I Can See You (The Gods Made Me Do It Book 5)

by Lisa Oliver

  He couldn’t help himself though, thinking about sex again. It was a valid concern. The urge to claim his mate in every way had been unbearably strong at times during their one night together. Silvanus carried the spark of life, Artemas was carrying the very Tree of Life itself. One tiny sperm droplet, with more determination than the others, and either one of them could end up pregnant. History was littered with stories of unwanted pregnancies because a bloke used the infamous “I’ll pull out” statement, and while Artemas didn’t think the same thing would apply to men, with Silvanus’s genetics and his “mating mark” he wasn’t so sure. For all he knew, swallowing after an explosive orgasm could cause a pregnancy if the right forces aligned. Add in the Fates’ desire for more permanent threads for their tapestry, and he was fucked and not in a good way.

  Artemas idly traced Silvanus’s words with his finger. Truth was, he was torn. Artemas had never felt such an instant connection to anyone in his life – Thank you fates and your damn mating concepts – and yet, the threat of pregnancy was very real and any time they were together they couldn’t help but be intimate. It was all part of the mating bug.

  Should I? Shouldn’t I? Damn, but Silvanus already knew how to tempt his curious nature. To see a hidden place, something secret that no man has seen in centuries…. It was so tempting. Too tempting. Cursing himself, Artemas snatched up his jacket and the note and disappeared from the library.

  Chapter Fourteen

  As soon as he felt the tingle in his bond telling him Artemas had arrived, Silvanus waved his hands, covering the table he was sitting at with a high tea fit for royalty. He’d quickly realized, when he first appeared back under the dome he’d created, that he could have a long wait. Artemas came across as a cautious man who tended to over think things. The card and flowers were a step in the right direction, but Silvanus wasn’t silly enough to think Artemas would just come flying into his arms. He could hope, but it wasn’t likely to happen.

  Fortunately, one thing Silvanus had been blessed with was endless patience. He set up a table, a couple of comfortable chairs, and a shade umbrella to cover it all – his wards couldn’t block the rays of the sun. Then he’d settled down, breathing slowly, taking in the life of the desert.

  Back when Silvanus was young, the Western Desert was filled with grasses and scrublands, supporting a wide variety of life. Now, if one just took in the scenery at a glance, all a person would see was sand, sand, a few sandy rocks, and more sand. But that didn’t mean the desert was a barren place. Silvanus liked to think it was more dormant rather than dead, and truthfully when the rare rains did fall, greenery would sprout from the most unlikely of places.

  In the meantime, insects scuttled about, completely unconcerned with Silvanus’s wards. Glancing up, Silvanus saw a larger than life falcon, lazily catching the currents. He tensed momentarily, wondering if another godly being would disturb his tryst. Falcons were more typically found around the Nile and across the Eastern desert, and this bird was bigger than most. But after a while, the bird flew away, and Silvanus relaxed again.

  And now the sun was hovering low in the horizon and Artemas was standing just feet from the table, his eyes wide. “By the fates, what is this place?”

  Getting to his feet, Silvanus swept his arm, pointing to the door of the only structure uncovered. “Welcome to the library of Amun-Ra, unseen by human eyes since, oh, about 5000BC.”

  “Amun-Ra didn’t have a library.” Artemas’s voice was hushed as he looked around. “He was associated with many things including my father Thoth, but, my gods, are you sure?”

  “I was around when it was built,” Silvanus grinned. “Thoth might have been the one ascribed by mortals as the creator of laws, magic and wisdom, but Amun-Ra wasn’t a slouch when it came to putting things on paper, rock, pyramids, and anything else he could think of. He was a collector, a hoarder if you will. Surely, you’ve been to his temple in Karnak.”

  “Frequently.” Artemas was taking everything in. “But in all I’ve read, all I’ve studied over the years… Ra and a library, honestly?”

  “One of the first ever made,” Silvanus assured him. “Scholars today would tell you Alexander the Great’s library at Alexandria would be the oldest in these lands, but he wasn’t the first. He wasn’t even close. The Ebla library in Syria was much older as was the Ugarit library also in Syria. But from when man first started inscribing marks on rocks, there has always been someone else beside him wanting to preserve those squiggles.”

