Love & Chaos 2: A New Pharaoh for Egypt

Chapter 13

Love Hurts

Liz

"Does she always sleep this heavily?" asked Ryan.

Leo was laughing. "Only when she's having a dream about a god or the future. Don't worry, I'm sure she's fine. Aren't you, fish princess?"

Her eyes fluttered open, and she squinted against the light. "Moros sucks," she groaned in reply.

Sarah was sitting on the edge of her bed. "Who's that?" she asked softly.

"He's the personification of destiny and doom," Ryan answered knowingly. "It's fascinating, really, he's one of the only beings in the entire cosmos who Zeus actually fears. Him, and his mother, Nyx."

"He didn't seem scary," Liz laughed. "Just like a dick. You know, he's the reason that I felt compelled to ask you to stay. Put the words in my mouth. Said that it was inevitable."

"So, one of us has a destiny relying on me being here?" he asked. "Interesting. I hope I don't die."

"No, I'm sure it has to do with something else," Liz realized, smiling mischievously at him and Sarah. "Sarah, why don't you show Ryan around before breakfast. I've got to get ready, but I'll be out in a minute."

The two of them left, and Liz grinned widely. "Gods, they are soul mates, aren't they? That's why Moros wanted him to stay, so that they'd be nudged in the right direction. I can be for that!"

Leo laughed at her. "They would definitely be an attractive couple," he admitted. "But why would you be necessary to push their destiny?"

"Well what does Ryan have to do with my destiny?" she countered. "I mean, seriously. That's the only logical thing."

"I guess," he shrugged.

She pulled his hoodie over her tank top and looked down at her jeans, which she'd slept in. "Do you think it matters?"

"Probably not. You look hot," he teased, putting an arm around her.

"I know, right. Hoodie, day-old jeans... I am the very image of beauty." She grabbed a rubber band, quickly braiding her Rapunzel length hair. "Let's go."

"That you are, fish princess," he agreed with a wink, offering her his arm to lead the way out of the room. "I mean, how can they expect me to fall in love with some stranger, when her sister is this hot?"

"Maybe I'm just a sneak peak, and then the girl with no name is like, the full shebang, drop dead gorgeous," she laughed, but it tore her apart to do so. About six months ago, she'd spent a lot of time thinking about the concept of Love, as it was a recurring theme in their mission and lives. At the time, it simply perplexed her. She was looking at it more like a verb, like an emotion, and less as a state of being, a vow. But that was what it was. And when she looked at Holly, she knew that she loved her with everything in her. Yet a glance at Leo, and she wondered if it was possible to love two people.

If it was, then she was in love with Leo Valdez. If it was not, then she only loved Holly. But something about Leo, the way she felt so comfortable to just be with him all the time, the way he made her feel like there was still hope in this damning quest... He was destined for the girl with no name, sure, but... She couldn't help but wonder.

"I don't know, that's still some pretty high standards," he laughed. They walked out of the room, and she suppressed her thoughts, like usual. It was easier to be a leader when she didn't have to be in love with someone.

"Oh my gods!" Ryan was smiling like a fascinated little kid. Cutie... Liz thought to herself with a smirk. "Leo, you seriously made this thing? It's amazing! I wouldn't mind having to come back a few times," he added enthusiastically.