Page 177 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir managed a small smile. He turned to the people once more. “Today, we will mourn all we have lost. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the start of a new era with my Pharaoh Queen and me.Then, we will rebuild. Aur will heal, and we will move forward into a brighter future.”
Cheers came from themedjayand people nearby. The sound spread, and soon the entire valley was cheering.
A joyous feeling filled Zahra’s soul, and she stood tall beside Namir.
The people dispersed, andmedjayfollowed Zahra and Namir down to the ash-covered pier in Inebu-hedj. A few joined them on the boat, and Zahra sat with Namir as they set out to Sea. Namir held the sheet-covered object, staring at it but not daring to reveal its glass surface.
They stopped some distance from the shores of Aur, and Zahra put her hand on Namir’s arm. “Are you ready?”
Namir was silent for a moment. He took in a shaky breath, handing the object to Zahra. “Yes.”
Zahra took the Thoth from the sheet, letting the fabric fall to the floor of the boat. Golden sand blocked her view of what was inside, though she knew at least two souls were within, if not more. The mark of the Pharaohs’ wings grew hot below her collarbone as she held the Thoth by its cool metal spires. The mark was barely visible on her skin, and it looked as if it had always been there. Namir had a similar one on his chest, so faint she would have thought it was a birthmark.
These were the marks Selene had warned they would forever carry, and they were the marks she and Namir would pass down through their line. This was their choice—a burden but also a reminder of what had occurred that day. Never again would Iset trick the children of Re into serving her, and if another would come to threaten Aur, they would be ready.
Zahra placed her bare feet on the edge of the boat. It tilted a little from the shift in weight. She held the Thoth out to the Sea, hersibylmark appearing on her head. “Selene, I call upon you. Send this where man can never find it.”
Selene’s voice came softly. “I will hide it in the deepest part of the Sea.”
The crescent moon became full on Zahra’s head, and her eyes glowed a brilliant silver. Light glowed beneath the water’s surface. The Sea moved on its own, swirling in two columns to where Zahra held the Thoth. The water wrapped around it, and the Sea pulled the Thoth into it. The Thoth’s lavender light disappeared into its depths.
Zahra pulled in a breath as Selene left her mind. Namir stood near her, his arms outstretched as if she might fall. She turned to him with a smile. “It is done.”
Namir smiled and took her hands. “Then let us go home.”
Namir and Zahra sat as themedjayguided the boat back to shore. A tawny eagle flew above them, and Zahra and Namir looked up. Zahra grinned. “Hello, Mamá.”
Katerina cawed, coasting in the wind above them. Sunlight leaked into the sky, and the first glimpse of the sun could be seen behind the boat.
Zahra let out a gasp as her eyes traced the beautiful colors of purple, pink, and gold. “Namir, look.”
“I see it.”
She turned toward him and found him staring at her. She laughed. “You didn’t even look!”
He grinned. “I did not need to.” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I can see it all within your eyes—every sunrise and sunset.”
Zahra’s cheeks grew warm, and she placed her hands on his face, mindful of his cut. “And in yours I see every night and the stars which call the sky their home.”
They kissed, smiling together. Namir let out a breathy laugh. “It is so quiet. The obelisk would usually be going off right now. We will need to start construction on a new one.”
“Don’t think about that now.” She pulled him closer, their noses brushing. “It’s dawn.”
Five Years Later
The sweet smell of lotus flowers filled the small room in thepr-aa. The space that had once housed an ill young boy was now filled with toys, clothes, and small wooden swords. On the balcony sat a small child, his curls pulled out of his face and his sea-blue eyes focused on the wooden board before him. His father watched in interest, stroking his beard. A thin scar sat on his cheek, his crown was missing, and his clothes were casual but embroidered with beautiful designs.
The small boy’s eyes lit up, and he moved his last piece. “Ha! I won, Jt!”
The Pharaoh King feigned a confused look, hiding a smile. “Again? Has your mother been training you, Chephren?”
Chephren shook his head proudly. “No, I did it! See?” He pointed to his last piece.
His father nodded. “You are right. I do see that.” He grinned playfully. “Shall we play again?”
A voice came from outside the window. “Boys! Are you joining us on our walk?”
Chephren shot to his feet. “It’s Mamá and Tausy! We have to hurry. Come on, Jt.”
