Sweet Dreams, (Anubis, Winter)

She did not care where he took her she just wanted away from this damn place. And in saying that she wanted away from this damn world. She wanted to go back to her home, back to where people like those men did not exist. Where the world outside was spurned and kept from those who lived within. Now she understood why. This world was cruel, dark and cold. She wanted to be back at the storytelling evenings where the leader would tell everyone about Atlantis and the world they once belonged too. Stories of the Dark Hunters and how they must he avoided at all costs.

She hated this world. The fact her brother seemed to not give a damn these days he was off seeing this woman he seemed to have found. She should not begrudge him the happiness but damn she wished he had kept his promise to walk her home. But all that paled when she felt the powerful arms of the man holding her wrap her in warmth. She instantly felt safer. Hell he must think her the worst of cowards for just letting such a thing happen to her. No doubt he went for the powerful, dominate females who could look after themselves.

She felt his power roll over her skin and it was more like a caress of his breath. But she did not look she kept her face hidden. Damn she hated to cry. She wanted to be a strong woman. The kind of woman he would actually like. Hell what was she thinking? She was insane for thinking that such a man like him would even think to be interested in her.

She felt the very air change around her. It became cleaner, warmer and scented with jasmine. A soft breeze caught her hair as she pulled back from his neck and looked around.

Wow she had never been in a more beautiful place. Winter gripped his hand tightly. Where had he brought her? This was no her home, hell this was not even her realm was it? the tears had stained her face her hair was a damn mess and there was blood on her skin from the knife cuts which Anubis had healed.

"You'll be safe here,"

His powerful body helped her to stand as she turned and looked around. This place was breathtaking amazing. The moon was shining full down out a set of huge bay windows which opened onto a huge balcony.

"This is my mother's home. She won't let anyone in, even if I cannot be with you for some reason."

Panic gripped her. Then she pushed it away, she would not be a damn baby. The events of the night had covered the joy of her earlier dream but now she was away from that place she remembered the taste of his mouth and she blushed dropping her eyes from his. Pushing down the embarrassment she let out a shaky breath tears burning her eyes. The memories and new mental scars would be hurting her for a while to come yet.

Her voice barely a whisper. She stated a fact so quietly even as she was still trembling her hand gripping his.

“You came for me….”

The night was beautiful, and Anubis couldn't help but smile in appreciation as he took in the full moon and the light breeze wafting through the chambers. His mother was in full form tonight, he could tell, and he also had no doubt she was pulling out the stops since there was company in her home.

Isis believed in a perfect presentation at all times.

"You came for me..."

Winter's voice pulled him out of his private thoughts, and he turned to look down at her with a puzzled frown. "Of course I came for you, miw-sher," he stated, as though that were obvious. "Why would I ever leave you alone if you called for me?"

Did she truly think him so heartless?

He supposed that was normal. Most people did think such a thing of him. They were terrified by his imposing presence or his harsh stare or the constant frowns of concentration on his face. But even so, the idea that she would be afraid...

"After what we shared, do you really think I could ever leave you alone?" He'd already forgotten that she didn't realize the dream had been real.

"Of course I came for you, miw-sher, Why would I ever leave you alone if you called for me?"

She guessed he did not get it. The fact that a man like him would want anything to do with her amazed her. He seemed truly confused by the fact she was awed that he would come for her.

Winter was finding she was falling, hard for this man. She was finding it hard not to think about him all the time. and after that dream she was hard pressed not to think about what his lips felt like on hers. The taste of him in her mouth, the feel of his skin touching hers and his mouth devouring her own. The look in his eyes was soft and so at odd when compared to what he had looked like only minutes before.

What she felt when she was in his presence was not fear. It was something more akin to lust, desire, hell she would have been happy to just walk and talk with him.

"After what we shared, do you really think I could ever leave you alone?"

Winter blinked at him and tilted her head to the side. What they shared? Did he mean their few conversations or something? Not like she had spent a lot of time around him. other then that dream of course……. Wait….. No that would not have happened right? He would not have taken advantage of her in a dream. No he was not that kind of man.

“What we shared?”

Her heart beat hard in her chest. If that dream had been real then he had actually kissed her. In some strange way she was happy he knew but then again she was also embarrassed. And the look in his eyes worried her, then she backed up a step and her face went bright red. Oh good god….

“Oh my god! Did we….. In the…. No….. Oh god I am so sorry!”

She turned away from him and covered her face with her hands. She made a sound of distress.

“What you must think of me! I’m not like that usually! Honestly I’m not!”

God she wished the earth would open up and swallow her.

"What we shared?"

