Page 162 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra looked back weakly at thekeres, which were slowly approaching them. “Namir…”
Namir growled, throwing his hand forward. A shield of sunlight surrounded them on all sides.
Iset smirked, placing her hand on the shield. It shimmered beneath her touch, and Namir grunted. Zahra stuck her hand out as well, and she felt energy course through her fingers. The shield was strengthened in front of them.
Thekeresleaped forward, clawing at the shield and growling. Their attack vibrated through Zahra and Namir’s arms. Zahra looked back with wide eyes as the shield tore and akerjumped through.
Ramses swung his blade, striking the beast in its chest. It cried out, falling to the ground. The other animals funneled in behind it, and Zahra threw her other arm out toward them, attacking them with herpsyche.
Thekereslet out a cry as they were thrown back by moonlight. The momentary distraction was all Iset needed. She pulled her arm back, slamming her flaming palm into the shield.It shattered into pieces, and Namir and Zahra were thrown off their feet.
Nefertari held her ground, gritting her teeth as ash showered her.
Nubia let out a cry as Iset pushed her forward. “That was foolish of you, Nefertari. They are weak, inexperienced.”
“They will do better with it than I could,” Nefertari claimed. “You cannot hurt me or them.”
Iset smirked. “You are right.” She held the dagger to Nubia’s heart. “But she can.”
Nefertari’s eyes went wide. “No.”
Nubia let out a sob. “Mwt, please, help me.”
“Your daughter will die and become my slave.”
“Mwt, no,” Namir cried, getting to his feet. “We cannot save her.”
Nefertari’skhopeshshook, conflict in her face. “I…”
“Mwt, please,” Nubia screamed, the dagger trembling as it pressed against her skin. “I do not want to die!”
Zahra looked up from the ground. “Don’t do it! She is doomed!”
Nefertari clenched her jaw. “She is my daughter. If there is a chance I can spare her from her fate, I must.” She dropped thekhopesh. “I, Tausret, give you permission, Iset, to take my life.”
Namir lunged forward, shouting. Nubia turned the dagger around, plunging it into Nefertari’s chest. Nefertari sucked in a sharp breath, smiling sadly at Nubia. “May Re have mercy on your soul, daughter.”
“Mwt,” Namir cried. Zahra grabbed his leg and pulled him back.
Nefertari fell against Nubia, her lifeless eyes consumed by darkness as Iset spoke her true name. Nubia screamed as smoke billowed around Nefertari’s body. Pain shot through Zahra and Namir’s bodies, and they collapsed.
Zahra writhed on the ground, crying out as the cracks spread up her arms and legs. Namir gritted his teeth, putting his hands on her and covering her with his body.
Nefterari’s frame was consumed by fire and smoke. The ash and smoke twisted together and grew longer, pulling away from Nubia. A giant snake emerged from the smoke, coiling around until its head reached the sky. The earth shook, and the Iteru’s waters dried up before their eyes.
Iset grinned with her fangs and looked at the moon. The blood moon dripped with smoke, staining the sky. The stars disappeared, and the smoke covered the sky and moon until all was darkness.
38
A Vision of Aur
Zahra’s vision swam as Namir stumbled through the darkness, carrying her in his arms toward the Pharaohs’ Stable House. Their chests glowed with a soft, golden light. He clutched her tight, looking back for only a second. Waaiz was helping Ramses run after him. Thepr-aawas bright with flames, and Iset’s great form slithered away from them toward the city.
A sharp pain struck Zahra’s chest, and she whimpered as Namir fell to his knees, gasping. Zahra’s eyes slipped closed as the pain came again, accompanied by distant screams.
Zahra shivered as Namir got to his feet once more, and she slipped into a restless sleep. When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on a cot. Despite her blurred vision, she could make out many people around her and that she was somewhere familiar.
Heba leaned over her, dabbing her head with a wet cloth. Heba smiled at Zahra’s open eyes, speaking in a soft voice. “O chara, it’s good to see you awake.”
