by Jean Murray
He pulled back and frowned. “Still do not believe me?”
“I—”
Grasping her hand, he pressed it over her glyph markings embedded in his chest. A thump echoed against her fingertips. He pulled her to stand. “I am here, Kitten. It is no dream.”
“How?” She shook her head.
“Ammut.”
She covered her trembling lips. “You were right about Ammut. It wanted to destroy everything.”
“Perhaps not everything. I think it was more of a test.”
“Test?” If war and death was Ammut’s idea of a test, then Kit would gladly fail.
He pulled her to the railing of the boat. A beautiful oasis spread out before them. She hardly recognized Apep’s realm. “God, how long have I been out.”
He shrugged. “It was like this when I woke up a few days ago. I found you not far from where the boat was docked.”
“Kamen, I—”
He silenced her with another kiss. “Did what you needed to bring the souls home.”
“But your brother,” Kit said. She had lied to Kamen. Released Set from his obligations.
“Set will find his own way.”
“For five years.”
He nodded.
“Are you feeling okay?” she asked, uncomfortable with how less intense he seemed to be.
“Could not be better.” He smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Grabbing the oar, he directed the Mesektet to the shore. The sun burned bright at the barrier, causing it to shimmer.
“What of Ammut?”
He squeezed her tight. “You will have to ask the beast yourself.”
“God, it’s still inside me?” Kit groaned, knowing the answer to her own question.
“I will still love you.”
“Well, I hope so.” She snorted.
Sensing movement in the tall grass, she stiffened. “What is it?”
“Souls crossing over.” Kamen pointed to the people milling about the banks.
“Good souls, right?”
“You tell me.”
She inhaled. The scent of baking cookies, mothballs and tobacco filled her senses. No fetid odor. “I guess they are.”
Kamen slowed along the bank. He opened the side door and helped an elderly lady inside. Humans of all races filed in one at a time. Most with smiles. Some with fear and uncertainty.
“This is really happening.”
“Yep.”
“And, my sisters?” Kit asked, suddenly concerned they died as well.
“We will see them soon.”
She chewed on her lip and her eyes burned. Not once did she envision what would happen after the war.
Carried by the warm breeze, the boat cut through the water. The visibility went on for miles. No fog layer, just beautiful open skies. Kit inhaled a breath when the horizon sparkled in the light. “The gates.”
Kamen kissed the top of her head. “We need to make a stop first and let these souls off. Then we will go to the palace side of the river.”
The next few minutes blurred by as she watched her husband oversee the unloading of the souls to the Paradise Isle of the Afterlife. Before long they were at the palace dock. Kit couldn’t wait to hug her sisters and take the hottest shower. “I’m a mess.” She screwed up her face in disgust.
“A beautiful mess.” Kamen smirked and wiped her mouth and hands of the dried blood.
Kit shook her head, not sure if she would get used to his new found humor. “I love you,” she finally said.
He tightened his grip on her. “I cannot wait until we are alone.”
The promise of his words quickened her pulse.
Kamen broke away and threw the lines over the edge. Bomani and Bakari secured them.
Bomani’s tired gold eyes met hers. “Welcome home.”
Unlike Duat, parts of the palace were heavily damaged. The warrior village, nothing but rubble. “Siya and Anya.”
“Healthy and unharmed,” Bomani replied.
Kit blew out a breath and pulled Siya’s saber from her waist. “Please return this to her.”
He smiled and accepted the weapon.
Kamen scooped her up and leapt down onto the dock. Setting her on her feet, he kissed her again. “Your sisters are here.”
Kit looked through the bars. It seemed like forever before Asar opened the passageway. She ran past him and down the beach. Wrapping her arms around Lilly, she pulled Kendra into the embrace.
“Someone else is here to see you,” Lilly said.
Movement drew her gaze up. A man walked at her mother’s side. Tears threatened to spill over.
“He has been asking for you,” Kendra said, grabbing her other hand.
So much had happened since the last time she saw him. Would he remember her?
She stared up into his brown eyes, uncertain of what to say.
“Kitten.” He pulled her into his arms.
That’s when she knew, nothing needed to be said. A simple hug communicated far more than words.
She pulled back. “Have you met Kamen?”
Her father looked towards the dock. “I haven’t.”
“Kamen.” Kit waved him over.
Her mother grabbed her hand. “He cannot cross.”
“What?” Kit met her mother’s green eyes.
“Kamen is ruler now. He cannot leave. It is a condition of his station.”
Kit stared back at the dock as Asar handed over supplies through the gate. “No.” She sprinted back to Kamen. “Is it true?”
“Give me a minute,” Kamen said to Asar and then pulled Kit to the closest bench. He kissed her hands. “Ammut appointed me ruler of Duat. It is an honor I have accepted.”
“To be locked in another realm? I can’t accept this.”
“It needs to be protected, Kit. You have seen what it can become, a safe passage for souls.”
“What about your family? Your life?”
“You are my life. I want to share this with you.”
Just when she thought things were turning around, the proverbial ax swung down, severing her hope. A life in Duat? She couldn’t forget the visions of the dungeons and the atrocities occurring there.
