Akhenaten laid Aria gently down on the small bed. He knelt beside her and allowed himself to observe her delicate features.
When Akhenaten had first seen her at the temple it'd taken everything not to take her in his arms, hold her and never let go but he'd controlled himself.
He'd seen the look of pure shock and then disbelief before she fainted. He'd also caught the sad look in her eyes and it broke his heart.
He caressed her cheek ever so softly. He was not the man he used to be. He'd changed, he'd been transformed—regenerated.
Akhenaten felt her stir, he waited patiently for her to wake. His eyes went to his nemes crown he'd put off before entering the temple by his side.
Akhenaten waited as she slowly opened her eyes.
He made eye contact with Eros who waited dutifully by her side.
"Eros, " Aria called.
Eros broke the eye contact and held her hand.
"I'm right here Aria, " he said assuredly.
"I had the strangest dream, " she said softly.