by Lisa Shea
Robert slammed his hilt into the side of the man’s head, and the man collapsed back against the rough ground.
Three more Egyptian soldiers appeared at the bottom of the street.
I dove to support Robert as he staggered back. “Stay with me, Robert.” An open pair of wooden doors was up a set of steps to the left, and I helped him up the flight and into the shadowed building. I propped him up against the wall and then turned, closing the heavy doors and sliding the bar in place.
I leaned against it, drawing in a deep breath, before turning.
We were in a temple. Three stories tall, built of stone, a series of large windows along the top level let in streaming golden light. The inside of the temple was intricately carved with all manner of symbols, while rows of beautifully carved statues lined each side.
At the center of an exquisitely tiled floor of blue and white was a massive sculpture.
It showed three women in flowing robes.
My breath caught. “Is it the three fates?”
Robert shook his head, staggering forward. “No. These are the trio of goddesses involved in birth, death, and rebirth.” He pointed as he moved. “Hathor, the goddess of birth. Nephthys, the goddess of death. And, of course, Isis, the goddess of Rebirth. Isis, who, when her beloved Osiris was slain, brought him back to life.”
I stared at the life-sized image of Isis. Her elaborate headdress held a throne within it, and in one hand she held an ankh – the symbol of rebirth.
I moved around the trio, soaking the image in. When this had all begun, I was sitting beneath a similar statue, of three women who controlled the fate of all. And here we had a nearly identical message.
Solid hammering came at the door.
Robert spun, his sword out. His voice was a vow. “I will not let them harm you.”
My mind was still lost in the past. Or was it the future? I’d had a mask with me. My hand went to my waist, and sure enough there was a small, leather pouch hanging there. I could feel the shape of the mask within.
I stared up into Isis’s serene face. “What happened to Osiris?”
He glanced at me in confusion, but answered evenly, his focus returning to the hammering at the doors. “Osiris had a younger brother, Seth, who was jealous of all that Osiris had. The love of Isis. The respect of their community. Seth envied the courage and kindness that the couple showed at every turn.”
He winced as his leg shuddered. “Seth laid a trap for Osiris, at an elegant banquet. Seth violated the peace of that gathering. He captured Osiris, killed him, and divided him up into pieces.”
The hammering grew louder.
I held Robert’s gaze. “Go on.”
His leg gave way, and he stumbled down to sit before Isis. His voice became tight with pain. “Isis adored Osiris and was inconsolable. She would do anything to have her beloved back. So she set out to find every single piece of him. When she had restored all the pieces, she breathed life into him and brought him back to her. They were, at last, together again.”
The idea shimmered in my mind. We were restoring the pieces.
My brow creased. “Do you have a brother?”
He shook his head. “I am an only child.” He gave a wry smile. “Although there’s this rumor that –”
One of the door’s hinges gave way in a creaking shudder.
He tried to push to his feet, but his leg simply would not hold. A pool of blood lay beneath him.
I dropped to my knees at his side and drew out the mask. I could see it now had an ostrich feather detailed down each side of it.
I held it out to him. “Put this on.”
He glanced uncertainly at the mask. “Elizabeth …”
I gently caressed his cheek. “For me. Put this on.”
Another hinge shuddered.
He nodded and put down his sword. He reached out for the mask. I helped him slip the ribbon over his head so it held in place.
I took his hands in my own, looking into those eyes I knew so well. Emotion swelled within me, and I knew what I felt was real.
“Robert, I love you. I love you from the very depths of my soul. Go now, to safety. Go away from here. When the Egyptians break in, they will only find a Roman soldier and his Egyptian prisoner. They will set me free. You must escape.”
His fingers held mine. “I have only just found you –”
I shook my head, my gaze holding his. “We are always together,” I promised him. “You will find me, and re-find me, and we will make ourselves whole again.”
I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his.
My heart glowed with love, with joy, and with serenity.
Thunderous noise filled my ears.
*
My father’s doctor’s outfit, already stained from countless campaigns, was spattered with fresh blood as he finished tying off the bandage of the unconscious soldier lying on the table within our hospital tent. The shadows guttered as the torches around us moved in the dusk breeze. He nodded to me and I gathered up the gear of our work – the bone-saw, scalpel, and other devices, moving them to the side table. If the furious exchange of gunfire and cannon from down the slope were any sign, we would need them again soon. The War of the Rebellion was supposed to be short. Concise. The Union forces swooping in to bring the rabble of the Confederacy to heel. Instead, here we were, deep in bodies at Gettysburg, and there was no sign of the battle letting up.
