Servant of Chaos (Forgotten Gods Book 3)
Page 7
"I hope you're right." He glanced out onto the poll of water.
The sun reflected off it, making it appear as if thousands of tiny jewels sparkled at us.
"The moment it gets too dangerous, I'll leave," I promised. Though I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep that one. If it got too dangerous, then it would likely be too late for me to get out of the temple. That fact hung in the air between us, but neither of us felt the need to voice it out loud. Maybe because we knew that setting it free into the world would likely mean I cracked and agreed to stay with him, destroying our chance of doing something about Seth.
"I'll be here. The same time every week, waiting. If you need me sooner..." He swallowed the rest of his words.
"I won't need you sooner," I responded. "I'll make sure I don't do anything that involves getting caught until it's nearly time to meet you again," I promised. It was another thing we knew might not always work. I wasn't privy to most of the information we needed, which meant I'd have to grab it when I could.
"Alright." He didn't look happy.
Despite that, a small part of me was relieved that he respected my wishes, even when he disagreed with them.
"I'll be here next week." That was a promise I intended to keep. "And the week after, and the one after that."
"Soon after sundown?" he checked.
I nodded. "And then I'm yours until sunup."
"You're already late today, then." He leaned toward me.
"I am, yes," I whispered, moving closer to him.
He closed the distance and gave me a tender kiss. I lost myself in him one last time. If there was any chance this was going to be my last kiss with Abu, then I was going to make the most of it.
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER...
I breathed in the now-familiar smells of the oasis. In a weird way, this was starting to feel like home, even though I only spent one night a week here. Maybe it was because this was the only place I felt like I could truly be myself.
Abu already stood in front of the pool of water, anxiously looking around as if trying to spot me. He was always here early. I was reasonably certain he liked watching for me and seeing that I was heading towards him.
I waved, and even from this distance, I could see his face lighting up. He longed for these moments as much as I did. He waved back.
Without thinking twice about it, I half-ran to him and jumped into his arms. Our lips met, and I relaxed for the first time in a week. He had that effect on me.
We'd fallen into a comfortable rhythm, especially once we realised the serious talking could wait until later. The first few hours were about spending as much time with one another as we could. Touching one another, joining as one, and discovering all the small details. I'd never felt like this about anyone before. I'd never let myself.
He set me down, and I let out a little whimper.
Abu chuckled. "I've got a present for you."
My eyes lit up. I didn't think anyone had ever gotten me a present before. I sat down on the blanket and waited. Until a horrible realisation washed over me.
"I didn't get you anything," I whispered.
"I don't need a present," he assured me.
"That's not the point," I countered.
"It is. Please close your eyes?"
I did, but only because the look he gave me promised that there wouldn't be any arguing about this.
"Hands out."
I flattened my palms and held them out in his direction.
Softly, he placed something on them. Whatever it was, it wasn't heavy, or particularly big. Other than that, I had no idea what he was up to.
"Can I open my eyes?" I asked after what felt like an age.
"Yes."
I did, and immediately gasped. A beautiful pair of red slippers sat in my hands. "They're too much," I whispered.
"They're not," he responded immediately.
"People will notice if I wear these around the temple," I whispered, tears threatening. I hated the idea of having to turn down his present, but it might be the only option I had.
"I thought about that. These are part of your power as a goddess."
I groaned. "This again?"
"Just trust me, please?"
I sighed. "Alright." I kicked off the sandals I was wearing and put the slippers on in their place. They fit perfectly, far better than they should, given I wasn't with him when he bought them.
"They're specially made to adapt to your needs. Other people won't see them as red. They'll see what they expect to see."
"Oh." That was useful. I had to admit.
"And supposedly, they're good for sneaking around and going unnoticed."
My eyes widened. That was even more useful. "Where did you even get them?"
"It doesn't matter." An uneasy look crossed his face, like he knew I wouldn't like what he was going to say next. "But this is what you can be the goddess of."
"Red shoes?" I laughed lightly.
"If it helps you believe that you are one, then it will do."
"Alright, I'll be the goddess of red shoes." My whole body began to tingle, as if something had triggered inside me. "What's happening?" I stammered.
