"I have a favour to ask of you."
"Anything." And I meant it. I would do anything she asked and then more.
"You don't even know what it is yet," she countered.
"But I know you're the goddess of truth and justice. I know you would do nothing to place me in harm's way if it was not necessary." Blind faith. Something many people had lost, but not us in the temple. To us, our gods were people, but they were still divine and we trusted them with our lives and souls.
"That is the perfect answer, perhaps too perfect."
"It doesn't stop it from being true." There was no point in lying to her. She'd know if I was and would throw me from the temple without a second glance.
"How did you come to my temple?" she asked.
"My parents were believers. They taught me the old ways even though they weren't practised anymore. I was only young when they died and found myself on the streets. One of Bes' priests found me. I'm not sure how he knew I believed in the true gods, but when he told me he would bring me to safety, I knew he was telling the truth. I was brought here and tested. When they discovered I could tell when people were telling the truth, they granted me demi-goddess status and suggested I served in your temple. I felt right then that it was a good fit."
"And so it is." She smiled serenely, making herself seem even younger than she already did. No one would see this woman and believe she was centuries old. "How long have you been here?"
"Maybe fifty years or so?" I'd stopped counting as soon as I realised I wasn't ageing. It didn't seem as important to mark the passage of time when I had so much of it ahead of me.
"I thought so."
"Why is it me you want a favour from?" I blurted. I didn't want to admit that it bothered me that from all her priestesses it was me she'd chosen. I just didn't see how it would make sense to pick one of the youngest in the temple.
"I want someone I can trust, and I believe you're the best person for the job. There are so many untruths in the world today. You can tell the fact from the fiction, and that is invaluable in this situation."
"Okay. What can I do for you?" I still didn't think I was the best choice for this, but her words rang true within me and who was I to argue with a goddess.
"We're sending offerings down the Nile to bring a bountiful year. I'd like for you to be the woman who presents mine."
"Thank you." The honour she was bestowing on me had no words to go with it. Being able to give an offering was an honour as it was. Giving it on behalf of a goddess...
"I just need you to promise one thing."
"Anything." I would give whatever she asked for, though that had been true before I'd been given such an amazing honour.
"Be true to your heart, Edrice. Do not deny it what it wants. Being truthful to others, and staying true to me, is all well and good. But without the balance of being true to yourself, you can never achieve what you need to in your life."
Her dark brown almond eyes bore into me, seeing into my soul and striping me bare. I had to wonder if she knew what the tarot reader had said to me the day before, but I dismissed the notion. Ma'at might have noticed me for this, but I doubted she'd pay attention to our lives the rest of time. I wouldn't if I were in her position.
"I promise I'll be true to myself," I vowed, wondering how soon I'd be forced to stick to it.
"Good. You leave at dusk. I've arranged for ceremonial robes to be delivered to your rooms, along with the offering."
"Thank you." I nodded my head.
"No need to thank me, Edrice. I know my choice is right." For the first time, she looked older than her body was. This was the wise and just goddess everyone had worshipped. And it was easy to see why they had. Even without the traditional Egyptian makeup and wig, she was commanding. The ancient paintings had caught her surprisingly well.
I wasn't sure how I knew, but I was certain she wasn't going to say another word. I rose to my feet and left without another word. It seemed that I had a lot to prepare for if I was going to take a trip down the Nile tonight.
The Nile. The place I was supposedly going to give in to the connection I had with a man. Was tonight going to be the night? Part of me hoped it was.
Chapter 3
The shoulders of my formal robes itched, but I didn't want to scratch them, not with so many other priests and priestesses about. I thought I'd even spotted a god, but they'd been gone before I could be sure. From the situation here, it seemed like only lesser gods would be coming themselves, everyone else had sent one of their underlings. Myself included.
I patted the leather bag containing Ma'at's offering, ensuring it was still safe. No one here would try and steal it. They all had far too much respect for the gods and their powers. But that didn't mean one of the unconnected humans crewing the boat wouldn't try. And I was sure that a solid gold feather would be quite the prize for anyone who could get their hands on it.
"I did promise we'd meet again," a deep voice said from behind me.
I turned slowly, knowing full well who I was about to find. "You did," I whispered.
"I'm Menefer."
"Edrice," I responded.
"A beautiful name."
"Thank you." I shifted from one foot to the other, not uncomfortable from his attention, just unused to it.
"You're here representing Ma'at?" His amber eyes almost glowed in the dimming light.
I frowned, pulling my eyebrows down to my nose. "Yes. I'm one of her priestesses. How did you..."
"There's a golden feather on your robes." He touched the broach, which was sitting just above my breasts.
I wasn't sure whether it was just me who found the act strangely intimate, or whether he felt the same way.
"I'm here with an offering from Maahes," he offered. At least that meant I'd been right in my assumption. "Though it seems like I got the more complicated job." He gestured to the ornate spears he was carrying across his back.
