The Ripple Effect: Dane

by Jodie Becker

  Set launched toward him, and Dane reacted. Kicking out, he slammed his foot into Set's abdomen and sent the god backward. Jumping to his feet, Dane switched the blade back and forth between his hands as they circled each other.

  "What's the matter, Set?” Dane taunted. “I thought you were an all-powerful god."

  Lips curled back to reveal sharp canines. Set surged forward again and struck out with his foot to connect with Dane's chest. Pain reverberated through Dane as he stumbled back, the air expelled from his lungs. Sensing movement, Dane leapt to his right as Set threw his fist into the pillar that was had been behind him.

  With the knife held before him, Dane backtracked, desperate for an opening as Set advanced. He swiped the blade in a criss-cross motion. The tip sliced against Set's chest and drew blood.

  Casually, Set glanced down at it before he faced Dane. “Showing your claws? Hmm. Too little, too late."

  Set lurched toward Dane, and Dane struck out with the knife. Its blade sank into Set's shoulder. The god roared and jerked backward, the serrated edges creating an ugly wound that bled profusely.

  Taking immediate advantage, Dane kicked, knocking Set off balance. A power surged through Dane, and out of compulsion, he held out his hand. “Restrain!"

  Translucent snakes emerged from the marble and wrapped around Set's wrist and ankles. With half their bodies still embedded in the tiles, they hardened, capturing Set.

  A wind picked up within the room. A whirlwind produced the spirits of the gods, and their cold gazes fell on Set's prone figure.

  Anubis stepped forward. “Your time of terror is over."

  Dane held his blade up, and his eyes locked with the fearful ones of Set. “This is for my beloved,” he said, and slammed the blade into Set's heart.

  The god of Chaos let out a roar that rumbled the whole building. The jackal features disappeared in death as Set lurched from his human form. Set stared aghast his spiritual body. “No,” he gasped. “No!"

  Anubis stood beside him. “Yes."

  A fog emerged from the floor and shrouded the gods to send them back from where they'd come as Set screamed against the injustice of it.

  Gasping for a breath, Dane stood. His gaze fell on Jamilah, still lying on the settee. He hurried to her side and knelt beside her to grasp her cool hand. His soul ached at the prospect that he'd failed her. Swallowing back the lump that lodged at the back of his throat, he kissed her knuckles. With a gentle hand, he brushed a lock of hair from her cheek and felt the telltale brush of her breath on his finger. His heart thumped against his chest as he watched her lashes flutter.

  As Jamilah lay in silence, Dane cast a glance over the landscape beyond. So much had been destroyed in Set's reign.

  You will recover. Under your guidance, the world will find prosperity and joy.

  Dane smiled at the sound of Osirus’ voice. “Still here?"

  We all are. With Jamilah at your side, you will help bring Egypt back to its former glory.

  A flash of the future, with Jamilah, filled his mind. She was heavy with his child, and he was filled with contentment. It was his dream come true.

  "Dane?” Jamilah rasped.

  "Yes, my love?” he said thickly.

  "Am I dead?"

  He chuckled. “No. You are alive and well, but I can't say the same for Set."

  Her eyes opened, and a frown formed on her delicate brow. “How? I saw him kill you."

  "I couldn't leave this world now that I've found my soul mate. Even Isis knew that."

  "Isis?"

  "Yes, my love. She brought you here to help defeat Set."

  Her eyes fluttered shut. “I wasn't much good."

  He kissed her knuckles again. “You were—are—perfect."

  She opened her eyes again, and his heart plummeted at the misery he saw in them. “What happens now?” she asked. “Am I going back to my world?"

  Dane struggled to hold back the roar of pain that demanded to be vocalized. “If that is what you want,” he said on a raw whisper.

  A lonely tear fell from her eye as she reached for him and palmed his cheek. Dane closed his eyes. The ache within him intensified, and unable to hold himself at bay, he pressed a kiss into her palm. Osirus was wrong. If she wanted to leave this world, he would accept it.

  "What will happen to you?” she asked.

  Dane swallowed convulsively, and he knew she'd made her decision. “I will rebuild Egypt and work to set everything right again."

  She sighed and pushed off the settee to walk out onto the balcony that overlooked the city. Dane dipped his head, his soul torn and broken as his beloved stood so far from him. She would now wish to return to a reality far better than this one.

  He stood and approached her, his heart pounding in his ears. “I will find a way to send you back,” he rasped through an aching throat.

  She turned to face him. The tears in her eyes caused his protective nature to flare to life. Unable to hold himself at a distance anymore, he wrapped her in his embrace. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “My love, what is it?"

  "I thought I'd lost you,” she said through her sobs. “Oh God, I though I'd lost you before ... before I could tell you how much I love you."

  Dane's heart leapt with joy at her words. He eased her from his embrace to cup her face in his hands. He ran the pads of his thumbs along her wet cheeks. “Oh, my sweet Mila. I love you, too. How I have ached to tell you for so long. I think I loved you from the moment I met you."

  Beautiful eyes stared up at him. “You did?"

  "Yes. Even death couldn't keep me from you, you must know that. Stay with me. Help me bring Egypt back to its former glory."

  Her eyes slid shut, and he felt despaired that she still might reject him.

  "Please,” he said, divesting himself of his pride. “I'm begging you, with all the humbleness in my heart. Stay and become my woman, my wife and my goddess."

  She opened her eyes, and the promise in them nearly floored him. “Yes. I'll stay."

  With a whoop of joy, Dane brought her into his embrace once more and kissed her with all the love he possessed.

  * * * *

  In the distance Isis smiled as she watched the two in a loving embrace. Knowing the future held much happiness for the couple, she sighed. “I never get tired of seeing that."

  Osirus stood beside her and tenderly wrapped an arm around her waist. “You chose well, my love. Ever the romantic."

  "I know, my dear. I know."

  The End

  Author Bio

  Growing up, Jodie loved to read. To her, it was a great form of escapism where she could journey to far off places in the past, the future or alternative worlds. Jodie currently lives in Queensland, Australia with her loving husband, adorable daughter, and two dogs: a Rotti named Simba, and Sakura, a German Shepherd. When she's not chasing down her daughter during the day, you'll find her on the computer, penning new stories with heroines that kick ass and heroes that aren't afraid to stand up to them.

  * * * *

  VISIT COBBLESTONE PRESS, LLC

  WWW.COBBLESTONE-PRESS.COM

  ROMANTIC FANTASIES FOR EVERY READER!

  MAINSTREAM, SENSUAL, AND EROTIC ROMANCE

  LIT, PDF, HTML, AND MOBI FORMATS AVAILABLE

  * * *

  Visit www.cobblestone-press.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.