“And the rest of the Watchers?” My father asked.
“The Creator—” Mason’s voice caught and he swallowed hard. “Has set us all free.”
My dad looked ready to pass out. “Impossible! What they did was unforgivable! They were given one job, to wa—”
“Blah blah blah, yes we know.” Alex waved him off. “And they fell in love with humans and started a war, blah bloody blah. We’ve lived through these wars, no need to repeat a history lesson.”
My dad’s eyes met mine. “You would sacrifice the life you live now in order to change the course of your own history?”
I swallowed slowly. “No, I would sacrifice the life I have now in order to change the course of history.”
“Who?” Dad leaned forward. “King Set? Is that who we are talking about? Your betrothed?”
I gaped. “B-betrothed?”
I was immediately transported to the dream of riding into the temple, seeing the massive castle and King Set on his throne.
“You are the Princess of Apollo, and you agreed to sign the betrothal covenant to align our two divided countries days ago. We ride in an hour.” He stood. “I don’t know how things are done in your time, but in ours we honor our promises to the death.”
This was bad. So bad.
“But—”
“She’s just nervous,” Tarek interjected smoothly. “She of course has traveled back in time to save the one her soul craves. After all, isn’t love worth the sacrifice?”
My dad visibly relaxed. “Yes, yes it is. I’m glad to hear it.” He walked around the table and held out his hands to me.
I took them. They were warm, loving, and finally he cracked a smile. “I may be a god of this time, but I am still a father, I am still blood.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Regardless of the timeline you are from, I have loved you for an eternity and will continue to do so. Promise me you will not fail, because I don’t think I can bear it.”
Pressure weighed against my chest as I nodded with confidence I didn’t feel. “I will not fail.”
“My little princess.” He pulled me in for a hug just as my mom joined us, the three of us stood there, hugging, and warmth spread across my skin.
This was what I had been missing my entire life.
It was unfortunate, that I most likely sacrificed that very thing—to have it.
TIMBER
Egypt, Same Day
I was in a foul mood as I paced restlessly in the palace. There were at least two people in Soul, my lesser temple, waiting for answers that they knew I couldn’t give. It was always the same.
In minutes, I would be judging yet another human female, pure? It only mattered to my father because he was arrogant and wanted power. He wanted his people to know that he deserved a soul as pure as the light that held it.
As pure as Ra himself.
I rolled my eyes in disgust. How many years would this go on? This ridiculous power struggle, this war?
I moved into the light room. Humans were always shocked that my temple held more light than the rest—they misunderstood my darkness for evil when it was there for balance. Besides, souls glowed, something they didn’t take into account when they entered and begged me to make sure they were given either a second chance or were sent to Heaven and not Tartarus.
I eyed the small golden scale next to my white throne. I had five minutes and sadly, that was all it would take.
Darkness swirled beneath my feet with each step I took toward my throne, when I sat, the first man approached. I was used to Pharaohs. This man was a farmer, his skin bronzed from the sun, his hands strong, bruised, callused.
I liked him immediately.
A rarity for me.
“Name?” I leaned back in my seat and reached for my goblet of wine.
“Perseus.” His voice sounded as strong as his countenance.
“And to what do I owe the pleasure Perseus?”
He bowed low. “My dark prince, I only ask one thing.”
“Only one? Must be my lucky day.” I sighed. “Continue.”
“My wife.” His voice trembled. “She is heavy with child, and I fear—I fear she’s too small to give birth, I ask that you don’t make me choose between my love and my children if it comes to that. I ask that you take my soul to secure their lives. I’ll serve an eternity in Tartarus, I’ll—”
I held up my hand. He paled. “Do you think I’m in need of souls?”
He met my gaze, his brown eyes clear as day. “I think any god would be in need of good souls, loyal ones, ones who know exactly the bargain they make when they enter these walls.”
A slow smile spread across my lips as I whispered, “Keep your soul, Perseus. If it is her time to die I cannot stop that, but—” I snapped my fingers as a shimmer of light appeared in front of my fingertips. “The essence of Ra is the essence of life itself, gifted from the Creator. While I may not intervene in this instance, I give you a gift. Take this,” The air shimmered again and then the light turned into a bright orange vial. “Give it to your wife the day of her labor, not any sooner, it will not only ease her pain, but give her and your boys extra strength as they are welcomed into this world.”
He gasped. “I never told you they were boys.”
“How would you know for sure anyway?” I shrugged. “Two healthy boys,” My eyes went bright gold as I saw his possible futures, something I could only do to pure human blood. “Give her the vial.”
Perseus grabbed the vial and burst into tears. “Praise you, prince of—”
“Silence.” My voice boomed. “You will praise the Creator—for I know my place. I was made by his hands, given life by his very breath. Save your praises for him.”
“Praise be to the Creator,” he whispered. “Praise be to his intelligent design in you, Prince of Darkness, Anubis of Egypt, Keeper of Souls.”
I flinched. He’d used my entire name, a rarity for a human to even know my ancient name.
