him. This was so new for both of us. It was like we both held our breaths, even after four months in Egypt together. The temple hadn’t pulled me back there in four months, like it knew how close I was.
I smiled through my dark thoughts. “Of course. I’m out here making sure I don’t eat your breakfast.” His laugh made my smile genuine.
“Did you want another espresso?” I focused on his face instead of the shifting muscles of his arm as he pointed behind him.
“No. I want to go out later for my second cup.”
“You’re addicted to people watching.” His accusation was light with humor as he mentioned my hobby at my favorite cafe.
That’s what I did for about a century. My sass made my thoughts reach him. He only shook his head as he chuckled. With the patio door open, I heard him start up that machine and begin grinding the coffee beans for his espresso.
“Do you have time to eat out here before you start working?”
“Always. It’s starting my work that’s a challenge.”
“You miss your office?” I asked as I stepped through the doorway.
The open living room of the apartment connected every room, leaving only the bedrooms as a place of privacy. Naveen liked the floor plan and the bare metal decoration he chose. I only cared about my bedroom, patio, and bookcase. After growing up in New Orleans during slavery, I wanted to own every book I could get my hands on. Watching his backside almost made me trip, but I played it off by grabbing a book I’d left on the silver end table by the couch. As tempted as I was to kiss his shoulder, I forced myself to head back out to the patio.
“Any office would be fine, but the prices here are ridiculous.”
“You aren’t willing to travel? Try downtown.”
“No, I need to be back home as soon as I can.” He kissed my shoulder.
Surprising me and making me wonder if I was shouting my thoughts at him. Naveen sat beside me on the outdoor loveseat with his mug and brownie. He took a big bite of chocolaty gooeyness.
“I taste black beans.” He groaned, knowing I chose the healthier brownies.
My lips thinned into a taunting smile. “I couldn’t buy a whole batch of regular brownies.”
“I wish you never found that vegan bakery.” He paused in thought. “I wish I could convince my secretary to honeymoon here in Karnak.” His plump lips pursed to sip the hot brew from his mug. “She could work twice a week.”
My eyebrows rose in disbelief. The workaholic wanted Sharon to work on her honeymoon. Knowing he’d cover the expense of flying and their hotel didn’t reduce my surprise.
“What? Luxor is beautiful.” He scratched the back of his neck.
I could only shake my head at him, trying not to laugh aloud. He fed me his last bite of brownie before he pulled me into him.
