The Might of His Strength, chapter 9
Oct. 17th, 2020 11:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scripsiTitle: The Might of His Strength
Fandom: The Mummy series
Rating: Explicit
Chapters: 9/?
Word Count: 1948
Characters: Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell, Imhotep, Ardeth Bay, Rick O’Connell
Pairings Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell/ Imhotep, Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell/Imhotep/Ardeth Bay, Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell/ Rick O’Connell
Warnings: Abduction, non-con, violence, magical coercion, rough sex- tags are likely to be expanded as the fic continues.
Summary: Five years after Imhotep’s second defeat, Evy is kidnapped.
The fic on AO3.
Evy dreamt she was in bed with Rick, safe in his embrace. Even as she woke up, the feeling of safety lingered, and she turned in the embrace, smiling. And then, still not entirely out of her dream, she slowly became aware something wasn’t right. She opened her eyes to realise it was Ardeth’s arms around her, and everything which had happened the night before came crashing down on her. Evy gasped and tensed, and Ardeth woke up with a start. He was awake in an instant, and out of the bed, and Evy whipped around to see him throwing himself towards Imhotep, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Without apparent hurry, he held up a hand and spoke.
“Be still.”
Ardeth halted as if he had run into a glass wall. Imhotep looked satisfied.
“Bow.”
And to Evy’s complete surprise, Ardeth bowed.
“I told you, Medjai, you would serve me. I gave you the woman you love, and I took your obedience in return.”
“No!”
“Protest all you like, it will make no difference. My word, and my word alone, can free you. You are mine now, Medjai.”
Ardeth clenched his hands, but he made no more protests. Imhotep smiled and beckoned.
“Come.”
And Ardeth followed, giving Evy a last agonised glance before they were gone. As soon as she was sure she was alone, she wrapped a sheet around her and quietly padded out into the other room. It was abandoned, and on the altar, she spotted the ancient cup Imhotep had made them drink from the night before. Evy remembered what he had said about its properties and she went to pick it up. Turning it in her hand, she admired its beauty. The work was exquisite and, despite its age, flawless. Something like this would be coveted by museums and collectors alike.
A memory flashed through her and she saw Ardeth writhing under Imhotep, his face a mixture of anger and passion. Evy’s hand tightened around the cup. Beautiful, yes, but dangerous too. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see what she was about to do, and opened her hand. The cup fell from her fingers and she could hear it shatter against the stone floor. Then, without looking at what she had done, Evy hurried out of the room.
Outside Evy found two guards who, without a word, escorted her back to her prison. She declined to have anything to eat, though her stomach was growling. More than anything else she needed a bath, she felt stiff and very sore, and when she examined herself she found the night had left her with bruises after too eager hands. Imhotep’s hands; Ardeth had been nothing but gentle despite his spell-bidden desire.
Despite it all, Evy smiled a little, Ardeth had been lovely. If only he had talked with her and Rick about his feelings. It wasn’t like they didn’t love him already. But then she shook her head. It was no use thinking of what could have been. Ardeth’s feelings- all their feelings, were not what was most important right now.
A steaming bath soothed her aching body, but the ache inside her heart only grew. Evy knew she had allowed herself to get a bit too used to Imhotep’s company. On the whole, he had treated her well, and though Evy had never forgotten she was a prisoner, she had started to believe he would never willingly cause her harm. She had always known it was stupid, but it had made her imprisonment a little bit easier to stand. But last night had made it abundantly clear she knew nothing of Imhotep’s thoughts and very little of what he wanted
Evy traced the outline of her bruises and more memories intruded, insisting on being replayed in her mind. Imhotep had made her do things she had never imagined she would do. Imhotep had used her to get what he wanted from Ardeth, and Evy shuddered when she thought of how Ardeth must feel right now. Of all the things Imhotep could have done to torture him with, nothing could be worse than forcing him into an obedient slave.
Evy stayed in the bath for a long time and then went through her wardrobe for the most practical clothes she could find. She rolled her hair into a no-nonsense chignon, and when she looked in the mirror she saw Evy again, not a long-dead Egyptian princess. Then she went into her library and sat down to study the ancient scrolls Imhotep had given her. Unlikely as it was, there could still be something in them which could be used against him. And if there were, then she would find it.
Hours later she could hear someone enter her rooms, but it was not Imhotep as she had expected, but Ardeth. He was once again dressed in his customary many-layered clothes in black, and his beard had been groomed, but he was still weaponless. In his eyes, there was a quiet desperation so intense it hurt Evy to see it.
He went straight to her and then sank down on his knees, taking her hands and pressing them against her forehead.
“Forgive me.”
“Ardeth, please. Stand up.”