Anubis realized too late what he'd said, and as he watched the dawning realization spreading over her face, he sighed and closed his eyes, preparing for her to run away. To leave him. Obviously she'd believed it had been nothing more than a dream; it was why she'd been so free and open.

But now...?

What was she thinking, now that she knew he'd been very much present in that dream right along with her?

“Oh my god! Did we….. In the…. No….. Oh god I am so sorry!” He winced at her words, and Anubis felt a lance of pain stabbing through his heart. He'd been waiting for her rejection - it was always inevitable with people in his life - but still, it wasn't easy. For some reason, she'd slipped past all of his defenses, and now the idea that she wouldn't want anything to do with him was killing him. “What you must think of me! I’m not like that usually! Honestly I’m not!”

Closing his eyes, Anubis took a deep breath to steady his racing heart before once more looking down at her and framing her face with his hands, forcing those beautiful, glacier-blue eyes of hers to meet his. "You have nothing to apologize for, miw-sher," he said softly, his voice like a deep, soothing purr. "You did not know. Neither did I...not at first, any way. And then...you were so beautiful, I just...I could not stop myself. I wanted you too much."

Looking away in shame, he forced himself to remove his hands from her skin, knowing she was clearly wanting space from him. "But I promise I will not force myself on you, Winter. You needn't fear that I expect too much now. You are safe here. And I will not...I will not come near if you do not permit it." Though it would take more of his willpower than he really wanted to use to keep that promise.

But for her...for her he would obey whatever she commanded of him.

Winter frowned at the look of pain which flashed across his face. Did he think she was rejecting him? He must be, he seemed to have closed down. Before he was so emotional, so open. And now he was back to that façade of granite he seemed to hold on to like some kind of armor. She watched him carefully as he tightening his shoulders and his eyes darkened slightly. She was worried about him all of a sudden, did he honestly believe that? That she would not like him?

She watched him close his eyes his face a mask of pain. The man was insane, how could she not adore him. He was her knight in shinning armor, He had saved her not once, but twice. She felt the warmth of his hands seeping into her skin as he cupped her face. He tilted her head back and all she could think about was how good it had been to kiss him. his eyes were the deepest coal colour, she could get lost in such eyes.

"You have nothing to apologize for, miw-sher, You did not know. Neither did I...not at first, any way. And then...you were so beautiful, I just...I could not stop myself. I wanted you too much."

She felt a surge of pain in her chest as he looked away from her and dropped his hands from her face. She sighed softly and chewed on her bottom lip. She was not a forward person. She was a coward when it came to showing her feelings for men. But in this case she felt like she had to be the one to step forward and make him realise he was being a bloody fool right now.

"But I promise I will not force myself on you, Winter. You needn't fear that I expect too much now. You are safe here. And I will not...I will not come near if you do not permit it."

Winter grabbed his hand so he looked at her. Then she touched his face with her free hand. And looked into his eyes. She did not believe she was going to do this, she was not usually this forward with someone she liked. Hell the painful look in his eyes was worrying her, she did not like that look. He looked defeated, he looked like he was about to give up on everything, including her.

She moved closer to him her heart pounding in her chest. Her had butterflies in her stomach and she could swear she was trembling. She remembered a line from their earlier dream. A small smile played on her lips as she moved her body close to his. Moved her mouth close to his and spoke.

“Anubis…. Shut up….”

She leaned in those last few millimeters and kissed him her mouth warm on his.

Anubis felt her hand grab his, the smooth texture of her skin rubbing up against the calluses of his well-used palms in a gentle friction that sent shivers down his spine. And even though he could have easily overpowered her and gotten away, he allowed her to slow his retreat as he slowly turned to face her once more.

Her eyes were looking at him with a frank expression, hiding nothing, and he was surprised by what he saw.

Sincere attraction.

No regret.

But was that possible? He'd never met a woman to look at him thus after sharing anything together, be it physical or emotional intimacy. They always resented him (and themselves) in the morning for what they'd done, because he frightened them. Because they didn't understand the task given to him. Because they saw him as a Grim Reaper, when in reality he was merely the judge.

He didn't steal souls.

He judged what came to his door when it was time.

But Winter didn't seem to care, which amazed him. One as innocent as she was; how could she stand it? The darkness? The bittersweet flavor that was his life? The bastard child; loved by his parents, but still somewhat separated from his other gods due to his illegitimate status...

She moved closer to him, and Anubis had to fight the urge to suddenly step back. Now he was the one to feel shy. He was the one to feel uncertain and unsure. What was she going to do?

"Winter, I-"

"Anubis...shut up..."

