Lost in Amon

Chapter Nine

The Cow of Fertility

Part Two

It all made sense now.

Why I'd been so moody with Amon the last few days. So grumpy. I jammed my knife into the date loaf, hacking the tail off the crocodile-shaped dessert. The elderly soul watched me with an amused smile.

'Yeah, yeah. I know.' I picked it up and took a bite, chewing angrily. 'I shouldn't eat so much.'

She nodded her head and wrapped a cloth over the cake as though locking it away from me. I stomped over to a small cushioned couch and pushed my butt in between a pair of souls who hadn't left me alone since they washed my hair in the pool three days ago. Honestly, they were nice, but they were starting to get on my last nerve. Or maybe that was the hormones.

'You know, we're allowed to eat as much as we want where I come from.' I looked at the women next to me as I took another big bite, talking around it as I continued. 'Even more so if it's that time of the month.'

The women said nothing in reply, as usual, and I groaned loudly. I was sick of talking to myself. I'd seen Hathor a couple of times since I'd been here and she was always chatty, but she was also a goddess who apparently had things to do. How she had more to do than Amon—the literal King—I had no idea. Maybe she was lying to get away from me.

I swallowed, feeling a chunk of the dry date loaf stick in my throat. I just wanted the food Amon made me. For whatever unknown reason his food tasted better. Like those tiger nut balls. I'm sure Hathor would make them for me if I asked, or even the elderly soul, but I didn't. I'd wait for Amon to create them again.

'Where is Hathor? Is she back?' I asked the elderly soul as the two next to me began touching my hair again. I swatted their cold hands away for the hundredth time.

The elderly soul nodded her head and gestured for me to follow her. I did so quickly, running away from the souls that had become like sticky flies. I didn't even know why they liked me so much—or my hair—I just knew I had to get away. The only one I liked touching my hair was Amon. I swallowed the last bite of date loaf dryly, realising what I'd just thought.

Honestly, I'm twenty-five. I need to get my shit together and stop acting like a little girl with a crush. I'm old. I'm smart. I'm not falling in love with a god. And that's it—there's nothing to think about. Re gave me a warning I didn't even need because it's not going to happen.

Amon is a literal god. He's lived for who knows how long. He creates from nothing. Hell, he doesn't even leave his realm. I mean, he has a realm! Who has something like that? Jesus, the guy has two. He's a king. He's...just not...human. I can't. He can't. I won't. I coughed loudly, hitting my fist on my chest as a lump of loaf caught in it again. Tears welled in my eyes and suddenly a smooth ceramic cup filled with cool water appeared before me.

I startled, jumping back slightly as Hathor revealed from thin air. Her afro was gone—shaved off completely to reveal a smooth golden scalp. She smiled and grabbed my hand, placing the cup in it as I struggled to breathe. I took a deep gulp and gasped for air once the lump dropped to my stomach.

'Thanks.' My voice was husky, dry. I coughed again. 'I was just looking for you.'

'I know.'

Hathor touched the elderly woman's hand and thanked her. The soul bowed and hobbled off, finally leaving me to myself. I liked her, but she was a lot to have following around. Especially when she doesn't even speak. Actually, I think I was just prejudiced against souls—I didn't really like them. I felt weird being near them. I felt weird when they touched me. I felt weird just seeing their ephemeral forms.