Despite her reservations, she refused to be anywhere else. “I will always stand by you,” Kit said and leaned into his chest.
“You will be able to see your family at any time. Travel to the human realm when you want.”
“Without you. God, this is all my fault.”
He cupped her cheek. “This is a second chance for me. And, I will always be with you.” His finger strayed to the glyph on her chest.
She inhaled a breath as his touch tracked heat along her skin. “What now?”
Kamen looked out over the water. “Take it a day at a time—together.”
“Start a family.” She stared down at the feather glyph against her skin. A new future to be written.
His black eyes met her stare. “You would honor me?”
There was not anything she would not do for him. “The honor would be mine.”
“Then it is time we rule together, my queen.”
“Queen?” Kit stared at Kamen, realizing everything she had dreamed had come true, just a different version than she thought.
Kamen’s gaze rose to greet the Mother Goddess and her father. He stood and bowed. “Mr. Carrigan.”
Kit smiled at her father. “Dad, this is Kamen.”
“I know who he is, Kitten.” Her father’s grin grew.
“Sir.” Kamen held out his hand.
“You’ll take good care of my girl?” Jonathan grasped Kamen’s hand.
“On my life.” Kamen smiled back and gave her father a hardy hand shake.
Kit shifted her gaze to her mother as the males pulled off to talk. “Did you know it would turn out this way?”
“I hoped. Believed it could come true.”
“Thank you—for the nudge,” Kit repeated Siya’s words, realizing in a momen
t of clarity her mother’s intent. The Mother Goddess had liberated the Underworld and the gods who protected it. Saved the world. How could Kit ever measure up?
Her mother’s brows furrowed a moment before her eyes brightened. “You’re welcome.” The Mother Goddess held out her arms.
Kit smiled and stepped into her mother’s embrace.
Her mother’s smile grew as Kit hugged her tighter. “Today, a new chapter begins. What do you plan to do?”
“I don’t know,” Kit said, suddenly overwhelmed by her mother’s words. Her mind wandered to Inpu. Perhaps she could continue her mother’s work and save the priest in some way. A daunting task, considering what Nebt had done to him.
Her sisters’ laughter drew her attention. Lilly and Kendra had gathered around Siya and Anya, who had made their way to the dock. Her eyes drifted from her sisters to the baby they cooed over.
Maybe the choice was simpler than that.
Her mother winked as if she already knew what Kit was thinking. “The world is in good hands. Go and enjoy it.”
“I think you’re right.” Inpu and the world could wait. It was time for family. Kit turned to Kamen’s waiting arms, a place she would always feel safe and loved.
Never again—alone.
Epilogue
“Please don’t ask me to live there.” Kit said with disgust as she stood by Kamen’s side and stared at the peak of the volcano.
“It is a prison and will remain one. Not all that we serve will deserve paradise.” Kamen squeezed her hand.
She shuddered to think what they might find left in Apep’s absence.
“I need your help with a decision,” Kamen said, dragging her forward into the mouth of the volcano and down the steps, despite her protests. Molten lava boiled deep within its throat, but not at the level it once was.
“I am not living here,” she said again for good measure.
“Even after what I have done with the place?” Kamen laughed.
“Not funny.” She pulled tighter to his side, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“You went up against Apep, there is nothing here worse than him.”
“Don’t count on it.” She remembered the creatures inflicting pain on the prisoners.
After unlocking the door, he led her down the labyrinth of black hallways. He paused outside the door of a heavily gated room. Kamen pulled out the thick key ring. “Our first decision as rulers of this land.”
Kit stood at the threshold staring into the dark room with only a sliver of light through the porous stone. Bitterness saturated this place. “Why did you bring me here?”
Kamen stepped into the room and waited for her to follow. She stepped forward into a puddle of fresh blood on the floor. Kit’s eyes focused on the black and white mottled skin of the prisoner who had been secured by taut chains to the wall.
“Menthu.” Kit gasped. Everyone had wondered whether he survived the attack on the bunker. The War god had failed Apep’s command to turn his daughter, Siya. This was obviously punishment for his failure. The chains jingled as Menthu strained against his restraints.
“We can leave his ass here,” she said with a spike of anger. The god had caused her family so much pain. Not to mention, releasing the curse upon the humans and the countless wars he had incited over the years. Most notably, the war that destroyed the Pharaohs’ rein and obliterated the Egyptian empire.
Menthu ignored her, his eyes remaining pinned on the floor. His arm stretch forward so hard the chains had stripped the skin from his wrists. Kit followed his gaze to a body lying on the floor. A small vial sat next to the female. Kit picked it up and sniffed. The bitter venom burned her nose. As she looked around, similar vials lay strewn across the stone and more unopened containers lined the walls. Tears welled in Kit’s eyes realizing the death scene had been replayed over and over.
Stooping, Kit brushed back Anuket’s tumble of thick brown hair. Driven by grief and the forced separation from Menthu, Siya’s mother had committed suicide, leaving Siya to fend on her own. Anuket had received her wish to be with Menthu, but this was beyond sickening. “What do you want me to do with this?”
“Do what you do best.”