He groaned as he felt her lips touch his, and as he remembered all the ways he'd kissed her in their shared dream, he couldn't help but reach up and catch the back of her head with his hands and hold her in place as he blazed past the innocence of her gesture and demanded entrance into her mouth with his tongue.

He'd offered her the chance to leave, and she'd not taken it. Now he wasn't sure he could offer her the opportunity again.

Winter moaned into his mouth. She turned to water as he took possession of her mouth. There were no other words for his kiss. He was possessing her and demanding she accept him. Did the silly man not realise she had already accepted him for who and what he was. His birth was nothing to her, hell she was due to die in like 4 years so who was she to complain over the nature of someone’s birth.

Winters hands moved to his waist as she parted her lips for him glad she was holding onto him or she would have collapsed her knees were like jelly. There was a burning in her stomach she could not name and places in her body which until recently she had ignored were coming to life in the arms of this man. Her hands gripped his waist as he plundered her mouth.

He tasted fantastic like sweet ambrosia on her tongue. He was powerful, dominate male. Did he not realise she could not resist him. he appealed to everything inside her. Something drew her to him in ways she could not explain. That was why she kissed him, she had to. She could do nothing else, she wanted that hollow look in his eyes to be gone. She wanted to replace it with the burning power and desire she had seen in the dream. She felt lightheaded her heart was beating so hard in her chest. She had to pull back from his intoxicating kiss to air.

She pulled her lips back but she refused to move back from the heat of his body. it was so odd to find someone who was so warm. Her kind tended to be colder then humans due to lack of sun. Her eyes on his let out a soft breath and smiled gently.

“Wow….”

Winter leaned forward and rested her head against his chest. Rubbing her cheek against his pecs her hands on his hips.

“You’re so warm…”

Everything about Winter was as sweet as wild honey and fresh as a summer breeze, and Anubis felt like the closer he got to her, physically and emotionally, the more he felt free. Unhampered, and unburdened for the first time in his life.

He'd been born to struggle, it seemed.

Hidden from his birth father because Nepthys, his birth mother, had feared Set's wrath, his life had begun as strangely as it would eventually end up. He only enjoyed happiness with his father and adoptive mother for a short time before Osiris was killed by Set and set adrift in the coffin. And if that hadn't been awful enough, Set had done even worse the second time, after Isis had managed to resurrect her husband the first time around using her own incredible power and abilities with magic.

Anubis had been forced to help Isis hunt down every last piece of his father's body and painstakingly piece it back together. And then he'd had to help guide his father back to the world of the living.

Such an experience would change anyone. Even a god. And so he had been changed forever.

But now, with Winter, none of that hurt quite so much. Because all he could think about were her sweet sighs against his lips, and the hesitant but insistent way her hands were at his waist, pulling him closer.

He gladly obliged, pulling her closer and moving his lips to her throat as she pulled back to take in several gasping breaths of air.

"You're so warm..."

The comment melted his heart, and Anubis wrapped his arms around her and enfolded her in his embrace, cradling her against his body as he placed his cheek against hers. "Then I'll keep you warm, miw-sher." Picking her up, he moved her gently to a plush golden chair covered in red silk cushions and set her down, overlooking the vast expanse of the desert beyond the open windows. The sand shimmered like diamonds, and off in the distance one could make out the great pyramids themselves.

They had been built as a tribute to the gods since Pharaoh had been believed to be a god on earth, and so like all tributes to them, the Egyptian pantheon kept a close eye on all their people's treasures. But now the pyramids here were not worn down with time. Instead they were smooth, white limestone, with gold at their peaks, and under the light of the moon, they glowed so brilliantly it was like three diamond-shaped balls of fire in the night.

Turning to Winter, Anubis brushed hair back from her face. "Can I get you anything?"

She felt his arms wrap around her, such strength and power and yet he wielded it with such a controlled gentleness it melted her heart. She felt his heat seep into her body and she smiled softly looking up into his eyes. He lowered his head and rubbed his cheek against her own and his words almost brought tears to her eyes. How could any woman reject such a man? Were they stupid? Thick in the head maybe? If Winter ever met any of these woman she would beat them over the head with a blunt object for making this man believe he was anything but a strong, kind hearted individual.

"Then I'll keep you warm, miw-sher."

Blinking back the tears that jumped into her eyes she giggled as she was swung up into his arms. Hell she looked a state, her clothing was cut open by that robber’s knife. Her stomach and chest still covered in her blood. She was partially dressed then covered in the remains of her work clothes and the robe he had given her. Yet when he held her like this she could believe she was dressed in some elegant gown and she did not look like she had just been in an assault.

