Page 94 of Death and Desire

Silence descended, and as she studied their expressions, she noted disbelief, even as the proof stood before them, clad in gold and holding her hand.

“It makes sense now.” Isaac broke the tension with a soft snort of laughter. He held Anubis’s gaze. “How you managed to be everywhere exactly when she needed you.”

“None of this makes any sense at all.” Dina finally found her courage, though her grip on David didn’t loosen. She glanced between Violet and Anubis. “How did this happen?”

With a deep breath, Violet explained the jewel, how her dreams led her to Egypt, the bond it created between them. As she revealed the details of the last two weeks, her companions listened with rapt attention, jaws slack and eyes glazed.

Violet chose to leave out a few details concerning Bast, out of respect for the goddess, but the rest of the truth spilled from her lips in a torrent. The confession lifted a weight from her chest, and she was able to breathe in relief when she finished the tale.

“So...you’re immortal and in love with the god of the dead?” Isaac narrowed his eyes at her.

“In the simplest terms, yes, that sums it up.” Violet laughed at his strange reaction to her story. Onlyhewould latch onto something so specific and cling to it.

“Are you sure about this?” David asked.

Anubis tensed beside her, and she rested a hand on his hip. He growled but said nothing.

David swallowed hard, noting the shift in Anubis’s demeanor. “I mean no disrespect, but such a relationship cannot be maintained easily.”

“Every relationship has its hurdles and trials,” Violet admitted. “I’m willing to follow this path and see where it leads. It’s my destiny.Ourdestiny.”

“Why tell us?” Dina stepped closer, showing her slow acceptance. “You couldn’t be sure we would be willing or ready for such a revelation.”

“You are my friends, my family.” Violet took Dina’s hand. “I could never abandon those I love. You deserve to know the truth. I knew it would be difficult to understand, but it all worked out in the end.”

“Where will you live?” Isaac asked.

“Khalid has a palace on the outskirts of the city, and Anubis has one in the Netherworld.” Violet looked up at Anubis, who nodded. “And you are welcome to stay with us in Cairo any time.”

“There you are.” Isaac stooped down and gathered the black cat in his arms. “I can’t leave you behind, can I, darling?”

Violet stifled a laugh at the way Bast draped herself across her brother’s chest as he scratched behind her ears.

Bast finds this all highly amusing,Anubis murmured in her mind.

I’m sure she does,Violet replied, smiling.

“Come, let us celebrate together.” Violet released Anubis as he transformed back into Khalid.

Dina came alongside Violet and pulled her into a tight embrace. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I can only hope you find the same happiness.” Violet glanced pointedly at David, who stood shaking his head at Isaac as he crooned to the cat. “He’s a good man.”

“I know.” Dina sighed and linked her arm through Violet’s. “But tonight, we celebrateyourgood fortune. This is no time to commiserate over my failures.”

“I shall not be quick to forget this,” Violet murmured to her friend. “Tea tomorrow?”

Dina relented after a moment of hesitation. “Very well.”

Together they led the way through the garden.

Violet looked over her shoulder and met Khalid’s hooded gaze. Her heart swelled at the sight. Handsome, stoic, strong...not a person on earth would ever guess the truth behind those soulful eyes. Anubis, god of the dead, protector of those traveling through the Netherworld, walked among them and had fallen in love with a mere mortal.

A deep, sultry voice whispered in her mind.This is only the beginning,my love.

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