The Pharaoh

Chapter 19

I couldn't move. How could I?

"There was nothing you could do," Aiden tried to reassure me.

I looked up, my vision still blurry from tears, "Yes there was. If she had just let me I could've saved her!"

He stroked my cheek and said, "She was ready to go."

I didn't answer, but I wanted to. I wanted to scream that she should've fought. She was still so young, she could've done so much more. She could've started over if she had just allowed herself to.

At home, people who lost their spouses just moved on... they had to. There's no room for weakness in war. If you go to battle sad and depressed about your departed loved one, you usually became that for other people.

I looked up at Aiden and mumbled, "I could have saved her."

He nodded and replied, "I know."

"She wished to go brother," a woman behind us called out.

Aiden's gray eyes lit up with recognition and he quickly turned around. I followed his line of sight and saw an incredibly tall woman. She was easily Aiden's height, perhaps even taller. Her hair was a dark brown but her eyes were the same color of gray as Aiden's and Byron's eyes. As she walked closer people that had been standing around mourning the death of their princess fell to their knees.

"Bastet, long time no see," Aiden grumbled, obviously unsettled by the woman's presence.

"As pleasant as ever I see," Bastet responded with a forced smile.

I looked between them and asked Aiden, "Who is this?"

"One of my father's immortal children," Aiden answered, "Goddess of protection."

"In other words, your husband's much more important sister," she sneered.

Aiden smiled at her and inquired, "Still upset that I took away your favorite toy's slaves?"

Her face remained the same level of distaste but her eyes seemed to harden at his words. "We will not be discussing that right now," she glowered.

"Then why are you here Hastet? Can't you just leave us to mourn in peace? We have a lot going on right now and your unplanned visit isn't exactly helpful," Aiden told her.

She crossed her arms and said, "I didn't want to be here, Aiden. Dad sent me."

Aiden's eyes narrowed and he scoffed, "What for?"

"He wants to talk to you," she replied.

"Now? Of all times?" He growled.

She nodded and said, "Now."

Then in a blur of light, the air began to move. I quickly squeezed my eyes close as the air continued the whipped all around me. Then it all stopped. The air was still and I tried to decide if it was safe to open my eyes.

Aiden nudged my side and he whispered, "You can open your eyes."

I opened my eyes and saw a large room that seemed to be made of just windows. However, the view outside was of the Earth and space. My eyes went back and forth until they saw Hastest standing next to a man. He wasn't very old, he was probably around thirty years old, most likely under. He was tall, incredibly so, and had blonde hair that was close to looking bleached. He had stormy gray eyes and a strong jawline. He stood with his head held high and with confidence interlaced with power that seemed to roll off of him. He was magnificent.

"Will that be all Father?" Hastet asked the man.

He nodded and replied, "You've done well. You are excused to do as you please."