When he placed her on the long chair and sat beside her she looked out the balcony and smiled. She had always wanted to see the pyramids but being as the sun would crispy critter her in minutes it was a stupid idea. But here she could see them, in all the glory they once personified. How few people had seen such splendor in its hay-day, and she was now seeing them as such. It was a gift she could never repay him for.

Her eyes flicked back to him and she felt a rush of shyness blush over her cheek as he reached out and gently brushed some hair from her face. It would not do for her to fall for this man, he could easily break her heart. He was a god, jezzz she was insane letting herself fall for this man. Yet she could not stop herself. She was drawn to him like a moth to a flame and it was nothing to do with him being a god, it was something else. Something inside her answered the call from something inside him. She was powerless to resist, and she did not want to.

"Can I get you anything?"

His touch so gentle, a strange parody considering the darkness and anger she had felt form him only minutes before. Yeah, she was falling, hard and fast.

“No….. well…. Maybe…. Some clothes….I need to change…. I need to get the stink of that man off me…. a burning hot shower would not go amiss, and a scouring pad….”

She was deadly serious, now she was relaxed memories of the feel of that mans cold, clammy hand on her body made her feel sick. She wanted to burn that touch away from her. Looking at Anubis she frowned slightly. Her voice turning almost childlike, to think Cole would forget her was a hard reality to swallow.

“Why did Cole not come? He promised he would walk me home since the break-in, he didn’t come….”

As Winter clearly thought about his question, Anubis studied her in silence, memorizing every line and curve of her face. The delicate sweep of her nose. The elegant, swanlike grace of her neck. The way her lashes delicately fluttered against her cheeks whenever she blinked. The contrast of her blonde hair against her pale skin.

He committed it all to memory, because he was still a man unaccustomed to really getting his way with much of anything. He still half expected that at any moment Winter would be snatched from him and fate would say 'gotcha'.

“No….. well…. Maybe…. Some clothes….I need to change…. I need to get the stink of that man off me…. a burning hot shower would not go amiss, and a scouring pad….”

Turning so she wouldn't see the way his eyes smoldered at the memory of the state he'd found her in with those other men, Anubis swallowed and forcibly got his temper under control before he turned back around and pulled her to her feet. "Hold on." And with a blink of his eyes, they were now standing in a hot Egyptian bathroom. Marble floors, golden pillars with hieroglyphics depicting men and women in various stages of dress (or undress, as was the case here), cushioned seats lining the walls...and a central pool that was steaming.

The air was slightly humid, but in a way that was meant to soothe, not stifle, and there was a slight hint of eucalyptus in the air that one could taste and smell all at once.

"Here...will this be good enough for your purpose?" He asked, waving a hand and watching as a floating basket appeared in the pool, filled with scented shampoos, soaps, and sponges. His people had always been big on personal hygiene. Baths...scented oils for bathing and massages...they'd even invented the concept of the modern manicure and pedicure.

And with another wave, a soft red robe appeared on a nearby chair along with several soft white towels.

He was looking around for signs of anything else she might need (maybe he was going overboard but he couldn't really help himself) when she spoke again. “Why did Cole not come? He promised he would walk me home since the break-in, he didn’t come….”

Anubis glanced at Winter with a frown that was partially sympathetic (for her benefit) and partially irritated (for Cole's). "I don't know, miw-sher. Perhaps something has happened. We'll find out though." The 'we' implying he wasn't going to just leave her once her initially shock was passed.

The bath house was like a dream. One of those old films she had seen where the rich people of the middle east had riches around them and beautiful women. This fortunately was not one of those. Though the furnishings and the gold painted walls made it look mystical and powerful. This night had started as a dream turned to a nightmare then become a fantasy again. Her night in shining armor what stood beside her looking like, well a dark god. When she spoke of her brother the look on his face was attempting to be concerned but she could see that glimmer of annoyance. She could not blame him, she was pissed at Cole for forgetting about her. She just hoped he had not been hurt which was why he could not come for her. But if he showed up worried perfectly fine she was going to kick his ass.

"I don't know, miw-sher. Perhaps something has happened. We'll find out though."

She felt a blush over her skin as he said we she felt stupidly happy at the word. Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth she walked past him towards the robe and towards a large intricately carved changing screen. She looked back at him and like a true gentlemen he was looking away. Smiling brightly she vanished behind the screen and removed the ripped and bloody clothing. She found a bathing robe, just a plane long white dress.

