children. I’ll speak to her once I’m back at the palace. I’m curious if she feels the same as Phoenix. Their opinions are as important to me as Xarion’s. I need to speak with them on what the sorcerer said, too. I can’t be the only one to question our creator.
When the horn sounds, the bearers lift the carrying poles of the litters, and we walk. The Beta District glows, hanging lanterns and fires lighting the violet sky. Along the sides of the avenue, nobles and citizens and guardians stretch the length, all cheering and whooping for the royal family. Some climb date palms to get a better view, while others are seated on the flat rooftops.
The wild scent of perfumed flowers fills the air as white and red petals are tossed. They flutter, glittering as they catch the firelight before raining down. As the citizens’ praise rises, it’s difficult to imagine that I fought against a nearly indestructible enemy only hours before.
Peeking over at Xarion, I watch him wave with one hand, holding the crook and flail in his other. His golden pectoral glimmers against his bronze chest, the lapis lazuli and emeralds set in the collar catching the light. He wears the shendyt of a pharaoh wrapped around his waist, yet the red cape of the Romans to honor his late father; Julius Caesar. In simple, he’s beautiful.
Above, the Goddess Isis looks down on us from her marble dais, her sculpted stone illuminated with soft amber lighting. The statue reminds me that Xarion and his family are protected by the immortal ones. I look ahead, confident we’ll defeat the Leymak threat.
Egypt will stand against any enemy—human or divine. And the Romans are only human.
My head pounds. I squint and curse myself for giving in to the celebrating. Fighting my way out of my coverlet, I touch my toes to the chilled floor and push myself off the bed. I don’t even remember coming back to the palace last night. How did I get to my room?
I swear to never get drunk again.
After rinsing off in the water basin, I towel dry and lift my face toward the sea breeze drifting in through the open windows. A loud thud echoes from the courtyard outside, and I rush to the balcony. Xarion stands below, a bow outstretched in one hand, his other drawn back after loosing an arrow into a target.
“Why, Xarion . . .?” I shake my head, lowering my forehead into my palm.
I hear his deep chuckle. “Get dressed! We have a lot of work today, guardian.”
Cracking an eye open, I note he’s discarded his party attire from last night and has since donned his embroidered city robes. “There’s no way you’d go back to your chambers till afternoon, is there?” He shakes his head, a smile pulling the corners of his mouth up. “Of course not. I’ll be right down, Your Highness.”
Honestly, if I were any other guardian, I’d have my head for sleeping in and allowing the pharaoh to roam off alone. But this is Xarion. I’m surprised he’s here keeping close to me instead of off trying to fight Octavian’s legions on his own. I think practicing his weaponry in my part of the courtyard is punishment enough for my negligence, anyway. At least my head agrees as he releases another arrow and it thunks home, sending a surge of pain splintering against my throbbing temples.
I rub my head and disappear into my chamber to get ready for my very long day.
The morning sun shines down on the city. Alexandria is already awake and alive with movement. Xarion climbs out of the barge first and extends his hand. I take it, remembering the feel of his soft skin on my thigh. A wave of heat washes over me.
Pulling my hand from his, I say, “Have you made an attempt to speak to Fadil?”
“No. He’s been in meditation. Though he did present a request to the Council to have all likenesses of Serapis removed from the Serapeum until the war ends.” He squints as he looks over the palace district. “He’s a fool. I don’t fear the Leymak invading, if only because
When the horn sounds, the bearers lift the carrying poles of the litters, and we walk. The Beta District glows, hanging lanterns and fires lighting the violet sky. Along the sides of the avenue, nobles and citizens and guardians stretch the length, all cheering and whooping for the royal family. Some climb date palms to get a better view, while others are seated on the flat rooftops.
The wild scent of perfumed flowers fills the air as white and red petals are tossed. They flutter, glittering as they catch the firelight before raining down. As the citizens’ praise rises, it’s difficult to imagine that I fought against a nearly indestructible enemy only hours before.
Peeking over at Xarion, I watch him wave with one hand, holding the crook and flail in his other. His golden pectoral glimmers against his bronze chest, the lapis lazuli and emeralds set in the collar catching the light. He wears the shendyt of a pharaoh wrapped around his waist, yet the red cape of the Romans to honor his late father; Julius Caesar. In simple, he’s beautiful.
Above, the Goddess Isis looks down on us from her marble dais, her sculpted stone illuminated with soft amber lighting. The statue reminds me that Xarion and his family are protected by the immortal ones. I look ahead, confident we’ll defeat the Leymak threat.
Egypt will stand against any enemy—human or divine. And the Romans are only human.
My head pounds. I squint and curse myself for giving in to the celebrating. Fighting my way out of my coverlet, I touch my toes to the chilled floor and push myself off the bed. I don’t even remember coming back to the palace last night. How did I get to my room?
I swear to never get drunk again.
After rinsing off in the water basin, I towel dry and lift my face toward the sea breeze drifting in through the open windows. A loud thud echoes from the courtyard outside, and I rush to the balcony. Xarion stands below, a bow outstretched in one hand, his other drawn back after loosing an arrow into a target.
“Why, Xarion . . .?” I shake my head, lowering my forehead into my palm.
I hear his deep chuckle. “Get dressed! We have a lot of work today, guardian.”
Cracking an eye open, I note he’s discarded his party attire from last night and has since donned his embroidered city robes. “There’s no way you’d go back to your chambers till afternoon, is there?” He shakes his head, a smile pulling the corners of his mouth up. “Of course not. I’ll be right down, Your Highness.”
Honestly, if I were any other guardian, I’d have my head for sleeping in and allowing the pharaoh to roam off alone. But this is Xarion. I’m surprised he’s here keeping close to me instead of off trying to fight Octavian’s legions on his own. I think practicing his weaponry in my part of the courtyard is punishment enough for my negligence, anyway. At least my head agrees as he releases another arrow and it thunks home, sending a surge of pain splintering against my throbbing temples.
I rub my head and disappear into my chamber to get ready for my very long day.
The morning sun shines down on the city. Alexandria is already awake and alive with movement. Xarion climbs out of the barge first and extends his hand. I take it, remembering the feel of his soft skin on my thigh. A wave of heat washes over me.
Pulling my hand from his, I say, “Have you made an attempt to speak to Fadil?”
“No. He’s been in meditation. Though he did present a request to the Council to have all likenesses of Serapis removed from the Serapeum until the war ends.” He squints as he looks over the palace district. “He’s a fool. I don’t fear the Leymak invading, if only because
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