Lost in Amon

Chapter Ten

The Idiot Named Etta

I said goodbye to my clique of souls, feeling oddly sad to leave them behind. As much as I didn't like their icy touches and fly-like behaviour, I did begin to enjoy their company. The tiniest bit. But I wouldn't say that aloud because I'm sure they'd follow me forever if I let them.

My legs were smooth and shiny—all thanks to the skilled hands of Hathor and a honey wax she'd made. I ran a hand along my shin, grinning at the elderly soul who raised an impressed eyebrow.

'You see? This is how smooth I normally am.' The old soul touched my skin gently, running her chilly fingers across my leg and nodding in approval.

I felt like a new woman. Like a clean woman. Hell, I almost felt like old Etta; human Etta, not stranded-in-a-God's-realm Etta. Coming to Hathor's realm was a close second in the list of the best things to happen to me since falling down a sandy dune and landing in Amon's pond. Meeting Amon himself was obviously a first. Hathor's hand touched my shoulder gently and the souls took a step away from me, giving us both some much-needed room.

'Ready to go back?' She smiled at the souls near us, nodding her head at their antics as they waved for her attention.

'I'm so ready.'

I missed my stone bed. I missed my pillow. I missed eating grapes. But, more than anything, I missed Amon. Like a fucking idiot.

Hathor wrapped her thin fingers around my own and I gripped onto them tightly, knowing just what was coming. She counted down from three. I held my breath and clenched my teeth together, keeping my eyes glued shut as the world dipped and swirled around us. When I opened my eyes again, I was blinded by the sun reflecting from a familiar body of water. I blocked the light with my hand and squinted through the heat waves at Amon's gazebo in the distance. Then I blinked, and Amon was in front of us in all of his shirtless glory.

'My King,' Hathor said, folding into a deep curtsy.

'Hathor. Thank you for Etta's safe return.'

Amon's eyes ran over my body as though making sure I had no new injuries. I shivered when his eyes drifted back up to meet mine. I'd forgotten how pale his eyes were; how blue they looked up close. His hair was shorter than before, freshly shaven just like Hathor. I ran a hand through my clean hair and took a shaky breath, avoiding his deep eyes.

'Etta.' He held his hand out and I grabbed it instinctively, a red flush etching across my ears at how quickly I moved. Dammit.

'I hope to see you again before you return, Etta.' I looked back at Hathor and then the happiness dropped from my stomach like I'd just jumped off the tenth floor of a building.

'Me too. Thank you for all your help. And your advice.'

She smiled, but her eyes flickered to my hand entwined with Amon's. I loosened my grip slightly and pulled away. Amon held on tighter, his dark eyebrows creasing in the middle as he glanced down at me. I looked away from them both and kicked the sand, watching as the light grains scattered in the breeze. God, what was I doing? What was he doing?

And then the sand beneath my feet was stone, and we were standing in the cooling shade of Amon's gazebo, Hathor nowhere to be seen. I shook off the queasiness brought on by the quick movement. Amon led me to the day bed and helped me lay down, holding onto my waist as I lowered myself with my one good arm. He propped a pillow behind me before creating a chalice full of cold water. I grabbed it thankfully, taking a long gulp as he settled in next to me. We were silent for a moment. Both of us watching the birds on the pond before he spoke.