But he remained kneeling with his head bowed, and after a moment Evy kneeled too. She didn’t let go of his hands, but she tugged them away from his face so she could look him in the eye.
“There is nothing to forgive. It wasn’t your fault or mine, but all Imhotep’s doing.”
“It was. But before that, the Creature spoke the truth. I have had those thoughts, and for that, I’m deeply ashamed.”
“They may be true, but it doesn’t matter. Listen to me; they have no importance at all.”
“How can they not?”
Evy took a deep breath, trying to sort through her words to find the right ones to use. For a moment memories overwhelmed her. Her parents’ sudden death because of a careless car driver when Jonathan was in France, fighting an endless war, it seemed more and more likely he wouldn’t survive. She had been so alone, finding herself living with her father’s old aunt, who had never forgiven him for marrying an Egyptian woman, and who never had liked Evy by extension. The aunt had gleefully told her there wouldn’t be any more school now; that education was nothing women needed. It had not lasted, though for a few weeks Evy had wondered if life really was worth living. Then her father’s will made it abundantly clear her future education was already set up, and then Jonathan had been given a few weeks’ leave. He had calmly pointed out that it was he, not the aunt who was Evy’s legal guardian now and had made sure she went to stay with a school friend before it was time for university. And before long the war was over and Jonathan had survived. Most of him, at least; it took a while for Evy to realise that saving her from their evil aunt had been the last responsible thing her big brother ever willingly did.
Evy realised Ardeth was looking at her quizzically, and she pulled herself together to answer.
“When my parents died, it hurt so much I thought I would die too. And I hated the man who ran them over. I hated him so much I wanted to kill him. When I couldn’t sleep, I lay in bed in bed and made up the most gruesome ways I could imagine. I needed to think about it because it was the only thing that made some of the pain go away. But if he had been standing in front of me, I couldn’t have done it. It’s not who I am. Sometimes there’s no other way than to think of things we are ashamed of later. So what you thought- perhaps it was true in those short moments. But there is a much bigger truth; the truth which really matters. And that is that Rick is your friend and your brother, and you love him as much as he loves you.”
Ardeth closed his eyes, and for a moment the tension in his face eased away. “Yes, that is also true.”
But then it was back, and he frowned.
“Evy, there is more. I-”
“No, wait. I have something to tell you, something important.” She stood up and tugged at Ardeth’s hand. “Come, let’s speak outside where I know no one can hear us.”
When they stepped out into the garden Ardeth stopped for a moment and turned his head to the sky and took a deep breath. Evy was once again reminded of how much it must have tormented him to be locked up. She led him out to an open space before she spoke.
“Ardeth, I don’t think Imhotep is as strong as he once was; I’m sure he can be killed now. He was never meant to be resurrected over and over again, and I believe he loses a little of his power every time it happens. There were no plagues this time, and not the time before either. And then there’s this.”
Evy showed Ardeth the armlet and told him of the spell Imhotep had cast over her. Ardeth nodded.
“Yes, Rick will never be able to bring himself to kill the Creature if it brings harm to you.”
“But Rick doesn’t have to know. If there was some way he could find out Imhotep’s vulnerable, well, it wouldn’t be the first time he bested him.”
“But you would die too.”
Evy swallowed. “I don’t want to, but we must stop Imhotep. This is the only way.”
Ardeth looked pained, but he didn’t disagree.
“See. We just have to figure out a way to get Rick to know.”
The pain in Ardeth’s eyes intensified. “Rick is in Egypt, only a few hours from here, and Jonathan and Alex are with him. The Creature told me.”
Evy started to speak but Ardeth raised his hand to stop her. “I have been given orders, Evy, and you will not be able to forgive me so readily now. I have been ordered to take Rick here- and then to kill him. And I can’t withstand his commands. Even now as I linger here, I can feel his words as claws raking through my mind.”
For a moment Evy felt like the ground had disappeared from under her feet, then she took a deep breath. Falling apart was a luxury she didn’t have.
“Of course. It makes perfect sense for Imhotep to do that. He knows you are the only one who could match Rick. But can you do something for me?”
“Anything in my power.”
“Make sure Alex and Jonathan don’t come with you. Find some excuse, any excuse, to keep them away.
“I will, Evy, I promise.”
“You better go then.”
“Yes. Farewell Evy.”
Ardeth made to leave, but before he was gone, Evy ran after him.
“Wait!” She flung her arms around him, burying her face in the fine wool of his coat. After a moment, Ardeth embraced her back, his breath warm in her hair. Evy closed her eyes and clung to him, knowing this may be the last time they could ever have some comfort from each other. He was right, Evy could never forgive him if he killed Rick, however much she knew it wasn’t his fault.
They stood like that for several minutes, but then Ardeh gently detached himself and left without saying anything more, and Evy suddenly felt more alone than she had ever felt before.
