“But I thought the stone was the last one he was looking for,” the general added. He didn’t like where the conversation was going. He wanted an end to the business with Logan just as much as I did, but I think it had to do more with securing his family’s power than anything else.
“It is, but somehow things still don’t work out,” Kye replied for me this time.
Kye wasn’t about to tell either the general or my parents who he was. Even though my mother and father were his grandparents, I had to agree with him that it was too risky. We knew what to expect from the general. Ty told us that if Seth’s father knew, he would lock Kye up or torture him to find out everything. His father wasn’t someone you messed around with.
“Can you actually be certain that it doesn’t work?” Paramessu asked, eyeing over Kye. It seemed like even without knowing who he was, there was still a chance he wanted to lock Kye away.
“We are certain,” I answered, trying to take the focus off Kye.
“Then what will make the difference?” the general only glanced at me before going back to study Kye.
“We hope it’s marriage. Kye has seen the past change many times, but in each time and scenario that Logan does, I never got to marry Mari,” Seth jumped in, also trying to divert his father’s attention. He might not like Kye too much, but he knew, as much as Ty, that his father wasn’t someone you played around with. We didn’t need the general thinking that he had to persuade Kye to talk.
Servants stood outside the room as new people appeared behind them. I didn’t know who anyone was, but they seemed important. My father stood, and the general stood with him.
“I’m sorry to have to leave, but we must attend to these men,” my father spoke to everyone but looked directly at my mother. She smiled and nodded. Looking at the group of men that had arrived before, her smiled dropped as she nodded to one that was staring intently at the three of us that were left sitting by the food.
“Friends of yours?” I asked sarcastically.
My mother shook her head and her smile returned.
“No one I thought we’d ever see again,” my mother added, but didn’t explain further.
I looked at Seth, and he discreetly nodded his head. He knew who the men were, and I’d have to corner him to get details since my mother wasn’t sharing.
“How are the wedding plans going?” Kye asked, changing the subject.
“Great,” my mother said, her cheerfulness completely back. “We’ll head back home tomorrow to finish everything, and the wedding should happen in four days.”
“Four?” I asked. I thought it was supposed to take a week.
“With things not changing, we didn’t want to take any chances. Four days was the fastest we could get everything in order,” my mother replied. Even though she was back to her cheery self, I still wondered about the guests. “Don’t worry. We’ll have you kids married soon enough.”
I wish that was all I was worrying about. There was just too much more going on. Logan was still out there and possibly in Egypt. I had powers to do just about anything, yet had no clue how to control them. And now men showed up that made my mother worry and my father rush away. What more did we need to have happen?
“So what did you do with my stone?” my mother asked, admitting for the first time that we had taken her stone and that she remembered us in the future.
“You knew we were going to visit you,” I accused, and she grinned.
“I’ve known that for over eighteen years. It’s a relief that you finally came. I was beginning to think I did something wrong to change the future,” my mom added. “You left without taking the stone.”
“Because you gave it to me for my first official date with Logan. Do you remember how I lost it after that day?”
“I remember. I was worried, but since my memories didn’t change, somehow it was okay. Did you find it again?”
“No, Logan went back into the past and stole everything from that first date down to the items I wore. He was trying to recreate our past. Little did he know what he was giving me.” My mother grinned. The nail polish was amazing.
“So, in other words, you never lost it. It was taken from you?” My mother smiled as she figured it all out.
“Yep.” Never lost. She had been worried, and she thought she’d kept that from me. I felt horrible for months knowing that I lost something precious to my mother. It was all for nothing as I always had the necklace.
“We were just lucky Logan had no clue what he was taking,” Kye added. We were lucky. I hoped I’d have more of that luck.
“What if he finds out?” Seth asked, looking around the room at the many servants that were coming and going.
“He isn’t going to change it again. Logan gets that this is his last chance. The goddess putting the stones into Mari made it so that he can’t just keep taking stones and changing things. His chances are up. Also, he’s finally getting that every time he changes one detail in his favor, two more are changed not in his favor. Fate has to equal out what he’s doing.” I was glad to hear that, but still I worried. Kye was still with us.
“Well, enough talk about that,” my mother added as she wiped her hands on the cloth next to her. “We have a wedding to celebrate soon. I can’t wait to see the capital and the palace. It’s where you should have been raised. I hope it will feel like home.”
I smiled at my mother. I could feel the slight hint of bitterness in her voice, and I didn’t blame her. It was where I should have been raised. It should have been my home, but it wasn’t too late. Seth reached over and took my hand in his.
“It’s your home now.” He told me exactly what I needed to hear. In reality, where ever Seth was would always be my home.
The slight blue rimmed his irises, and I smiled back at him and his new eyes. No one could keep us apart now. We still had more battles to fight, but we were one step closer. I could feel it. We were going to win this. I just didn’t know how.
