Epilogue
Anubis
C ast in shadow and purpose, Anubis stepped into the darkness of the tomb. His eyes shifted across the dusty surfaces and the carved sculptures along the wall. He vaguely marked the painted murals and hieroglyphs depicting the history of his people. Later he would show Violet the delights of the Great Pyramid, but this night Anubis followed a single-minded determination.
Each silent step took him deeper into the maze of the pyramid, into the familiar absence of light and warmth. Since his union with Violet, Anubis viewed life differently. His purpose had been altered indefinitely by her presence and her love. Ra had given him hope of a joyful future with his beloved. One he fully intended to protect with every ounce of his immortal soul.
Anubis regretted leaving Violet in the comfort of their bed in his palace beside the Nile. But there was still a task left unfinished...a loose thread. While his little flower was protected, he knew it was only a matter of time before Seth would return. His eyes narrowed, acclimating to the darkness and attuning him to the space without effort. The promise of his reward spurred him onward in his hunt.
He paused, inhaling deeply of the stale air and sand. The softest wisp of sulfur and charred ash clung to it.
“Seth.” Anubis growled, stalking deeper into the wandering passageway, his pace quickening. As he wove toward the king’s chamber in the center of the ancient structure, his claws lengthened and his vision burned through the veil of night, searching for his quarry.
He had made a vow to Violet. One he intended to keep and end this farce once and for all.
Ra had promised to protect her from Seth. But that was not the reason Anubis revealed Seth’s selfish plot. He had no desire for Ra to intervene. He allowed Violet to recount the tale, if only to show justification for his vengeance. Anubis was her protector, and he would seek vengeance on anyone who dared cross him.
As he approached the king’s chamber, the unmistakable scent of sulfur grew stronger. A soft, flickering glow emanated from the entrance before him.
Fury pulsed through him at the sight of Seth seated on the king’s throne in the center of the chamber, his warped muzzle pulled in a sadistic grin. Seth narrowed his flame-lit eyes that burned with amusement and challenge.
“The loyal hound.” Seth’s mocking tone echoed through the chamber. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Anubis gritted his teeth at the impertinent condescension but ignored it. “I have come to see my wife’s possessions returned.”
“Your wife ?” Seth stood and stepped down from the dais, his height bringing them level. “You bound yourself to a mortal?”
Anubis held his gaze but said nothing. Feeding Seth an explanation would only give him added fuel and purpose. Instead, he chose silence. Let him believe what he would.
Seth raised his hand, and a curl of flame engulfed his fingertips. As it extinguished, a glint of gold flashed in the torchlight. The jeweled bracelet hung from his fingertips along with the locket he had stolen.
“Well, that would explain these useless trinkets.” Seth’s grotesque smile widened. “Why come to me and demand their return then if they are of no value?”
“You stole them from my beloved, and I want them returned.” Anubis growled low in the back of his throat.
“And if I deny your request?” Seth clenched them in his fist.
“If you wish to bring down the wrath of the ennead, then by all means, refuse.”
Seth scoffed. “Do you truly believe they will bring judgement upon me over something so inane?” He sucked in a breath. “Where have you hidden your heart, Anubis?”
Hands clenched tight, Anubis stiffened against the bite of his claws against his palms. “My heart has been restored to its rightful place.”
“What a shame.” Seth mused with a sigh. “What potential such a treasure would hold?” Blue flame flickered around his dark pupils. “It would be a travesty if you lost it again.”
Anubis held his tongue. Seth’s words were nothing but bait to draw him out. He inhaled deep, suppressing the urge to react out of emotion. The absence of his heart for so long and its recent return had left him susceptible to unexpected bouts of irrational thoughts and actions.
“The jewelry.” Anubis said, his words clipped. “Return it.”
“And what do I get in return?” Seth asked.
“I will spare your life.”
“You have threatened me before, Anubis.” Seth smirked. “Yet you would kill me over something of such little...value?”
“You will return what you stole and then you will leave us in peace. Forever.”
“Violet—” A spark lit Seth’s gaze, turning the blue flame to a vibrant sunset. “—holds your heart.” His gnarled muzzle drew back, revealing yellowed, crooked teeth. “Perhaps I should return these items personally .”
Unbridled fury pierced him. Anubis opened his palm and summoned his khopesh , the curved blade glinting in the firelight. He rarely carried a weapon, especially a sword, and never had reason to summon it. But he would protect what belonged to him, regardless of the cost.
“If you come within a league of her, I will finish what I began when I hunted you after my father’s death.”
Seth growled, the gargling sound a hiss of warning. “No, we finish it now.”
A plume of flame appeared beside Seth, and Anubis heard her panicked cry as Violet appeared amid the retreating flames wearing a simple linen nightgown. Her wide green eyes flew to his, fury replacing the fear and confusion as she realized what had happened.
