communicate like this when we are both in the dream world.”
I cracked open my dream-self’s eyes by sheer determination alone and saw Amon’s form sleeping with his head resting on his arm. A large purple bruise decorated the exposed side of his face and the light from a fire danced over his skin. I longed to run my hand up his arm and press a light kiss to his temple and even attempted to reach out to him, but it was no use. Our dream selves couldn’t touch. The mental effort exhausted me, and I was about to slip back into my happy dream world when I heard Amon speak again.
“You must try to stay awake and listen, Young Lily. I know you’re tired, but this is important. You cannot do this. Do you understand me? I will not permit you to endanger yourself for me. Not for any reason.”
Amon’s intensity dispersed the darkness that offered sweet respite. I sputtered, “But Isis said—”
“Trusting the gods is a foolhardy endeavor. They only want to protect themselves. I will be well enough off, and I promise I will find a way to wait for you and will meet you again when it is time for you to pass on to the next plane of existence. That will only happen after you have lived a long life filled with love and mortal experience. You must not think of me or of this. This path that you are attempting is too dangerous.”
“But it’s the only way to save you. The Devourer will come for you, Amon. She will consume your heart and destroy the world. I won’t let that happen.”
He was silent for a moment. “Tell me everything they said,” he urged.
I rehearsed to him all the details I could remember, and when I was done, I asked, “Amon? Are you still there?”
“I am here, Nehabet.”
“So do you see? This isn’t just about us anymore. This is about protecting the world.”
Quietly, he asserted, “It would have been better had the two of us never met. Perhaps then I would be, if not happy in my calling, then at least compliant.”
I swallowed. “Do you really regret meeting me?” I asked, almost afraid to hear his answer.
“Lily.” His voice broke and there was such longing, such despair attached to my name that the weight of it crushed my heart.
“I love you, Amon, and I have no regrets either,” I declared. “That includes doing what I have to do now. I will find a way to you. I promise.”
“If you are determined to walk this path, then there is nothing I can do to stop you.”
“But you would rather I didn’t.”
“The loss of the whole world holds less meaning for me than the loss of one lovely hair on your head.”
“Amon.” I sighed his name, wishing he were holding me in his arms. “I’ve got to do this.”
“Then I will watch over you and advise you when opportunity permits.”
“Just stay alive until I get there. Otherwise, this will all have been for nothing.”
“I will make every effort.”
“So do you have any advice for me now?”
“Embrace your instincts.”
“That’s not very specific.”
“You will understand when the time comes.” I sensed there was more he wanted to tell me but he couldn’t bring himself to. Finally, he said, “I wish I could be with you. Protect you. I am pained to know that danger stalks you.”
“I think danger stalks you more than it does me.”
“There is no beast, no demon, more ferocious than the fear I feel knowing there is nothing I can do to help you.”
“Isis did give me her tears. That is supposed to protect me from at least some of the monsters.”
“Yes.” He sighed. “But only those that fear her wrath. And in the netherworld, those are not many.”
“If it makes you feel better. I wish you were with me, too.”
He said nothing for a moment as he thought, and then murmured, “Perhaps I can be.”
“Really?” I asked, excited by the prospect. “How?”
“To be clear, it won’t be me. Not really. But since we are linked, you can use my power to call upon Nebu.”
“Nebu, the desert stallion?”
“Yes. There is the possibility that he might not heed your call, but seeking his protection is worth trying.”
“Okay.”
Amon and I practiced the spell to call Nebu until his words changed from warnings and instruction to soft promises and whispered wishes that warmed my heart.
At some point, our minds drifted, but the memory of our entwined thoughts sustained me in