  “But surely,” With his hands up, Artemas gave the impression of wanting to dash up the stairs, and also move closer to Silvanus. “A building like this would’ve been found before now. The shifting sands, the huge increase in curiosity about all things Egyptian. How could it remain hidden and what on earth could it contain?”

  “The how is simple. Ra never intended these items be found and as you say, the sands do a marvelous job of keeping things hidden. As for what is in it,” Silvanus shrugged and then went for a smile. “Why don’t we go inside and find out?”

  “Are you sure we can?” Artemas looked so eager, but he couldn’t let go of his innate cautiousness. “I don’t want to disrespect another god, especially one associated with Thoth.”

  “I doubt even Thoth knows of it’s existence.” Taking a chance he’d be rebuffed, Silvanus closed the distance between them, placing his arm on Artemas’s shoulder, turning him towards the stairs. “Ra’s not a bad guy, and when Thoth broke the curse he put on Nut, allowing her to have children, their father son relationship was strained to put it mildly, despite what was written about it. I’m not saying Thoth did the wrong thing, however, Ra wouldn’t have shared this with Thoth, purely and simply because Thoth would’ve taken it as his own. You, on the other hand, being Ra’s grandson…. Ra sends blessing on our mating.”

  Artemas covered his hand with his mouth and shook his head. “You know, in all my years of existence, I never once considered the great Ra was my grandfather. I mean, I know he was the father of the Egyptian pantheon, and I knew he was Thoth’s father, but I’ve never met him, I have only studied about him as much as I do any of the other Egyptian gods. My affiliation, because I lived under the sea with Poseidon, has always been with the Greek gods.”

  “The Mother and I used to joke you guys should really all try to get along with each other,” Silvanus chuckled remembering the high teas he shared with the Mother, much like he hoped to share with his mate. “But come. Ra was more than happy to let me show you his collection as a gift celebrating our mating. But it comes with a limited time frame. When the sun rises again, this place will be buried again – somewhere else I imagine.”

  So that’s how I get my mate moving. Dangle the written word in front of him, Silvanus thought as he followed his mate into the darkened interior of Amun-Ra’s library.

  /~/~/~/~/

  Artemas was truly stunned at the thoughtfulness of Silvanus’s gift. He knew very little about Ra, writing off the god as the Helios equivalent – despite the god being the ruler of the sun and all the gods in the Egyptian pantheon. But as he stepped inside a room untouched by light for over five thousand years, he felt a tingle of recognition, an awareness of family and of coming home.

  The wards, he realized. The wards recognize me as Ra’s family. Unsure what to think about that, Artemas looked around. Obviously, given the age of the collection, it wasn’t as though he’d see books lined up on wooden shelves. But his eyes gleamed in the dim light, nonetheless. Tablets of various sizes, some of granite, some marble and still others of crumbling sandstone, were placed around a room roughly twenty yards squared. On the walls, Artemas recognized hieroglyphics, depicting Ra, with the sun disc on his head, and others showing his human form. Artemas recognized the nose – it was one he saw every time he looked in the mirror.

  Silvanus clapped, and more light appeared, allowing Artemas to see more clearly. “See here,” Silvanus joked, pointing to a particular tablet covered in symbols. “I wrote this on
e myself. Ra had been having a bad day. I think it was not long after Thoth came into existence, actually. He decided, for goodness knows whatever reason, to try and encourage an Ibis to drink wine. The whole scene was hilarious, and I did my best to capture it.”

  “It’s so hard to comprehend,” Artemas said, kneeling by the stone Silvanus indicated, running his hands lightly over the carvings. “How you’re older than my father, older than my grandfather even, and yet you were fated to be with me.”

  “I couldn’t be happier,” Silvanus’s teeth glistened. “But look here, here’s a story Ra wrote himself, about a meeting with the Mother. She was not impressed with him at the time, but Ra, being the god he was, refused to allow himself to be shown in a negative light when he recorded the meeting afterward.”

