“Horace will continue creating wars as you command, which also cause chaos.”Charles shivered with a chill, “Remind me to never anger you.”Jasper ’s chuckle was a deep rumble that vibrated her soul as he pulled Charles into his lap, “You could never push me to do this to you.”Charles hooked an arm around his broad shoulders and melted into his chest. She loved the way it rumbled when he spoke.“Your mother? How is it you have power over her?”“It is a law among the Gods. It is not spoken of often, as children are not born often, nor do marriages happen often.“The male of the family is head of the household, regardless of age. In Set’s home, he is the master, and everyone must submit to him.“He placed my mother above me as you are above Sha’ní. In Set’s absence, she is to defer to me.“Set is no longer the master of her family. I am the remaining male, and so, must submit to me.”Charles could not imagine submitting to a child. Both Kebachet and Sha’ní were her children and would r

“Thank you for coming.”Jasper gave a curt nod and said, “I am here to help where I am able.”Those were not the words the doppelganger expected. His red eyes shifted to Sha’ní, who stood next to him and then returned in a silent question to explain what he feared.“It is her decision. She has been warned and is still willing to bond with you.”"Are you mad?” He blurted and grasped Sha’ní’s shoulders with his clawed hands, ”Let me die, Sha’ní.”“Ra said you are to be made whole. If I do not bond with you, then another god will.”“Command my soul to leave. For her sake,” He pleaded with Jasper .“My apologies, Kebachet. Ra has spoken. My hands are tied.”The doppelganger stood back and helplessly gaped at the both of them. It was the same look of helplessness he gave when he begged Charles and Jasper for his life.Jasper taught his son that Ra’s word was law and must be respected no matter how strongly he disagreed with it. There was nothing that could be done. Jasper would not disobey

Wanting him and submitting to him was not an issue. They were not married. If she went through with his request, she could alienate her father and destroy the delicate connection she had fought so hard to achieve. She could not throw that away for a night of passion.Sha’ní had been kept in the dark her entire life. As a result, she would have failed in defeating Lilene, but Boros guided her and saved the world through her.Perhaps that was what must be done with Kebachet. She must blindly follow the path before her and lean on her father to help her through it when it seemed she would fail.“Why do you expect me to surrender everything to you? That is not how a relationship works. When two people are in love, they get married and live productive lives as best friends. They never own each other. I will never submit to any creature, and I am not ready to commit my life to another.”Her parents’ marriage was a peaceful one. Her father was head of the household. His word was law, and he

Sha’ní caressed his hand with her index finger and followed the valleys and hills of each knuckle, “He used to have two chakrams.”“And he will again. Enough, now. Take his body and protect him.”“Yes, mother.”Sha’ní gathered Kebachet in her arms and approached Charles . Her eyes never left the body, “Will you tell Father to come to the farmhouse where you met the doppelganger?”Charles stroked the hair on the man and nodded, then left. Her scent of wildflowers gently filled the room as it followed the air current.Sha’ní teleported to the farmhouse and went to the room in which Kebachet had been staying. It was a child’s room with two twin beds. He never slept in the beds. He preferred the floor and bundled a pile of blankets on a corner where he could huddle for warmth.Kebachet was no longer a demon. His human body may not tolerate the hard floor. Sha’ní gently laid him on one bed, then quickly dragged the other bed flush to the one Kebachet laid on. She found a blanket and covere

“Please,” she whispered as anxious tears stung her eyes.“Your fear is disgusting, sister. Do not disappoint me,” He warned.“But your soul...”"Is not your concern,” he interrupted, “Trust the god of the dead.”It was a silent reminder that Jasper was in control, and if he wanted his soul, he would have taken it long ago. Trust was hard to give when it had been broken by lies and secrets.She swallowed hard, then forced her back to the two males in her life who she loved deeply and teleported to Horace’s chambers. Horace always had the answers. Maybe he would be willing to share his knowledge or perhaps wipe away her anxiety with his magnificent body.Her core coiled, and warmth seeped through her as she remembered the night he took her to a magical place.Sha’ní let herself in without knocking. It felt a bit strange inviting herself into someone else’s home, but he said she had access to his chambers at any time during their relationship.The god of war sat in a simple wooden chair