Fandom: The Mummy series
Rating: Explicit
Chapters: 9/?
Word Count: 1948
Characters: Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell, Imhotep, Ardeth Bay, Rick O’Connell
Pairings Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell/ Imhotep, Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell/Imhotep/Ardeth Bay, Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell/ Rick O’Connell
Warnings: Abduction, non-con, violence, magical coercion, rough sex- tags are likely to be expanded as the fic continues.
Summary: Five years after Imhotep’s second defeat, Evy is kidnapped.
The fic on AO3.
Evy dreamt she was in bed with Rick, safe in his embrace. Even as she woke up, the feeling of safety lingered, and she turned in the embrace, smiling. And then, still not entirely out of her dream, she slowly became aware something wasn’t right. She opened her eyes to realise it was Ardeth’s arms around her, and everything which had happened the night before came crashing down on her. Evy gasped and tensed, and Ardeth woke up with a start. He was awake in an instant, and out of the bed, and Evy whipped around to see him throwing himself towards Imhotep, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Without apparent hurry, he held up a hand and spoke.
“Be still.”
Ardeth halted as if he had run into a glass wall. Imhotep looked satisfied.
“Bow.”
And to Evy’s complete surprise, Ardeth bowed.
“I told you, Medjai, you would serve me. I gave you the woman you love, and I took your obedience in return.”
“No!”
“Protest all you like, it will make no difference. My word, and my word alone, can free you. You are mine now, Medjai.”
Ardeth clenched his hands, but he made no more protests. Imhotep smiled and beckoned.
“Come.”
And Ardeth followed, giving Evy a last agonised glance before they were gone. As soon as she was sure she was alone, she wrapped a sheet around her and quietly padded out into the other room. It was abandoned, and on the altar, she spotted the ancient cup Imhotep had made them drink from the night before. Evy remembered what he had said about its properties and she went to pick it up. Turning it in her hand, she admired its beauty. The work was exquisite and, despite its age, flawless. Something like this would be coveted by museums and collectors alike.
A memory flashed through her and she saw Ardeth writhing under Imhotep, his face a mixture of anger and passion. Evy’s hand tightened around the cup. Beautiful, yes, but dangerous too. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see what she was about to do, and opened her hand. The cup fell from her fingers and she could hear it shatter against the stone floor. Then, without looking at what she had done, Evy hurried out of the room.
Outside Evy found two guards who, without a word, escorted her back to her prison. She declined to have anything to eat, though her stomach was growling. More than anything else she needed a bath, she felt stiff and very sore, and when she examined herself she found the night had left her with bruises after too eager hands. Imhotep’s hands; Ardeth had been nothing but gentle despite his spell-bidden desire.
Despite it all, Evy smiled a little, Ardeth had been lovely. If only he had talked with her and Rick about his feelings. It wasn’t like they didn’t love him already. But then she shook her head. It was no use thinking of what could have been. Ardeth’s feelings- all their feelings, were not what was most important right now.
A steaming bath soothed her aching body, but the ache inside her heart only grew. Evy knew she had allowed herself to get a bit too used to Imhotep’s company. On the whole, he had treated her well, and though Evy had never forgotten she was a prisoner, she had started to believe he would never willingly cause her harm. She had always known it was stupid, but it had made her imprisonment a little bit easier to stand. But last night had made it abundantly clear she knew nothing of Imhotep’s thoughts and very little of what he wanted
Evy traced the outline of her bruises and more memories intruded, insisting on being replayed in her mind. Imhotep had made her do things she had never imagined she would do. Imhotep had used her to get what he wanted from Ardeth, and Evy shuddered when she thought of how Ardeth must feel right now. Of all the things Imhotep could have done to torture him with, nothing could be worse than forcing him into an obedient slave.
Evy stayed in the bath for a long time and then went through her wardrobe for the most practical clothes she could find. She rolled her hair into a no-nonsense chignon, and when she looked in the mirror she saw Evy again, not a long-dead Egyptian princess. Then she went into her library and sat down to study the ancient scrolls Imhotep had given her. Unlikely as it was, there could still be something in them which could be used against him. And if there were, then she would find it.
Hours later she could hear someone enter her rooms, but it was not Imhotep as she had expected, but Ardeth. He was once again dressed in his customary many-layered clothes in black, and his beard had been groomed, but he was still weaponless. In his eyes, there was a quiet desperation so intense it hurt Evy to see it.
He went straight to her and then sank down on his knees, taking her hands and pressing them against her forehead.
“Forgive me.”
“Ardeth, please. Stand up.”
But he remained kneeling with his head bowed, and after a moment Evy kneeled too. She didn’t let go of his hands, but she tugged them away from his face so she could look him in the eye.