"The first person who has to believe in you being a goddess, is you." A smug smile accompanied his words, but I couldn't bring myself to say anything to wipe it away.
"Oh." I was a goddess? After all the denials and disbelief, I actually was a goddess. At least that made my situation in Seth's temple a little less precarious. Even if he tried, he wouldn't be able to kill me.
A loud laugh escaped me.
Abu leaned in and kissed me, capturing the euphoria pouring off me in waves.
I no longer had to worry about death. Or that I'd have to say goodbye to Abu. He was mine, and I was his. And we had an eternity together. It might take some time for us to get there, but no one would be able to take it away from us.
He was my future. And I was a goddess who deserved to be at his side.
THE END
Thank you for reading Servant of Chaos, I hope you've enjoyed Rhodopis’ story. If you want to continue the Forgotten Gods series, you can with Devourer Of Hearts, which follows Ammit: http://books2read.com/devourerofhearts
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Servant Of Chaos is one of the first-ever books I planned to write, though back then it was called Rhodopis (I even had a cover!) and it was going to be a little bit different. I actually ended up changing the plot multiple times as I didn't feel that it fit what I wanted from the story. After the Forgotten Gods series was born, it found its place. Somewhere it should have been the whole time. A slight title change, and some fleshing out to the plot and twisting of the myth, and this is the result.
Rhodopis herself is a Greco-Egyptian era myth that is often referred to as one of the oldest Cinderella stories. In it, a slave girl ends up married to a Pharaoh after Ra (in bird form) drops red dancing slippers onto her lap. I've woven some elements of the original tale into my story (Rhodopis being a slave, Charaxos being the man who bought her, and Ra being the one who brought Abu into her life, for example) but twisted it in others beyond recognition. She was never a goddess, and never linked to Abu (who is a real, albeit minor, god himself) but who doesn't love a good romance!
While Servant Of Chaos is over, Rhodopis will make an appearance in the Queen Of Gods series, which follows the goddess Hathor.
The one thing that I hope has come across in this series is just how much I love Egyptian mythology. It's been a passion of mine since I was young, and going to Egypt is still one of the highlights of my life. Bringing some of that mythology to life, and combining it with another passion of mine (writing) is like nothing I could ever have imagined. I hope you've enjoyed the series, and will continue to enjoy the other books that I'm setting in the same world.
Finally, I want to say a huge thank you for reading! Readers are what make my dream possible, and I'm grateful for it each and every day!
MORE FROM THE FORGOTTEN GO
DS SERIES
The Forgotten Gods series is based on Egyptian mythology and follows Gods, Goddesses, and other characters from Egyptian mythology. The books are set in the modern world, mostly at the temple of Karnak and Seth’s compound, both separate from the lives of humans. If you want to keep up to date specifically with my Egyptian mythology inspired books, you can in Ani’s Archives.
* * *
The Forgotten Gods Series:
1. Protectors Of Poison - follows Sera (otherwise known as Serket) and Sed as they try to clear her name after Osiris is poisoned.
* * *
2. Daughter Of The Sun - follows Sekhmet and Fetket as she uncovers the reasons she was cursed to be a sphinx, and finds her true self.
* * *
3. Servant Of Chaos - follows Rhodopis (a figure from Greco-Egyptian mythology often called the first Cinderella) and Abu through her life at Seth’s compound.
* * *
4. Devourer Of Hearts - follows Ammit and Tutu as she finds her place in the new world now her role as devourer of hearts.
* * *
5. Acolyte Of Truth - follows Edrice (a High Priestess of Ma’at) and Menefer as she goes through a trial to become a goddess.
* * *
• Priestess Of Truth - a prequel to Acolyte Of Truth following Edrice and Menefer as they meet.
* * *
• Queen Of The Two Lands - a prequel to the series following Isis and Osiris shortly after their marriage.
* * *
• Forgotten Gods Collection 1-3 includes Protectors Of Poison, Daughter Of The Sun, Servant Of Chaos, and Priestess Of Truth
* * *
More is coming in the Forgotten Gods series soon!
* * *
The Queen Of Gods Trilogy
The Queen Of Gods Trilogy follows Hathor and Amun as they help Ma’at against the forces of chaos. It is set after books 1-6 of Forgotten Gods.