Chapter 6
Unexpected News
The boat ride down the Nile was nothing I could have been prepared for. First off, it felt wrong. I’d never been on a river that flowed north before. As the current pulled at the boats, I felt disoriented. Second, the difference between the sand in the distance and the green banks that surrounded us was unreal. How could one spot be barren of water and the other lush enough to be a tropical oasis? It was such a contrast.
I wasn’t expecting anything on our boat ride, but the abundance of river life was more than fascinating. Birds flew without a care and alligators snapped at anything that got too close. Hippos waded around in the water or sat with just their little eyes above the water line. I had never seen a hippo on any of our travels anywhere but in the zoo. It was strange to see what always seemed like such docile creature not being what you remember as a child seeing them in their glass-caged worlds.
The approach to the capital via the river was amazing. We slowed down as we came closer to the city. Buildings rose up on both sides of the river. A great white building, several stories high and almost as long as the city, rose up in the middle of everything. Stone columns with painted scenes were standing tall and proudly. I couldn’t wait to get closer to see more.
My father told us how he had moved the capital back to Memphis from Thebes only during his own reign. I couldn’t imagine any other city could be as beautiful as what was before me. Buildings stretched as far as I could see. I didn’t know they had cities as big as this one in the past. How could they even support a city like this? It was amazing.
“My family is from here in Memphis,” Seth said as he stood beside me on the boat. His father was standing on another boat, watching the city.
We passed beside the enormous city, flowing with the current of the river. The houses began to get sparser as we continued away from the bustling center. Another city appeared on the horizon, when we didn’t stop at the gigantic city we had just passed.
“Your father’s main palace is in Giza,
not too far away from the capital,” Seth explained as he pointed to the city. “He has another palace in Memphis, but he wanted to go to the main palace. It’s larger and more impressive to host the wedding.”
“You’re not stopping at your home first?” I had seen the general look longingly at Memphis as we passed it.
“No. My mother and sisters will travel to Giza to join us for the wedding in a few days,” Seth replied. “Your father has offered us rooms in his palace to stay for the occasion. After the wedding, we will all head back to the capital and we can get settled into our house.”
Seth had siblings? I hadn’t even thought of that. I was concerned about traveling and staying ahead of Logan, I had just realized I didn’t know how many siblings Seth had.
“Sisters?” I asked. I wanted to know more.
Seth laughed at my shock. “I never mentioned them when I first met you as they were here, and I didn’t know we’d ever be coming back. Yes, I have sisters. Four of them.”
“Four sisters?” I asked in shock.
“I had a brother, too, but he died as a child. That’s why my father has put much into training me and keeping me by his side. He wants me to carry on the family traditions.”
The next city was already coming close enough to see the outskirts buildings. Where the last city had buildings of all shapes and sizes and spread as far as people wanted, this one was more compact and built up instead of out. Not many buildings were less than two stories tall, even the ones on the outside of the village walls. Before we could approach the main part of the city, the boats took a turn into one of the side rivers. I wanted to see more of the city. My nerves grew as we were approaching what should have been my home all along and the suddenness of stopping made them worse.
We docked at a pier and my nerves set in full time. I saw what was waiting for us: Chariots. I had my fill of ancient-world chariots and wasn’t happy to see one waiting for me.
Seth felt my hesitation and looked at me as everyone began departing the ships.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, looking around. Seeing nothing, he turned back to me
“Nothing,” I replied as I took his outstretched hand. As much as I disliked this mode of transportation, I trusted Seth.
“You get to ride with me,” he said as he approached one of the chariots already hooked up to horses.
My father was already standing on a chariot and offering his hand to my mother. She didn’t hesitate and stood right up next to him. They were the perfect pair. Her deep red hair sparkled in the sunlight as much as the gold around my father’s neck and head sparkled with her.
Seth stood in his chariot and waited for me. I looked up at him. It still didn’t look safe, but there was nowhere safer than in Seth’s arms. I stepped onto one of the planks and up to Seth. He placed his arm around my waist and grabbed the reigns with both his hands.
“Now you’re sure you know how to drive one of these things? I thought you had Dee for that,” I teased, trying to ease my own worry.
“Oh, I know how to drive one of these. They’re much simpler than those metal boxes you drive,” Seth replied, following my father with a gentle trot. “And just for the record, Dee drives because I’m a better shot with the arrow than him. I normally beat him nine times out of ten when we race solo, so I’m also a better driver.”
Of course he was. That was Seth. He never did anything less than perfectly. As much as I wanted to tease him about that, we bound down the road into the city, distracting me. I was glad he could also control the cart we were in perfectly.
As we got farther into the city, the streets began to fill with people on both sides. My father slowed his chariot in front of us and began to roll at a very leisurely pace through the town. People of all ages lined the street to cheer for my father. He waved and beamed at my mother as people cheered for the both of them. It was fun to see that moment. My father had been waiting years to bring my mother home with him. Crowds were gathered, and some of the women even threw flowers into the air. The bright sunny day, the scent of fresh flowers, the smile on the face of not only my father but my mother also: it was perfect.
