The Love Game (Gods of the Universe: Book 1)

Twenty-Three

One week, three days, 222 hours, 14,400 minutes, and 864,000 seconds since I last saw Anubis.

Approximately.

Yes. I counted.

I've been in pain since my second day here, in Horus' jail he's locked me in. To make matters worse, he doesn't even treat me like a prisoner.

I have a handmaiden. She's Scottish, her name is Greer, she looks about my age but she's been here for about 150 years. From what I can tell by the way she talks to me, about Horus, she doesn't want to be here any more than I do.

Every day, they (the dressmakers) force me into tight dresses before sending me to eat my meals alone with Horus. "Whenever you're ready," he says when we leave. I know what he's talking about, three times a day, and it curls up a coil of disgust next to the weight of the pain in my chest.

I will not have sex with Horus.

I spend the rest of my time in my room (prison), counting the minutes and seconds. It either keeps me from going insane or is steadily delivering me, but it's something to do. I'm let out onto the balcony once a day for and hour or so, and it's not a very pleasing sight. I mean, it's a beautiful view, but we're at least 30,000 feet above ground, so I can't exactly go anywhere.

I have faith, however, that they're coming to find me. Someone, at least.

I was standing on the edge of the balcony, overlooking the clouds, when I heard a thud. I turned around and saw all three guards slumped against the wall, unconscious, and a brown-skinned man with greyish hair was standing behind me.

At that point, I wasn't even surprised.

"This is for you," he said, holding out a sheet of paper and a pencil. I read the note.

Lana,
Don't worry. We're coming for you, I swear. Just hold on, okay? Hold on, and don't forget me. I miss you.
--Anubis

The handwriting was shaky, as if he was having a hard time getting himself together. I clutched the paper to my chest and looked at the god. "Thank you so much," I whispered.

He smiled. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss. Shu, Holder of the Sky, god of wind and air, at your service." He looked at the paper in my hands. "Are you going to write back, or would you like to keep it?" He asked.

My eyes widened. "Oh, I'm writing back." I turned to the railing to write my response to Anubis, excitement and pain making me hold the pencil a bit tighter than necessary. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Shu," I said, handing the paper back to him.

He grimaced. "You know Horus is my great-grandson? I'm not too proud of his actions, and I'm truly sorry that I can't save you now. After all, I'm only wind."

I nodded. "I understand."

Shu gave a short laugh. "Welcome to the family, I suppose," he said before fading out of existence. "You will be saved," he whispered in my ear as the wind swept away.

I thought over what I wrote to Anubis as my guards woke up, pretending like nothing had happened.

Anubis,
Don't kill Horus; he's still your family. I won't forget you, so don't forget about me, either, please. I miss you so much it hurts. Stay safe. I have complete faith in you.
--Lana

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horus watches me as I slowly choke down small chunks of chicken. This pain is nauseating, and it's only getting worse; now I can hardly see. It's worse than your worst period cramps, I swear.