Running her fingers over the beautiful material, it seemed to shimmer slightly. Slipping it over her body she moved from behind the screen. She thought she much look odd given the face she was so pale. The dress was nearly the shade of her ivory skin. Moving to the carved steps she moved down into the water and sighed happily.

This place was wonderful. And she had a steaming hot dark god looking out for her. She felt special, protected. Moving deeper into the steaming pool she sank under the water and dipped her head back. That floating basket moved towards her and she chuckled picking out some rose soap. Putting it to her noise she breathed in the gentle scent then dripped it into the water. As she ran the soap over her arms she looked at Anubis.

“Is Cole okay do you think? I mean he would not just forget about me…. right?”

She was trying to make herself believe her brother would not forget about her. But Anubis had mentioned he had been with a woman, surely he would not forget her for a woman? Swallowing down the dread that she would be left on her own if Cole settled down she turned her back to Anubis so he could not see the worry on her face or her bottom lip being chewed between her teeth.

Anubis was doing all he could to accord Winter her privacy as she looked around and then moved to change. Nudity in and of itself was not something to worry about for those of his culture, but he also recognized that times had changed, and more than that, she came from a different culture than his own. A very different culture.

The Ancient Egyptians would often go with as little clothing as possible, given the hot climate they lived in. Women would hennae their breasts but otherwise go without a top; by today's standards virtually naked from the waist up. And men would wear barely-disguising kilts that were thin enough hardly anything was left to the imagination.

But then again, to their culture the naked body hadn't necessarily been the mystery. It was what a person did with that body that had the potential to be exciting and mysterious.

Very different times, indeed.

She emerged dressed in her robe, and he smiled at the sight in spite of himself. Normally people wearing it had dark skin and hair and eyes. She was exactly the opposite, so it was a new thing for him to see that robe on someone who basically matched it in color. But he found it no less beautiful; rather than a contrast, it was like the robe became a part of her body. And as she moved, he could see the sway of her hips beneath the fabric.

Nice touch.

She seemed to appreciate the warm water, and he was glad of that. Gods knew the woman deserved a chance to relax, if he had any say in the matter.

"Is Cole okay do you think? I mean he would not just forget about me...right?"

The uncertainty in her voice broke his heart, and Anubis couldn't look at her as he spoke. He had too many of his own emotions he was trying to control and be careful with. "I cannot say. There are many reasons I can think of why he would not have come for you...but as I've learned from watching humans for all these years, it's probably the reason I'm not thinking of that is what actually happened."

Whether it was a woman or a fight or something else though, Anubis planned to speak with the man. Winter needed to be protected. The world of humans was still too foreign for her. She needed help.

The water was beautifully warm. Ripples and bubbles rising from the tilted floor which adorned the bottom of the bathing pool Winter heard the pause in his voice. She heard could almost feel him taking his time to answer her. Like it would upset her. Hell she was not as fragile as people liked to think. These last two weeks had been hard on her. Leaving home, finding a job, learning the world around her. Then she got broken into, almost lost one of her jobs and now she was nearly raped and killed all for money. She would never understand the human’s love of the stuff. It only brought misery in the long run.

She turned in the pool and watched him as he kept his eyes away from her. Like he was ashamed she would see something she did not like. Hell what was not to like about this man. He was powerful strong and protective. What woman could not desire to be around him? Her ideas on him were reinforced as he kept his emotions tightly held down and she could tell by the holding of his hands behind his back the way his shoulders were rolled back and the tilt of his head away from her. When he spoke she could not help but be drawn in by his voice, would he always have this effect on her? She hoped so.

"I cannot say. There are many reasons I can think of why he would not have come for you...but as I've learned from watching humans for all these years, it's probably the reason I'm not thinking of that is what actually happened."

She blinked and nodded then she remembered the conversation the night she got broken into and how he had turned his eyes away from her when Anubis mentioned the woman he had been with. Anger boiled in her blood. Tears burned her eyes as she splashed water on her face to hide them. Her voice was stuck in her throat then she finally spoke.

“You think he was with that woman you mentioned? He tells me everything, but not about her, which leads me to believe there is something about her he does not want me to know….

You know who she is don’t you?

I mean you seemed so surprised that night at my home, the look on your face. You know who he has been seeing… I didn’t put it together until then…. I’m so stupid…”

Winter moved her hands back and forth through the hot water turned her eyes down from Anubis. Did Cole really forget about her because of a woman? She supposed she was a burden to him in truth. He was a Damion with a life of his own, what did he need his little sister tagging along for?

“It’s fine… I don’t need him anyway…. I can look after myself…”

She might sound confident but inside she was terrified. Hell she had to grow up and deal with life sometime right?