Stunned, I watched him walk away. A shiver ran down my spine as Horus walked in and whistled. “It’s time.”
My bitter mood was back as I snapped my fingers and felt the warmth of the jackal’s blood course through my veins. Shifting into my ceremonial state once more for a father I wanted nothing to do with—and a girl who I was about to damn for an eternity.
“Let’s go.” I barked.
Horus followed me, his fingers brushing my shoulder as he whispered, “It feels different to me this time too.”
I ignored the way my heart skipped—the first time in centuries.
Just as I ignored the sharp intake of breath that escaped my lungs when the woman in question, Princess Kyra, rode into the temple on a white horse, her guard flanking each side, her head held high.
Her.
My blood pumped.
Her.
That one.
My soul rejoiced, beat against my chest in an attempt to break free, to celebrate with hers. It was rare for a god to find a match.
And I, Anubis, the Prince of Darkness had just found mine.
My father’s betrothed.
KYRA
Egypt, Same Day
My dreams didn’t prepare me for the lavishness of the temple or the castle within its walls, for the rose petals that fell from a place in the sky that was impossible to see or the smell of ambrosia as its heady scent filled the thick, hot air.
I was dressed in a golden gown that draped over my horse nearly hitting his hooves, it was held together by a black diamond in the front like a cape, the rest was wrapped around me in tight layer after layer of what felt like silk, except the material breathed.
Slits went up both legs as I sat in the saddle, hitting me mid-thigh, and as we stopped in front of the marble steps to the throne where King Set waited, I had never been more petrified in my life.
How did I know what was right? What was wrong?
Beside me, Alex, Mason, and Tarek were quiet. My dad and mom were so tense it felt more like a funer
al march than a wedding betrothal, and even then I was minutes away from hurling onto the pristine white stairs.
I looked over to Tarek.
His gold helmet was back on his head but he must have seen me from the corner of his eye, he gave me a confident nod just as massive hands wrapped around my waist and helped me off my horse.
It was him.
The Jackal.
I gaped as his fingers burned against my skin in such a delicious way that I wanted to lean into him. My body had forgotten this part, where my heart felt like it might burst out of my chest at the sight of him.
It wasn’t fear.
It was like coming home.
I gave him a bright smile only making him stiffen more as a hand pressed against my chest and pulled something blue out an inch. It tickled against his fingers, its tentacles wrapped around his tanned thumb like it was afraid he was going to let go.
I had to stop myself from saying, keep it, it’s yours.
When he pressed it back into my chest I felt such loss that my knees knocked together.
“Pure,” his voice rasped. “Of both body and soul.”
I remembered this entire thing differently.
This wasn’t how it happened the first time.
Then again, I wasn’t the same person was I?
Furthermore, neither was he.
I met his gaze. Even as part beast he was beautiful with a long sharp snout and matching pointy black ears. His chest heaved as he watched me. Something stirred inside as my fingers burned to reach out, to touch that jet-black fur.
“Well then,” King Set laughed and spread his arms wide. “Bring my betrothed here.”
My feet didn’t budge.
He was massive, the King, at least twelve feet tall with jet black hair and eyes that glowed both red and gold switching every few seconds. They reminded me of Timber’s eyes, and longing pulsed through my body.
I was doing this for him.
For Timber.
For the beast currently holding his hand out to me.
I took it because I had no other choice.
“Prince Anubis,” Set said through clenched teeth. “You will escort the princess to the throne.”
Anubis.
Anubis.
Of course he was.
The Prince of Darkness.
The damned.
My mythology or what I thought was mythology, was rusty, but thanks to my parents I knew exactly what Anubis did. He judged the souls, determining where they would be placed in the afterlife.
He was also one of the oldest gods mentioned in mythology, some say more powerful than the one I was supposed to be marrying.
His head tilted toward me and with a slight growl he changed into a man, a beautiful man.
“Timber,” I whispered.
It was Timber.
My heart hammered so loud against my chest I figured he was going to tell me to calm down.
Instead, he inspected me like I was a science experiment, his golden eyes narrowing into tiny slits as he held out his hand. “Princess.”
Tears stung, but didn’t fall.
I kept them in as his warmth wrapped around me, the simple graze of his hand was enough to make my knees buckle.
“Remember,” I whispered under my breath. “I need you to remember.”
He jerked his head toward me. “You dare speak to the god of death?”
I lifted my chin. “You dare look at the face of Apollo’s one and only daughter?”
He stopped walking, his eyes searching mine.
“Anubis,” Set was making his way toward us. “In this century, if you please.”
Timber looked at his father and then to the left of the throne where another godlike man stood, his face softened as they shared a look.
“Brother!” The man jogged ahead of Set, he was in front of us in a flash. “What the ever-loving hell is going on?” His voice was quiet, we had seconds before Set would be standing in front of us.
“I need some time alone with Ti—Anubis,” I clarified “Before Set and I…” I moved my hands. I had no idea what happened next. Did Set just take me in front of a priest or was that not how gods did things? There had to be a ceremony of sorts. I just hoped it wasn’t today.
