“Would it really?” Bastet took a graceful sip of her drink and eyed Ra over the glass. “Tell me, my Lord, if you and your mates had the choice between a stuffy robe infested ritual celebration on your realm, or a family-style barbecue and grill afternoon here at your home, which would you choose?”
“Egyptian gods do barbecue?” Of course, it was Arvyn who asked.
“Osiris has spent decades perfecting the most succulent grilled steak, and my salads have been known to have grown men drooling,” Bastet teased. Then she turned serious, her eyes kind as she focused on Ra. “Truly, my lord, it would do the heart of your people so much good if you’d invite them into your home. I can understand your reluctance, we all can. Between that nasty business with Seth, and the unfortunate downfall of Thoth, your heart must be weary from grief.”
“It’s not been easy.” Ra leaned on Kirill’s side, his hand taken by Arvyn. “I have lived with the idea that all beings have free will for as long as I’ve been alive, but there is still so much I feel I don’t know about my beloved children and it’s not easy to get past thoughts that I have let them down in some way.”
“Your beloved Kirill has gone through similarly painful thoughts relating to his own people,” Bastet said kindly as she smiled at the staunch looking vampire. “The Fates did well in your joining, giving you someone who could understand and empathize with your disappointments, as well as the delightful Arvyn who is the sunshine who keeps you all focused on what’s good in this life.”
Bastet was right, as per usual, and Ra felt a warm glow of pride, knowing that was coming from his mates. “The love we all share, is a very powerful force in its own right.”
“Then please, will you consider sharing that love with your people.” Bastet leaned forward on her chair, her elbows resting on her knees. Flicking her hair back from her face, she said, “You have been an amazing father, letting us all develop and create lives of our own here on earth when we were no longer needed by mortals. But no matter how distant we might seem as people sometimes, we’re all part of a powerful pantheon, and the source of that power comes from you. It would give heart to a lot of our kind if you would allow this barbecue, and let our people witness the love you’ve found.”
“We have a barbecue and grill that barely gets used,” Arvyn said excitedly. “We could get a karaoke machine, and a sound system so people could dance if they wanted. It’s not like food will be a problem.”
“We could invite some of our other friends too like Paulie and Zeus and their little one,” Kirill added. “Wes and Cass too, if they’re not too busy because it’s thanks to them we met.”
“Helios might like to come.” Ra nodded. “I know he sees us, but I haven’t spoken to him in an age. Hades and Poseidon too, if they were keen to come, along with their mates and children. We haven’t met up since Hades’ mating celebration.”
“You have so many good friends.” Bastet’s eyes twinkled. “So, can I let the others know we’re having a party?”
“Yes.” Ra patted his belly. “We’re having a party. It’s time for our people and our friends to come together.” A pang lanced his heart despite his excitement – two of his kind would be missing. There was no guarantee Thoth would ever recover his wits enough to socialize again, and Seth…
“Seth will find his way back into the fold,” Bastet said, and Ra should’ve known his daughter would miss nothing. “You plan to see him again in another month or so, yes?”
“Yes.” Time had flown by so fast. Ra wasn’t sure a mere six months was enough to change the hatred in Seth’s heart. Not when it had been eons in the making.
“You never know.” Bastet winked. “Maybe the Fates will bless him despite his angry ways, and he’ll find a mate of his own down here.”
There’s no guarantee even that will work, given how Seth doesn’t believe in mates. But Ra nodded and smiled. His friends and people were coming. Now was not the time to dwell on the negative few.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It’d been a long and laughter filled day. Deities Arvyn had only read about, and some he’d never heard of, turned up with food and gifts, friendly