"It's a fitting tribute," I said awkwardly. I didn't want to insult him, but I knew nothing of war, nor about the god of it. Maahes and Ma'at hadn't crossed paths in many years, probably because none of the current conflicts in the world were under Maahes' control. But I knew they'd worked together before. Mostly when war and violence were the only ways of bringing about justice. Most of the time, it wasn't about that at all. Hence the two of them avoiding one another.
"We have a long boat ride ahead; would you like to get a drink?"
My reflex was to say no, but I caught myself, remembering what both Ma'at and the tarot reader had said. "That would be lovely, thank you." I flashed him a winning smile. If they were right, this could be the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with, and I wanted to start this off the right way.
* * *
I laughed and took another sip of the sweet wine. The whole atmosphere around us was electric. Everyone was having a good time. Each and every person here was carrying some kind of offering for a bountiful year, and it was better that we brought them all with joy.
"Do you want some more wine?" Menefer asked.
I shook my head. "Anyone would think you were trying to get me drunk," I joked, knowing it wasn't true. I wasn't drunk. I wasn't even sure if I could get drunk. I'd never actually tried.
His eyes widened, apparently startled by what I'd suggested.
"I'm so sorry, it was a joke." I put a comforting hand on his arm, the gesture was both foreign and familiar. His eyes darted to where our bodies touched, drawing my attention there too. "Sorry, I..."
I pulled my hand back, unable to explain what I'd done and why. I just had to hope he'd forgive me for being so forward.
Menefer reached out and took my hand in his, entwining our fingers and bringing my hand to his lips. He kissed it, his lips lingering, perhaps for longer than they should, but I didn't care. Not with the thrills shooting through me at the small gesture.
A blush rose to my cheeks, thankfully hidden by the tanned tone of my skin.
"I just don't want you to think I'd force
you into anything. I've been trying to pluck up the courage to talk to you for a couple of years."
"Years?" I echoed. The concept didn't quite make sense to me. I'd noticed him several times and hadn't been able to keep my eyes off him. But I hadn't thought that meant something. I'd heard rumours that it was different for demi-gods who had the ability to shift into an animal form. It was something about the way man and beast mixed.
"Yes."
The one word told me all I needed to know. I could feel the truth of it. Not that I doubted him anyway. His eyes were filled with earnestness.
"Why didn't you say anything before?" I asked, desperate to know what had been keeping him away.
"I never had the chance to. I was only half certain which goddess you served, and the only times I saw you when we weren't at a formal event, you disappeared before I could talk to you. Unless Maahes had a reason to seek out Ma'at, it would have been slightly odd for me to turn up at the temple..."
"All very valid points." I hadn't made myself very accessible on purpose, but now that seemed like it had been the wrong decision. "How far into the years did you know I was your soulmate?" I asked, the winemaking me bold, even if it wasn't making me drunk. Or maybe it wasn't the wine at all. It could just be the attention that was gave me the confidence I sometimes lacked.
He chuckled. "The very first time."
"But you didn't know me. You still don't," I pointed out.
"Do I need to know you to know you're my soulmate?" he countered. "Isn't it something you feel deep down in your bones? You don't need to be told when something is right. It just feels right deep down."
Truth. Every single word of it resonated as truth throughout my body and soul. Alongside it, the realisation that Ma'at and the tarot reader had been right. I needed to be true to my heart and give in to the connection I was faced with.
I put my goblet down and stepped forward, closing the remaining gap between us. He licked his lips, and I caught myself doing the same. We both wanted this and there was nothing wrong with taking it.
Truth.
My eyes fluttered closed as his lips met mine. His kiss was soft at first, steadily growing more demanding as he realised I was responding to him. Menefer's arm slipped around my waist, pulling me closer and leaving me flush against his chest. Not that I minded. This was a perfect place to be, in my mind.
I rested one of my hands on his chest, and threaded the fingers of my other into his hair, controlling his movements and deepening our kiss. This felt so right that it couldn't be wrong.
We broke apart, both breathing heavily and stared into one another's eyes.
"I'm glad we finally did that," Menefer whispered.
"Me too," I whispered, knowing I'd found my truth. This was my future, and no one could take that from me.
Epilogue
One Year Later...
We approached the altar, each carrying an offering from our gods. I hadn't been that surprised when Ma'at had insisted I was the one to take her offering again this year. Nor was I surprised that Maahes had asked Menefer to take his. If I hadn't known better, I might even have suspected that the two of them hatched the plan together. Though I'd never dare say that in front of either of them.
I placed the golden feather on the altar at the same time as Menefer placed down an intricately painted shield. I wasn't sure why Ma'at had sent the same thing, while Maahes hadn't, but it wasn't my place to ask those questions. I wasn't a High Priestess and didn't have the ear of a deity, even if she did seem to trust me with important tasks like this one.
We dipped our heads to the priests, before retaking our places among the rest of the congregation. There wasn't much more to this ceremony than we'd already done, but it was polite to wait until everyone had laid down their offerings.
Menefer slipped his hand into mine and gave it a squeeze. "I got word just before we left. They've finished our new quarters for us." He kept his voice low so we didn't disturb anyone else.