Time, I needed more time.
“Set won’t like it,” Anubis said under his breath.
“Set can go to Hell,” I muttered, earning a curse from both Horus and Anubis.
“You can’t intervene.” Horus nodded to Anubis. “Remember, brother, or everything will be for naught.”
“Understood.” Anubis sounded so cold, calculating, at least some things didn’t change, right? Timber in my time was the same way, like he was constantly doing math in his head.
And then Set was there, stopped in front of me. I was maybe up to his waist. Power radiated from his black armor as he eyed me up and down. “Are you scared, daughter of Apollo?”
“No, King Set, why? Are you?”
Horus burst out laughing while Anubis seemed to go completely still.
The crowd watched in rapt fascination as I waited for Set to either murder me or appreciate my sense of humor. They should have given me a damn manual!
I felt it then, the presence of Alex behind me, the sharp intake of breath around the crowd as Mason and Tarek moved to stand beside me, both of them without their helmets.
One looking every inch the fallen angel, the other a menacing watch dog, and I knew without looking that Alex had gone full god.
Perfect.
We were going to die, weren’t we?
Set took a step back his eyes wide. “What’s the meaning of this?” He glared at my father. “You dare bring a fallen into my temple?”
“I prefer king,” Mason said in a bored tone. “You can thank me later for the very ground beneath your feet.”
Alex’s warm chuckle wasn’t helpful as he put a hand on Mason’s shoulder and shrugged. “You’ll have to forgive him, he’s still part wolf, forgets his place, just like you have, my king. After all, is it not proper to bow to royalty? Kyra’s godlike essence may have been taken from her blood, but she is still a princess and soon to be your queen, am I right?”
Oh, hell.
Set’s jaw snapped closed as he very slowly inclined his head. I was pretty sure that was all I was going to get.
Too much testosterone swirled between all the men.
I was afraid someone was going to pull a weapon so I did the only thing I could think to do.
“Should we go inside the temple? And make a toast to King Set?” When all else fails, build their ego. Hadn’t my dad told me that the gods liked to talk about themselves? About their own prowess? Power?
Set seemed to soften in that moment as he gave me a bright smile that I’m sure any woman would love to have directed at her, but beneath it was something more sinister, like I wasn’t going to be marrying him, but sacrificed on an altar so he could keep his beauty, his power.
“Of course.” Set nodded. “You may bring your… protectors, though I should warn you… the last god who challenged me was sent immediately to Tartarus, compliments of my son Anubis. We don’t take kindly to threats. Death would be better than facing Anubis while he draws your soul from your body before sending you into eternal darkness.”
I could have sworn I heard Alex whisper under his breath, “Cool story, bro.”
“They’ll behave,” I said quickly.
“Never thought I’d see the day when a human has immortals on a leash like a pet.” Set’s mocking laugh had me digging my nails into the palm of my hand as he gave us his back and started walking back up the marble stairs.
Servants moved around us in a flutter of black and red. The men were shirtless, wearing only black loose pants, and the women were in dark red dresses that were tied at the waist and strapless; so much material had to be heavy.
“Why red and black?” I wondered out loud.
It was Timber, or Anubis, who answered. “Red is the colo
r of the blood that has been spilled for the humans to live in this world with free will.”
I nodded. “And black?”
“A reminder, of what humans’ future holds—when I take their souls.”
My eyes widened. “Do you carry all the souls?”
“Yes.” He rolled his eyes. “In my pocket, care to see?”
I grinned. “Sarcasm, how surprising.”
He jerked his head down to me. “You play a dangerous game, princess.”
“Afraid you’re going to lose?”
He shook his head. “Exactly the opposite. I’m afraid I’ll win.”
With that he moved ahead to join his father, leaving Horus by my side with the guys on the other.
“Forgive him.” Horus had bright blond hair and blue eyes that seemed to flicker with the same gold as Timber’s. “There is a lot that weighs upon his mind.”
“Like what?” I asked as casual as I could as we made our way into a large room with several tables of food and what looked like wine.
“Careful,” Horus said in a sing-song voice. “You cannot trick a god.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
His eyes flashed gold. “Maybe you should have asked your parents that question before standing in front of our father. They should have coached you better.”
My skin broke out into goose bumps. “Coached?” That word didn’t exist in this time, I knew that much.
“Isn’t that the correct word?” Horus asked. “You are not in your time, Kyra. You’re lucky that Anubis’s darkness has shielded you from our father. Pray he never finds out that you’ve traveled back.”
“Because he’ll kill me?”
“No.” His eyes flashed again. “Because he’ll suddenly remember that the gods can move through time—and he’ll leave this world for yours.”
Well, shit. “Can you?” I asked “Move through time?”
“I choose to limit myself as does my brother. The gods belong here, there is no place for us in the future. You’ve seen your protector in your time. The Creator would not allow us to rule there the way we do here, but that wouldn’t stop Set from trying.”
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