1. Quest Of The Goddess
* * *
2. Trust Of The Goddess
* * *
3. Heart Of The Goddess
SENET
Senet is a game of luck and chance that was popular throughout Egyptian history. There are many wall paintings in tombs depicting the deceased playing Senet, as well as elaborate Senet boards provided within the tomb treasure for the deceased's use in the afterlife. Boards played on by the living have also been discovered, though there has never been a complete list of the rules ever found, leaving them open to interpretation.
* * *
While the game is commonly associated with the journey into Duat (the Afterlife) and the game is thought to reflect the journey, that only became the case in newer dynasties. During the Old Kingdom, Senet was a secular game played for fun.
* * *
There are many similarities between Senet and backgammon.
* * *
You can find out more about Senet on my website.
ALSO BY LAURA GREENWOOD
Books in the Obscure World
Ashryn Barker Trilogy (urban fantasy, completed series)
Grimalkin Academy: Kittens Series (paranormal academy, completed series)
Grimalkin Academy: Catacombs Trilogy (paranormal academy, completed series)
City Of Blood Trilogy (urban fantasy)
Grimalkin Academy: Stakes Trilogy (paranormal academy)
The Harpy Bounty Hunter Trilogy (urban fantasy)
The Black Fan (vampire romance)
Sabre Woods Academy (paranormal academy)
The Shadow Seer Association (urban fantasy)
Carnival Of Knives (urban fantasy)
* * *
Books in the Forgotten Gods World
The Queen of Gods Trilogy (paranormal/mythology romance)
Forgotten Gods Series (paranormal/mythology romance)
* * *
The Grimm World
Grimm Academy Series (fairy tale academy)
Fate Of The Crown Duology (Arthurian Academy)
Once Upon An Academy Series (Fairy Tale Academy)
* * *
Books in the Paranormal Council Universe
The Paranormal Council Series (shifter romance, completed series)
The Fae Queen Of Winter Trilogy (paranormal/fantasy)
Thornheart Coven Series (witch romance)
Return Of The Fae Series (paranormal post-apocalyptic, completed series)
Paranormal Criminal Investigations Series (urban fantasy mystery)
MatchMater Paranormal Dating App Series (paranormal romance, completed series)
The Necromancer Council Trilogy (urban fantasy)
Standalone Stories From the Paranormal Council Universe
* * *
Other Series
The Apprentice Of Anubis (urban fantasy in an alternate world)
Untold Tales Series (fantasy fairy tales, completed series)
The Dragon Duels Trilogy (urban fantasy dystopia)
ME Contemporary Standalones (contemporary romance)
Standalones
Seven Wardens, co-written with Skye MacKinnon (paranormal/fantasy romance, completed series)
Tales Of Clan Robbins, co-written with L.A. Boruff (urban fantasy Western)
The Firehouse Feline, co-written with Lacey Carter Andersen & L.A. Boruff (paranormal/urban fantasy romance)
Kingdom Of Fairytales Snow White, co-written with J.A. Armitage (fantasy fairy tale)
* * *
Twin Souls Universe
Twin Souls Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
Dragon Soul Series, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
The Renegade Dragons Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
The Vampire Detective Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (urban fantasy mystery, completed series)
Amethyst’s Wand Shop Mysteries Series, co-written with Arizona Tape (urban fantasy)
* * *
Mountain Shifters Universe
Valentine Pride Trilogy, co-written with L.A. Boruff (paranormal shifter romance, completed series)
Magic and Metaphysics Academy Trilogy, co-written with L.A. Boruff (paranormal academy, completed series)
Mountain Shifters Standalones, co-written with L.A. Boruff (paranormal romance)
* * *
Audiobooks: www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/audio.html
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she can be found drinking ridiculous amounts of tea, trying to resist French Macaroons, and watching the Pitch Perfect trilogy for the hundredth time (at least!)
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR
Website: www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Contents
Copyright
Blurb
Gods, Goddesses, & Characters List
Other Definitions
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Author’s Note
More from the Forgotten Gods series
Senet
Also by Laura Greenwood
About the
Author