Page 174 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir looked at Zahra. “We are going to end this darkness.”
Zahra smiled at Namir and looked out at the people. “Ournetjeruare still with us. Trust in them. This night will end, and dawnwillcome.”
Namir squeezed Zahra’s hand as the people cheered, and the eagles cawed from the trees.
41
A Prophecy Fulfilled
Zahra and Namir bid goodbye to the people and rode off toward the fires in the northern cities. Much of the east side of Inebu-hedj was engulfed in flames, and the cities and villages on the northwest bank of the Iteru were similarly ravaged. People were on the sides of the streets, crying and screaming over their lost loved ones. Zahra fought back tears, focusing on their task.
It was at the edge of Khem and at the beginning of the Iteru’s delta—where the river split into its offshoots that ran into the Sea—that they found Iset. She was tossing and turning in the muddy remains of the river. Her laughter echoed through the air as she feasted on the crocodiles and other beasts that once called the Iteru their home.
Zahra and Namir got off their horse, and Namir handed it to a cloaked woman, who led the horse toward those hiding in the rubble of a fallen home. They stood together and looked up at what Nubia had unleashed.
Iset had grown bigger—her body now spanned half the width of the Iteru.
Namir tore his gaze away from the monster in front of them, resting his hand on Zahra’s cheek. “This is not how I pictured our wedding night would go.”
Zahra laughed tearfully, her lip quivering as she placed her hand on his face. The promise they had made to each other—and to Re and Aur—went through her mind. “In life.”
He smiled, pulling her close. “In death.”
She moved her lips to his. “Always.”
Their chests glowed brighter as they kissed, and the reality of the situation finally rested in Zahra’s chest. They could die tonight. This could be their end, but somehow she was at peace with it. They would either live and rule together or die together. Either way, they would be together, and that was all that mattered.
They pulled away, and Zahra held Namir’s hands, nervousness bubbling in her throat. He squeezed her hands, smiling softly. “Take a breath.”
Zahra obeyed. The cool air entered her lungs and made her chest feel light. She took another and nodded. “Thank you.” She looked at the Thoth, which sat on the ground by them. “You will be the one to utter the words to start the spell, but you must wait until she is weakened.”
“I know.” He caught her gaze. “Are you ready?”
Zahra hugged him. She buried her head in his shoulder, breathing in. “Now I am.” She pulled away, letting her hands fall from his. “I am ready, Selene.”
The mark of the full moon appeared on her head, and Zahra’s eyes glowed with silver moonlight.
Selene inclined her head to Namir, her voice blending with Zahra’s. “Thank you, Pharaoh King.”
Namir swallowed, putting his hand to his chest and bowing. “Thank you for your help, Nebthet.”
Selene turned to the great snake. She stepped forward through the darkness, until her feet touched the edge of the Iteru’s bed.
Iset looked down and let out a guttural laugh. “Have you come to fight, little sibyl? There is nothing you can do.”
Selene’s eyes narrowed. “It is I who has come to stop you, sister.”
Iset shrank back, but still she hissed. “You cannot take this power from me.”
“I have no plans of stealing anything from you, but you will be stopped.”
Silver light swirled from Zahra’s head, wrapping around her body. Within the cocoon it created, she changed. Feathers of moonlight sprouted from her skin, and her frame grew to a size that rivaled Iset’s.
Iset hissed, slamming her tail down toward her, but with mighty wings, Selene dodged and took off into the air. In the shape of a mighty eagle, Selene dove toward Iset, her talons outstretched. Iset wriggled to the side. Selene grabbed the end of Iset’s tail with her talons, but Iset lunged for Selene’s side.
Selene cried out, falling to the ground. She tried to wrap her talons around Iset’s neck, but Iset was too fast and slipped from Selene’s grasp.
The ground shook as they battled. People trapped in the rubble were rescued bysibylsmade of moonlight, and those who hid were guided to the Ionians by small but powerful eagles.Kerescame for the people, but thesibylsprotected them.