  Sure enough, as Artemas looked, he could see the tree of life bent, as though worshipping the sun. “No wonder he hid that away,” Artemas chuckled. “I can’t see the Mother being pleased with that.”

  “There’s so much more to see. Take your time,” Silvanus encouraged. “Read them all, if that’s what your heart desires. Perhaps, when you’re finished, you might join me for a cup of tea.”

  “Silvanus,” Artemas flexed his fingers, and then quickly stilled them. “You have no idea how precious this is to me. I can’t even….”

  “Search, read, enjoy yourself,” Silvanus broke in kindly. “I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”

  Artemas watched as his mate strode out of the silent hall, until he was out of sight. I must do better by that man, he thought as he turned back to the waiting stones.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The sky had been dark for hours when Silvanus finally saw Artemas leave the library hall. He’d busied himself, while waiting, thinking about how best to broach the uncomfortable topic of the favor he’d wrested from the Fates. Given it was such a sensitive topic for Artemas, Silvanus didn’t want to put his foot in it again. But as he’d thought, and watched the stars appear in the clear night sky, he decided all he could be was honest with his mate and take the consequences as they fell. Hopefully, reading some untouched stones would put his mate in a good mood.

  With the sun gone, the night air was chilly, and Silvanus had a fire pit roaring, along with fresh food. Doubting his mate had eaten since breakfast, Silvanus arranged plates of meats, salads, a hearty stew favored by the Mother, along with breads, cheeses and a carafe of wine he’d made himself. Artemas smiled, a genuine one this time as he saw all the food, but instead of taking his chair, as Silvanus expected, he came around the table and crouched by Silvanus’s legs, resting a warm hand on Silvanus’s thigh.

  “You are truly an incredible man,” Artemas said softly. Silvanus was struck by the sheer intensity of his mate’s eyes. “I know of no other who would accept my disrespectful outburst, and then take the time to find a gift that truly spoke to the heart of who I am. Saying thank you seems so inadequate at times.”

  “I meant it when I said you meant the world to me.” Silvanus laid his hand over Artemas’s, slowly rubbing his thumb along his mate’s fingers. “You should know, when I spoke to the Fates originally, I was in deep despair. I truly didn’t see the point in my existence anymore. And when the Fates asked what could be done to give me a change of heart, I spoke rashly, without thinking, demanding a mate and children of my own. When I met you, saw you for the first time looking so self-contained and haughty, bathed in the guiding lights from the Fates, I knew in that instant, if you’d be mine, that my life would never feel empty again.”

  “The children idea,” Artemas bowed his head. “No matter how much my heart longs to give you all you desire, at this point in time I’d be lying to myself if I agreed to them. Even if it means losing you, even if it means our bond is broken, all I can offer is the truth, and honestly, I don’t think our relationship could stand the strain of that lie if we went through with it.”

  “You’re entirely right.” Silvanus nudged Artemas’s chin up with his fingers so he could look him directly in the eyes. “Which is why I did not and will not lie to you. The Fates have promised no more interference. If and when we decide to try for children, it will be on our say-so, not theirs.”

  “You commanded the Fates?” If it wasn’t for Silvanus’s finger under his chin, Artemas’s mouth would have dropped open.

  “I reminded them they owed us a favor, considering they’d damaged our brand new relationship and hurt you deeply in the bargain. Unfortunately,” Silvanus debated whether to confide more, but Artemas deserved the truth. “The Fates believed you to be a lot like Poseidon, and felt when faced with an unwanted pregnancy, that you’d just settle down and get used to the idea.”

  “I have lost track of the number of half-siblings I might have.” Artemas shook his head. “Even the four sons Poseidon supposedly raised, were left for the most part without guidance. Only now, millions of years into his existence has Sei finally learned what it means to be a parent with the birth of his twins. There are no children attributed to my name. I would never be that careless, so how could the Fates not know that?”

  Silvanus had wondered the same thing himself, but he wasn’t about to tell Artemas the Fates made a mistake because he kept such a large part of his thoughts and desires of the heart secret. Now was the time for coming together, not forcing old wounds. “They admitted their mistake,” Silvanus said, “and granted us a favor in return. No matter how we indulge in our intimate relations, no thread will be attached to our bonding until we advise the Fates we’re ready to try. I have their word on that.”

