The Reward of Love

Chapter 7

Ardeth covered us with what spare fabric his robe allowed blocking the blast of sand. We held onto each other and then there was nothing. Ardeth moved his arm gazing up from the blast to see Anubis standing before us.

The God of death stood a bit taller than his commander. His sun kissed skin glistened under the sun, his wrists and ankles covered in gold and jewels. His collar gleamed with a thousand jewels and his white robes covering his waist line moved in the light breeze. Atop his head was a black mask of a large dog with pointed ears just as I pictured in my visions when he sent me orders. The pupil less golden eyes looked empty but fixated on me and Ardeth. The pharaoh like god raised his hands to remove his mask lowering it to his waist. Black silk fell from his head down his back and chest adorned in golden accessories. His gold eyes remained with pupils that focused on us again. The god of death was gorgeous.

"Lotus Kasi," His deep voice resonated in my chest. "Adom." He bowed respectfully. "Imhotep has given himself into the pits of my hell within Ahm Shere. He is no longer able to return from the dead. Which means the curse that bound you both in reincarnation has been broken." He snapped his fingers and the golden harpoon vanished from my body allowing my strength to return.

I rose to my feet bowing to my master. "Thank you."

His golden eyes shifted to the Medjai behind us. "I still expect my tombs to be guarded. All of them. The Medjai are freed from their bonds allowing for the tribes to move closer to their designated tombs. As for you Adom," Anubis stepped forward to Ardeth. "This life shall be the last for you and Lotus Kasi. Live it well." Anubis returned his helmet to his head and walked into the horizon vanishing like a mirage.

I turned to Ardeth who stood frozen, his mouth still open from the conversation with the god of death. His brown eyes finally moved and landed on me as my mouth fell open in a smile. "We're free." I whispered.

Aredth loosened his grip on his sword before charging me and slamming into me like a train lifting me in his arms crushing me into him laughing the whole time. The Medjai cheered as well knowing they could move to more hospitable and flourishing areas of our world. That finally their families would have enough to survive and flourish. I held onto him tightly burying my face in his shoulder.

Ardeth set me down on my feet one hand on my hip the other lifting my chin to meet his eyes. "Marry me."

I felt my stomach drop and my heart flutter. "What?"
He smiled pulling me closer. "I vowed to find a way to set you free and now if you would have me I would like to make you my wife."

It started small at the corner of my lips pulling upward into the biggest smile I could muster. "Yes." I wrapped my arms around his neck. "A thousand times yes!"

With any remaining horses and Medjai we made our journey towards Ahm Shere to find the oasis had vanished. Not a single trace of the golden pyramid remained except for the dirigible putting around the sky above. The ballooned ship slowly lowered to the dune next to us and the Medjai before running out of whatever fuel Izzy had gathered evaporated.

We rushed over on horseback to find my family fully intact crawling from the deflated ship. I hopped down into the sand rushing for Evy wrapping her in a tight hug.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I said through the lump in my throat.

She hugged me back before letting me go, bringing her son over with Rick. "It's to you and Ardeth that we have our son again."

"So are you going to head back to you know who?" Rick asked me.

I shook my head leaning into Ardeth. "No, he released me from my vow when Imhotep fell into the pits in Ahm Shere. My curse is officially broken. I can visit any time I like but I still have some temples to guard as to the rest of the Medjai."