With the slower pace, I found that the chariot wasn’t as scary as it was the other time I rode on one. I was sure that Seth was just as capable as Logan to drive it, but the best part was that Seth didn’t feel the need to show off and make my heart leap into my throat. He was fine with the slow pace and kept his arm next to me.
I leaned back into his arms and against his chest. I was safe and happy. The people around us waved and cheered at the sight of not just my father, but Seth’s father and Seth himself. I looked from face to face. Young, old, man, woman, child—they all were smiling at us as we passed. They were happy to see their pharaoh. They were happy to see their general. For one small moment I could forget that Logan was trying to ruin my life. I could forget that I had time travel powers. I could forget that I was from the future. For one small moment I could just be the daughter of a king and the girl promised to Seth.
The palace came into view as we turned a corner and my breath caught in my throat. Large cream-colored columns rose into the sky. Ornate carvings lined the columns and were painted bright colors at the tops. There was an opening we were heading for once we made it through the people that had gathered. The crowd parted as we continued forward into a large, open courtyard in front of the palace. The sound of the crowd grew as we had turned the corner, and the hundreds of people packed into the space in front of the palace. They were all waiting for their king to return.
“Welcome home princess,” Seth said into my ear and he raised a hand to wave at the people.
Home. This was home. It was strange to reconcile that with my home back in Chicago that was covered in snow when I left. This brightly painted dessert was my home, my real home, where I was supposed to be.
“Princess, princess,” the people around me called to me, reaching up and trying to touch my arms.
Seth grinned next to me.
“I guess the word got out already.”
He chuckled and didn’t seem to mind the people standing close as he maneuvered slowly through the crowd to the palace.
As we reached the columns into the palace, my father turned back to me. He smiled as he stopped his chariot and hopped down from it. Seth pulled beside his and gave me his hand while my father came over and picked me up to help me off. He treated me like I weighed nothing. It felt so familiar. A past I could not remember barely flashed before my eyes. I hadn’t time traveled to remember any of my previous pasts, but I felt it. This moment was one identical to my childhood. I felt a sudden pang of sadness knowing that I should have had a life with this man. He was a stranger to me still, yet so familiar. I could feel his love through the looks he gave me, but it wasn’t the same. Logan took that from me.
“I think the crowd would like to meet you,” my father said, leaning down to tell me in my ear, and his elaborate golden crown touched my head.
“Meet me?” I croaked out. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least.
My father grinned. He held up one hand and the crowd grew silent in less than five seconds.
“Thank you for the welcome home,” he said to the crowd in a large booming voice. “I’m happy to have returned with two very important people to me.”
Eyes of everyone were glued to my father. He didn’t give them the same smile as he had just given me, but he adored the people almost as much as my mother and me. These were his people, and I could feel the love he had for them as much.
“The gods have blessed me and my prayers to return this woman to me.” My father pointed to my mother. “She stole my heart the first time I met her, and I have never been able to love another as much as I loved her. While I would have liked to celebrate with everyone, yesterday we made our life together official. She is now my wife and the queen. Please welcome her to our country.” Cheers rose up around us. “I have been dually blessed by the gods. They not only answered my praye
rs to bring back my Kiya, but they brought me this young woman here. The gods took Kiya from me before I ever met the child that was growing within her. This is my daughter, Princess Mari.”
More cheers rose up. I heard my name spoken by many of the people. Others chanted for my father and mother. It all mixed together just like we had been brought together as a family, finally. It was a celebration that started the moment we returned. I had never imagined in my life that it would be such. We made it home.
My father held up his hand again and the crowd went silent.
“And the last bit of news everyone will be happy to hear is that General Paramessu has offered his son to be a husband to my daughter. We will be celebrating their union in four days with the blessing of the gods. We have much to celebrate. My own wedding, the return of my child, my daughter’s wedding and, most importantly, we will be celebrating the union of Horus and Seth. While they have had a rough time getting along, by marrying these two children, General Paramessu and I will be uniting the god of the sky and the god of war. It’s a happy time for all of us, and will lead to great prosperity. We thank the gods for their blessings and hope to see everyone back here in four days to celebrate.”
My father looked up to the sky and nodded to something before closing his eyes. He held up both his hands, and most of the crowd followed. I turned to find Seth and his father with a fist on their heart. General Paramessu’s eyes were closed, but Seth was looking at me. He grinned and nodded. I could feel the excitement across our bond. He was more than happy to have the future Kye had promised us. Now all we needed to do was make it to our wedding day. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be as easy as we hoped. Kye was still here and watching it all. His face didn’t give anything away. Were we closer or just as far away from the future we wanted?
Our travels back and celebrations were cut short the moment we entered the palace. A group of men were waiting inside the courtyard and one quickly approached my father. I didn’t know who they were, but it was obvious that Seth did. His smile faded.
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