My father sighed, running a hand through his greying hair. “Ah, Elizabeth, I would give anything for you to be home safely with your stepmother in Massachusetts. And yet I must say you have been the most invaluable help here. You have saved the lives of countless men with your quick thinking and fine skills.”
I smiled fondly at him. “I learned from the very best, Father. And you know that I never would have remained home, while you were here doing your utmost to help others. My place is here, by your side.”
The sound of a horse’s scream, high-pitched and hoarse, echoed across the din.
He shook his head, his gaze shadowing with worry. “Tomorrow we will move further from the front lines. It is just too risky, having you this close to the fighting.”
“And yet this is where we are most needed,” I countered. “I know the risk. And I accept it gladly. We will do what we can for as long as we can. Our soldiers depend on us. Just as we depend on them.”
He gave me a fond smile. “You are a good lass. So much like your mother, God rest her soul.” He looked over at the saws and knives. “Now, go fetch us some water. We’ll need to boil it quick, to be ready for the next wave.”
I nodded and grabbed up the wooden pail, heading out toward the stream.
A noise came from the shadows, and I froze.
A group of five rebel soldiers in rag-tag outfits had somehow gotten through our lines. They held sabers out in their hands; their eyes gleamed with blood lust.
They spotted me and lit into a run.
I screamed.
Suddenly a man charged from behind them. He was a rebel as well, but to my utter shock he slammed into the back of his companion, driving him to the ground. The second he took out with a punch to the head.
The other three spun on him in surprise. The first called out, “Robert, what –”
Robert laid him out with a punch to the temple.
The other two weren’t taking chances. They dove at him with swords high.
Robert hacked at the first one, driving into the shoulder and opening a wound I knew could never heal.
The second was more ready. He swung hard at Robert’s side, opening a long gash into his hip. Robert groaned in agony, but rotated, whipping around to impale his sword into the man’s stomach.
The man fell back, gasping.
Robert drew his sword clear, then turned to look at me.
I couldn’t breathe. It was him. The man I had dreamt about. My father had told me they were fantasies. Mere inventions of my mind to cope with the horrific sights which were part of my daily lif
e as a nurse on the battlefield.
And yet here he stood.
Alive.
Real.
His hand stretched out to me.
“Come with me if you wish to live.”
Thank you for reading Destiny Interrupted box set 1! The next book in this series is Civil War Destiny –
http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Destiny-Romantic-Mini-Adventures-ebook/dp/B00XEW1PW8/
I will compile a box set 2 as soon as finish up book 20 J.
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Half of all author’s proceeds from this series benefit battered women’s shelters.
About the Author
Lisa Shea has always faced the time-sink challenge of adoring far too many different time periods in history. For over ten years she ran a feudal Japan newsletter. She’s written twelve books set in medieval times. She treasures her native American ancestors and has written two books featuring them.
Then came the idea of writing a romantic adventure which had the main characters time hopping between these different cultures she enjoys so much. The concept filled her with delight. Now she could share her love of all these cultures!
The stories are deliberately written to be short. Yes, she also enjoys writing epic-length novels that delve into the intricate details of medieval life or the struggles of the Lumbee tribe in the nineteenth century. But there are readers who simply do not have the time to invest in those sagas. These short stories are the solution for readers who are looking for quick snippets of stories to enjoy at a bus stop or waiting for an appointment.
As always, all feedback is appreciated.
Dedication
These books would not be possible without the help and support of the loyal fans:
Ruth, whose support and encouragement sustains me in all things.
Tom H who has insightful ideas.
Kathleen, a fantastic cheerleader and idea-bringer.
Martin, Helen, Sheri, Annalisa, Elmi, Sonia, Heather Anne, Cathy, Gary, and Blake, who all offered wonderful suggestions.
Most of all, my darling partner, Bob, who has supported me in my dreams for nearly twenty years.
Map
I love tracking statistics and numbers. I was intrigued to find that my stories in this series tended to be fairly Euro-centric. Perhaps that reflects the type of reading I tend to do? It encourages me to expand my own horizons and learn more about the many wonderful cultures we have here on earth!
Free Books
I have nearly two hundred stories published. I have written fiction and non-fiction. I have published epic novels, regular-length novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories.
Here are a collection of my free books for you to try and enjoy!
Table of Contents
1 - Destiny Interrupted
2 – Venice Destiny
3 – Pompeii Destiny
4 – Scotland Destiny
5 – Japan Destiny
6 – Navajo Destiny
7 – Warsaw Destiny
8 – Titanic Destiny
9 – Paris Destiny
10 – Caesar Destiny
About the Author
Dedication
Map
Free Books