“Let your new name be engraved upon your heart. Your role will be huntress of the sky. Guardian of the western horizon. You, with your companion, will be granted the ability to walk the Path of Yesterdays and Tomorrows. As this is your desire, the bond between you is now unbreakable, like that of Isis and Osiris. Nothing will part you from this moment on.”
“I’m not much of a huntress without claws,” the lioness goddess said boldly.
Wasret smiled. “Then perhaps you will have more use of these than I.” She pulled the spear-knives from over her back and handed them to Tia. The lioness-turned-goddess ran her hand over them, practically purring her contentment.
“We have done for you what we could,” Wasret said, “and hope that you will find happiness. Just one thing remains before we take our leave of you.”
The four gods looked at one another in confusion.
Nekheny smiled at them. “Though you have no further need to align the sun, the moon, and the stars, your new powers grant you the ability to leave your duties in the afterlife when there is a lull in your work. Should you choose to visit the mortal realm, or any other realm in the cosmos you desire, you may do so, but you might on occasion have need for the aid of a mortal to serve as your guide during your sojourns on Earth.
“There is a precedent to call a chief vizier to serve. We have selected one.” Nekheny turned in my dream and looked right at me. “Amon, you are henceforth called to serve the gods as the chief vizier of a new order called the Priests of Aten. We grant you the knowledge required to do so, and you will be known to us by your true name, Amset. You will be granted the powers that come with the office, including the ability to work spells, enhanced insight into the working of the cosmos, a sensitivity toward the supernatural, and long life. Your duties will include tending to the business of the gods and providing mortal nourishment and aid as is fitting to the gods who visit your realm.
“Lily Young,” he continued, “you are hereby called to serve as matriarch of the Order of the Sphinx. Henceforth, you will be known as Nebthet the mythical goddess. You will be granted the powers that come with that office, including enhanced physical strength, sight, hearing, and long life. You are entrusted with the arrows of Isis to use as you see fit, and you will serve alongside your husband and companion, the chief vizier. You are the first wife of Amun spoken of.
“As this is your desire, and despite the fact that you are mortal, the bond between the two of you is now unbreakable, like that of Isis and Osiris. Nothing will part you from this moment on. We honor you and gift you with the Jewels of She Who Defeated the Sphinx. You have set eyes upon this treasure before. It is hidden in the temple where you first met Isis. You are also heiress to the golden room hidden in the temple of Hatshepsut. Summon the ferryman, and he will further instruct you in its location.” He flipped me a golden coin, one that looked very familiar. I caught it in my hand and turned it over. The only difference was in the hat the boatman wore.
“After he said that, I woke up,” I said to Amon. “Do you think it was real?”
“I think it was,” he said. Taking my hand, he pressed it to his lips and then dropped a golden coin onto my palm and wrapped my fingers around it. “I found this on your pillow,” he said.
“Amset,” I said. “Your true name. It’s the word you whispered to me in the pyramid when you gave me your heart scarab.”
“Yes. The Eye gave me my true name long before the gods bestowed it on me.”
“And you trusted me with it? Osiris told me not even Isis knows his true name.”
“Osiris lied,” Amon said. “Both he and his wife exchanged true names when they traded hearts. It was a requisite part of the spell. I know because I watched it happen through the Eye. Besides, I would trust you with anything, Young Lily,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You know, I had a dream as well.”
“And what was that?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck and scooting closer to him. I felt the thump of his heart scarab in my chest and knew we were reacting to each other in the same way.
Amon pulled me onto his lap, arms locked around my waist, and bent down, teasing my lips with a soft kiss. When I was breathless, he lifted his head. “In my dream, a unicorn we both know nudged my shoulder.”
I gasped. “Nebu?” I asked.
Amon nodded. “He was in the afterlife. A beautiful princess sat on his back, and he shook out his mane proudly as he pranced, showing her off, his alicorn shining as he turned. As he galloped off over the hills, he said, “The secret prayer of your mother has finally been answered, Amon. You found what all of us seek.” Then he turned to gallop off and called out behind him, ‘You still owe me a boon.’ ”
We laughed together, and Amon captured my lips again.
When we broke apart, I asked, “What was your mother’s secret wish? That you would be mortal again?”
Amon shook his head. “She wanted me to find love. To be happy.”
“And are you?” I asked, teasing him.
He tilted his head, as if seriously contemplating the question. “I’d be happier if we had some round pastries filled with sugared fruits.” When I punched his arm, he sobered. “Are you happy, Nehabet?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been given the sun.” He kissed me tenderly, and we were soon so lost in one another, we didn’t even hear the cry of the bird calling out to her companion from the roof of the farmhouse.
If we had bothered to look, we would have seen a bird of prey, a kite, rise into the air, where she was met by a benu bird. The two of them flew off toward the horizon, their bodies framed in the light of the setting moon.
I’ve reached the end of a series. It’s a thrilling moment to have an entire story arc come together. My cast of characters can now move on in their unseen lives and have new adventures.
Just like a story, a series can’t be produced without a bunch of characters. Each one adds new dimension and expertise, whether that’s design, editing, formatting, or marketing.
I wish every member of this cast could step forward and take a bow, because they all did a wonderful job. The people who worked on this series were editor Krista Vitola; copy editors Heather Lockwood Hughes, Carrie Andrews, Janet Rosenberg, and Colleen Fellingham; Angela Carlino; Chris Saunders; Mary McCue; and Hannah Black.
I’d also like to thank my agent, Robert Gottlieb, and everyone else at Trident Media Group who have worked hard to get this series into the hands of my fans worldwide.
Thanks to my family, who help me out on tour, talk to fans on email, manage my website, go with me to conventions, and lend a listening ear. Thanks especially to my mom, Kathy, who stuffs all my swag bags and faithfully attends every event I do. And I’m always grateful for the steady presence of my husband, Brad, who stayed up until three a.m. with me so I could finish this book.
I couldn’t do it without all of you!
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Colleen Houck, Reunited
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