  “So, we can do anything without consequence?” The side of Artemas’s lip turned up. “That has to be the most unusual form of birth control I’ve ever heard of.”

  Chuckling, Silvanus pulled Artemas to his feet, and then wrapped his arms around his mate’s waist, resting his head on Artemas’s belly. Strong slender fingers brushed through his hair, and Silvanus breathed deeply, enjoying the moment for what it was. Far in the distance was the cry of a jackal, and somewhere closer a random breeze swooshed through the sand and made it dance. The only light came from the stars above, and not a man-made sound could be heard. It was a perfect moment – a split second in time when nothing mattered except holding his mate close and enjoying the quiet.

  Until it was rudely interrupted. Artemas’s stomach chose that moment to make its needs known, loud gurglings sounding under Silvanus’s ear. Looking up, Silvanus could see the hint of blush on his mate’s face. “Will you enjoy a meal with me?” He asked, taking the chance and running his hands down over Artemas’s ass. “There’s plenty of food here, and we don’t have to risk being disturbed by anyone.”

  “The perfect date.” Artemas’s teeth gleamed in the firelight. “And when the food is done, will you take me somewhere equally safe, so we can finally claim each other in every way?”

  “We could do that here.” Silvanus’s cock started to plump up just thinking about it.

  But Artemas shook his head. “If you think I’m getting sand in my privates, you can think again. You must have somewhere in mind, that’s a little less grainy?”

  Silvanus thought of his glade. As a god of the land and forests, he didn’t need a home. He could perch on any tree branch and sleep the sleep of the dead. But his mate was used to more comfort and it would take a very big tree branch to hold them both, and support them with the acrobatics Silvanus had planned. “I have the perfect place,” he promised, lightly tapping Artemas’s butt. “But let’s eat first, before that stomach of yours deafens me.”

  “You should eat too.” Artemas’s grin took up his whole mouth now. “I have plans that require you to be your energetic best.” Dropping a quiet kiss on Silvanus’s head, Silvanus felt rather than heard a whispered “Thank you.” Taking his seat, Artemas flicked a napkin over his lap and lifted one of the food covers. “Hmm, lamb, my favorite. Should we have some music do you think?”

  And so it was, just like a scene in a romantic movie, Silvanus found himself on
the best date of his life. Wine flowed, music played softly in the background, and even the desert seemed to sigh as the two men talked, laughed, and played footsie under the table. Safe in their little cocoon, it was easy not to notice a glaring pair of eyes watching them from a safe distance away.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “This space is beautiful. How is it, no one has ever found this place? Are we even on earth anymore?” Filled with good food, relaxed thanks to the wine and sparkling conversation, Artemas was happy to give his hand to Silvanus at the end of the night and allow him to transport him wherever the man wanted to go. A private tranquil glade was the last place he expected to find himself, and Artemas looked around, stunned at how peaceful it all seemed. His tattoo prickled with energy as though recognizing a synergy with the life in the glade.

  “This place is a trick of light and time.” Silvanus moved behind him, his chest solid against Artemas’s back. “A present from the Mother when land became in short supply. Technically, we’re in Africa, but this is a slice of what the world used to look like before man took control. There is no place you could drive to, or fly over, and find this glade. It’s set apart. A part of the world, but not, if that makes sense.”

  “Like Poseidon’s domain.” Artemas leaned back, secure Silvanus wouldn’t let him fall, putting a bit of a grind in his ass as it met a substantial bulge. “Do you spend much time in the world, as it is now?”

  “Not as much as I should, most likely. I’ve thought about it many times.” Silvanus’s breath was warm on his ear. “Maybe offering my time as a park ranger, or a wilderness guide, but….”

  “It would be difficult, getting involved on a personal level with an environment you’re so passionate about.” Artemas understood. He stayed in touch with the human world often enough to know what fork to use for dinner and how to blend in with a crowd. He spent centuries studying historic places and artifacts, purely because history was easier to handle than every day dramas.