“Anubis!” She darted forward but yelped as Seth snatched her by the throat. His fingers tangled in her auburn curls, his claws digging into the tender skin. Tears sprang to her eyes, illuminating the rage burning there.
“Such a lovely vessel you’ve chosen for your heart.” Seth sneered as he drew a claw down her chest and between her breasts. “It would be fitting to claim both it and her to watch you suffer.”
“I would rather die .” Violet’s defiant words surrounded Anubis, bolstering his resolve.
I love you. Anubis whispered into her thoughts as he soothed her mind with a gentle caress.
As I love you. Her response came swiftly. Now, end this.
“That can certainly be arranged.” Seth gripped her tight, his teeth bared.
Anubis lunged forward, plowing headlong into Seth. Violet tumbled to the ground in a plume of dust and rolled until she collided with the wall. The jewelry clattered as it landed beside her limp form.
“Vio—!” Anubis reared back, but the blade fell from his hand as Seth twisted his wrist. In a flash, Seth caught him by the neck and pulled him close, sinking his teeth into Anubis’s throat. A howl ripped free from deep in his chest.
Grabbing Seth’s jaw, Anubis wrenched his mouth open and ignored the sting of his teeth tearing into his palm. With an open, clawed hand, Anubis swiped across Seth’s muzzle and pinned his head to the ground.
With a shove, Seth dislodged himself from beneath Anubis, knocking him off balance. Anubis’s gaze darted between Seth and the floor as he searched for his curved sword. It lay at the foot of the dais.
When he darted for it, Seth did the same. Both clasped the hilt simultaneously, each of their claws tearing at the other’s hands. The struggle for control of the blade brought them eye to eye. Matched for height and strength, neither could outmatch the other. Anubis cursed, the ancient words rolling off his tongue.
Seth laughed, the heat of his breath burning Anubis’s eyes and his skin.
“Concede, and I will let her live,” Seth prompted, his voice hoarse.
“Never.” Anubis ignored the burn of his muscles and the blood streaming from the open wounds across his black hide. With a final shout, he wrenched the khopesh free from his opponent’s grip and pressed the sharp edge to Seth’s throat.
Seth stilled beneath the press of the blade, his red eyes murderous and blazing. “You have bested me, Anubis. Now end it.”
“I will take from you in kind.” Anubis allowed his heart to calm before speaking. “Your eyes, that they may never look upon another in lust and greed. Your tongue, that it will never spread another falsehood. Your hands, to ensure you never steal again.”
With the precise cut of his blade, Anubis collected his payment, leaving Seth sitting on the throne, bloody tears flowing from vacant eyes. He turned away and knelt to gather Violet’s unconscious form in his arms after tucking the jewelry in his fist.
Anubis closed his eyes and envisioned the top of the pyramid. Black smoke surrounded him, transporting them both to a small ledge at the top of the Great Pyramid facing the east. He sat, cradling Violet in his arms, his bloody fingers leaving prints on her nightgown.
Wake, my flower. Come back to me. The whispered thoughts flowed along the thread between them. Her heart beat steadily, but she did not wake.
“Violet,” Anubis said, his voice unsteady. “It is over. You are safe.”
He sat with her tucked against him until the sun slowly climbed over the horizon. When the warmth of the rays touched her face, Anubis admired the beauty of this woman and how she altered his existence, infused him with new purpose and longing. A marriage of death and desire.
Her eyes flickered open, softening the moment her gaze focused upon him. “Anubis.” She reached up, cradling his face in her palm, her thumb grazing across his muzzle.
“My love.”
Violet shifted closer, admiring his profile for a long moment before turning toward the sunlight. “Where are—oh.” She stilled in his arms when she realized they sat atop the Great Pyramid.
“When I said I longed to see the pyramids, this was not what I meant.” She turned to face him once more with a sly grin. “But the view is spectacular from up here.”
“Would you like to stay and enjoy it?”
“I would rather bathe in the pool and return to bed.” Her eyes glistened, and her thoughts filled with wicked delights. Violet rested her hand on his fist.
He slowly opened it, and she gasped.
“My locket.” Violet plucked the chain from his palm and held the locket against her heart. “Thank you.” Tears filled her eyes as she placed the keepsake around her neck.
“While this no longer carries my heart, I want you to wear it. A visible sign of our bond.” Anubis took her hand and placed the bracelet around her delicate wrist. “As you are mine, I am yours.”
“For eternity.” Violet wrapped her arms around his neck, and a sense of peace settled around them. “Let’s go home.”
In a plume of black smoke, Anubis granted her wish. Upon their return to his palace in the Netherworld, they bathed in the healing waters and explored every desire until the blood moon rose over the endless sea and time itself stood still.
THE END