Octavian the knowledge to create a race with no true binds. What could that mean for your kind? I could forgive this betrayal if he believed what he’s done was in service to the gods. I could forgive it if it means there’s a way for you to be—”
“Stop.” His gaze penetrates mine, and I look away. “I only want to serve my masters and Egypt, Xarion.” I take a breath. “I’ve never allowed myself to consider such a thing because our slavery is as old as time itself. The Kythan were born into servitude. It’s all I know. It’s all that has ever been.” I look up at him. “Why torture myself with thoughts that will never be?”
His lips part, his eyes flicker in the dim light. “I would set you free,” he says slowly, tension lacing each word.
“Xarion . . . don’t.”
His brows pull together. “I’ll demand for Fadil to tell me how.”
“And what of Phoenix? And Lunia? And the rest of the guardians?” I widen my eyes.
He opens his mouth, but the words don’t come.
“You’d free them all—all Kythan? Who would guard Egypt and her kings and queens? Don’t presume to know better than centuries of kings who came before you, Xarion. Even the great Alexander knew the importance of slaves.”
He releases a heavy breath, his grip tightening on my hand. “Would you give up your friends? Would you trade a long, nearly immortal life of servitude in exchange for a short one . . . with me?”
I tuck in my chin, avoiding his hard stare, and scan the tome on the table. “My answer doesn’t matter, since it’s a question I’ll never have to seriously consider. Fadil wasn’t responsible for this. He can’t free—”
“I would give up my crown if it meant finding a way to free you, Star.” He releases my hand. “But you have to want that freedom. Not fear it.”
Before my eyes can find his, Xarion bounds up from his stool and stalks into the stacks. I know he loves me as a friend—we’ve been friends since birth. But is he admitting in his own Xarion way that he has deeper feelings for me?
I shut my tome, and the sound of the text closing on my thoughts booms through the Library as loud as the thumping of my heart.
Chapter Seven
W eeks pass, and then months. The Leymak haven’t shown themselves again since that battle in the red land. The barrier continues to keep the city safe, but there’s still fear of their return. Their existence lurks in Alexandria, like a demon that travels through the aether undetected. Octavian’s legions continue to move in from the sea. They group in surrounding cities and towns, making their presence known, but never attacking.
Little word comes from across the Mediterranean. The Council attempts to lift the citizens’ spirits with more festivals and celebrations, rejoicing in the immortal ones blessing our queen in her war against the Romans. But if she and Antonius don’t return soon with victory in their sails, then I fear for the whole of Alexandria.
I fear for Xarion.
Phoenix and Lunia stay with the royal children, guarding them and escorting them to their classes in the Library. Everyone grows restless, and even the beds of Kythan girls can’t seem to satiate Phoenix these days. He’s become edgy, and bickers with me even though we’ve rarely fought, ever.
I wish the Leymak would have never waged that battle. They’ve become a dark shadow, a dream. A phantom that haunts our minds, rearing only to cast doubt. I’m starting to wonder if Candra actually spoke to me through the aether, or whether it was my imagination.
I never told Fadil or the others what she voiced that day in the desert. Even if Xarion would release me from the command, everyone is so anxious that I don’t want to add another crack in the already crumbling foundation of our land.
It feels as if we’re suspended in the shadow realm, Osiris breathing down our necks as we hover at the entrance to the underworld. When Cleopatra returns, then the world will return
“Stop.” His gaze penetrates mine, and I look away. “I only want to serve my masters and Egypt, Xarion.” I take a breath. “I’ve never allowed myself to consider such a thing because our slavery is as old as time itself. The Kythan were born into servitude. It’s all I know. It’s all that has ever been.” I look up at him. “Why torture myself with thoughts that will never be?”
His lips part, his eyes flicker in the dim light. “I would set you free,” he says slowly, tension lacing each word.
“Xarion . . . don’t.”
His brows pull together. “I’ll demand for Fadil to tell me how.”
“And what of Phoenix? And Lunia? And the rest of the guardians?” I widen my eyes.
He opens his mouth, but the words don’t come.
“You’d free them all—all Kythan? Who would guard Egypt and her kings and queens? Don’t presume to know better than centuries of kings who came before you, Xarion. Even the great Alexander knew the importance of slaves.”
He releases a heavy breath, his grip tightening on my hand. “Would you give up your friends? Would you trade a long, nearly immortal life of servitude in exchange for a short one . . . with me?”
I tuck in my chin, avoiding his hard stare, and scan the tome on the table. “My answer doesn’t matter, since it’s a question I’ll never have to seriously consider. Fadil wasn’t responsible for this. He can’t free—”
“I would give up my crown if it meant finding a way to free you, Star.” He releases my hand. “But you have to want that freedom. Not fear it.”
Before my eyes can find his, Xarion bounds up from his stool and stalks into the stacks. I know he loves me as a friend—we’ve been friends since birth. But is he admitting in his own Xarion way that he has deeper feelings for me?
I shut my tome, and the sound of the text closing on my thoughts booms through the Library as loud as the thumping of my heart.
Chapter Seven
W eeks pass, and then months. The Leymak haven’t shown themselves again since that battle in the red land. The barrier continues to keep the city safe, but there’s still fear of their return. Their existence lurks in Alexandria, like a demon that travels through the aether undetected. Octavian’s legions continue to move in from the sea. They group in surrounding cities and towns, making their presence known, but never attacking.
Little word comes from across the Mediterranean. The Council attempts to lift the citizens’ spirits with more festivals and celebrations, rejoicing in the immortal ones blessing our queen in her war against the Romans. But if she and Antonius don’t return soon with victory in their sails, then I fear for the whole of Alexandria.
I fear for Xarion.
Phoenix and Lunia stay with the royal children, guarding them and escorting them to their classes in the Library. Everyone grows restless, and even the beds of Kythan girls can’t seem to satiate Phoenix these days. He’s become edgy, and bickers with me even though we’ve rarely fought, ever.
I wish the Leymak would have never waged that battle. They’ve become a dark shadow, a dream. A phantom that haunts our minds, rearing only to cast doubt. I’m starting to wonder if Candra actually spoke to me through the aether, or whether it was my imagination.
I never told Fadil or the others what she voiced that day in the desert. Even if Xarion would release me from the command, everyone is so anxious that I don’t want to add another crack in the already crumbling foundation of our land.
It feels as if we’re suspended in the shadow realm, Osiris breathing down our necks as we hover at the entrance to the underworld. When Cleopatra returns, then the world will return
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