"They have?" The question slipped out before I really thought about it. I already knew he was telling me the truth.
"Yes. We can move in as soon as we get back."
Joy surged through me. As much as I loved living with Ma'at's other priestesses, I was looking forward to more privacy with my lion shifting demigod. He'd promised me he would show me his animal form when we had space. Something I was particularly excited about.
"Ma'at has said she should be able to get us a wedding soon. If that's what we want." I'd been nervous about telling him that. Mostly because I hadn't actually asked the goddess to organise it for me, she'd just taken it upon herself to tell me.
"Is it something you want?"
I nodded. I wouldn't have told him if it wasn't, and he was well aware of that.
"Then by all means, take her up on it. I can't wait to be bonded with you for life."
The corners of my eyes crinkled. I hadn't believed I'd ever be this happy. And yet, I had everything I'd dreamed of and more.
"I can't wait either," I responded, basking in the joy of our two truths.
I'd found the person I was going to spend my life with. The love of my life. My soulmate. It was so perfect, nothing could destroy it. Once we got back to the temple, the rest of our life would truly begin. And I had one spur of the moment trip to a tarot reader to thank for that. Along with a little intervention from my goddess. I did sometimes wonder if the two people had been linked, but I'd resigned myself to never knowing.
Ultimately, it didn't matter to me. So long as I had Menefer and our happy ending.
* * *
The End
* * *
Thank you for reading Priestess of Truth. This is set in the same universe as my Zodiac Shifters title, Protectors of Poison which follows Serket’s journey! Ma’at will also be getting her own story, to keep up to date with when that happens, please join my mailing list or Facebook Group!
Tara’s Unexpected Mates
A Zodiac Shifters Short Story
McKayla Schutt
Book Description
Tara’s been searching for her mate, but a wolf reader says she’s destined for two mates. She thinks the woman is crazy until she imprints with twins, Leo and Jackson. To make everything more intense, she’s in heat. See what happens in Tara’s Unexpected Mates.
Chapter One
Tara
The urge to scream surged through Tara’s body as she glared at her best friend. Her wolf paced inside, wanting to get out of the stuffy building. She had plans to go racing tonight—with her heat about to start—which meant getting her car ready. The rush helped with her to release the tension.
“Clover, you can’t honestly believe these people, right?” Tara growled low. So many humans claiming to read the future or some shit like that, with a section of shops up front. They stood in the shop area, with open tables full of hats, jewelry, and paintings. All connecting to the theme of love. If only I could find my mate, then I wouldn’t have to be here. Her wolf laughed as Tara glanced toward the tables covered up like tents.
“Don’t be rude,” Clover hissed and grabbed Tara’s hand. An older woman with a heart headband grinned at her, trying to welcome her into the booth. Little trinkets of clay rested, waiting to be claimed. Clover pulled hard, dragging her to the back of the large room. The sour-egg scent of lies filled her nose but she pushed it away.
“So why did you really drag me out here?” She arched her brow, but Clover kept walking. She saw some signs, like “dog therapist” and “palm readers.” A small booth had clay wolves and dragons with a cutesy look to them, but her friend kept pulling her past everything. One lady even sold rocks—just rocks anyone could go out and grab themselves. Lazy freaking humans.
“Hello, Audry. This is my friend, Tara.” Clover pulled her forward to find a woman with braided black hair and bangs which stopped just above her eyebrows. The dark red lipstick and black tank top against her pale skin gave off a strong Gothic vibe. Rings covered every finger as
she raised her hand to Tara.
“Good afternoon.” Audry’s brown eyes locked onto Tara’s and the scent of wolf, similar to burning hair, rolled up her nose.
“A wolf who reads cards?” She shook her hand quickly then let go, hating all the bracelets clinking around Audry’s arm. The woman had every spot open to jewelry covered with something, like she had a mission to wear everything. Long feather earrings dangled next to her hair while a large purple rock rested just above her cleavage.
“Being a wolf yourself, you must believe in magic.” Audry tipped her head slightly to the right and Tara glanced around.
“Oh, I know witches walk around using their spells, but they can’t predict the future, and neither can you.” She folded her arms in front of her chest.
“Sit down and I’ll prove it to you.” Audry motioned toward two chairs and Clover sat down in a heartbeat. Tara huffed then slid into the other chair. If the place had been full of witches, she might be more inclined to a reading; at least those bitches had magic on their side. But wolves had no connection to the great beyond or the goddess watching out over the world.
“She really needs to find her mate, Audry.” Clover rubbed Tara’s back. She’d never admit she had been searching for her mate almost every day, just trying to stave off the loneliness consuming her soul.
“Oh, goody, I love this one. Let’s focus on a Valentine’s Day Date. Now, what’s your astrological sign?” Audry grinned, showing off her extra-white teeth.
“Let’s just get this over with. It’s Scorpio.” Tara adjusted her shoulders as her beast perked up, wanting to know when they’d find the mate just for them. Just a single touch, and she’d know he’d be the one.
Crimson Kisses: Valentine’s Day Edition: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 13