Page 88 of Monsters in Love: Lost in the Fire

"We refuse your offer," Khepria spoke with firmness. "We would rather suffer for eternity, but our child will befree."

Silence reigned supreme for a few seconds as tension in the air became thick. The room suddenly erupted with a mix of applause and gasps of horror. Amun’s chin slowly rested on his closed fist as his attention was stolen by her, his eyes softening as he looked upon us.

"Very well," Amun replied, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and admiration. "You and your child are free.”

What? What was happening? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shu’s head snapped up.

“It was your arrogance that cursed you, Isolarel… but your empathy—your sheer selflessness, has freed you both."

Khepria

I liftedmy face from Isolarel’s chest and my jaw dropped in disbelief. The room around us grew quiet, awaiting my reaction.

I couldn’t hold myself up any longer, falling to my knees as Isolarel tried to catch me.

He cradled my belly gently with his lower arms and I wept in my hands.

“A child,” he whispered against me, falling to his knees beside me. “You gave me a child when I was never given a chance at life.”

"My child," I whispered, fear and excitement fighting to take control over everything else. My world was about to change. I was going to be a mother.

"Don’t celebrate too quickly. You’ll both remain immortal so you can torture each other for all eternity," Amun declared, his voice echoing through the grand chamber. Anubis mumbled under his breath, his tone bored before he dissipated into the aether and out of the throne room. Osiris soon followed behind him.

Amun’s words reverberated in our ears, sending shivers down our spines. I carried not only a new living soul inside of me, but heavy doubt that this would be so simple. We stood before the majestic throne, our hearts pounding with anticipation.

Adorned in regal attire, Amun exuded an aura of power and wisdom as he stood on his dais. "From now until the day Shai decides to cut the thread of your lives, you will live as immortals among men.”

We exchanged glances, a mixture of excitement and trepidation reflected in our eyes. I gripped Isolarel’s hand tighter as I slowly got to my feet, my own free hand protecting my belly.

A blinding light suddenly engulfed the chamber, enveloping us in its radiant embrace. We shielded our eyes, overwhelmed by the brilliance that surrounded us. The light grew brighter until it consumed our very beings at the core of our atoms. It felt as if time itself had paused, holding its breath in anticipation with us.

When the light finally subsided, we found ourselves standing in the exact spot where our journey had begun. The familiar surroundings of the sands and fragments of glass greeted us, but something felt different. We looked at each other, searching for answers in each other's eyes.

We had been granted a second chance, a chance to experience life and live it without any further punishment. We knew that our lives would be filled with both joys and sorrows, with triumphs and failures. Every moment would be precious, every decision carrying the weight of consequence.

“Isolarel,” I whispered, my eyes taking in his beetle form as he stood proudly before me, healed, his shell shining iridescently against the sun’s soft rays overhead. My eyes traveled to my own body and noticed the regal dress I wore.

“I won’t be able to live among men, Khepria.” Was there a tinge of fear in his voice?

I took a step forward and placed a hand where I thought his heart was. “Where will you go?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ve never explored the surface as much as I should… as much as my father had,” he admitted.

“Do you know where your mother is from?” I asked, remembering his mention of being a demi god.

“She was a traveling nurse who was working out of South Sinai from what I remember. She didn’t speak much about it during her short lifespan with my father.”

What a sad tale. As I covered my eyes and gazed out to the top of the crater, I knew we wouldn’t make it on foot that long without food.Do the gods eat, I wonder. We needed another plan. Looking around the area I was caught by a scorch mark on the ground and tears stung my eyes.

“We have to go back to the library. We owe it to Mr. Redding,” I told him, blinking back tears. He sacrificed himself for us. I hope wherever he was, he was no longer battling his own inner demons. I hope he found his happiness.

Isolarel cradled my face and wiped away my tears. I leaned into Isolarel, my heart full of conflicting emotions. How long had we been gone, cursed to walk the sky together?

The joy I felt moments ago was now overshadowed by the sorrow of losing him. He had sacrificed himself for us, and the weight of his selfless act hit me like a tidal wave. Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed again without the threat of the sun evaporating the evidence of my grief.

Isolarel gently wiped away my tears, his touch comforting and reassuring. "He loved you like a daughter from what I gathered," he whispered softly. "Honor him with your strength, my love."

I nodded, my voice choked with emotion, unable to give him any sort of answer. Isolarel bent his knees and scooped me up, cradling me in his arms. I wrapped mine around his neck, afraid to fall. When he nuzzled my shoulder, I let out a sigh.

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