“There is nothing to forgive. It wasn’t your fault or mine, but all Imhotep’s doing.”
“It was. But before that, the Creature spoke the truth. I have had those thoughts, and for that, I’m deeply ashamed.”
“They may be true, but it doesn’t matter. Listen to me; they have no importance at all.”
“How can they not?”
Evy took a deep breath, trying to sort through her words to find the right ones to use. For a moment memories overwhelmed her. Her parents’ sudden death because of a careless car driver when Jonathan was in France, fighting an endless war, it seemed more and more likely he wouldn’t survive. She had been so alone, finding herself living with her father’s old aunt, who had never forgiven him for marrying an Egyptian woman, and who never had liked Evy by extension. The aunt had gleefully told her there wouldn’t be any more school now; that education was nothing women needed. It had not lasted, though for a few weeks Evy had wondered if life really was worth living. Then her father’s will made it abundantly clear her future education was already set up, and then Jonathan had been given a few weeks’ leave. He had calmly pointed out that it was he, not the aunt who was Evy’s legal guardian now and had made sure she went to stay with a school friend before it was time for university. And before long the war was over and Jonathan had survived. Most of him, at least; it took a while for Evy to realise that saving her from their evil aunt had been the last responsible thing her big brother ever willingly did.
Evy realised Ardeth was looking at her quizzically, and she pulled herself together to answer.
“When my parents died, it hurt so much I thought I would die too. And I hated the man who ran them over. I hated him so much I wanted to kill him. When I couldn’t sleep, I lay in bed in bed and made up the most gruesome ways I could imagine. I needed to think about it because it was the only thing that made some of the pain go away. But if he had been standing in front of me, I couldn’t have done it. It’s not who I am. Sometimes there’s no other way than to think of things we are ashamed of later. So what you thought- perhaps it was true in those short moments. But there is a much bigger truth; the truth which really matters. And that is that Rick is your friend and your brother, and you love him as much as he loves you.”
Ardeth closed his eyes, and for a moment the tension in his face eased away. “Yes, that is also true.”
But then it was back, and he frowned.
“Evy, there is more. I-”
“No, wait. I have something to tell you, something important.” She stood up and tugged at Ardeth’s hand. “Come, let’s speak outside where I know no one can hear us.”
When they stepped out into the garden Ardeth stopped for a moment and turned his head to the sky and took a deep breath. Evy was once again reminded of how much it must have tormented him to be locked up. She led him out to an open space before she spoke.
“Ardeth, I don’t think Imhotep is as strong as he once was; I’m sure he can be killed now. He was never meant to be resurrected over and over again, and I believe he loses a little of his power every time it happens. There were no plagues this time, and not the time before either. And then there’s this.”
Evy showed Ardeth the armlet and told him of the spell Imhotep had cast over her. Ardeth nodded.
“Yes, Rick will never be able to bring himself to kill the Creature if it brings harm to you.”
“But Rick doesn’t have to know. If there was some way he could find out Imhotep’s vulnerable, well, it wouldn’t be the first time he bested him.”
“But you would die too.”
Evy swallowed. “I don’t want to, but we must stop Imhotep. This is the only way.”
Ardeth looked pained, but he didn’t disagree.
“See. We just have to figure out a way to get Rick to know.”
The pain in Ardeth’s eyes intensified. “Rick is in Egypt, only a few hours from here, and Jonathan and Alex are with him. The Creature told me.”
Evy started to speak but Ardeth raised his hand to stop her. “I have been given orders, Evy, and you will not be able to forgive me so readily now. I have been ordered to take Rick here- and then to kill him. And I can’t withstand his commands. Even now as I linger here, I can feel his words as claws raking through my mind.”
For a moment Evy felt like the ground had disappeared from under her feet, then she took a deep breath. Falling apart was a luxury she didn’t have.
“Of course. It makes perfect sense for Imhotep to do that. He knows you are the only one who could match Rick. But can you do something for me?”
“Anything in my power.”
“Make sure Alex and Jonathan don’t come with you. Find some excuse, any excuse, to keep them away.
“I will, Evy, I promise.”
“You better go then.”
“Yes. Farewell Evy.”
Ardeth made to leave, but before he was gone, Evy ran after him.
“Wait!” She flung her arms around him, burying her face in the fine wool of his coat. After a moment, Ardeth embraced her back, his breath warm in her hair. Evy closed her eyes and clung to him, knowing this may be the last time they could ever have some comfort from each other. He was right, Evy could never forgive him if he killed Rick, however much she knew it wasn’t his fault.
They stood like that for several minutes, but then Ardeh gently detached himself and left without saying anything more, and Evy suddenly felt more alone than she had ever felt before.
