have been the strangle-your-enemies power that Dr. Hassan told us about.
Out loud, I said, “I’m sorry, Horus. I didn’t intend to injure you.”
“I know that at least a part of you didn’t want to. Not truly. It’s why your power faded.”
“What do you mean?”
“When you and your lioness are not of the same mind about something, your power doesn’t work. The only time you can act as individuals is when the other acquiesces or sleeps.”
“Interesting. But it still doesn’t excuse your behavior. Why are you here?”
He winced as if my words caused him pain. “Forgive my audacity, but I remain in your thrall. Please know that I couldn’t even conceive of causing you harm. My only desire is to be close to you.”
I found my gut response to slap his face, stomp on his instep, and knee him where it would hurt him the most being nullified by my alter ego. What are you doing? I mentally hissed at Tia.
Horus would make a powerful mate, she explained. You have Amon. What does that leave for me?
I realized then that Tia’s feelings for Amon might not be the same as mine. Were we destined to have an emotional tug-of-war over control of our heart?
“I beg you not to go,” he said, interrupting my thoughts. “The netherworld is dangerous. It’s unlikely you’ll survive, let alone rescue your”—he frowned—“boy. Stay here with me. You’ll grow to cherish me over time, just as I do you. There are so many things I can show you. Teach you. I can take you to a world where we can swim in a purple ocean and float on pink clouds. I can keep you warm on a planet of sparkling ice that casts prisms of light so high into the sky that the world is encased in rainbow hues. With me you’ll never experience pain, sorrow, or death.” Horus took a step closer and touched his forehead to mine. “Stay with me and be my love. Or, if that is not something you can do, then…just stay.”
This time Tia wasn’t the only one moved by his words, and I knew that was inherently dangerous. His promises stirred the air, wrapping around us, brushing against our defenses. The wispy tendrils seemed to touch the tender spots of my consciousness. It was tempting. How easy it would be to just let everything go and remain in the golden city of Heliopolis. Not worrying about the complications of being a sphinx. Not feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Just heading off to the far reaches of the universe and seeing the amazing wonders these gods have created.
Tia was the one to pull back this time. She’d wanted to experience the passion he offered, to perhaps find a mate of her own, but she wasn’t willing to give up our quest. Flashes of our prior dream filled my mind. We must stop the Unmaker. He is not what we…what I…need at this time.
Closing my eyes, I nodded. Grateful for her acquiescence, and giving Horus a tight smile, I determinedly pushed against his chest and stepped away. Turning to the mirror, I looked up at him in the reflection. “We must fulfill our purpose,” I said. “We are flattered…no…we are privileged,” I amended, “to have one such as you find us interesting. Honestly, we don’t know what awaits us and we are frightened, but we must try. Do you understand?”
Horus didn’t reply immediately but ran his hand around to the back of his neck. His eyes were wild with fear, and he was desperately seeking something, anything to dissuade us. I gazed at him steadily, confidently, and he finally straightened and nodded. “I do.” He lifted a hand toward me and then stopped as if he thought better of it. With his head lowered, he said, “Will you allow me to help you prepare?”
I turned, surprised. “I thought everything was done.”
“Not quite.”
He picked up a small jar and poured some of its contents into his hand. The scent of perfume wafted around me. “What is it?” I asked.
Indicating I should turn around, he rubbed his palms together and stroked his fingertips down my neck. “It’s a mixture of oil and myrrh, the purest oil in the cosmos. It’s taken from a flower that grows in the snow at the upper altitudes of a mountainous planet a great distance away.” Horus moved to my side and took my hand, then pushed the sleeve of the robe all the way up