Kit turned her gaze back to Anuket, knowing Siya would never want her mother to suffer in this way. But, the punishment was not for Anuket’s deed, it was for Menthu. The chains had been secured in such a way that Menthu was just within reach of Anuket, but no further. Menthu would never be able to touch or stop Anuket from drinking another vial of poison.
A part of Kit would always hate Menthu and never forgive him for what he did, but she wouldn’t have any part in Anuket’s suffering. She gathered as many vials in her arms as she could, but so many more remained.
“Here,” Kamen said, holding out a basket.
Kit dumped the armload into the bottom. Returning with the basket, she pulled the rest of the vials off the shelf.
Kamen retrieved the discarded bottles on the floor. “I think that is all of them.”
Kit stared down into the now full basket and walked to the door. Waking from her coma, Anuket began to stir on the floor. Soft whimpers sent an ache through Kit’s heart. “She should be in Aaru.”
Kamen pulled the basket from her grasp. “She came here to be with Menthu.”
Kit blew out a breath, knowing her mate was right. “He doesn’t deserve her.”
“No he doesn’t.” Kamen stepped out the door. Shifting the basket to his hip, he pulled the keys out of his pocket.
With her hand on the cell door she paused, struggling to come to terms with her anger and the scene playing out before her. The vials may be gone, but Anuket’s whimpers grew.
Before she could think better of it, Kit released the lever holding the chains. Menthu fell to the floor. His shocked black eyes targeted her.
The God of War would never leave this place, but at least Kit would sleep at night knowing Anuket would get her dying wish—to be with the male she loved.
Kit stepped out the door and slammed it shut. Menthu crawled across the floor and scooped Anuket into his arms. The sounds of Menthu’s weeping brought tears to Kit’s eyes.
Kamen pulled her into his warm embrace. “You may have well just saved his soul.”
“Maybe.” Kit stared at all the other cells that lined the walls. “Good thing we’re immortal because this may take a while.”
“That’s enough work for today,” Kamen said, gripping her tighter against his hips.
“Yes, my King.” She kissed him, reveling in how far both of them had come to share this moment. A moment she would cherish, forever and always.
Please turn the page for an exciting
sneak peek
of the next novel in
Jean Murray’s
Key to the Cursed Series
SOUL AVENGED
Fall 2016
Soul SacrifiCed
Watch for the series prequel
Spring 2016
Sneak Peek
Soul Avenged
Book 5
Inpu parted the reeds, following the blood-stained trodden grass. Hunting Nebt, he had followed her to Duat and slipped in before the barrier was sealed. The pain feeding his hatred kept him searching to find the goddess who had destroyed his life.
Betrayed and humiliated, he had turned his hatred inward. Festering to a point, he had lost his purpose. Lost his way. He watched with apathy, not caring who won the war. A sign that he needed to leave this world.
He entered the split in the stone and followed the black blood trail. Approaching the core of the mountain, heat and sulfur filled the tight tunnel.
Nebt stood at the precipice of the burning moat.
Red eyes targeted him and her hand fell away from her chest, revealing a large ragged hole. Her chest cavity empty of her soul. “You are too late.”
Inpu paused. His once beautiful wife had been completely consumed by evil. No goodness remained. The love they had shared—absent. And now the piece o
f his soul he had given to her was gone.
“You will never be free of me. I will always live inside of you.” Nebt sneered and leapt into the fiery moat.
Inpu rushed forward and snagged her wrist. He grappled to hold himself from falling over.
Even now she wished to cause him pain by leaving him. Not this time. “If you go, we go together,” he said and stepped to the edge.
“No,” Nebt hissed. She clawed at his grip.
“In life and in death, my dear.”
Nebt screamed as Inpu released his hold on the rock.
Inpu jerked back, denied of his descent.
Kit held him by his black robe, her eyes ablaze with fire. “It is not your time, Priest. We have much to clean up, you and I.” Ammut pulled him back from the ledge. “You can visit here another day.”
Inpu stared down at Nebt, still gripped in his fist.
“Free her, Priest,” Ammut commanded.
“He is weak and pathetic,” Nebt snarled.
“Let go.”
He shook his head. “No.”
“She has hidden the Book of the Dead, I need your help to find it.”
So long he wanted to be rid of her, but he could not let her go. Not now.
Ammut grabbed Nebt’s wrist and pulled it free of his hand. The loss of her weight had him stumbling back.
“You are not worthy,” Ammut said to Nebt and then released her. The Underworld goddess flailed as she descended into the fiery pit, her screams swallowed by the molten rock.
“No!” Inpu threw himself over the ledge but was blocked by Ammut powerful arms.
“When the book is found, then you may join her,” Ammut said, pushing him away from his death. His wife. His only chance to silence his pain.
A part of Nebt would always be with him, festering in his soul and reminding him of his failures. He stared at the beast, knowing this pain was only beginning.
Acknowledgments
First, I want to say that this series has bloomed into something far more than I ever imagined in the beginning. The readers’ acceptance of my world has inspired me to expand the original trilogy into a larger series which will be at least seven books. Readers, thank you for your continued support!