Heat waves danced outside the palace confines, visible through the high windows. The sun, blood red and rising, was already scorching the earth. It, however, was not the only thing that burned red-hot- it was also his rage.

Rameses tapped on his throne, the rings on his fingers making rhythmic clinks against the marble. He couldn't believe that after all these years apart, after everything that he offered the man he called brother, he had still dared to walk away from him and turn his back on his family.

So much for a reunion. All for some nonsense God and some nonsense prophecy. He couldn't believe that this was what he'd been reduced to. The Moses he had known had been much, much smarter than that. Perhaps he had lost his mind out in the desert. It wouldn't be the worst fate in the world.

He exhaled when he felt cool, soft hands land on his shoulder from behind. He never ended up hearing or seeing you coming, which at present was vaguely annoying to him. He didn't have to look to know who they belonged to - you'd been doing this since the day that he met you.

"What is it, ib?" He murmured, one hand coming up to place it over your own. He wasn't angry at you, and he would not treat you as such.